Anti-gay bully Matt Barber claims to hate bullies

Matt Barber

It always amazes me when I read anything written by Matt Barber of the Liberty Counsel and the rabidly anti-lgbt publication BarbWire. I would actually respect his audacity  . . . that is if I didn't find him spiritually repulsive.

Case in point, his latest post, How Christian Kids Should Deal With ‘LGBT’ Peers. Believe or not, in this screed, Barber makes comments like the following:

So, with all of this cultural “progress” away from comprehensively fixed natural and moral laws, an inevitable question arises: How should Christian children and teens interact with peers who either identify with, or are believed to engage in, a lifestyle marked by homosexual or cross-dressing behaviors? The answer, generally speaking, is fairly straightforward: They should interact as all Christians should interact with all fellow sinners, with all people – with prayer, humility, wisdom, justice, honor, mercy, love and truth.

 . . . I can’t abide bullies. Never could. Most decent folks can’t. This is how I was raised. It’s also how I’m raising our three children. As did my father before me, I am teaching and equipping them to stand up to bullies. Not just when, and if, they happen to be the target of bullying themselves, but also when, and if, others are targeted. I’m raising my children to be friend to the friendless and champion to the vulnerable. I’m proud to say that all three of them are naturally inclined to such. I credit both God and His word of truth for that. 

Excuse me? Isn't Barber the same guy who sent out the following tweet about gays and the boy scouts:

 

And let's not forget several of his comments over the years about the lgbt community (courtesy of GLAAD Cap):

gay people "purchase kids" and treat them "like having little pets or something"

uses words like "purveyors of evil" or  "satanic" (1:19 in video clip) to refer to his political opponents

gay male relationships constitute "one man violently cramming his penis into another man’s lower intestine and calling it ‘love’” 

parents of a transgender child should be investigated for child abuse

Barber's writing and public utterances is like his personality - a silly schizophrenic concoction brewed by a man who thinks that the rest of America, particularly the lgbt community, is as forgetful and stupid as his supporters.  It serves to prove that he is not only a hypocrite and a homophobe, but he is also not that bright. What else can you call a man who goes on and on about his faith and love of God when there is a paper trail (easily found, I might add) which proves otherwise.

'NOM not happy with pro-marriage equality ruling' & other Monday midday news briefs

True to form, NOM misrepresents (GOP-appointed) judge who dared reject their tripe - As to be expected, NOM is not happy with the recent court case bringing marriage equality to Wisconsin and Indiana. Time to break out the pictures of Brian Brown crying his eyes out. 

Tony Perkins: Smithsonian 'Ignores The Destructive Side Effects Of Homosexuality' - This story actually signals progress. It used to be that folks like Perkins would go into detail with junk science and cherry-picked studies when they talked about the false dichotomy of homosexuality having dangerous "side effects." However, since lgbt bloggers, etc. began listing specific incidents and times when anti-gay groups would distort science and research, folks like Perkins can only spin horror tales about homosexuality in vague, unfamiliar terms.  

When Gender Norms Didn't Work for My Kid - A fascinating read. 

 Together 72 Years, Women In Their 90's Marry In Iowa - Those dern homosexuals have NO idea of commitment (sarcasm alert).

 South African Artist Brings Her Collaborative Portraits Of Trans People To The Americas For The First Time - This is pretty cool.

Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters turns eight years old!!!

On this day in 2006, I began this blog. It was initially meant to promote my upcoming self-published book by the same name, which was published the next year.

To be honest, the book was an embarrassment. It was badly written and badly edited, but it did open doors for me.  A lot of people sat up and took notice to the truth that so-called pro-family groups were demeaning the lgbt community through junk science, cherry-picked research, and lies.

While the book died a quick death, this blog continued and through the years has allowed me to consistently push the truth behind the lie that homosexuality is a supposedly negative lifestyle.

Below are the list of things I was able to accomplish in the years through Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters. I've been blogging for eight years in addition to holding down a regular full-time job. I don't get paid for it and I definitely haven't been doing this for fun. I've been trying to make a difference in the world in my own way. Too many times in the past, members of the lgbt community have fallen victim to ignorance and hatred perpetrated by propaganda which paints us as evil, diseased, child-molesting monsters. Too many of us have had our potential snuffed out by the vindictiveness of false religious people whose nastiness are buoyed by the lies of groups like the Family Research Council, the American Family Association, the National Organization for Marriage and unfortunately too many others to name.

Only the lgbt community can put a stop to this madness. And we will.

