Anti-lgbt activist furious over veto of South Dakota anti-transgender bill

Linda Harvey not happy with veto.

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard's recent veto of an awful bill which would have harmed transgender schoolchildren is getting plaudits in many circles.

That is except for the circles involving the anti-gay right. On the American Family Assocation's fake news site, One News Now, he is being called spineless in a ridiculous article which cites no legal or medical experts, but arch-doyenne of anti-lgbt hysteria, Linda Harvey.

Harvey, who leads the SPLC-designated hate group Mission America, was practically apoplectic with Daugaard:

"I cannot be more concerned about the spineless lack of courage [and wisdom] that so many leaders are showing ... in standing up for children . . .because this will definitely take many children into a place that is dark."

Of course Harvey omits that Gov. Daugaard decided to veto the bill after talking to transgender South Dakota residents, including children.

Harvey who, amongst other things, one time claimed that lgbts do not exist and another, advised parents not to let their children be taken care of by gay medical professionals, also said:

"People in the pews are looking for leadership," she tells OneNewsNow. "They're looking for guidance, they're looking for the pastors to back them up as they teach their own children and make these stands in their own lives in the workplace [and] in schools.

"And if the pastors teach nothing and remain silent – or worse, they teach ... what are essentially erroneous homosexual-agenda talking points – people are misled greatly. And that's really a large reason our culture is where it is now: in the embrace of homosexuality."

The best and most comical part of Harvey's vent is at the end of the article:

 Harvey believes some pastors seem to appear apologetic because they have been persuaded that homosexuals are the victims and the Christians are the aggressors. She argues that a clear and balanced biblical approach to homosexuality and other cultural issues is what needs to be taught in churches.

I trust Harvey to give a "balanced"approach to homosexuality with as much enthusiasm as I would trust David Duke to give a "balanced" approach to black history.

'Defeat of South Dakota anti-transgender bill proves visibility matters' & other Wed. midday news briefs

South Dakota Gov. Daugaard

Aside from yesterday's Super Tuesday wildness, the huge story was the South Dakota governor's veto of an ugly bill targeting transgender children. The bill, passed by the state legislature, would had the definite potential of restricting bathroom access to transgender students. The veto came as a huge surprise and the story developing is that it came about because Gov. Dennis Daugaard met with a group of transgender students who explained to him how the bill would negatively effect them.

It's an old story which should be repeated whose lesson should always be taken to heart. We must be public, take a stand, demand respect from our legislators and the most of all, the right to tell our stories. A group not silenced cannot be defined by its enemies:

South Dakota Governor Vetoes Restriction on Transgender Bathroom Access

South Dakota governor vetoes transgender bathroom bill, saying it 'invites conflict and litigation'

In other news:

'Groundbreaking' Discrimination Lawsuits Brought On Behalf Of Gay Workers - This is happening under the radar but the potential of a victory for us is enormous. 

Senate guts RFRA bill; future of controversial measure in doubt - And it looks like West Virginia's anti-gay "religious freedom" bill just hit a hard brick wall.

 Cruz announces anti-LGBT ‘religious liberty’ council - The Legion of Homophobia has returned. 

Christian leader: Trump reveals that progressives were right about evangelicals all along - Truer words were never spoken . . .

Video - 12 Openly Gay Oscar Winners

Unlike some folks, I feel there are more important things to be angry about other than Sam Smith's verbal gaffes at the recent Oscar ceremony, such as the fact that he is only 23 and NOW owns an Oscar. On the contrary, his comments provide an excellent excuse to remind folks about openly gay Oscar winners, like on the following video courtesy of Buzzfeed:

SCOTUS again kicks fraudulent 'ex-gay' therapy to the curb

The religious right isn't happy with the Supreme Court today. According to the Human Rights Campaign:

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court again refused to hear a challenge to New Jersey’s law protecting LGBTQ youth from the fraudulent and dangerous practice of so-called “conversion therapy.” Republican Governor Chris Christie signed this important legislation into law in August of 2013. The Court’s action leaves in place the decision of the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upholding the law’s constitutionality. Last May, the Supreme Court declined to review a separate challenge to the same law, and in June of 2014, the Court refused to hear similar challenges to California’s law protecting youth from “conversion therapy.” California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon and the District of Columbia have all passed laws protecting LGBTQ minors from  “conversion therapy,” and more than 20 states have introduced similar legislation this year. Following an executive action from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, New York is also adopting regulations to protect youth from “conversion therapy.”

 . . . “Conversion therapy,” sometimes referred to as “sexual orientation change efforts” or “reparative therapy,” are practices that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. These practices are based on the false premise that being LGBTQ is a mental illness that needs to be cured, a theory that has been rejected by every major medical and mental health organization for decades. There is no credible evidence that “conversion therapy” can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. To the contrary, research has clearly shown that these practices pose devastating health risks for LGBTQ young people. Use of these dangerous practices lead to depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, homelessness, and even suicidal behavior, which is why they are universally criticized by the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and American Medical Association.

