Are anti-gay groups downplaying 'dangers of homosexuality' lie they used to push? A reminder of past talking points

This what anti-gay groups want people to believe about lgbts

Editor's note - Monday is upon is and it seems to be a slow day. With that in mind, it is a perfect time to again visit past points I made about anti-gay groups and the "homosexuality is a dangerous lifestyle" lie they push. I've noticed that in recently posts and comments, anti-gay groups and spokespeople now vaguely talk about how supposed dangers of homosexuality, whereas in the past, they would give details by way of junk science or cherry-picked studies. Make no mistake about it, efforts by lgbt bloggers and allies (specifically the Southern Poverty Law Center) have definitely made anti-gay groups spooked about pulling out their false proof in regards to the so-called dangers of homosexuality. But that's to say we don't need a reminder of their claims:

Distortion - Lgbt homes are not ideal homes to raise children because gay supportive researcher Judith Stacey said so in her study:

“A study conducted by Judith Stacey and Timothy Biblarz, sociologists at the University of Southern California, revealed that children raised by homosexual couples ‘seem to grow up to be more open to homoerotic relationships.’ The study showed that 12 percent of girls raised in lesbian homes became active lesbians themselves—increasing the likelihood of lesbianism by more than 400 percent.” - Fast Facts, Gay Adoption, Coral Ridge Ministries

Researcher Judith Stacey thinks that children do well in homosexual homes. She says her study found that girls brought up by lesbians show greater interest in masculine activities and dress and seek non-traditional female jobs. Boys in lesbian homes are more feminine and more nurturing. Children in these homes also become sexually active with same-sex partners. - Children In Homosexual Homes Become Sexually Confused, Traditional Values Coalition

Truth - Judith Stacey had gone on record numerous times decrying how her research in lgbt homes have been distorted. According to respectmyresearch.org:

. . . Stacey and Biblarz noted preliminary evidence of some “modest and interesting” differences between children raised by heterosexual parents and children raised by lesbian and gay parents, but they affirmed that “parental sexual orientation has no measurable effect on the quality of parent-child relationships or on children’s mental health or adjustment.”

In addition, via this link, she calls Focus on the Family to the carpet for distorting her work.

Distortion - Lesbian and gay relationships are generally violent Part 1:

A study in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence examined conflict and violence in lesbian relationships. The researchers found that 90 percent of the lesbians surveyed had been recipients of one or more acts of verbal aggression from their intimate partners during the year prior to this study, with 31 percent reporting one or more incidents of physical abuse.” - Comparing the Lifestyles of Homosexual Couples to Married Couples, Family Research Council

There is a higher rate of violence in lesbian and homosexual relationships than in married, heterosexual relationships. A study in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence examined conflict and violence in lesbian relationships. The researchers found that 90% of the lesbians surveyed had been recipients of one or more acts of verbal aggression from their intimate partners during the year prior to this study, with 31% reporting one or more incidents of physical abuse. - Same-Sex Parenting is Harmful to Children Says REAL Women of Canada, Lifesite News

Truth - According to the Journal of Interpersonal Violence’s own web page:

The Journal of Interpersonal Violence offers the most up-to-date information on domestic violence, rape, child sexual abuse and other violent crimes . . . Focusing on both victims and perpetrators, the journal examines theoretical links between all types of interpersonal violence, exploring the similarities and differences between these types of crimes.

In other words, the Journal of Interpersonal Violence tracks domestic violence, as well as other violent crimes.

Those surveyed in journal articles are the victims of violence, verbal or otherwise, because this is what the journal is designed to track.

However, what religious right groups are doing here is the equivalent of taking a study of domestic violence in the African-American community published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence and using it to allege that black relationships are indicative of violent behavior.

'What the heck is 'pro-gay sharia' law?' & other Friday midday news briefs

Cardinal Francis George Says American Catholics Are Being Forced To Live Under Pro-Gay Sharia Law - What! Wouldn't that be a contradiction in terms? 

