Monday, April 11, 2016

How Fox News contributed to Mississippi's anti-lgbt law



The above video from Media Matters reminds us of an important factor in the passage of that awful anti-lgbt law in Mississippi - A propaganda network with no accountability which peddled in the false "Christian are being persecuted" argument while simultaneously featuring anti-gay talking heads and giving them the ability to spout lies without challenge or debate.

Or as we call it, Fox News:

 Fox News has long touted the stories of a handful of anti-gay photographers, bakers, and florists who refused to provide services to same-sex couples and were then sued for violating nondiscrimination ordinances. In regular segments that Fox dubs the “Fight for Faith,” the network often sides with for-profit businesses -- like an Idaho wedding chapel -- to claim that the Christian business owners are being persecuted by the government or LGBT activists . . .

Fox News employees have even written books devoted to the anti-LGBT Christian persecution myth. In 2014,Fox News’ anti-gay mouthpiece and serial misinformer Todd Starnes went on a publicity tour for his book God Less America, which details “real stories from the frontlines of the attack on traditional values.” This February, Fox News contributor and prominent conservative media figure Erick Erickson released a book You Will Be Made To Care, The War on Faith, Family And Your Freedom To Believe, which explores how the "leftist-homosexual mafia" is waging a "war on Christians.” Conservative media’s misinformation campaign framing Christians as “victims” of discrimination is part of a larger effort by anti-LGBT activists seeking to pass “religious freedom” laws. With Fox News providing the “Fight for Faith” stories to lay the groundwork for laws like Mississippi’s, anti-LGBT organizations can continue their national push for laws that protect anti-LGBT discrimination. 

So after we defeat the laws like the one in Mississippi - and we will - what are we going to about Fox News? And wistful thoughts of their male personalities being caught on their knees in public restrooms is not an option. So please don't introduce that as some type of solution.


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