DeSantis picks another fight with drag queens while ignoring a huge child sex trafficking scandal in Florida's foster care system

Instead of handling a child sex trafficking scandal in Florida's foster care system, Ron DeSantis is picking another fight with drag queens and the LGBTQ community.

Implying that LGBTQ people and our culture are "sexually grooming" kids has gotten Fl Governor Ron DeSantis a lot of press, so naturally he is continuing to push that narrative. 

From LGBTQNation:

The administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is investigating a performing arts venue for hosting a drag queen event. A right-wing online activist also recorded a video of himself being escorted out of the venue by security during the event after he stood up and yelled about kids being present. Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is investigating the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale and other venues after receiving “multiple complaints” of a December 26 “A Drag Queen Christmas” event that was allegedly “sexually explicit” and “marketed to children,” The Hill reported. If the venues are found to have violated the DBPR’s licensing standards, they could have their business and liquor licenses revoked, essentially putting them out of business. The investigation could also be referred to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for “potential criminal liability.” 

 . . . In a letter addressed to the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation, the second-to-last stop on the show’s tour, and sent to Drag Fans, the event’s organizer, the DBPR wrote, “The Department has reason to believe that this drag show is of a sexual nature, involving the exposure or exhibition of sexual organs, similar sexual activity, and/or the sexualization of children’s stories. The Department has become aware that drag shows by Drag Fans have been marketed to and attended by minors, including young children.” In actuality, the show contains one reference to alcohol with neither no nudity nor sexual references. 

 . . .A spokesperson for the Broward Center told The Hill that the drag performance was limited to people 18 years or older, unless accompanied by a parent. However, the Center’s web page advertising the event on December 17 called the event “an all-ages show” that “may contain adult content.” The Broward Center also sent out a “Know Before You Go” message to ticket purchasers making them aware that the show contained adult themes and content.

Attacking drag shows by falsely claiming that they are deliberately and sexually marketing to kids has been a popular claim from conservative "activists" and politicians this year. Hysterical claims helped along by distorted and taken out of context videos have helped to fuel a false narrative which has led to threat of violence against not only drag queens but the LGBTQ community at large.

In this particular situation, however, there seems to be pushback against DeSantis. State Rep Carlos Guillermo Smith sent out a series of tweets claiming that DeSantis is more interested with picking fights with drag queens and pushing culture war tropes than actually dealing with a huge scandal involving child sex trafficking in the state's foster care system. 

Ron DeSantis state-run foster care program exposed teenage girls to sex trafficking. In fact, 21% of Florida’s 377 verified child human trafficking victims in 2021 were groomed and recruited from foster care. Why isn’t he investigating that? https://t.co/05WUClrKc6

— Carlos Guillermo Smith (@CarlosGSmith) December 29, 2022

Ron DeSantis refused to fine a single hotel after finding 14,279 violations of anti-human trafficking laws, even though 377 verified sex trafficking victims were Florida children.

Instead, @FloridaDBPR is aggressively and publicly threatening businesses for hosting drag shows. pic.twitter.com/mRmkAfL6Mx

— Carlos Guillermo Smith (@CarlosGSmith) December 28, 2022

In reference to Rep. Smith's second tweet, according to a November article in MSN:

An investigation published by the South Florida Sun Sentinel found that 6,669 hotels and other lodging establishments had received 14,279 citations since a 2019 sex trafficking law required them to make changes to protect victims. Under the anti-trafficking law, violators are supposed to receive fines of up to $2,000 a day. However, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation says not a single fine has been issued because the law allows hotels a 90-day period to fix violations, and so far all have done so.

So apparently Florida does have a problem with sex-trafficking. But the problem isn't with drag queens or any other members of the LGBTQ community. The problem lies with DeSantis who is attempting to build a road to the presidency on the backs of LGBTQ people he demonizes and the sexually abused children he is ignoring.

Editor's note - This will most likely be my last post of 2022. Happy New Year and hope to see you in 2023.

'Elon Musk continues to embarrass himself by sharing bigoted memes' & other Thur midday news briefs

Elon Musk

Elon Musk Slammed for Sharing Anti-LGBTQ+, Anti-Feminist Meme​ - Slowest self-immolation in history And I am enjoying it. 

The 20 most-read Outsports stories of 2022 - LGBTQ people and sports do mix. 

Defining ‘woman’ battle heads to states amid new wave of LGBTQ bills - And here we go. The GOP did not get the message from the midterm elections. People want to see reasonable things get done by Congress, not get sidetracked by cynical culture war battles. 

Queering the family farm: Despite obstacles, LGBTQ farmers find fertile ground in Midwest - Yet more proof of how awesome LGBTQ people are. We thrive when folks think we can't. 

18 LGBTQ+ Words added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2022 - Nice.

Video: Survivor of Pulse nightclub mass shooting calls out DeSantis, 'grifters,' & right-wing extremists for 'pouring gasoline on anti-LGBTQ hysteria'

2022 was an ugly year for LGBTQ Americans

. From bogus legislation targeting trans men, women, and children. to  elected officials exploiting us as a stepping stones to higher office, to wannabe internet personalities passing distorted videos about drag queens to further the lie that we want to 'sexuall groom' kids, violence - physical, psychological, and spiritual - increased against LGBTQ people at a level which I have never seen before.

