Anti-gay Family Research Council still can't prove accuracy of alleged Feldblum quote

Feldblum wins. FRC loses

Hold on to your horses.

The Family Research Council has answered my question regarding a quote it attributed to the EEOC's Chai Feldblum.

First a little background.

Last week, I wrote how the Family Research Council falsely attributed a quote to EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) member Feldblum to further a narrative that the rights of evangelical Christians would be hindered because of lgbt equality.

The alleged quote, "Gays win. Christians lose" was supposedly an answer to a question posed to Feldblum years ago when she was asked about dynamic of religious beliefs vs. lgbt equality. And it was a quote which traveled through right wing circles for a number of years.

I sent a tweet to the Family Research Council asking that they correct the assertion that Feldblum made the statement. The organization said it would get back with me. Today it sent the following tweet:

@holybullies Here you go: http://t.co/5jSMGSWIUy
— FRC (@FRCdc) March 10, 2015

That tweet was a link to a" fact sheet" (a better word would be a smear sheet) on Feldblum and why FRC felt she shouldn't serve as an EEOC commissioner. On page two of the sheet was the following:

Was the lead drafter for ENDA, which she would be responsible for enforcing if she is confirmed to the EEOC. When questioned on the rights of Christians hiring employees of their choice, Feldblum stated “Gays win; Christians lose.” Thomas Peters, “Chai’s ENDA vs. Religious Liberty,” American Principles Project, October 26, 2009.
http://www.americanprinciplesproject.org/blogs/chais-enda-vs-religious-liberty.html.

However that link is dead. When you click on it or type it in, you will see that the article no longer exists.

Still, it would appear that the Family Research Council has, at least, a little bit of justification in citing the false "Gays Win. Christians Lose" quote.

Not so fast.

'Silly overreaction over transgender woman in gym sparks unnecessary controversy' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

Gym Stands Up For Trans Woman, Kicks Out Member Who Wouldn’t Stop Complaining - The anti-gay right has been attempting to exploit this story to show the so-called dangers of pro-transgender inclusive anti-discrimination laws. But as Zack Ford from Think Progress clarifies, this is really an example of an extremely silly overreaction of one former gym member and an example of the nonsense that our transgender sisters have to go through. Much props for Planet Fitness for standing its ground and the transgender sister for coming public to demand her respect.

A Record Number Of Voters Support Gay Marriage, New Poll Finds - This DID NOT happen overnight. We fought tooth and nail for this. 

 Christian University Forbids Fundraiser Benefiting LGBT Homeless youth - Because apparently Jesus told an alternative story of  'The Good Samaritan' where everyone left the robbed traveler on the road to die.  

Matt Barber's overcompensating bravado again helps our side more than his own - In which the anti-gay spokesman Matt Barber provides proof of anti-gay animus against marriage equality (which of course never helps his side in the courts) and auditions to be a low-budget (and I am talking extremely low-budget) Dr. Seuss.  

More gay black characters on TV series these days: 'Empire,' 'Being Mary Jane,' 'The Haves & The Have Nots' - It's about time. NOW let's talk about a J.R. Ewing/Alexis Carrington Colby gay character. And call me for auditions when there is one to be created.

  LaBarbera: GOP Will Fall If It Stops Talking About Gay Kisses On TV - Now what are my news briefs without a little bit of "crazy?"

Family Research Council is 0 for 2 in attacks on EEOC's Feldblum

Last week, I wrote how the Family Research Council falsely attributed a quote to EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) member Chai Feldblum in order to make her seem like a fierce opponent of "religious liberty." When I confront the organization with the truth via twitter, its representatives promised to "look into it."

Naturally, FRC has not gotten back with me on that. In the meantime, however, it did put out the following about Feldblum:

RT @tperkins: Faith-based adoption orgs do vital work. Help us protect their #religiousfreedom http://t.co/rC70qgWIbQ pic.twitter.com/8atUeCDW69
— FRC (@FRCdc) March 9, 2015

Believe it or not, FRC actually got that quote right. HOWEVER, whereas last week FRC falsely attributed a seemingly anti-Christian quote to Feldblum, this week the organization took one sentence from an article in order to paint a false tone of her.

The article from which that quote was derived was published in 2006 by the conservative Weekly Standard. 

The article, Banned in Boston,  was written by Maggie Gallagher, who later became head of the anti-marriage equality group the National Organization for Marriage (which should give you some clue about the article's objectivity or lack thereof), and dealt with the controversy of the Catholic Charities stopping adoption services because it couldn't discriminate against same-sex couples while using tax dollars.

