Monday, August 18, 2025

Drag show ban blocked at West Texas A&M University. Major parts of Florida book ban struck down by federal judge.


A federal appeals court blocked a drag show ban at West Texas A&M University on Monday. A few days before, a federal judge in Florida struck down major parts of Florida's book ban law.


 As we deal with the second term of the jackass better known as Donald Trump, vestiges of old culture wars are disintegrating under our noses.

From The Texas Tribune:

A federal appeals court Monday blocked West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler from enforcing a campus drag show ban, ruling that the performances are likely protected under the First Amendment. 

The 2-1 ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reverses a lower court’s decision upholding Wendler’s 2023 cancellation of a drag show, which he argued was demeaning to women and compared to blackface. The decision means Spectrum WT, the student group that brought the lawsuit, can produce drag shows on campus while its lawsuit continues in a lower court. 

 Judge Leslie H. Southwick, who wrote for the majority, said the context of the students’ event made its message of supporting the queer community clear. 

 “The viewers of the drag show would have been ticketed audience members attending a performance sponsored by LGBT+ student organizations and designed to raise funds for LGBT+ suicide-prevention charity, “ wrote Southwick, who was appointed by George W. Bush. “Against this backdrop, the message sent by parading on a theater stage in attire of the opposite sex would have been unmistakable.” 

 The court concluded that Legacy Hall, where the drag show was scheduled to take place, was a designated public forum open to a variety of groups, including churches and political candidates. That meant banning drag shows targeted the content of the event, something the Constitution allows only in the rarest cases.

 Finally, the court found that students faced ongoing irreparable harm to their speech rights, noting Wendler had canceled another drag show planned for 2024 and declared that no drag shows would ever be allowed on campus.

 

And a few days earlier in Florida, according to LGBTQNation:

A federal judge in Florida has struck down major parts of the state’s book ban law, ruling that it violates the First Amendment by sweeping protected literature off school library shelves. 

 In 2023, Florida enacted H.B. 1069, expanding the state’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law to prohibit classroom discussions of LGBTQ+ identities through the end of high school. The measure also required schools to remove books flagged for “sexual content,” a vague standard most often applied to works addressing race, gender, and sexuality. 

 Six major book publishers, the Authors Guild, and parents from Escambia County sued after dozens of books were removed. They argued that H.B. 1069 gave parents and residents unchecked power to demand removals of any book considered “pornographic” or “describes sexual conduct,” without clear legal definitions. Under this sweeping standard, students lost access to award-winning books including The Color Purple, Cloud Atlas, The Freedom Writers Diary, Looking for Alaska, Slaughterhouse-Five, Shout, The Handmaid’s Tale, Beloved, and The Bluest Eye.

 In a broad order, federal Judge Carlos Mendoza of the U.S. Middle District Court of Florida found the state’s book ban unconstitutionally overbroad, calling it an “I know it when I see it” test that chilled free speech. “None of these books are obscene,” Mendoza wrote in his order. “The restrictions placed on these books are thus unreasonable.” 

. . .Rejecting the state’s claim that removals were simply government “curation,” Judge Mendoza held that delegating an unchecked “license to object to materials under an ‘I know it when I see it’ approach” to parents, “regardless of the holistic value of the book individually or as part of a larger collection,” amounted to outright censorship.

 

We probably won't hear the opposition make noise about these decisions because they've moved on to new rage-baits campaigns involving male cheerleaders and Sydney Sweeney (and I don't even KNOW who that little white girl is.)

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

'Lara Loomer repeats claim about Lindsey Graham being gay in deposition' & other Wed/Thur news briefs

Sen. Lindsey Graham. Is he or isn't he? Lara Loomer says he is.


'It's well-known!' MAGA activist repeats salacious claims about GOP senator in deposition- It IS Lara Loomer and she has made this claim about Lindsey Graham before, so maybe it should be taken with a grain of salt. Then again, we are talking about Lindsey Graham here, so . . .




New Orleans Saints have 12 male cheerleaders, sending some NFL fans into hysterical meltdowns - Some on the right find the dumbest things to fake outrage about.

Monday, August 11, 2025

Trump justifies taking over DC police with claim that Democrats 'want transgender for everybody'

If you haven't heard by now, Trump has decided to take over the DC police and deploy the national guard in the Capitol city. He claims to be doing it because of crime even though the crime rate in DC has been going down. He has also threatened to do the same in other cities which, just like DC, have high populations of African Americans. 

It's racist pandering but of course the media will probably fail to mention that interesting point. They are too busy calling Trump's move extraordinary. They should be honest and call the move batshit crazy.   Or at least call it an attempt to take attention away from the Epstein Files. 

Speaking of batshit crazy, Trump held a press conference to justify his action. He was accompanied by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

And like he always does when having a press conference, Trump went on a wild tangent. This time, he went from telling lies about crime in DC to claiming that Democrats won't stand against crime because they want everyone transgender. 

Transcript:

“Probably won’t get one Democrat vote because they have no idea what they’re doing. That’s why they want men playing in women’s sports,” Trump said, while discussing seeking legislation to fight crime in D.C.. 

 “That’s what they — why they want transgender for everybody! Everybody transgender. And they — they’ve just got walloped in an election in a landslide, and they haven’t changed one thing,” Trump fumed, adding: I saw the other day that a certain gentlemen . . 

Is Hegseth simply smiling or just trying to suppress a laugh? Bondi has got a fixed expression on her face, but one wonders is she thinking "Lawd, hammercy. Hurry up and die so Vance can be my boss and I don't have to do shit like this anymore."

Either way,  I'm done with calling Trump incompetent. At this stage, it's like saying that humans need to break to live. Instead I'm blaming the voters. Some people like to say that Democrats are to blame for both of Trump's presidencies, but they are full of shit. They are either pundits too chickenshit to tell the truth or folks whose aim is not to tell the truth.

And that truth is voters are to blame for this. Our country is lazy and complacent. We take our votes for granted. We whine about those running while omitting how we run off good candidates because of nonsense like soundbites taken the wrong way. 

We think that when we vote, we are doing the candidate a favor. "The candidate has to earn my vote," I've heard some voters say.

No, dumbass. You aren't doing candidates a favor by voting for them. You are doing yourself a favor by putting someone in office who will help you.  And if you vote the wrong way, you will end up with an insane, incompetent asshole squawking some nonsense about political parties turning people transgender.

Like so.

I'm going to make a guess that like so many other times, Trump is going to fall on his face and it will be up to the right-wing propaganda ecosystem (led by Fox News of course) to clean up after him and make his latest nonsense into some semblance of sense. 

By now it's as predictable as Trump's tangents.

Thursday, August 07, 2025

'Slap in the face: Air Force to deny retirement pay to trans soldiers being kicked out by Trump Administration' & other Thur/Fri news briefs



US Air Force to deny retirement pay to transgender service members being separated from the service - Just another way the Trump Administration is kicking trans soldiers in the face. Trans soldiers are serving for their country, and they should be treated like other soldiers instead of being cast off. I hope they sue because I think they would have a good case. 

Nancy Mace under fire after Trump-voting town hall attendee 'jeered' for not clapping - Trash is as trash does. And Nancy Mace is pure trash. 



Tuesday, August 05, 2025

America owe drag queens a huge apology



America owes drag queens a huge apology. 

Drag queens have had to endure a long season of being mispresented, taken out of context, threatened with of violence, being scapegoated by ridiculous laws outlawing their art, and basic fearmongering about how they were sexually grooming kids to turn them transgender or something or another.

 And what has come out of all of this? Nothing negative about the drag queens, but consistent news stories about church leaders, Republicans leaders, and other supposedly upstanding members of the community being caught sexually harming kids.

 Don't even get me started on the Epstein Files. 

Taking all of this into account, an argument could be made that perhaps kids are safer with drag queens than with youth leaders, church leaders, and elected officials. 

That's not fair. It's wrong to generalize about church leaders and elected officials because of the actions of a few of them. 

 But that's exactly what's been done to drag queens. And what's more, much of the finger pointing was conjured up by cherry-picked photos and videos (see list of articles below post) and the general naivety of people to instantly trust something on social media, all brought together by wannabe social media influencers with a nasty agenda in mind. 

 In truth, drag is an art. It can be adult-oriented, but a lot of times, it's not. It involves having multiple skills, talent, and discipline. Drag queens generally make their own costumes, create their names, and performance routines. Aside from that, they also freely donate their time and talent at prides, various charity events, reading to children, and (for those who are constantly asking such leading questions) at hospitals and nursing homes. 

The narrative that drag queens are a part of some plot to "sexualize kids" is yet another time in which homophobes have successfully played upon fears that LGBTQ people are out to "sexually recruit" kids.  It's a noxious lie in itself, but it goes beyond sad in the case of the anti-drag queen hysteria. 

While certain disgusting, low-budget sons of bitches (it's the politest way I can describe certain people) were pointing fingers at drag queens, children were being victimized by other folks. While folks were attempting to get clout, engagement or some sort of fake fulfillment for their pathetically empty lives by screaming "leave the kids alone," children were being victimized, but not by the people they were screaming at. While lawmakers were on crusade against drag queens for votes and attention, children were being sexually molested, but not by drag queens.

