Bryan Fischer, just stop it! You are a disgrace to bigots and homophobes all over the world!

Bryan Fischer is an embarrassment even to the religious right.

According to Right Wing Watch, the American Family Association's Bryan Fischer made an interesting statement on his radio show:

Bryan Fischer asserts that "43% of homosexuals admit that they've had more than 500 sexual partners in one lifetime." (Editor's note - if you click on the link, Fischer says this at 7:14)

Of course Fischer doesn't say where he got this statistic from, but I am guessing that he got it from the book Homosexualities: A Study of Diversity among Men and Women, which was published by Alan Bell and Martin Weinberg in the late 1970s. (Editor's note - Pan down to Distortion - Homosexuals have a lot of sex partners and their relationships do not last Part 1 in this link)

The two wrote the book from a study they took regarding gay white men in the city of San Francisco earlier that decade. This being the case, certainly the statistic cited by Fischer can't be used to generalize about all gay men. Bell and Weinberg even said the following in Homosexualities:

“. . . given the variety of circumstances which discourage homosexuals from participating in research studies, it is unlikely that any investigator will ever be in a position to say that this or that is true of a given percentage of all homosexuals.

It's not by accident that Fischer didn't reveal his source. But what gets me is his phraseology:

  "43 percent of homosexuals admit that they've had more than 500 sexual partners in one lifetime."

There is something seriously wrong with that phrase. In a lifetime? Wouldn't that mean you have lived your entire life, died, and then was buried?

So how in the hell can you tell anyone how many alleged sexual partners you had?

Can Bryan Fischer raise people from the dead? And if so, isn't it creepy that possibly the first question he would ask that person he brought back to life is not about Heaven or Hell or about angels, but about their sexual behavior before they died?

Naturally, I am speaking strictly tongue-in-cheek here but I think you get the gist.

It's always hilarious how foolish how some folks look when they sink to the depths of homophobia. And the fact that they don't even realize it only make their idiocy much more enjoyable.

'Who will argue for marriage equality in front of SCOTUS?' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

Marriage Equality Advocates Stall On Decision About Who Will Argue At Supreme Court - With it all being assured by the "experts" and others that the Supreme Court will strike down marriage equality bans, now is the unfortunate time for an unseen issue to sneak in and reduce those predictions to rubble. HELLLLLOOOO unseen issue. 

Nation’s Largest Presbyterian Denomination Embraces Inclusive Definition Of Marriage - Was there a change in the "memo" from national headquarters. I thought we were working to "recruit" children and "jail" Christians. 

 When it comes to health care, young gay men are falling through the cracks - Yes they are and it is because of the SAME problems as before, i.e. lack of trust, fear, homophobia. 

 A Mother Comes To Terms With Her Transgender Child - Wonderful article!

This New Film Tells The Stories Of Kids With Same-Sex Parents - "Synthetic children," my a$$!  

Texas Lawmakers May Have Set A Record For The Most Anti-LGBT Bills In The History Of Any State - Relax, folks. It's not supposed to be easy. If you are wanting to wring your hands and weep in fury, save it. Weep later. Fight now.

Why are gays angry at Dolce & Gabbanna? Read this letter and you will know

Lopez

You want to know why the lgbt community is angry at Dolce & Gabbanna's awful words against same-sex families with language about "synthetic children" and "rented uteruses," aside from the fact that they attack our children.

They give the opposition all sorts of fodder to do the same.

The National Organization for Marriage is calling them 'Wonderful Advocates for the True Definitions of Marriage and Family.'

In addition, a group of supposed adult children from same-sex families issued them a "letter of support." And proving that he has neither scruples nor respect for his own people,  Stefano Gabbana thanked these "individuals" for the letter.

But the kicker, the very essence of vile audacity is how one of those who signed that letter, Robert Oscar Lopez, exploited the controversy to attack same-sex families yet again.

Lopez has in the past, said:

 that by siding with the majority to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor failed to connect the dots between same-sex parenting and slavery

claimed "The Gay Movement is an International War on Black People"

insisted same-sex parenting is "creepy gay child abuse masquerading as gay rights"

 directly compared gay parents to slaveowners:

As difficult as it is to believe, his attack on same-sex families today was much worse than any of the above (by way of the blog Goodasyou):

The completely petulant and histrionic response from gay parents like Ryan Murphy to Dolce & Gabbana's comments can give average Americans a small taste of what children in such homes will have to deal with. You can't be a good parent and want to have absolute control over what your kids think and feel, in addition to what the whole world thinks and feels about you and your kids. It's a recipe for emotional abuse of whoever is under your power. Look at the punitive urge, the lust for vengeance, the despotism. That is what I see in Ricky Martin, Jeremy Hooper, Ryan Murphy, and Elton John. These are men who will terrorize human beings if they can, if they are within their striking distance. They acquired children the way they get everything they want in all aspects of their lives: through economic leverage, intimidation, and sheer arrogance. Imagine being a helpless and confused child longing for a mom, and being under the power of a dad who throws out clothing and calls for all-out destruction of anyone who hints that you have lost something by being denied a mom. Imagine not one such man lording over you, but two. This is horrible. These people are disgusting. I hope and pray that Dolce and Gabbana do not capitulate to them. These repulsive tyrants must learn at some point that they are not gods, and they cannot bring the world to their knees.  

That's why we are angry. It takes an absolutely clueless, self-absorbed sort of nastiness to give fodder to those who want to make your own people second-class citizens. And then thank them for the privilege.

Why should Dolce &  Gabbanna care? They are wealthy. They are totally untouched by the fires they have set. They can tune out the voices of the families they have harmed. 

They are clueless so-and-so's who should have at least have the decency to know what is going on in our fight for equality or, at the very least, not post a "thank you" to folks who don't even look at them as worthy of having families.

Here is a little tip for you, Dolce & Gabbanna. To Robert Oscar Lopez, NOM, and the rest of those on the right praising your words, you are undeserving, sinful "fags," just like the of us.

And if you are going to jump headfirst into this so-called culture war, you had better know which side to be on.

Because when they are done praising your words, what do you think they are going to do to you when your backs are turned to them?

'Jon Stewart gives new anti-gay bills the disrespect they clearly deserve' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

Jon Stewart demolishes anti-gay marriage groups: Even Walmart thinks you’re “out there” - I am sooooo going to miss Jon Stewart when he leaves The Daily Show. 

Roy Moore’s son blames his latest drug arrest on liberal plot to ‘destroy’ his family - I wonder what who he blames his other drug arrests on. Uh Roy, you need to leave us lgbts alone and take care of business at home.  

The Rise Of  LGBT Rights Is An Existential Threat To Conservative Religious Groups - In a nutshell, there are a huge number of folks who are proving that the lgbt orientation and religion can be intertwined in a positive way. I love it!  

Florida Proposes "Stand Outside My Loo" Law - For God's sake, why not a "here is your complimentary cup to pee in" law. (Shut up, Alvin. Don't give the opposition ANY ideas).  

Mat Staver: Second American Revolution Needed To Stop Gay Marriage - To paraphrase Mrs. Howell on Gilligan's Island, "what does one wear to a second American Revolution?"

'Take a stand against marriage equality' . . . because all of those other 100s of times were just practice

It's not the fact that the man in the video below, Steven Hotze, president of Conservative Republicans of Texas, is announcing an anti-marriage equality march.

It's the language that he uses which intrigues me:



Partial Transcript:

 It’s time for Christians and conservatives to rise up and take a stand for God’s truth about marriage! We must draw a line in the sand. This is a call to action.

It's a long speech so he goes on and on about "militant homosexuals" and "liberals" while asking people to assemble at the State House.

Actually a rally is rather moot right now when it comes to whether or not Texas will be receiving marriage equality, seeing that the issue will be soon in front of SCOTUS.

But notice the language. Not being trying to be snide or anything, but just how many times have you heard some from the conservative or anti-gay right proclaim that "they have to stand up" or that "they have to draw a line in the sand."

It makes you wonder what the heck do they think they have been doing all of this time.

Hotze is propagating the victimhood meme that lgbts and our "allies" are picking on "Christians" and attempting to move them out of the public square while snatching away their rights to boot.

I personally don't like to see anyone's rights snatched away so I am glad that this idea is false. On the other hand, anyone who believe Hotze's drivel has obviously been having asleep these past years, particularly since 2004 when all of this mess exploded.

Christians like Hotze have hardly been sitting down and quiet. They have drawn so many "lines in the sand" that there is now nothing but gravel. And quite honestly, some of them have been "called to action" so many times that I suggest they take a "toke" to calm themselves down.

'Gay father explains why he will boycott #BoycottDolceGabbana for his child' & other Monday midday news briefs

Dolce & Gabbana Respond To Backlash Over Their Remarks About Gay Families - I don't know Dolce & Gabbana from frick and frac, but long term readers of this blog know that when someone starts picking on gay families and their children, it's time for me to snatch off the earrings and the good shoes. 

Yes, I will absolutely #BoycottDolceGabbana. For my kid. - And yet there are some who are either talking about how "intolerant" gays are, whining about free speech, or saying we should ignore the mess. They don't seem to understand that Dolce & Gabanna touched a nerve which goes beyond the gay community. It's a primitive and justifiable idea for a parent to see read when their children are attacked. Jeremy Hooper puts it in better terms.  

Why LGBT Women Face A Uniquely High Risk Of Poverty - This is NOT good.

 I’m Proud To Be a Transgender Catholic - Religion and the lgbt orientation should NEVER be seen as polar opposites

 Pat Robertson: Treat Gay Son Like A Drug Addict - Pat Robertson needs Jesus. The end.

'Religious liberty' supporters don't want to own their bigotry

For all of their talk about religious liberty and wanting the right not to serve lgbt customers, some folks don't want to own their bigotry:

An attempt to pass a law in Oklahoma that would allow businesses to refuse certain services to LGBT people has stalled, and it could be partly due to an amendment introduced by an opponent to the bill.
Earlier this year, Republican state Rep. Chuck Strohm introduced his ‘Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act’ (HB1371). If passed, this would allow businesses to deny services to customers if they felt that such services were ‘against the person’s religious beliefs’. The bill was aiming to allow businesses such as cake makers and florists the freedom to decline providing services for same-sex weddings.

Describing herself as ‘adamantly opposed’ to the proposed legislation is Emily Virgin  a Democratic member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. This week, Virgin introduced an amendment to the bill. In brief, the amendment stated that if you were planning on refusing to serve LGBT people on religious grounds, then you must display a public notice to this effect. ‘Any person not wanting to participate in any of the activities set forth in subsection A of this section based on sexual orientation, gender identity or race of either party to the marriage shall post notice of such refusal in a manner clearly visible to the public in all places of business, including websites,’ said the amendment. ‘The notice may refer to the person’s religious beliefs, but shall state specifically which couples the business does not serve by referring to a refusal based upon sexual orientation, gender identity or race.’ On her Facebook page, Virgin explained the reasoning behind the amendment. ‘This would save same-sex couples the trouble and embarrassment of going into that business just to be turned away.’

 . . .  ‘If you want to discriminate under this law if it passes, then you’re legally allowed to do that, but you need to own it. You need to fess up to it,’ Rep. Virgin told kfor.com. Yesterday, it was announced that the bill has stalled. House leadership did not take up the proposal for discussion. For it to return to the House, it would need to be added to another bill, but Virgin has indicated that if that happens, she would act again. 

I personally like the idea. If you don't want to serve potential lgbt customers, there should be a way for us to know it beforehand so as to not waste our time. The irony is that for all of their talk about the willingness to lose their businesses for their moral beliefs, my guess is that a lot of these businesses would object for the specific reason that they would lose business.

Discrimination of any kind is a bad practice not only to lgbts but also heterosexuals and announcing that you would engage in the act wouldn't make you a hero in the eyes of many in the public.

But it would awaken their righteous indignation.

'Bogus religious liberty argument could harm our military men and women' & other Friday midday news briefs

How Marriage Equality Opponents’ Arguments Are Getting Turned Against Them - Really, it was bound to happen. In all of the chaos and anger in the early years of the fighting for marriage equality, it's not difficult to see that we never considered this possibility. 

Jindal, Huckabee And Santorum To Join Far-Right Activists At Liberty Counsel's 'The Awakening' - Just think. These three guys are most likely going to be running for president. Take a look at who they consort with and if it doesn't creep you out, YOU creep ME out. 

 After Shaming Gay And Unmarried Female Sailors, Navy Chaplain Wants To Keep At It - Another example of how the bogus argument of religious liberty goes to far. It can put our service men and women in harms way.  

Ala. House approves bill allowing judges, ministers to refuse to marry gay couples - Let's not lose our heads over these ridiculous laws. I know that there are some lgbt-affirming judges and ministers out there. 

 I'm An 18-Year-Old Boy Who Wears Blue Nail Polish -- Get Over It - Fascinating article.

So . . . when exactly did you decide to become gay?

In a tribute to Ben Carson, the site Funny or Die decided do a man on the street interview and ask folks when exactly did they decide to become gay?

Just in case you are wondering about me, I decided somewhere between the seventh episode of the Wonder Woman television series, Diana Ross's Caesar's Palace Concert, or when I really wanted to be one of those teenaged back-up singers in the Tempted video by that group Squeeze.

