Family Research Council says it will look into false claim made against EEOC's Chai Feldblum

Chai Feldblum

One of the main reasons for the success of a lot of these dreary "religious liberty" bills, ordinances, etc. is how the anti-gay right consistently brands the Obama Administration as anti-Christian.

Take, for example, part of this email I received last night from the Family Research Council:

So when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) announced today that it wants to strike a balance between sexual orientation and religious liberty, those of us closest to the issue understand how impossible that is. "Gays win; Christians lose." Those were the words of the White House's own Chai Feldblum. An open lesbian, Feldblum has been candid about the LGBT agenda and its impact on faith. When homosexuality clashes with religious liberty, she was clear: "I'm having a hard time coming up with any case in which religious liberty should win."

The claim that Feldblum, of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission uttered the words "gays wins, Christians lose" has been repeated by many religious right and conservative groups.

And - surprise, surprise - it's simply not true.   The meme was refuted in 2009 by Media Matters. Unfortunately, however, anti-gay groups kept repeating the story.

In 2012, this blog broke the story as to how this meme was brought to life.

'Pat Robertson: don't attend your gay child's wedding' & other Thursday midday news briefs

Pat Robertson Urges Parents Not To Attend Their Gay Child's Wedding - Pat Robertson's mouth should have a warning sticker emblazoned on it which reads: "contents  will be hazardous to your health, frame of mind, sanity, general well-being, intelligence, etc. etc."  Plainly speaking, even if I happened to be a major homophobe and my child was gay I am STILL going to the wedding COMPLETE with my best "oh no you don't" look for anyone who would dare to stand up when the preacher asks "if anyone objects to this wedding . ."

 'Bathroom bill' to block transgender ordinances passes first hurdle - Oh come on, people!! This is going to be so embarrassing in the future when our descendants discuss how people attempted to keep transgender men and women from using the bathroom in peace. 

Ben Carson’s Carefully Worded Non-Apology On Offensive Prison Rape Remarks - Darn! He apologized too quickly. I prefer stubborn-to-the-point-of-stupidity conservatives. 

Far-Right Pundit: We Need An Anti-Gay Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. - Why stop there? How about a blood-thirsty Mahatma Gandhi or a anti-science Albert Einstein. Perhaps a tacky Coco Chanel? 

 Psychology Today Changes Its Position On Conversion Therapy Ads - THANK YOU! Next time, don't put up such a fight to do the reasonable thing.  

Gay ex-ballplayer has the perfect response to Christian player’s criticism of his ‘lifestyle’ - I applaud Billy Bean for taking the high road here, but I have two questions. What exactly is the "gay lifestyle" because I have yet to get the memo. Also, how come heterosexuals have lives, but lgbts have "lifestlyes?"

Family Research Council's latest call to anti-gay discrimination would harm children

The Family Research Council has a special request which it sent via email:

In California, Massachusetts, Illinois, and D.C. religious adoption and foster care providers have had their government funding pulled and have been forced to end services, simply because they continue to believe in placing children with a mom and a dad.

That some states have preferred to sever longstanding partnerships with faith-based providers, making children wait longer for adoption rather than allow faith-based providers to continue caring for children, is a sad sign of the times.

This important legislation, sponsored by Congressman Mike Kelly in the House and Senator Mike Enzi in the Senate, will ensure that the interests of children are placed ahead of political correctness. Specifically, this bill will prohibit discrimination against faith-based child welfare service providers by the federal government and by states receiving federal funds for adoption and foster care services.
This bill will ensure that the maximum number of adoption and foster care providers can continue to advocate for children and will ensure that adoptive families can continue to work with a provider which shares their core beliefs.

Please contact your Representative and Senator and urge them to co-sponsor the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2015.

It never ceases to amaze me what levels of which FRC will stoop to push their point of view.  The organization is slyly portraying these religious adoption and foster care providers as victims by playing down the most important part of the controversy.

FRC claims that these agencies are being denied government funds "simply because they continue to believe in placing children with a mom and a dad."

That's sleight of hand way of saying that these agencies are being denied taxpayer monies because they discriminate against same-sex couples.

According to The Slate:

 . . . two congressional Republicans introduced the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act, which they claim is an effort to shield “adoption and foster care providers” from an “anti-faith bias.” This is a charming bit of doublespeak: The act’s real purpose is to nullify state-level laws that require child welfare services to let gay couples adopt children. In some states, religious adoption agencies have closed up shop rather than allow gay couples to adopt or foster children. According to the act’s sponsors, adoption agencies that take a courageous stand against gay adoption deserve federal protection.