The list below is to serve as a reminder to myself and others that this struggle is not about fame, money, or flamboyance. No matter who you are or where you are, no matter if you are well-known or not as well known, respected by many or none at all, you can still make a positive difference in this world if you have ability, desire, endurance, and above all, heart:

Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters eight year accomplishment list:

 

• Over one million hits

• Readers on six continents and in several countries, including Russia, China, South Africa,  Nigeria, England, Japan, Australia, and the Netherlands

• 2014 GLAAD Media Award nomination  - Outstanding Blog

• 2010 Order of the Pink Palmetto – SC Pride

• Two-time Ed Madden Media Award nominee- SC Pride

Posts published by:

• Huffington Post  

• Pam’s House Blend

• Alternet.com

• Daily Kos

• Firedoglake/Justice for All

• Ms. Magazine

• Salon

• Truth Wins Out

Quoted/mentioned by:

• The Daily Beast

• Lawrence O’Donnell

• Melissa Harris-Perry

• Fox News online newspaper

• People for the American Way’s Right-Wing Watch

• Andrew Sullivan

• Newsweek

• GLAAD

• The Advocate

• National Black Justice Coalition

• Equality Matters

• Southern Poverty Law Center

• Americablog

• Dallas Voice

• Queerty

• ThinkProgress

• Box Turtle Bulletin

• LGBTNation

• Goodasyou.org

• The New Civil Rights Movement

• Joe.My.God

• The Human Rights Campaign

•  Bilerico

• Crooksandliars.org

• The Washington Post

• Upworthy.com

Major Accomplishments:

• Attended Netroots Nation 2014, 2011, 2012

• Collaborated with Jeremy Hooper of Goodasyou.org on Marriage Equality Talking Points

• Published 'How They See Us: Unmasking the Religious Right War on Gay America'

• Created and maintains a list of researcher & professor complaints of how anti-gay groups distort of their work

• Work used by the Southern Poverty Law Center in naming anti-gay organizations as hate groups

• Helped in campaign to get Hardball’s Chris Matthew to make correction concerning citation by Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins

• Helped in campaign to make Hardball’s Chris Matthews accountable for anti-gay group spokespeople appearing on his show

• Helped to expose NOM’s attempt to funnel bad research, i.e. The Mark Regnerus study to the courts

• Helped to make story of NOM’s race wedging strategy go viral

• Exposed group of anti-gay activists’ campaign to cyber attack lgbt blogs and organizations

• Published countless posts exposing anti-gay groups and anti-gay spokespeople distorting research, citing cherry-picked research, and outright lying to demonize the lgbt community

• Developed list of how anti-gay groups distort research to demonize lgbts

• Developed list of the tactics anti-gay groups use to demonize lgbts

• Outlined 16 specific reasons why the Family Research Council is a hate group

• Broke story about how lawyers assigned to defend DOMA was using bad research

• Series of posts helped expose right-wing attack on Obama appointee Kevin Jennings

• Developed “Know Your LGBT History” series of posts looking at lgbt history in American society, including film and television.

• Interviewed three times on the Michelangelo Signorile radio show (one time with Signorile, the other two times with guest hosts)

• Interview with Jamila Bey on Voice of Russia America

• Assisted in publicizing GLAAD’s Commentator Accountability Project

• Defended reputation and legacy of civil rights leader Bayard Rustin

• Live-blogged a 2013 panel discussion on the life and legacy of civil rights leader Bayard Rustin for the Human Rights Campaign

'The worst attack on same-sex families you will ever read' & other Friday midday news briefs

Laurie Higgins: Libraries Need Books About The 'Joy' Kids Feel When Their Gay Parents Die - A little advice from me to anti-gay activist Laurie Higgins: It's not a good idea to say how libraries should stock books about how children in same-sex households will celebrate if their gay parents die  because they can be adopted in a home with a "mother and father." Regardless if you made the implication in sarcasm or satire, it's really NOT FUNNY at all. 

Linda Harvey: Gays 'Preying On Children' At Youth Centers - At this point, a Linda Harvey comment is so predictable. "Blah, blah, blah, gays are evil sinners who want to have sex with children, blah blah blah" Come on, Linda. Even Celine Dion gets new material.  

Remembering LGBT Health Advocate Andrew Cray - I never had the pleasure of meeting Andrew Cray but from the good he did, more people should know who he was.  

Joan Rivers Was One Of The Earliest And Loudest Gay Icons - I know. Joan was loud and wild, but she had a good heart and was funny as all get out.  

Values Voter Summit Attracting Fewer Politicians than in Past Years - I am happy to see that the Southern Poverty Law Center is not backing down from calling out anti-gay hate groups.  

Florida Officials Appeal Ruling Striking Down Gay Marriage Ban - Oh come on, folks.

Louisiana residents sound off against awful marriage equality ruling

When Justice Martin Feldman ruled for Louisiana's marriage equality ban two days ago, he conveniently forgot about a number of folks. And they aren't happy:



 Hat tip to Jeremy Hooper.

What a difference a day makes in marriage equality cases

The day after suffering a minor setback in losing a marriage equality court case in Louisiana, the lgbt community springs back today with a marriage equality victory in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. This victory eliminates marriage equality bans in Indiana and Louisiana.

This unanimous decision by the three judges was not a surprise, seeing how they practically ran the defenders of the ban out of court during the trial in late August.

Rather than make a large comparison between today's decision and yesterday's decision, I thought I would focus on the one thing which made the difference and that will probably continue make the difference in these cases:

Justice Martin Feldman in ruling for Louisiana's marriage equality ban:

This Court is persuaded that Louisiana has a legitimate interest…whether obsolete in the opinion of some, or not, in the opinion of others…in linking children to an intact family formed by their two biological parents, as specifically underscored by Justice Kennedy in Windsor.

