Fox News pundits attack LGBTQ organization which parent company Fox Corp actually supports

Fox News playing its viewers for suckers again.

Media Matters for America comes through again with what should be seen as a blockbuster. Fox News is playing both sides of the LGBTQ "culture war."

Fox News has been attempting to stir up vitriol about corporate support for GLSEN, a nonprofit group that works to combat anti-LGBTQ bullying. If they’re looking for companies to boycott for supporting GLSEN, they don’t need to look far: Fox News’ parent company Fox Corp. previously said it has “raised awareness and demonstrated support” for the pro-LGBTQ group. 

 Fox News has been waging war against corporate support for LGBTQ causes, including recent attacks on Bud Light and Target. It has also begun criticizing Target for partnering with GLSEN, an organization whose “mission is to create safe, inclusive learning environments for K-12 students.” Fox editor Hannah Grossman has written two anti-GLSEN articles in the past week that carry the headlines: “Target partners with org pushing for kids' genders to be secretly changed in schools without parental consent” and “Target marketing VP holds senior position at org pushing secretive transgender policies in K-12 schools.” 

 Media Matters points out that these accusations against GLSEN lodged in the articles have also been repeated on the news network. However, if GLSEN is so bad, then why does Fox News' parent company, Fox Corp openly support GLSEN?

. . .Fox Corp. stated in 2021 that it supports the nonprofit, writing in its corporate social responsibility report that it has “raised awareness and demonstrated support for organizations working on behalf of the LGBTQ community including” GLSEN It also lists GLSEN in its 2022 corporate social responsibility report among organizations that it supports. Additionally, Fox Corp. names GLSEN in a video posted on the front page of its website of organizations it supports. 

And here is something worth remembering during Pride Month when Fox News pushes its anti-LGBTQ narrative:

 Fox Corp. has written that it is “committed to LGBTQ+ equality” in material to shareholders and ad buyers while Fox News has spent years attacking the LGBTQ community on its programming. Even Fox News has a website claiming it “celebrates the contributions to America by the LGBTQ+ community.”

'White supremacist who targeted LGBTQ people confesses to owning child pornography' & other Wed midday news briefs

White supremacist who targeted LGBTQ+ “pedos” confesses to owning child pornography - Well, well, well, well, well. 

Activists Urge Target and All Businesses to Push Back on Anti-LGBTQ+ Campaigns​ - It's aggravating how these bigots do the same thing while making the same charges (we are recruiting or grooming kids) while we end up looking unalert and flatfooted every time. 

Alabama expands ban on trans athletes to include college teams - So unnecessary. 

Blue Jays fans donating to LGBTQ causes in Anthony Bass' name - Somebody put his foot in his mouth part 1. 

Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass apologizes for sharing post supporting anti-LGBTQ boycotts - Somebody put his foot in his mouth part 2.

Report - Fox News amplified false claim that Target was sexually grooming kids while devoting only one minute to allegations of actual sex abuse

The report from Media Matters for America is further proof that the "leave the kids alone" narrative is a lie in which bigots place their building blocks of homophobia and transphobia upon. Fox News went all out implying that Target was grooming kids with its Pride merchandise that the network paid very little attention to a scandal which actually saw children being sexually abused. 

 Fox News aired more than 2 hours of coverage of the backlash to Target’s Pride Month displays, while running less than a minute of coverage on a new report detailing sex abuse in the Catholic Church in Illinois. Fox added to the right-wing media backlash against Target’s LGBTQ Pride displays as part of a recent crusade against corporate Pride Month campaigns. The company decided to pull some merchandise celebrating Pride Month from store shelves after receiving threats against the safety of its workers. 

 From May 23 through 9 a.m. ET May 30, Fox aired over 2 hours and 12 minutes of coverage of the Target controversy. In comparison, Fox reported for just 22 seconds on the Illinois attorney general’s recent report that Catholic Church clergy members and lay religious brothers had abused nearly 2,000 children in the state since 1950. 

 Much of Fox’s extensive coverage of the Target boycott included expressions of outrage that children were exposed to clothing with positive messages about the LGBTQ community. While Fox repeatedly fearmongered about this supposed threat to children, the network almost completely ignored the reports of sexual abuse in the Illinois Catholic Church, airing only one segment on the attorney general’s report.

Just like the social media influencers exploiting the issue for their own gain, no one at Fox News gives a damn about actual child sex abuse. They only care about what they can gain by appealing to people's bigoted notions about just who the abusers are.

'Biden calls for immediate repeal of Uganda's anti-gay law' & other Tue midday news briefs

Biden calls for immediate repeal of Uganda’s anti-gay law - There certainly is work to do. And let's not be naive. Politicians like Ron DeSantis want what happened in Uganda to be the future of this country. The only difference is how they are slow walking it. 

Ted Cruz Condemning Uganda's Anti-Gay Law Raises Eyebrows - I'm as shocked as you are. 

Trans couple harassed in Montana Target by man throwing Pride clothes on floor​ -OOO I WISH a fool would start with me . . . 

15 history-making LGBTQ+ veterans who fought for equality - Very appropriate for Memorial Day weekend. 

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem Calls for Drag, Pronoun Ban at Colleges - She wants to be a GOP vice presidential pick at the very least. Using our community for her political ambitions.

Conservatives attack drag queens while ignoring report that almost 2,000 kids suffered sexual abuse from Catholic clergy

 

Editor's note - I am not trying to disrespect anyone's religion but fair is fair. Why are legislators and so many others pointing accusing fingers at drag queens and accusing them of sexually grooming kids when the following is happening right in front of them?

From Ja'han Jones of  The ReidOut Blog, MSNBC: 

 The Illinois attorney general released a report Tuesday finding that almost 2,000 children suffered sexual abuse by 451 Catholic clergy between 1950 and 2019.

 “It is my hope that this report will shine light both on those who violated their positions of power and trust to abuse innocent children, and on the men in church leadership who covered up that abuse,” Kwame Raoul said in a statement. “These perpetrators may never be held accountable in a court of law, but by naming them here, the intention is to provide a public accountability and a measure of healing to survivors who have long suffered in silence.” As the attorney general's statement appears to acknowledge, state law limits how long after an alleged crime a suspect can be charged, meaning many of these allegations may never be heard in a court of law. So the question then turns to what exactly we are to do with this information.

 . . . The Illinois report adds to the thousands of previously reported incidents of child sexual abuse by clergy in conservative-leaning religious institutions over the past few decades. This includes last year’s report from Southern Baptist Convention leaders on allegations of widespread sexual abuse within the ultraconservative denomination.

 By comparison, there have been no credible reports, to my knowledge, of child sexual abuse at drag shows. And, of course, I’m only making the comparison here because many conservatives — including religious leaders in the Catholic Church and the Southern Baptist Convention — falsely equate drag shows or LGBTQ people with sexual perversion. In response, Republican lawmakers are pushing measures that bar minors from attending drag shows.

No need to ask certain questions because the answer is no. No, we will not see social media campaigns by people like Matt Walsh and the Heritage Foundation calling out churches. No, we will not see Twitter and TikTok videos of people going into Catholic and Southern Baptist Churches and interrupt services while calling out the abuse. No, we will not see people posting memes and tone rap songs calling out these churches.

All of that is reserved for drag queens and companies like Target, Kohls, or North Face.

And why?

Because it's probably considered as too boring. And it's not financially and socially advantageous for conservative social media crusaders. No one is going to put you on Fox News or Newsmax or any of those other far-right stations for calling out the church. Neither Matt Walsh, Charlie Kirk, nor any right-wing cockroaches infesting Twitter will amplify you if the attack is on churches. And you can't build a network of right-wing droolers who attach themselves to your every lie and outrage like the lemmings they are.

It's never been about protecting kids. It's always been about profit, social attention, and above all, prejudice.

Orlando Pride festival will take place despite Florida laws, organizers say' & other Fri midday news briefs

Pride festival will go on in Orlando despite new Florida laws, organizers say​ - Good. It only takes one to make a brave stand. And I HOPE its a pride filled with drag queens and families (including the kids) enjoying themselves. 

Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation Could Threaten Gains Made in HIV Epidemic - No doubt the opposition knew this when pushing this legislation. 

Target Boycott Follies - Matt Walsh wants you to buy his baby dolls. Victim of Target boycott sees increased sales - Post from last night. A Matt Walsh plush baby doll sounds creepy.

Impeachment of Texas's Anti-LGBTQ+ Attorney General Appears Imminent - So much for being upright and moral. He was busy attacking us while hiding some ugly behavior of his own.

Target Boycott Follies - Matt Walsh wants you to buy his baby dolls. Victim of Target boycott sees increased sales

Anti-LGBTQ culture warrior (and James Bond villain wannabe) Matt Walsh wants to you to help his fight against the anti-LGBTQ community by buying a plush, infantilized version of himself.

This right here proves that all of this stuff coming from people like Matt Walsh about saving kids from "LGBTQ influence" is merely a money-making tactic. The attacks on trans healthcare, the boycott against Bud Light, and the present boycott against Target is all one big grift. It's all about rage posting to monetize hate.  It's been successful for Walsh as he has devoted books, documentaries, and social media posts smearing our community as threats to kids and society at large.

Now he's going into the baby doll business.

The front page of the Daily Wire is advertising a product for children that is an infantilized version of Matt Walsh. They specifically list that it's for children. They want kids to hold a baby version of Matt Walsh in their hands.

This is disgusting and vile. pic.twitter.com/kaWWNsgkOY

— The Serfs (@theserfstv) May 25, 2023

In the words of actor Samuel Jackson, that right there is some repugnant sh!t. It's probably the single most creepy mess I will see this year. In all honesty though, I'd rather buy an adult version of a Matt Walsh doll. That way, I could bang it against the wall every time I heard him say something especially vile.

Speaking of the boycott against Target, one person being victimized by the social media right-wing campaign is now benefitting from it.

Erik Carnell is a trans designer whose merchandise was pulled at Target after people spread false stories about how it was Satanic and being marketed through kids by the store. Carnell, via his brand Abprallen, does have merchandise with has pentagrams and horned skulls. And some do reference Satan. But none of it is sold at Target.  

However, this inconvenient fact was ignored by folks on social media, like all things which don't fit their narrative. They at first spread the lie about how Target was marketing pro-trans swimwear to kids and when that was refuted, they are now claiming that the store is marketing Satanic material for Pride Month. 

The lie led Target to remove Carnell's items from their stores.

 Target's Pride collection included more than 2,000 products from clothes and music to home furnishings, and while several are under review the only ones removed so far from its website and stores are from Carnell's brand Abprallen.

However, the sales of his overall merchandise have actually increased.

While support for his products from Target disappeared, the Abprallen store has seen an outpouring of support. According to the store's Etsy message, Carnell has seen an "unprecedented number of orders" since the backlash began. 

 "Your support during this extremely difficult time means more than I can express," Carnell posted after placing the shop on a temporary hiatus. "I am putting my shop on holiday mode and not accepting new orders until I catch up on the ones I currently have. Thank you so much for your understanding!"

It's ironic how social media wannabees exploited Carnell to attack Target but now they are the ones being exploited. Not only is Carnell getting a lot of media attention because of their actions but he seems to also be getting many allies on Twitter. They are bombarding threads which attack him with links to where to buy his merchandise:

https://t.co/qrpoCJF1Y2

This is the actual artists store. You are giving money to someone trying to profit by stealing his designs. His store is temporarily closed because he’s overwhelmed by orders. Better to wait and give him the profit/credit/support.

— Elisa Kerchmar (@EJKerchmar) May 25, 2023

 

— Babadybbuk🏳️‍🌈👻✡️ (@InfantaRaquel) May 25, 2023

https://t.co/p6QrAJhfM9

— Alexandria Burns. (@alex_d_burns) May 25, 2023

If you ask me, Carnell's merchandise, while not suited to my tastes, is a whole lot LESS creepy than a Matt Walsh baby doll.

Rock legend Tina Turner passes away, how the gay agenda took over tv & other Thur midday news briefs

 

Editor's note - Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters would like to pay tribute to Tina Turner upon the news of her passing. The queen of rock she was and will always be.

 

 In other news: 

How the Gay Agenda Took Over TV - My friend Matt Baume, whose videos I've amplified several times on this blog, has a wonderful book about queer characters on television and behind the scenes. 

“Paris Is Burning” star Venus Xtravaganza’s home declared a historic landmark - I cried a little at this news. Venus was a star who was taken away before she could shine like she should have. So many wonderful trans folks have been taken away before they could shine. 

 Right-wing media melt down about Fox News complying with trans-inclusive discrimination laws - Garbage in. Garbage out.

Daily Wire host: “The Pride flag symbol, we need to make that toxic” - Michael Knowles moves from wanting to 'eradicate transgenderism' to wrecking LGBTQ symbols. We told folks he wanted to cause the entire community chaos.

3 Montgomery County families sue MCPS over LBTQ books - This lawsuit makes no sense. The proponents claim that they don't want to remove books but instead give the parents an opt-out option. I don't think anyone is forcing their kids to read these books.

Louisiana Senate kills anti-trans bill and let's talk about Pride and Target

Two items. First, good news out of Louisiana.

From The Hill:

A Louisiana Senate committee on Wednesday killed a bill that would have banned gender-affirming health care for transgender minors, dealing a rare victory to LGBTQ people in the largely GOP-controlled South. Louisiana’s House Bill 648 failed Wednesday during a final vote in the state Senate Health and Welfare Committee, where Republicans have a one-seat majority. State Sen. Fred Mills, a Republican from south-central Louisiana, voted with all Democrats to defer the bill. Mills, a pharmacist, said during Wednesday’s vote that he trusts physicians more than legislators to make medical decisions that are in the best interest of patients.

 “I always in my heart of hearts have believed that a decision should be made by a patient and a physician,” Mills said. Gender-affirming health care for transgender youths and adults is supported by most major medical organizations, including the Americans Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Mills also said that a Louisiana Health Department study on gender-affirming health care last year helped influence his decision to vote against the bill. 

 The report found that no gender-affirming surgical procedures were performed on Medicaid-enrolled minors in the state between 2017 and 2021. The prescription of medications including puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy to treat gender dysphoria in minors during the same time period was also exceedingly rare, the report found. 

 More to this article on The Hill. 

 Second item - People are flipping out because Target is said to be moving some Pride items due to some people are coming in causing a commotion and threatening workers. Those doing this nonsense are empowered while members of our community - at least some - are weeping, raging at Target, or (and most annoying) using this situation to whine about capitalism and such. But here is something to keep things in perspective:

These are photos from a Target in my area. The Pride stuff is in full display here just as it was last year - in the middle of the clothing section with huge displays. I talked to a worker to commend the store. She laughed and said thank you. And I've read that there are Target displays of Pride items still up in other areas around the country.

 This is not to defend Target because the chain clearly 'didn't have a handle on the hysteria.  I am simply trying to remind folks about what's actually going on before you begin sad sacking, spinning portents of doom, or begin knitting the burial shroud for the LGBTQ community.

My point is yes, the opposition is threatening, and they are causing problems. But it's good to remember that a lot of them - especially Matt Walsh - engage a lot in self-aggrandizing superhero shadowboxing. They tend to inflate their power and the effects of their actions. They do this because it feeds their ego and also, it's a psychological tactic designed to make us fear them. 

 Part of their power is fear and with that fear comes chaos which causes us to lash out. DO NOT take the bait.   Everything about them is fake, particularly their screams of "let kids be kids" or leave the kids alone."

If these idiots actually cared about children, they would be protesting and organizing to stop child hunger and gun violence in schools. If they really cared about children, they would be raising hell at the churches who hide pedophiles.

We should remember this when we deal with them and when we react to what they are doing to Target. Yes, I am disappointed with Target to an extent, but I am also mindful as to who the real enemy is and how it is in my best interest not to allow them to play games with my head. They want us scared. They want us off of our heels and shrieking every which way. But that's not who we are. We've come too far to allow some haters to bowl us over with old lies.

 It is our Pride and our power. They have no right to diminish it with their lies.  And they won't as long as we remember who we are and act accordingly.

Anti-LGBTQ activists spreading lies about Target and trans-friendly swimwear for kids

Editor's note - There probably won't be any news briefs for Wednesday. I have another funeral to attend. My uncle - my mother's closest brother - passed away recently. So until tomorrow evening, enjoy this and please share it on Twitter, etc. Pride Month is coming up and based on this post, the anti-LGBTQ activists have already begun to start trouble. 

I say bring it on, b!tches. I am not scared of these fools and neither should the rest of you be.

LGBTQ Pride Month is coming in June and anti-LGBTQ activists are gearing up. They've already started cause problems with department store Target by doing what they do -  lying their hateful asses off.

From The Associated Press:

CLAIM: Target’s Pride collection features a bathing suit for kids that is labeled “tuck-friendly.” 

 AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The “tuck-friendly” swimsuits are only offered in adult sizes, according to a spokesperson for the company and Target’s website. Kids’ swimsuits in the collection do not feature this label. 

 

Why is this a big deal? For the benefit of those who don't know, tuck-friendly swim wear allows trans women who have not had gender-affirming surgery to conceal their private parts. It shouldn't be a big deal but anti-LGBTQ activists and wannabe poseurs spin lies about how Target is making this swimwear available to kids with the inference being another thread in their noxious conspiracy theory that kids are being 'groomed' to become transgender. Geez, I miss it when they used to say that we were 'grooming' kids to be gay. I guess that stopped being a money-maker and attention getting for these fools. 

The Associated Press further said

 

 THE FACTS: Target’s seasonal collection of clothes for Pride month collection has been the subject of several misleading videos in recent weeks, with social media users claiming the retailer is selling “tuck-friendly” bathing suits designed for kids or in kids’ sizes. Many of the posts criticizing Target have also urged people to boycott the company, following similar threats and transphobic commentary from conservative social media personalities towards brands including Bud Light and Nike over promotional campaigns featuring transgender people. 

 Posts criticizing Target shared photos or videos of either a one-piece swimsuit with a bright pink, orange, green and blue colorblock pattern, or black swim bottoms with colorful line stitches. Both feature a circular tag that reads, “Tuck-Friendly Construction,” and “Extra Crotch Coverage.”

 “Did you know @Target also sells ‘tuck-friendly’ bathing suits for children in the Pride section? Well now you do,” reads one post sharing a photo of the tag on Twitter. The post has received more than 4,000 likes. 

 Another video on Instagram, which had more than 100,000 likes as of Monday, shows footage of the tag on the one-piece swimsuit, and claims that while it is not specifically in the kids’ section, it is available in kids’ sizes.

 However, the swimsuits labeled “tuck-friendly” are only in adult sizes, and are not available in kids’ sizes, Kayla Castaneda, a spokesperson for Target, told The Associated Press. 

 Both the colorful one-piece and black swim bottoms seen in the photos and videos online are clearly labeled on Target’s website as adult swimsuits. Both pages list the products as coming in “general adult sizing” and offer adult XS as the smallest size for sale. “The ‘tuck-friendly’ swim suits are for adults only,” Castaneda said. The kids’ swimsuits in the Pride collection are not the same design or construction and do not have the same label, Castaneda confirmed. 

 I doubt that this will hinder the anti-LGBTQ activists from spreading their lies. I'm sure that when confronted with the truth, they claim that Target is lying while eagerly spewing the phrase "okay groomer" to whomever dare to challenge their pitiful assertions that they are somehow saving children.

But never forget no matter what these people are

Some are liars and haters filled with fear which is motivated by their prejudices. They are nothing but empty vessels with nothing to do but transfer the abject pitifulness of their lives into some fantasy that they are somehow stopping evil and saving kids. Then there are pathetic culture warriors who delude themselves into thinking that they are part of some movement. It keeps them away from their reality filled with unfulfilled life goals while intoxicating them with fantasies of acclaim; fantasies which they recognize as basic bullshit when they come down from the high of causing chaos. That reality is their constant companion but they are powerless to do anything about it except blame their scapegoats.

.And then there is the third segment - users and manipulators trying to get an easy payday by exploiting prejudice. They move from issue to issue by inflaming the gullible and feeding off of their rage which makes them feel like they are messiahs of a new order.  The issues are different but the underlaying emptiness of their souls are like mythical monsters -  always hungry no matter how much food they receive. They can't ever be filled or satisfied. And the saddest thing of it all is they see this as an attribute instead of what it is - the quality which makes them the most pathetic.

LGBTQ people will survive like we always do. And we will win, like we always do. We do this by refusing to back down while continuing to be our authentic selves. Unlike our haters.

'Moms for Liberty leader says is Biden is behind effort to make kids LGBTQ' & other Tue midday news briefs

Moms for Liberty chapter chair Darcy Schoening thinks President Biden is trying to make kids LGBTQ.

Moms for Liberty Leader Says Biden Behind High-Level, Coordinated Effort to Make Kids LGBTQ (Video)​ - Mercy! She is as spacey as she sounds. Old lies never die. They are simply the basis for new attacks. 

FactCheck - Young Children Do Not Receive Medical Gender Transition Treatment - This has to continuously be repeated because like so many anti-LGBTQ tropes, when they are refuted, the anti-LGBTQ industry tries to drown out the truth but constantly repeating their lies. 

School district’s book ban created “hostile environment” Dept. of Education says - Hopefully another lawsuit is imminent.

Illinois Senator Says All-Gender Restrooms Will Cause Violence "From Dads Like Me" - This idiot knows nothing about these bathrooms. They are always threatening violence but if their threats lead to actions which backfire against them, then they will play the victim.

Orlando restaurant, Hamburger Mary's, is suing DeSantis and Florida over anti-drag law

Hamburger Mary's is suing FL Gov Ron DeSantis over the state's new anti-drag law.