And punctuating it all was the mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado which left five people dead and over 20 others injured.

Earlier this month, Congress held hearings about the violence against LGBTQ people. Testifying was Michael Anderson, James Slaugh and Matthew Haynes, three survivors of the Club Q shooting. And the man in the video above, Brandon Wolf who survived the 2016 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Years from now, his testimony will be remembered as one of the greatest speeches of our time.

'18 attorney generals blast Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law as unconstitutional' & other Wed midday news briefs

18 attorney generals blast Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law as unconstitutional​ - We will see how this plays out.

30 LGBTQ+ Religious Saints Throughout History - Bet you didn't see THIS coming.

Constituent blasts Rep. Lauren Boebert for “embarrassing the entire country” - Yep.

Congressman-elect George Santos faces increasing calls to resign - But WILL the super liar resign? 

24 LGBTQ+ TV Shows Renewed For 2023 - Good for them.

Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok calls the entire LGBTQ community a child-grooming 'cult'

Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok may not know it yet, but she just gave the world her 'number.'

It only took just one interview with that disgusting Tucker Carlson for Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok to drop her mask and show the world her true ugly face of hate. Of course with so many other things, LGBTQ folks could have saved the world the trouble because we always had girlfriend's number.

From Mediaite:

The face behind the Libs of TikTok account was revealed Tuesday on Fox Nation’s Tucker Carlson Today. Fox News host Tucker Carlson sat down with the formerly anonymous creator Chaya Raichik, who declared the “LGBTQ community” has become a “cult.” The Libs of TikTok account shares videos from TikTok of LGBTQ activists and teachers who are typically fairly extreme in their views and expression of said views. The account has attracted a large following, but also faced backlash and been deemed hateful by critics. 

 Raichik made stunning comments in her interview with Carlson, accusing “evil” people within the “LGBTQ community” of trying to hurt kids. The creator said: 

 “There’s something so unique about — the LGBTQ community has become this cult and it’s so captivating and it pulls people in so strongly unlike anything we’ve ever seen and they brainwash people to join and they convince them of all these things and it’s really, really hard to get out of it. It’s really difficult.”

Alejandra Caraballo posted a clip of the interview on Twitter:

Chaya Raichik went on Tucker Carlson and said the "LGBTQ community has become this cult... It's extremely poisonous." She later says "They're just evil people, and they're out to groom kids. They're recruiting."

This is one of the most bigoted interviews I've ever heard. pic.twitter.com/0tVe9WONOH

— Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) December 27, 2022

Let me be clear about two things.

1. Raichik just demonized an entire group of people. It wasn't just a simple generalization. She is saying that LGBTQ people as a group are dangerous because we supposedly want to harm children. And when groups are deemed as harmful to society, certain actions to undercut this supposed harm are either encouraged or overlooked. Even if said actions are violent. In other words, think of one of those animated RAID bugspray commercial in which first the bugs are deemed destructive and then eradicated in an overly dramatic way. 

Also, there is nothing new about what she claims. Anita Bryant made the same claim in the 70s. The discredited researcher Paul Cameron made the same claim in the 80s and 90s (Of course he also claimed that we stuffed gerbils up our rectums. How long will it be for Raichik goes down that road?) Demonization of LGBTQ people is an old practice and is no different than anti-Semitism, anti-Asian racism, or anti-black racism. The only difference in this case is that people are able to hide their bigotry behind terms like 'religious freedom' or videos deliberately and falsely accusing LGBTQ people of sexually grooming children. Strip away that subterfuge and we are talking about the same mindset which claims that Jewish people are funding worldwide chaos, Asian people are responsible for the coronavirus, or that black people are violent sociopaths.

2. Let's break this down for some folks inside of the LGBTQ community. 

All of you supposedly "straight-acting," "upstanding" gays pointing the finger at the so-called oddballs in the community who you claim makes it so difficult for us to be "accepted," 

All of you white-bread, privileged gays who count on your high status and money to shield you from the discrimination dealt to us so-called lower echelon gays,

All of you LGB folks pointing fingers at our transgender brothers and sisters, calling them "the problem," 

All of you silly, stuck in the past fools whining about how the new generation of LGBTQ are too extreme,

NONE of you are excluded. 

When Raichik attacked the community, she meant you too. Like or not, we all are in the same boat in her eyes. And she is steadily attempting to drill as many holes in the bottom as she can. 

Also, allow me to be clear about one last thing. 

Miss Thing's interview with Tucker Carlson confirms one fact which we all must be clear on and repeat. None of this is about protecting children. None of this is about stopping the sexual grooming of children. It is all about, as it is always was about, falsely portraying LGBTQ people as oversexed monsters (again). It is all about a slow and steady march to building a narrative which would eventually make it acceptable to wreck our lives. Either by legislation or something else less legal and more destructive. Or may all at the same time.

Sounds familiar? It should because we've had this dance before. So much so that one would think we could recognize the steps. 

