Did Trump shut down HIV cure study to appease religious right stance on fetal tissue?

Trump has done the LGBTQ community dirty again.

Editor's note - my apology for no news briefs today. Had to take care of some internal blogging issues.

According to LGBTQNation:

Scientists are speaking out against a directive by the Trump administration that has shut down research into a cure for HIV. 

A scientist who was supposed to supply mice that have been modified with human fetal tissue for an HIV study emailed researchers that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) “has directed me to discontinue procuring fetal tissue.” 

“This effectively stops all of our research to discover a cure for HIV,” he wrote.
A “pause” on research that uses aborted fetal tissue, something Christian conservatives strongly oppose, was announced by the Trump administration this past September. The move will affect numerous biomedical research programs. 

Congressional Republicans have tried to ban all fetal tissue research for years to appease the religious right. 85 Republican House members wrote a letter to the head of the FDA asking for a ban on fetal tissue research shortly before the “pause” was announced.

The entire article should be read and remembered. When the walls do finally coming crashing in on Trump's time in the White House, we really need to make sure that the religious right is somewhere very close in the vicinity.

Celebrities who came out in 2018

With all due respect, I have no patience with those who whine about what's with making a big deal when a celebrity comes out of the closet. I'm too busy thinking of the wasted time I had being fearful of coming out, the relationships I missed, or the dances, semi-formals, and dates I could have had if I had been a bit more courageous.

 I say "hush and let those of us who know what it's all about enjoy it." Granted the list above probably isn't as thorough as it should be, but it's a start of something me and mine wish for - a time when we won't be needing videos like this because coming out will be no big deal. Because there will be no risk.

'Kevin Hart controversy perfect time for debate about homophobia in black community' & other Fri midday news briefs

Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart Says He’s Stepped Down From Oscar Hosting Gig Amid Controversy Over Old Tweets - It's the BIG controversy and folks are divided. However, I have something to say a bit different but equally important:

I don't feel comfortable with old tweets and the like being dug up to smear someone or throw dirt on their success. It strikes me as petty and ugly. But I am more disappointed how folks - particularly the black community - are not taking advantage of this situation to discuss homophobia in the black community. I refuse to believe that the black community is more homophobic than other communities, but there are aspects of bigotry within which get ignored.  There is the threat of physical violence, which is present in every community. But indigenous to the black community are covert nuances.  If the situation encompassed white people, everyone's mindset would be about LGBTQs  Hart made those jokes about, particularly the part about him not wanting a gay child. But since it involves black folks, no one seems to notice or care to talk about the specific damage Kevin Hart and those defending him are doing to black gay youth.

From the words and tweets of some folks in the black community defending Kevin Hart, not only are black gay youth being told that wishes against their existence are mere jokes but also defending those making these statements is necessary. And one of the reasons is the problem of racism. Any dig against Hart is a dig against a successful black man from the larger oppressive system, even if the dig began because the black man downed his own people. This is simply because some in the black community refuse to see LGBTQs of color as a vital part of the community in general, except for in ways they define us. And this definition entails an erasure or minimization of our LGBTQ identities.

Some black brothers and sisters are our best friends and claim to have "no problem" with us, until we challenge their notions and beliefs about gender roles and sexuality in the black community. They especially get angry when we demand the respect we are due as LGBTQs of color instead of "black people who just happen to be gay or whatever."

Sister: Step-dad killed 'gay' boy, 10, by dropping him on his head 10 times - Another aspect is this. Some parents are in fact very determined not to have gay children. 

Virginia school fires teacher for not respecting a transgender student - unfortunately this isn't the last we will probably here of this from the religious right. but unlike other situations, the LGBTQ community is on top of this so we will be able to meet whatever distortions groups like the Family Research Council will spin about it. And of course they have already started.  

Janelle Monáe’s Powerful Response To Grammys Nomination For Album Of The Year - Let's end these news briefs on a happy note. My sister, my sister! Congratulations my sister!

'Trump's Favorite Things' - Randy Rainbow brutally satirizes Trump again

For all the garbage from Trump and his supporters say about him being a "counter puncher," I've noticed that one person he doesn't dare mix with is Randy Rainbow. And Randy Rainbow has been wrecking him with brilliant satirical songs ever since he came into office. Such as this newest one.

Of course this probably means that Trump isn't as dumb as he is letting on. If he took on Randy Rainbow in a war of words, he would probably end up figuratively flat on his back as soon as it began.

'Anti-LGBTQ industry angry over re-evaluation of flawed anti-trans study' & other Thur midday news briefs

Anti-LGBTQ media and groups have been crying "censorship" as flawed research on trans teens is re-evaluated - Someone came out with a flawed anti-transgender study on teens. A lot of us broke down the flaws (it relied on studies from anti-trans websites), causing the study to be re-evaluated AND members of the anti-LGBTQ industry are whining about "censorship." Awww poor babies. You mad? Stay mad! 

