Monday, February 28, 2022

Over 150+ companies announce their opposition to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill as it pass Senate committee

 


Even though Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill may still become law, there is no question that it has galvanized the state's LGBTQ community.

Not to mention over 150 companies


The bill made it out of a Senate committee meeting.

But it got righteously wrecked during the meeting by people speaking against it. 

So while Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill is a travesty and may still become law, it has motivated many in the state to speak out, publicly defending themselves and their LGBTQ family members and friends. 

And the LGBTQ kids standing up for themselves is icing on the cake. 

'Right-wing media blaming LGBTQ equality for Russia's invasion of Ukraine' & other Mon midday news briefs



Right-wing media blame LGBTQ equality, “pride flags” for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - They blame us for everything else. Why not this. 

Conservatives freak out because teachers won’t be able to look up students’ sexes anymore - 'Conservatives freak out' is turning out to be a very consistent headline.

How Texas' war on trans youth feels when you have a trans child - This war on trans kids and their affirming parents must end. 

SCOTUS Nom Ketanji Brown Jackson Has Nearly Flaw-Free LGBTQ+ Record - Just when I thought I couldn't get any more pumped up and happy about Justice Jackson's nomination.

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Rinse and repeat cycle - Right-wing entities create another false panic about trans women and little girls

 

To coin an overused phrase, "it's a story as old as the hills."

  • An alleged incident (usually involving kids) takes place which seemingly puts the LGBTQ community in a negative light. 
  • There is a overinflated media controversy instigated and exploited by right-wing entities and 'concerned parents'  which dominates the airwaves. But when it's all said and done, the controversy generally turns out to be nothing. But the damage is done. 
  • There are no apologies, right-wing entities slink away whistling nonchalantly with their hands in their pockets, suddenly the concerned parents  aren't so concerned, and the LGBTQ community and their allies are left to pick up the pieces after being attacked, insulted, and lied on with no apology or recompensement  of any type forthcoming.

And then the cycle repeats itself. 

Case in point, a a recent situation at a school in California. 

According to a Feb 19th issue of  The Los Angeles Blade:

A three-day overnight science camp for fifth-grade girls in the San Bernardino Mountains near Running Springs has erupted in controversy after a group of parents found out that non-binary counselors slept in the same cabins. A group of parents of students at Weaver Elementary School in Los Alamitos are upset with the Los Alamitos Unified School District after their children informed them that “biologically male counselors,” who use they/them pronouns, were sleeping in the same cabins as the girls.KTLA 5 reported that one parent Rachel Sandoval, said: 

“I contacted the school and asked them if they were able to confirm that there was not a man actually sleeping in the same cabin as the girls. They were not able to confirm that.” The parents told the station that they weren’t alleging that a crime was committed just that the omission of the policy of the camp was not disclosed. Speaking with KTLA, Emmi Teige, the assistant director of Camp Pali said, “Per California law, we place staff in cabins they identify with.”

Notice the statement Sandoval claimed she put to the school - “I contacted the school and asked them if they were able to confirm that there was not a man actually sleeping in the same cabin as the girls. They were not able to confirm that.”

 The manner in which she phrased her concern to KTLA makes it automatically sound as if  school officials were hiding something or were inept. The truth is probably based upon policy, the school couldn't give her a definitive answer at the time she reportedly asked. With a situation that serious, I'm guessing that school officials would have had to investigate before giving anyone any definitive answer.

As it was, neither Sandoval nor any of the other parents had to allege that any crime was committed. That detail was conveniently left up to various members of  the right-wing media. The allegations caused a firestorm with many on the right extrapolating and manipulating parental fears with false allegations complete with lurid headlines (Editor's note - the headlines below are accurate but I will not provide a link to any of it):

Parents Enraged After School Allows Biological Male “Transgender” Counselors to Share Cabins with Young Girls at Science Camp 

 WATCH: PARENTS OUTRAGED TO LEARN BIOLOGICAL MALE CAMP COUNSELORS SLEEPING IN SAME CABIN AS FIFTH GRADE GIRLS

Non-binary biological male counselors allowed to sleep in fifth-grade girls' cabins at science camp 

Parents are furious after biological male, non-binary counselors slept in rooms with little girls

With school officials not being able to give an answer before a complete investigation but the parents and the right-wing media free to do interview after interview or twist the situation, false stories were bound to fly wide and far before truth even came out.

And now comes the hook. According to KTLA, the school district investigated and found the following:

. . . on Monday, a spokesperson sent KTLA a statement indicating there had been no biologically male counselors in shared cabins with female students at the camp that they are aware of. 

 “While counselors may have used the pronouns, they/them, the use of these pronouns is not restricted to biological males. Biological females also use those term,” the statement read. “Pali Institute is an equal opportunity employer and always has been, with diversity and inclusion among its core values. Its commitment to diversity and inclusion applies equally to its students. Pali Institute’s priority is and always has been to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of its students, with strict rules and guidelines that govern staff interaction with students.”