Truth be told,  Raichik  doesn't gives a damn about sexually trafficked children. Strip away her ugly disguise and you have an obviously sad person with possible personality issues. Raichik is under the illusion that she is doing something worthwhile when in reality she is trafficking the same hate which has led to so much destruction against innocent people throughout history.

Evangelical condemnation of Amy Grant amplifies their hypocrisy about 'religious freedom'

Amy Grant

Editor's note - Barring anything eventful taking place, this will be my last post before Christmas. See y'all on December 27. Happy holidays!

Well, well, well.

After all of the junk we've heard over the years from conservative evangelicals that there is a conspiracy to keep them from living in accordance to their faith, the truth has been revealed.

It was all bupkiss; a talking point manufactured to disguise their entitled yearnings to discriminate us as simply a genuine desire uphold their faith. Thank you, gospel singer Amy Grant for amplifying this path to revelation, although us LGBTQ people have been trying to tell the rest of y'all for years.

For those not aware, Amy Grant recently announced that she would be holding her niece's same-sex wedding at her farm. She said she is doing this because she wants to be supportive in accordance to her faith. 

That sounds like a simple story, right? Think again.  

Since her announcement, Grant has been swarmed by conservative evangelicals for supposedly "embracing sin." She has been called a sell-out, a fraud, a coward and worse.  Even Franklin Graham took it upon himself to scold her on Twitter and his Facebook page, implying that she doesn't love her cousin enough to "tell her the truth" about the supposed sin of homosexuality.

The need for conservative evangelicals to condemn Grant shouldn't be a complicated argument. I don't see it as an argument of whether or not homosexuality is a sin. It's all about hypocrisy; particularly in light of how the phrase "religious freedom" has been drilled into the collective American consciousness.  It's a phrase conservative evangelicals - both groups and personalities - like to use to put in gentler terms how they think that they should be allowed to discriminate against LGBTQ Americans in settings other than religious.

It's not enough for them to be able to castigate us in churches and other religious places. They want to have the right to discriminate against us in secular environments like stores and such. "Christians should not have to put their faith in the backseat no matter where it is, " they tell us.  And with all of the power and connections at their disposal - and with the help of the conservative propaganda engine - they've created a narrative detailing stories of Christian business owners supposedly hounded into near bankruptcy by pushy gay people desirous to either make them abandon their faith or financially ruin them. They've even taken that narrative to court, winning several cases including a huge one at the Supreme Court involving a bakery in Colorado.

So one would think that these defenders of folks wanting to worship as they desire would be in Amy Grant's corner, defending her "religious freedom." 

Not likely. Instead, they attack her, call her names, and try to shout her down because she's being living her faith in accordance to  her standards instead of theirs. 

Thus, we are now learning a lesson about the conservative evangelical definition of "religious freedom." To them, it means they should have the "religious freedom" to condemn gays and discriminate against us in the secular market. But folks like Amy Grant shouldn't have that same "religious freedom" to embrace and support LGBTQ people.

To conservative evangelicals like Graham and the rest who condemned Amy Grant, "religious freedom" isn't about freedom. It's about power and control. It is yet another demonstration of how these folks have reduced their faith  to a filthy weapon  designed to place themselves on a pedestal while crushing the rest of us under their heels.

Related post -  Franklin Graham tries to 'cancel' Amy Grant for support of same-sex marriage. Has yet to 'cancel' Donald Trump.

'Nobody wants to rent to homophobic, violence-promoting Texas church' & other Wed midday news briefs

Nobody Wants to Rent to Homophobic, Violence-Promoting Texas Church​ - Awwww! Poor baby. 

Ohio teacher told principal using students' preferred pronouns violated her religion. She was forced to resign, lawsuit says - Here we go again with the Alliance Defending Freedom in the middle of another one. 

There Have Been 141 Protests & Threats Against Drag Events This Year - Lawd! 

Georgia State Workers Sue Over Denial of Trans Health Care Coverage - Good for them. I hope they win.

Who would you trust with your kids? Drag queens or THESE people? Spoiler alert: You'd better pick the drag queens.

Some people who protest Drag Queen Story Hour events are in serious need of adult supervision.

NYC Council member Erik Bottcher did us all a huge favor.

During a very recent protest against a Drag Queen Story Hour event, he filmed the protesters, leading to the title of this post: Who would you trust with your kids? Drag queens or THESE people. Spoiler alert: you had better pick the drag queens. And quick!  These people gravitate between vulgar, pathetic, or too eager to get in the spotlight - particularly the one jumping in front the camera talking about "Trans Against Groomers." Then there is the elderly woman with the mouth so filthy that her language almost burned my ears.

Today I witnessed pure hatred and bigotry outside Drag Queen Story Hour at a public library in Chelsea.

Inside, I witnessed a loving and peaceful reading of children’s books to kids.

Warning: this video contains foul language and hate speech. pic.twitter.com/RLMWHDdSnw

— NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) December 17, 2022

Protesters also vandalized Bottcher's home and office. Two were arrested for criminal trespassing. 

'Protesters swarm NYC library but fail to stop Drag Queen Story Hour' & other Tue midday news briefs

Protesters swarm NYC library hosting Drag Story Hour for kids - But they failed to stop it.