Justice Richard Posner in today's decision:

Our pair of cases is rich in detail but ultimately straightforward to decide. The challenged laws discriminate against a minority defined by an immutable characteristic, and the only rationale that the states put forth with any conviction— that same-sex couples and their children don’t need marriage because same-sex couples can’t produce children, intended or unintended—is so full of holes that it cannot be taken seriously.

The difference is stark. Posner and his fellow justices considered how the lack of marriage equality harms same-sex families with children. Feldman did not. In fact, Feldman omitted the fact that same-sex families with children exist.

In my opinion, that's what these cases will come down to - whether these families deserve protection given to them by marriage. Or do they deserve to be omitted and ignored.

'Senior GOP spokesman comes out of the closet' & other Thursday midday news briefs

One Year Later, Horror Stories About This City’s LGBT Non-Discrimination Law Haven’t Come True - We really need to be keeping a record of how many times anti-gay horror stories don't come true.

James Richardson Comes Out: 'I'm A Senior GOP Spokesman, And I'm Gay.' - That "DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!" you are hearing is not the ghost of Esther Rolle reprising the scene from "Good Times" when her character dealt with the death of her husband, James. It's coming from the anti-gay industry as a GOP spokesman comes out of the closet.  

Did Daniel Pierce's Coming-Out Video Upset You? Here Are 5 Things You Can Do - The video of the young man assaulted by his family when he came out has generated considerable buzz. Now let's talk about the other children who face awful situations when coming out. What can be done for them? 

 Why The Dallas Cowboys Are An Excellent Fit For Michael Sam - Because their defense sucks. Okay the article doesn't make it sound so bad. Sorry, that was the bitch in me talking.  

Bronx Pastor Running For State Office Praises Uganda’s Anti-Gay Laws - Oh nice! (sarcasm fully intended)

FRC's Tony Perkins is practically delusional about LA marriage equality decision

We knew that the anti-gay right would be gloating over their victory yesterday in Louisiana but in the case of Family Research Council president Tony Perkins, how can one get angry when the gloat is just damn so delusional:

Tony Perkins

Relying on research -- not the Left's misshapen idea of "rights" -- the Reagan appointee (U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman) was blunt about the danger of chasing the political and cultural winds. "Public attitude might be becoming more diverse, but any right to same-sex marriage is not yet so entrenched as to be fundamental," he said plainly. Unlike so many of his peers, Feldman rightly recognized that the courts have no authority to unilaterally change the definition of our most fundamental social institution. While the courts stampede voters' rights to force their agenda, Feldman defended government by the people, for the people. "The state of Louisiana has a legitimate interest under a rational basis standard of review for addressing the meaning of marriage through the democratic process." We applaud him -- as well as state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell and special counsel Kyle Duncan and Mike Johnson, for standing up for the rule of law. They may be in the minority in the courts -- but they're in the majority where it counts: public opinion. 

Is Perkins for real? Just when exactly did Feldman rely on research? One of the objections to Feldman's ruling is that he clearly ignored research and shaped his opinion as if he was writing anti-gay talking points on marriage equality.

See my post from yesterday concerning the problems with Feldman's ruling.

Marriage equality opponents won't get momentum with Louisiana victory

Today, a federal judge in Louisiana upheld that state's anti-marriage equality law,  thereby breaking the lgbt community's streak of successes in the courts when it comes to marriage equality cases after the SCOTUS's Windor ruling.

However, other than having to deal with the gloating and overreaction of anti-gay groups and spokespeople, I don't necessarily see this ruling as a bad thing for two reasons.

1. No new rationale against marriage equality - The thing more nauseating than the ruling is the rationale U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman used to rule for the state of Louisiana. His ruling reads like anti-gay talking points from the National Organization for Marriage.

His choice of words to describe lgbt couples and use of the slippery slope argument caught many people's attention. Ian Millhiser of Think Progress said:

At one point, he describes being gay as one of several “lifestyle choices” a person can make. At another point in his opinion, he compares same-sex marriage to marriage between “aunt and niece,” “aunt and nephew,” or “father and child.” He also likens marriage equality to polygamous marriages.

David Ferguson of  Raw Story goes into detail about Feldman's use of the slippery slope argument:

“For example,” he wrote, “must the states permit or recognize a marriage between an aunt and niece? Aunt and nephew? Brother/brother? Father and child? May minors marry? Must marriage be limited to only two people? What about a transgender spouse? Is such a union same-gender or male-female? All such unions would undeniably be equally committed to love and caring for one another, just like the plaintiffs.”

No, argued Feldman, the prevailing definition of marriage has been good for millennia and therefore is good enough for the Court.

He also said the following about the purpose of marriage, according to Chris Geidner of Buzzfeed:

Feldman concluded first that no “fundamental right” was at stake — “Public attitude might be becoming more diverse, but any right to same-sex marriage is not yet so entrenched as to be fundamental” — and that laws that distinguish based on sexual orientation are not subjected to heightened scrutiny. As such, only the lowest level of scrutiny — rational basis review — applied to the ban, meaning the state needed only to show a legitimate reason for barring same-sex couples from marrying.