 . . .  The Christian right rails on and on about its pro-child policies, insisting that its opposition to gay marriage arises from a concern for children. But if you look behind the patina, you’ll see that it’s conservatives themselves—not gay people or their allies—who are actually harming children. First, the Christian right imposed a harmful stigma on the otherwise healthy children of gay couples; now they’ve now staked the claim that they would rather keep kids in foster care than let them be adopted out to loving gay parents. Conservatives’ crusade for legalized bigotry, it seems, won’t stop at demeaning gay adults. They’ve now placed children directly in their crosshairs, too. 

In other words, it's not about what's best for children. To the Family Research Council, it is about giving gays a figurative kick in the chops . . . again.

Does video back up Ben Carson's claim regarding prisons and homosexuality?

Today Ben Carson ignited a firestorm when during a CNN interview when he claimed that men in prison proves homosexuality to be a "choice."

Carson may be getting mocked intensely for this claim, but I have found video footage may justify his assertion:



For those who haven't figured it out yet, this is what one calls "sarcasm."

 Do you really think I would actually defend anything which comes out of that man's mouth.

Carson is a perfect example of a brilliant man who let conservative adulation go so much to his head that he has transformed into a jackass who constantly brays for attention.

And unfortunately for him, he doesn't recognize his braying as the sounds of a jackass. He thinks they are intelligent thoughts which are verbalized into inspiring words.

Pretty soon, someone is going to have a call another neurosurgeon to fix whatever is in HIS head.

'Ben Carson facing deserved HEAT after insane comment about prison & homosexuality' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

Ben Carson: Being Gay Is 'Absolutely' A Choice, Because Prison (Video) - Due his absolutely INANE statement that prison proves that the lgbt orientation is a choice, I hereby dub Ben Carson as the 'Anti-Matter Obama." 

'Insane': What Experts Say About Dr. Ben Carson's Claim That Prison Turns Men Gay - And apparently I am not alone. I am going to love to read the religious right defend THIS mess.  

LGBT, Mormon groups in Utah to announce compromise anti-discrimination measure - I'll believe it when I see it.

 What You Need to Know About Anti-Trans Bathroom Bills - Laying the smack down on the war against the transgender community.  

Alabama Supreme Court Halts Same-Sex Marriage Without Clear Authority To Do So - In case you haven't heard about this monstrous ruling . . . ugh!

Why does the Family Research Council use bad & cherry-picked science to 'defend marriage?'

Tony Perkins, FRC has no problem using bad info to 'defend marriage'

Editor's note - I wrote this piece a while back on a badly done study, Ten Arguments from Social Science Against Same Sex Marriage on the Family Research Council's webpage. Seeing that the study remains on the group's webpage and is presently "trending," I thought it would be apropo to repost something on it. The purpose is to point out the sleight of hand in which the organization continues to get away with:

Ten Arguments From Social Science Against Same Sex Marriage  supposedly speaks against gay marriage. However, like so many other studies and pieces put out by FRC, there is a number of misdirections.

In the piece, Family Research Council is basing the argument against marriage equality on the claim that "children need both a mother and a father."

FRC makes the claim that lesbians household "raising children without a father" is wrong because according to them:

Among other things, we know that fathers excel in reducing antisocial behavior and delinquency in boys and sexual activity in girls.

And gay households "raising children without a mother" is wrong because:

fathers exercise a unique social and biological influence on their children. For instance, a recent study of father absence on girls found that girls who grew up apart from their biological father were much more likely to experience early puberty and a teen pregnancy than girls who spent their entire childhood in an intact family.

However, very little (if any at all) of the literature/studies FRC cites to make these conclusions have anything to do with same-sex households.

VIDEO: An storm of homophobic ignorance hit Charlotte City Council last night. Here is what we do about it

 Raw Story taped some of the most interesting testimonies from last night's meeting of the Charlotte City Council where the non-discrimination ordinance failed to pass. After viewing it (or if you don't want to, I understand), pan down because I have a serious question:



Now here is the question. This morning, I posted a graphic by Media Matters which refuted the lie about transgender women being restroom and changing room predators. The graphic included comments by officials in several cities which have transgender-inclusive non-discrimination ordinances and all of these folks have said that the meme about "transgender predators" is a lie and there have been no problems in their areas.