Video: If nothing else will get you to 'Ex-gay Awareness Dinner' then this will—not do the trick either - Perhaps a better title of this piece should be "if nothing gets you on the toilet when you feel you need to go, this will do the trick.

Moscow Forum Attended By American Activists Ends With Call For More 'Gay Propaganda' Bans - Created "in love and to protect the children," I bet. 

 NOM Presses On With Legal Fight Against Ruling That Toppled Oregon's Gay Marriage Ban - NOM has never heard of the phrase "give it up, turn it loose." I wish I had that much money to burn.

Third Circuit Upholds New Jersey’s Ban On Ex-Gay Therapy - Excellent news! 

 Wisconsin Judges Are Granting Adoption Rights To Same-Sex Couples - Even better news!

Louisiana marriage equality loss due to multitude of errors by judge

Even though we are winning court case after court case for the cause of marriage equality, let's not forget the loss in Louisiana and how the judge came to such a outrageously bad ruling. Matt Baum of the American Foundation for Equal Rights elucidates further on this topic in the above video.

LaBarbera, AFA fake news site smile on anti-gay persecution in foreign countries

LaBabarbera

Last week, Gambia became the latest African country to crack down on its lgbt citizens by passing a law pushing for life imprisonment for what it calls "aggravated homosexuality."  According to CBS, the law is much like the recently passed and then overturned Ugandan anti-gay law.

According to the American Family Association's fake news site,  One News Now, and anti-gay activist Peter LaBarbera, the desire of countries to penalize lgbts for simply existing is a good thing:

African nations opposing homosexuality are standing strong in spite of pressure from the U.S. that they promote the rainbow flag in their policies. Earlier this year Uganda passed a strong law against practicing homosexuality. The law was rejected by the nation's high court due to a technicality, but it's expected to pass on a second attempt. Nigeria has a similar law, and Gambia recently became the latest country to approve one.

 Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality notes that the U.S. is withdrawing aid from these countries until the laws are revoked. However in Uganda, an estimated 98 percent of the residents voiced support for their president's refusal to bow to U.S. demands, in spite of the withdrawal of economic aid. “Just because America has fallen so far that we now treat sin, in this case homosexuality, as a civil right doesn't mean we have the right to force that on other countries that have more wholesome and biblical values,”

The irony that someone who calls himself a Christian - in this case LaBarbera - actually supports persecution of anyone in the name of morality is shocking enough. But that shock is exacerbated with the article's next turn:

Similar pressure is also being applied to Nigeria, where meanwhile the terrorist group Boko Haram has been murdering Christians and moderate Muslims who don't support their extreme views. The U.S. finally recognized Boko Haram as a terrorist group and did send military advisors. “That should be our number-one priority,” LaBarbera says. “We shouldn't be talking about homosexuality right now, but Obama is pandering to his base. He is the most pro-homosexual and gender confusion president our country has ever seen. It is high in his priority list, unfortunately to the detriment of our own security needs.”

What type of Christian publication or spokesperson would voice support for the jailing of gays for simply being gay and then make a 180 degree turn to decry the persecution of Christians in the same article? Why is a different mindset on both issues even necessary? No one should be put in jail simply for being gay and no one should be murdered simply because of their religious beliefs.

The hypocrisy of One News Now and LaBarbera illustrate a sad commentary on Christianity in this country. To some so-called believers, Christianity in America is more like a clique or a club where they have false entitlements and think that their so-called faith supercedes their responsibility to treat people in a civilized and decent manner. To voice even a singular disagreement with them or point out the contradictions between their statements and actions adds up to "persecution" in their eyes.

And, in the case of One News Now and LaBarbera, it represents how supposed believers can even go against what is supposed to be their own core values without so much as a blink of shame.



 

'Pat Robertson gives BAD advice to parent of lesbian' & other Thursday midday news briefs

Pat Robertson: 'Girl-On-Girl Movies' Make Young People Think They're Gay - Proving once again that one would be better off asking Norman Bates' mother for advice on parents supporting their  children before asking Pat Robertson:

 

 In other news:

 In Cameroon, Drinking Bailey’s Makes You Guilty Of Gay Sex - Hold up. Didn't Pat Robertson say . . .  