While all of these idiots were busy chasing imaginary monsters draped in sequins and mascara, wigs and rainbow flags, real monsters were having their way with kids. Just think about what harm could have been prevented if these folks actually did care about children instead of screaming at, vilifying, and threatening drag queens.

Related posts:



Monday, August 04, 2025

Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish, Colman Domingo, and Sarah McBride are among the Equality Forum's LGBT History Month honorees

 There is a lot of nonsense going on which I will focus on later this week (especially the news that Hot Mess Nancy Mace will be running for SC governor), but for the present, I want to focus on something positive.

October is LGBT History Month and every year, the Equality Forum dedicates each day in that month to spotlight an LGBTQ historical figure. Also, every year, the group makes the announcement as to who will be honored around this time.

This year the list features, I think, more contemporary people. More importantly, at least to me again, is how important it is this year that we honor and amplify LGBTQ people. We all know what's going on with the Trump Administration's attack on trans people in general and our community in large. It's so easy to get frustrated (I have been on a few occasions.)  Let these historical figures guide, inspire, and empower you. We aren't going anywhere, ESPECIALLY not backwards.

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Nancy Mace - 'I'm a proud transphobe.' Social media - 'That ain't all you are, honey.'




Congresswoman Nancy Mace (Rep- SC) has made a complete ass of herself online again.

 From The Advocate: 
 On Tuesday evening, the South Carolina Republican responded to a headline from The Advocate, “Nancy Mace considers quitting Congress to take her transphobia statewide in South Carolina,” by tweeting: “FALSE: I am not quitting Congress. TRUE: Proud transphobe.” The story was about Mace’s decision to consider running for governor of her home state. 

The Advocate article went on to say that she got a lot of negative answers back (surprise, surprise). However, the article didn't go into detail just about how hilariously vicious the responding tweets were. 

To be honest, some tweets supported her. Others weren't complimentary. 


This isn't the first time Mace was made the butt of social media mockery because of her transphobia. In December of last year, she had a trans ally arrested for what she claimed was assault. However, witnesses said that he merely shook her hand. In spite of that, Mace wore a cast on her arm the next day, while people on social media made fun of her dramatics.

 Mace no doubt thinks appealing to transphobia will help her should she decide to run for SC governor. The jury is out on that, but I can tell you that she has in the past overdid her stunts so much that her own colleagues in Congress can't stand her. If there is any chance of a backlash against transphobia, Mace is definitely the one who will be the cause of it.

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

'Trump-vangelical pastor Kenneth Copeland want angels to go after those calling Trump out' & other Tue/Wed news briefs

 
Kenneth Copeland Calls On Angels To 'Pull Those Devils Down That Are Attacking Our President'- Unlike some of my LGBTQ brothers and sisters, I believe in God and I suggest that Copeland worry about his own soul. Need I have to say why? On the risk of sounding presumptuous, the phrase "bust hell wide open" comes to mind.

Nancy Mace considers quitting Congress to take her transphobia statewide in South Carolina - Oh God, no!!! I cringe at the thought.


Project 2025 creators target university over LGBTQ+-inclusive course materials - Battle in North Carolina. Just in time for the senatorial election. 

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

'Trump was told in May by DOJ that he was listed in the Epstein files: Wall Street Journal' & other Wed/Thur news briefs


DOJ told Trump in May he was among names in Epstein files: bombshell report - This doesn't mean that Trump is guility of any wrongdoing but with this Administration, nothing is for sure. There is one thing I am very sure of - there are a WHOLE LOT of drag queens drinking tea right now, while muttering "groomer, my ass" to each other.




Christian bookstore teams up with hate group to sue for the right to misgender people - It sounds like they are making up nonsense and shielding it with some "religious freedom" argument. A recent SCOTUS decision has brought out folks trying to weaponize their religion to remove pro-LGBTQ ordinances. 

I'm beginning to think that Candace Owens isn't "wrapped too tight:" 


Monday, July 21, 2025

'Hot Mess Nancy Mace makes a fool of herself (again)' & other Mon/Tue news briefs

Nancy Mace tries another social media stunt and makes a fool of herself again.

Nancy Mace’s epic meme fail on the viral Coldplay cheating moment has the internet in hysterics​ - Hot mess Nancy Mace makes a fool of herself again. Not necessarily an LGBTQ issue, but Mace is an equal opportunity fool. 

Federal judge temporarily blocks Mississippi’s new DEI ban - Temporary for now, but it looks good. 

Federal HR office sets deadline for government-wide purge of transgender and nonbinary inclusion - Ugh. Trump's war against trans people have now stretched to target non-binary folks.


Judge Orders Reinstatement of Counselor Fired for Discrimination Against LGBTQ Students - Believe or not, this one was lost on another technicality.  Folks, it's good to stand up for the LGBTQ community, but you gotta watch those loopholes.

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Simone Biles gets last laugh in 'feud' with anti-trans activist Riley Gaines during 2025 Espy Awards



While Simone Biles (top pic) shines and achieves, Riley Gaines (bottom pic) will continue to ride her fifth-place tie with trans athlete Lia Thomas for clout


In case some of you aren't aware, multiple Olympic gold medalist and the most awarded gymnast Simone Biles was in a recent feud with anti- trans activist Riley Gaines. 

Gaines is a former collegiate swimmer who has made a career in right-wing circles speaking out against trans athletes ever since she tied for fifth in a meet with a trans athlete, Lia Thomas. Four other woman who are not trans defeated Gaines, but that hasn't stopped her grift, I mean "crusade."

The feud between Biles and Gaines began when last month when Gaines took it upon herself to publicly call out a high school trans student on Twitter. Biles stood up for the teenager but found herself cast in the middle of an ugly brouhaha with publicity-hungry Gaines, who made the most of this opportunity by attacking Biles on Twitter and Fox News.  On Twitter, her followers also made attacks against Biles. Gaines herself even dug up Biles's sexual abuse by former USA doctor and convicted child predator Larry Nassar. 

 While Biles tried to divest herself from the situation (even by offering an apology), Gaines and her supporters - particularly female pundits on Fox News - declared Gaines as the "winner."

 However, at the Wednesday night's Espy Awards, folks - and I hope especially Gaines and her supporters - were reminded what a true winner looks like: 

 Simone Biles won two trophies at the ESPYS on Wednesday night, including the women’s best athlete award. The 11-time Olympic medalist claimed the night’s first award, best championship performance for her efforts at the Paris Games.

 She won three golds and a silver while helping the U.S. women’s gymnasts win their first team title since 2016. “That was very unexpected, especially in a category of all men,” Biles said after kissing husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens. 

The comment Biles made is what folks are talking about because it is considered a dig at Gaines. But we shouldn't let her comment overshadow the fact that Biles continues to win and achieve, while Gaines will probably be looking for another opportunity to ride her coattails for more attention and appearances on Fox.  

One has to admire Gaines's skill of turning a fifth-place tie to a full fledge-media career, but we are still talking about a fifth-place tie.. There aren't any further chapters of the story in which Gaines trained herself to be better and managed to become the gold-medalist she mostly like dreamed of being as a child. Her sports story ends with a brazen grab for easy cash by blaming others for her own inability to successfully compete.  

Meanwhile Biles will continue to shine and add to her long list of achievements, thus proving that those who can generally do. Gaines, on the other hand proves that those who can't achieve will spend considerable time blaming others for their own mediocrity.

 It's easy to see who actually won this feud. It wasn't even close.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Chip and Joanna Gaines trigger conservative Christian rage by showing that religious freedom about gays go both ways

By casting a same-sex couple in their docuseries Back to the Frontier, HGTV personalities Chip and Joanna Gaines enrage conservative evangelicals and puts a much-needed spotlight on how the concept of religious freedom is distorted


 From Men's Journal:

Chip and Joanna Gaines, the popular HGTV personalities who created their own TV network and have a massive following from Evangelical Christians, are facing criticism over a casting decision for their new HBO Max docuseries, Back to the Frontier. 

 The new series, from the couple's Magnolia Network, features three couples living as 1800s homesteaders. Among the couples includes Jason and Joe Hanna-Riggs, a same-sex couple who have two sons. 

The decision to cast the Hanna-Riggs family cast drew immediate criticism from Chip and Joanna's own fan base. Preacher Franklin Graham notably went on X and voiced his dismay. 

"I hope this isn’t true, but I read today that Chip and Joanna Gaines are featuring a gay couple in their new series. If It is true, it is very disappointing. While we are to love people, we should love them enough to tell them the truth of God’s Word," he tweeted. "His Word is absolute truth. God loves us, and His design for marriage is between one man and one woman. Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin."

 Ed Vitagliano, vice president of the American Family Association, called the casting disappointing. “We aren’t sure why the Gaines have reversed course, but we are sure of this: Back to the Frontier promotes an unbiblical view of human sexuality, marriage, and family," the organization tweeted. 

 After hearing the criticism, Chip swung back. "Talk, ask [questions], listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never," he tweeted. "It’s a sad Sunday when 'non believers' have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian."

This controversy is an opportunity to look at the concept of religious freedom as it is used by conservative evangelicals.

