Conservative columnist exploiting monkeypox to stigmatize LGBTQ community

They simply cannot help themselves. 

From The Advocate:

A conservative columnist is being taken to task for a stigmatizing tweet about monkeypox vaccines. Bethany S. Mandel, who has spoken out against COVID-19 mask mandates and other public health measures, tweeted Monday about people lined up for the MPV vaccine in Brooklyn, N.Y., saying the virus is transmitted only by “sex with strangers.” 

That’s not true. The following is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “The virus can spread from person-to-person through: direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids; respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex; touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids; pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.”

The article also said

The current outbreak, which has resulted in 1,814 confirmed U.S. cases by the CDC’s latest count, has been concentrated among men who have sex with men, but public health authorities have stressed that MPV does not discriminate. “Infectious disease knows no boundaries,” Dr. Raj Panjabi, senior director for global health security at the White House, told The Advocate recently, noting that there should be no stigma attached to the virus.

 Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, made a similar point in an Advocate interview. “Unfortunately, the virus hit the social network of gay men first, but it will not stay confined to gay men if it spreads,” he said. “Anyone can get it, and anyone can get monkeypox through skin contact with sores, touching objects, and by respiratory. The virus does not discriminate and doesn’t care how or whose body it enters.”

Many in the LGBTQ community have pointed out how certain people and groups are attempting to exploit monkeypox to stigmatize our community in the same manner which happened during the AIDS crisis. Bethany Mandel seems to be doing her best to justify those fears. I doubt she will be the only one. And if others show themselves, they will get handled like she did in the thread.

'Controversial Log Cabin Republican state president resigns from VA LGBTQ+ Advisory Board' & other Mon midday news briefs

Casey Flores

Embattled Gay Va. LGBTQ+ Advisory Board Member Casey Flores Resigns​ - People like him we don't need, as the comments he made proves:

 “We’ve made it in America — gays have,” Flores said. “This is the greatest country in the world to be gay in. But maybe there are some things here and there that need to be ironed out.” “We owe a debt of gratitude to the gay left for fighting so hard for marriage, adoption rights, and not being able to be fired for being gay,” he said. “I really wish that they would enjoy the fruits of their labor, but a lot of people on the gay left act like they’re oppressed, and they’re doing it from the nicest condos in the nicest neighborhoods in the nicest cities, and they’re saying ‘it’s still a terrible place to live.’ That’s what’s confusing to me.” 

 In the words of Florence from 'The Jeffersons' - "How come we overcame but nobody told me." 

“I'm a furry animal”: How a Florida hearing on health care became a dangerous feedback loop for anti-trans hoaxes and hate - If DeSantis gets anywhere near the Oval Office, even hiding in closets won't protect us. 

Federal judge temporarily blocks Biden administration from protecting transgender students and workers in 20 states - Just in case you didn't hear about THIS particular travesty. 

Charles Barkley delivers a message to homophobes: ‘F-you!’ - Sometimes the simplest messages are the best.

Christofascism - get used to that word because you will be hearing a lot more about it

    America's future if certain people have their way.

People are starting to realize that attacks on the LGBTQ community all of these years was only the small part of a larger attempt to push America in a far-right conservative evangelical direction. Or in other words, towards the direction of  dominionist theology - a belief which states that America is a Christian nation which should be governed by a conservative evangelical interpretation of the Bible

It's a polite way of saying 'Christofascism.'  I would suggest that folks get used to that term because we will be hearing it a lot in the future. For one thing, people are questioning recent rulings of the Supreme Court in terms of how they could be weakening the wall between church and state.

And then there are these folks in the video below:

If this doesn’t scare you, I don’t know what will. Christofascist indoctrination ceremony: pic.twitter.com/gQZ9KdwsMU

— Nick Knudsen 🇺🇸 (@NickKnudsenUS) July 13, 2022

According to Newsweek: 

A video of a church event in Georgia has gone viral as it showed a congregation vow to save the United States and take the country "back" during a 4 minute-long declaration. The video, which has been viewed more than 1 million times on Twitter, was taken during a FlashPoint Live Church event on July 1 at the Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia. 

The speakers for the event included preacher Gene Bailey, evangelical leader Lance Wallnau, preacher Mario Murillo and pastor Hank Kunneman. In the video, a group of men on stage recite the "Watchman Decree" and the churchgoers eventually also join in. The decree states that believers have been given "legal power from heaven" to exercise their authority and declares "America's executive branch of government will honor God and defend the Constitution." It also adds that Congress will only write laws that are "righteous and constitutional."

This viral video comes at a time of growing Christian nationalism in the U.S. Politicians like Republican Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Lauren Boebert of Colorado have welcomed this trend. The declaration concludes with those reciting it proclaiming that the U.S. will be saved and that the country will be taken back.

 "We know this country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles," the group said in the final parts of the prayer declaration. "We know the truth; therefore we stand for truth and will NEVER be deceived. We will NEVER stop fighting! We will NEVER, EVER, EVER give up or give in. We WILL take our country back. We WILL honor the ONE TRUE GOD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! AMERICA SHALL BE SAVED!"