It's convenient that the complaining parents said that they weren't alleging that a crime was committed but have a problem with camp policy. That "cover your ass" statement allows them to continue to attack school officials and the camp for its policy. As if the policy was the problem instead of their ignorance and hysteria.

And it also allows the far right to continue to rile up rage about schools and LGBTQ people.


The Los Alamitos Unified School District has had LGBTQ+ issues escalate previous to this incident. Tensions ran high in the Los Alamitos Unified School District after parents learned that a teacher at Oak Middle School at the start of the school year asked his students to let him know what their preferred pronouns are during classes. 

 . . . The battle over the use of pronouns in the Los Alamitos Unified School District is reflective of controversies in thousands of school districts across the United States over the past 14 months, driven in part by severe disagreements over requirements for face masks and vaccinations to battles over the rights of Transgender students.

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Five TX district attorneys are refusing to follow Abbott's directive targeting trans kids and their parents


While the vast majority of attention is focused on Putin's invasion of the Ukraine, LGBTQ Americans are reminded that there are forces in the country intent on giving us hell. 

On Thursday, the Florida House passed that awful 'Don't Say Gay' bill. It will now go to the Senate where it is unfortunately expected to pass. And Gov. DeSantis will most likely sign it into law. But that battle is still far from over. 

Meanwhile in Texas, an awful directive by Gov Gregg Abbott targeting trans kids and their parents is meeting a resistance. 

 According to The USA Today:

District attorneys representing five of Texas' largest counties on Wednesday said they will not treat gender-affirming procedures for transgender youth as "child abuse," defying a push by the state's attorney general and governor to target the medical treatments. 

 The news comes a day after an order from Gov. Greg Abbott mandated the state's child welfare agency treat gender-affirming procedures as "child abuse," a move with potential legal consequences for both parents of transgender youth and any teacher or other authority figure who interacts with a trans child. The district attorneys said they believe Gov. Abbott's order — and the legal opinion by Attorney General Ken Paxton on which the order is based — constitute "an egregious invasion of privacy."

Abbott's order has generated chaos around the state with parents of trans kids. Some fear that they will be prosecuted and have their children taken away.  According to Time magazine, some parents are already receiving messages claiming that they have been reported. 

Such as Lisa Stanton:

When Lisa Stanton looked at her phone on Wednesday morning, she felt like she’d been “physically punched.” The day before, Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a letter directing the state’s Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to conduct “prompt and thorough” investigations into the families of trans and gender expansive youth who’ve received gender-affirming care, asserting that the care can “legally constitute child abuse.” 

 Stanton and her family have long been public about their 11-year-old daughter, Maya, being trans. Maya testified in the state capital in 2021 against proposed legislation that would have criminalized gender-affirming care. And when Stanton opened her phone Wednesday morning, she saw a wall of social media messages from strangers saying they’d already reported her to Protective Services. 
“I know I’m a good parent,” says Stanton, who lives in Houston. “My child is happy and healthy and thriving, and I know that what I’m doing is right for her.” Yet the messages still terrified her.

And celebrities are beginning to weigh in. Celebrities such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Elliot Page, Kerry Washington and Gabrielle Union criticized Abbott for his order..

“This is where we are,” Union tweeted Tuesday. “We shot past dangerous and horrific a long time ago. The rubber has hit the road so who is standing shoulder to shoulder in this fight?” Trans inclusivity is a cause close to Union's heart. The "Bring It On" star's 14-year-old stepdaughter, Zaya, came out as transgender in February 2020.

'GOP candidate tried to get Russia to help him unseat openly gay Congressman' & other Thur midday news briefs



GOP Candidate Sought Russian Help to Unseat Gay Rep. David Cicilline​ - He failed.



Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Three misleading claims Republicans use to justify banning trans healthcare

Just like they spew lies about gays 'recruiting/grooming' children to justify censoring LGBTQ-oriented books and mentioning LGBTQ folks in classrooms, the religious right is following the same blueprint to justify their war against transgender kids. Such as what Texas Governor Gregg Abbott did on Wednesday in attempting to take steps to remove trans children from supportive parents.

According to The American Independent:

As part of their broader campaign attacking transgender rights, conservative lawmakers are now pushing inaccurate and misleading information about transgender youth whose families want them to be able to seek the potentially life-saving care they deserve. With a slate of bills that would outlaw gender-affirming care for minors, Republican governors and state lawmakers are targeting health care professionals who provide their patients with gender-affirming care such as hormone treatments, puberty blockers, and in some cases, gender-affirming surgery. 

 . . . Republican lawmakers have continued to insist that it is inappropriate for health care providers to treat gender dysphoria in children, which can lead to higher levels of depression and anxiety if left untreated. To make their argument, these lawmakers often rely on one of the following three misleading claims that medical experts have repeatedly debunked. 

Misleading Claim No. 1: Health care providers are casually giving gender-affirming care to minors.

Misleading Claim No. 2: 'Rapid-onset gender dysphoria' is responsible for kids' gender identity

Misleading Claim No. 3: Transition regret is prevalent.

