Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Gay couple endured five years of creepy harassment from guess who?

 This situation is enough to make one paranoid:

 

 From LGBTQNation:

Lee Michael McLean and Bryan Furze endured years of anonymous anti-gay harassment at their home in Milton, Massachusetts, but a remarkable turn of events has freed them from the abuse . . . 

The men are upstanding members of their community, proud parents, and served in local government. But that’s when things turned ugly, they say. They started receiving dozens of magazine subscriptions with homophobic names on them. The men were confounded and police were unable to help since most magazines don’t require pre-payment. The perpetrator didn’t use a credit card that could be traced. For five years the couple got magazines, newspapers, and solicitations under the offensive fake names. It stopped during the pandemic, but when the neighbor tried to resume the harassment, he made a major mistake.

To find out the rest of the story, watch the video. But to clue you in - the entire situation simply shows how covert homophobia can be and how some of the most dangerous bigots are the ones who won't say stuff to your face.

It all sounds like something from one of those cable crime channels, minus the physical violence. And thank goodness the situation was taken care of before it came to that. I wouldn't be surprised if it would have. If you can spend five years surreptitiously harassing someone, whose to say that you won't take that last deadly step of violence?

'Virginia school district to appeal judge's decision reinstating anti-trans teacher' & other Wed midday news briefs

Virginia school district to appeal judge’s decision reinstating teacher who refused to use trans students’ pronouns - And I hope that the school district wins. 

Hungary's parliament passes anti-LGBTQ law ahead of 2022 election - Hungary is an awful place to be.

31 Unexpected Things That Made People Realize They Are Absolutely, Positively, Undeniably Not Straight - A little comedy never hurts. 

Opinion | Pride offers LGBTQ youth opportunities for community - Amen. 

Charles M. Blow on Bi Visibility and the Debt We Owe as Queer People - One of my favorite columnists. Does he have a Pulitzer yet?

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Companies claiming to support Pride Month also support network which labels LGBTQ people as mentally ill and pedophiles


 
Thanks to Media Matters comes a video which should be required viewing, particularly during Pride Month. I love my LGBTQ brothers and sisters, but sometimes we have a tendency of thinking that if we ignore homophobes, they can't harm us. That's like saying if you ignore someone who is breaking into your house, he will go away. That doesn't happen, particularly when there is a revenue stream involved. And in this case, that stream has to do with companies which claim to celebrate Pride.

The right-wing conspiracy theory channel One America News regularly uses extreme anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, combating what it has called “militant LGBTQ recruitment” strategies. OAN’s baseless fearmongering about Drag Queen Story Hour, Demi Lovato’s gender identity, and transgender athletes, however, is being financially supported by cable companies and streaming services that claim to be celebrating LGBTQ people and Pride month. 

 Rather than relying on “advertising as a prime revenue source,” OAN reportedly relies on subscriber fees, also known as carriage fees, as its primary funding source. Verizon and DirecTV (and its parent company, AT&T) pay OAN subscriber fees in exchange for the network being available to their customers, whose subscription costs pay for OAN. While it’s difficult to quantify exactly how much revenue these cable contracts generate, Bloomberg previously reported that OAN “gets paid about 15 cents per subscriber by the companies.”

 OAN also generates revenue through subscriber fees via its streaming app, which charges its subscribers $4.99 per month and is available to download on Roku, Amazon Fire, Google Play, and Apple TV. In exchange for hosting OAN in their channel libraries, these companies reportedly take a percentage of that subscription fee. For example, according to Yahoo Finance and The Motley Fool, Roku takes 20% of subscription fees, and Apple TV takes 30% during the first year and 15% in subsequent years. 
These companies have all celebrated Pride month through statements and social media support, including Verizon, Amazon, Google, Apple, Roku, and DirecTv and its parent company AT&T. However, these companies also enable OAN to maintain a steady income, even though the network is in direct opposition to their corporate commitments to the LGBTQ community. What’s more, OAN’s hateful rhetoric adds fuel to the rising attacks on LGBTQ people, particularly trans people: Anti-trans violence in the U.S. has reached record high levels, hate crimes targeting LGBTQ people are on the rise, and state legislatures have proposed over 100 bills to restrict trans rights so far in 2021 alone.


