Forget about Ernie and Bert. Take a look at these confirmed LGBTQ animated characters

Another bit of silliness to ease you into the week. Last week was a bizarre drag and I think this week may shape up to be even wilder. That being said, everyone has been so busy being so consumed about Ernie and Bert being gay, that they have forgotten about the following animated characters:

'From the archives of LGBTQ history - GOP & anti-gay leaders brought down by gay sex scandals' & other Fri midday news briefs

For todays's news briefs, I decided to do something different.  Far be it from me to be implying anything at all, but I was moved by the spirit to pull up just a few but very pertinent articles on elected officials in the closet. That's all I will say on the matter.  I am not channeling anything. I am merely expressing myself in the best way I see how. And please spare me the concern trolling:  


20 Republican Politicians Brought Down By Big Gay Sex Scandals

16 Antigay Leaders Exposed as Gay or Bi

What Drives Gay Republicans into the Closet? - And an old article which helps to explain it all. 

In other news:

I was sexually assaulted. Maybe my story will help other LGBT victims speak out - If any good comes out of this thing with Kavanaugh, it's this. 

Taron Egerton Looks Fantastic As Elton John In ‘Rocketman’ Biopic - An Elton John bio pic? It was bound to happen. 

 Florida Church Offers Pro-LGBTQ Message to Counter Vandalism - Love conquers all (even if sometimes you have to be a mega-bitch to get your point across or mark your territory of respect.)

'The Golden Girls' for this terrible day on Capitol Hill

If you, like me, felt that this was a horrendous day because of that Kavanaugh hearing on Capitol Hill, enjoy the brief but wicked clip above from The Golden Girls. Yes it includes a wild gay stereotype, but that's why I posted it. It's still funny and in this case, consider it like indulging in a guilty pleasure - you know you shouldn't but the day warrants a little kicking up of the heels.

'Congress turns back anti-LGBTQ adoption amendment' & other Thur midday news briefs

Congress does good by same-sex families for a change.

Editor's note - UGLY days because of a nasty hearing that conservatives and the LGBTQ industry doesn't want. They want to push their SCOTUS nominee on the courts so he can get busy changing the laws to suit their twisted vision of America. Who cares about investigating his alleged sexual assault victims. And apparently Sen. Grassley thinks that there will be a MVAH -Most Valuable Asshole - trophy awarded at the end of the hearing. Nevertheless, I will continue to do my daily blogging duties.

Congress Turns Back Anti-LGBTQ Adoption Amendment - Well at least Congress can do good things instead of badgering witnesses: 

The amendment, named for its author, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama, would have allowed faith-based agencies to turn away prospective parents who posed a conflict with an agency’s religious doctrine, whether by being LGBTQ, single, a member of a different faith, or another factor. It was similar to laws passed by some states, including, recently, Kansas and Oklahoma. It “also required states to allow foster care and adoption agencies to deny a broad range of child welfare services to foster children based on religious or moral beliefs, cutting their funding if they did not comply,” notes the Family Equality Council’s press release. 

Amandla Stenberg Says She Wants More Black, Gay On-Screen Narratives - You and ME BOTH, girlfriend!  

The GOP isn’t concerned about a cisgender sexual abuser but still says trans women are predators - So true!! 

Historic Number Of LGBTQ Candidates Won Primaries In 2018 Midterms - I covered the fact that a lot of LGBTQ candidates ran but I didn't know that a huge number won.

The LGBTQ community is using Ernie and Bert to 'recruit' children? I never got the memo.

 

See, now this sort of thing makes me angry.

National Headquarters never sent me a memo or an email saying that we were switching to Ernie and Bert. I'm still using 'The Smurfs' to recruit (Oh stop with the fake surprise. I mean come on. A village with 100 males and one female.)  So how in the heck did vile homophobe Gordon Klingenschmitt get the news before me?

Seriously though, before the usual comments from "I bet he likes public restrooms" to "why do you give that homophobe any attention" commences, just remember a few things.

1. It's rather sad that almost 40 years after Anita Bryant, there are some folks who still believe that "gays recruit children."

 2. Most importantly, very briefly, Gordon Klingenschmtt here used to be a state legislator, serving one term in the Colorado state legislature. And while he is gone, remember that in state legislatures across the country, including the United States House of Representatives and Senate, there are a few who believe as he does about the LGBTQ community and children. And it only takes about two or three to team up with anti-LGBTQ hate groups like the Family Research Council or the Alliance Defending Freedom and push bills which give us hell.

So feel free to ignore Klingenschmitt here, but never ignore what he represents. You do that on your own peril.

Hat tip to Right Wing Watch.

'New charges of sexual assault, gang rapes rocks Trump's SCOTUS pick' & other Wed midday news briefs

Like the vast majority of things handled by Trump, his pick of Brett Kavanaugh as a SCOTUS justice is a muddled dis

Julie Swetnick Accuses Brett Kavanaugh Of Sexual Misconduct, Alleges He Was Present During ‘Gang Rape’ - This Kavanaugh this just got uglier real fast. I hate the entire thing, i.e. how the selection of a SCOTUS judge has become a rushed game political football played by folks who care less about fairness and more about cheating the process because they have no reasonable courtroom arguments to defend their positions (i.e. I am looking right at you, anti-LGBTQ industry groups such as the Family Research Council, the Alliance Defending Freedom, the Heritage Foundation, the Federalist Society, etc.)

What do I speak of? This post from 2016 which is aging very well:  Marriage Equality Opponents Need to Admit Actual Reason for Their Loss

And today, marriage equality and other LGBTQ rights hangs in the balance: Justice Brett Kavanaugh would represent an immediate threat to LGBT rights

Mike Pence to 'troll' Atlanta's LGBTIs, schedules visit just ahead of Pride - So, Mike Pence is coming to Atlanta a day before the city holds it Pride event in order to stump for the GOP gubernatorial candidate. I hope folks have something suitable planned as a welcome for him.