'Opposition to marriage equality leads to full marriage equality' & other Monday midday news briefs

Same-sex marriage: Why people really oppose it - Ironically, the reason why some folks oppose marriage equality is the very reason why it may become a reality. 

23 Things Black Gay Men Are So Tired Of Hearing - YES LAWD! YES LAWD! YES LAWD! 

Huckabee Asked To Provide Example Of Negative Impact Of Marriage Equality, Draws A Blank - Probably not the first time. 

 Mark Regnerus Defends Flawed Research On Same-Sex Parenting - Give it up, Mark and enjoy the money you made selling out your integrity. 

 'Complete Intolerance': GOP Lawmaker Doubles Down On Claim Gays Have No Right To Be Served - What was the saying about when those who oppose you proceed to hang themselves . . .

Australian anti-gay marriage ad bombing big time on youtube

This Australian tv ad, using the same nonsensical semantics and phraseology marriage equality opponents in America do about "how marriage equality will keep children from having a mother and a father" didn't exactly catch on:

Rodney Croome, national director of Australian Marriage Equality, says in a statement that the Australian Marriage Forum campaign is in fact 'harming the many Australian children being raised by same-sex couples because it defends discrimination against their families.' 'According to the Bureau of Statistics tens of thousands of Australian children are currently in the care of same-sex couples, and these children deserve the same opportunities as other children, including the opportunity of having married parents.' He added that the advertisement's timing highlights how 'out of place' anti-gay prejudice is in Australia's 'increasingly inclusive and respectful society.'

On youtube, it's even worse. Feel free to go there and continue to overwhelming reject it.

Related article:

Australia: New fearmongering TV ad by anti-marriage equality lobby group slammed

Dan Savage drops huge truths on Ben Carson about sexual orientation

I have not always agreed with Dan Savage but I will give him props. He is a fierce defender of our community and I am glad that he is on our side:

'How to spot & stop anti-gay legislation coming to your state' & other Friday midday news briefs.

WATCH: A Field Guide to Spotting and Stopping the Homophobic Laws Coming to Your Home State - Okay brothers and sisters, vigilance is the key here. Take notes, pass along information. THEN raise hell. 

More Than 300 Republicans Call on Supreme Court to Recognize Gay Marriage Nationally - I LOATHE how some folks on this list have behaved, but uneasy alliances is a hallmark to getting things done.

 379 companies that want their logos paired with uplifting music in inevitable marriage (in)equality documentaries - ESPECIALLY when such an alliance is the part of a huge snowball in your favor. 

Ben Carson Won't Talk About Gay Rights Anymore - One down. A gigantic bunch of nuts to go. 

 ABC Family’s ‘The Fosters’ Creators Defend 13-Year-Old Gay Male Kiss: Watch Before Judging - On the score that it's reality, I agree with the decision to show it. But folks, seriously, we need a new variation of this theme. The "young white twinks realizing they are falling in love probably for the first time" has been done to death.

 Completely Real Coalition Of African-American Pastors To Give ‘MLK Award’ To Alabama’s Roy Moore - This is NOT satire. They are giving this fool an MLK award. And lastly, my quote in the story still stands, DOUBLE TIME.

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.

'Anti-gay groups planning war of attrition against marriage equality?' & other Monday midday news briefs

Has the Anti-Gay Right Found Its Gay 'Partial Birth Abortion'? - This excellent piece by Michelangelo Signorile inspired today's morning post. He makes the point while the lgbt community is taking it for granted that we may receive nationwide marriage equality, anti-gay groups are meticulously planning to create a long-term war of attrition via "religious liberty" bills. Our community simply has to stop taking these anti-groups lightly and get on the offensive rather than the defensive. If we get caught "napping" this time, we have no one to blame but ourselves. 

Man Who Once Defended Georgia Sodomy Ban To Oppose Religious Liberty Bills - And this is one way to be on the offensive - not waiting to be attacked but gathering our allies together and planning the fights.  

HUD Instructs Homeless Shelters To Provide Equal Treatment To Transgender People - Excellent! 

Ten controversies caused by Todd Starnes and his sloppy, homophobic journalism - One of the times I am including my morning post in the news briefs because I feel it NEEDS to be read and shared on a larger scale. 

 Jeb Bush to name openly gay man as Communications Director - Well! This is going to make the 2016 election very interesting. 

 Scott Lively Warns That SCOTUS Could Unleash The Antichrist By September 2015 - Come on folks, you know I had to throw at least a little "crazy" in today's news briefs. If you want to see a strangely cool, but nauseating graphic which illustrates Lively's point, go here to Jeremy Hooper's site.

Ten controversies caused by Todd Starnes and his sloppy, homophobic journalism

Fox News personality Todd Starnes has a history of sloppy journalism.

Faced with the reality that they may actually lose the fight against marriage equality, anti-gay groups, as they are skilled at doing, are switching tactics to fight gay equality.

After decades of claiming that homosexuality is a public health menace which encompasses pedophilia, disease, and all-around negative behavior, they are suddenly shifting the conversation to the idea that Christians and evangelicals like themselves are now seeing their rights infringed upon by a world which is becoming more lgbt-inclusive.

Instead of relying on information such as FBI statistics, because such statistics contradict their claims, anti-gay groups are relying on anecdotes and FOAF (friend of a friend) stories which are for the most part are conjured up by either themselves or members of the media friendly to their point of view.

Such as Fox News personality Todd Starnes.

 Since starting with Fox News a few years back, Starnes, a conservative author, commentator, and author,  has made a name for himself by supposedly uncovering evidence of anti-Christian bias in various places. Subsequently, his articles and columns not only attract a large following but are also used by anti-gay organizations such as the Family Research Council, the American Family Association, and other various groups who claim that the goal of lgbt equality is to suppress Christianity.

According to the site Equality Matters, Starnes serves as a willing mouthpiece to these groups; i.e. their conduit to the mainstream press when it comes to pushing their anecdotes of anti-Christian bias.

Starnes himself has made viciously untrue comments about lgbts such as:

LGBT equality is ushering in 'cultural cleansing, and

LGBT equality will lead to bestiality

Starnes also has a reputation as a sloppy reporter whose personal biases causes him to either embellish or omit details in his articles and columns; details which contradict his overriding claim of anti-Christian persecution.

And this wouldn't be the first time he has gotten into trouble for sloppy journalism. In 2003, Starnes was fired by the Baptist Press for what seemed to be a deliberate misrepresentation of quotes by then U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige. Apparently, what Starnes did was so bad that before the truth was discovered, several civil rights groups and members of Congress  were demanding Paige's resignation.

Since that time, Starnes has been the stirring stick of several controversies which go beyond the Paige controversy.

Below is a short summary of  a few of  the controversies Starnes  has created. Accompanying these controversies are the facts which he either omitted or didn't investigate further to discover. Not all of these controversies involve claims of gays supposedly persecuting Christians, but they all weave the false theme of anti-Christian bias. And we all know that when there are false themes of anti-Christian bias, sooner or later, these themes filter down to fingers being pointed at the lgbt community.


April 2013:

1. Starnes spin - The United States Military was deliberately blocking access to the official website of the Southern Baptist Convention because of anti-Christian bias.

Truth - The website was blocked because of virus issues. This was confirmed by the Baptist Press, the news source of the Southern Baptist Convention.

From Right Wing Watch


2. Starnes spin - The United States Military will begin court marshaling Christians in an effort to kick them out of the service

Truth  - "As Warren Throckmorton points out, the Defense Department guidelines on proselytizing and religious bias that has so enraged Starnes and others was actually put in place in 2008 during the Bush administration and the language clearly “draws a distinction between simply speaking about one’s faith and coercion.”

"Throckmorton also notes that Starnes twisted a statement from a Pentagon spokesman “to make it seem as though the outcome of religious proselytizing cases would be court martial.” '

From Right Wing Watch


September 2013:

Starnes spin - A San Antonio non-discrimination ordinance will bar all Christians from serving in public office, discriminate against folks for having prior anti-gay beliefs, and will "force churches to allow transgender bathrooms."

Truth - Equality Matters refuted every one of those claims. The site called the last claim regarding churches a boldfaced lie.


December 2013:

Starnes spin - Veterans Administrations Hospitals in two states (Texas, Georgia) refuses to accept Christmas cards made by children in a show of anti-Christian bias

Truth - This was probably the most significant debunking given to Starnes because it was by a fellow Christian, Alan Noble. In an absolutely blistering piece entitled Todd Starnes Sold Us a War on Christianity. We Bought It, Noble outright accuses Starnes of lying:

Last week, Todd Starnes at FOX News published two articles on anti-Christian discrimination at Veterans Administrations hospitals this Christmas season. In both reports, Starnes lies and tactfully omits facts in order to deceive his audience, creating the impression that the government is at war with Christmas. . . .

 . . . Starnes’s wide influence on evangelicals is alarming because he consistently deceives and manipulates facts in order to exaggerate or fabricate incidences of Christian persecution. These reports influence a great deal of people who often respond with hatred, anger, and disgust out of ignorance.

Jan. 2014:

Starnes spin - A first grader was prohibited by her teacher from talking about how her family puts the Star of Bethlehem on top of their Christmas tree. Her teacher then told her to stop talking about the Bible in class

Truth - The school and the teacher involved published a public statement denying the incident.  The student was taking too long in her presentation. The teacher helped her through it but then cut it short because there were other students who had to do their presentations. At no time did the teacher tell the student to stop talking about the Bible in class or that no one is allowed to discuss the Bible in class.

From Right Wing Watch.


April 2014:

1. Starnes spin - As part of a lgbt-inclusive anti-bullying workshop at Linden Avenue Middle School in New York, two female students were forced to kiss each other.and male students were told to carry condoms in their pockets

Truth - The school district investigated and issued a statement that neither of these incidents took place

From the Huffington Post (Full disclosure. I wrote this Huffington Post article.)


2. Starnes spin - A kindergarten student in Florida was told that she could not pray before eating her lunch.

Truth - The school investigated and could find no evidence that the incident took place. An interesting addendum to this controversy was that the child in question was the daughter of Marco Perez. Perez is the vice president of sales of a Christian publishing house (Charisma House) which published Starnes's recent book on - what else - anti-Christian persecution.

From Right Wing Watch , the Orlando Sentinel, and Equality Matters


October 2014

Starnes spin - An church in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho was being forced to marry a gay couple.

Truth - The "church" in question, The Hitching Post, was not a church but a "for-profit" business which also offered secular weddings. In fact, city never even took legal action against it.

From Equality Matters (Equality Matters pointed out that other anti-gay organizations and blogs pushed the story but that Starnes was the first who sounded the phony panic alarm)


February 2015:

1. Starnes spin - An Oregon bakery which refused to bake a cake for a same-sex couple could face a fine of up to $200,000

Truth - “Todd Starnes is writing that the bakery owners face fines of up to $200,000 in damages. That’s false,” said Charlie Burr, (Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries) communications director. “In fact, it’s the Kleins who have asked for $200,000 in damages from our agency for our enforcement of the Equality Act.”

From Raw Story


2. Starnes spin - Students at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California were bullied during a class presentation put on by the school's Queer/Straight Alliance.

Truth - Acalanes High School District Superintendent John Nickerson sent email to Equality Matters denying Starnes's claims:

It is not clear what other primary source Fox News used for their reporting, but their "opinion" piece on the program does not reflect what actually took place.

From Equality Matters

At a time in which journalistic honesty is being scrutinized because of controversies involving NBC's Brian Williams and Starnes's colleague at Fox News, Bill O'Reilly,  it is amazing that Starnes has gotten away with so many incidents of sloppy journalism and deliberate embellishment of facts

Starnes doesn't care about being truthful because he is too busy presenting an argument. Such a mindset is a dangerous one for a journalist to have. He seems to be determined to prove that there exists an anti-Christian bias in this country (particularly coming from the lgbt community) whether or not such a bias exists.

And it is something for the lgbt community to remember  and remind people of because if we should eventually win marriage equality in all 50 states, Starnes's articles and columns, no matter how sloppy and embellished, will play a huge part in the religious right's argument of anti-Christian suppression.

Anti-gay groups clearly lying about possible fate of Washington state florist

An excellent publication, The New Civil Rights Movement which is run by a good colleague of mine (David Badash), pointed something out which I want to piggyback on because I want to make as much people as possible know this:

"Barronelle Stutzman is now going to lose her business, her life savings, and possibly her own home for putting her faith into practice," Fox News' Erick Erickson claimed, incorrectly, yesterday.

Stutzman "stands to lose her business, her home, and her personal savings," a CNN op-ed today wrongly claimed.

And The Heritage Foundation ran this apparently fictive piece today:

In a phone interview with The Daily Signal, Barronelle Stutzman said the decision—and its accompanying fines—will put her flower shop out of business, or worse.

After the fines and legal fees, “There won’t be anything left,” Stutzman said. “They want my home, they want my business, they want my personal finances as an example for other people to be quiet.”

According to the Huffington Post, this is the story:

Benton County Superior Court Judge Alexander C. Ekstrom found that the florist (Stutzman) violated consumer protections when she wouldn't sell flowers for the same-sex wedding of a longtime customer because of her religious beliefs. The couple was protected by the Washington Law Against Discrimination, which prohibits bias based on sexual orientation, the court ruled.

Since that time religious right and conservative outlets have been pushing the idea that Stutzman is in danger of losing her home and business. To them, she has become the face of their argument for so-called "religious liberty," or the idea using religious beliefs as an excuse for businesses to discriminate mainly against lgbts. As you read above, they have been emphasizing the idea that Stutzman could lose her home, life savings, and business. Even the American Family Association sent the following out:

But the notion that Stutzman could lose her home, life savings, etc for supposedly "opposing gay marriage" is a deliberate stretching of the truth.