You can read the full article at Media Matters here.

Seems to me that if these companies are serious about supporting Pride and LGBTQ people, they would correct this hypocrisy. One could easily play the "it's just this network's opinion" card. But subsidizing opinions seen in the video above - that LGBTQ people are mentally ill, sinners, pedophiles, etc  - shouldn't be the thing to do for companies who claim to support us. 

 

'Lesbian couple crowned prom queens after surprise win' & other Tue midday news briefs


Lesbian couple crowned prom queens after surprise win - Good for them! 

Monday, June 14, 2021

Hate group leader Tony Perkins gives tips for 'surviving' Pride Month. Please make fun of him.


 
Tony Perkins, head of the hate group Family Research Council has gall. That I will give him. According to Right-Wing Watch
“You can’t turn on the television, shop for cereal, or scroll through Facebook without being hit over the head with LGBT pride,” griped FRC President Tony Perkins. “Thanks to ‘woke’ corporate America and the most radical administration in history, there’s no escaping the left’s forced sexual revolution.”
 “How did we get to the point where celebrating sex and transgenderism became a 30-day event that rivals Christmas?” he continued. “We have a president who’s flying the rainbow flag above the U.S. flag at our embassies, a Democratic Congress that thinks the military should salute pride on base, and a White House that brags [that] almost 1 percent of its 1,500 appointees are LGBT. You can’t blame people for wondering: When did we become identified by our sexual proclivities? The world is upside down when American pride is something we should apologize, for but sexual perversion is the stuff of parades. Just a few decades ago, these activists said all they wanted was recognition, autonomy, coexistence. Now, a handful of years after Obergefell, it’s not enough to leave them alone with their choices; they demand validation, affirmation, celebration. Pride is the new religion, and everyone must bow a knee to their sexual gods or face the left’s fiery furnace.” 

If you have a strong stomach and a macabre sense of humor, you can see Perkins making this statement in the above video. You'll notice how he hits all of the talking points his side usually pushes when attacking LGBTQ people. Of course he attempts to link the LGBTQ orientation to sexual behavior. That pretty much falls flat in the first few seconds of the video, which merely shows people innocently enjoying Pride. In spite of Perkins's comments about about 'sexual proclivities, the most risque thing seen is probably a t-shirt of Bea Arthur.  It makes one wonder less about the Pride celebration and more about what lurid thoughts have parked themselves so deep into Perkins's mind that he only sees sexual acts when people are merely marching and waving flags. Maybe it was Bea Arthur which got him all hot and bothered.

Also, his nonsense about  'woke politics,' however is new. It's the latest talking point conservatives are using to make folks who support them believe that they are yet again under attack. They have been steadily repeating the word "woke" with a negative connotation in hopes that it will galvanize their voters by the time the 2022 mid-term elections roll around.

Then there is this part:

 Just a few decades ago, these activists said all they wanted was recognition, autonomy, coexistence. Now, a handful of years after Obergefell, it’s not enough to leave them alone with their choices; they demand validation, affirmation, celebration.

There is just one problem with Perkins' claim. His side has been saying that for years. It's a lie they've been pushing since before the internet, since before dancers began wearing jheri curls on Soul Train. It's a centerpiece of their "radical homosexual" narrative and goes like this:

Supposedly at first,  LGBTQ people said that we want 'tolerance' and 'acceptance' but what we are really trying to do is  "drive our lifestyle down people's throats" because we demand approval and sanction.

Please bear in mind that Perkins and company (and their supporters) spin that narrative every time LGBTQ people go out publicly on dates, talk about our families, demand respect for ourselves, or do anything else (no matter how significant or insignificant) which ruins the false notion that we are sad, lonely, oversexed, diseased, bitter people who cannot have decent lives so all we do is have sex, sex, sex (in between the recruiting of children and the attempts to harm Christians. How DO we find the time?)