LGBTQ-Inclusive Florida Church Responds With Love After Sign Is Vandalized - But let us never lose our faith and hope.

Anti-LGBTQ groups step up effort to steal gay tax dollars via sleazily deceptive website

Via a webpage pushing a deceptive campaign, anti-LGBTQ and conservative groups seem to be stepping up efforts to undermine gay adoption and gay families.

Groups such as the Family Research Council, the Heritage Foundation, the Alliance Defending Freedom, and a few others have been steadily making the case that faith-based foster care and adoption agencies which refuse to work with gay couples should still receive tax dollars. A few states, such Oklahoma and Kansas, have passed legislation saying so. Other municipalities, such as Philadelphia, however have made it clear that tax dollars shouldn't go to entities which discriminate for any reason. And Philadelphia won in court on that premise.

Apparently there is now a website sponsored by the aforementioned groups which makes the case for tax dollars going to discriminatory agencies. The website (keepkidsfirst.com  and the hashtag #keepkidsfirst ) claims that children will suffer greatly if faith-based adoption and foster care agencies are made to follow the rules:

Hundreds of adoption agencies and foster care providers across the country are founded on Christian beliefs and operate according to those beliefs. But a current effort is underway to target these faith-based providers and force them to abandon their beliefs or shut them down. Why? Because these faith-based adoption and foster care providers believe that every child deserves the chance to be raised by a father and mother.

'Homophobe claims that 'demons of hell' opposing Trump's SCOTUS nominee Kavanaugh' & other Tue midday news briefs

Bryan Fischer

Bryan Fischer Wages ‘Major League Spiritual Warfare’ Against the ‘Demons of Hell’ Attacking Kavanaugh - Bryan Fischer takes a moment away from his usual spewing of homophobia to spew other things. 

19 TV And Movie Characters You Didn’t Realize Were Bisexual - In honor of Bisexual Awareness week - #BiWeek 

Two federal judges rule insurance companies must cover transgender health procedures - Love those sweet victories.

These four transgender political candidates want to shake up the status quo - Danica Roem set the standard. Can these four follow up? I hope so. 

Finally - 

In the 12 years, in which I have worked this blog, I have been blocked on Twitter by many folks on the right, some because I engaged them, others because I have written about them, and a few because they probably heard of me.

But I will say that the following block is one I will be most proud of (click on picture to enlarge):

Mr. Cain, my guess is that you didn't care for our twitter conversation nor the fact that I publicized it. I could care less. It's like I said in the post:

"Mr. Cain, you don't get to treat us like we are your "side chick." You don't get to jump on our side and then to the side of those who stand in the way of our rights. In other words, we don't need you and we certainly don't need your sorry-ass support. We have gotten this far without you, so we certainly aren't going to miss you."

When defending Kavanaugh fails, attack Obama and his alleged girlfriends (and boyfriends)

While defending Trump's SCOTUS pick and accused assaulter of women Brett Kavanaugh, high and low profile Trump supporters are doing what they do best:

Pointing the finger at Obama.

Wayne Allyn Root, conservative radio and television personality and extreme Trump supporter who was recently the opening speaker for one of his rallies, sent out the following tweet today:

The vast majority of those who tweeted back rightfully poked fun at Allyn's silly whataboutism and attempt to drag Obama into this mess.  Generally, folks pointed out that the situation had nothing to do with Obama and that the former president is a decent person who respects women.

Then there were those who agreed with Root's tweet.

'Bigotry is causing our LGBTQ kids to harm themselves' & other Mon midday news briefs

LGB Youth at ‘Increased Risk’ of Substance Abuse. Blame Homophobia. - We keep telling folks this and the religious right & conservative groups keep pushing this aside.

We could have used a trans survival guide growing up: By writing one we hope to make today’s teens feel proud of who they are - And we will not forget out transgender children either. ALL of our LGBTQ kids must be protected and lifted up.

Thousands of students walked out of school to protest sex ed classes that don’t include gays - A step in the right direction of alleviating the problem in the above news brief.

Bisexual People Aren’t Confused Or Closeted. We’re Tired Of Being Invisible. - Amen.

Sandy Rios: Marriage Equality Is A ‘Fist Of Defiance’ In God’s Face - Can't these folks think of a more original insult?

The LGBTQ community doesn't need Dean Cain's weak tea support

The LGBTQ community don't need Dean Cain's weak tea support.

As with every year, the LGBTQ community has to deal with the anti-gay hate group Family Research Council's 'Values Voter Summit.' The event never ceases to shine a huge spotlight on the hypocrisy of FRC and other conservative groups who claim to be fighting for morality, while having no problems using underhanded tactics to do so.

This year involved a controversy of a different sort. Dean Cain, who portrayed Superman on the series Lois and Clark (1993-1997)  made an appearance to promote his film, Gosnell.

According to The Advocate:

 Prior to Cain’s appearance at the event, where he was promoting his film Gosnell, in which he plays the detective who put abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell behind bars, GLAAD and other LGBTQ activists and allies called him out for appearing at the event along with the likes of anti-LGBTQ people including Mike Pence, Michele Bachmann, Tony Perkins, Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Phillips, and so many more.

Since Cain has in the past been vocal about his support of LGBTQ rights, he was called to the carpet for appearing at a conference sponsored by the Family Research Council, whose has worked steadily to undermine LGBTQ rights since its founding. In fact the Southern Poverty Law Center designated FRC to be a hate group due to the inaccurate claims it has made about gays, including how we supposedly recruit children.

However, nothing said to Cain could convince him that his appearance at this summit was wrong. Not even when GLAAD  and LGBTQ activists engaged him in Twitter. And to top it off, while he was at the summit, he labeled those calling him out as intolerant.