The American Independent goes into much details with regards to why these claims are misleading. I hope folks will read the article and then share it. The first weapon against this mess is education and I have news for members of the LGBTQ community who aren't transgender. 

The religious right and their allies are coming for your rights, too. They are coming for all of us.

'SCOTUS will hear hate group lawsuit looking to overturn LGBTQ protections' & other Wed midday news briefs


Supreme Court to hear hate group lawsuit that could overturn LGBTQ protections - SCOTUS is gonna mess with us again, y'all. We've managed to get away by the skin of our teeth several times. We will see what happens here.  And of course this is the continued work of the Alliance Defending Freedom. Maybe now more attention will be paid by the media to how this group has declared war on LGBTQ people.


Texas AG says transition care for minors is child abuse under state law - His opinion is pablum with no legal standing. You need to work on the cases against you on the grounds of corruption, Ken. No one has forgotten about them. 

We need to talk about Colman Domingo, the queer rising star - Openly gay black actor who kicks ass. Yes we do.

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill supported by group whose former spokesman once called for kidnapping children out of same-sex households

As I once stated before, one can easily tell that Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Bill is a rotten idea by seeing just who supports it. Religious right group the Family Research Council  falsely claimed that the bill protects children. Of course the Family Research Council is also the same group whose president, Tony Perkins, once said that gays were the pawns of Satan. 

Recently another religious right group, the American Family Association, came out in support of the bill via an article on its 'news' webpage, American Family News:

President Biden and his administration are frazzled by state efforts that directly oppose the left's agenda to keep parents out of the loop while they sexualize young public school students. 

 Cultural issues writer Laurie Higgins of the Illinois Family Institute (IFI) finds Biden's strong opposition to House Bill 1557, which discourages classroom discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity in the primary grade levels, very revealing. "They're saying, 'We want to use our youngest grades to [have] teachers lead discussions on homosexuality or cross-dressing;' that's in effect what they're saying," Higgins notes. "People need to listen to that and take them seriously." 
 
That is a disgusting lie. But then the article goes even lower via the following passage:

Another important part of the bill would allow parents to have access to their children's student records. "I think that this is aimed directly at the many school districts now who are affirming kids' trans identities and concealing what they're doing from their parents," Higgins submits.

Higgins - and the AFA - are deliberately minimizing an alarming amendment to the bill which would have forced school officials to out LGBTQ kids to their parents, even if the act could lead to the possible abuse or neglect by said parents. The amendment was withdrawn by the bill's sponsor because of the firestorm it caused.

Just like the Family Research Council,  AFA's brand is the demonization of LGBTQ people. And just like FRC,  the American Family Association was declared a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center because of this. 

Controversial 'outing' amendment to FL 'Don't Say Gay' bill withdrawn after playing a huge role in riling up opposition



From Raw Story:

An amendment to Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill that would have forced teachers to out LGBTQ students to their parents has been dropped. Local news station WFLA reports that Florida State Rep. Joe Harding has withdrawn his amendment, which came under heavy criticism from Florida teachers, students, and parents. "The bill would have forced schools to out their LGBTQ+ students to parents within six weeks of a student disclosing their sexual orientation to school personnel," WFLA reports. "The amendment had set up what it called a protocol to encourage a safe discussion between parents and students, but removed protections for students who would have potentially been subject to abuse, abandonment or neglect by their families." 

Raw Story also said that even without the amendment, the bill itself is still moving forward.  And while it still has a good chance of passing, it is also galvanizing Democratic lawmakers and Florida's LGBTQ community. 

The USA Today pointed to Harding's now withdrawn amendment as a reason why opposition got supercharged:

Harding's latest amendment acted as virtual gasoline on an online fire, stoking outrage from members of the LGBTQ community, including openly gay Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith. The amendment "make(s) it even more dangerous for vulnerable kids with a STATE-MANDATED outing of LGBTQ students to parents, specifically in cases of abuse, abandonment + neglect. This will have devastating consequences for our youth," he tweeted. Smith also cited research that LGBTQ youth are four times "more likely to seriously consider, make a plan for, or attempt suicide than their peers AND that at least one LGBTQ youth aged 13–24 attempts suicide every 45 seconds in the U.S." "#DontSayGay makes this worse," he added.

Other Democratic lawmakers have also condemned the bill, calling it toxic and personal. And according to The Tallahassee Democrat, it's not just Democrats who have problems with it:

Jon Harris Mauer, public policy director for Equality Florida, said he's heard concerns about the amendment from legislators on both sides of the aisle. "They have withdrawn this amendment but have made clear they are willing to take a disgusting, unfettered attack on LGBTQ youth. In response to public pressure, this particular amendment was withdrawn, but there are many steps left in this process and we have to stay vigilant," Mauer said.

So whether the bill passes or not, it looks like this situation is far from over. And regardless of whatever reason its supporters give, it looks like they are going to get more than they bargained for. Whatever victory they have if the bill passes could be seen as pyrrhic when compared to how it has galvanized opposition.