Now that we've heard from the peanut gallery about Pride Month, here is my advice. Enjoy it. Have fun. Make new friends, Educate yourself. And above all, love yourself.

I also had some advice for Perkins.  But telling him where he can kiss me sounds more like a treat and less like a rebuke. 


'Bi Trump Guy' arrested for scamming thousands from MAGA supporters' & other Mon midday news briefs


Bisexual man who duped Donald Trump gets arrested for scamming thousands from his base - Whoops! Somebody got caught. 




Sunday, June 13, 2021

Database charts 259 LGBTQ characters which have existed in children's animated programs


 
The online publication The Insider has created an engrossing database which tracks the presence of 259 LGBTQ and gender minority characters in children's animated programs from the 1950s until now.

From early Bugs Bunny to Disney villains like Ursula in “The Little Mermaid,” queer culture and gender transgression have always been present in animation. Historically, that inclusion has been illustrated through subtextual representation, leaving viewers to extract what they will — or won’t — from coded characters and storylines. But in the past decade, small-screen animation has undergone a noticeable shift. Representation in children’s cartoons in particular has increased in frequency, nuance, and overtness.

Establishing a specific criteria, characters and the programs which comprise The Insider's database range from the obvious:



To who the heck is this:


Announcing a list such as this generated a small, but vocal controversy. On Twitter, several people voiced the usual nonsense about children being "indoctrinated," and the equally popular "why are they exposing children to this?" which is always followed by "I don't have a problem with gay people, but why are they pushing this on children." And lastly some form of the inane refrain of "let kids be kids."

But I've discovered the funniest thing about these moral squad crusaders. When you let them expend their energy on their hysterical overtures and then simply ask them what is the wrong with LGBTQ characters in children's animation, you will find that either they can't cite a specific problem or they cling to the silly belief that LGBTQ people simply existing is a risque issue. And God forbid if you bring up the existence of LGBTQ families and their children and how these animated programs are doing nothing more than reflecting a simple and innocent reality.

Strange, isn't it? Almost as if their ignorance and dehumanization of us, our families, and children is intentional. It's almost as if it's not enough for them to have silly and dated ideas of LGBTQ people. They want to force those beliefs on the rest of us even though we know better.

Friday, June 11, 2021

'Pride Month giving the religious right the 'vapors'' & other Fri midday news briefs


Pride Month and Prejudice - The religious right is angry about Pride Month. And I think it's wonderful. 

Pulse Site to Be Designated a National Memorial - Just in case you haven't heard the news. 


Corporations should ‘not expand’ in states with anti-LGBTQ legislation: HRC President - I agree but we will see what happens. LGBTQ people need to speak with our wallets and pocketbooks.

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Franklin Graham angry that the Pride flag is flying at US embassy in the Vatican. Good. Stay mad.

For Pride Month, the American Embassy in the Vatican is flying our rainbow pride flag. Some people like Franklin Graham are upset about it. 

And I am so here for it


 If we are pushing an agenda (which is such a vague thing to say to begin with), it is one of joy, love, self-determination, and self-esteem. Now if Frankie wants to whine about a 'negative agenda, he would have much to choose from when taking into account the past four years. That was when he attempted to make Donald Trump seem like the orange incarnation of Jesus. 

To wit:




If Frankie thinks that he can go back to condemning  LGBTQ people without people reminding him how he coddled and kissed up to the worst president in American history, he is sorely mistaken.

'Racist former Trump official whines about trans community' & other Thur midday news briefs

 

Stephen Miller

Stephen Miller whines “transgender ideology” tells kids they can be “whatever they want to be” - A pathetic racist whines about trans people. Oh yeah. THAT will convince me to stand against my trans brothers and sisters . . . 

A Record Number Of Americans, Including Republicans, Now Support Same-Sex Marriage - The religious right are so mad about this that they are ignoring it. 


No, the Biden Administration Isn’t Betraying Its Support for LGBTQ Rights - An assurance because of complicated recent events.