When the moderator of his Cain’s panel asked him if he’d “taken pressure” on social media for appearing with the hate group, Cain replied: “Yes. Certainly. I take that sort of heat and abuse every single day but it doesn’t bother me in the least…it doesn’t make me mad, it just shows people’s intolerance towards listening to another opinion. Just the fact that I’m here, just the fact that I’m here people were blowing me up all day long with the most ridiculous things that you could ever here. Talk about intolerance. It’s ridiculous. I take heat. It doesn’t bother me, I welcome it because I sleep well at night. I know I’m doing something that matches my convictions and my heart and I’ll happily defend the things I say and I stand for.”

To put it nicely, that pissed me off to the "highest levels of pissivity" and led me to challenge Cain on Twitter. What you are about to read is our exchange (errors included). To be fair, I started the engage by referencing FRC's past citation of the junk science of discredited researcher Paul Cameron.

When he tweeted me back, it was on:

'Lie told by Mike Pence about Indiana 'religious freedom' bill in 2015 highlights hypocrisy of 'Values Voter' Summit'

Ah yes. Today is the beginning of the annual Family Research Council 'Values Voter' Summit in which right-wing evangelicals throw off all pretenses of humility (the little they have) and show themselves to be power-hungry, self-righteous hypocrites  And it's a lovely day for those of us who decry their lies and basic homophobia to pull out all of the receipts we have collected over the years of their true faces. 

Since this year, Vice President Mike Pence will be a guest speaker, here is one of my favorites, i.e. when he lied in 2015 about the intent of a bill he signed while governor of Indiana, but was done in by a photo of him signing it.  It not only demonstrates just how low Pence has gone to lie (for his "religious beliefs" of course) but also epitomizes what a lot of us find so darn distasteful about these phony gatherings. FRC and its supporters claim that this "summit" is all about values and bringing the nation back to God, but if this is the case, why do they have to stoop to lies, grubby power grabs, and cynical alliances to do it?

In 2015, when Pence was governor of Indiana, he signed a "Religious Freedom Restoration Act," which he insisted had absolutely nothing to do with discriminating against the LGBTQ community. However, the photo above sunk that lie. If the bill had nothing to do with discriminating against the LGBTQ community, then why did Pence pose with  three of the leading anti-LGBTQ activists in the state?

For more on Pence's blatant lie, see this article via GLAAD.

In other news:

Conservative journalist tries to humiliate 11-year-old drag kid, but it blows up in his face - Our kids are awesome.

Living In An Unparalleled Golden Time’ Under Trump - If you ignore the corruption, the attacks on women's health and the LGBTQ community, the investigations, and the caging of immigrant children, sure. Love the Christianity some people like to practice.

Anti-transgender bigots sink to new low with latest ad - Old religious right tactic of exploiting ignorance and fear shifted from gay men to transgender women. Depresses the hell out of me. 

Here’s what is at stake for transgender people in the midterm election - Speaking of which, take notes folks.

Family Research Council, Breitbart exploit hysteria to warp legitimate study about transgender children

One of the reasons why I began this blog and my work calling out anti-LGBTQ propaganda was because of how groups like the Family Research Council would cherry-pick legitimate science or cite junk science to create a false and negative narrative about the LGBTQ community.

Today, FRC, with the help of extreme right-wing crap sheet Breitbart, is taking a different path. The group is calling out legitimate science:

For progressive activists, nothing can stand in the way of their agenda -- not even the health and well-being of children. 

In a disturbing report from Breitbart, it was revealed that liberal activists embedded within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are currently carrying out a taxpayer-funded study to the tune of $5.7 million that is designed to result in a pre-determined conclusion: that children with gender dysphoria should be "affirmed" in their chosen gender identity through the use of puberty-blocking drugs and sterilizations. 

A source with detailed knowledge of the as yet unreleased study which began in the Obama era said that it is: 

...affirming gender change with family and environmental support in children as young as five years, and using puberty blockers and cross sex hormone treatment in children at the initial onset of puberty which could be as young age 8-9 years, and then following them for only five years. 

In a blatantly obvious example of conflict of interest, the four researchers who are conducting the NIH study each run their own private practices that encourage "affirmation therapy" for children who are experiencing gender dysphoria. What's more, the children who are participating in the study are the same ones who are receiving "therapy" from the four researchers! 

The dangers of undergoing a "gender transition" have already been well documented by FRC and many other organizations. For children in particular, the physical effects of hormone blockers are heartbreaking, as confirmed by doctors at Johns Hopkins University.

Neither Breitbart nor the Family Research Council have a reputation for honesty and accuracy, particularly when it comes to both science and the LGBTQ community. Neither employs anyone with an iota of expertise in this issue they are screeching about. And this lack of credibility shows. The supposed documentation by FRC is nothing more than ridiculous talking points from staff members.

'Trump Administration wants to cut HIV/AIDS, cancer, & mental health programs to put more immigrant children in detention' & other Thur midday news briefs

Trump stabs the LGBTQ community in the back again

Trump Defunding HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Mental Health Programs – Using Money to Pay for Migrant Kids in Cages - And we are going to all suffer for it. Hatred and resentment is a fire which consumes all and nothing is exempt.

Exclusive: With more immigrant children in detention, HHS cuts funds for other programs — like cancer research - More on the situation from the original source. 

Forget wedding cakes. ADF now wants to keep transgender women out of homeless shelters.- This is a travesty. Simply this cannot happen. 

Australian senator says LGBT people are sexual deviants, perverts and child abusers - What. The. Hell!! 

Grindr Announces ‘Zero Tolerance’ Of Racism, Fat Shaming And Transphobia - Never been on Grindr and have no desire to but this conversation needs to happen, regardless. There is a fine line between "just a preference" and establishing a baseline which tells others who supposedly don't measure up that they don't matter in the LGBTQ community. And that line is crossed too many times.

What the Family Research Council doesn't want you to know about its hate summit.