A bomb threat was made at a Chicago school after right-wing media published an edited sex-ed video - A heavily edited and distorted video. 

Did Gay GOP Congressman-Elect George Santos Lie About His Background? - Hell yeah. 

Report: Texas had most anti-LGBTQ protests, threats against drag events this year - Not a surprise there. 

Challenge to LGBTQ rights expected in 2023 Montana legislature - Bring it.

Franklin Graham tries to 'cancel' Amy Grant for support of same-sex marriage. Has yet to 'cancel' Donald Trump.

Franklin Graham

Popular Christian gospel singer Amy Grant, who was recently honored at the Kennedy Centers Honors, is in the news because she is hosting her niece's same-sex wedding at her farm. Grant said she is doing this because she believes that her faith tells her that God loves everyone for who they are.

Naturally some in the conservative evangelical community aren't happy. It's ironic how these folks go on and on about their right to "religious freedom" and "religious freedom" but will refuse to extend the courtesy to others. 

Practically elbowing himself to be first in line spewing condemnations is Franklin Graham in a Facebook post and a series of tweets seen below:

It's a delicious irony that Graham's pretentious attack on Grant is coming at the same time in which the House Jan 6th committee recommended that the DOJ prosecute former President Donald Trump for his part in causing the Jan 6th attack on the Capitol. The attack was spurred on in part by Trump's false claim that he was cheated out of victory in the 2020 election.

It was a claim which Franklin supported:

'How a Bible error changed history and turned gays into pariahs' & other Mon midday news briefs

How a Bible Error Changed History and Turned Gays Into Pariahs - I like how this challenges the idea that being an LGBTQ and being a Christian are diametrically opposite to one another. It simply isn't true.

Court upholds Connecticut's transgender athlete policy​ - Very significant because it put a hole in the religious right claim that trans female athletes has an advantage over cis female athletes. They couldn't prove the advantage in court.

Anti-LGBTQ hate thrives online, spurs fears of more violence - Yep. 

Reddit users name the best LGBTQ villains of all time - The black guy dressed as a nun in 'Comeback Charleston Blue' didn't make the countdown. Boooo!

Vox article: Trump appointed judge making error-filled rulings which benefit conservatives and religious right

Matthew Kacsmaryk, a federal judge appointed by Donald Trump, has been making rulings beneficial to conservatives and the religious right in spite of the fact that the decisions are "riddled with legal errors."

While many people have pointed to a definite religious conservative bias impugning the Supreme Court, the sad fact is that this bias isn't just there. There is a federal judge whose court religious conservatives seem to steer to a lot. That's because he generally gives them the rulings that they want.

Vox recently published an entire article on this judge, Matthew Kacsmaryk, and people need to start paying attention to him and what he is doing seemingly under all of our noses. The article deserves a read and a share.

On Thursday evening, a Trump-appointed judge named Matthew Kacsmaryk effectively ordered the Biden administration to reinstate a harsh, Trump-era border policy known as “Remain in Mexico,” which requires many immigrants seeking asylum in the United States to remain on the Mexican side of the border while their case is being processed.  It’s the second time that Kacsmaryk has pulled this stunt — he did the same thing in 2021, and the Supreme Court overturned his decision last June.

 It’s a significant decision in its own right, and will only prolong uncertainty at America’s southern border. But Kacsmaryk’s order in this case, Texas v. Biden, was merely the capstone of an unusually busy week for this judge. His busy week, and months of earlier actions, show the havoc one rogue federal judge can create, especially in today’s judiciary. 

 The previous Thursday, Kacsmaryk became the first federal judge since the Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion to attack the right to contraception. Kacsmaryk’s decision in Deanda v. Becerra targets Title X, a federal program that provides grants to health providers to fund family planning and contraceptive care. He claimed that the program is unlawful because it doesn’t require grant recipients to get parental permission before treating teenage patients. Lest there be any doubt, his opinion is riddled with obvious legal errors. Kacsmaryk didn’t even have jurisdiction to hear the Deanda case in the first place. 

 Meanwhile, in mid-November, Kacsmaryk handed down another decision in Neese v. Becerra, which held that a federal law prohibiting certain forms of discrimination by health providers does not protect against anti-LGBTQ discrimination. His opinion cannot be squared with the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), which established that statutes prohibiting “sex” discrimination also ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, because “it is impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex.”

The article also points out Kacsmaryk's background as affiliated with an anti-LGBTQ religious right group and also espouses the theory that not only are his decisions poorly written, but he may joyously aware of how bad they are:

Often, Kacsmaryk’s opinions suggest not only that he knows he is defying the law, but also that he revels in doing so. His opinion in Neese, for example, opens with a quote from Justice Samuel Alito’s dissenting opinion in Bostock. A dissent, by definition, is not the law. Indeed, it is often the opposite of the law, because dissenting opinions state arguments that a majority of the Court rejected.

Basically the article underscores something which may become an ugly trend - Trump appointed judges bending the law backwards to make rulings favorable to conservatives and the religious right.

'LGBTQ+ activists turn tables on anti-drag show hotline' & other Fri midday news briefs

LGBTQ+ activists spam the shit out of Texas far-right group that wants people to 'report' drag shows - LOVE this!!

