'Ex-gay ministries lose their 'father,' gays still here & intact' & other Mon midday news briefs

Frank Worthen, the 'father' of ex-gay ministries, dies.  Lgbts reportedly still here.

The ‘Father’ of Ex-gay Ministry Dies - Never met this guy. I don't think I ever wrote about him. But it is important to note the harm that he did and that while he is gone, WE are still here and mostly intact. 

This Supreme Court Case Could Affect Trans Lives for Generations - Laverne Cox mentioned the name "Gavin Grimm" last night during the Grammys. This is the story of that brave young man.

 The U.S. Department of Justice Just Rolled Back Protections for Trans Students - Don't even THINK that we aren't noticing this quiet but deadly movement against our transgender children. 

 New studies show how discrimination harms people with same-sex orientations - Of course when and IF the religious right cites these studies, they will naturally omit the part about discrimination.  

Price confirmation to HHS dismays LGBT advocates - Just in case you missed it, we got another one to be wary of besides DeVos and Sessions.

Everything about Adele's tribute to George Michael, including the start over, was legendary

Editor's note - This site can't be political all the time. It would drive you all crazy.

Adele's tribute to George Michael at the Grammys last night was very appropriate, particularly the part when she stopped the performance and began again. When a gay singing idol is paying tribute to a gay icon,  there was too much power in the air.

'Statewide bills aim to impede lgbt rights' & other Fri. midday news briefs

First, a little levity.  Compare the two.  A positive rap song about the lgbt community

vs. a negative rap song. And yes, I am biased so guess who I think wins.



In other news: 

 Betsy DeVos Poses Immediate Danger To LGBT Students - Yes she does, so that's another thing we have to be vigilant about. 

Deluge of new state bills would curtail LGBT rights - Siiiiigh! Bring them on, suckas! 

 Your religious liberty doesn’t give you the right to steal my queer tax dollars - Speaking of which, a semi-original piece in the Huffington Post by moi emphasizing the fact that lgbts pay taxes and will not disrespected by "religious liberty" laws. And I'm going to keep stressing this point repeatedly.

 A School Cancelled A Visit From A Transgender Author Because It Was "Inappropriate" - It's nasty junk like this which sends a subtle but deadly message to our lgbt children that they are not welcomed in today's society. I hate this #@!&!

Religious right group allowing anti-Semitic comments to slip in 'news' site

Unbelievable.

Maybe the American Family Association is so desperate for Trump to sign an anti-lgbt "religious freedom" executive order that the organization is slipping in monitoring the comments on its One News Now site.

Whatever the case may be, I'm more amazed than shocked that whoever monitors the comments on that site let the following slip through under one of its "articles," AFA: Time is now for EO on religious freedom:
:

I assume Kushner is Jewish and Ivanka converted? There's your answer. There is a huge Jewish backing to the LGBT agenda. And an almost inherent suspicion and hatred of anything Christian in the public forum.

That's why his Jewish relatives are urging him to NOT do what he promised. Jews don't have to read or adhere to the Christian bible. They merely need to read their OWN on that subject. It's quite clear in the Torah what God thinks of homosexuality. But then, like many Christian churches, Jewish synagogues are less about DOING what their Torah says from the heart, and more about DOING the social gospel thing - "good works" weighing more than a heart turned to God. The Jewish community has taken the "works" aspect of their religion to the extreme and to the point of anti-Christian activity, and anti-American subversion for decades. It's true. Even if ONN is too afraid to admit it. Heck, American JEWS are more often against Israel itself and apologists for Palestinian terrorism.

So much for Judeo-Christian values.

Related post - Your religious liberty doesn’t give you the right to steal my queer tax dollars

'Trump caught between religious right, lgbt communities' & other Thur. midday news briefs



Conservative Christian organizations are getting impatient with Trump - Hardly noticed by the media is the conundrum facing Donald Trump when it comes to the religious right and the lgbt community. Allow me to break it down in my inimitable style. It's all figurative but I think you will get the point: Behind Donald Trump is the religious right roughly shoving him forward saying "we got you the White House so now you need to do what we demand. Sign that executive order and push hard for other things which would make discrimination against 'homosexuals' legal on a religious basis. OR ELSE!" In front of Trump stands the lgbt community wearing bathrobes and curlers, one hand on hip and the other hand holding either thick rolling pins or pots of boiling hot grits. And they are saying "yeah Donald, you go ahead and do that."
 