In spite of what the Family Research Council and its president Tony Perkins may claim, we all know that the demonization of the LGBTQ community will take the spotlight at its upcoming 'Values Voter Summit.'

Just like other members of the conservative right-wing propaganda machine, the Family Research Council and its president, Tony Perkins, is take offense at a Politico article questioning the appearance of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at its upcoming 'Values Voter Summit:'

Yesterday afternoon, Politico ran the headline "Pompeo raises eyebrows with appearance at politically charged event." Yes, you guessed it -- that event is this weekend's Values Voter Summit, which Politico reports is sponsored by the "deeply conservative Family Research Council." The 1,257 word article goes on to cite various past State Department officials who express concern about Secretary Mike Pompeo addressing a "partisan affair." Politico said it couldn't find evidence of past secretaries of state speaking at similar events. However, a quick Google search reveals that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke at a Planned Parenthood gala in 2009 and the Center for American Progress in 2011. 

As I noted on my radio show last night, Secretary Clinton's speech praised Planned Parenthood and promised to make international family planning (including abortion) a top global policy goal. "I want to assure you that reproductive rights...will be a key to the foreign policy of this administration." She described a new age of integrating "family planning" and diplomacy. "At the end of the next four years, I hope we'll be able to look around the world and see that... organizations like Planned Parenthood will be our partners." Over the last three election cycles, Planned Parenthood entities have spent $ 38 million on elections -- making the group even more political than Family Research Council. 

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert responded in a statement to the Daily Signal, "If speaking about protecting human rights and liberty, including highlighting the persecution of Christians, Jews, Uighurs Muslims and other religious minorities around the world is considered wrong or offensive, then we as a nation have truly lost our way. Secretary Pompeo will continue to advance US foreign policy interests as he continues to advocate on behalf of the oppressed."

Aw, that's sweet. And a load of bull.

Secretary of State Pompeo raising eyebrows for appearance at anti-LGBTQ hate group conference' & other Wed midday news briefs

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be appearing at anti-LGBTQ group hate group Family Research Council's 'Values Voter Summit' this weekend. Among other things, FRC has falsely claimed the LGBTQ community are 'recruiting' children.

Hate groups from around the nation will meet to plot ways to harm LGBTQ people - The Family Research Council will hold its yearly and oxymoronically named Values Voter Summit this week.

Pompeo raises eyebrows with appearance at politically charged event -  Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is going to appear. And folks aren't happy about that. I first noticed this because of the myriad of conservative sites rushing to play whataboutism regarding his appearance. That means it's going to be a big problem.

10 things you need to know about Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council - More details about the Family Research Council.  - Some folks may buy the whataboutism game, but these are the facts about the Family Research Council, the group whose summit Pompeo is choosing to address:

• FRC was designated an anti-LGBT hate group in 2010 for decades of demonizing LGBT people and spreading harmful pseudoscience about them. Over the years, the organization has published books, reports and brochures that have linked homosexuality to pedophilia, claimed that LGBT people are dangerous to children and claimed that LGBT people are promiscuous and violent.

• In 2010, FRC senior fellow for policy studies Peter Sprigg appeared on Hardball with Chris Matthews where he voiced support for the criminalization of homosexual conduct, stating that, “I think there would be a place for criminal sanctions against homosexual behavior.” In a 2008 Hardball appearance, Sprigg stated, in reference to legislation that would allow same-sex partners of U.S. citizens to be united legally through the immigration process, that he preferred that homosexuals be exported from the United States rather than imported, “because we believe that homosexuality is destructive to society.” Sprigg apologized a week later after an outcry.

• FRC is currently fighting a subpoena to release its “external communications between January 20, 2017, and September 1, 2017” between FRC and the Heritage Foundation and officials in the Trump administration “concerning military service by transgender people and/or any restriction of military service by transgender people.”  

Transgender military ban’s ‘unit cohesion’ claim fails spectacularly in court - Another domino of Trump's ridiculous military trans ban falls. It's easy to lose interest but we shouldn't.

#UsToo: Raising Awareness Of LGBTQ Survivors - Very much needed.

Once upon a time before the LGBTQ community dominated the Emmys, we were sitting ducks for abuse

While it was nice to see how the LGBTQ community dominated last night at the Emmy Awards, let's not get so celebratory that we forget where we came from. The year 1993 was a very different time. We weren't winning awards for being open, highly creative, and unashamed. We were sitting ducks for open abuse by folks who filmed moments from our marches, freely made up statistics about our sexual behavior, took statements out of context, exploited folks who were on the verge of death, and manipulated images and people's emotions to make us look like monsters.  The snippet below from the 1993 homophobic propaganda video 'Gay Rights, Special Rights' demonstrated just how easy it was to demonize us.

 As sad and vile as this video is, there is a lot of gratification we can pull from it. Twenty-five years later, while the religious right is still motivated by their lurid imaginations about gay sex (although they have tampered down with the "feces-ingesting" claims) and spinning the same tired stories of gays trying to destroy the family, etc., we are  still here, we are stronger, more powerful, and those nasty homophobes who weaponized lies against us are either gone or shut down by our successes. We won marriage, our families are more numerous. Most of all, none of their spooky predictions came true.

This is what winning the hard way looks like.

'LGBTQ performers, characters dominate Emmy winners circle' & other Tue midday news briefs

'The Assassination of Gianni Versace' and its star Darren Criss was one of the big winners at last night's Emmy Awards.

RuPaul’s Drag Race’ & Ryan Murphy won big at the Emmys - LGBTQ performers and characters almost swept last night's Emmy awards. About time.

Pastors Fail in Attempt to Remove LGBTQ Books from Banned Books Display - Score a big one for the good guys. 

5 things you need to know about one of the anti-LGBT movement's biggest events: the 'Values Voter Summit' - That's this week. And it probably explains my bad mood. I don't think Trump will show up this year but he will probably send them a video greeting.