If you read this morning's post, did you copy and save the graphic? Did you send it out to friends, family, and folks who you felt needed to know this information? I would sincerely hope that at the very least, you didn't blow it off, assuming that knowledge like that is useless because too many people are willing to believe the stereotype.

Some folks did and I've been a little depressed all day because of it.

 There is no use in fighting for equality if you assume that everyone will believe lies or push you aside.

'Anti-gay activist harass transgender teen for simply using restroom' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

Conservative Activist L.Brent Bozell Predicts That Priests Will Be Arrested for Opposing Gay Marriage - Didn't these folks say the same thing about lgbt-inclusive hate crimes legislation, i.e. that pastors would be arrested in the pulpit for declaring homosexuality to be a sin? And just how many times did THAT happen? 

 Charlotte Kills Pro-LGBT Ordinance Because Bathrooms - Because of the lie that transgender men and women are predators who will attack women and children in bathrooms. As the next news brief proves, predators don't need any laws to do what they do. 

Anti-LGBT activists confront transgender teenager at Charlotte government center bathrooms - All I can say that if I was there . . . never mind. This junk just makes me so upset. It's one thing to attack the family but when that member is a child, I tend to see red BIG TIME.
  
Barber: Gay Marriage Will Be 'The Sledgehammer Used To Crush The Church' - One of these days, I am going to sit down and catalog ALL of the bad predictions anti-gay groups and their people made about the passage of pro-lgbt laws. And y'all KNOW that I will do it. I guess there is one good thing coming from this. It used to be that anti-gay spokespeople would say "exactly" why "homosexuality is harmful." I notice they don't do that anymore. Can it be that we have spooked them with our efforts to call out their specific lies? I like to think so.  

Popular Psychology Magazine Refuses To Ban 'Ex-Gay' Therapy Ads - I guess it will be running lobotomy ads next. 

 Without fanfare, Nebraska lifts ban on gay people being foster parents - Let's end today's news briefs with some good news because EVERY child has a RIGHT to a decent home which will provide them with love and support.

Let's address these anti-transgender bathroom myths head on

Last night, the city of Charlotte, NC failed to pass a non-discrimination ordinance. Unfortunately, had the ordinance passed, it would included exemptions for bathrooms and changing rooms, thereby sending a supremely negative message to our transgender brothers and sisters.

Rather than ruminate over how SOME folks (particularly anti-gay activist Flip Benham) choose to wear a cape and a giant "F" on their chests (I say for "fools" but you can feel free to pick out another word beginning with the letter "f"),  I think it would be better to use this morning's post to push some intense education on this nonsense about the transgender community and bathrooms.

Transgender-inclusive non-discrimination ordinances will NOT lead to predators coming into women's restrooms and bathrooms. In fact, that has never been a problem with other areas which do have transgender-inclusive non-discrimination ordinances.

But you do not have to take my word for it. The following graphic is courtesy of Media Matters:

What happened in Charlotte, unfortunately, has happened before and in other times and other groups of people.

Anita Bryant perpetuated the myth for political purposes that gay men want to "recruit" children. That lie continues to haunt the lgbt community

Racists opposed integration because they said it would lead to black men raping white women

Even now, some folks oppose immigration, claiming that immigrants bring diseases, crime, and in return take jobs away from native-born Americans.

It's sad when some folks appeal to unproven fears to get their points across. And when these folks commit these awful acts in the name of  God, it's even worse.

Related post:

15 Experts Debunk Right-Wing Transgender Bathroom Myth

Fake historian David Barton claims that AIDS is punishment for homosexuality, there will never be a vaccine

Maybe it's just me but I tend to think that if God has decided that there will never be a vaccine for AIDS, He would inform the scientists steadily working on it instead of religious right fake historian David Barton who is infamous for his lies, distortions, and tone deafness to basic facts:



I envision a bright future in which one day we will no longer be bamboozled by the fake argument of the so-called "persecution of Christians in America" and instead engage in a thorough discussion about how the religion has been taken over by fakes like Barton.

Hat tip to Right Wing Watch.

'We win in Nebraska, gay self-hatred, defiant homophobes' & other Monday midday news briefs

U.S. judge rules Nebraska same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional - Just in case y'all haven't heard . . . 

Contentious LGBT Non-Discrimination Ordinance Before City Council Tonight - Meanwhile, our hearts and prayers go out to our brothers and sisters in Charlotte, NC tonight because this meeting promises to be WILD! 

