Two hundred TX faith leaders decry anti-transgender bill, supports lgbtq equality

One unfortunate side effect of this so-called culture battle is how the anti-lgbtq evangelical and religious right have co-opted the concept of religion and Christianity.

This mindset of the lgbtq community versus Christians and people of faith is a huge lie, particularly because of the fact that many lgbtqs are people of faith. And don't even start listing Biblical verses which supposedly speaks against homosexuality. I generally don't like to debate such things because I believe the final judgement belongs to God.

But that doesn't mean I don't get angry with people pushing the narrative that all Christians and people of faith in general believe one way about the lgbtq community. According to an excerpt below from a recent article in the San Antonio Express News there are many Christians and other people of faith who lgbtq equality:

Some 200 ministers, rabbis and other religious leaders wrote to select House members Thursday asking them to support policies that treat lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Texans on an equal basis with other people. The letter went to lawmakers including members of the House State Affairs Committee, which is considering legislation that would restrict the restrooms transgender people can use. The religious leaders didn’t confine their message to the bathroom bill, although they cited it among other legislation.
 “Our faith compels us to oppose anti-transgender legislation (‘bathroom bills), 

discriminatory laws masquerading as “religious freedom,” or any other attempts to treat Texas’ LGBT community as second-class citizens,” said the letter from Texas Believes, which according to its website is a project of the Texas Freedom Network and Equality Texas. The Texas Freedom Network describes itself as a watchdog of far-right issues and a defender of individual liberties. Equality Texas works for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Texans, “We will continue to speak out against all attempts to use religion to demonize, discriminate against or bring harm to our LGBT sisters and brothers. And we encourage you, as leaders in our state, to support policies that treat all Texans equally under the law, including the LGBT community,” said the letter. 

 Besides State Affairs members, the letter went to House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, who opposes a bathroom bill approved by the Senate; Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton, the author of a House version of the bathroom bill; and several members of the Calendars Committee, which schedules legislation for House debate.

It is up to all of us to not allow the anti-lgbtq evangelical and religious right to nab the concepts of Christianity and religion in general. They don't have nor do they deserve sole ownership.

'KY judge refuses to hear same-sex adoption cases' & other Mon. midday news briefs

There will be NO undermining of same-sex families

Kentucky judge refuses to ever hear same-sex adoption cases - This religious liberty crap is getting out of hand. Personal feelings are bull in the face of the facts which show children not being negatively affected by same-sex households. I dare the religious right to defend this. No. I WANT them to defend this. PLEASE! My blogger finger is just itching. 

Why Donald Trump’s Second 100 Days Will Be Even Worse For LGBTQ Equality - Potentially worse. As he continues to lose support, he will definitely be going to the group who loves him no matter what - the evangelical and religious right. He may push their mess with more stridency. Then WE push back big time.  

These Gay Republicans Mocked Transgender Women At A Forum In New York City - THEN they got nasty about it on twitter, leading me to read, check, and school a bunch of them. But that's a possible other blog post. This is just sad.  

Weinstein Company wins battle for PG-13 rating for ‘3 Generations’ - A quiet but wonderful victory. '3 Generations' is coming-of-age movie about the transgender community.

Jerry Falwell Jr - Trump 'a dream president' for evangelicals

Jerry Falwell Jr.

The self-degradation of the evangelical and religious right over Donald Trump continues:

Evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr., an early backer of Donald Trump, enthusiastically praised the president’s first 100 days of office. “I think evangelicals have found their dream president,” Falwell said on Saturday during “Justice With Judge Jeanine” on Fox News. Falwell cited “reuniting Israel with America” and appointing “people of faith” throughout the administration as the reasons evangelicals in general remain highly supportive of Trump. Falwell also trashed moderate Republicans, who he said “make my blood boil.”

It's relatively sad to know that with the religious right, you can get away with almost any type of behavior - from bad policies to bragging about sexual harassment to consistently lying - as long as you "make them feel wanted" and embrace their positions.

In other words, don't count on the religious and evangelical right to be a moral voice against Trump's excesses. They are too busy gurgling mouthwash and applying lip balm after every meeting with him.