A guidance counselor who was outed & fired by her school talks to Ellen - She was fired from a Catholic school, but does the school receive public funding of any type? 

FRC blogger advocates for Christian Privilege to advance anti-LGBT bigotry - Christian privilege my tookis. You don't get to discriminate me AND get my tax dollars.

'Thanks to the Lord and Donald Trump' - Trump's 'spiritual adviser' panders for GOP midterm votes in TX megachurch

Honestly speaking, if this video of Trump's "spiritual adviser," Paula White standing in televangelist Kenneth Copeland’s Eagle Mountain Church in Texas and imploring the congregation to vote for GOP candidates in the upcoming midterms doesn't spook the crap out of you or motivate you to do anything to ruin religious right desires for a warped evangelical vision of America, basically nothing will.

 And don't give me that crap about how churches who participate in politics should be taxed. They will not be taxed any time soon. They are too powerful in grabbing the narrative and making themselves look like persecuted victims. You want to defeat their goals? Vote against their interests:

What you should know about Paula White:

Trump Spiritual Advisor Wants You To Send Her Up To 1 Month’s Pay Or Face ‘Consequences’

Trump's Spiritual Adviser Has Some Garbage Thoughts On Detaining Children and Jesus

The Distorted Gospel of Paula White

How Paula White, Donald Trump’s Spiritual Adviser, Harms Christians of Color


Hat tip to Right Wing Watch

Judge refuses to dismiss lawsuit challenging anti-LGBTQ adoption rules in Michigan

While the walls slowly close in on the Trump Administration, the LBGTQ community must not forget that we also have other business to tend to. And a recent Michigan court ruling in our favor raises the stakes in terms of our ability to have families and be treated fairly as taxpayers.

From The Detroit News:

A federal judge declined Friday to dismiss a lawsuit filed by attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Michigan challenging religious discrimination against same-sex couples in the state’s public child welfare system.

The suit asks U.S. District Judge Paul Borman to enter an order that bars Michigan from entering into contracts with or providing taxpayer funding to private child placing agencies that exclude same-sex couples from consideration as foster or adoptive parents. It also seeks an order directing the state to ensure that lesbian and gay individuals and couples are treated the same as heterosexual individuals and couples by state-contracted child placing agencies. 

The case involves two Michigan couples, Kristy and Dana Dumont and Erin and Rebecca Busk-Sutton, who each sought to adopt a child in foster care but faced rejection from state-contracted child placement agencies based on religious objections to same-sex parents. 

Attorneys for the defendants — St. Vincent Catholic Charities, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director Nick Lyon and state Children’s Services Agency head Herman McCall — recently requested Borman toss out the case. They have argued a 2015 state law says child placement agencies shall not be required to provide services that conflict with their religious beliefs and the plaintiffs could adopt through another agency. In his order Friday, the judge said the couples had successfully argued the religious screening practices harmed them and denied “the same opportunities to work with a child placing agency that is available to every other family in Michigan seeking to adopt.” 

This comes two weeks after the United States Supreme Court refused to hear a case on the behalf of a Philadelphia Catholic agency who wanted the city to still allow them to place children - and get taxpayer funds for it - even though it discriminated against gays.

As I said in the past, the assorted religious right groups will be spinning the lie that not allowing these religious groups to discriminate - and steal LGBTQ tax dollars for the courtesy- is a selfish endeavor on our part and will rob children of good homes.

That is a lie. These agencies are already robbing children of good homes. There is nothing wrong with same-sex households and a multitude of studies bear that up.

But if these agencies want to go that route, let them do it with their own money.

To tell the LGBTQ community that we should, in the name of "tolerance," allow ourselves to be discriminated against and give up our hard earned money to those doing the discriminating is nothing more than gaslighting.  It's a parlor trick or a vile way to promote the idea that somehow we are inferior and should be glad for the second class treatment some want to bestow on us.

The LGBTQ community has fought too hard for what we have attained to allow some to ease it out of our hands with semantic garbage about "tolerance." It's not going to happen. Not without an ugly fight, at the very least.

'Feud between Fox News personality Laura Ingraham and her gay brother heats up' & other Thur midday news briefs

Laura Ingraham

Fox News host Laura Ingraham’s gay brother calls her a ‘monster’ - This is gonna get naaasty.

GOP congressional candidate believes LGBTQ kids need therapy to help them pick a different identity - What the hell . . .

This Stunning New York Fashion Week Show Featured 34 Trans, Non-Binary Models - I LOVE this!

LGBTQ community may be the deciding factor of the Blue Wave midterm success

As the midterms approach, the one thing becoming increasingly clear is the importance of the LGBTQ voter. We rejoiced over the progress made in the Obama years and watched in horror as Trump, with the anti-LGBTQ industry whispering in his ear like that Lord of the Rings character Wormtongue, proceeded to take away from us as much as he could. Now certain groups are hoping that we took mental notes about Trump's behavior and are motivated to wreak a rainbow tsunami at the ballot box which will help take control away from him, his anti-LGBTQ unofficial cabinet, and the GOP in general.

According to NBC News, our vote could count tremendously in key areas:

LGBTQ people make up an estimated 4.5 percent of the adult population in the U.S., according to Gallup, and lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals comprise approximately 5 percent of voters across the country. While LGBTQ voters are a relatively small portion of the electorate, a number of political experts and advocates say these approximately 10 million eligible voters could prove critical in several close races.

The LGBTQ vote could be particularly important in states with close races that have sizable LGBTQ populations, according to Patrick Egan, a political science professor at New York University. 

He cited Florida, which has an estimated 700,000 LGBTQ people, as an example. The state’s races for senate and governor are close, and the Republican and Democratic candidates have “dramatically different positions.” 