With that, he examined the reasons the state gave for the ban and concluded that they “offer a credible, and convincing, rational basis” for the ban.

Specifically, Feldman wrote:

This Court is persuaded that Louisiana has a legitimate interest…whether obsolete in the opinion of some, or not, in the opinion of others…in linking children to an intact family formed by their two biological parents, as specifically underscored by Justice Kennedy in Windsor.

 
And according to Ferguson,  he made light of the other rulings before him, i.e. those ruling favor of marriage equality:

 “The federal court decisions thus far exemplify a pageant of empathy; decisions impelled by a response of innate pathos.”

So what does this mean? Basically the anti-gay industry lucked out and found one judge who, for whatever reason, actually bought into their ridiculous arguments against marriage equality.  But after the consistent rejections by other courts,  this ruling says more about Feldman's personal beliefs than it does about the argument over marriage equality, particularly when one takes into account the language and rationale he used.

2. This victory does not give the other side momentum - No doubt anti-gay groups and their spokespeople will gloat in press releases and interviews about how this proves marriage equality isn't inevitable. However, no matter which way the ruling went, we all know this won't be finally decided by any court except for SCOTUS. And in terms of that, anti-gay groups may claim that they have momentum, but don't be fooled.  We still have a long way to go and based on other court deliberations, those against marriage equality will probably have a lot more losses than successes before we get there.  And as today's ruling shows, they have no new arguments against marriage equality.

Having said that, I think that today's ruling should also serve as a stark reminder for the lgbt community. Let's not be so quick to celebrate before the battle is over. No matter how many folks do say that our right to marry is inevitable, the battle is never over until its over.  And until that time, we shouldn't be slacking off in telling our stories and doing what we can to make marriage equality a reality.

'Ex-gays lose another leader, Michael Sam becomes a Cowboy' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

Former Exodus International activist: 'I am glad that the courts are striking down all the marriage bans across the country' - More proof that in the long run, right and basic goodness wins out. 

Cowboys sign Michael Sam to practice squad - It's the practice squad but it's a damn good start. Sam has said he wants to prove himself and he should have the opportunity regardless of sexual orientation. One thing though - does this mean I have to drop my over 30-year vendetta against the Dallas Cowboys? In 1980, they beat my Steelers in a preseason game and you know us gay folks don't forget @!%.  I won't even bring up Superbowl XXX.  

New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade To Allow LGBT Group For First Time Ever - Oh this is going to be interesting . . .  

FRC's Craig James: Religious Right Should Be More Like The LGBT Rights Movement - Well some of them are part the way there. There are plenty members of the religious right who are just like lgbts . . . except for that part about being in the closet. 

 Daily Caller Defends Racist, Transphobic Writer Against “Politically Correct Hysteria” - Because sooner or later, us "politically correct" folks will stop people from using ugly language describing African-Americans and folks of the Jewish faith. Oh, we are suuuch bullies.

Duck Dynasty guy says he is as 'homophobic as Jesus'

In my last post, I pointed out that comments by the AFA's Bryan Fischer proved just how homophobia rots one's brain. I think that this morning, Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty proves that homophobia not only rots your brain but makes you self-righteous while it's going on. By the way, Jesus never said a word about lgbts.

 
And lest I forget, don't you just LOVE the way he dodges his past controversial statement about racism?

Bryan Fischer is proof that homophobia makes you stupid

Can someone tell me what the heck is the American Family Association's Bryan Fischer is talking about here:

'Opinions vary on Michael Sam situation' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

Why The Rams Cut Michael Sam, And Why His Future Still Looks Bright - I'm certainly not trying to rationalize the situation but I personally am not angry that Sam was cut. I think what happened was a decision strictly based upon football and not Sam's sexual orientation. I think that regardless, what Sam did was brave and shouldn't be overwhelmed by feelings of disappointment with him not being picked.  

NFL Player Says ESPN Is To Blame For Michael Sam Going Unsigned - Of course others may disagree . . . 

Teen Suing South Carolina DMV After Being Told To Remove His Makeup For License Photo - I'm rooting for the teen. But dag, why is it that my state only makes the news when stuff like this happens? 

Janice Shaw Crouse: Love and Marriage Are Amazing! (Many Conditions Apply, Of Course!) -  I haven't shown any spotlight on the anti-gay Concerned Women for America nor any of its spokespeople in a long while. As writer Evan Hurst points out, they have been unfortunately busy maligning marriage equality.  

 BarbWire Columnist: Homosexuality Is Violence Against God - Sorry for this little bit of "crazy" to end today's news briefs

Conservative columnist explains away anti-gay lie with ANOTHER lie

Walter Williams

I am not that familiar with Walter Williams. I only know that he is in a cadre of "black conservatives" who do nothing but appear on television or write pieces serving as "beards" for white racism. And this allows them to collect fat paychecks from white-led think tank groups as sort of a wingnut welfare program.

