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. 

'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.” 

Bookstore stops selling “Harry Potter” as JK Rowling becomes increasingly cruel toward trans people - Good for them!

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.

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

'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:

The crowd size at the Hetero Awesome Fest in downtown Boise was just a chef's kiss. This is the peak of the crowd. Way to go @OldStateSaloon. I needed a good laugh. https://t.co/nK6KbbEfYq pic.twitter.com/n36XMOee2E

— Chad Scott (@cpscott16) June 21, 2025

The turnout for the first “Hetero Awesome Festival” in Boise is a lot like Trumps parade - nobody went 🤣🤣

Liberals are the only ones who know how to throw a party. Stupid straight republican Christian men are so angry they’re not celebrated nonstop. pic.twitter.com/otgw5M8vgT

— Irene Adler (@MollyBee_82) June 21, 2025

Another lackluster scene from the Hetero Awesome Fest... pic.twitter.com/eX52HsyfPa

— Christian Nightmares (@ChristnNitemare) June 21, 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.

'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.

Inside the Veterans Affairs Department’s underground resistance to Trump’s care ban for transgender vets - Speaking of which, keep fighting! 

Conservative org insisted straight couples would divorce in droves if marriage equality were legal - Well THAT turned out to be false. Surprise! Surprise! 

I won't let Ohio lawmakers tell my children their family is unnatural | Letter - Amen!

'Could have used some drag queens' - Trump's military parade is epic disaster and social media goes for the jugular.

Editor's note - It is with regret that I inform you that there will be no pictures posted from Outfest. The heat of the afternoon during the event put me in a bad physical state and therefore I was unable to take what I feel would be suitable pictures. Still, Outfest was a huge success and South Caroline Pride should be commended for all of its hard work.

In that same respect, whenever a door is closed, God creates an open window. Other events on Saturday included nationwide No Kings protests opposing Donald Trump's bad policies and Trump's controversial military pride.

The No Kings protests were also a huge success. In contrast, Trump's military parade flopped. Badly. And social media was bloodthirsty in cataloguing it. Below are just a few the MANY ways social media documented Trump's failure.  Seeing these examples are a perfect way of reminding ourselves in the coming days, weeks, month, and (ew!) years of Trump's time in office of just how much of an egotistical disaster this man is and how we will slowly but surely overcome him and the shameful level of bullshit he has brought to our country. There will be good days like this and bad days, but trash like Donald Trump and his sycophants won't ever win if we fight hard and nonstop. 

Since this my blog, I get the first smacks:

The single best way to describe how visually BAD Donald Trump's parade was? Look at Lee Greenwood's suit. pic.twitter.com/FYbVhiJJxI

— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) June 15, 2025

Donald Trump's parade is so bad, it's campy. Like when Faye Dunaway jumped on the actress who played her daughter and hilariously tried to choke her to death in "Mommy Dearest" type of campy

— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) June 15, 2025

Donald Trump's parade could have used some drag queens. I'm just saying. pic.twitter.com/Jjs1ao70qF

— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) June 15, 2025

Then there were the other tweets, just as merciless:

this is genuinely humiliating to see https://t.co/kGLsUqhqe6

— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) June 14, 2025

he's embarrased
barely 10k in the audience? we had more at NO KINGS-houston pic.twitter.com/hhS8b0RhJj

— CHINGA LA MIGRA (@TxWomenRock) June 15, 2025

pic.twitter.com/JcueuNEqBI

— Paul Leigh-Some Rascal on the Internet 🟧🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@Pleightx) June 15, 2025

TRUMP IS WEAK AF! " Melania Trump appears utterly mortified, as if she's thinking, "Oh no, not again!" Meanwhile, Sleepy Trump steals the spotlight at his own taxpayer-funded birthday bash, turning public events into a routine snooze fest.

Pete Hegseth uses every trick in the… pic.twitter.com/v0DjG6CDKp

— Popular Liberal 🇺🇸 (@PopularLiberal) June 15, 2025

The look on your face when your $45 million military parade flops with a tiny crowd, and on the same day, millions of Americans march against your corrupt administration. pic.twitter.com/9YE10w35qP

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) June 15, 2025

Trump parade vs No Kings march, San Diego pic.twitter.com/gEfeMlnIn1

— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) June 14, 2025

The #Army250 parade starting 30 minutes early due to incoming weather. Crowd nowhere near the 200,000 expected. @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/pUmmN13pAl

— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) June 14, 2025

The drone guy...so hilarious...#TrumpisaNationalDisgrace #trumpFailure pic.twitter.com/J64zuQcOOC

— Mary 🇬🇧~🇺🇲 (@xWild_Orchidx) June 15, 2025

This narcissistic act helped us. Details to come. pic.twitter.com/z7hv1hdocS

— MAGA Cult Slayer🦅🇺🇸 (@MAGACult2) June 15, 2025

Secretary of State Marco Rubio enthusiastically enjoying the parade pic.twitter.com/rj7HPM5oj8

— Acyn (@Acyn) June 14, 2025

And the articles about the parade are BRUTAL:

These "No Kings" Crowd Pictures Vs. Military Parade Crowd Pictures Say A LOT

Did Military Parade Crowd Leave En Masse? What We Know Trump holds military parade amid ‘No Kings’ protests across US 

Rand Paul Rips Trump Military Parade — Compares it to Soviet Union, North Korea '

Low energy': MSNBC panel bursts into laughter after clip of Trump parade speech '

Not even close': MSNBC reporter shoots down White House parade attendance boast 

Finally, the cherry on top of this stale cake is Fox News pundit Rebekah Koffler appearing to be highly intoxicated (drunk off of her ass) while trying to praise Trump's parade:

Fox News brings on Rebekah Koffler to talk about the military parade, but she seems to be heavily intoxicated so they cut away with quickness pic.twitter.com/QIbMAG4OL3

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 15, 2025

'MAGA pastor wants God to break gay men's wrists' & other Wed/Thur news briefs

Editor's note - There is so much going on that I'm posting more news briefs. Mostly though, I am busy getting some things settled and Outfest, the LGBTQ block party in Columbia SC and precursor to South Carolina Pride in October, is happening this weekend. Since many of you voiced enjoyment of my pictures of last year's event, I'm going to be busy with the camera again this year

 MAGA pastor John Amanchukwu

MAGA hate pastor says drama programs cause “perversion” & asks God to break gay men’s wrists - You can see the clip below. While we should never take anything these idiots say lightly, when I hear his nonsense, I take satisfaction in knowing that people like him have failed to destroy us in the past. And they will continue to fail. And his comments are ridiculous. God not only created drama programs specifically for gay men, but He also made our wrists flexibly unbreakable. So there.

Far-right pastor John Amanchukwu delivers an anti-LGBTQ sermon in which he warns parents not to allow their children to participate in drama or theater: "These are oftentimes incubation systems for perversion." pic.twitter.com/qM2yPhwZbA

— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) June 11, 2025

In other news: 

Wanda Sykes on why LGBTQ+ people must support the trans community: “It’s the ‘T’ that’s getting all the hate right now” - Yep. Some of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters want to desert trans people. Don't be so dumb that you forget where you came from. There is not LGB without the T and Q. You may want to think the anti-LGBTQ industry will leave u alone because they are supposedly so busy attacking trans people, but don't be so stupid. They got us all in the same boat and are drilling holes in the bottom. 

Southern Baptist delegates at national meeting overwhelmingly call for banning same-sex marriage - This isn't news. Those hypocritical SOBs live for trying to give us hell. If you want to really shock people, write an article about them extending fellowship to LGBTQ people.

California sues DOJ over “unconstitutional” demand to ban trans athletes - Drag their asses, California! 

Trump wants to cut LGBTQ crisis hotline. NJ counselors say it will have fatal consequences - Trump isn't even trying to pretend that he likes us, unlike his first term.

'Republicans slip in an anti-LGBTQ 'religious freedom' clause into funding bill' & other Mon/Tue news briefs

Republicans quietly slip 'religious freedom' clause into funding bill - Always with the bullshit from the GOP: 

House Republicans have inserted anti-LGBTQ language into a $66 billion must-pass funding bill for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, effectively granting civil immunity under federal law to individuals and organizations that discriminate against same-sex couples—by citing a religious or moral belief that marriage should be limited to one man and one woman. It also bans the federal government from taking a range of actions against those who hold and act on anti-same-sex marriage beliefs. 

Judge blocks administration from enforcing anti-diversity and anti-transgender executive orders - Meanwhile, Trump loses another one.

He threatened educators for flying Pride flags. Now he’s paying the price. - Throw the book at him! 

Southern Baptists target porn, sports betting, same-sex marriage and 'willful childlessness' - While ignoring their sex abuse scandals, of course.

Nancy Pelosi honors those lost to AIDS epidemic with Gay Men's Chorus of D.C. during WorldPride - We will never forget.

Video - Gay Coded Movie Villains from Golden Age Hollywood

 

I wasn't going to post anything but when I saw this video, I couldn't resist. Those who followed my long-running, now defunct Friday feature Know Your LGBT History are aware of my passion for old films and television shows which showed positive (and negative) portrayals of LGBTQ people. The above video falls into that category.

From the YouTube site Golden Age History:

In the glimmering shadows of Golden Age Hollywood, where the glitz of the silver screen often masked darker truths, a surprising number of villains emerged with a complex, coded identity. These characters, shrouded in ambiguity and subtext, offered a glimpse into a world where queerness was hinted at but rarely acknowledged, leaving audiences to decipher the hidden meanings behind their chilling performances. Today, we’ll explore the gayest villains of Golden Age Hollywood films, unearthing the layers of repression and desire that fueled their menacing personas. From Hitchcock’s psychological thrillers to the sharp wit of noir classics, these characters not only challenged societal norms but also created a legacy that resonates with modern viewers. Prepare to uncover the secrets behind these iconic antagonists and the subtext that made them unforgettable.

 I've only got one complaint. The video spotlights Addison DeWitt from the movie All About Eve as a coded gay character. However, Eve Harrington (one of the movie's leading characters) would have been a better choice. Several hints were given about her being lesbian (the scene with her roommate and another scene at the end featuring the young lady who snuck into her hotel room.)

Hate group claims that LGBTQ people have billions of dollars devoted to recruiting children.

 I don't mean to sound jaded, but I bristle whenever I hear one of my LGBTQ folks say something like "It's 2025! I can't believe people say or believe (choose your anti-LGBTQ claim or slur) anymore. I thought we were over that."

As appealing as it is to dream of a world where certain ugly smears aren't believed or certain ugly slurs aren't said, that dream isn't ever going to be a reality. Hatred motivated by fear and ignorance will always be with us. It's never going away and nothing we can do or say will change that.

For example, this is what the bigots were saying about LGBTQ people - specifically gay men - in the 1980s:

Fast forward to 2025 and read this email which I received from anti-LGBTQ hate group the American Family Association:

The pro-homosexual, pro-transgender mafia won’t stop coming after America’s kids and grandkids. 

 Ten years ago this month, the Obergefell Supreme Court decision unleashed a satanic breakout in the sexual war against America and Christianity. 

 Five judicial tyrants in Washington, D.C., forced homosexual marriage on every square inch of America. The effect has been a national nightmare—and we can’t seem to wake up.

 The Obergefell decision led to the Bostock decision, which elevated the mental disorder of transgenderism to the status of a civil right. If you “discriminate” against a man who thinks he is a woman, radical lawyers and prosecutors can come after you! 

 But the ultimate target has been children. 

 The cultural explosion led to the spread of Drag Queen Story Hour . . . men in girls’ sports and bathrooms . . . the pharmaceutical and surgical sexual mutilation of children . . . and an epidemic of sex crimes.

The nightmare is still happening. Yes, the Trump administration is pushing back. Praise God! But candidly, it won’t be enough without grassroots action.

 As I write this, schools near San Diego are zealously enforcing a California state law that mandates tampons in boys’ restrooms in every elementary school. The tampons in grade school boys’ bathrooms are required by the “Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2021.”

 Parents are crying out . . . to no avail. These could be your kids or grandkids! This insanity is damaging the minds of children as young as kindergarten, mentally molesting them. 

 The larger goal is to hijack their bodies for sexual perversion by creating a culture with no sexual boundaries.

 In Texas, with five million students, a massive school district is calling a girl a “boy”—against the parents’ explicit desire. 

 LGBTQ radicals won’t stop. They are spiritually driven. Plus, they have billions of dollars and influence in the media. Rogue judges in local, state, and federal courts favor their cause. And they have declared, “We want your children!”

Lawd! That's a big ole ball of crazy right there. A lot of this doesn't need refuting because:

A. It rightfully comes across as completely insane to folks with good sense.

B. The folks who would believe this madness obviously don't have good sense, so attempting to refute it for their benefit is a waste of time.

But there is one thing I would like to touch on because it's nagging the hell out of me.

 Just when did the LGBTQ community get billions of dollars? AFA didn't say "thousands" or "millions" or even "one billion." According to the AFA, we've got BILLIONS and all devoted to "recruiting children." Well, that's not practical, particularly when I thought we are also jailing Christians and whatever else AFA and groups like it accuse us of doing. 

My point is as much as we wish it were so, homophobia, transphobia, and all other types of hatred aren't going away. Hatred always changes by adapting to suit whatever fear or resentment is out there. AFA used to smear just gay men. Now it has widened its net of nuttiness to rope in trans people, while still claiming that our pursuit of equality is a conspiracy to snare children - a conspiracy it also claims involves courts and judges.

But while we can't make hatred go away, we can hinder it as much as we can by calling it out, not letting it stop us from getting our hearts desire, and in this case - laughing at the inanity it entails.

Short film gives simple and exact understanding about what Pride is all about

 Pride Month 2025 is here, and I expect it to be a busy month for both good and reasons. I could go into a blog post about LGBTQ American history or remind folks that this particular Pride Month will probably be difficult times because the enemies of our equality feel empowered by the Trump Administration.

We've got plenty of time for that. 

Right now, I am posting the above video as a reminder of why not only Pride Month but the LGBTQ struggle for equality, health, and self-determination are important. I've posted the video before and will probably do so many times in the future because it's one of my favorites.

It makes the point better than any commentary I could write. Two young boys are going on a date to a school dance. Just like heterosexual couples do. Nothing spooky or sexual, just two young kids enjoying a school function in each other's company. 

And there isn't a thing wrong with it. Granted, there will be some folks who will screech about "sexualizing" or "grooming" even though there is nothing resembling any of these things in this video. But when you ignore the screeching and just pay attention to the message of the film, you get a simple but exact understanding about what Pride is all about.

It's about the right to function without any fears of having to deal reprisals from ignorant people, whether that function is getting married, obtaining employment, building a family and raising kids, or even simply going to a school dance with someone you like.

Hell, it's about being able to walk down any street in America without being hassled or physically attacked because someone doesn't like to see you holding hands with your partner, or the way you walk or what you're wearing.

It's about the right to be. To exist on your terms and not the religious or stereotypical terms of other people, the vast majority not even knowing you and not caring to either. It's about going through the scary rites of life without your fears being compounded by someone who can't stand your existence. Basically, it's about the ability to decide what you will do in your life and not someone else deciding for you.

 It's about being a human being.