Marjorie Taylor Greene is outraged that doctors oppose her anti-trans kids bill​ - Good for them. Don't let her try to bully you.

LGBTQ+ Representation in Movies Decreases, Report Finds - Boooooo! 

Lawmakers set new benchmark for measuring LGBTQ equality - Oh?

GOP Congressman, Libs of Tik Tok busted for lie that Democratic representative defended pedophilia

 It's annoying how the GOP and conservatives are tainting so many debates and conversations by accusing people of being or defending pedophiles and "child groomers." That virus of stigmatization has even spread to the halls of Congress. 

Recently, GOP Rep Ron Jackson (TX) accused Democratic Rep Katie Porter (CA) of defending pedophilia:

Porter's comments were said on Wednesday at Capitol Hill hearing, "The Rise of Anti-LGBTQI+ Extremism and Violence in the United States."  And here is something which shouldn't be a shocker.

Jackson is lying. His tweet was blistered by several people including journalists, who said that he was deliberately mischaracterizing Porter's words.

Journalists such as Daniel Dale of CNN who provided a transcript of Porter's comments:

Absolutely not what Porter said. The transcript clearly shows she was arguing that LGBTQ people are *falsely* called groomers and pedophiles on social media merely because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. She did not defend pedophilia. https://t.co/35SfSiEQuN pic.twitter.com/MAkRoF4JUo

— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) December 15, 2022

And by others who provided video footage:

This is a vicious lie and you should delete it and resign. https://t.co/9Xldz0QGiW

— Ari Drennen (@AriDrennen) December 15, 2022

While it is delightful to see Jackson being dragged on Twitter for such an egregious lie, the lie may have served its purpose. Several people are stubbornly defending Jackson on Twitter. In addition, Dale pointed out in another tweet how the infamous homophobic site Libs of Tik Tok is also spreading the lie:

(Various other accounts preceded Jackson in doing this distortion of Porter's comments, notably including "Libs of TikTok," whose tweet spread pretty widely.) pic.twitter.com/59ctwHmujU

— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) December 15, 2022

It's what they do - take something out of context, spread a lie before the truth can come out, and then stubbornly reinforce the lie.

'GOP Texas attorney general's office allegedly demanded a list of trans people in the state' & other Thur midday news briefs

TX attorney general Ken Paxton

GOP Texas attorney general’s office allegedly demanded a list of trans people in the state - Seriously, what the hell. I know an article like this gets trans folks scared, but no matter how spooked you may get, please know that so many people have your back and are in your corner.

Texas fights federal rule that would outlaw LGBTQ discrimination in state adoptions and foster care - Okay Ken Paxton, you're doing too much.

Club Q survivors blame 'hateful rhetoric' for Colorado Springs shooting - So true. 

Proud Boys Abruptly Shifted Focus to Anti-LGBTQ Action in 2022 - Speaking of which . .. 

With Davante Lewis, Louisiana Elects Its First Openly LGBTQ State Official - Ending these news briefs with good news.

Video - How Fox News and stochastic terrorism go hand-in-hand and hurts LGBTQ people

 

 If I mentioned the phrase stochastic terrorism, probably a lot of people in the LGBTQ community wouldn't know what I was talking about. But If I gave the definition, a lot of folks in the community would then know what I'm talking about because we can all relate being a victim of it. 

 Stochastic terrorism is:

the public demonization of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act, which is statistically probable but whose specifics cannot be predicted.

Or when LGBTQ people are accused of wanting to have sex with kids, harm kids, recruit kids, "convert kids into trans people." I think you get my point. But a lot of folks aren't aware of just how common this sort of this happens. Every day right in front of our noses. 

According to the above video: 

 Kris Goldsmith, Veteran and Founder of Sparverious, a group dedicated to detecting and disrupting today’s greatest threats against democracy, candidly discusses his experience of being targeted by the Fox News hate machine. 

'Sam Smith's latest look encourages discussion about 'body prejudice' within LGBTQ community' & other Wed midday news briefs

Sam Smith

Sam Smith’s latest look brings out the trolls as “Unholy” continues to dominate the charts - Haters can only hate. Even when they come from our own community. 

Transgender lawmaker hopes her presence brings understanding​ - I hope so too. 

Workers and consumers say they're likely to favor pro-LGBTQ businesses, study finds - Good news. Now let's use it. 

Gay Former Top Twitter Official in Hiding Amid Attacks From Elon Musk - This right here is some evil sh!t. 

Florida Demands Districts Comply with New Anti-LGBTQ+ Rules - This mess is far from over.

Video - History is made as President Biden signs Respect for Marriage Act

 

 Regardless of the fight ahead which may happen or anything else, President Biden signing the Respect for Marriage Act is a sweet moment in time. Even as we fight against smears and for our right to respect and self-determination, this is a victory which should always remind us that while our pursuit of equality is never going to be easy, the fight is always worth it.

'GOP senators getting verbally attacked, censured for voting for marriage equality bill' & other Tue midday news briefs

'Betrayer of Christ': Iowa Republicans flip out over GOP senator's vote in favor of same-sex marriage protections​ - Watch these folks attack their own cause she showed some decency. 