Wednesday, June 09, 2021

Religious right pastor: Hate crime laws are to protect gay men from violence after failed seduction attempts

E.W. Jackson thinks hate crime laws are to protect gay men after failed seductions.


Two things - 1. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who believe this lie - that hate crime laws were passed to protect gay men after failed seductions  2. E.W. Jackson, I can assure you that you and I would NEVER be in a situation in which you should fear me hitting on you. I'm gay, not desperate and without taste. But even if I were, you still wouldn't have a chance. Seriously, if I ever found myself in a situation in which I was attempting to seduce you, I'd kick my own ass.


Hat tip to Right Wing Watch

''Pose' gets rave tribute calling for much deserved Emmy nominations' & other Wed midday news briefs

The groundbreaking FX series 'Pose.'


10’s Across the Board: Why 'Pose' Deserves Every 2021 Emmy Nomination - 'Pose' should have won the Emmy for Outstanding Dramatic Series a long time ago. I hope it's in the running at the next Emmy awards. 

Cinotti’s Bakery apologizes after VP shares anti-LGBTQ social media posts - At least they are apologizing. Money always talks.

Televangelists say Satan gave them COVID-19 because Milo went ex-gay - Naw, fool. Satan probably gave you Milo to begin with. 


Judge Lifts Suspension Of Virginia Teacher Who Said He Won’t Use Transgender Pronouns - Temporary injunction while he pushes his ridiculous lawsuit which I hope he loses.

Tuesday, June 08, 2021

Let Transgender Children Do the Talking For A Change - Episode 1

There have been too many damn people scapegoating and targeting trans children for their own personal fame, publicity, and political aspirations. Courtesy of Fox News, the conservative propaganda media industry, and the anti-LGBTQ industry, we are being bombarded by so many voices and all of them are phony. 

The most crucial voices are being drowned out. And those are the voices of our trans kids. So I've got some videos for you which I hope will be the first in a series I'm going to post from time to time. It's in its rough, beginning stages, so please bear with me. By this series, I hope to amplify the voices of our trans kids instead of liars and haters who refuse to see or hear them.

These first two videos highlight how trans children are helped by parental support and how legislation pushed by people who refuse to acknowledge their gender expression serves to damage their health and well-being.

   

The video below is ugly but necessary. There are people out there who pretending to be experts and they are encouraging parents to reject their trans children. Courtesy of an snippet of a recent episode of 'Dr. Phil(featuring a disgusting "old friend of mine"), this is an end result of what happens when a parent rejects their trans child.  I am serious  when I say that this video is not pleasant so please be advised. However, and as bad as it is, it's not the worse end result to contemplate. I need not go further in telling you what that is.


 
I hope folks will read and share this and other postings I make about letting trans children do the talking. This is about giving our trans kids the spotlight they totally deserve instead of the bastards who are treating them like a commodity.

'Ex-gay group holds yet another disastrous rally' & other Tue midday news briefs



'Ex-Gay' Organization Gathers Paltry Group for Sad D.C. Rally - Didn't even know it happened, did you?

Monday, June 07, 2021

The religious right claims that the LGBTQ community stole the rainbow from God. And they want to take it back.

The anti-LGBTQ industry is claiming that LGBTQ people stole the rainbow from God.

The anti-LGBTQ industry is comprised of some coldhearted bastards. They don't want us to have anything. Not job protection, not marriage, not the ability to have children and raise a family, not peace of mind . . .

Not even the rainbow:

June is here and rainbow flags are popping up around the country to celebrate "Pride Month." They are on company logos, business fronts, and sadly even some churches. But the rainbow was God's idea! It’s both a symbol of God’s covenant promise to never again destroy the whole earth by water and a reminder that He will destroy the earth by fire one day. The rainbow is a beautiful reminder that God is both loving and just. This blatant misuse of the rainbow is further evidence that our culture is morally confused . . .

And the American Family Association isn't the only entity claiming that we 'stole' the rainbow. 