Graham and other conservative evangelicals (that includes those on the Supreme Court) have weaponized the term as an excuse to not treat LGBTQ people fairly and in accordance with laws. To do so would jeopardize their "personally held religious beliefs,"   they tell us.

But religious freedom goes both ways.  Just as people have the religious freedom to condemn and castigate LGBTQ people, others have the religious freedom to affirm LGBTQ people or - in the case of the Gaines - welcome LGBTQ people in.

Graham knows this. And other conservative evangelicals (including those on the Supreme Court) know this. But to them, religious freedom is not about freedom to worship. It's not about respecting people's right to worship as they wish.

 It's a ploy for them to dictate policy in accordance with their fantasy that America is a Christian nation controlled and corralled by their definition of Scriptures. It's the method in which they try to take power - power which they delude themselves comes anointed by God when in reality, it comes from their own craven and greedy desires.

Their lapse of knowledge about religious freedom is not accidental. It's a cynical convenience and a hallmark of their barely hidden hypocrisy.  Just as easily as Franklin Graham can condemn LGBTQ people as sinners while simultaneously supporting the even more sinful and incredibly corrupt Trump Administration (which he does almost constantly), other conservative evangelicals can whine that their freedom to worship is being taken away while attempting silence others who they feel aren't obeying God according to their standards.

This controversy, if u want to call it that, merely lays it all bare.


Sunday, July 13, 2025

News brief special - MAGA anger at Trump over Epstein Files isn't dying down. It's heating up.

How the Trump Administration handled the Jeffrey Epstein situation (seen here with Trump in 1992) has created a huge rift between Donald Trump and his MAGA supporters.

Editor's note - This controversy involving the Trump Administration and the Epstein Files may not be LGBTQ specific, but it is deliciously ironic considering how accusations against LGBTQ people as predators and child groomers have been fueled by Trump supporters. Whatever the case may be, the reversal of the Trump Administration when it comes to conspiracy theories about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's death and alleged "list of contacts" after years of baiting MAGA about it is like watching slow moving train wreck.  And considering the stubbornness of MAGA and Trump, it's a train wreck which won't stop any time soon.

Trump Gets 'Ratioed' on Truth Social for First Time Amid Epstein Backlash









 And for those who have little to no idea what's going on, here is a timeline courtesy of Forbes: 



Related post - Transphobia takes a back seat as MAGA rages at AG Bondi over Epstein files debacle

Wednesday, July 09, 2025

Transphobia takes a back seat as MAGA rages at AG Bondi over Epstein files debacle

From Mediaite:

 Attorney General Pam Bondi can’t seem to escape those pesky calls to resign over this week’s joint FBI/DOJ report on Jeffrey Epstein, even as she tries to deliver on a major MAGA talking point. In a video posted to X Wednesday, Bondi was flanked by Education Secretary Linda McMahon as the two Trump administration officials announced a lawsuit against California for failing to enforce the White House ban on (trans women) competing in women’s sports. 

 . . . The lawsuit seeks to “enforce Title IX and protect California female student athletes from unfair competition and reckless endangerment by male participation on female high-school sports teams,” according to a statement from the Department of Justice. The video quickly racked up thousands of replies, but instead of cheering for the litigious action, most saw the opportunity to once again demand Bondi find another job.

For those not familiar with the Epstein situation (and in that regard should consider themselves both fortunate and far in between), allow me to add some background.

Ever since he committed suicide in his jail cell in 2019, accused sex trafficker and convicted sex offender Jeffey Epstein has been the center of MAGA conspiracy theories about his death (they think he was murdered) and an alleged list of high-profile names who he supposedly trafficked underaged females to. Bondi and several others in the present Trump Administratio egged on and amplified these conspiracy theories for months

Then came the released report earlier this week concluding that Epstein was not murdered and there was no list of clients. Needless to say, MAGA is furious about this conclusion. This has led to a strange outcome of watching MAGA devotees (anti-MAGA devotees who are just being downright mischievous) ignore Bondi's news of an anti-trans lawsuit and instead figuratively drag her all over Twitter. The following are merely a few:

I'd be lying if I said I'm not enjoying this. It's like watching the part of a horror movie in which the mad scientist's experiments turn on him and drag him into "The House of Pain."



Hat tip to Mediaite (in spite of the fact that it amplifies Megyn Kelly too much. Just saying)





Tuesday, July 08, 2025

'Georgia librarian fired after child picks a book with transgender character for a library display' & other Tue/Wed news briefs

'When Aidan Became A Brother' - the book which led to the firing of Georgia librarian Lavonnia Moore.