Republican senator censured by party for voting for marriage equality bill - And another one. 

House Oversight Committee to host Club Q shooting survivors in hearing on anti-LGBTQ threats - Thank you!

Here are the precious few queer nominees for the 2023 Golden Globes - Not that many.

‘Our mere existence is illegal.’ As Moscow toughens anti-gay law, LGBTQ Russians fear for the future - Some people want this mess for America.

Crowds who protest 'Drag Queen Story Hour' are made up of ignorant people with empty lives

The nonsensical controversy about Drag Queen Story Hour and kids has been created by a bunch of clout chasing, hateful, money-drooling wannabe influencers who rely on personal ignorance and prejudices to make names for themselves.

And these losers feed off of a larger bunch of losers who have false preconceived notions of drag queens and LGBTQ people in general. No matter how "tolerant" they claim to be, they choose to see our ENTIRE lives in the shadow of sexual intercourse.  And thus everything about our culture has to do with sexual intercourse. In their eyes, that is. 

Our desire to date, get married, be fairly treated at our places of employment, public areas, the techniques and the culture we've created to survive their decades of ignorance - all of that gets crushed, whittled down, and reduced to risque bits about sex, sex, sex.

That's neither our fault nor concern. It's their fault and if they were reasonable adults, they would handle their ignorance in a mature manner instead of throwing tantrums simply because LGBTQ people will not dissect our lives in accordance to their wishes and illusions of entitlement.

Other than innuendoes given to them, i.e. clipped videos and pictures taken out of context, I doubt they have actually been to or seen a Drag Queen Story Hour event. That is other than protesting outside with their signs, their guns, and dime store military paraphernalia, which are nothing more than sad attempts to fill the emptiness in their pathetic lives by pretending that they are doing something noble like "saving children."

The video above is what  actually happens at a Drag Queen Story Hour event.

Shocking, isn't it? Or not.

Drag Queen Story Hour is a perfectly innocent event enjoyed by kids AND their parents. The controversy about Drag Queen Story Hour isn't coming from the drag queens or books they are reading. It's coming from the sad sacks attempting to profit monetarily and spiritually from disrupting the event.

Seems to me that if they found a more honest way to make money or actual fulfillment in their lives, they would stop bothering Drag Queen Story Hour.

'Transphobes spew hysterical claim 'American Girl' book encourages 3-year-olds to get on puberty blockers' & other Mon midday news briefs

Transphobes claim “American Girl” book encourages 3-year-olds to get on puberty blockers - Always with creating and exploiting outrage with these people. Puberty blockers are NOT encouraged for three-year-olds. By anyone. 

Crook County library board rejects proposal to segregate LGBTQ books​ - A nice bit of good news. 

FoxNews.com is mimicking Libs of TikTok's anti-LGBTQ strategy - Surprising who? 

Right-wing media ignore the broader aims of the extremist legal organization behind SCOTUS case targeting LGBTQ protections - Deliberately, no doubt.

Farewell to LGBTQ+ People and Allies Who’ve Recently Died - A sad but necessary tribute.

Video - Merry Christmas from 'The Golden Girls'

 

 As a way to slowly ease us all into this week and continue to embrace the holiday season, enjoy the above supercut video of the best Christmas moments of The Golden Girls.

You know how us LGBTQ folks simply love our Golden Girls.

Long-time opponent of LGBTQ community Vicky Hartzler wept in muted fury against passage of Respect for Marriage Act

 

Long-time opponent of LGBTQ community, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler can only weep at the end of her speech while unsuccessfully attempting to keep The Respect for Marriage Act from passing the House.

The House passed Respect for Marriage Act today and President Biden will sign it soon. But the moment folks are talking about is below:

Here’s Vicky Hartzler crying as she urges Members of Congress to oppose rights for gay and interracial couples.

Tears of joy for discrimination.

This is the Republican Party in 2022. pic.twitter.com/PKbXy1ERh3

— Equality PAC (@lgbtequalitypac) December 8, 2022

According to The Advocate: 

 Anti-LGBTQ+ U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Missouri started crying on the House floor Thursday as she begged her fellow representatives to vote against the Reflect for Marriage Act, which will write marriage equality into federal law. “I’ll tell you my priorities,” said Hartzler, a Republican. “Protect religious liberty. Protect people of faith. And protect Americans who believe in a true meaning of marriage. I hope and pray that my colleagues find the courage to join me in opposing this misguided and this dangerous bill.” She teared up toward the end of her remarks.

What the hell is she crying about? How can she even have the gall to cry as if someone is doing wrong to her? As evil as that woman has been to LGBTQ people throughout the years, she has got one hell of a nerve.

Let me put it this way. There are people who don't like LGBTQ folks and then there are people simply can't stand us. And based on Hartzler' s legislative career, she simply could not stand us.  I would venture to say that if given the chance, Anita Bryant would have pulled her aside to tell her to lighten up on LGBTQ people. 

Kirk Cameron claims that his faith-based books are being banned from libraries. But his story is highly sketchy

Kirk Cameron's latest attempt to market his 'Christian' brand is deceptive and highly cynical.