I am glad this is happening. DeSantis pushed for this law, now let him and his people try to defend it:

From The Orlando Sentinel:

Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando is suing Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida in federal court, claiming the restaurant has been deprived of its First Amendment rights and is already losing customers under a new law affecting drag shows. 

 Gov. DeSantis signed bills last Wednesday taking aim at transgender treatments for minors, pronouns in schools, bathroom use and children attending drag shows. The changes included penalties for venues letting children into “adult live performances” and potential first-degree misdemeanor charges for violators. 

 Hamburger Mary’s filed the lawsuit Monday, which also names as a defendant Melanie Griffin, secretary of Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, is asking the court to stop the law from being enforced. 

 And while defenders of the law saying either that it doesn't target drag or it only calls out sexually explicit performance, Hamburger Mary's lawsuit puts both assertions into question.

The restaurant, which opened in 2008, has hosted drag performances that include bingo, trivia and comedy. On Sundays, the downtown Orlando restaurant has “family friendly” drag shows to which children are invited, the lawsuit said. 

 After the law was signed, the restaurant told customers that children would not be allowed at any drag shows and it lost 20% of its bookings for Sunday and future events, according to the lawsuit. “They simply cannot take the chance that their business or liquor licenses would be suspended for hosting a drag show where children attend,” the lawsuit states. “In addition, the criminal penalties of the law put individuals at risk of prosecution because of the content of their speech.”

 The lawsuit argues the law is broad enough to include “even the most innocent drag performances, to reach into the private homes of Florida citizens, and to determine on behalf of parents what is and is not appropriate entertainment for their children.

'Dodgers facing backlash for disinviting drag charity group after right-wing complaints' & other Mon midday news briefs

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

The Dodgers booted the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Then came a big-league backlash - See what happens when you cave in to right-wing pressure nonsense. 

Court temporarily blocks N.J. school district policy to out LGBTQ students​ - The block is a product of the state attempting to stop the school from pushing a bad policy instead of the other way around. 

Here’s how the Biden administration plans to fight trans sports bans - And both sides are waiting. 

Kirk Cameron's Anti-LGBTQ+ Children's Book to be Released On First Day of Pride Month - I don't think he is going to get as much attention as he wants here.

AP - Anti-trans bills are 'ready-made' products of far-right groups, critics complain about how they deliberately distort science

While they certainly took their sweet time doing it, the national media is finally putting an in-depth focus on these bills and the parties behind them.

And it shouldn't be surprising to a lot of us what they found. The Associated Press recently published an article, Many transgender health bills came from a handful of far-right interest groups, AP finds, detailing the following:

At least 17 states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors, though judges have temporarily blocked their enforcement in some, including Arkansas. An Associated Press analysis found that often those bills sprang not from grassroots or constituent demand, but from the pens of a handful of conservative interest groups. 

 Many of the proposals, as introduced or passed, are identical or very similar to some model legislation, the AP found. Those ready-made bills have been used in statehouses for decades, often with criticisms of carpetbagging by out-of-state interests. In the case of restrictions on gender-affirming care for youths, they allow a handful of far-right groups to spread a false narrative based on distorted science, critics say.

 . . . The AP obtained the texts of more than 130 bills in 40 state legislatures from Plural, a public policy software company, and analyzed them for similarities to model bills peddled by the conservative groups Do No Harm, which also criticizes efforts to diversify staffing in medicine, and the Family Research Council, which has long been involved in abortion restrictions. One of the clearest examples is in Montana, where nearly all the language in at least one bill can be found in Do No Harm’s model.  . . .  

 . . . Do No Harm’s model and the 2021 Arkansas bill endorsed as a model by the Family Research Council also have many similarities, including the assertion — rebutted by major medical organizations — that the risks of gender-affirming care outweigh its benefits. 

 . . . Such bills often distort valid science that supports gender-affirming care for youths, said Dr. Jack Drescher, a psychiatry professor at Columbia University who edited the section about gender dysphoria in the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual. Do No Harm cites the manual in its model bill. 

 “These bills are not at all interested in patient care,” Drescher said.  “These bills are designed to inflame.” 

 It’s problematic “any time policymakers are cherry-picking isolated studies or scientific research that arrives upon a different conclusion than the rest of the community or that relies upon studies without having that expertise,” said Marty P. Jordan, an assistant professor of political science at Michigan State University. “It’s problematic for the individuals that the legislation could impact. It’s problematic for the larger public, and problematic for democracy writ large.”

Anti-LGBTQ bigotry never changes and never goes away. It simply gets sanitized.

 This from 1985

has turned into this in 2023. 

In reality, it never actually changes. It simply gets repeated after some minor sanitization.

But it's still lies motivated by hate.

'Disney yanks $1 billion development project from Florida in latest salvo in conflict with DeSantis' & other Thur afternoon news briefs

Editor's note - unless something juicy happens, see you Sunday night.

Disney cancels $1 billion development project in Orlando — costing Florida 2,000 jobs - On Wednesday, Florida Gov Ron DeSantis was on cloud nine after signing several anti-LGBTQ bills into law. On Thursday, Disney taught him the first rule of playing the game of chicken with a shark. Don't do it. And just in time for his presidential run announcement. I am loving this. 

Reminder of DeSantis' slate of hate - Ron DeSantis' new law allows trans kids to be taken from their parents 

Texas to Face Lawsuit Over Its Recently Passed Ban on Gender-Affirming Care - You better believe it.

NH House Indefinitely Postpones Bill That Would Have Forcibly “Outed” LGBTQ+ Students - Good news out of New Hampshire.

Unmasking Moms for Liberty - Newest astroturfed anti-LGBTQ hate group is causing problems.

NC Lt Gov spins lie about clinics performing trans surgery on five-year-olds' & other Thur midday news briefs

NC Lt Gov Mark Robinson

NC Lt. Gov. falsely says clinics performed “transgender surgery” on 5-year-olds​ - And this fool is supposed to be a 'Christian.' We are full swing into the war now. Bring it on. 

Nebraska GOP Lawmakers Break Filibuster on Banning Trans Care and Abortion - Uh oh. Thursday may be a problem. 

Ron “Don’t Say Gay” DeSantis just suffered through his most humiliating night yet - The night before he signed those awful bills, Ron DeSantis got a warning via an election night upset of a candidate he supported. He didn't heed it of course. Keep your eye on this because it could be a preview of coming attractions. 

Church and state: Kansas Republicans target ’eminently exploitable’ LGBTQ community - Pretty much.

LGBTQ Students Face Barriers to Getting Student Loans Without Parents’ Participation - Another issue needing to be taken care of.

Ron DeSantis' new law allows trans kids to be taken from their parents

When Florida Gov Ron DeSantis isn't targeting LGBTQ people, he attempts to make himself look congenial. It doesn't work.

We already know that on Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a slate of anti-LGBTQ bills into law. You can see this link to read more about them. 

I want to focus on the following law because it's so damn cruel.

According to The New Republic:

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a horrifying bill Wednesday that will let the state take transgender minors away from their families if they are receiving gender-affirming care. 

 The new law will allow the state to take custody of a child if they have been “subjected to or [are] threatened with being subjected to” gender-affirming care, which includes puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy. Florida courts could modify custody agreements from a different state if the minor is likely to receive gender-affirming care in that second state. The text refers to gender-affirming care as “sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures” and qualifies this care as a form of “physical harm.” 

 Medical facilities would have to give the state Department of Health a signed attestation that they neither provide gender-affirming care to any patients under the age of 18 nor refer people to providers that do. Their medical license renewal is contingent upon sending in this attestation. 

And it doesn't just target trans kids.

 But the bill also targets trans adults: Only physicians are allowed to offer gender-affirming care (not nurse practitioners). Anyone who violates the law could be charged with a misdemeanor. Minors who have already begun transitioning will be allowed to continue to do so, but they are no longer allowed to receive care via telehealth, including for prescriptions. 

Their doctors have to tell them about the “risks” of gender-affirming care, and patients will have to sign an informed consent form, which the ACLU has pointed out often contains misinformation. Doctors who violate any of these new rules could be charged with a felony.

This news law is simply evil in itself. But it becomes more insidious when one takes into account the allegation that the state may have manipulated data to justify creating it. Independent journalist Erin Reed breaks it all down in a very thorough article:

On August 11th, Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration banned gender affirming care coverage from Medicaid. Meanwhile, the board of medicine proceeded to ban gender affirming care for transgender youth. To do this, they relied on a newly created “Standards of Care” for the treatment of gender dysphoria that was rife with errors and omissions. Now, new court filings show that the Florida Surgeon General’s Office and the Agency for Health Care Administration purposefully manipulated this research to justify banning gender affirming care, including a flow chart produced before the “research” was commissioned with the explicit end goal of “care effectively banned.” Worse, they utilized a consultant from a religious conversion therapy organization to do so.

Gender-affirming care for trans people, including trans kids, is safe and supported by over 20 major medical groups including the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.  The government has no business interjecting itself into private family decisions by way of laws passed through lies and deliberate misappropriate of studies.

This attack on gender-affirming care is a fraudulent undertaking motivated by lies, prejudice, and - in the case of Ron DeSantis -  a craven desire for higher office. It's very similar to past attacks on gay rights, even down to the fake experts and the horror anecdotes about children being indoctrinated. 

'Parents file a police report after teacher makes LGBTQ-themed book available to her middle schoolers' & other Wed midday news briefs

Parents file a police report after teacher offers LGBTQ-themed book to her middle schoolers​ - This has become way past a pain in the neck.

Man outed to parents after they spot him in Janelle Monáe’s queer-tastic ‘Lipstick Lover’ video - Oh mercy. 

Anti-Trans Gays are Turning New Hampshire Into the Next Transphobic Battleground - THIS is a hot mess. 

Chasten Buttigieg shares secret for ‘fighting back’ against anti-LGBTQ trolls -Don't get me started.

Investigation of teacher for showing students a Disney movie with gay character may prove that FL law does unfairly target LGBTQ community

It looks like Florida Gov Ron DeSantis may be in another self-made mess. This one comes from the 'Don't Say Gay' law he pushed through the legislature in order to build up his "culture warrior" reputation in anticipation of his all but certain presidential run.

According to The Miami Herald:

The Florida Department of Education could visit a K-8 school in Hernando County as early as Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into a fifth-grade teacher’s decision to show a Disney movie featuring a gay character in her classroom. 

 The Tallahassee Democrat broke down how all of this began:

 A Florida teacher is under investigation by the state Department of Education after what she believes is a targeted attack by a school board member who took issue with a Disney movie shown in her classroom. 

 At a Hernando County School Board meeting Tuesday, fifth-grade teacher Jenna Barbee alleges school board member Shannon Rodriguez reported her to DOE for showing her students Disney's 2022 movie "Strange World." It's the first Disney movie with an out, gay character. Barbee, a teacher at Winding Waters K-8, said during public comment the Disney movie tied into her students' Earth science lesson and did not have sexually inappropriate content.

The Miami Herald went on to say:

 The expected visit would be the first time a department official is to visit the school since the investigation’s onset. On Monday, the department confirmed no one from the state had visited the school, “nor has contacted any students” about the movie. Barbee, however, said some students last week were questioned about the event by school administration. 

 . . . Barbee has spoken publicly about the incident and defended her decision, arguing the movie was related to her students’ science lessons and did not have sexually inappropriate content — now a polarizing political issue in the state. 

The Parental Rights in Education Act, passed last year and known by critics as “Don’t Say Gay,” prohibits educators from teaching about gender and sexual identity in kindergarten through third grade, and in older grades in cases when the lessons are deemed to be not “age appropriate.” Educators, however, have routinely expressed concern about the law’s vague wording and the subjectivity of deciding what is considered age appropriate.

The vague wording of the law was what DeSantis and his allies were counting on to refute claims that it targeted LGBTQ people. DeSantis has said on more than one occasion that the law was necessary to keep children from being exposed to sexually explicit discussions.

So much for that claim.

'Florida agencies accused of manipulating research to ban trans care and coverage' & other Tue midday news briefs

Florida Agencies Manipulated Research To Ban Trans Care And Coverage​ - Manipulate and cherry-pick research are the same tactics the opposition did to undermine gay rights. 

Turning Point efforts to export drag queen attacks and 'take back universities' marred by fringe associations and farcical missteps - Their hate don't seem to be working that well overseas. 

Residents vote against school funding after rightwingers protest “demonic” trans bathroom policy- They are only hurting themselves and their children. That's the saddest part. 

Inclusive church in Henderson County targeted by anti-LGBTQ protestors - So much for religious liberty.

Video - Trump supporters give reasons why they think drag queens are more dangerous than guns

This video doesn't need much of an introduction because the title is enough. Just be prepared for the most mind-boggling bit of insanity you will probably ever hear. And as hilarious and spooky as this video is, it helps to keep things in perspective. Folks who have no problem in wallowing in the mud pits of ignorance have always existed. They have always allowed themselves to be led by the nose and they have always wreaked havoc. The important thing is not to get discouraged. Accept folks like these folks for what they are because such is life. Yes, they vote and yes they raise hell. But so do we. And we're much better at raising hell.

'Florida teacher investigated by state for showing Disney cartoon movie in class' & other Mon midday news briefs

Florida teacher investigated by state for showing Disney cartoon movie in class​ - Ron DeSantis' vision for America, no doubt Part 1.

Ron DeSantis Signs ‘Right to Discriminate’ Law That Could Be Used Against LGBTQ+ Patients - Ron DeSantis' vision for America Part 2.

GLAAD Awards: ‘Fire Island,’ ‘Anything’s Possible,’ ‘We’re Here’ Among Winners - Congratulations to all of the GLAAD Award recipients, particularly Mombian for its second win in the category of 'Outstanding Blog.' 

West Virginia’s Bob Huggins agrees to $1M pay cut, 3-game suspension for homophobic slur - Wow! What was this all about?

Picture proves that the biggest danger to women are transphobic bigots

As disgusting at this picture is, it makes a salient point.

We are always hearing from the transphobic set about how trans women present a danger to cis women in intimate settings such as locker rooms and bathrooms, but this woman in the picture is simply minding her own business. She's not bothering anyone. She's not "sneaking peeks" or any of the ugly things transphobic bigots imply about trans women.

On the contrary, she is the one being harassed. And while some people may give the culprit accolades and plaudits, she is the one actually encouraging women to be harassed.  Her behavior is akin to idiots not only physically attacking trans women for using restrooms, but also idiots who harass cis women if they don't fit the stereotypical descriptions of what a woman is supposed to look like.

More to the point, her behavior encourages those actions.

And the harasser, who I refuse to give the respect of acknowledging her name, has done nonsense like this before. To put it nicely, she is a trashy individual who, while running for office, claimed that high schools in her area are accommodating "furries," or students who supposedly "identify" as animals. It was a lie, but I doubt she cared. Just as I doubt she cares about the possible harm she could wreak on all women. Whether the woman she targeted was transgender or not isn't the point. The fact of the matter is that woman should have been left alone. She didn't deserve to be harassed and anyone who claims to want to protect women would know that.

'With leaders locked up, Proud Boys embrace anti-LGBTQ activism' & other Fri midday news briefs

With Leaders Locked Up, Proud Boys Embrace New Cause: Anti-LGBTQ Activism - This is a group whose founder slid a dildo up his own butt on live television to supposedly 'own' gays. The irony is stark. 

Gays Against Groomers says Target is grooming children with Pride clothing - Somebody's swag sales must be down. 

Here Are 9 LGBTQ+ Shows Shut Down By the Writers Strike - Well this sucks. 

Florida Rejected Social Studies Lessons — You'll Never Guess Which Ones​ - Easy guess.

Family Research Council's Tony Perkins gives tone deaf praise to Trump for supposed commitment to life after disastrous town hall

On Wednesday night, CNN hosted a town hall meeting featuring Donald Trump as he seeks the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.

It was a disaster. An embarrassment for CNN, the country and truth itself. 

Between inane claims about about abortion (no, Democrats do not want to kill babies after birth), continuing to claim that the 2020 election was rigged (he lost fair and square), making fun of E. Jean Carroll (who had just beat him in a court case about him sexually abusing and then defaming her), defending the Jan 6th insurrectionists while smearing officers who fought against them and, all-around basic lying, Trump mad a mockery out of the CNN. And in front of a crowd of supporters who apparently the network handpicked.

The town hall was justifiably condemned.