Naturally, members of the religious right have tried to spin this defeat into a bad one for families instead of a defeat of homophobia. American Family Association's One News Now posted an "article" containing only one person quoted, Liberty Counsel head Matt Staver.

'Anti-gay religious liberty bills have huge weakness' & other Tue. midday news briefs

Nathan Deal, David Ralston form an alliance over ‘religious liberty’ bill - Georgia's governor is getting spooked about the state's anti-gay religious liberty bill. 

The growing corporate backlash to Georgia’s ‘religious liberty’ bill - And this is why. The anti-gay right have not created an effective way to combat corporate backlashes to these bills. It's their weakness. 

 Italian court recognises same sex adoption - Good for Italy!!  

When Kids Say They’re Trans, They’re Better Off If Their Parents Listen - Same song, just different group. When lgbt children in general get support from their parents, it does them a WORLD of good.  

Franklin Graham Boycotts Girl Scouts Cookies As Part Of Anti-LGBT Crusade - Picking on the Girl Scouts. Oh how Christian of you, Frankie.  

School Finally Asks Anti-Gay Students to Stop Wearing Anti-Gay Badges, 'For Now' - BEFORE the religious right and supporters start crying about a violation of the First Amendment, you should know that this situation ceased to become a First Amendment issue when students began using these badges to specifically harass lgbt students. No First Amendment right for that.

15 African-American bisexuals changing the world

Travon Free

As we wind down February and Black History Month, let's not forget a group of the lgbt community who really don't get as much attention as they deserve.

From Unicorn Booty:

Faith Cheltenham

The list of famous African-Americans who are believed to have been bisexual include Malcolm X, Jean-Michel Basquiat, James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, and “Empress of the Blues” Bessie Smith.

A number of notable African-Americans still living have alluded to their bisexuality though they don’t publicly embrace the bisexual label. For example novelist Alice Walker, who is quoted as saying, “I’m curious. I’m open to the spirit of a person whether that’s a man or a woman or whoever, that’s not what’s important to me. What’s important is the spirit.” 

Rapper Frank Ocean in 2012 posted the emotionally revealing story of the loving relationship he’d had with a man, and later responded in an interview to the question, “So do you consider yourself bisexual?” in part with, “…just take what I give you. You ain’t got to pry beyond that. I’m giving you what I feel like you can feel. The other shit, you can’t feel. You can’t feel a box. You can’t feel a label.”

Orlando Jordan

Activist Dr. Ibrahim Farajajé has identified as bisexual at times but according to a LGBT Religious Archives Network’s bio, he “prefers no label other than that he’s a ‘full human being’ that embraces all.”

Alternately, in a New York Times Magazine article, Lee Daniels — the producer of the film Monster’s Ball and the director of Precious — is quoted as saying, “I’d prefer to be bisexual, but I don’t think any woman is going to accept me being with a man. I had to choose. And I did. But there’s a deep connection with me and women.” 

Unicorn Booty has a list of 15 notable African-American bisexuals. Check it out.

'Seattle anti-transgender protest backfires big time' & other Mon midday news briefs

Sam Smith wins Oscar, makes error in speech, lgbts declare war.

Editor's note - Lighten up on Sam Smith. So he made a serious faux pas in lgbt history when accepting his Oscar. The criticism he is receiving from some seems to be from that same mindset that says when a celebrity comes out, he or she is automatically a perfect spokesperson for lgbt equality. By that same note, not every lgbt celebrity know their gay history. Perhaps if we spent more time educating our folks on the entirety of lgbt history instead of being catty when someone gets something wrong

No, Transgender Protections Do Not Justify Men In Women’s Restrooms. A State Agency Just Said So. - Chronicle of an anti-transgender protest which backfired big time. 

 Meet The People Fighting Homophobia And Transphobia In Africa - The bravest of them all are those who fight for what's right even though it may cost them their lives. THESE brothers and sisters in Africa are amongst those people.  

Sam Smith's vague, inaccurate Oscars acceptance speech was a missed opportunity - Sam Smith wins an Oscar, makes a serious error, isn't eloquent or doesn't mention some folks specifically, and the community gets bitchy. See my comment above. I don't blame Smith, but the vicious infatuation with celebrity which grips my fellow lgbts.  

Trump Once Again Embraces Anti-Gay, Anti-Catholic Pastor Robert Jeffress - Lie down with dogs . . . never mind. I won't insult dogs.  

Va. Senate approves religious freedom bill - Siiiigh. Indiana learned, Georgia is learning. Virginia gon' learn.