Gay People Tell Us When They Chose To Be Gay from Dan Abramson

'Lgbts, allies think of awesome ideas to combat homophobia' & other Thursday midday news briefs

This is a WONDERFUL media campaign. It educates folks about the transgender community and turns an anti-gay lie on its head:

Hey @TX_Republicans. Are you sure that is is what you want? pic.twitter.com/6zzsjkxEvp
— transadvocate (@transadvocate) March 11, 2015

 
Buzzfeed goes into more detail about this campaign, which as you can tell, I support big time.

In other news:

Oklahoma Dem amendment: Christian businesses must post notice of anti-gay discrimination - Another wonderful idea. Why not? If you don't want to serve lgbts, then why should we find out when we come to your business. That's just wasting OUR time. Really though, I think this brings home just how devastating these bogus arguments of "religious liberty" are. It's easy to talk about hypothetical situations, but put it in real-life demonstrations and see what happens.  I wonder if these folks talking about their "religious liberties" have the guts to do this.

Anti-Gay Pundits: Ignoring 'Disgusting' Homosexuality Is 'Like Trying To Talk About The Holocaust Without Showing Pictures' - I hate to be the one to point it out, but it's a surfeit homophobic craziness on Religious Right Watch today. This is just one of the least crazy items.

 Christian College Tried To Stop Bake Sale For Homeless LGBT Youth, But They Raised Thousands Anyway - A happy ending for some of our lgbt children.  

Utah Legislature Passes Extraordinary LGBT Nondiscrimination Bill By Huge Margin - Forgive my cynicism but what's the catch?

Idea of full marriage equality scares the #&@! out of the anti-gay right.

I think its downright hilarious just how the idea of gays having the right to marry in all 50 states scare  the anti-gay right and their supporters.

Just how scared do they get? Allow me to show you with the help of my good friends at Right Wing Watch:

Roy Moore

Cruz: Marriage Equality Decisions 'A Real Danger To Our Liberty'

Right-Wing Activist: Flee America Before Gay Marriage Causes God To Destroy Us

Matthew Hagee: Gay Marriage 'Is Taking Away The Ability Of ... Society To Survive' End Times 

Preacher: Gay Marriage Victory Will Lead To God's Wrath 

Roy Moore: SCOTUS Gay Marriage Ruling Paves Way For Government To 'Take Your Children' 

Scott Lively

Lively: America Will Face 'Calamity And Judgment' If Gay Marriage Is Legalized 

Matt Barber

Barber: Gay Marriage Will Be 'The Sledgehammer Used To Crush The Church'

Brian Brown: Gay Marriage Victory Threatens Gun Rights, Future Of The Republic

 Roy Moore: Ban Gay Marriage To Keep Bisexuals And 'Transgendered' From Marrying Multiple People
 

Scott Lively Warns That SCOTUS Could Unleash The Antichrist By September 2015  

Mat Staver: Marriage Equality Might Turn Kids Gay

I've got a prediction. The idea that gays can freely marry in all 50 states will transform the anti-gay right and their supporters into simpering "drama queens."

Oh look. It's already happened.

'Bathroom bill' bounties, Fake anti-Christian panics & other Wednesday midday news briefs

Texas Bill Would Create $2,000 Bounty for Turning in Transgender Students Found in Bathrooms - Oh mercy! If it hasn't already been declared official, then I hereby declare the ridiculous fear of transgender men and women using restrooms and the "moral panic" of the year. 

 Senate GOP Invites FRC's Tony Perkins To Politicize Hearing On 'Religious Freedom Abroad' - This is happening today and it is why I get angry when folks refuse to take folks like Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council seriously. I doubt that any US senator would invite Peter LaBarbera or Linda Harvey to testify in front of any committee. But they invited Perkins because FRC has credibility, no matter how much the organization lies and distorts.  

Anti-gay Family Research Council still can't prove accuracy of alleged Feldblum quote - Speaking of Perkins and the FRC, it is that time again when I put a past post in the news briefs because I feel that it is an important post for us to read, pass around, and publicize. In a nutshell, it is how the Family Research Council spread a faked quote from an Obama appointee and is presently using it as a part of its "religious liberty" narrative. FRC was caught in the middle of its subterfuge, but more people NEED to know about the situation because it's a guide to how anti-gay groups create false panics about so-called anti-Christian persecution in America. 

 Fox News Defends Navy Chaplain Who Allegedly Discriminated Against Gays, Women - Speaking of fake panics about so-called anti-Christian persecution . . .  

Allowing Transgender Youth To Transition Improves Their Mental Health, Study Finds - Pay attention because this is important to cite later on numerous occasions.

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?!!!!!