But hey, I'n not "mad" at these folks. People do what they can to get paid. However, when folks like Williams repeat distortions about the lgbt community, that's when I bristle and get angry. Recently Williams wrote a piece, Things I Don't Understand. It is a bizarre, ramble about several things, including the following:

According to the International Journal of Epidemiology, life expectancy at age 20 for homosexual and bisexual men is eight to 20 years less than for all men. That's a lifestyle shortening of life expectancy greater than obesity and tobacco use. Yet one never hears of insurance companies advertising lower premiums for heterosexual men. You say, "That would be discrimination." You're right, but why is it acceptable for insurance companies to discriminate against smokers and the obese but not homosexuals? After all, they are all Americans and protected by the Constitution. It's really a matter of politics, as seen by the journal's publication of an article titled "Gay life expectancy revisited" (http://tinyurl.com/25ejq2d). The publication had to soft-pedal its study results because of complaints that pointing out life expectancy differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals had become fuel for homophobia. The bottom line is that homosexuals have far greater political power and sympathy than smokers and the obese.

Williams is wrong on several accounts with that paragraph. He claims that the journal backpedaled its claim about gay men having short lifespans because it was "forced" by politics to soft pedal.

First of all, study in question was done by six researchers - Robert S Hogg, Steffanie A Strathdee, Kevin JP Craib, Michael V O'shaughnessy, Julio Montaner, and Martin T Schechter - who published their findings in the International Journal of Epidemiology in 1997.

In 2001, they were the ones who complained when they discovered that their work was being distorted by anti-gay groups to falsely accuse homosexuality of being a "dangerous lifestyle."

In their letter, published by the International Journal of Epidemiology, they said the following:

It is essential to note that the life expectancy of any population is a descriptive and not a prescriptive measure. Death is a product of the way a person lives and what physical and environmental hazards he or she faces everyday. It cannot be attributed solely to their sexual orientation or any other ethnic or social factor.

And there was no political pressure involved in getting these researchers to write the 2001 letter.  However, the fact that Williams makes that accusation (and without any proof) is a bothersome development. It demonstrates that he knew that the claim he was making about the supposed gay life span was wrong but he chose to make it anyway and then explain it away with another lie.

Perhaps Williams doesn't understand certain things like basic integrity and honesty.

Know Your LGBT History - Charlie's Angels : 'Angels in Springtime'

One would think that a show like Charlie's Angels would have quite a bit of lesbian innuendo - either positive or negative - but it wasn't the case except for one episode. And even this episode gingerly walked the line in being so careful not to display two villains as a lesbian couple that if you blinked, you would miss the slight clues.

 In the third season episode, "Angels in Springtime," (shown above as a mini-episode), the ladies travel to a women's only health resort to investigate the murder of a former Hollywood actress who was writing a tell-all book.

They run into a number of characters, including fellow former actress Norma (portrayed by Academy Award winner Mercedes McCambridge), bulky and threatening attendant Zora (Nancy Parsons), and resident physician  Dr. Slavin (Joan Hotchkis).

It doesn't take a mind reader to tell that Slavin and Zora are both lesbians. While Parsons openly plays the stereotype of a vicious, muscular maven, Hotchkis underplays her role, dropping hints about pretty women and the evils of men in an exceptionally creepy manner.

Perhaps remembering the controversy which took place earlier a couple of years before due to the very controversial episode of Police Woman, "Flowers of Evil" (one of the first entries in the Know Your LGBT History file), the show is careful not to show the two together and the only hint that they may be a couple is the scene in which Parsons hints that they are working a blackmail scheme on the residents.

But there was one thing which struck me as odd. Both lesbian characters are involved in fight scene with the "angels," and the scenes were so violent that they obviously contained stunt doubles.

Maybe I'm hinting on something that's not there, but I have never seen fight scenes so violent on this show.

Past Know Your LGBT History Posts: 

'Online community gives gay man support after awful coming out video' & other Friday midday news briefs

This Guy Was Disowned By His Family For Being Gay So The Internet Raised $50,000 For Him - The story of the young gay man being rejected and attacked on video by his family has a happy ending. 

FRC's Sprigg admits his side put up 'weak defense' in 7th Circuit - Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council admits that those attempting to defend marriage equality bans in Indiana and Wisconsin did an awful job. Can't you just hear the theme of the Twilight Zone echoing in your ears?

Twins Come Out To Their Parents And Catch It All On Camera - WOW!!  

Ottawa Opera Company Fires Singer For Homophobic Facebook Remarks - In the words of the former boy band, Nysnc: "Bye! Bye! Bye!" 

Barber: Fayetteville Non-Discrimination Ordinance Is Forcing Citizens to Engage In 'A Mass Delusion' - Poor Matt Barber. He is SUCH a bitch.

Jon Stewart calls out the nonsense regarding Michael Sam's 'showering habits'

Thank you Jon Stewart for saying what needs to be said about Michael Sam and this ridiculous situation regarding his "showering habits."

The Daily Show
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'Bryan Fischer's silly take on Michael Sam's showering habits' & other Thursday midday news briefs

It’s altogether right for Michael Sam to shower by himself - Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association weighs in on the Michael Sam shower pseudo controversy and it's as bad as you would figure. But Fischer's words (on video which unfortunately he will not allow folks to embed) should be heard because it underscores his dishonesty. I mean no one in their right mind would compare mature adults in a communal shower with a man showering with girls. But then again, Fischer hasn't been in his right mind for years . . . 

