Prices hateful record on LGBTQ issues shows that he lacks an understanding of basic human rights and dignity, said Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD , an LGBTQ advocacy organization. That record renders him completely unfit for secretary of Health and Human Services, she added.

The Trump transition team and Prices office did not respond to requests for comment.

Over the years, Price co-sponsored a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. He voted against a bill that banned employers from discriminating against gay people and a bill that fought anti-gay hate crimes. He called the Obama administrations guidelines allowing transgender students to use the bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity absurd .

Price went out of his way to back Kelvin Cochran, an Atlanta fire chief who was terminated in January 2015 after employees received copies of his self-published book, which equated homosexuality with pedophilia and bestiality. The citys mayor claimed Cochran was fired for his judgment and management. But Price, along with five other Georgia lawmakers, signed onto a letter asking the mayor to reinstate him. (Cochran filed a lawsuit claiming that he was discriminated against because of his faith.)