'Democrat senators are not happy about Trump's anti-LGBTQ court nominee' & other Fri midday news briefs

Anti-LGBTQ activist Jeff Mateer once said transgender youth are a part of 'Satan's plan.' Trump nominated him to the federal bench. Of course, folks aren't happy about it. Did I mention that Mateer also supports 'ex-gay' therapy?

Harsh questions await Trump's Texas court nominee who sees 'Satan’s plan' in transgender kids -  Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who sits on the Judiciary Committee has indicated there will be some serious questions when Jeff (transgender youth are a part of "Satan's plan") Mateer comes in front of the committee. Another committee member Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, isn't exactly singing his praises either. 

Mateer’s Nomination is a Brazen Attack on LGBTQ Americans - Trump's definition of standing up for the LGBTQ community seems to be filling his administration with folks who work against our equality. Apparently Mateer  is the latest. See what happens we folks get distracted by the antics of a clown put in charge. You watch him do a floppy dance but miss his hands lighting a fuse.

White House silent after revelation nominee called trans kids ‘Satan’s plan’ - Meanwhile, the White House is pulling the classic Mariah Carey "I don't know her" position on Mateer.

In other news: 

What Alabama’s GOP Senate Frontrunner Told Me Should Scare The Daylights Out Of You - Roy Moore has spooked me for years because the possibility of him having more power in our government was always there. 

Michigan Civil Rights Commission declines to reinterpret civil rights law to include LGBT - oh come ON, y'all!

Hate group leader Tony Perkins doesn't get the irony of his 'righteous government' comments

Self-righteous hypocrites generally don't take this short of a time to show their true faces as Tony Perkins, president of anti-LGBTQ hate group the Family Research Council, did in this video. Twenty-seven seconds has to be considered a record.

 Allow me to finish - Yes Tony, people do think politics (and government) is generally corrupt and dirty when people like you and your hate group exist to exploit it for your own self-righteous purposes. A righteous government does not discriminate against its own people and disguise it with a more palatable term of "religious liberty." Nor does it work to dehumanize transgender men, women, and children with misinformation and common stereotypes.

 Also, a righteous person in government is not an overblown, immature, overemotional creep who brags about grabbing women in their private areas, lies constantly, working to eliminate healthcare for millions of people, discarding the Biblical edict against taking care of strangers,and - so I don't forget to mention it - is suspected of  conspiring with a foreign government to steal an election. 

And a righteous group doesn't take the side of this leader. It doesn't ignore his faults, explain away his evil, nor cheer lead his efforts to harm the less fortunate. A righteous group doesn't sacrifice religious integrity for political power and access.

But you and your organization have done so and continue to do it.  So let me ask you something?

 Aren't you glad you weren't struck by divine lightning when you were spinning the junk in that video?

'Fake news site run by gay men underscores class problem in LGBTQ community' & other Thur midday news brief

How I feel after writing  the brief below regarding the fake news site.

L.A. Alt-Media Agitator (Not Breitbart) Clashes With Google, Snopes - Fans and followers of this blog know that no matter how negatively I've felt about a situation, I've always attempted to show a degree of decorum in describing my displeasure.

 But not this time because this here is some MAJOR bullshit. Seriously our community needs to have a discussion on how our "class problem" plays a huge role in hindering our fight for equality. Let me break it down like this - during the African-American civil rights movement, it didn't matter if black folks were rich or poor. It didn't matter how they dressed or what they looked like. To racists attempting to hold them down, they were treated like less than human because they were black. It wasn't something they could hide even a little bit.

Unfortunately in our community, we got some folks with a few bougie points, i.e. they were born into wealth, so-called privilege, didn't have to deal with discrimination as much as a lot of us, or even had the good fortune to fellate the right person and they are in a situation where they have easier access to things the rest of us don't. And they use these things in ways which, in the long or short run, damage the community. And they aren't touched because their class privilege insulates them.

Which brings me to these motherf$ckers  in THIS article above. They have a news site which generates lots of interest and they use it to spread crap and create confusion. And it is a bit pro-Trump.  To get a good idea of their mindsets, check out what one of them says about Donald Trump:

 They are critical of Donald Trump on some policy points (including his transgender military ban) but view him as a salutary influence in politics. "He may be a buffoon, and he may make some really bad mistakes during his presidency, but he's still an anti-establishment figure. A vote for him was a vote to smash the system." 

Who cares if he pushes lies about the transgender community, puts the physical and psychological lives of our transgender kids in jeopardy? Who cares if he appoints federal judges who don't even hide their bigotry about the LGBTQ community? Who cares if the folks who have for years tried to deprive us of our equality are key advisors in his administration? None of this will get through to these fake-ass journalists. They have their money, their circle of friends, their condos, their brunches with mimosas, and all other things which form the stereotypes of pampered gay men to keep them warm. It's the rest of us who are out in the cold being chased by the wolves with crosses seared in their fur.