Monday, February 21, 2022

15 other 'Don't Say Gay'-type bills popping up around the nation as backlash may be growing against them

 It looks like Florida isn't the only state pushing a 'Don't Say Gay' bill. According to a recent article in The Hill, there are 15 other bills popping up around the nation:


Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill is just one part of a nationwide trend. There are 15 similar bills moving through state legislatures that restrict how textbooks and curriculums teach LGBTQ+ topics, who can be hired and what teachers are allowed to say when it comes to gender identity and sexual orientation.

 A House bill in Tennessee would ban textbook and instructional materials that “promote, normalize, support, or address lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) lifestyles” in K-12 schools. Another, in Kansas, seeks to amend the state’s obscenity law to make using classroom materials depicting “homosexuality” a Class B misdemeanor. Legislators in Indiana are working to bar educators from discussing in any context “sexual orientation,” “transgenderism” or “gender identity” without permission from parents.

. . . Oklahoma legislators have put five measures before its Congress that regulate how schools from K-12 to higher education teach LGBTQ+ issues. Two bills, SB 1142 and SB 1654, would prohibit librarians and teachers from distributing materials on or outright discussing “any form of non-procreative sex,” gender identity and “lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender issues.” 

 Another Oklahoma Senate bill would ban public schools from employing anyone who “promotes positions in the classroom or at any function of the public school that is in opposition to closely held religious beliefs of students.” And SB 1141 would bar requiring public university courses on “gender, sexual, or racial diversity, equality, or inclusion,” supplementing an already-passed House bill that is currently part of a federal lawsuit brought by the ACLU.

While supporters of these bills claim they are trying to protect children and give parents more power, a slow but steady backlash is arising.  LGBTQ parents, kids, and allies are coming out to speak against and protest the Florida bill. And as the bill works it way through the legislature, that number is growing.  President Biden and Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who is openly gay, have publicly denounced the Florida bill and other anti-LGBTQ legislation. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his husband Chasten have also criticized Florida's bill, saying that it will harm LGBTQ kids. 

Lastly, in a bizarre move,  the co-sponsor of the Florida bill recently added an amendment requiring schools to out LGBTQ students to their parents even if the outing could potentially lead to violence or neglect against the child. 

To say that this hasn't help the bill's popularity would be an extreme understatement.

Sunday, February 20, 2022

Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill being changed to deliberately expose LGBTQ kids to violence and abandonment

 As it was originally written, Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill is a nightmare to the state's LGBTQ community. But a recent change may make the bill more dangerous to LGBTQ kids.

A portion of the bill originally said that school officials must out LGBTQ students to their parents unless "a reasonably prudent person would believe that such a disclosure would lead to abuse, abandonment, or neglect . . ." 

In a change suggested by the bill's sponsor, Rep Joe Harding, school officials would be required to out LGBTQ kids to their parents regardless of whether or not it would lead to abuse, abandonment, or neglect.



The following is the portion Rep Smith is talking about



There is no way to put this politely - the alteration of the bill makes things worse. It demands that school officials out LGBTQ kids even if they know that the consequences would lead to abuse, abandonment, or neglect. The new conditions which come along with this are deliberately vague and completely unenforceable. It requires schools officials to come up with some sort of  "plan," but it doesn't require parents to participate.

The irony of the 'Don't Say Gay' bill is that it sprang from the mindset that school officials interfere with how parents are raising their children. The message is that 'parents know best.' But this bill proves that in some cases, parents may not know best. And the continuous maneuvering proves that the sponsor and supporters of the bill know this but when it comes to the well-being of LGBTQ kids, they simply don't care.

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Gov Kristi Noem claims depression in LGBTQ youth makes her sad (days after signing a bill negatively affecting LGBTQ youth)

If Gov. Kristi Noem actually cared about depression and anxiety in LGBTQ youth, she wouldn't have signed a bill harming LGBTQ youth.

What's worse than a bigoted person? A dense bigoted person. I give you Exhibit A - South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem:



First of all, forgive me if I come across as petty but Gov Noem seem sad in the above video. Not even a little bit. But if she truly wants to "figure it out," I suggest she look in the mirror. Actions like signing that awful bill - which is based on nothing more than lies and fear - is a leading cause of anxiety and depression in LGBTQ youth. 

According to a study released in January:

More than two-thirds of LGBTQ+ youth say recent efforts by states to limit the rights of transgender and nonbinary people have negatively impacted their mental health, according to a poll released . . .  by the Trevor Project.

 . . .In the Trevor Project’s survey of 820 LGBTQ+ youth aged 13 to 24 years old, 70 percent said they were closely following recent news about issues impacting the transgender community, and two-thirds of LGBTQ+ youth said debates about state laws restricting the rights of transgender people have negatively impacted their mental health. That impact has been more dramatic among transgender and nonbinary youth, with more than 85 percent of that group reporting that their mental health has taken a hit, according to the survey. 