. . . Egan also mentioned Vermont, where Democrat Christine Hallquist could become the country’s first transgender governor. LGBTQ people comprise an estimated 5.3 percent of the state’s adult population. “That’s a place where we expect not just turnout, but also campaign volunteering and donations, to potentially be quite important,” Egan said of Vermont.

And the Democratic National Committee has not only noticed, but encouraged this:

 Democrats have invested millions of dollars in state parties across the country in order to elect Democrats up and down the ballot, including a record number of LGBTQ candidates, according to a Democratic National Committee official who spoke to NBC News on background.

These LGBTQ candidates, according to the official, include Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Gov. Kate Brown of Oregon, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado, Christine Hallquist of Vermont and Josh Boschee of North Dakota. The DNC has also put out an LGBTQ Voting Rights Toolkit, which offers specific advice for LGBTQ voters — especially transgender individuals — who may encounter trouble at the polls because of voter identification laws.

The article in general underscores the fact that the progress made in the Obama years could have possibly created an LGBTQ constituency vote with potency for future elections. The key is unification. Unfortunately, some of us do tend to bend over backwards in order to demonstrate how we are supposedly not "one-issue" voters, when such a notion is absolutely self-defeating. Particularly when that "one issue" encompasses marriage, adoption rights, protection from discrimination, family rights, military rights, etc. etc.

That "one issue" is the survival of the LGBTQ community in general. Seems to be that would be a perfect time for us to vote selfishly and pragmatically. It will either be the GOP or the Democrats who have control. Our best bet is to vote for those who we can work. And for God's sake, do not sit this out. That behavior amongst some folks is how we got into the mess we are in now.

'GOP congressman caught on tape implying orphanages better than gay adoption' & other Wed midday news briefs

NJ Congressman Chris Smith.

GOP lawmaker caught on tape: Orphanages better than gay adoption - An article which reminds us just how unsafe LGBTQ families and their kids are. Just lurking in the shadows of Congress and other legislative bodies are religious right zombies and sycopahants itching to cause our families all sorts of havoc. 

Gay, middle-aged, and lonely as hell - All of us are in this fight for happiness, relevance, self-determination, and equality. Don't forget any of your brothers or sisters. 

Half of trans male teens have attempted suicide - Due to the transphobic mess they have to deal with, no doubt.

New Hampshire set to elect either first gay or first black congressman - And one of them (the black man) is a Trump supporter so that makes me depressed as shit.

I got those 'I'm watching comedy clips cause I'm gay black man in the middle of a hurricane and Trump is in charge so I know I'm screwed' blues

In case y'all don't know, my state of South Carolina is in the middle of an intense Hurricane Florence watch. And based on what Trump said about how his Administration responded when the hurricane hit  Puerto Rico last year (Trump claims success but close to 3,000 people lost their lives), I'm praying extra hard that we get through this one. And keeping my spirits up by watching some hilarious comedy clips. Like the ones below.

My favorites are a wonderful black comedian, Sampson, talking about homophobia in the black church.



Or something not necessarily conducive to this blog, but it's funny anyway. A lot of you remember television show Sanford and Son and the character Aunt Esther. Did you know that the actress portraying Aunt Esther, LaWanda Page, was a brilliant comedian? And very "adult-oriented," too? Seriously, her material goes beyond "not safe for work." Don't say you haven't been warned.

I intend to be here tomorrow with more LGBTQ pertinent material. But pray for me just in case. LOL

'The LGBTQ Heroes of 9/11' & other Tue midday news briefs

The Stories of 9/11's LGBTQ Heroes - The Advocate magazine goes back in time to that awful day in September to spotlight the LGBTQ heroes of 9/11. This article nor news brief is meant to divide people, but simply to spotlight the fact that the LGBTQ community were affected in so many deep ways. From the gay couple and their adopted baby son, to the priest who died while administering last rites at ground zero, to the folks whose actions  saved so many others, these people should never be forgotten, diminished, or homogenized in any way, shape, or form.  For ourselves and future LGBTQ generations.

Remembering 9/11 Hero Mark Bingham - On that same day, on another flight, a gay man was one of a group who gave their lives and kept that day from becoming worse.

Women Say A School For Troubled Teens Punished Girls For Being Gay - Simply tragic.

I came out and my Muslim dad stood by me - Wonderful story which teaches us all about not making negative generalizations.

Missouri Human Rights Commission sued for dismissing transgender man’s discrimination complaint - That's right. Stand up for yourself.

Anti-Trans ‘Bathroom Bills’ Are Based On Lies. Here’s The Research To Show It - It never hurts to have more receipts.

Family Research Council whining that Obama is picking on Trump

The Family Research Council whines about
 Obama's speech.

Former president Barack Obama made a return to the spotlight in order to urge folks to vote for the Democratic party in the upcoming midterms. It was a welcomed return for those of us who miss having an intelligent and decent person in the Oval Office instead of  the sentient pile of dog poop which now pollutes the area.

Naturally conservatives went ballistic in their whines. And very few were more ballistic than the LGBTQ hate group the Family Research Council:

Almost two years to the day that Hillary Clinton gave her fateful "deplorables" speech, Obama proved that Democrats still haven't learned how to control their contempt for millions of conservative Americans. With a sanctimony that people learned to despise, one of the most polarizing presidents in history had the nerve to lecture Americans on demagoguery. Implying that Trump supporters are "bigots" and "fearmongers," Obama went on to blame Republicans for tearing the country apart. "...The politics of division and resentment and paranoia has unfortunately found a home in the Republican party," he said. This from a man who made Middle-America bashing a professional sport in his eight years at the White House. Who dismissed blue-collar patriots "bitter clingers" who turn to religion and guns because they're too ignorant to know better. Who called political opponents "unpatriotic" or even "craz[y]." 