Staver: Obama's America Is Worse Than Nazi Germany - So because of marriage equality and abortion, America is worse than Nazi Germany, according to the Liberty Counsel's Mat Staver. Oh the hyperbole! It burns! 

Russian ‘Pro-Family’ Conference Exposing Internal Dissension Among American Religious Right Leaders? - Dissension, yes. It would be perfect. The conference is still a drag. 

More detail on the above story - UPDATED: 'Cancelled' World Congress Of Families Kremlin Conference Begins Today, Possibly With Special Guest Star Brian Brown 

 LGBT people twice as likely to suffer from chronic mental health problems - And the study also says this is due to homophobia and how homophobia breeds mistrust. Of course the big question I have is how long will it take the anti-gay right to distort this study by citing how lgbts have chronic mental health issues while omitting the part about how homophobia creates this problem.

Linda Harvey has a SCARY obsession with gays in the schools

Linda Harvey

Have you ever seen that movie Repulsion in which the heroine (played by Catherine Denevue) is so repressed that she imagines men breaking into her house and hands coming out the walls just to violate her person?

I can't help but to think of that movie whenever I hear anti-gay activist Linda Harvey talk about lgbts. ESPECIALLY when she gets paranoid about supposed "gay indoctrination in public schools.

Girlfriend, you got PROBLEMS!

'Photo campaign looks at HIV-positive people' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

FRC's newest star pushes same old animus - The Family Research Council has a new fake expert. Does this mean Peter Sprigg is on his way out and I have a new figurative punching bag? 

Photo Campaign Documents A Day In The Life Of HIV-Positive People - An excellent photo campaign. I like it!  

Tennessee Pastor Robert Gallaty Suggests Gays 'Must Be Put To Death' Or Remain Celibate - Uh sheeiiiiiit! You must be crazy!

 Out LGBT Candidates Advance Closer To Making History In Massachusetts - Sweeeeet! 

 Duck Dynasty Patriarch: Sexual Diseases Are God’s ‘Penalty’ For Homosexuality - What was that line in that episode of Designing Women:

Imogene, get serious! Who do you think you're talking to? I've known you for 27 years, and all I can say is if God was giving out sexually transmitted diseases to people as a punishment for sinning, that you would be at the free clinic all the time! ... and so would the rest of us!

Fox News makes a dig about gays in talking about Ray Rice incident

How can anyone in the media exploit the awful Ray Rice controversy to attack the lgbt community? Just watch this video of the folks on Fox News:

On Fox News’s Outnumbered Tuesday, guest host Bernie McGuirk asserted that former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice would have received a harsher punishment had he knocked out a gay man or white woman rather than his black then-fiancée Janay



It stands to reason that if Rice was seen punching anyone else other his then-fiance on that video, he probably would have gotten into deeper trouble, whether that person be gay or heterosexuals.  And therein lies the problem with the entire situation, i.e. how the NFL handled it.

While McGuirk was making a good point, he could done without looking as if he was attacking the lgbt community.

With regards to the Dolphin player, Don Jones, who was supposedly sent to "reeducation camp" for negative tweets about Michael Sam, the Dolphins are a private company and Jones is their employee. He was speaking about a situation relative to his employment and therefore paid the penalty.

I certainly would like to express a public opinion on things which have to do with my job but I have the common sense to keep my mouth shut.  The idea that free speech doesn't come with consequences or should be practiced without a degree of discernment is dumb as hell.

'Bryan Fischer happy Gambia is persecuting gays' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

American Family Association's senior analyst, most visible spokesman repeats enthusiasm for criminalizing homosexuality - Well this is lovely. The African country of Gambia has passed a law criminalizing homosexuality and the American Family Association's Bryan Fischer sends a happy tweet. Good ole Bri-Bri. Singlehandedly giving Christianity in America a bad name. 