 "These results underscore how recent politics and ongoing crises facing the globe can have a real, negative impact on LGBTQ young people, a group consistently found to be at significantly increased risk for depression, anxiety and attempting suicide because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society," Amit Paley, CEO of The Trevor Project, said in a statement. 

The fact that Noem doesn't know this  - or pretends not to know this - underscores just how warped the conversation about anti-trans legislation has been. While folks like her go on and on about supposedly 'protecting kids.' they haven't been held accountable to the reality that its their legislation which is doing the actual harm.

Isn't it way past time to make these folks address that fact?

'Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill new focal point in battles on racism, politics (especially presidential politics)' & other Thur midday news briefs



Florida ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill new focal point in battles on racism, politics - Oh you best believe it! The fight is on. DeSantis is trying to build a road to the White House on our backs and the backs of our LGBTQ kids. Hell no. 

Parents' rights, LGBTQ advocates at odds over district's new advisory committee - Sounds like someone is attempting to throw a poison pill into this committee.


Russia makes failed attempt to shut down prominent LGBTQ rights group - This attempt to shut down and erase LGBTQ people is worldwide.

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

I confess. The heterosexual promiscuity to homosexuality to transgenderism pipeline was MY brilliant creation.

Looks like extremely bigoted Scott Lively has got me dead to rights. 

Transgenderism did not become the "cause celeb" until homosexuality had been normalized, and the campaign to normalize homosexuality did not take center stage until heterosexual promiscuity had been normalized. This is a long-term agenda we're watching unfold, being pushed by people, principalities and powers with a very long view and the patience to allow each stage to settle in slowly until enough of the public accepts it to ensure nothing will be successfully reversed. Don't believe that? Tell me what you think are the prospects for re-criminalizing adultery in America and what's actually changed to make that idea seem ridiculous. Adultery isn't any less immoral or harmful today than it was when its criminalization was considered a no-brainer by virtually everyone. We've simply been the victims of incremental desensitization. 

 Recognizing that truth should lead any honest person to admit that, unless something changes in our approach, we conservatives are going to lose the transgender battle just like we lost the homosexual battle, and later on we're going to lose the transhumanism battle after they've crushed us on transgenderism. And some of the very same people fighting hard against transgenderism today are going to simply shrug their shoulders at it tomorrow, just like today many "conservatives" have decided homosexuality is no big deal anymore. 

 The left wins because they have a vision for the future that drives their movement and excites their activists. They envision a perfect socialist utopia built upon the ashes of Judeo-Christian civilization, and they constantly work proactively to achieve it.

I confess, this was all my plan. Yep. It was all my idea. My brainchild.

I came up with the concept during that great gay recruitment conference on Fire Island in 1967. That is except for that part about the ashes of Judeo-Christian civilization.  I did not plan that. Some white boy snuck it in. You know black queens loves us some Jesus.

Lively has gotten better when it comes to accusing gays of things. I remember when he accused us of starting the Nazi Party. Now that was ludicrous for obvious reasons. Also, no gay men alive would be caught wearing  awful battleship grey uniforms with those annoyingly wide pants legs.

'Bigoted preacher says he hopes 'every single homosexual dies' in hate sermon' & other Wed midday news briefs



Preacher says he hopes “every single homosexual dies” in hate sermon - Yes we need to know that people like this are out there. He's a bastard but at least he is more honest than certain people who won't voice that opinion but are attempting to pass legislation with it in mind.


Trans swimmer Lia Thomas poised to compete in NCAA championships - Some people are angry that Ms. Thomas is going to be able to compete. Let them stay mad.

6 LGBTQ storylines from Super Bowl LVI - Apparently this Super Bowl was very, very LGBTQ friendly.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Video - How Arizona Lawmakers Talk About LGBTQ+ People

 
I'm a huge fan of giving homophobic and transphobic people room to talk, especially when they have legislative power to harm LGBTQ people. As this short video of Arizona legislators proves, give them enough space and their words become our best proof of their bigotry. It's no wonder that 12 anti-LGBTQ bills were filed this year in Arizona. 


'Check out this year's must-see LGBTQ Super Bowl ads' & other Tue midday news briefs

 

Check out this year’s must-see LGBTQ Super Bowl ads - Ads featuring LGBTQ people during the Super Bowl is not a victory for the NFL or the Super Bowl. It's our victory and we shouldn't be ashamed to enjoy it. It's all about not having to hide.

 Uber warned it could face discrimination probe after trans drivers suspended - Okay Uber. I was beginning to become a loyal customer. You need to do better. 


Monday, February 14, 2022

LGBTQ people are the ones in need of protection from the religious right


Editor's note - This has been on my mind for a while. I wish more would begin questioning the narrative of this so-called culture war.

When the religious right and their legislatives allies tried to ban gay marriage, they claimed they were trying to protect marriage.

When they try to ban transgender children from using a school restroom which matches their gender identities, they claim they are protecting women and girls from 'predators.'

When they try to pass laws making it legal for physicians to turn away LGBTQ potential patients, businesses to turn away LGBTQ potential customers, and foster care and adoption agencies to turn away LGBTQ potential clients (while still being able to access LGBTQ tax dollars), they claim they are protecting religious beliefs.