 HGTV’s “Never Were” Benham Brothers: We Turned A Gay Guy Straight By Giving Him Baseball Tickets - It's going to be wild partly because THESE TWO NUTS will be there. Ugh!  

SCOTUS Rejects CA Dispute Over Disclosing Donors To Anti-Gay Marriage Initiatives - Awwwwwww!  (THAT was sarcasm).

‘I’m not gay no more’ viral video star says God still hasn’t made him straight - Yes this entire situation has been campy, but it's also sad. Read the article to see what put this young man in this ridiculous situation. It only goes to show that while public battles like marriage equality MAY be over, we still have work to do in order to reverse all of the self-hatred folks have infected some of us and our children with.  

Founding Mother Of The Conservative Movement: LGBT Rights Not Inevitable - So Phyllis Schafly is talking #$!@. Bring it on, girlfriend! We give no mercy nor draw any quarter. You and your gay son have had a ringside seat to the progression of lgbt equality and THAT'S not going to change.

SC marriage equality opponents rally in poorly attended 'Pickett's Charge'

The issue of marriage equality in South Carolina has been settled at least for now. Barring a different decision from the Supreme Court later this year, gay and lesbian South Carolinians fairly won the right to marry. And that should be the end of that.

However, don't break the news to the sparse group of folks who assembled earlier today at the State House. They assembled in support of a bill which they hope would stop marriage equality, no matter what the courts say. The bill, proposed by SC State Rep. Bill Chumley,  would defund gay marriage in the state and punish state employees who issue or recognize same-sex marriage licenses

Their argument, which was repeated continuously by various speakers from the stage, including Chumley and State Sen. Lee Bright, was that the federal government was overstepping its bounds and interfering with the sovereignty of South Carolinians who voted overwhelmingly to ban marriage equality in 2006.

What the crowd, made mostly of elderly South Carolinians, lacked in numbers, they made up for greatly in enthusiasm, particularly when speakers talked about an "over-reaching" federal government.

'Anti-gay Family Research Council pushing bogus religious liberty poll' & other Friday midday news briefs

FRC's ridiculously bunk new poll (*from partisan polling firm) - The Family Research Council pushes a transparently deceptive poll on religious liberty. Whatever happened to the good old days when fraud and chicanery had a certain style. Now I know there are some folks on my side who want to be nonchalant and jaded over this. I wouldn't recommend it. Any time we can catch FRC in a lie and publicize it, it is another chop in its tree of credibility. Besides, one day I will  relate to you the days when there was no one exposing FRC lies. It was NOT a good time. Be thankful for those of us willing to jump into the breach.

WATCH: Homophobes Have Invented a Scary New Tactic to Undo Equal Rights - It ain't pretty and eventually, it may backfire spectacularly. However, I cringe to think of the damage it may do BEFORE it self-destructs.  

AL Gov's Pastor Urged Him To Defy Federal Courts On Marriage To Prevent America's Collapse - Gasp and swoon! How dare Alabama's governor remember that he was elected to serve all the people of Alabama and not the church! The meanie! 

 U.S. Churches: Banning Same-Sex Marriage Has Nothing To Do With Homosexuality - There isn't enough snarkiness in the world for me to make a comment about this #@!*!

 Jeb Bush, 2016’s Gay-Friendly Republican - Naturally other Republicans aren't exactly ready to jump on THIS train. Oh this is going to be sooooo much fun to watch!

Anti-gay Family Research Council moves on to another discredited researcher

Mark Regenerus - FRC's newest discredited researcher?

For years, the Family Research Council was one of the many anti-gay groups who relied on the work of discredited researcher Paul Cameron, a man who had been criticized for poor techniques methodologies, as well as dismissed or censured from organization such as the American Psychological Association, the American Sociological Association, and the Canadian Psychological Association

FRC and other anti-gay groups used his bad research to prove negative theories about the lgbt community However, when Cameron was exposed for being the fraud that he is, FRC and other anti-gay groups slyly distanced themselves from his work.

According to a recent email I received from the organization, however, FRC may have found another discredited researcher it can use:

Yesterday, respected University of Texas professor Dr. Mark Regnerus spoke at FRC about "Stability and Change in Americans' Relationships." His presentation was based on an exhaustive survey he conducted of more than 15,700 people from every background and walk of life. The survey's findings showed some change in Americans' attitudes towards marriage, cohabitation, and homosexuality, but one of the most striking findings is that only 42 percent of the American people support same-sex marriage, a percentage that roughly mirrors FRC's survey, released earlier this week, showing that 53 percent of people agree that marriage should be defined only as a union between one man and one woman.

Despite the sexual revolution of the past several decades, less than half (44 percent) of Americans believe cohabitation before marriage is a good thing. And as to infidelity, a whopping 74 percent say adultery is never acceptable. Dr. Regnerus noted that "so much is up for grabs" but made clear that religious commitment and the strength of one's family "track together."

"Marriage is not considered outdated," Dr. Regnerus observed, and "people regard marriage as concerning children." As the Supreme Court ponders same-sex "marriage" later this year, let's hope and pray their listening to those they have been appointed to represent -- the American people -- when it comes to redefining an institution still held in high regard throughout our society.

Regnerus is NOT respected. He is the author of a 2012 badly done, much rebuked, disputed, and discredited negative study on same-sex parenting.

Anti-gay AFA doesn't know which deception to push about Washington state florist, so it pushes two

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As witnessed by these posters, anti-gay groups can change talking points quickly.

 When it comes to the case of Barronelle Stutzman, the Washington State florist who was found guilty of breaking that state's anti-discrimination laws by refusing to serve a same-sex couple, anti-gay groups had to play a quick game of message switching.

At first, she was portrayed as a Christian grandmother who was in danger of losing her home, business, and life-savings supposedly because she was "standing up her her values" against evil government officials and lgbts attempting to "make" her "participate" in marriage equality.

However, when the news came down that she actually refused to accept a settlement from Washington State's attorney general of $2001, quicker than Diana Prince would change into Wonder Woman on the 1970s television show, anti-gay groups suddenly transformed her into a person who would not sell out her values even if this could possibly, but really not proven as would, cause her to lose her life savings, business, and homes.

That's not to say though that one particular anti-gay group isn't brazen enough to push both talking points at the same time.

This afternoon, I received an email from the anti-gay American Family Association:

Barronelle Stutzman has rejected a deal by Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson that would have forced her to betray her religious beliefs and start providing flowers for gay weddings.

"You are asking me to walk in the way of a well-known betrayer, one who sold something of infinite worth for 30 pieces of silver," Stutzman wrote in a letter to Ferguson. "That is something I will not do."

  . . . Feeling the heat from the Christian community, Ferguson had offered to settle the case if she paid a $2,000 penalty for violating the Consumer Protection Act, a $1 payment for costs and fees, and agreed not to discriminate in the future.

First of all,  the claim that Ferguson was "feeling the heat from the Christian community" and offered to settle because of it is a lie.

'AFA's silly 'bigotry map' declares the Carolinas 'gay-free' zone' & other Thursday midday news briefs

Gay Marriage Opponents To Rally - Now you just KNOW that South Carolina wasn't going to be left out of this wildness. Folks will be assembling at the State House this weekend to push support for "protection of marriage bills" in my state. Barring the weather, I will be there taking pictures. As for the possible success of these bills, I have tremendous faith in the statewide organization, SC Equality, in its efforts to stand for our community. The organization is hard at work even as I speak. 

N.C. Senate passes anti-LGBT religious discrimination bill - Meanwhile, a bill which would allow magistrates and registrars of deeds to not do their job for same-sex couples passed. I don't see a bright future for this law. 

 American Family Association proclaims the Carolinas a safe, queer-free zone - According to the American Family Association's 'bigotry map,' the Carolinas (North and South) have no lgbt groups at all. Now we all know this isn't true on so many levels. On one hand, I am incredibly insulted. However, on the other, the James Bond villain in me is thrilled that our secret homosexual organization dedicated to bringing down America and having Judy Garland's birthday declared a national holiday hasn't been detected yet. This means (fake European villain accent) "no one has made me cross enough to feed them to my piranha fish."  

Texas Bill Would Punish Businesses If They Don’t Discriminate - It's an old adage, but I can safely say that yes, I have now "heard everything."  

Facebook, Fox Entertainment Executives Spoke At Media Conference Featuring Anti-LGBT, Islamophobic Extremists - Fox News I can understand, but Facebook? Shame! 

 Fired for Being Trans - This should NEVER happen EVER.

Washington Post gives the 'skinny' on the anti-gay discrimination wars of 2015

 . . . the fight over gay rights continues in conservative corners of the country, where legislators are advancing laws that would, intentionally or not, ensure that gay people can be refused service, fired or evicted simply for being gay.

There are no national laws protecting against these forms of discrimination, so the matter has been left up to individual communities. A growing list of cities, for instance, are passing gay anti-discrimination ordinances, which has raised the ire of their more conservative state houses.In this year’s legislative session, similar bills in several states are striking back against gay rights.The proposed state laws fall into two categories.

Some are anti-anti-discrimination measures that would prevent a state’s cities or counties from creating protections for gay people. . . . In another, more classic category are laws that would protect people who discriminate against gay people on religious grounds. There has been tremendous legal murkiness concerning when and in which contexts religious rights trump gay rights. These religious freedom bills would have religious rights triumph, always.

Everything You Need To Know About The Gay Discrimination Wars in 2015, The Washington Post

Those who want to celebrate thinking that the lgbt community is about to win marriage equality need to get off their asses. As one war ends, another begins. So it shall be if the religious right and their allies have anything to say about it.

'Religious liberty, marriage equality battles all over place' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

Fox News Rallies Behind Florist Who Refused To Serve Gay Couple - I wish the anti-gay industry would make up their minds when it comes to this mess. First they portrayed this woman as in danger of losing her home, business, and life savings because lgbt folks are suing her. And now when it comes out that she refused a settlement of $2001 (one dollar to pay for court costs), suddenly they shift the situation to her being a hero for her supposed values.

Alabama Same-Sex Couple’s Marriage Recognized, But Joint Adoption Still Denied - This dance is called the "Homophobia Boogie." You take two steps forward and they drag you back one (apologies to the tv show "Good Times" where I freely pilfered for the above sentence.) 

 Walmart Comes Out Against Anti-LGBT Bill - Why gee, thank you Wal-Mart (and everyone else) who are finally opposing this bill . . . AFTER it became law. 

 It's not a 'marriage debate' simply because pro-discrimination lawmakers say it is - Jeremy Hooper makes a GOOD point about framing the issue here. 

 Iowa Radio Host: Jeb Bush Gave Conservatives 'A Middle Finger' By Hiring Gay Spokesman - I just KNEW when Bush hired this guy, all hell would break loose. And it starts . . .

 Indiana Senate passes ‘religious freedom’ bill - This just in . . . and it ain't pretty. With the situation in Arkansas, then here and several other places, folks are asking what are organizations like ACLU or HRC doing to fight this. I understand the need to not reveal battle plans, but y'all, we really need some type of assurances that we aren't sitting ducks here.

  'Walking Dead' Fans Upset Over Gay Kiss, Tweet Homophobic Comments - So let me get this right - in a show about a post-apocalyptic world where humans are fighting zombies (and not the 'Scooby-Doo' type but the hungry, fast, cannibalistic type made famous by George Romero and Lucio Fulci), folks are angry because two male characters kissed? ARE YOU $#@!&!; KIDDING ME?!!!!!

American Family Association's 'bigotry map' is a ridiculously unoriginal fraud

A while back, the American Family Association claimed that it had a huge project in the works. I have a feeling that the following is the project:

 

According to the AFA:

The American Family Association has identified over 200 groups and organizations that openly display bigotry toward the Christian faith.

The website www.afa.net/bigotrymap includes an interactive map that identifies groups whose actions are deeply intolerant of the Christian religion. Their actions have endorsed efforts to silence Christians and to remove all public displays of Christian heritage and faith in America.

A common practice of these groups is threatening our nation’s schools, cities and states. By threat of lawsuit, they demand that prayer be removed from schools and city council meetings, Ten Commandments monuments stricken from courthouses and memorial crosses purged from cemeteries and parks.

Because of anti-Christian bigotry, private business owners have been sued and forced to close their businesses. Families and businesses that express a Christian worldview on social issues often face vicious retaliation from anti-Christian zealots.

Some members or supporters of these groups have committed violent crimes against Christians and faith-based groups. Physical and profane verbal assaults against Christians are methods frequently exercised in their angry methods of intimidation.

The AFA is copying, or rather stealing, the idea of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Hate Map.

Judge Roy Moore - homophobia so stupidly put that it actually burns

Generally when I showcase anti-gay figures and their comments, I always provide some expository. However,  the following comment by marriage equality opponent Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore is so mind-blowingly stupid that it can stand on its own.when it comes to illustrating the basic ignorance of many of those who oppose marriage equality and lgbt equality in general:

"You're taking any definition of a family away. When two bisexuals or two transgendered marry, how large is that family? Can they marry two persons, one of the same sex and one of the opposite sex? Then, you've got a family of four or how many?" - Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore

Hat tip to the Associated Press by way of Right Wing Watch.