Women’s College Opens Doors To Transgender Students - Excellent!  

WATCH: 'Christian' Family's Terrifying Response to Son Coming Out - This is just awful. Just plain AWFUL! '

A Day With HIV 2014' Aims To Break Down HIV Stigma - I LOVE this!

  Daily Caller Column Blames Gay Service Members For Rise In Military Rape - And naturally the writer provides no proof of this. Of course there is proof that he is not accurate in his claims.

#TBT - 'Homosexuality: DEATHSTYLE'

In keeping with the spirit of "Throwback Thursday," I thought I would post about something from way back in the day which is not necessarily a picture of myself per se, but a picture of myself and other lgbts as some folks see us. I've posted it before I figure why not post it again.

It's an ugly thing but very very necessary.

This 1986 comic was created by a man named Dick Hafer and it is a vile representation of some of the most evil anti-gay lies out there.

This is for the many young folks who don't remember what it was like in the 1980s when the AIDS crisis was in full bloom, ignorance was all around and Paul Cameron was a credible name.

It is a representation of how far we have come and how far we have to go. You will recognize how some of the same arguments are still being used, although not as explicitly.

You can click on the pictures to get a better view of the pages - more are at the bottom (even though I don't think it's work safe). And if you want to see the entire comic (God help you) go here. The webpage featuring this comic is not anti-gay. It's a site that looks at "problem-based comics" from the past.

Conservatives already labeling judge as 'bully'

Ryan T. Anderson

It begins.

Some conservatives are not happy with yesterday's deliberations in front of the US Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals where state attorneys defending marriage equality bans in Wisconsin and Indiana got practically ripped by the three judge panel.

Chris Geidner of Buzzfeed called it "the most lopsided arguments over marriage bans at a federal appeals court this year . . ." while  I said we can expect to hear whining about "activist judges" spewing from the right.

I didn't know it would come this soon.

Ryan T. Anderson of the Heritage Foundation has slowly but steadily become the new defender of marriage equality bans on a supposedly intellectual basis. He sent out the following tweet outlining a complaint about one of the judges:

"Posner is a bully ... [other] judges, even who disagree with the lawyers, managed to be courteous and respectful." http://t.co/9UR0Yv3ylq
— Ryan T. Anderson (@RyanT_Anderson) August 27, 2014

Anderson's tweet was referring to Justice Richard Posner, a Reagan appointee who was the most aggressive in skewering the defenders of the marriage equality ban during yesterday's trial.

If the judges rule in our favor, I expect other besides Anderson will be pulling the "he was an activist bully" card against Posner. But what folks like Anderson mischaracterize (probably deliberately) as bullying is an adherence to facts and lack of patience for people with virtually no argument to support their point of view.

In other words, don't blame the judge because your argument is lousy.

'ESPN regrets report on Michael Sam's showering habits' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

ESPN ‘Regrets’ Report About Michael Sam’s Locker Room Showering Habits - Uh yeah. It was a dumb report.  

His other tactics failing, NOM president turns to anti-trans fear-mongering - For NOM President Brian Brown, "good values" always lie in finding the convenient scapegoat. 

Two Guys Are Traveling Across The United States To Photograph LGBT Families And Couples - This is a wonderful idea. 

McCrory Asked Not To Defend NC Gay Marriage Ban - McCrory would be wise to listen what happened yesterday in court to the defendants of marriage equality bans in Wisconsin and Indiana. It should be easy for him to make a decision then.

 Anti-Gay Pastor And Likely GOP Congressman Quotes Gay Icon, Pretends Thomas Jefferson Said It - And this guy WILL most likely be in Congress next year. Loooord . . .

'Gays want children' lie seems to never die

Yet another anti-gay group - this time, Truth in Action Ministries -pushing nonsense about how gays are supposedly "infiltrating schools" and "indoctrinating" students. And they are also pthrowing the "religious liberty" argument in the mix. But like every time in which the anti-gay folks push such nonsense, two realities are ignored - children who are lgbt and children from same-sex households.

The deliberate attempt to ignore the latter is something that always sticks in my craw. Do they think that children from same-sex households not attend public schools? Perhaps they think that these children are put in suspended animation during the day and are only thawed out when gay folks need photo ops or news footage in order to make the case for gay adoption.

Then again, never mind I said that. I don't want to give these folks ideas. They are so desperate for new material.

The fact of the matter is this - lgbt children and children from same-sex families attend public schools. That's a fact you cannot ignore. And their rights to speak and hear about themselves and see their families represented trumps any nonsensical argument drudged up to render them invisible.

Hat tip to Right Wing Watch.

Disastrous day in court cripples gay marriage opponents

Marriage equality opponents apparently had an awful day in court in their attempts to defend gay marriage bans in several states. According to the Washington Blade:

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday skewered state attorneys defending bans on same-sex marriage in Wisconsin and Indiana. The judges who heard the lawsuits — one seeking to overturn the ban on same-sex marriage in Wisconsin, the other in Indiana — consisted of Richard Posner, a Reagan appointee; Ann Claire Williams, a Clinton appointee; and David Hamilton, an Obama appointee. Based on the skepticism these judges expressed regarding marriage bans in these states, the panel seems headed toward deciding 3-0 in favor of marriage equality. Posner was most aggressive in the questioning of attorneys defending bans on same-sex marriage.