Republicans like Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) fired back at the hypocrisy almost immediately, posting, "Pres. Obama is right. It is wrong for a President to use divisive language, such as: 1. Call all opponents of same-sex marriage bigots; 2. Call the Pro-Life movement a 'War on Women;' 3. Call all immigration enforcement advocates racists; 4. Call the GOP the enemy of Hispanics." On Fox News, Judge Jeanine Pirro said that if Obama was looking for someone to blame for the animus, he ought to look in the mirror. "Your lies, your policies, and your divisiveness... You elected Donald Trump."

Aw that's cute . .. and totally inaccurate. I could point out the simple fact that Obama wasn't running in 2016 or how FRC conveniently omitted the big elephant of 2016, i.e. the influence of Putin and Russia i.e. the subject which is presently under intense investigation by Robert Mueller.

But I will merely point out  that as I speak, Trump's disapproval rating is at 60 percent while 40 percent of respondees in a July poll ranked Obama as the best president of their lifetime. And granted, some may cry foul in terms of the timing of the two items, I still stand by the fact that I doubt that Obama would remind most Americans why they voted for Trump. Any notion resembling that is nothing more than a product of the topsy-turvy bullshit world which has been created since Trump attached himself to the Oval Office . . . like a leech.

But one thing which should stand out is how the Family Research Council, a so-called Christian organization, which has openly given Trump what its leader calls a "mulligan," i.e. a pass on cheating on his wife, overlooks all of his lies, personal attacks on people, and incompetence, and basically has acted as the figurative "Groom of the Stool" (look it up. it's naaaasty) for all of his excesses is suddenly getting "offended" at someone for pointing out that Trump is an incompetent boob who is in over his head and will probably cripple America physically, psychologically, and spiritually before his reign of terror is over.

It's amusing how the Family Research Council thinks that the rest of America is as dumb as its supporters.

'RuPaul, 'Queer Eye' win at Creative Emmys, trouble in Massachusetts & LGBTQ conference' & other Monday midday news briefs

RuPaul received a historic win at last weekend's Creative Arts Emmy awards ceremony.

Op-Ed: Massachusetts Could Roll Back Trans Rights This Year — And We Need to Fight Back - This ain't good, y'all.

‘Queer Eye’ Reboot Wins Top Reality Show Emmy - Wow! Congratulations! 

RuPaul Wins Third Consecutive Emmy Award for Outstanding Host - To this day, I still don't know what RuPaul has me on twitter block, but congratulations on your historic win. 

Why Obama is better than Trump, from A to Z - What a good president is versus the sentient cow patty we have now.

The Plot to Bring Down Pope Francis - I am not a fan of the Pope, but I despise the homophobic forces attempting to bring him down.

An emcee at an LGBTQ conference said ‘Ladies and gentlemen, things and its’- This is deliberately the last item. I was a past member of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) and support the organization (even though some of them don't think of me as on their "level" of journalism). But this was a bad incident. It wasn't a mistatement. It was an ugly thing to say. It spotlights a bad aesthetic which unfortunately permeates LGBTQ journalism in general. And this aesthetic is not only a problem dealing with transgender issues, it is a problem which deals with issues regarding LGBTQs of color, the geographic location of LGBTQ issues receiving the lion's share of press, even what constitutes the important issues facing the LGBTQ community and who gets to be designated as our public faces and leaders. We don't need a total overhaul, but we seriously need to do some transforming, encouraging, and thinking outside of our clique boxes.

Woodward book - Trump surprised staff with trans troop ban, demeaned trans soldiers' & other Fri midday news briefs

Bob Woodward's book on Trump demonstrates how anti-LGBTQ propaganda can become policy.

Woodward book: Trump surprised top staff with trans military ban: 

 Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), an anti-LGBT lawmaker, had at the time introduced to the House floor an amendment banning the Pentagon from paying for transition-related care after making false claims about exorbitant costs of the procedure. Despite her efforts, the measure couldn’t pass the U.S. House even with a Republican majority. Those false estimates reportedly somehow got to Trump, who made anti-trans remarks about service members getting clipped in response.  

 “What the fuck? They’re coming in here, they’re getting clipped,” Trump reportedly told Bannon, a reference to enlisting and undergoing surgery. “Not going to happen.” 

 That's such a sweet way to talk about men and women who fight for your freedoms. There aren't enough vulgar words for me to fully illustrate my anger at this shit. 


Hate group to host Congresswoman who funneled its false data - Post from 2017 which goes into detail about the lie Hartzler told about transgender troops; the lie which fueled Trump's vulgar comments.

Brett Kavanaugh's 'Obergefell' Comments On Gay Marriage Will Give You Pause - Stop the handwringing. If this man is confirmed, don't assume that we will lose our right to marry. Fight every step of the way. We will not lose what we earned. 

Kavanaugh’s Refusal to Answer Basic Questions On Obergefell is Unacceptable, Reveals Threat He Poses - More details about the above news briefs. 

Funny how the Trump resistance has no problem with his anti-LGBTQ policies - About those "brave folks" who claim to be the "internal resistance" to Trump . .. 

Exclusive: Les Moonves Was Obsessed With Ruining Janet Jackson’s Career, Sources Say - Not necessarily and LGBTQ issue per se, but demonstrates how some people with too much money think they should have power over people. The LGBTQ community does have the same problem to a degree. Who do you think funds the Heritage Foundation, the Family Research Council, and other anti-LGBTQ groups - some idiot with more money than humility or sense.

Key & Peele's advice on gay weddings

The following is just a little bit of comedy to get us through yet again. Comic duo Key & Peele featured an interesting video educating people about gay weddings.  And it's hilarious. While some folks may cry foul over the stereotypes, please bear in mind that the only thing that is being attacked here is ignorance. Plus, I kinda like the idea of "gay hymns" being performed at a gay wedding. But I will pass on the idea of a stripper preacher.