When they try to pass laws banning transgender girls and women from high school and collegiate sports (but not transgender boys and men), they claim they are protecting cis female athletes.

And now when they are trying to ban discussions of LGBTQ matters in school classrooms, preventing transgender children from receiving accurate healthcare, making it more difficult for closeted kids to confide in their teachers, and eliminating LGBTQ-oriented books from libraries, they claim they are protecting children.

How come every time the religious right and their legislative allies claim that they are protecting something, it is LGBTQ people who are the ones in need of protection from them?

Related webpage  - Free to Say Gay


'Arizona Republican breaks with party to block trans health care ban' & other Mon midday news briefs



Arizona Republican breaks with party to block transgender health care ban - Finally a member of the GOP who genuinely who cares about the kids.

Anti-gay pastor still in contention for job in Adams administration - Start talking, Mayor Adams. You have a lot of explaining to do. 

Gay billionaire Peter Thiel is going all in on Trump wannabes in this year’s midterm elections - It's depressing when your own people try to make your a living hell.

Sunday, February 13, 2022

'Don't Say Gay' bill not just in Florida. Tenn lawmaker now trying to pass similar bill.

This from Raw Story doesn't put me in any state of shock. It's stupid and totally uncalled for, but  say pour it on. When those who oppose your basic freedoms are empowered to show their true faces, let them. Let them show the entire world just how hateful they are.

But just don't let them get away with it:

As Florida's dangerous and possibly unconstitutional "Don't Say Gay" bill gathers nationwide attention and condemnation – making it more likely to be passed and signed into law by Republican governor and rumored 2024 presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis, another Republican is dusting off his own "Don't Say Gay" bill to push his "Christian values" agenda.

Tennessee state Rep. Bruce Griffey says if schools are forcing him to teach Christian values at home because they won't teach them in the classroom, they should not be allowed to "promote" what his legislation calls "LGBT issues or lifestyles." 

 “The state of Tennessee is not allowed to teach my daughters Christian values that I think are important and they should learn, so I teach those at home,” Rep. Griffey told Tennessee's WMC, as The Advocate reports. “So if those are not part of the school curriculum, I don’t see how LGBTQ and other issues and social lifestyles should be part of the curriculum.”

According to The Advocate:
Tennessee lawmakers have tried several times to pass such a bill and have failed. Bills to this effect came up in 2011 and 2013 but didn’t pass, and Griffey’s bill was put on hold last year because of the pandemic. But now he’s out working on it, and it’s part of a spate of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation the state is considering, including one bill that would restrict gender-affirming care for minors and one that would allow teachers and other school staffers to disregard students’ preferred pronouns. The state saw five anti-LGBTQ+ bills become law last year, including a ban on transgender student athletes competing under their gender identity, and this year looks to be even worse, 

Chris Sanders, executive director of the Tennessee Equality Project, tells The Advocate. “The 2022 legislative session has brought the most discriminatory bills ever,” he says in a email. “Attacks on gender-affirming care, trans athletes, and LGBTQ materials in schools are themes that connect this year’s bills to previous sessions. We also face new attacks on student pronouns with a bill allowing school personnel to disregard them, which is nothing short of state-sanctioned bullying. Given the number of bills that passed last year, we have to treat them all as if they could advance. So we have steps that advocates can take each week of the session. An easy way to find them is on Twitter.”

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Hate group leader who linked LGBTQ people with Satan supports Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill

Florida's highly bigoted 'Don't Say Gay' bill would be a disaster to LGBTQ kids and same-sex families. We already know this. Thursday provided more proof.

 It's been vouched for by anti-LGBTQ hate group the Family Research Council.  Notice how FRC president Tony Perkins frames the bill as while criticizing President Biden for condemning it


The bill doesn't protect children. Instead it renders LGBTQ children and same-sex families invisible. And it looks like FRC has already started pushing the message of erasure. No one with prior knowledge about the group should be surprised.

After all, the Family Research Council has been called a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center because its brand is about smearing LGBTQ people via junk science, cherry-picked science and general lies. The purpose is to undermine our rights by making us seem like boogeyman out to wreck Christianity, American society, and, of course 'recruit children.' 

Like when Perkins said that LGBTQ people were 'pawns' of the 'evil one'

 

Or when another FRC spokesman, Peter Sprigg, voiced a desire to kick LGBTQ people out of America 
    

But back to Perkins because he is a veritable sounding board of homophobia. Amongst other attacks against LGBTQ people, he has

Accused the government of backing “the promotion of same-sex relations” as part of its “push for population control.”

Said that “the human race would be extinct” if homosexuality were to become “normal.” 

Defended Uganda’s “kill-the-gays” bill as a “laudable” effort “to uphold moral conduct.” 

Claimed gay youth have a higher suicide rate because they intrinsically know their sexual orientation is “abnormal.”


Likened homosexuality to alcoholism and drug addiction. 

Said lawmakers who backed the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell have “the blood of innocent soldiers on their hands.”

Florida legislators need to take a long and intricate assessment of their 'don't say gay' bill. They may claim that it won't harm LGBTQ kids or same-sex families, but if someone like Tony Perkins and his group wholeheartedly supports it, you better believe it's gonna hurt.

'These 10 Black LGBTQ candidates could make history in this year's midterms' & other Thur midday news briefs



These 10 Black LGBTQ candidates could make history in this year’s midterms - Hello! The thought of more LGBTQ of color elected officials makes me tingle all over. 


Video - Florida returns to the dark days of Anita Bryant with 'Don't Say Gay' bill - Repeating my post from last night. I got the vaseline, headscarfs, and tennis shoes for those of us who want to fight vigorously against this mess. Cause Florida will not be the only state pushing bills like this


Religious Right’s anger shows hollowness of recent political victories - So true. But the religious right is so deluded, they are going full speed ahead anyway.

Wednesday, February 09, 2022

Video - Florida returns to the dark days of Anita Bryant with 'Don't Say Gay' bill

In 1977,  spokeswoman for the Florida Citrus Commission and former beauty pageant contestant Anita Bryant led a controversial but highly successful campaign to repeal a Dade County nondiscrimination ordinance. She did so by spreading ugly lies about gay men wanting "access" to children.  Her campaign was the first organized opposition to our rights.

One would think that 45 years later, people wouldn't fall for the same lie. But as the above video from Equality Florida proves, it's easy to fool people repeatedly with the same lie as long as you repackage it, such as with this 'Don't Say Gay' bill moving through the state legislature.

Florida has gone from 1977's 'Save Our Children' to 2022's 'Don't Say Gay' and the only thing we've seemed to have learned is how easy it is to needlessly scare people with horror stories - even implied - about gays and children. 

In some ways, America hasn't changed at all since 1977. And that is depressing.


'FL legislature advances 'don't say gay' bill after DeSantis voices support' & other Wed midday news briefs



Florida Legislature advances "Don't Say Gay" bill after DeSantis backing​ - DeSantis and Florida are simply determined to walk through it all with gasoline underwear. By all means, please do. 



The Moderna HIV vaccine trials are underway - Keep your fingers crossed.

Tuesday, February 08, 2022

Biden Administration strongly condemns Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill



From The Hill: 

 The White House on Tuesday condemned a bill making its way through the Florida legislature that would prohibit the discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in the state's primary schools.

 "Every parent … hopes that our leaders will ensure their [children's] safety, protection and freedom, and today conservative politicians in Florida rejected those basic values by advancing legislation that is designed to target and attack kids who need that support the most, kids from LGBTQI+ community," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a briefing with reporters. "Make no mistake, this is not an isolated action in Florida," she continued. "Across the country, we’re seeing Republican leaders taking action to regulate what students can or cannot read, what they can or cannot learn, and most troubling, who they can or cannot be. This is who these kids are, and these legislators are trying to make it harder for them to be who they are." 

 Psaki, when asked why the administration was weighing in on state legislation, said the White House felt it was important to speak out against the Florida law. The Parental Rights in Education law, which critics have described as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, would bar discussion of sexual orientation in elementary schools across the state. Republicans argue the discussion of LGBTQ issues is not age appropriate for those students.

Another dangerous component of the bill is that it would force teachers to out LGBTQ youth to their parents, potentially exposing them to homelessness if their parents kick them out of their homes or violence with their parents being the culprits. Unfortunately, in spite of all of the condemnation, the bill continues to be moving forward through the FL legislature.

White House statement on Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill:

“Every parent hopes that our leaders will ensure their children’s safety, protection, and freedom. Today, conservative politicians in Florida rejected those basic values by advancing legislation that is designed to target and attack the kids who need support the most – LGBTQI+ students, who are already vulnerable to bullying and violence just for being themselves. But make no mistake – this is not an isolated action. Across the country, we’re seeing Republican leaders take actions to regulate what students can or cannot read, what they can or cannot learn, and most troubling, who they can or cannot be. This is politics at its worse, cynically treating our students as pawns in a game and not people who deserve love and respect. At every step of the way, Republicans have peddled in cheap, political attacks, instead of focusing on the issues parents, students, and teachers care about.

 Just imagine what it would feel like to be a kid watching the leaders in your state bully you through legislation that tries to erase your existence. These types of attacks are the root cause of the mental health crisis that too many LGBTQI+ children face. The President wants LGBTQI+ young people who may be feeling scared or alone to know that they are loved exactly for who they are, and that he won’t stop fighting for the protections and safety they deserve.

 Instead of making growing up even harder for our young people, President Biden and his Administration are focused on keeping schools open, providing resources to combat learning loss, and supporting students’ mental health. The Biden-Harris Administration will continue speaking out against harmful anti-LGBTQI+ bills and taking steps to protect our nation’s students.”

