'Anti-gay backlash coming? Do I look scared?' & other Mon. midday news briefs

Vander Plaats

LGBT Leaders Warn of Looming Gay Rights Backlash - Those of us who study history know that this is inevitable. Historically, after any group becomes successful with attaining some form of equality, backlashes by other parts of society occur. The lgbt community does have one advantage. If we followed history, we know what to expect so we can launch a full-throated, unapologetic, aggressive defense of what we have attained. It beats standing out with your thumb in your ass waiting for the wave of homophobic backlash to knock you down. Make sure those folks know that "you have to bring some to get some."

GOP Candidates Seek Endorsement Of Iowa Anti-Gay Leader Bob Vander Plaats - The fact that many lgbts aren't familiar with Vander Plaats or will write him off as "simply a bigot" is a mindset that we need to overcome.  

Transgender Women’s Health Benefits From Transition Surgery, Study Finds - It's interesting and unfortunate that whenever the media talks about the transgender community, we hear more from pundits and religious right leaders rather than medical professionals and the transgender community itself. 

 I'll Go With You - A Mother's Personal Story About Her Trans Child And Public Bathrooms.  

Victory Fund won’t dump gay lawmakers over refugee vote - I respect the Victory Fund but I also feel that lgbt lawmakers should be called to the carpet, like any other lawmaker, when they do things which simply aren't right. And what these lawmakers did with regards to the Syrian refugee vote was shameful.