'Transgender boy reminds us all what we are fighting for' & other Thur midday news briefs

A trans boy left his neighbor a thank-you note that will give you the feels - A WONDERFUL story which underlines just how deep the fight for LGBTQ equality and self-determination runs. A transgender woman in Utah put the trans flag up at her home. She received an anonymous letter from a transgender boy thanking her. You can read the letter at the link. It's beautiful in its simplicity. It also serves as reminder that the things we do are being watched by our LGBTQ kids. Every time we stand up and refuse to be disrespected, we empower them and give them what they need. That's the one thing we need to remember - giving our kids hope, enthusiasm, role models, encouragement, and motivation. It doesn't have to be something spectacular, but as long as it's something positive.

India Supreme Court Overturns Colonial-Era Law Criminalizing Same-Sex Relationships - Just in case y'all didn't hear . . . 

India's Supreme Court Decriminalizes Homosexuality in a Historic Ruling for the LGBTQ Community - More on this tremendous event.

Ugandan minister fails to shut down festival ‘for celebrating gay people’ - Oh stop already. You simply can't stop joy, happiness, and progress. 

Pastor tells parents to shun their gay children to ‘show the love of Christ’ - See, this right is here is some high level bullshit.

Hillary Clinton's seven best reactions to anonymous White House letter & Woodward's book about Trump Administration

There is probably nothing I can say which would take people's attention away from the latest craziness coming from the Trump Administration. This time being an anonymous letter to The New York Times from a senior official claiming that there is an internal group in the White House undermining Trump because he is an absolutely insane incompetent. And that comes on the heels of a book by noted journalist Bob Woodward about the Trump White House, a book depicting Trump as being so vulgar and vicious (and yes, incompetent) that he makes the "Mommy Dearest" incarnation of Joan Crawford look like Maria Von Trapp.

Needless to say, today has created an atmosphere in which things have gotten so crazy for me that I need to take a powder. I apologize for not depicting this blog's usual fare of wrecking anti-LGBTQ propaganda. But I felt the need to allow Hillary Clinton to guest post because I know she has something to say in relation to recent events:

Get it all out of your system, Hillary:

'CNN's Rick Santorum throws fit over gay cupcakes, gets schooled' & other Wed midday news briefs

Rick Santorum has a freak out about gay equality, gets schooled. 

CNN’s Rick Santorum throws a fit over gay cupcakes and gets smacked down by Jeffrey Toobin - What happens when homophobic Rick Santorum gets hit with calm facts. And yes, I know. But I ain't googling "Santorum."

John McCain will be replaced with a former Republican senator who rabidly opposes LGBTQ rights - Shit. Bring it on!!!! 

The Delaware Senate primary could be the biggest get for progressives this primary season - No one is making as much hay about this sort of thing than they did when that astroturfed tea party bullshit, but when an LGBTQ woman of color of pulling an upset in a Senate primary, it's a pretty big deal. 

 This Gorgeous Portrait Series Celebrates Older Trans And Gender-Nonconforming People - This is wonderful! I love this! 

Cancer Network Wins $2.5M for Tobacco-Related LGBTQ Cancer Research - Research is always good.

The Family Research Council forgets its homophobic smear campaign against Obama SCOTUS pick & how it encouraged GOP obstruction

The Family Research Council practices selective outrage at Brett Kavanaugh's hearing.

So today, after a very vibrant hearing of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Family Research Council head Tony Perkins issued a press release blasting Democrats for supposedly impeding the process selecting a SCOTUS judge:

Kavanaugh Hearing Offers a Snapshot of Where the Left Wants to Take America, says Family Research Council 

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement in response to this morning’s U.S. Supreme Court nomination hearing for Judge Brett Kavanaugh: “This hearing is a snapshot of where America is and where we will head if the Left has the reins of government. The idea that this is about reviewing millions of pages of documents is laughable. 

Remember, this is the party of Nancy Pelosi who said of the most expansive piece of government policy, Obamacare, that they would have to pass the 2,300 page bill and then read it. The audience outbursts and the obstruction by the Democrats was reportedly coordinated in a conference call yesterday. 

 “This really validates what President Trump told evangelical leaders last week. The Left will stop at nothing as evidenced by the violence of Antifa. The unhinged conduct of the Left should make it crystal clear what is not only at stake in the balance of the Court, but the future of our country. “America is at such a critical stage that for Christians or conservatives to step back for just one moment could result in the loss of not just the fundamental freedoms reestablished in the last two years, but the loss of the Republic as we have known it,” concluded Perkins.

It's amusing of the Family Research Council to cry foul over how the Democrats are merely demanding an open and full vetting on Kavanaugh's record.

'Rainbow Wave could help sweep midterms' & other Tue midday news briefs

Rise Of LGBTQ Candidates Could Usher In A 'Rainbow Wave' In 2018 - I put something like this out in August and as we get closer to the midterms, it's looking more like a reality. This a good thing and may it continue regardless of how 2018 turns out. It is a perfect example of the direction the LGBTQ community should go to attain our equality and self-determination. When those with legislative power are swayed by homophobes to vote against your very survival, you BECOME some of the ones with legislative power. It can be done. And don't give me that crap about not being a "single issue voter." When the single issue is whether your marriage is safe, your loved ones are protected, or you are able to engage in the normal processes of humanity, such as raising children, that "single issue" encompasses a huge amount of sub-issues.

She could be the first trans woman in the U.S. Congress. So we talked to her. - Her name is Alexandra Chandler and I hope she wins.

Couple Paint Home In Pride Flag Colors After Neighbors Allegedly Use Homophobic Slurs - Good for them! Two snaps up in a zee formation! 

People noticed that anti-trans junk science is, in fact, junk. Conservatives aren’t taking it well. - On nearing the 12th anniversary of the blog, this warms my heart. More folks are recognizing anti-trans bullshit as anti-trans bullshit. 

Vatican admits Pope lied about meeting anti-gay clerk Kim Davis. He knew who she was. - I haven't this surprised since the late Jim Nabors came out.


Image taken from Nevada Impact.