Congressman Says Everyone Should Be Free To Smoke And Fire Gay People - Well that's a strange and ugly combination.

 Appeals Court Appears Ready To Strike Down Idaho, Nevada Same-Sex Marriage Bans - Don't jinx it, Buzzfeed.

Ex-Gay Activist Went From 'Sleeping With One Thousand Men' To Being Happily Straight - He counted? No wonder I can't get any. They are all having sex with this guy.

Newest story of anti-Christian persecution a huge sham

Staver

One thing to remember about this ridiculous current argument about "religious liberty" pushed by the anti-gay right is that when they spin stories regarding how "Christians" are losing their right to free speech, these so-called bastions of morality deliberately omit details.

Case in point is a recent article in the American Family Association's online fake new source, One News Now:

Attorney Wally Kubitz stated in an email that he doesn't believe there is a constitutional right for same-sex marriage, quoted the Bible, and - by mistake - hit “reply to all.” As a result, the law firm of Becker and Poliakoff says Kubitz is facing severe disciplinary measures. Attorney Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel tells OneNewsNow that Kubitz has a right to his opinion and to express it freely.

“For him to be disciplined, and to be called inappropriate and reprehensible for what he said is absolutely outrageous,” he says. “If this law firm takes action against this attorney, the law firm is going to be violating the law and this individual's rights.”

 Staver says Kubitz's predicament is a clear indication of why the American public must be vigilant regarding the homosexual agenda. “This is a zero-sum game, meaning that there will be a winner and there will be a loser,” he explains. “There will be no coexistence - not because Christians or other people are intolerant, but because those who want to push this view are intolerant of anyone who holds a traditional view that marriage is the natural, ontological union of male and female, man and woman.” 

Charlie Butts, the author of this piece, is freely telling a lie. Kubitz's so-called predicament is less about the so-called stifling homosexual agenda and more about ugly emails sent on company time.

Allow me to add some details that Butts omitted, courtesy of Daily Business Review:

Becker & Poliakoff leaders say they have taken undisclosed "strict and severe" action against an attorney who sent an email to the entire firm blasting homosexuality and a recent federal court opinion in favor of same-sex marriage.

Walter Kubitz, a senior lawyer in Becker's Manassas, Va., office, wrote Monday: "Today's reckless trashing of morality has been damaging on many fronts. For one, there has been a significant increase in sexually transmitted diseases over the past few decades, with the gay plague of AIDS being a classic example."

The email blasted a recent federal court decision finding the Florida ban on same-sex marriage violates the state Constitution, saying, "There is not a shred of historical evidence that either of those clauses was ever intended to legitimize homosexuality."

 . . . Michael Gongora, a former Miami Beach city commissioner, also blasted the email, saying: "As an openly gay attorney at Becker & Poliakoff for over nine years, I know that the email sent by this attorney does not reflect the core values of this firm. In fact, Becker & Poliakoff is committed to diversity as reflected by the firm's hiring practices, outreach and diversity scholarships awarded annually."

Kubitz was responding to a firmwide email sent Friday by a member of the firm's management committee notifying them of the recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in Tallahassee striking down Florida's ban on same-sex marriage.

Seems to me that Kubitz's employers has just as much right to deal with employees who may be interfering with its core values as Kubitz has to state his opinion.

The question is why didn't One News Now tell the entire story. Or do we all know the answer to that question?

Bryan Fischer: Quarantine those with HIV

It's apparent that the AFA's Bryan Fischer got jealous of all of the attention Fox & Friends got for their mind-numbing desire to make a joke out of football player Ray Rice's abuse of his wife. That and he is just being his usual ignorant self:



It's genuinely sad what is considered mainstream and Christian these days. I imagine that if folks raise a big enough stink over these comments, other so-called Christians will be coming out of the woodwork to defend Fischer.

Really, it's even sadder how little self-accountability it is these days from the so-called "Holy Sect." All you have to do these days when you say something dumb as hell is to claim that "God/Jesus told me to speak this in truth" and you get undeserved credibility.

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."

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