Indiana school banned Gay-Straight Alliance from saying ‘gay’ and ‘LGBT’ - How about "superior awesome folks?" Seriously though thank you ACLU for filing this lawsuit and standing up for our LGBTQ kids.

 'Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters' chosen for inclusion in The Advocate 'Best of 2018' - The post from this morning which I am spotlighting again because it's SUCH wonderful news for this blog. However I will not shy from doing the work which makes this blog a success. No celebration free day today (although I will be listening to Beyonce's 'Formation' from time to time).  

A man who helped kidnap a lesbian’s daughter blames it all on Obama - AND he is going to jail. I haven't forgotten about this tragedy of a case. And the mother still hasn't been reunited with her daughter.

'Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters' chosen for inclusion in The Advocate 'Best of 2018'

When I began this blog in 2006, I simply wanted to call attention to how the anti-LGBTQ industry was harming the LGBTQ community with their usage of lies, junk science, and cherry-picked science.

I never thought that it would receive a great amount of success and attention both nationally and internationally. I never thought that it would even reach one million hits, to say nothing of over six million. I never thought it would receive a GLAAD Media Award out of three nominations.

And I certainly never expected this honor:

Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters was chosen for inclusion

 in 'Best of 2018' issue of The Advocate.

I feel blessed whenever all of the hard work put into this blog is recognized. I feel equally blessed because of all of the support I've received over the years from all of you. For that, I say THANK YOU.

This blog is a work created out of anger, frustration, righteous indignation, and lots of tears. Its origins are from many locales, including my childhood, the loneliness of my dorm room and fraternity house at Winthrop University, and especially the Harriet Hancock Community Center here in Columbia, SC

But the work continues. It always does.

 It's my hope that every honor and accolade gives this blog and its focus much needed attention. There is a war going on against LGBTQ equality and it has been for several decades now. Via a facade of religion, evangelical right-wing organizations and personalities have pitted the LGBTQ community and heterosexual people of all faiths against one another by exploiting the Bible, egos, stereotypes, fears, and prejudices.

While claiming to be the preservers of faith, groups like the Family Research Council, the Alliance Defending Freedom, the Heritage Foundation, the American Family Association, etc have freely pushed propaganda making it seem that the LGBTQ community is evil and unhealthy, that we aren't deserving of equality, that we constantly plot to destroy religion, and recruit children.

And it is a lie which needs to be addressed, called out, and picked apart for the nonsense that it is. That's what this blog has done for over 12 years. And that is what this blog will continue to do.

To the right are several of my best posts (The Best of Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters Parts1 and 2) over the years detailing and refuting anti-LGBTQ propaganda. They are a cornucopia of information about anti-LGBTQ hate groups, religious right organizations, and their homophobic propaganda.

In addition, check out 'How They See Us: Unmasking the Religious Right War on Gay America.'  It's a free online booklet I published in 2013.


The 'Best of 2018' issue of The Advocate should be out already.  Buy a copy and check out The Advocate online.

Trump Administration refuses to release any information, records about 'religious liberty' task force

The Trump Administration has so many controversies and scandals that it's difficult to keep a count of them all. But the LGBTQ community should recognize the following controversy as one which could reap benefits if we make enough noise about it.

From MetroWeekly:

The Trump administration has refused to release information or records related to its “Religious Liberty Task Force” in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by BuzzFeed News.

The task force, announced in August, was created by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions to address religious liberty issues, who argued there was a “dangerous movement” threatening people of faith in this country.

Members of the task force, or advisors to it, are believed to include figures or prominent organizations from within the religious right, including several that oppose LGBTQ rights.

 . . .  Since the announcement of the task force, BuzzFeed and other news outlets have sought information on which groups will be included in the task force or consulted as it attempts to craft certain policies or legislations. But the Trump administration has refused to identify those groups that are serving in an advisory role.

 . . .  And the task force’s actions are under particular scrutiny since the resignation of Sessions, who served as its chair, and the appointment of interim Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, who has his own history of anti-LGBTQ statements and activism.

The LGBTQ community is not naive. We know that this bogus task force is merely another way for Trump to stay on the good side of the Family Research Council, the Alliance Defending Freedom, and other anti-LGBTQ religious conservatives and personalities.  And particularly in light of the news that former ADF spokesperson Kerri Kupec will now serve as spokesperson at the Justice Department, the Trump Administration's attempt to keep secret any information about the task force is a question we should be loudly demanding an answer about.