I swear, the way some Americans are acting makes me want to give those 'To Serve Man' aliens from The Twilight Zone some precise directions on where some of y'all live. And throw in a huge bag of seasoning.

Beloved Georgia librarian fired after child chooses book with transgender character for library display - Unbelievable! And the lies the bigots told on her is equally shameful. Under the facade of "protecting children," these folks are targeting people merely doing their job. Not to mention attempting to erase families the public view.

11th Circuit upholds Miami-Dade’s firing of former media aide over anti-LGBTQ column - Whoop! There it is! 

California defies federal order to ban trans women and girls from female sports - We will have to see how this turns out. California governor Gavin Newsom got some folks angry a while back via his negative comments about trans athletes. 

Wisconsin Supreme Court clears way for conversion therapy ban - Great news, but again we will see how this turns out with SCOTUS hearing a case on whether or not states can ban reparative therapy. 

Trans athletes can no longer play sports in Indiana starting this month - A perfect example of how these laws are ridiculous time wasters. According to the article, there aren't any trans athletes playing sports in Indiana.

 Supreme Court ruling wasn’t the final word, as debate on LGBTQ books opt-out goes on - You had better believe that it ain't over.

Wednesday, July 02, 2025

Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters going on hiatus until July 8

A photo of me and my GLAAD award (Outstanding Blog - 2017)


Unless something interesting happens (like Elon Musk and Stephen Miller getting caught getting busy while wearing bondage gear ...  you're welcome for the image), I am going on a break to recharge my batteries. 

 I shall return on Tuesday of next week hopefully full of fire and petty attitude (cause God knows we need it) to do what I have been doing for the community for the past 18 and a half years. 

 Until then, keep smiling, keep fighting, and never let anyone decide for you what you need to be doing for yourself. We will get through Trump's second term, just like we did his first.

So happy Fourth of July (maybe sooner if something big happens - cue image of Trump in master/slave leather gear with Lindsey Graham)

Monday, June 30, 2025

CBS News - the Trump Administration is playing 'divide and conquer' strategy against LGBTQ community

During his first term, Donald Trump pretended to like the LGBTQ community. During this, his second term, he's not bothering to play the game. Instead, according to CBS News, his Administration is pushing a divide and conquer strategy - specifically targeting the trans community, while the overall goal is a reduction of rights for the entire LGBTQ community.

According to CBS News:

From health care bans, to sports bans, bathroom bans, a military ban and attempts to erase non-binary gender pronouns from the federal system, Mr. Trump's most conspicuous threats to LGBTQ rights specifically target trans people, a pattern that has drawn accusations of scapegoating from his critics, given that trans people make up an estimated 1% or less of the U.S. population. LGBTQ advocates also see it as a tactic to sow division in the community. 

 "Donald Trump ran for president on an age-old platform of divide and conquer," said Brandon Wolf, the national press secretary at the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy organization. "Inside the LGBTQ+ community, Donald Trump ran his campaign saying, I'm not targeting all LGBTQ+ people, just the trans people, and if you sacrifice that community, perhaps you will be spared." 

While polling data showed most LGBTQ voters didn't choose to elect him, Mr. Trump has gained increasingly loud support from a faction of gay conservatives who disavow the "radical LGBT left" and insist his policies aren't at odds with their personal freedoms. 

 When the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced the upcoming termination of part of its 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline dedicated to helping LGBTQ youth, the gay conservative group Log Cabin Republicans called related media coverage "fake news." 
 
While some of the Trump Administration's actions exploit whatever divide exists between the trans and LGBQ communities, other actions have targeted the community in general.  The goal seems to be making the overall LGBTQ community weak and unable to fight back.

 . . .Mr. Trump and those in his orbit have repeatedly cast LGBTQ people and activities in a negative light. While announcing leadership shifts at the Kennedy Center in February, the president penned a social media post that pledged, in capital letters, to ensure the arts forum would no longer host drag shows "or other anti-American propaganda." His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, later said the country needs "less LGBTQ graduate majors" in an interview on Fox News criticizing Harvard University. 

 According to advocates and academics, the administration frequently relies on political strategies to marginalize trans people that have been used against other groups in the past. The term "groomers," for example, is a historically anti-gay trope, and "gender ideology" originally demonized feminism. 

 There were also notable moments of silence from the Trump administration, which did not acknowledge Pride Month, even as a global Pride festival took place for several weeks between May and June in Washington, D.C. LGBTQ people say that wasn't necessarily a surprise after watching their visibility decline in national forums this year, starting with mentions of "lesbian," "bisexual," "gay," "transgender," "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" being scrubbed from the White House website the day after Mr. Trump's inauguration, in a flashback to his first term.