Here we go again with far-right evangelical victimhood. 

From RadarOnline:

'90s sitcom star Kirk Cameron claimed he was banned as a featured author at over 50 libraries across the public system, in addition to being prohibited from presenting his new faith-based children's book at a storytime event. Cameron was allegedly told his book's contents did not "align" with one library's values, RadarOnline.com has learned. The child actor-turned-writer/producer, along with his publisher, Brave Books, condemned the banning and claimed the refusal was a threat to "our kids" and "this country."

Cameron's claim is being amplified throughout the right-wing media with personalities comparing how libraries have no problem with allowing drag queens to read to kids while supposedly banning Cameron's faith-based books. The following from conservative personality Charlie Kirk is indicative of the narrative:

When something like this happens, folks on social media and the like figuratively step all over each other trying to be the first to give their two cents. Unfortunately, very few seem are even trying to get the true story. All we know is that libraries won't allow Cameron to read his books to kids because of anti-religious discrimination as per the story told by Cameron and his publisher.

In other words, Cameron is claiming that libraries are banning him from reading this book. That's the story - Cameron is making claims.

Florida lawmaker who sponsored state's 'Don't Say Gay' law indicted by federal grand jury for COVID loan fraud

Florida State Rep Joe Harding

Editor's note - The one thing I will NEVER stop loving about this blog is the support I receive. Many folks know what I am trying to accomplish here, so they support me with their readership, words of encouragement, ad sales, and tips such as the one below. 

From The Associated Press:

The Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics call “Don't Say Gay” has been indicted on charges of defrauding a federal coronavirus loan program for small businesses, officials said Wednesday. Federal prosecutors said Rep. Joe Harding, 35, illegally obtained or tried to obtain more than $150,000 from the Small Business Administration in pandemic aid loans. He is being charged with two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and two counts of making false statements. 

According to Politico:

The indictment, unsealed Wednesday night, alleges that between Dec. 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021 Harding used the dormant companies on applications for loans on the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications, including using false bank statements as supporting documentation. . . . Harding, 35, was formally indicted on Tuesday. He had a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, and was

The Associated Press article went on to point out that Harding sponsored the state's infamous 'Don't Say Gay' bill which later became law.:

Harding, a Republican, became nationally know this year over his sponsorship of a law that forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as well as material that is not deemed age-appropriate. 

In particular, Harding wanted a controversial amendment included:

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.

Harding later withdrew the amendment after a huge round of criticism from parents, students, and teachers.

The post isn't about gloating but simply a reminder that LGBTQ people are not the problem. But those who undermine our rights and safety? Well . . .

Karma don't play.

'U.S. House poised to pass same-sex marriage bill, show shift in attitudes' & other Wed midday news briefs

U.S. House poised to pass same-sex marriage bill, showing shift in attitudes - LGBTQ people and our allies won this fight through good old fashioned blood, sweat, toil, and tears. Through the same sacrifices, we can not only keep marriage as a right but overcome all of the other mess thrown at us by the haters. Don't ever forget that.

Marvel actor leaves Great American Family after Candace Cameron Bure's anti-LGBTQ comments​ - Folks need to realize that 'traditional families' are comprised of LGBTQ people. We were always there. Candace Cameron Bure is learning that lesson. 

Fact check: Respect for Marriage Act explicitly protects religious tax-exempt status - Yet the anti-LGBTQ industry will continue to lie. It basically comes down to them not wanting to see LGBTQ people married. 

Club Q shooter charged with 305 counts, including murder & hate crimes - Put that f@ker under the jail. 

Wisconsin school board member sues over new sex-ed curriculum - And of course national anti-LGBTQ groups are stoking the controversy while the majority of folks there are not on their side. 

Same-sex couples wary despite federal marriage rights bill - It is frustrating but it's not supposed to be easy. It never was.

Video - Brave people always combat hatred and bigotry

 I amplified a video such as this before and I got a lot of positive comments. The LGBTQ community has a lot of ugliness thrown at us right now. People are organizing to undermine our rights and the safety of our kids by falsely calling us groomers. We got some idiotic group called the Proud Boys feeding their egos by disrupting our events. We got legislators and other government officials plotting to either erase us or undermine our healthcare.

But we also have truth on our side and as long as we stand up for truth in spite of all of the evil and lies thrown at us, we will not lose. That's what these folks in the video should remind us all about. To combat evil and lies, first you have to stand up to hate and combat it face to face. Never back down.

'Will SCOTUS make another boneheaded anti-LGBTQ ruling with recent case?' & other Tue midday news briefs

SCOTUS leans toward web designer with anti-gay marriage stance​ - If SCOTUS makes this move, it will not be good for them. They already have a problem with credibility and this case really should have never made it to them. 

The Easy-to-Miss Twist That Makes the Supreme Court’s New Gay Rights Case So Strange - More about this case. 

High-profile drag queens are now touring with armed security and metal detectors - Never thought I would live to see the day. But if it's necessary, then it's necessary. 

  Gays Against Groomers Headline Anti-LGBTQ+ Rally in Ft. Lauderdale - Just a mess.

Putin, Russia crackdown on country with expanded anti-LGBTQ law

Russian President Vladimir Putin

As you read this, remember that it all started when Putin pushed for anti-LGBTQ laws for the sake of "protecting the children." Sound familiar?

From CNN

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed into law a bill that expands a ban on so-called LGBTQ “propaganda” in Russia, making it illegal for anyone to promote same-sex relationships or suggest that non-heterosexual orientations are “normal.” 

 The ban was rubber-stamped by Putin just days after a harsh new “foreign agents” law came into effect, as the Kremlin cracks down on free speech and human rights as its military operation in Ukraine falters. The new laws significantly broaden the scope of a 2013 law which banned the dissemination of LGBTQ-related information to minors. (Editor's note - italics added by me) 

The new iteration extends the ban on promoting such information to adults as well. The new laws make it illegal to promote or “praise” LGBTQ relationships, publicly express non-heterosexual orientations or suggest that they are “normal.” The package of amendments signed by Putin include heavier penalties for anyone promoting “non-traditional sexual relations and/or preferences,” as well as pedophilia and gender transition. 

Under the new law, it will be banned across the internet, media, books, audiovisual services, cinema, and advertising. As Russia struggles in Ukraine, repression mounts at home Under the new law, individuals can be fined up to 400,000 rubles ($6,370) for “LGBT propaganda” and up to 200,000 rubles ($3,185) for “demonstrations of LGBT and information that encourages a change of gender among teenagers.” These fines rise to up to 5 million rubles ($80,000) and 4 million rubles ($64,000) respectively for legal entities.

'DeSantis helped anti-LGBTQ group members get on school boards to settle old scores' & other Mon midday news briefs

Ron DeSantis helped Moms for Liberty members get on school boards to settle political scores​ - People need to pay attention to DeSantis because he is going to run for president. And all of the unscrupulous stuff he's done to LGBTQ folks in Florida will be done on a national level should he get into the White House. When it comes to anti-LGBTQ persecution, DeSantis has the potential to make Trump look like RuPaul.

Same-sex households in the U.S. surpass 1 million for the first time, data shows - And will continue to grow. 

Jim Kolbe dies at 80 - One of the first openly gay Congressmen after having to out himself. And he was a Republican, showing yet again how far that party has fallen. 

After record election year, some LGBTQ lawmakers face a new challenge: GOP majorities - Keep your fingers crossed.

Texas man arrested on federal charges for threatening physician who provides care to transgender community

People need to recognize before things get worse.

From The Texas Tribune:

A Texas man was arrested Friday on a federal charge that he left a threatening voicemail message for one Boston doctor who provides care to the transgender community, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Massachusetts. The man, Matthew Jordan Lindner, 38, of the Hill Country town of Comfort, was charged with one count of transmitting interstate threats. Comfort is in Kendall County, about 50 miles northwest of San Antonio. 

Lindner, whose company Lindner Ammo was a federal firearms license in 2019, is accused of leaving a voicemail message on Aug. 31 threatening to kill the doctor who works at the Boston-based National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. Following the phone call to the Boston doctor an FBI agent stated in an affidavit that Lindner called two other phone numbers assigned to a Rhode Island university where the doctor is a faculty member.

 The calls were made from his company’s number, according to AT&T phone records cited by federal investigators. Lindner was arrested Friday morning and made an initial appearance in the Western District of Texas. He is being held without bail . . .

This is the latest in a series of threats which children's hospitals and physicians who treat transgender patients have been receiving this year because of a right-wing campaign of lies involving gender-affirming care for trans kids. Certain individuals have falsely claimed that gender-affirming care for trans children entails hysterectomies.

According to NBC News:

NBC News previously reported that social media accounts such as LibsofTikTok have fanned the flames in recent weeks, making numerous claims including that Boston Children's Hospital is providing gender-affirming hysterectomies to children younger than 18. Conservative influencers have shared the allegations with their millions of followers without evidence. The medical facility has denied that it provides such care to children under 18 and multiple fact-checking organizations have debunked the claim.

In August, Catherine Leavy, a Massachusetts resident, was arrested for making a bomb threat hoax to the Boston Children's Hospital.

Video - There is no difference between Fox News and Nick Fuentes

 Many have pointed that the Fox News Network mimics the language and narratives of white supremacists but without the label of "white supremacy."  I think this video makes a very good case. It is from The Daily Show and compares things said by Fox News personalities to things said by infamous white supremacist Nick Fuentes. Fuentes has been in the news lately because of a recent dinner he had with Donald Trump.

'DHS warns of domestic terror threats to LGBTQ, Jewish, and migrant communities' & other Thur midday news briefs

DHS warns of domestic terror threats to LGBTQ, Jewish and migrant communities - We've got PROBLEMS. 

On World AIDS Day, Think About What You Can Do - Then Do - Amen.

School district ends partnership with LGBTQ+ program after right-wingers get mad at card game​- The idiotic 'groomer' accusation strikes again. 

Drag Queen Who Lost Friends at Club Q and Pulse Tells Anti-LGBTQ Lawmakers Blood 'Is on Their Hands'- Preach!!