Texas lawmaker mocks ‘dudes in dresses getting beat up’ - Dear Texas lawmaker, making fun of the transgender community does NOTHING to quell rumors that you yourself are gay. So perhaps you stop doing it.

Incredible 50-Part Docuseries Explores The Lives Of Queer Men Of Color In NYC - I love it! BUT if I can be just a tad picky, let's not focus too much on just on NYC. People tend to forget the culture of gay men of color down South.

This Man Wants Gay Sikhs To Know It’s OK To Come Out - This is wonderful!

Democrats propose new bills to repeal HB2, extend LGBT protections - Keep your fingers crossed.

Family Research Council forsakes the Bible, embraces misdirection to support Trump's refugee ban

The Family Research Council abandons 'The Good Samaritan' parable in defense of Trump.

Eager to not lose it's "golden goose in the White House,"   the Family Research Council has forsaken any notions of religious propriety by not even attempting to act as Trump's conscience when he pushes for outlandish things such as his recent refugee ban

Instead, the organization is acting as cheerleader for Trump, even sidestepping the Bible it supposedly holds as a standard.

FRC president Tony Perkins had this to say in a recent Washington Update:

While Obama may have capped certain refugees, he showed unusual hospitality to populations who pose the greatest threats to the U.S. President Trump is determined to change that, putting the brakes on the immigration process until a better, safer vetting protocol is in place. But since Trump issued the order in late January, liberals have been in hyper-drive trying to discredit the idea, which -- ironically -- was based on security reviews conducted by President Obama's own team. Unfortunately, the Left just can't seem to wrap its mind around Trump's protective measures when their only national security doctrine seems to be "inclusivity" and "sensitivity."

That's also the cry of the religious Left. Since Syrian refugees started streaming into America, some liberals tried to use Scripture to suggest we should let anyone and everyone into the country. Of course, these are the same people who claim we're trying to impose a theocracy when we advocate for laws that uphold basic and historical standards of morality. Still, there seems to be a growing chorus of believers who justify these open-door policies on immigration with the Bible's command to "love the stranger."

I agree -- we should love the stranger, but there's no suggestion in the Bible that we should jeopardize our own security and well-being to do so. There are plenty of charitable solutions for refugees that don't involve bringing them to America and letting them abuse our hospitality for ill-intent. Our nation can be caring and benevolent without unnecessarily endangering our own people. What many forget is that loving the stranger is just one component of Scripture's teaching. God also commands foreigners to assimilate and keep the laws of the land. As Exodus 12:49 makes clear: "There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you." The United States' goal should be a safe haven for everyone. And that means protecting the America's welcoming reputation without sacrificing our systems and safety.

That sounds reasonable, until one realizes that Perkins is spinning a huge distortion.

'Poll: anti-lgbt 'religious liberty' laws are NOT popular with most Americans' & other Wed midday news briefs

According to one poll, anti-lgbt 'religious liberty' laws are not popular.

Most Americans don’t want “religious freedom” laws that allow anti-LGBT discrimination - This is HUGE and needs to be repeated. According to a  Public Religion Research Institute poll, 61 percent of respondents, do not, repeat, DO NOT want religious liberty laws. This doesn't mean that the fight over these abominations of laws is over, but it DOES mean we hold the good cards. 

Taxpaying lgbts shouldn't sacrifice rights to 'religious liberty' propaganda - And I REALLY want to emphasize the piece I posted last night. The lgbt community needs to hold firm on this fact. We pay taxes and our money shouldn't be given to entities who will have a free pass to discriminate against us. In addition, federal employees are also paid by our tax dollars, so if they won't serve us like they do other Americans, they need to be let go. No apologies. No deviation from that line. It's our money, dammit and there isn't a thing wrong with demanding that if we pay taxes, we should be treated like other taxpaying Americans.  

DeVos confirmed despite concerns over anti-LGBT donations - And the fact that when it becomes to education, she doesn't know her knee from her elbow. We will be watching her.  

Why Obamacare repeal would be devastating to people with HIV - Meanwhile, let's also put attention on stopping any attempts to repeal Obamacare/ACA. It would hurt a lot of people, including our community.  

Dave Daubenmire: Illuminati Tricked Americans Into Watching Lady Gaga’s ‘Celebration Of Satan’ At The Super Bowl - Okay, who talked? Geez, gay men cannot keep a secret!