Flashback - The unchanging semantics of anti-LGBTQ propaganda and lies

In my last post, I made reference to how for decades the religious right have demonized the LGBTQ community via junk science, cherry-picked legitimate science, and outright lies. From the archives of this blog, I want to spotlight a 2009 post which looked at an example of what I was talking about.

When Something Guaranteed to Piss You Off  parts 1 and 2 was posted, it had quite an effect on readers. Now,with Trump and office and the religious right gaining more influence, I am hoping that people will look at this again and recognize how the rhetoric used against the queer community, while not as openly vile as it was in the past, has not changed in semantics, connotations, and especially distortions:

I ran into something a while back that I have been itching to show on this site.

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. Check out the comic's list of supporters shown on the last graphic.

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.


Editor's note - The webpage featuring this comic is not anti-gay. It's a site that looks at "problem-based comics" from the past.

'Anti-LGBTQ groups see influence rising in Trump Administration' & other Thur midday news briefs

With Trump in power, anti-LGBTQ groups & spokespeople (like Tony Perkins -  right) are gaining influence. Good.

Anti-LGBT groups on rise again with Trump in White House - According to Chris Johnson of the Washington Blade, anti-LGBTQ groups - hate groups and otherwise - are seeing a resurgence of power because of the Trump Administration. After eight years of being on the back end because of the Obama Administration, these folks are suddenly enjoying a new round of influence. Let me put it this way - if this scares you, then go home. Personally, I feel that it was a matter of time before something like this would happen and I've been kinda pining for it. With influence comes a larger and brighter spotlight and with that comes many opportunities for us to twist the narrative and make them explain their tactics instead of us having to explain our existence, for a change. This is less of a calamity than an opportunity to educate the country on the 30+ years groups like the Family Research Council, the American Family Association, etc deliberately created a body of homophobic talking points based on junk science, cherry-picked legitimate science and outright lies to rob the queer community of our God-given rights to equality and self-determination. And you know, I've been waiting for a moment like this for quite a while.

Minnesota school agrees to respect trans identities after a community forced a family out - It's awful that this incident took place, but the results is favorable to our trans youth. 

Dallas Stars hockey team becomes first franchise to publicly oppose Texas 'bathroom bill' - Meanwhile, the war in Texas goes on and this is big news. 

  Meet the legendary queer comedian ‘Moms’ Mabley - A little history on the intersection of the African-American and the LGBTQ community never hurts.

  Reading the Right Wing: Trans Acceptance Will Lead to Robot Army - Lord, help this fool named Alex Jones and everyone else mentioned in this article.


Photo courtesy of Media Matters