  . . Posner asked why sterile opposite-sex couples should be allowed to wed. Posner was similarly frustrated with Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General Timothy Samuelson when the lawyer couldn’t answer why allowing same-sex couples to wed might have a negative impact other than by observing the institution of no-fault divorce led to an increase in the dissolution of marriages. When Samuelson said he wasn’t prepared for the question and could respond later in a brief, Posner retorted, “How can you brief it, if you don’t know anything about it?”

Twice during the arguments, Posner cited a friend-of-the-court brief from the LGBT group known as the Family Equality Council, pointing out the harms faced by children with same-sex parents because their parents don’t have access to marriage. The judge brought up a statistic that between 200,000 and 250,000 children are without guardians and eligible for adoption. Speaking later of same-sex marriage during the arguments, Posner said, “We think, or at least I think, it’s good for the kids.” 

Chris Geidner of Buzzfeed called today's deliberations "the most lopsided arguments over marriage bans at a federal appeals court this year . . ."

He also said:

From the start of the arguments over Indiana’s ban at a little past 9:30 a.m. until the end of the arguments over Wisconsin’s ban at 11:11 a.m., 7th Circuit Judges Richard Posner, Ann Claire Williams, and David Hamilton pounded the two lawyers defending the bans with dismissive, incredulous questions about the basis and purpose for their respective states’ bans.

For the lawyers representing the same-sex couples, the judges almost assumed that the bans violate the constitutional guarantee of equal protection of the laws. The only question in the hearing Tuesday was whether the bans also violated due-process guarantees because marriage is a fundamental right.

In other words, get ready for more weeping and whining about "activist judges" from the religious right. I can almost hear that lovely music now.
 

'Five religious right myths about sex' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

Christianity’s shame game: 5 dangerous & ridiculous sex myths spread by the religious right - and you just KNOW that we are included in this list. 

Pat Robertson: Teen Boy Might Be Gay Because He Lives With Single Mom - Why in gay hell would anyone, and I mean ANYONE, ask Pat Robertson's advice for anything?

 The One Political Moment From The Emmys - The Normal Heart won 'Outstanding Television Movie' last night at the Emmys and director Ryan Murphy took the time to encourage more activism. 

 
Klingenschmitt 'Apologizes' For Accusing Rep. Jared Polis Of Wanting To Join ISIS & Behead Christians - In which we learn that an apology from an anti-gay figure is almost as bad as the original offense. 

Health Care Fears Loom Large In Gay Marriage Cases - Excellent point!

Human Rights Campaign: Anti-gay group is exporting homophobia to foreign countries

The Human Rights Campaign has come out with an explosive report on the World Congress of Families, an anti-gay group which seems to be operating by exporting homophobia under all of our noses:

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today released a new report that exposes one of the most influential groups in America promoting and coordinating the exportation of anti-LGBT bigotry, ideology, and legislation abroad: The World Congress of Families.

Labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, and active in several nations across five continents, the Rockford, IL-based World Congress of Families (WCF) has organized large international “pro-family” conventions that bring together the most fringe activists engaged in anti-LGBT extremism since 1997.  In July, WCF announced that its next annual international convention will take place in Salt Lake City, making it the first ever hosted on American soil.

“The World Congress of Families coordinates a dangerous group of activists spreading anti-LGBT rhetoric and promoting laws and policies that criminalize LGBT people and the speech of those who support them,” said Ty Cobb, HRC Foundation’s Director of Global Engagement.  “They praise Vladimir Putin as the standard-bearer for traditional ‘family values’ and honored a Nigerian activist who claims LGBT advocates conspire with the terrorist group Boko Haram with a “Woman of the Year” award.  Their advocacy abroad harms LGBT people from Russia to Nigeria and beyond.  Hate is not an American value, and we must expose and work to stop the World Congress of Families and their extremist allies.”

HRC Foundation’s report documents: WCF’s origins and founding members; a timeline of its major international events; affiliations with prominent American officials, political groups, and religious organizations; engagement and lobbying with leaders and lawmakers abroad; and the primary regions in which the group has been most active.

Uganda, Russia, and Nigeria have enacted horrific anti-LGBT laws within the past year, and LGBT people in those countries have suffered vicious and violent backlashes in their wake. This includes harassment, discrimination, prosecution, public beatings, and murder. WCF and its affiliates are connected to anti-LGBT advocacy in each of the three countries, among many others.

WCF affiliate Scott Lively traveled repeatedly to Uganda claiming that LGBT people are responsible for the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide and the spread of HIV/AIDS.  Some Ugandan officials credit Lively with the idea of introducing new legislation to further criminalize homosexuality in the country, and prominent Ugandan LGBT activists say the "bill is essentially his creation."  WCF also forcefully advocated for the draconian anti-LGBT Russian law, met with the law’s author in the Russian Duma, and released a public letter in support of the measure. WCF has also repeatedly hosted events in Nigeria with “pro-family” activists from Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa.