'Fox News personality compares gays to terrorists' & other Friday midday news briefs

National attention turns to Charlotte as Franklin Graham, Benham brothers speak out against Charlotte LGBT ordinances - Oh boy. How come "fun stuff" like this hardly ever happens in South Carolina? 

Fox's Erick Erickson: The Only Line Between "Gay Rights Extremists" And "Islamic Extremists" Is "Death" - Which really makes no sense at all, but then again Erick Erickson DOES work at Fox News. One thing he said irritates the heck out of me. It always drives me crazy when folks like Erickson categorize their attempts to stomp on lgbt equality as a "mere disagreement with homosexuality." We're not talking about a "mere disagreement" here but actions (and lies told) geared to making lgbts second-class citizens. Actions usually create reactions. In other words, if you don't want lgbts to react negatively to you, stop acting negatively towards us. ESPECIALLY stop lying on us and then hiding behind your religious beliefs.  

Doctor Who Turned Away Gay Moms Isn't the Real Problem -- Here's What Is (Video) - This is a VERY INTELLIGENT look at the recent controversy of the pediatrician who refused to treat the child of a same-sex couple. Read it all before passing judgement. 

 Kentucky Bill That Would Have Let Students Sue If They Saw Transgender Students In Certain Bathrooms Fails - THANK GOODNESS! The bill was stupid on so many levels.  

Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus Asks President Obama To Remove Brunei, Malaysia, From Trade Deal - Remove all anti-gay countries from this trade deal. Period.

Todd Starnes spreads another false anti-gay story. How does he stay employed?

Todd Starnes

Pretty soon, folks are going to start asking how does Fox News personality Todd Starnes stay employed. According to Media Matters, he got caught pushing yet another false story of anti-Christian persecution:

In a February 9 opinion piece for FoxNews.com, Fox News' serial misinformer and mouthpiece for anti-gay hate groups Todd Starnes reported on allegations that high school students at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California, were "bullied" by the school's Queer Straight Alliance during a class presentation. His report drew heavily from a press release by the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), an anti-LGBT hate group with a history of fabricating horror stories to combat efforts to make schools welcoming for LGBT students. Starnes concluded his report by asking, "Has it really come to this, America -- forcing students to declare their allegiance to the LGBT agenda?" 

The story spread across right-wing media, being featured on Breitbart, WND, MRCTV, and a number of smaller conservative outlets, as well as being shared thousands of times over social media.

The problem was that neither Starnes, nor any of the conservative outlets for that matter, did any further investigation or even waited for the district investigation before raising hell. If they had, this is what they would have found:

 . . .  in an email to Equality Matters, Acalanes High School District Superintendent John Nickerson thoroughly debunked the claims made by Starnes and PJI (emphasis added):

An examination of the program and classroom environment would suggest gross inaccuracies in the Pacific Justice Institute press release. It is not clear what other primary source Fox News used for their reporting, but their "opinion" piece on the program does not reflect what actually took place. Did not happen [quoted directly from PJI's press release]: ridiculed and humiliated / intimidation and interrogation / also had students line up. The peer led classroom activity was a carried out in a respectful environment and under the supervision of the classroom teacher. The activity focused on tolerance and acceptance, with an emphasis on anti-queer harassment and homophobia. It was intended to help students better understand the LGBTQ student experience. The program is in its 15th year at Acalanes High School and his been a model program and replicated throughout the region.

Media Matters also points out that Starnes and Fox News in particular shouldn't have relied solely on PJI for the story because the organization duped them before:

This is the second time Fox News and other conservative outlets have been duped by the Pacific Justice Institute. In 2013, PJI was caught promoting a fabricated story about a transgender student in Colorado harassing girls in the school bathroom - a claim that was also debunked by that school's superintendent. Starnes contacted Nickerson for his own piece, and Starnes quoted Nickerson as writing that the school was aware of the "concerns and allegations raised by two parents and the Pacific Justice Institute" and that it was "investigating the situation."

But rather than waiting for the investigation to be completed, Starnes uncritically parroted PJI's allegations. 

Starnes is swiftly getting a reputation by some as an activist exposing anti-Christian persecution. However to many others, he is actually a sloppy reporter who allows his personal views to cloud his judgement when writing his pieces.

And he is leaving an paper trail of false allegations and bad work.

 Just how long is that paper trail?

Tune in to this blog next week to find out.