According to Pink News:

As rainbows and LGBT+ love spread online, conservative groups and far-right conspiracy theorists are desperately trying to combat it by flooding timelines with the hashtags #Christianity month and #ReclaimTheRainbow. Their rallying cry was led by far-right conspiracy theorist Lauren Witzke, who called on her followers to celebrate June as “Christianity month”. Being suspended from Twitter she was restricted to her Telegram channel, a favourite with conservative groups.

To me, 'Christianity month' and Pride Month need not be diametrically opposed. No matter what the anti-LGBTQ industry claims, being a Christian and a member of the LGBTQ community aren't two opposite identities never to cross paths. You know us black gay men love our Jesus!

Either way, the hashtags aren't attracting that many to the thread, so I thought I would spruce it up a bit.  Just me being petty again.

'Companies celebrate Pride while donating to politicians who oppose the Equality Act' & other Mon midday news briefs



Walmart, McDonald's, and Amazon are among companies celebrating Pride after donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to politicians who voted against the Equality Act - We seriously have to talk about this.


Biden Recognizes 40th Year of HIV, Calls for Billions to End It - It's nice to have a president again instead of a disaster. We've so taken it for granted. 

Sunday, June 06, 2021

More Saturday Night Live 'Gay Moments' for Pride Month 2021

A few weeks ago, a video featured on Saturday Night spotlighting LGBTQ Pride Month became a monster hit on this blog. Courtesy of a youtuber named tai, here are more SNL gay moments which should remind you how the community has come from being the jokes to controlling the jokes.

Thursday, June 03, 2021

Conservatives having fits about Blues Clues and Pride Month. Good. Let them suffer.

Some conservatives are angry at the children's show Blues Clues for its association with LGBTQ Pride Month. Apparently these folks are all in a tizzy that the show has the temerity to spotlight the reality that LGBTQ families are raising children and that these families shouldn't be dehumanized.

To me, this is about the attempted deliberate erasure of families and their children, so my words to these individuals going through Helen Lovejoyish hysterics about children being corrupted wouldn't be polite It would involve me telling them to engage in certain sexual activities by themselves. 

Rather than lowering myself in that manner, however, I think I will hand it over to someone who can be a bit more eloquent than I would like to be. 

From Entertainment Weekly:

RuPaul's Drag Race Miss Congeniality winner Nina West is living up to her title as she defends her new LGBTQIA+ Pride campaign — created in collaboration with the animated Nickelodeon children's series Blue's Clues and You — from conservative critics. 

 West exclusively tells EW that "representation" and "inclusivity" matter most during Pride season, and that "LGBTQIA+ families deserve a safe space to raise their children and celebrate their individuality and grow without fear." That sentiment, West feels, holds true even amid backlash against her video project with the kid-focused network — featuring an animated version of West leading a sing-along through the Blue's Clues Pride Parade starring nonbinary animal characters carrying intersectional Pride flags — which detractors have recently slammed for "flagrantly" pushing "gender confusion and sexualized themes" at children.

. . . "What I love about my collaboration with Nickelodeon and Blue's Clues and You! is that we celebrate everyone that makes up our LGBTQIA+ community. It reminds us all that we are integral for the fight for equality," West says. "My job is to not only provide a space for celebration and fun but to reiterate, specifically to my community, that LGBTQIA+ are valid, worthy, and perfect the way they are. I will always continue to choose kindness and positivity and lead with love while educating people on LGBTQIA+ issues and equality. Happy Pride!"

Let me just wrap this up by saying if these folks don't like the idea of children and their families celebrating Pride, they need to get over it, deal with it, or do whatever they need to do. 

As been by the video above, what they will not do is erase us, our families, and especially not our children.

'Teacher put on leave after thinking his 'religious liberty' supersedes school policy protecting trans students' & other Thur midday news briefs

 


Gym teacher who told school board he would demean trans kids sues after getting put on paid leave - The danger of exploiting 'religious liberty' to not follow school policy even when said policy is put in place to protect children. 

OAN guest says people should celebrate “white history month” instead of “perverted” LGBTQ Pride - If you think that's wild, read what the interviewer said about Pride.