You can read the entire CBS News article by clicking on this link. 


Thursday, June 26, 2025

'Senate parliamentarian order removal of gender-affirming care ban from Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'' & other Thur/Fri news briefs



Senate parliamentarian orders removal of gender-affirming care ban from GOP reconciliation bill​ - I'm personally opposed to the bill in general being passed, but this is still a huge and positive development:

Restrictions on the use of federal funds for gender-affirming care will be stripped from the Republican-led Senate reconciliation bill, following a ruling by the Senate parliamentarian on Tuesday that struck down a number of health related provisions. The legislation banned coverage for transgender medical care through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, language that was also included in the House version of the bill passed on May 22 with a vote of 215-214.

 . . . Amid calls to override Tuesday’s ruling from Republicans like U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (Fla.), GOP Senate Majority Leader John Thune (S.D.) told reporters “That would not be a good outcome for getting a bill done.” 


A decade after the U.S. legalized gay marriage, Jim Obergefell says the fight isn't over - So true. Unfortunately, the desire to be complacent is a huge problem in our community. Notice that I said "desire." Instead of realizing that those who oppose our equality will use every means, some of us have taken to blaming the trans community with the bad narrative being that they supposedly "went too far" when America was "accepting" us. Yeah, it's a STUPID notion.

Transgender representation in public office has skyrocketed - This right here is the right idea. Not just the trans community but more in the overall LGBTQ community should seek public office.

Pride Month marches on, despite frustration and worry from LGBTQ community over government actions - Because no one can stop our Pride. So many groups and individuals this year rose to the challenge in spite of all of the madness and corporate sponsors dropping us. It has been a testament to our community.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

From my archives - How They See Us: Unmasking The Religious Right War on Gay America

The place card for 'How They See Us.'

In 2013, with the help of a few wonderful friends, I published the online booklet How They See Us: Unmasking The Religious Right War on Gay America. It was a short expose on how religious right groups demonize LGBTQ people via bad science, false accusations, and outright lies.

This what I wrote in the post announcing the booklet:

This booklet is free to anyone who wants to read, download, or link it to their blog. By all means, please do so. And above all, please "like " it on Facebook, twitter, and other forms of social media. In spite of the claims of the religious right, our goal is not to silence them, but to demand an answer from them regarding their tactics. Lies told in the name of God are still lies.

I received little to no mainstream attention (not even from LGBTQ groups) regarding this booklet, but I like to think of it as an underground success (with one million views and over 800 downloads on Scribd).

Things have change over the course of 12 years though. Social media influencers are now doing much of the work of that groups such as the American Family Association and the Family Research Council once did. And their reach is unfortunately enormous. One picture or video deliberately taken of context to portray LGBTQ people as predators of kids can be shared over a million times before it's proven to be false.

So, we are definitely dealing with a different landscape than in 2013. The one thing which will never change however, is the fact that accusations thrown at the LGBTQ community (we are sexually grooming kids, we want to put Christians in jail, we want to destroy America) are lies and these lies can always be defeated if folks fight hard enough to expose them. 

With that in mind, I encourage folks to do now what I encouraged them to do 12 years ago - read, download, and share.

How They See Us by Alvin A. McEwen

Sunday, June 22, 2025

'Hetero Awesome Festival' flops hard, attracting only dozens

Hetero Awesome Festival, an Idaho event created to pushback against June being designated as LGBTQ Pride Month, took place on Friday and Saturday of last week. 

According to an article in The Idaho Dispatch last month:

Hetero Awesome, a non-profit group founded by Mark Fitzpatrick, will hold a “Hetero Awesomeness Festival” at Cecil Andrus Park across from the Idaho Capitol Building this June.

. . . . Fitzpatrick told Idaho Dispatch about the event, “We’re launching the Heterosexual Awesomeness Fest 2025 at Cecil D. Andrus Park to boldly celebrate traditional family values in a nation that’s shifting politically at seemingly lightning speed. Idaho’s lawmakers just passed fierce new laws to protect our freedoms and shut down divisive, racist programs like DEI. With the Capitol building as our backdrop, we’re calling everyone to join us June 20-21 for music, food, and talks that unite us in strengthening the family unit and championing Heterosexual Awesomeness!” 

According to the Hetero Awesome website, the event will, “This ain’t your limp-wristed woke fest; it’s a full-on celebration of family values with guts. We’re bringing the heat with killer food, ice-cold beer, and bold wines, plus live music to crank the vibe. Expect riveting speeches that’ll wake the dead, booths from family-owned businesses and rock-solid supporters, all standing tall for our Battle Lines.”