'Seven out athletes are playing for Team Canada's Women Hockey team' & other Tue midday news briefs



7 out athletes are playing for Team Canada's Women's Hockey team! - I remember when only having one out athlete would be problematic. Seven out Olympic athletes on one team is sweet.

A Push to Remove LGBTQ Books in One County Could Signal Rising Partisanship on School Boards - Thank you conservatives for making schools boards a battle zone. Of course I'm being sarcastic (these days, you always have to specify.) 



Monday, February 07, 2022

Gov DeSantis supports 'don't say gay' bill which could expose LGBTQ kids to parental abuse

 

FL Gov Ron DeSantis

As vile as this development is, it should surprise no one. The 2024 presidential election will be here sooner than you think and FL Governor Ron DeSantis is eager to bcome the GOP front runner. 

Apparently it doesn't matter if he has to pave his road to the Oval Office with LGBTQ kids.

From The New Civil Rights Movement:

Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday for the first time showed support for an anti-LGBTQ bill that bans discussion of LGBTQ issues or topics in schools while forcing teachers to out children to their parents at home. “In terms of the schools, we’ve seen instances of students being told by different folks in school, ‘Oh, you know, don’t worry, don’t pick your gender yet. Do all this other stuff,’” DeSantis said Monday, Florida Politics reports. 

“They won’t tell the parents about these discussions that are happening. That is entirely inappropriate.” DeSantis also said it is “inappropriate” for teachers “to be hiding these things from parents,” meaning issues of sexual orientation or gender identity. “To get into situations where you’re not having the parent (involved), where you’re hiding things from the parent, you’re injecting these concepts about choosing your gender. That is just inappropriate for our schools,” DeSantis reinforced.

DeSantis's tone is one of the problems with the bill. His narrative embraces deliberate omission of LGBTQ parents and same-sex families. And there is a even deadlier problem with the bill which needs more discussion.

As the article notes, the bill forces teachers to out students to their parents because of the narrative that parents know best. However, the sad but unfortunate fact when it comes to LGBTQ kids is that many times, parents don't know best. And sometimes the actions they take after their children are outed are the worst thing which could happen.

Some LGBTQ youth become homeless because they are kicked out by their parents after being outed. And on the streets, they face high risks of physical and sexual abuse, more discrimination, suicidal thoughts, and as well as other negative repercussions.   

According to Lambda Legal:

Between 20% and 40% of all homeless youth in the United States identify as LGBTQ. Frequently rejected by their families or fleeing abusive long-term placements, these youth are too often misunderstood and mistreated by the staff and other residents at temporary shelters. Homeless and runaway LGBTQ youth too often are misunderstood and mistreated by the staff and other residents at temporary shelters. Harassment, assault and even rape within these facilities are common experiences. The data is sobering: half of a sampling of lesbian and gay youth who had been in out-of-home care settings reported that they had spent periods of time living on the streets in preference to the hostile environments they had found in these settings.  Being homeless imperils a young person’s physical and emotional security. 

According to a 2002 study by the University of Washington, LGBTQ homeless youth are physically or sexually victimized on average by seven more people than non-LGBTQ homeless youth. With nowhere to go and no means of support, some may be forced to engage in survival behaviors that place them at significantly higher risk for mental health problems, substance abuse and exposure to sexually transmitted infections. Some of these survival activities, such as sex work, are illegal, leading many LGBTQ homeless youth to encounters with the juvenile justice and delinquency systems.


And in equally ugly situations, having to remain at home after they are outed exposes LGBTQ kids to violence and other forms of abuse. with their parents being the culprits.

Supposedly the bill has a component which says notifications may not happen if it is determined that the child would be exposed to violence in their home. But that part is vague in terms of who makes the determination or its criteria. And LGBTQ kids deserve more than a vague component which sounds more like of a Cover Your Ass protection for the bill instead of genuine protection for them.

By supporting this bill, Gov. DeSantis is saying he doesn't care about the well-being of  LGBTQ kids who are stuck in potentially abusive households or even just as bad, thrown out in the street by their parents. 

In this desire to create more notoriety for themselves and more action from their base,  DeSantis and supporters of the bill seem to be ignoring the fact that kids have rights too - most specifically, the right to feel safe from discrimination, violence and other forms of abuse even if it may from their parents.

'Republicans targeting LGBTQ youth in state legislative sessions' & other Mon midday news briefs



Florida Republicans target LGBTQ youth in 2022 legislative session​ - So it's not just transgender children. The GOP is targeting all LGBTQ kids. 

Lawmakers Target LGBTQ Issues in Schools - And not just in Florida.

16 Penn swimmers issue letter in support of new transgender athlete rules - Right after a letter of support for her. No difficult guesses who or what group is behind THIS letter. 


Sunday, February 06, 2022

Video - 33 Iconic Quotes from RuPaul's Drag Race

To be honest, I don't watch RuPaul's Drag Race, but I do enjoy the snippets I have now and again seen. Mainly, I enjoy watching how drag culture has made itself a part of the American mainstream culture. Particularly because I'm old enough to remember the time when no one talked positive about drag queens, much less put them on television.