But apparently someone ignored the forest of it all to settle for one big tree. Family Research Council president Tony Perkins  praised Trump for the town hall. In a piece in FRC's Washington Stand, Trump Townhall Underscores Life as a 2024 Issue, Perkins completely ignored all of what transpired and talked about Trump's supposed commitment to life. I will give you a small excerpt: 

 During his Wednesday town hall in New Hampshire, he said of his pro-life record, “I am honored to have done what I did.” President Trump noted several times during the event that pro-abortion activists are radical. And radicals are unreasonable and never satisfied. This is why, in last November’s elections, Democrats spent at least $320 million in advertising to attack the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The Biden administration has authorized nearly half a billion dollars of taxpayer funds that can be used to subsidize abortions and abortion businesses. Republicans spend only a fraction of this amount celebrating unborn life. 

 Here's the part which really catches my attention: 

 I deeply appreciate the pro-life, pro-family policies that President Trump’s administration advanced. As we move into the 2024 presidential election cycle, my role will not be to endorse in the primary election but to work with the candidates, like President Trump, to ensure the issues impacting faith, family, and freedom are understood and advanced. My focus will be ensuring that the sanctity of human life, upholding the true, God-given purpose of human sexuality, and the myriad policies that affect the family — ranging from religious freedom to tax policy — remain front and center. It is encouraging to see that Mr. Trump remains committed to defending the little ones in the womb.

Just as much as we need a reminder that Donald Trump is an incompetent disaster and has no place near the White House, we also need to be reminded that conservative evangelical leaders like Tony Perkins are single-minded power hungry fascists who have no problem with weaponizing religion and faith in attempts to control other people's bodies and minds.

Let's not be fooled by the language Perkins uses. He doesn't support Trump because of any commitment to life. He supports Trump because Trump gives him wants when it comes to the issue of abortion. And for all of his posing about Christianity and values, Perkins is perfectly willing ignore the other things about Trump

such as  the false claims that he won in 2020,

the downplaying of the Jan 6 attack on the Capitol,

 his botched COVID response which cost scores of lives,

and the many, many other times that Trump has shown that he doesn't give a damn about anything but himself.

Perkins  is similar to Trump in that he simply doesn't give a damn about anything but what he wants.  He claims that Trump's town hall underscores that life is a 2024 issue, but whose life he is talking about?

Not the election officials who have been threatened, harassed and basically pushed out of their jobs because of Trump's lie about a rigged election.

Not those who suffered unbelievable violence on Jan 6th because of Trump continuing to lie about the 2020 election. Definitely not anyone who died because of the violence that day 

Not the scores of Americans who died and continue to die in connection to how Trump and his administration botched the response to the COVID pandemic. Not to mention others who are alive but continue to suffer.

It all comes down to the fact that idiots like Trump are a dime a dozen. They always come and go. It's people like Perkins  who we really need to look out for.  It's ironic seeing how so many have accused  Perkins of coddling up to a devil like Trump. The truth is Trump was merely the puppet.

Conservative evangelicals like Perkins are the devils.

'GOP Kentucky governor candidate promises 'no transgenders' in schools & other Thur midday news briefs

Kelly Craft 

GOP Kentucky candidate for governor promises no “transgenders” in schools​ - That's what she said and it's spooky to contemplate what she meant: 

 During a telephone town hall event on Monday, Craft was asked how her administration would “combat the transgender agenda” in Kentucky schools. “Under a Craft-Wise administration, we will not have transgenders in our school system,” she responded. As the AP notes, Craft did not specify any policy actions she planned to take regarding transgender students. 

Indiana school cancels play with LGBTQ characters so students produce it themselves - The next generation always gives me hope. 

Black queer college students want to explore their identity – but feel excluded by both Black and LGBTQ student groups - I've been there. 

Lauren Boebert rages at school’s LGBTQ+ club: They’re “talking about sex with kids”! - Lauren Boebert has made a political career out of being full of sh!t.

'MA high school newspaper exposes school officials undermining LGBTQ student health and safety' & other Wed afternoon news briefs

Editor's note - There are so many things going on, some many important stories people need to know about, I decided to post an afternoon news brief instead of a traditional blog post.

‘It’s life or death’: failure to protect trans kids at ARMS a systemic problem - You know this country has serious media issues when a school newspaper does better work than the national press when it comes to exposing transphobic school officials and the havoc they cause: 

 Over the last two years, Amherst Regional Middle School students, parents, and staff members voiced concerns to district leadership about adjustment counselor Hector Santos and current eighth-grade guidance counselor Delinda Dykes, noting that the two routinely misgendered and deadnamed transgender students and staff, invoked anti-LGBTQ prayer at school, allowed religion to overflow into conversations with students and staff, and failed to provide support to students who were facing gender-based bullying or intimidation at school. Santos also posted religiously worded anti-LGBTQ material on a public Facebook page. 

 This year, when Santos’s daughter Tania Cabrera was brought on to serve as the seventh-grade guidance counselor, staff and students told The Graphic she also misgendered trans kids, told staff that a trans student had reverted to using their legal name when they had not, did not report on an anti-LGBTQ harassment incident that was reported to her, and told a trans male student who went to her for support that she sympathized with his parents, who had “lost their daughter.” 

Library Official Resigns After Publication of Her Secretly Recorded Inflammatory Comments - One less bigot poisoning our kids is fine with me. 

Anti-LGBTQ Christian Nationalist Andrew Wommack Vowed To ‘Take Over Woodland Park.’ Then He Did - Like we saw in 2016. When you get too comfortable and lose sight of the wolves, they get you. 

‘Trump was great at this’: How conservatives transformed a Colorado school district - A longer explanation about what happened in the above article with the solace that their actions is turning the entire community against them, including hardcore conservatives.