So, how did the event go?  It flopped on cosmically . . . nay, Biblical proportions.

According to Latter Gay Stories, a Facebook page:

Local media, including Idaho News 6, reported that turnout was negligible, with one observer noting the festival “probably could have been an email.” Social media reactions highlighted the event’s poor naming and execution, with one commenter stating, “Look at how much of a waste of time and money hatred is.” 

 The festival struggled to secure sponsorships, raising only half the needed funds despite support from United Rentals and a headline performance by Michael Austin. Reports suggest the event was attended by fewer than 100 people. 

 In contrast, Boise’s LGBTQ+ community responded with a satirical counter-event at The Balcony Club titled “But, What About Straight Pride?” Held on June 20, the show drew significant attendance and support, underscoring the city’s embrace of inclusivity. 

The flop of Fitzpatrick’s Hetero Fest, juxtaposed with the success of the counter-event, reinforced Boise’s shifting cultural landscape, where messages of acceptance resonated more strongly than division. Queer people are part of our communities, and they always will be . . . Supporters of the Festival have now turned to social media asking for money to cover expenses including security costs—exceeding $18,000, money they expected to raise from the attendees that never showed up

 

Folks on Twitter posted snippets from the festival, eagerly pointing out its failure to draw participants:


Thursday, June 19, 2025

Trump Administration shutting down LGBTQ youth suicide hotline by July. Move called 'incomprehensible' and 'wrong.'

When running for president in 2016, Trump pretended to be an LGBTQ ally. When he was elected, he continued the pretense even as his administration tried to curtail our rights and safety. With moves such as shutting down an LGBTQ youth suicide hotline, Trump has obviously abandoned his pro-LGBTQ subterfuge in his second term.

It's no secret that Trump is no longer pretending to support or even like the LGBTQ community this time like he did during his first time (even as his administration tried to pushed ordinances and legislation which would have jeopardizes our equality and health.)

This time around, the Trump's administration has practically declared open war on transgender Americans with executive orders designed to reduce their rights and create a climate of fear.

And now the administration's animus is targeting our LGBTQ kids.

From The Huffington Post:

President Donald Trump’s administration is shutting down the national suicide prevention hotline’s LGBTQ youth-specific care starting on July 17. “On July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the ‘Press 3 option,’ to focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option,” a news release from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, reads. 

 The suicide hotline added the Press 3 option in 2022 in a contract with the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth. People could call the suicide hotline at 988 and then press 3 to be directed to a trained counselor who would help people who identify as LGBTQ+. SAMHSA, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a news release that anyone who contacts 988 will continue to receive “compassion and help.”

 From Politico

 “This is devastating, to say the least,” Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black said in a statement Wednesday. “Suicide prevention is about people, not politics. The administration’s decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible.”

 “The fact that this news comes to us halfway through Pride Month is callous — as is the administration’s choice to remove the ‘T’ from the acronym ‘LGBTQ+’ in their announcement. Transgender people can never, and will never, be erased,” Black said. 

 A 2024 survey from the Trevor Project found that nearly 40 percent of LGBTQ+ young people had “seriously considered” suicide in the past year. And half of the survey’s respondents who reported wanting mental health care in the previous year had not been able to access it. The LGBTQ+ hotline has received roughly 1.3 million calls since its pilot program in 2022.   

The decision to cut off this hotline has already gotten bipartisan opposition. In addition to LGBTQ organizations and many LGBTQ Americans and their allies, Republican Congressman Mike Lawler (NY) said:

 “This is wrong. According to studies, LGBTQ+ young people have an elevated risk of suicide and are more likely than their peers to attempt it. We should ensure they have the resources necessary to get help,” Lawler said in a post on social platform X.

 “The 988 hotline has been a lifesaver. This decision should be reversed,” he added.


Tuesday, June 17, 2025

'Trump Administration hit with two major court losses in attacks against trans community and DEI' & other Tue/Wed news briefs



Judge blocks Trump anti-trans passport policy - The trans community gets a major win in court against the Trump Administration.

Judge deems Trump's cuts to National Institutes of Health illegal - Trump's war on DEI also suffers a major loss in court. 

Columbia City Council votes to repeal conversion therapy ban after weeks of debate - But the Columbia, SC LGBTQ community suffer a loss after a long fight. SC Attorney General Alan Wilson strong-armed the city council by threatening a lawsuit while state Republican legislators threatened to withhold millions of dollars if they didn't. Wilson did this because he's running for governor. 

Trump anti-trans EO could deny health care to Democrats, unmarried vets - Yet another example of how exploiting transphobia to pass rules is not only dangerous to the trans community, but a lot of other communities, too.