'Trump is going down and he is taking evangelicals with him' & other Fri midday news briefs

Trump Is Going Down and He Is Taking Evangelicals with Him​ - Mercy, if wishes were horses! 

These countries are perfectly happy to let LGBTQ discrimination happen even though they ban it - We are included on the list. 

Families With Trans Kids Are Fleeing Hostile States for Welcoming Ones - I hate that it's come to this, but as long as they are safe. 

A clear-eyed defense of pregnant trans men and nonbinary people became right-wing media's latest excuse to push intolerance - But of course. It's what they do.

Republicans have 'plans' for the LGBTQ - especially the transgender - community if they take over Congress

This ain't pretty but it's not meant to be a reason to declare defeat. We have two options -vote like mad and plan to fight just in case they do take over.

But declaring defeat should never be an option. 

From Reuters:

U.S. Republicans in Congress are lining up behind legislation that critics say would roll back protections for transgender people, setting a playbook for action on a divisive social issue should they take control of Congress this fall. The bills have no chance of becoming law this year, as Democrats narrowly control both chambers of Congress. 

But they are a sign that Republicans aim to elevate a battle over transgender rights that has so far largely played out at the state level. Republicans in the House of Representatives have introduced a bill that would block federal funding to colleges where transgender women are allowed to participate in sports with cisgender women. A separate bill would allow transgender people to sue medical personnel who helped them transition as minors. 

 And of course the rest of us shouldn't feel left out. The GOP is cooking something especially nasty for us in a federal approval of statewide 'Don't Say Gay' laws like the one in Florida: 

 Another bill would block funding to schools that disobey state laws regarding "materials harmful to minors," mimicking state laws that have been used to remove books discussing history around race and LGBT themes. The bills have support from key Republicans in the House and Senate. Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has promoted the sports bill at a press conference and in a conservative newspaper. It is backed by 127 of 211 House Republicans. 

 In the Senate, five Republicans have sponsored a version of the bill targeting medical providers, including Senators Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley and Marco Rubio. Republicans would be in a position to advance those bills next year if they win control of the House or the Senate in the Nov. 8 midterm elections, which analysts say is likely.

We are just going to have see what happens and particularly be prepared for anything. Personally I think all of this attention to extreme far-right positions on issues like LGBTQ rights and abortion is going to end up blowing up in their faces.

The scary thing to contemplate is how much damage will be done before that desired result takes place.

Related post - Yale researchers condemn Florida's misleading and flawed report used to deny gender-affirming care to Medicaid users

'Eight midterm races crucial for the future of LGBTQ+ Americans' & other Thur midday news briefs

8 Midterm Races Crucial for the Future of LGBTQ+ Americans - Pay attention and write it down. This is important.

GOP Congressman sued for implying opponent is gay in vile campaign mailers​ - Messy. 

Yale researchers condemn Florida's misleading and flawed report used to deny gender-affirming care to Medicaid users - My post from last night. Kind of important. 

Social media platforms aren't doing enough to keep LGBTQ people safe, group says - No they aren't.

Summer of love: LGBTQ people across sports tie the knot and get engaged - Awwww! This is sweet!

Yale researchers condemn Florida's misleading and flawed report used to deny gender-affirming care to Medicaid users

Due to the political desires of its governor, Ron DeSantis, Florida has been raging against the transgender community. It's latest goal is to deny gender affirming care for Medicaid users. On Friday of last week, a biased hearing was held on the matter 

According to the Sun Sentinel:

Friday’s meeting drew more than 150 people, with supporters of the proposed rule — many of them sporting “Let Kids Be Kids” decals and making biblical references — vastly outnumbering opponents. Speakers supporting the proposal included a Baptist minister, members of the Florida Citizens Alliance, the head of the Christian Family Coalition, the founder of the Florida Prayer Network, a representative of the Florida Federation of Republican Women and a man carrying a giant American flag on a pole.

It's the same as the marriage equality fight. If you will remember, opponents of marriage equality were very successful in rallying supporters and seizing headlines. But this success always withered away when facts by noted experts were brought in. Apparently this fight is no different.

Today, a group of researchers from Yale University announced their review of Florida's justification to deny gender affirming care to Medicaid users. And it was not pretty. 

As Florida policymakers pursue state-level restrictions on transgender care, legal and medical experts from Yale Law School, the Yale School of Medicine’s Child Study Center and Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern, and University of Alabama at Birmingham have released a new report that identifies and refutes the many unscientific claims behind the effort. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration’s (AHCA) June 2 Report alleges that nationally accepted standard medical care for gender dysphoria does not meet generally accepted medical standards for Medicaid coverage. A team of seven scientists and a law professor argue the State of Florida’s position is “thoroughly flawed and lacking scientific weight.” 

 The report, “A Critical Review of the June 2022 Florida Medicaid Report on the Medical Treatment of Gender Dysphoria,” represents the first comprehensive examination of Florida’s June 2 Report, which the authors contend is a misleading document intended to justify denying Florida Medicaid coverage for gender dysphoria treatment. Nothing in Florida’s June 2 Report calls into question the scientific foundations of standard medical care for gender dysphoria, according to the authors.

According to the Yale Law School press release, the researchers listed in the report and in a July 2 public letter four ways in which The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration’s (AHCA)'s report was inaccurate: