Mark Green controversy not anti-Christian bias, just 'foot-in-mouth' disease

As to be expected, anti-lgbtq evangelical groups are play the martyr and beating the somber tambourine over Trump's former nominee for Army Secretary, Mark Green. Green withdrew his name last week after a firestorm over comments he made in the past, include comments bashing the transgender community, the Islamic community, and evolution.

However, leave it to anti-lgbtq hate group the Family Research Council to claim that Green was a "victim" of anti-Christian bias:

What does evolution theory have to do with the Army? A lot, if you want to be the branch's secretary. That's just one of the fights the Left picked over Donald Trump's choice to lead the Army. Dr. Mark Green's beliefs on everything from creation to sexuality became the subject of a nasty campaign to discredit the respected flight surgeon -- a campaign, unfortunately, that ended Friday when Green withdrew his name from consideration.

"Due to false and misleading attacks against me, this nomination has become a distraction," Green said. "Tragically, my life of public service and my Christian beliefs have been mischaracterized and attacked by a few on the other side of the aisle for political gain."

LGBT activists, in particular, were upset that Green supported privacy laws like North Carolina's and the view of marriage that Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and even Barack Obama held at one point. To them, that was an unacceptable change from former Army Secretary Eric Fanning -- who not only identified as gay, but openly used his power to advance that agenda in the military. (How convenient that Fanning wasn't put under the same scrutiny when he was nominated!) Green, on the other hand, was maligned, misquoted, and mistreated by liberals desperate to keep a pro-family, pro-gun, pro-freedom, pro-marriage leader from a position of military authority.

But if being a conservative disqualifies Green from public service, then Washington is going to be a pretty empty place. A group of 11 congressmen, led by Marine vet Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), tried to defend Green, writing in a letter to Senate leadership that "Any attempt to politicize personal statements or views that have been expressed by Mark at any point throughout his career must not be allowed to supersede his qualifications or be conflated to create needless uncertainty with his nomination." But it was too late. The Left's crusade against the West Point grad, Tennessee state legislator, and longtime conservative had already taken its toll.

"I think there is a movement to target people of faith who are being nominated," Tennessee Lt. Governor Randy McNally told the Washington Examiner. "They want their own, either agnostics or people who are non-Christians. 'They' being the Democratic Party." FRC's own Army vet, Lt. General Jerry Boykin (Ret.) knows what it's like to be in the cross-hairs because of your Christian views. Sadly, he said, liberals have become "so powerful, and so vicious, that it's getting hard to find good people like Mark Green to run for office or engage in public policy because of the lies and hateful attacks they will have to endure." And the military in particular needs strong leaders with the stomach to stand up for what's right.

Just stop it already. The controversy over Green was not a case of anti-Christian bias. It was, in fact, a case of "foot in mouth" disease. Let's be honest about this situation. Green basically said dumb things which rightfully caused people to question his ability to lead.  Green wasn't done harm by anyone except for his inability to keep his ego in check. He practically made it easy for people to call him out, as the videos below prove. When viewing them, ask yourself is this the type of person you want leading the Army?  A man who inaccurately characterizes a group of people as a "disease." and says he wouldn't follow a SCOTUS ruling simply because he didn't like it?

'LGBTQs shouldn't celebrate after Trump's empty religious liberty order' & other Mon. midday news briefs

No, LGBTQ Americans Aren’t In The Clear After Trump’s Religious Liberty Order - Michelangelo Signorile has been very accurate with predictions of how the lgbtq community would fare in the "Age of Trump." In this day and age, his pieces should be required reading for anyone worried about our future. And he is again with another good assessment of our situation.

Former University of Iowa athletics administrator wins $1.43 million in Title IX lawsuit - Under the radar but just as important.

Support LGBTQ Muslims - Yes, LGBTQ Muslims exist and they deserve our support. We are all family and must lift each up other. That's how we defeat hate.

History Shows Why LGBTQ People Shouldn’t Support the Far-Right - A necessary history lesson for all of you gay Milo Yiannopoulos supporters out there.

How They See Us: Unmasking the Religious Right War on Gay America - Now is a perfect time to revisit the 2013 booklet I published online. Before Trump taking the White House and the anti-lgbtq right was pushing the "radical homosexuals want to persecute Christians" talking point, they were heavily pushing lies, anecdotal drivel, and bad science to falsely claim that "homosexuality is a dangerous lifestyle." 

Like so:

Groups like the Family Research Council, the Liberty Counsel, the American Family Association, etc. are probably a bit reluctant to revisit those days, so let's reminisce. At the very least, it serves to remind folks that their claim about "protecting Christians" is much in line with the other stuff they used to push with the objective being to stigmatize the lgbtq community and undermine our attempts to gain equality for ourselves, our families, and our children.

Debra Messing, Billy Porter bring passion, fire to the GLAAD Awards

The second half of the 2017 GLAAD Media Awards, held Saturday, will definitely be memorable thanks to fiery speeches by award recipients Debra Messing and Billy Porter. Both speeches reminded the lgbtq community what we are fighting for and why we will eventually win.

YES, @theebillyporter!!! #glaadawards #WeResist pic.twitter.com/FW0G4InSwh

— GLAAD (@glaad) May 7, 2017

The entire list of award recipients can be seen here, including (surprise, surprise) yours truly who was honored to receive the award for 'Outstanding Blog.' I already gave a nice written speech on Facebook but I reiterate my thanks and love for all of you who have supported me through the years.

''Christian' group Family Research Council cheer House vote to overturn Obamacare' & other Friday midday news briefs

FRC president Tony Perkins and his group cheer the House vote to repeal Obamacare.

Republicans Back Pact to Gut Obamacare - Presenting a first on this blog's news briefs - a link to a religious right article with no refutation or snarky comments. Why? Because the supposed moral Family Research Council's congratulatory bull over the GOP House repealing of the ACA (Obamacare) needs to be read unadulterated and in its untainted form. Millions could lose healthcare, certain things which shouldn't be pre-existing conditions are now such, and people are scared to death. But the supposed Christian group the Family Research Council is acting like Trump pushed a cure for cancer. A Christian group? No. A single-minded hate group hiding behind Christ? Yes.  

Meet the evangelicals who still love Trump - Who cares about millions losing healthcare, etc. It's all about power to these folks. Why be a moral conscience when you can rule over it all? 

 Dave Daubenmire Accuses Religious Right Leaders Of Engaging In ‘Idolatry And Hero-Worship’ Of President Trump - I DESPISE Dave Daubenmire. He is a disgusting, homophobic, conspiracy theory-spinning skin tag on the butt of humanity. But in this case . . .

 
Seven Facts about Gender - This still needs to be pointed out.  

Gay men, straight women hit by ‘stealthing’ - This NEEDS to be talked about. I can't think of any justification for this behavior. It is a serious betrayal of trust.  

NPR Continues To Uncritically Host Anti-LGBTQ Hate Group Alliance Defending Freedom - It's sad when you realize that possibly only a sex scandal will get news organizations to do the right thing when it comes to these groups.

Some members of the anti-lgbtq right not happy with Trump's executive order

Ryan Anderson not happy with today's executive order

Don't be fooled by the supposed show of support from anti-lgbtq and evangelical right groups regarding Trump's executive order. Some aren't happy that they didn't get the "BIG PRIZE" they wanted. And these folks aren't shy about voicing their disappointment.

From Yahoo News:

An executive order by President Trump meant to reward religious conservatives for their support of him in last year’s election fell short of what many had hoped for and drew widespread criticism on Thursday. 

“The executive order on the whole looks to accomplish very little of substance, against the backdrop of a lot of show,” said John Inazu, a professor of law and religion at Washington University in St. Louis and author of “Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference.” 

 Ryan T. Anderson, a Heritage Foundation scholar who is a leading advocate for religious conservatives, wrote that Trump’s order “does not address the major threats to religious liberty in the United States today.”

Apparently, Anderson seems to be miffed because the executive order totally dodged allowing people to discriminate on the grounds of  "personal religious beliefs"

 . . . what Trump issued today is rather weak. All it includes is general language about the importance of religious liberty, saying the executive branch “will honor and enforce” existing laws and instructing the Department of Justice to “issue guidance” on existing law; directives to the Department of the Treasury to be lenient in the enforcement of the Johnson Amendment; and directives to the secretaries of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services (HHS) to “consider issuing amended regulations” to “address conscience-based objections” to the HHS contraception mandate. But the federal government should be honoring and enforcing our religious liberty laws anyway, legislation is required to actually address the Johnson Amendment—which isn’t the prime priority on religious liberty—and the Supreme Court has already unanimously instructed the federal government to resolve the case of Little Sisters of the Poor and other HHS mandate cases. By contrast, the February draft—a version of which was originally planned for today according to media reports—made good on many of the president’s promises to protect religious liberty from government penalties. That draft protected the religious liberty rights of all Americans in very tailored ways that addressed the problems of today.

Anderson failed to acknowledge that the February draft of Trump's executive order was so rigid in allowing discrimination on religious grounds that it caused a huge backlash.

According to Think Progress, other members of the right weren't happy with the executive order:

The Federalist’s David Harsanyi was also unimpressed, pining like Anderson for the “comprehensive relief” that would have been provided by the drafted order that previously leaked. “Trump’s executive order does little, and what little it does can be easily overturned,” he said. And over at the National Review, David French called the executive order “worse than useless.”

Think Progress also pointed out that LGBTQ groups aren't taking anything lightly and will be prepared should this issue come up again. As well we all should be because it will come up again.

Today was merely one round in a long fight.

'Trump's signed EO may have backed away from anti-lgbtq provisions' & other Thur midday news briefs

Trump

Trump Backs Off from Anti-LGBT Provisions in ‘Religious Freedom’ Executive Order: REPORTS - Rumors are flying about that Trump did back away from the anti-lgbtq provisions of his still dreadful "religious liberty" executive order. I've seen different takes on the situation and none are consistent. The EO seems to be focused on pulling back restrictions on churches to engage in political activity. This is NOT a good idea and may just backfire. Details still pending. 

LIVE VIDEO: Trump Signs Religious Liberty Executive Order Reportedly Without Feared Anti-LGBT Provisions - More info.  

What's in Trump's religious liberty order? - What's exactly in the executive order. 

 Here’s the anti-LGBTQ record this Trump appointee is trying to scrub from the internet - Oh no you don't!  

How Repealing Obamacare Will Hit the LGBT Community Extra-Hard - Meanwhile, the GOP is voting to repeal Obamacare. This post from January outlines why it could be detrimental to the lgbtq community. 

Schumer latest to oppose Mark Green over nominee’s anti-LGBT views - Meanwhile, homophobia of a certain person chosen by Trump to be Army Secretary may come back to bite him in the butt. Good.

If 'religious liberty' can justify anti-lgbtq discrimination, then why not racial discrimination?

Trump possibly signing the executive order giving a license to discriminate, which actually targets the lgbtq community is ugly enough, but we may not be considering the entire scope.

History tells us of unintended consequences.

Wikipedia describes unintended consequences as outcomes that are not the ones foreseen and intended by a purposeful action. In other words, Trump's possible 'religious liberty' executive order may initially target the lgbtq community, but I defy anyone to refute the video below (thanks to Wayne Besen and Truth Wins Out). Also tell how any other ethnic, racial, or religious group - even Christians - would be safe from discrimination should Trump sign that executive order.

Related post: Trump, anti-lgbtq right will repeat history with 'license to discriminate' executive order

LGBTQ and progressive groups & activists prepare to 'unleash the beast' on Trump's anti-lgbtq EO

The possible future as of tomorrow. Will Trump endorse discrimination?

Editor' note - It is dumb enough that Trump is even contemplating signing an anti-lgbtq 'religious liberty' executive order. It is beyond the dimensions of stupidity that he announces his plan over a day in advance. It doesn't matter how many phony victims the religious right may trot out at the signing to justify that mess because us folks who are opposing it are extremely angry and all we need is time organize. Thank you for that, you jerks.

LGBT groups prepare for fight over Trump ‘religious freedom’ EO - General plans, including a rally which will no doubt be copied in various other places. 

Civil Rights Groups Are Ready To Sue Trump If He Signs A Broad Religious Freedom Order - And that's just one way this battle will be on. 

 Can LGBTQ Parents Sue The White House Over The Religious Freedom Order? Civil Rights Groups Are Planning To Take Action - Another angle but with the same degree of ferocity.

Hundreds of faith leaders already oppose Trump’s planned ‘religious liberty’ order - Over 1,300 already. And I know there will be more.

 Trump, anti-lgbtq right will repeat history with 'license to discriminate' executive order - My post from last night. You really didn't think I wouldn't miss out on the hell raising, did you?  

Gay Man Sues Funeral Home That Refused His 86-Year-Old Husband’s Body - You see this #@!% right here? Expect more of it if Trump signs that EO.

Trump, anti-lgbtq right will repeat history with 'license to discriminate' executive order

Those who do not learn from history

Are doomed to repeat it:

Rumor control has it that Trump will be signing an anti-lgbtq executive order on Thursday.

Anti-lgbtq evangelicals and religious right groups are no doubt pinching themselves in delight. They have been pushing the idea of "religious liberty," i.e. the right to refuse services based on "personal religious beliefs", because they claim that Christian business owners have been deliberately targeted by the lgbtq community.

That's the latest load of junk from that crowd who have said in the past that allowing gays to adopt would corrupt children, marriage equality was a plot to destroy the church, and that giving any shred of dignity or equality to the transgender community would enable predators.

It's always a moral panic with these folks; the constant need to nauseate or scare instead of presenting facts. We all know what happens almost every time they've had to defend their positions with facts via the courts.

They lose badly and then lick their wounds while whining about "activist judges."

But thanks to Trump, they have another avenue. It's bad enough that he is planning to sign that monstrosity but planning to do it on Thursday, on the National Day of Prayer, is another slap in the face to the lgbtq community. It furthers the narrative that "religious liberty" is an effort to protect people of faith from the lgbtq community.

That's simply hateful. Why would the faith community need protection from us when we are a part of the faith community? I'm a gay man and a person of faith. And I also know how to pray. Goodness knows I've prayed many a time to be magically transformed into a heterosexual. That is until God let me know that He blessed me with my gay sexual orientation.

I got off lucky because I never had to pray that bullies at school wouldn't beat me up for being gay. But I'm sure that a lot of my lgbtq brothers and sisters did. So thank you Donald Trump in advance for  mocking our pain and prayers.

Folks may be disturbed at the montage of pictures above. I posted them to make a point because when it's all said and done, it doesn't matter what excuse you use, be it religious or pseudo-scientific.

It doesn't matter what moral panic you create to justify it, whether it be "protecting the sanctity of the Southern white female," "upholding customs and tradition, "preserving your heritage," or even "religious liberty."

Encouraging any type of discrimination is wrong. It's hateful. It's hurtful. It's never justified.

And it is always, always wrong.

Related post: Civil Rights Groups Are Ready To Sue Trump If He Signs A Broad Religious Freedom Order

'Franklin Graham not happy with possible nationwide ban of fraudulent 'ex-gay' therapy & other Tue midday news briefs

Historically, lgbtqs were never a danger to civilizations. Fanatical demagogues like Franklin Graham were.

Famous Evangelical Pastor Dangerously Attempts To Rebrand Conversion Therapy - With his defense of Russia persecuting its lgbtq citizens in 2014 and now with this absolutely ridiculous defense of "ex-gay" therapy which has been proven to be dangerous to the lgbtq community and especially our kids, Franklin Graham puts to rest the bull @!%# narrative that gays are persecuting people of faith like him. Read your history, Franklin. Some of the most dangerous people were those who made OTHERS suffer in defense of THEIR interpretation of Scripture. This fanatical demagogue has ceased to be a religious leader a long time ago and should stop being treated as such. 

Parents of gay, bi men in Chechnya told: Kill your children or we will - Has Graham even spoken about Chechnya? 

Proposed Obamacare repeal deal could drastically cut access to transgender healthcare - Yet another reason to oppose that awful repeal. 

Rep. Hoyer urges Trump to recall Mark Green nomination - Damn right! He shouldn't have been nominated in the first place.  

Military professors oppose Trump’s Army secretary nominee - This is getting good. Folks are organizing to oppose this man.  

Equality Act Reintroduced in Congress with Unprecedented Corporate Support - Keep your fingers crossed and if we get disappointed this time, that doesn't mean we stop pushing.

Two hundred TX faith leaders decry anti-transgender bill, supports lgbtq equality

One unfortunate side effect of this so-called culture battle is how the anti-lgbtq evangelical and religious right have co-opted the concept of religion and Christianity.

This mindset of the lgbtq community versus Christians and people of faith is a huge lie, particularly because of the fact that many lgbtqs are people of faith. And don't even start listing Biblical verses which supposedly speaks against homosexuality. I generally don't like to debate such things because I believe the final judgement belongs to God.

But that doesn't mean I don't get angry with people pushing the narrative that all Christians and people of faith in general believe one way about the lgbtq community. According to an excerpt below from a recent article in the San Antonio Express News there are many Christians and other people of faith who lgbtq equality:

Some 200 ministers, rabbis and other religious leaders wrote to select House members Thursday asking them to support policies that treat lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Texans on an equal basis with other people. The letter went to lawmakers including members of the House State Affairs Committee, which is considering legislation that would restrict the restrooms transgender people can use. The religious leaders didn’t confine their message to the bathroom bill, although they cited it among other legislation.
 “Our faith compels us to oppose anti-transgender legislation (‘bathroom bills), 

discriminatory laws masquerading as “religious freedom,” or any other attempts to treat Texas’ LGBT community as second-class citizens,” said the letter from Texas Believes, which according to its website is a project of the Texas Freedom Network and Equality Texas. The Texas Freedom Network describes itself as a watchdog of far-right issues and a defender of individual liberties. Equality Texas works for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Texans, “We will continue to speak out against all attempts to use religion to demonize, discriminate against or bring harm to our LGBT sisters and brothers. And we encourage you, as leaders in our state, to support policies that treat all Texans equally under the law, including the LGBT community,” said the letter. 

 Besides State Affairs members, the letter went to House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, who opposes a bathroom bill approved by the Senate; Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton, the author of a House version of the bathroom bill; and several members of the Calendars Committee, which schedules legislation for House debate.

It is up to all of us to not allow the anti-lgbtq evangelical and religious right to nab the concepts of Christianity and religion in general. They don't have nor do they deserve sole ownership.

'KY judge refuses to hear same-sex adoption cases' & other Mon. midday news briefs

There will be NO undermining of same-sex families

Kentucky judge refuses to ever hear same-sex adoption cases - This religious liberty crap is getting out of hand. Personal feelings are bull in the face of the facts which show children not being negatively affected by same-sex households. I dare the religious right to defend this. No. I WANT them to defend this. PLEASE! My blogger finger is just itching. 

Why Donald Trump’s Second 100 Days Will Be Even Worse For LGBTQ Equality - Potentially worse. As he continues to lose support, he will definitely be going to the group who loves him no matter what - the evangelical and religious right. He may push their mess with more stridency. Then WE push back big time.  

These Gay Republicans Mocked Transgender Women At A Forum In New York City - THEN they got nasty about it on twitter, leading me to read, check, and school a bunch of them. But that's a possible other blog post. This is just sad.  

Weinstein Company wins battle for PG-13 rating for ‘3 Generations’ - A quiet but wonderful victory. '3 Generations' is coming-of-age movie about the transgender community.

Jerry Falwell Jr - Trump 'a dream president' for evangelicals

Jerry Falwell Jr.

The self-degradation of the evangelical and religious right over Donald Trump continues:

Evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr., an early backer of Donald Trump, enthusiastically praised the president’s first 100 days of office. “I think evangelicals have found their dream president,” Falwell said on Saturday during “Justice With Judge Jeanine” on Fox News. Falwell cited “reuniting Israel with America” and appointing “people of faith” throughout the administration as the reasons evangelicals in general remain highly supportive of Trump. Falwell also trashed moderate Republicans, who he said “make my blood boil.”

It's relatively sad to know that with the religious right, you can get away with almost any type of behavior - from bad policies to bragging about sexual harassment to consistently lying - as long as you "make them feel wanted" and embrace their positions.

In other words, don't count on the religious and evangelical right to be a moral voice against Trump's excesses. They are too busy gurgling mouthwash and applying lip balm after every meeting with him.

Anti-lgbt activist melts down during word salad about gays, domination, sodomy, and children

I promise that this will probably be the wildest thing you have seen today.

Behind every coordinated anti-lgbt group and personality is a mindset like the woman on this video.



I think it goes without saying that everything this woman said is false. A lie. A delusion. A product of bad weed.

 But here is a little background courtesy of Right Wing Watch:

Earlier this month, the Texas chapter of the anti-LGBTQ hate group MassResistance hosted a “pro-family conference” featuring a variety of anti-LGBTQ activists like Peter LaBarbera of Americans For Truth About Homosexuality, Brian Camenker of MassResistance, and Robert Oscar Lopez, who runs the Texas chapter of Camenker’s group. 

Sharon Arkme, who claimed that she was a victim of anti-Christian persecution when she was denied certification in a master’s program she had enrolled in at Texas State University “because I would not agree with their LGBT agenda,” told attendees that LGBTQ advocates are warring against “Christ and Christians” and “brainwashing our children.” 

 “I did not realize the full agenda of the radical left,” Armke told the audience. “They are in a war with Christ and Christians, whether we realize it or not. They are not content with society and Christians treating them with outreach, courtesy and respect that should be given to any other human being just because they are human. They want us to approve their behavior. They will not stop until they dominate.” 

 “They intend, and they are very successful so far, in brainwashing our children to believe that sodomy is right and good,” she continued. “We are trying to show parents what is happening to our children and, excuse me if I say this, we should be screaming bloody murder in the streets. We should be screaming bloody murder in the street. This is not right! … Those teachers that do this, that teach sodomy to little children, many people call them child abusers and I agree.” 

 “I learned the hard way the true agenda of the radical left, it’s domination of our children and our culture,” Armke fumed, eventually growing so upset that she couldn’t even finish her remarks, simply declaring “may God have mercy on us” as she walked off the stage.

I couldn't find anymore information on this Armke except for on the Mass Resistance webpage which claimed her stance kept her from becoming a principal.

Sounds like we dodged a nuclear missile with THAT one.

'Bill pushing for a nationwide ban on 'ex-gay' therapy' & other Fri. midday news briefs

‘LGBTQ people were born perfect’: A new bill would ban conversion therapy nationwide - Probably has no chance of passing, but the vision of figurative exploding right-wing heads is so darn lovely. 

Fox Contributor: Gay Men In Bars Should Expect To Be Assaulted And Women Shouldn’t Breastfeed In Church - I'm not sure about the breastfeeding thing but saying gay men should expect to be assaulted if they make people "feel uncomfortable" is disgustingly intriguing. Does that mean I can slap this Fox contributor because the thought of him reproducing makes ME feel uncomfortable?

 Study confirms some men use anti-gay and sexist jokes to shore up their masculinity - Fascinating how this news brief is related to the one before it. 

 19 senators urge Trump’s HHS to restore LGBT questions to elder surveys - Damn right!

Harvard Transgender Rights Pamphlet Prompts Conservative Backlash Online - While not complaining about snowflakes, transphobic folk are acting like snowflakes.

'Christian' right's kiss ass tribute to Donald Trump explained

The religious right's vision of Trump.

Donald Trump is a disaster as president, which we all knew he would be. His poll numbers are "historically low" his present and former subordinates - particularly Michael Flynn - are in a constantly growing scandal about Russia's influence on last year's election, and he is a generally uncoordinated laughing stock here and abroad.

Of course one wouldn't know this if one read the glowing tributes he is given by several religious right groups such as the Family Research Council and the American Family Association:

Trump Deals in Taxes Hold'em

Trump cabinet fellowships thru prayer, Bible study

 And let's not forget Franklin Graham's advice to that Trump not reveal his tax returns.

So why are these folks, who are so quick to talk about values and morality, are as easily quick to give Trump a pass on both? An article in Politico reveals what should be obvious:

The one group Trump has paid outsized attention to—and consistently delivered for—is the social conservative movement. He reinstated and even toughened the Mexico City Policy, which eliminates U.S. funding for international nongovernmental organizations that perform abortions. He rescinded President Barack Obama’s protections for transgender students to use preferred bathrooms in public schools. He signed legislation that routs federal money away from Planned Parenthood. He cut off funding to the U.N. Population Fund, which critics say has long supported coercive abortions in China and other countries. He stockpiled his administration with pro-life evangelical Christians in critical roles, including Tom Price as secretary of Health and Human Services, Betsy DeVos as education secretary and Mike Pence as vice president. And, most significantly, his Supreme Court pick, Neil Gorsuch, a conservative originalist in the mold of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, won confirmation. 

. . . “How ironic it is,” says Ralph Reed, president of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, “that Donald Trump, of all people in the Republican Party, would become a champion for social conservatives.” 

 . . .After eight years in which conservatives—and particularly evangelical Christians—believed themselves to be under siege from secular forces in the federal government, the judiciary and popular culture, Trump’s presidency feels like a renaissance. Not only do they have a seat at the table again, as they did during the famously evangelical-friendly George W. Bush years; many of these activists say Trump has already surpassed the 43rd president as an ally and advocate. 

“The Bush administration didn’t come close to being this friendly to social conservatives,” says Penny Nance, president of Concerned Women for America. (“Who knew?" she adds, laughing. “I can’t say I would have ever guessed that a billionaire playboy from Manhattan would wind up being the closest ally of Christian conservatives.”) ( Family Research Council president Tony) Perkins, for his part, tells me: “I’ve been at the White House for meetings more in the first four months of the Trump administration than I was during the entire Bush presidency.”

I should be disturbed by this, but to tell the truth, I'm not. Sometimes, it's a good thing for your opposition to get all that they want because they tend to reveal themselves to be exactly what you have said they are.

It's one thing to label a pig as a glutton. But dumping a pile of food in front it and pointing as the pig sloppily chows down sends a better message. In that same regard, Trump giving the religious right so much power isn't necessarily a bad thing. Just watch how quickly these groups and their personalities abandon their masks of propriety and show themselves to be what the lgbtq community has always said they were - gluttonous fanatics trying to maneuver the country to their direction.

We see this now in how much  religious right leaders are fawning  and lauding over Trump while he sinks lower and lower. With every revelation that Trump is a devil, here they come with another pair of plastic wings and slightly bent halo to take the glare off of the new debasement. And another spritz of goody-goody God spray to cover up the smell of Trump's sulfuric depravity and incompetence.

It was never about preserving values with these groups. It was always about control by any means necessary - a smartly cynical value but one unbecoming of those calling themselves Christians.

As much as I despise Trump, the one thing he is doing right is figuratively giving the religious right enough rope to hang themselves. And with the speed of the direction they are going, they won't wait for the chair to be kicked from under them.

They themselves will jump off.

'GOP Congressman tearfully begs God's forgiveness for abortion, marriage equality. Omits his party's attempt to gut healthcare' & other Thur. midday news briefs

Rep. Randy Weber Tearfully Begs God To Forgive America For The Sins Of Legal Abortion And Marriage Equality - So, at a religious right prayer event, a Republican Congressman weeps while begging God's forgiveness for allowing women to make healthcare decisions about their own bodies AND for marriage equality. Of course he didn't mention how his party is attempting to take healthcare away from millions of Americans. And of course this particular Congressman is virulently anti-lgbtq and has called Obama a "socialist dictator." Forgive my blasphemy, but I envision Jesus in Heaven telling God, "I don't care what the Bible said. I'm not coming back to these people. They scare even ME!" All jokes aside. Seriously. This bizarre juxtaposition is the epitome of what's wrong with the religious right.

 LGBT rights leaders flunk Trump on first 100 days - Well duuuuuh.

Houston Transgender Woman Files Lawsuit After Landlord Barricades Apartment Door!- I hope she wins, too.

 Troll This Politician And He Just Might Call Your Grandma — Literally - Oh snap! This is good!

How the Family Research Council brand transgender children as dangerous

One of the most powerful weapons in the arsenal of the anti-lgbtq right is language. It's relatively easy to refute their lies when compared to demonstrating how religious right groups and personalities exploit semantics in their attempts to control the narrative of debates about the lgbtq community.

The following from the anti-lgbtq hate group Family Research Council advertising an anti-transgender event is a perfect example. Watch how the organization brands transgender children as dangerous outsiders and their parents as nonexistent without even directly saying those words:

There are so many dog whistles in this announcement, one wonders if the Family Research Council has a side business as a kennel.

Everything in this vile announcement practically paints transgender children as outsiders. So transgender children don't exist? They are an ideology instead of students? They are a lobby instead of children whose lives are hindered by fear and ignorance?

And what about the parents of transgender children? Apparently according to the Family Research Council, they don't exist either. The parents who will be supposedly "fighting back" are parents of so-called normal children. And let's not forget the taxpayers.  Parents of transgender children don't exist, so how on Earth can they be taxpayers?

The fact that the Family Research Council has invited no medical professionals to this meeting goes without saying. That fact is merely rancid icing on top of this stale cake of transphobia designed to scare people  rather than educate them about transgender children.

Demonizing children is a nasty game, but the Family Research Council seems to have no problem playng it.

'Trump's first 100 days have been ugly for LGBTQ community' & other Wed midday news briefs

Donald Trump holds (an apparently fireproof, lightning proof) Bible.

Trump’s Record on LGBT Rights: Death by 1000 Cuts in the First 100 Days - From Lambda Legal comes an astute assertion about Trump's first 100 days. While he has claimed about being pro-lgbtq, people in his administration have quietly been either making or prodding him to make very anti-lgbtq appointment picks and policies.  

100 Days Of Trump: Delivering For The Extreme Religious Right - More info on this and other monstrosities of Trump's 100 days courtesy of People for the American Way. 

Trump Army Secretary Pick: ‘Liberal Left’ Is Making Me Seem Like An LGBTQ ‘Hater’ - Uh no, you dipstick. Your anti-lgbtq and very transphobic statements and actions make you seem like a hater.  

The Alabama Legislature Voted To Let Adoption Agencies Turn Away LGBT Parents - Because of Jesus?  

Gay man sues New York museum for anti-HIV discrimination - The stigma of HIV is unfortunately as prevalent today as it was so many years ago.

Anti-lgbtq right targeting lesbian high school teacher

This is flying under the radar (except for in religious right circles) but it is possibility that we will be hearing more about it:

From The Tampa Bay Times:

An Orlando-based religious liberties group has filed a complaint against a Hillsborough County high school teacher, accusing her of denying student rights to religious expression while promoting an LGBT agenda. 

In a letter to Hillsborough schools superintendent Jeff Eakins, the Liberty Counsel alleges that Riverview High math teacher Lora Jane Riedas barred at least three students from wearing Christian crosses on necklaces in her classroom, claiming they are "gang symbols." The organization also claims Riedas takes part in LGBT political activism in the classroom. "Ms. Riedas clearly seeks opportunities to engage in GLSEN-directed classroom activism, which has called on teachers to use its "Educator Guide" to promote GLSEN's views about homosexuality and gender confusion on "Day of Silence," and to do so this Friday, April 21, 2017," Liberty Counsel president Mat Staver wrote in his letter.

The school district is investigating the case and the principal has said she has not received any complaints from any parent or student.

Needless to say though, the anti-lgbt group American Family Association's phony new source, One News Now published a one-sided article about the situation, practically allowing  Staver of the Liberty Counsel to spin all sorts of charges against Riedas:

"What we have here are two lesbians that are promoting and indoctrinating the LGBT agenda in the classroom to their students," Staver tells OneNewsNow. "Punishing those that don't agree and targeting Christians because they won't accept her radical lesbianism."

And just in case you are not clear as to where One News Now's sympathies lie, the publication is also running a poll on the controversy:

So basically, the Liberty Counsel and One News Now is attempting to spin this situation into one in which an "intolerant radical lesbian teacher made Christian children remove their crosses while in her classroom."

That rendition tends to play better should Fox News's resident religious right liar - Todd Starnes, decides to push the story further, or the Liberty Counsel needs to exploit the incident for fnndraising, or GOP Congressional leaders need another "reason" in their quest to get Trump's signature on an anti-lgbtq "religious liberty" executive order.

But there are some who smell a rat in the entire situation. In the words of People for the American Way's Right Wing Watch:

This story . . seems a lot like the phony tales of supposed anti-Christian persecution that Religious Right groups are always ginning up.

I couldn't agree more as the following, also courtesy of Right Wing Watch and Think Progress, prove:

How Many Myths Of Anti-Christian ‘Persecution’ Can Kelly Shackelford Cite In One Speech? At Least Three

No, This Air Force Sergeant Was Not Fired For Opposing Marriage Equality