Jive ass motherf$ckers.

 (takes a deep breath. puts on some Prince in his mp3 player)

In other news: 

Obergefell Is Already Under Attack - We would be deceiving ourselves if we didn't realize that the ruling which brought marriage equality to America was under attack even as it was announced. But pay attention to the long term plan here. This is what the fools in the above post is helping to cause.

Trump wants crude anti-LGBTQ activist as pick for federal judge - My post from yesterday because people like this awful man right here are key to the above news brief. The LGBTQ community should pay attention to who Trump wants to appoint to the judiciary. They can create more lasting damage than an executive order.

Imagine Dragons Lead Dan Reynolds Hosts Festival For LGBTQ Youth With Blessing Of LDS Church - This is a good thing and it cheers me up. 

2 months after arson fire, Phoenix LGBT youth center debuts new home - More cheering news. LGBTQ folks may be beset with setbacks but we are never defeated.

Trump wants crude anti-LGBTQ activist as pick for federal judge

 From Right Wing Watch:

 CNN reported today that Jeff Mateer, a former attorney for the Religious Right legal group First Liberty Institute who President Donald Trump recently nominated to a lifetime seat as a federal district court judge in Texas, has a long history of extreme anti-LGBTQ positions, including saying that transgender children are part of “Satan’s plan” of “destruction” and speaking at a 2015 conference organized by Kevin Swanson, a far-right pastor who has advocated for the death penalty for gay people. 

A Right Wing Watch review of others of Mateer’s speeches and interviews further reveals a clear hostility toward legal protections for LGBTQ equality and reproductive rights

The video below is from a 2015 speech entitled 'The Church and Homosexuality."

. . . CNN notes that , “Mateer said that the Supreme Court decision allowing same-sex marriage could lead to what he called ‘disgusting’ new forms of matrimony” such as “people marrying their pets.” Earlier in the presentation, Mateer told the audience that the “elephant in the room is homosexuality and the agenda that this small group is seeking and imposing on the rest of us” and the “legal attacks that that group of individuals and their surrogates are unleashing on the rest of the country.” He added that the U.S. was facing a “clash of absolutes” between “religious liberty rights” and “what is now being raised as a new sexual orthodoxy,” warning that “the other side” wants to see “enshrined in the Constitution” the “right to engage in homosexual conduct and be protected in that”:

For the sake of modesty and my own blood pressure, I will NOT post the video footage of what he said about transgender children..

'Fox News Channel rejects powerful ad on gay adoption' & other Wed midday news briefs

Watch the new gay adoption ad Fox won’t run because it’s ‘too powerful’ - This is HUGE. Just watch the ad above. Fox News can waste time featuring witches on their "news programs," dog Black Lives Matter, lie about Dreamers, and kiss Donald Trump's tookis, but won't run the above ad. Sometimes it's not about what a propaganda network focuses on, it's about what it deliberately ignores.

Former basketball player says university denied her a job for no longer identifying as gay - To your battle stations, folks. The religious right has a new media darling. She is a so-called former lesbian, African-American, and has a huge "sexy" (as in catches the media's eye big time) angle to exploit. Expect the possibility of a media blitz. However, like all times the religious right target our community with a controversy, the truth of the matter contradict the "sexy" angle. Don't sacrifice good old fashioned doubt before you read the full story. Don't sacrifice truth for the sake of parity. That practice has been one of our biggest flaws when combating the anti-LGBTQ industry.

Anti-LGBTQ hate group Alliance Defending Freedom attacks Michigan elementary school for trans-inclusive policy - A need-to-know article with a sad irony. The tactics these groups claim we use to supposedly infiltrate schools are the ones THEY are using.

  Brazil Overturns Ban On Ex-Gay Conversion Therapy - In Brazil?! Well shit.

What It’s Like To Be Black, Gay And HIV-Positive In Birmingham - Wonderful, thought-provoking piece.

John Aravosis spills the tea on the religious right leader who likes gay sex art

Long-time progressive activist John Aravosis, along with Cliff Schecter, has a wonderful podcast called UnPresidented. Through UnPresidented, Aravosis and Schecter hope to "empower the Resistance in the age of Trump"  by bringing a much needed honest and wry style in talking about today's political scene.

God knows we need honesty in political talk these days and with everything going down like a Mel Brooks movie, we need folks with a wry style to explain it to us. John and Cliff more than fit the bill.

I highly recommend that folks download and subscribe to it, particularly after John's revelations today.

John talks about an estate sale he went to across the street from his condo last weekend. Needless to say, what he found there was a certain piece of highly sexual artwork (and I'm being delicate here. John is explicit about what he saw.)

And the kicker? The estate and the artwork belonged to the son of two very prominent, very homophobic religious right activists.

Without going into too much detail because I really want you to listen to this (starting at 6:55), before he passed away, the father made a lot of money writing about not being "left behind." And the wife is known for being a really "concerned woman for America."

In fact, the son, the one who owned the artwork and of course is gay, worked for his mother during her "concerned" behavior.

The tea John spills is good and spotlights yet another case of extreme anti-LGBTQ activists having gay children.




You can go here to find out more on how to download and subscribe to UnPresidented.  


And - because this needs to be said - I get no monetary benefit for this. Just a large degree of bitchy satisfaction.

'Alt-right is now feuding with a Netflix cartoon' & other Tue midday news briefs

Alt-right continues war on Netflix by accusing a new show of promoting pedophilia - If it's not the "religious right," it's the "alt-right." BTW, the show is risque but not does not promote pedophilia. I doubt it even has anything to do with the LGBTQ community, but we know how these things will eventually yank us into the mix. 

Sen. Cotton: Wait for DOD study to decide on trans military service - Sounds reasonable but then again, don't hold your breath. This IS Sen. Tom Cotton. 

Shonda Rhimes Thinks It's "Embarrassing" That We're Still Celebrating So Many Emmys Firsts - She does have a point. Every time LGBTQs and/or people of color win something for the first time, people think we've rounded some corner. It only means the corner is in sight.

  New York City Announces New Initiatives to Help LGBTQ Youth - This is wonderful!

The 'gays will do something nasty to your children' card is a potent global tool for homophobia

There is a wild public vote going on in Australia about marriage equality. I'm not sure on the particulars but as far as I know the vote is nonbinding. However, that hasn't kept the anti-marriage equality side from wildly spewing all sorts of horror stories from every direction, particularly the claims about how marriage equality will harm children:

Don't these propaganda flyers and newspaper ads remind you of our fight? They should:

'Rapper Kid Rock hints on possible Senate run with attack on LGBTQ community' & other Mon midday news briefs

Kid Rock

Kid Rock opens Senate bid with anti-LGBT rant -  From last week but cannot be underestimated. Before the time in which the Orange disaster is infecting the White House like a monster in a low-budget Roger Corman movie, I would have laughed this off. But now, I realize that this fool running for a Senate seat in Michigan AND winning is remotely possible and even the word "remotely" inserted in my statement doesn't keep me from being fearful. And now he is attacking the LGBTQ community.

 Now for all of you "proper peoples and progressives," please stop reading while I start "machine gunning  shade" because certain things NEED to be said. 

Why the hell should anyone take Kid Rock seriously? I mean the man looks scuzzier than the deepest, hairiest part of Satan's armpit.  The man is more ratchet than a fake Gucci purse wrapped up with duct tape at a swap meat. 

In the article he claims people are scared to call "Jesus" by name. Kid Rock looks like he needs to forget calling "Jesus" and start calling the name of various soaps and lotions. Then he has the nerve to rag on the transgender community using the same tired old lies about "bathrooms." I'm gonna go ahead and admit that I'm less worried about transgender men and women in restrooms and more worried about does Kid Rock even wash his hands or wipe while in the bathroom. 

 Yeah, I'm being cruel and I don't give a shit. It's high time that we stop playing games and stop attempting to pick "sense" out of "nonsense." After Trump, I'm leaving NOTHING to chance. And with our opposition in the religious right having the shameless ability to get behind any candidate who can get them what they want, I bet if the situation called for it, all it would take is a few meetings and media moments for them to declare Kid Rock as a "baby Christian" or some of that crap they did with Trump. Yes, that's what I'm saying. If they can get something out of it, the religious right will support this guy:

Probably the best side (ugh) of the wannabe Senator from Michigan, Kidd Rock.

And if Kid Rock decides to run, you might as well get used to the above picture. I'm gonna put it everywhere, particularly on religious right twitter feeds. 

 In other news:

Here are the best LGBTI moments from this year's Emmys - Earlier, I was much too harsh on last night's Emmy awards. In retrospect, they were really good and especially groundbreaking for our community. 

Trans Actors For Trans Characters - I do agree with this sentiment. 

White guy surprised by anti-Asian racism on Grindr - The LGBTQ community is not free from racist sentiment. No community is. That's reality so folks need to stop being so shocked when it pops up. 

Here's What Happened At The "No" To Same-Sex Marriage Campaign Launch - In a non-binding people's vote regarding marriage equality in Australia, the "no" side is engaging in the SAME rhetorical crap we have had to deal with here. Hell, they are even using stuff from American anti-LGBTQ hate groups. It's all they have.

Lena Waithe, lesbian of color, makes Emmy Award history with well-deserved victory

If only all of my weeks could start off this way:

Lena Waithe and Aziz Ansari’s Emmy win made history on Sunday night. The two earned the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series at the 69th annual awards for the “Thanksgiving” episode from Season 2 of Netflix’s “Master of None.” Waithe, the first black woman to be nominated in the category, is now the first black woman to win in the category. . . . In her acceptance speech, Waithe thanked her “LGBTQIA family,” telling them, “I see each and every one of you.” “The things that make us different, those are our superpowers,” she continued. “Every day when you walk out the door, put on your imaginary cape, and go out there and conquer the world. Because the world would not be as beautiful as it is if we weren’t in it.”

The award-winning episode, 'Thanksgiving' had to do with Waite's character coming out as a lesbian to her mother (portrayed by the legendary Angela Bassett, who herself was nominated for an Emmy for 'Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series' for the episode,)

 

Both Waithe's story and victory prove one thing. In the LGBTQ community, we ALL have stories to tell and very few of them are the same. Instead of talking up diversity, we need to support each other and provide those of us who need it opportunities to get those stories out there. There is no one homogenized LGBTQ community. We are different mixtures and flavors which blend together to form a richness which no degree of hate or ignorance can extinguish. Don't be afraid of celebrating and respecting the mixtures.

Family Research Council asks for God's help in its war of lies against SPLC

According to People for the American Way's Right Wing Watch, the anti-LGBTQ hate group Family Research Council is calling for a new ally to join its fight against the Southern Poverty Law Center.

And, all jokes aside, I really don't think it's going to work out in the group's favor. You see, FRC just made a public prayer to God about the matter:"

“Pray that the SPLC’s leaders, deeds, and motives will be exposed and that their influence will diminish. May God mercifully reach into the lives of the SPLC’s leaders, staff, and supporters, and convict them of the wrong they are doing. May the Holy Spirit lead them to repentance. May many encounter Christ dramatically, just as Rabbi Saul before he became the Apostle Paul, who was on his way to destroy followers of Christ. May the American press and Big Business cease and desist from promoting the SPLC. May those who have helped instigate the present divide among Americans cease to sow seeds of division. Rather, may their stockpiled millions of dollars be used to heal the divisions in America they have helped to create. Protect and prevent the innocent and vulnerable from falling prey to SPLC’s fundraising schemes. Keep them from entanglement with the deeds of the SPLC. Finally, we pray that you would hinder the SPLC from inspiring the harm of one more person and move them to take sincere Christ-followers and Christian organizations off their ‘Hate List’ and issue a much needed apology.”

Bear in mind, just who FRC is praying to.

This is the "the truth shall set you free" God. The "therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another"' God. The "then keep from speaking evil and from telling lies." God. The "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor" God.

FRC seems to have mistaken God for one of their naive followers or at least one of the propaganda spewers from Fox News. The group thinks it can demonize LGBTQs, conflate us with pedophiles, make all up all sorts of nasty innuendos about our sexual behavior, and generally declare us as a public health menace, but then expect God to suddenly take its side over the group (SPLC) which has not only called them out for it BUT has the proof (i.e. receipts) to back up its charges?


Word to the wise, FRC.  You're making yourself look completely hypocritical. What does it say about the "personally held religious beliefs" you claim to hold so dear if you are praying to your God to help you cover up your lies? 

'LGBTQ seniors in CA gain victory in spite of Fox News' & other Thur midday news briefs

In spite of the lies of Tucker Carlson, LGBTQ seniors in CA, especially members of the trans community, are now protected from abuse.

California Legislature Approves 'Bill Of Rights' For LGBT Seniors -In spite of Tucker Carlson, the Fox News Network cadre of lies, and distortions about free speech, LGBTQ seniors, particularly transgender seniors, are now protected in California.

Linda Harvey: Criticism of The Nashville Statement Is A Precursor To Persecution Of Conservative Christians - Linda pines for the time when the LGBTQ community would simply take abuse. Sorry, girlfriend. Those days are way in the past. 

After death of LGBTQ rights activist Edith Windsor, community thanks her - Damn right. We owe Ms. Windsor the world. 

Ted Cruz's Pollster Is Flooding Australians With Antigay Robocalls - Why the hell are these jokers interfering with another country's decision about marriage equality?

Just A Bunch Of Tweets Searching For The True Definition Of Gay Culture - These tweets are very astute.