'An amendment to put gays in jail . . .' & other Monday midday news briefs

From Jeremy Hooper comes this above "gem" - Video: Preacher Michael Wilson calls for amendment to imprison gay people. Anti-gay preachers are like reality tv shows. They are large in number and each is more crappier than the last.  

Joseph Farah: Being Against Same-Sex Marriage Is A Sexual Orientation - When I began this blog in 2006, my biggest concern was how anti-gay spokespeople and groups was pushing cherry-picked science and junk studies in order to demonize the lgbt community. Now my biggest concern is that these folks are just plumb crazy.

 Mike Huckabee Pleads With Australia To Stop Canceling Anti-Gay Hate Group Conference Venues - My heart bleeds for him AND them (HUGE sarcasm alert). 

 Gay firefighter seeks equal benefits - And she deserves them. 

Lodge agrees to pay for gay couple's wedding after initially refusing to host it - The sweet smell of justice in a Monday afternoon . . .

Family Research Council continues pushing flawed, outdated anti-gay study

FRC president Tony Perkins

Editor's note - I've written about following Family Research Council study, Comparing the Lifestyles of Homosexual Couples to Married Couples, several times. However the fact that the organization continues to push it as "trending" on its webpage gives me another opportunity to show how FRC distorts and cherry-picks information in order to demonize the lgbt community. So much for "Christian" values.

On the Family Research Council's webpage, this study, Comparing the Lifestyles of Homosexual Couples to Married Couples,  is supposedly "trending."  That's not necessarily a good thing because it is flawed on so many levels. The headline should give you an indication of one flaw, i.e. the comparison of  homosexual couples to married heterosexual couples.The study ignores the simple fact that lgbts can now marry in several states. 

 

Another flaw is that the study is highly out-of-date. Its author, Timothy Dailey, hasn't been employed by FRC for a number of years now. As a matter of fact, I pointed out several flaws in Comparing the Lifestyles of Homosexual Couples to Married Couples as far back as 2009.

Allow me to do a recap. Amongst the errors, Comparing the Lifestyles of Homosexual Couples to Married Couples contains:

 

- A citation of the book Homosexualities: A Study of Diversity Among Men and Women by Alan Bell and Martin Weinberg as a correct generalization of lgbt sexual habits despite the fact that it was published in 1978 and was not meant by the authors to be a correct assessment of the lgbt community in general.  A passage from Homosexualities clearly says:

“. . . given the variety of circumstances which discourage homosexuals from participating in research studies, it is unlikely that any investigator will ever be in a position to say that this or that is true of a given percentage of all homosexuals.”

- A citation of the book The Male Couple: How Relationships Develop by David P. McWhirter and Andrew M. Mattison despite the fact that the book was written 1984 and was not meant to be a correct assessment of the lgbt community in general.  A passage from The Male Couple says:

“We always have been very careful to explain that the very nature of our research sample, its size (156 couples), its narrow geographic location, and the natural selectiveness of the participants prevents the findings from being applicable and generalizable to the entire gay
male community.”

'Gay Christians making religious right crazy' & other Friday midday news briefs

Liberty Counsel: Acceptance Of Gay Christians May Be A Sign Of The End Times - For Pete's sake, a Christian singing star comes out of the closet and some folks lose their cookies. 

A Year Later, "Nothing" Has Changed Since Transgender Woman Islan Nettles Was Killed - Lest we forget . . .

 Emails Reveal School Canceled Musical For ‘Homosexual Themes,’ Then Lied About It - In case you need to keep score - homosexuality = ultra big MEGA sin. Lying - eh as long as its about them homosexuals.  

These Little Boys Are Quashing Gender Stereotypes Without Even Trying - Excellent piece!

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean Comes Out for Marriage Equality - Good for him!

Two awesome videos spell out argument for marriage equality

I was looking on youtube last night and found these two old, but stunning videos supporting marriage equality. In the future, we need to take a cue from them:

 

Bryan Fischer hates gay sex but loves talking about it . . .

For someone who claims to not like homosexual sex, why does Bryan Fischer keep talking about it. I'm just saying . ..

'APP shows real victims of anti-lgbt discrimination' & other Thursday midday news briefs

LGBT Customers Sound Off On Their Experiences With Anti-Gay Discrimination At Restaurants, Businesses - With the religious right attempting to make those who discriminate against lgbts look like victims, this new app lets America see just WHO is really hurt by anti-lgbt discrimination.

AFA's daily prayer equates homosexuality with incest, bestiality, pedophilia - One would think that those who call themselves Christians would pray for peace and love. God don't want to know your kinks, AFA.  

Evangelical Hatemonger Scott Lively Qualifies For November Ballot As Independent: VIDEO - Lord, hammercy! Don't let me down, Massachusetts!  

Randy Thomasson Claims LGBT-Inclusive Schools Make Students 'Enemies of God' - Oh brother! Not another "children aren't learning the real risks of homosexual behavior" lie. Sorry Mr. Thomasson but children will not be taught such things like gays stuff gerbils up our patooties.  

Department Of Labor Extends Employment Protections To Transgender Workers - GOOD!