Analyzing and refuting the inaccuracies lodged against the lgbt community by religious conservative organizations. Lies in the name of God are still lies.
Jeb Bush: A ‘tolerant country’ should allow discrimination based upon ‘religious beliefs’ - You ever notice that when folks who don't support lgbt equality talk about gays showing "tolerance," they always seem to mean "don't cry too loud when we stomp all over your rights and dignity." I mean that's essentially what they are saying - "We will let you exist if you don't respond to all the times that we remind you that we don't want you to exist."
Obama administration: Gambia president’s anti-gay threats ‘unconscionable’- The president of Gambia threatened to slit the throats of his lgbt constituents. I'm going to remember to cite this the next time the anti-gay right claims that Obama is attempting to "force" homosexuality on the rest of the world.
It's common knowledge American anti-gay figures and groups went over to Africa and infected the continent with their lies and venom, thereby creating a veritable hell on Earth for lgbt Africans.
Thanks the HBO series, VICE, we see just how ugly it has become. There is no violence in this trailer, but what you will see and hear won't soon be forgotten
The latest episode of HBO's VICE, "A Prayer for Uganda," exposes what American Christian extremists, like Scott Lively, have done to the country of Uganda. A poor, landlocked nation of about 37 million people, Uganda has become synonymous with its "Kill The Gays"
bill, that was debated for year, generating international condemnation
and fear. It became law and then was tossed out by the Ugandan Supreme
Court, but only on a technicality.
Here is something for Kirsten Powers to write about. Oh wait. She only cares about "The Silencing" of conservative voices no matter how much vile they spew.
Us lgbts and liberals are on our own.
From a Family Research Council email:
What does an X-rated gay sex columnist have in common with Walt
Disney? Nothing. And that's exactly the problem. Most Americans have
probably never heard of Dan Savage, but unfortunately, that's all about
to change this fall. Despite massive outcry -- thousands of phone calls,
emails, and petition signers -- Disney's ABC is taking its LGBT
activism to new lows with plans to bring the controversial
Christian-basher to life in a sitcom called "The Real O'Neals."
Savage,
whose "anti-bullying" videos are a favorite of the President's and
Hollywood, has turned out to be the biggest bully of all -- using his
platform as an opportunity to ridicule students and curse faith. Lately, though, the militant atheist has taken a break from hurling sexual threats at Republicans (warning: graphic content) to focus on this new fall sitcom,
which producers say, "will follow the younger years of Savage's life
and the experiences of his family following his decision to come out of
the closet."
The trailer
is already worse than anyone could imagine. When the show isn't mocking
Christians, it's celebrating homosexuality. "…[I]t's a savage, if you
will, caricature of a Catholic family and the Faith, where the parents
are divorcing, one son has anorexia, the daughter runs a fake charity,
and the son pictured in the middle is gay. Oh, and there's a Virgin Mary
statue over the toilet."
While the Left is counting the days until the comedy airs, Savage's real-life legacy of bioterrorism
and death threats is no joking matter. Our friends at Media Research
Center (MRC) have come out swinging at ABC for glorifying a man whose
dark attacks on Christians and conservatives are so profane that the
network couldn't even air them on TV. Already, a coalition of
organizations have sent a letter to ABC, asking the network to
reconsider giving Savage another platform to be an apostle of division
and hate. On Change.org, MRC's grassroots petition to get "The Real
O'Neals" off the air has 10,000 signatures -- and counting.
#CancelSavage is the cry on Twitter, where Americans are telling ABC to
stop its one-sided attack on men and women of faith.
In other words, the Family Research Council and others are attempting to "silence" a show because it was created by Dan Savage. Granted, FRC lodges some accusations against Savage (with links to right-wing sites) but that is besides the point.
The rallying cry of many anti-gays on the right is that lgbts are attempting to silence those who disagree with us. Goodness knows they flood the airwaves and the bookstores with this tripe of a talking point.
And the concern trolls looking to make a buck aid and abet by giving ill-informed opinions or writing sloppy one-sided books on the matter.
How much do you want a bet that these concern trolls (particularly one blond pseudo-liberal) will be silent over this situation instead of telling FRC to hush up and simply turn the channel. They are too busy collecting the bucks for unfairly labeling lgbts as bullies
For the record, here is a trailer for 'The Real O'Neals.' I find the show hilarious:
Bad news, religious right: ‘Pro-gay bully’ Dan Savage’s new sitcom is pretty hilarious - While a certain back-stabbing manipulator of the lgbt community is trolling the right-wing circuit advertising her sloppy book on how "liberals and gays are trying to silence people," an actual attempt at silencing has failed miserably. I think this show will be a smash. The preview is hilarious:
What The Nation’s Doctors Say About Transgender Rights And Marriage Equality - This post underlines the problem when pundits begin talking about lgbt issues, particularly transgender issues. I could care less about what some shrewy pundit who has NO BACKGROUND in the issue has to say. Journalists owe it to the public to give us intelligent and informed opinions on these issues, such as what this post has done.
The text messages which led to the downfall of an anti-gay legislator.
And part two of the incident regarding married and "righteous" Missouri state Speaker of the House (or should I say former) John Diehl has unfolded with the confession, apology, and resignation:
Diehl, 49, announced Thursday that he was resigning both the
speakership and his legislative seat, a day after the Kansas City
Star’s website reported that he had exchanged sexually charged messages
with a college freshman who worked as a legislative intern. Calling
the messages “a serious error in judgment,” Diehl, R-Town and Country,
said in a statement that he was “willing to face the consequences” and
leave public office.
. . . The intern involved in the texting, Katie Graham, 19, of
Joplin, released a statement Thursday evening identifying herself,
thanking her supporters and expressing hope that the internship program
would survive. “I want to thank everyone who has reached
out to me during this difficult time,” Graham said. “Your support means a
lot. This is extremely difficult for both families, and I hope everyone
can begin the healing process. I strongly support the Missouri Capitol
internship program, and hope it remains a positive experience for other
students in the future.”
Far be it from me to pick or gloat, but as I said earlier this week when posting on this issue, according to Right Wing Watch:
Earlier this year, Diehl and the president pro-tempore of the state
Senate filed an amicus brief in defense of the state’s anti-gay-marriage
amendment, leading the Missouri Family Policy Council, the state
affiliate of the Family Research Council, to praise the speaker “for
demonstrating moral leadership and true integrity in standing up for the
sacred institution of marriage and the family values of the people of
Missouri.” The state affiliate of the Southern Baptist Convention
thanked him for “fighting to defend biblical marriage.”
. . . Diehl also co-sponsored a 2012 bill to ban Gay-Straight
Alliances in public schools, which read: “Notwithstanding any other law
to the contrary, no instruction, material, or extracurricular activity
sponsored by a public school that discusses sexual orientation other
than in scientific instruction concerning human reproduction shall be
provided in any public school.”
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch at the time called it a “hateful and
unconstitutional attack on individual rights” and slammed Diehl for
backing “a loathsome bill in a cynical attempt to garner support from
the right wing.”
I was trolling around youtube and found a clip from this Australian 70s drama called 'The Box.' I know nothing about this show, but all I can say is that even in the 70s, America was beat out by other countries when it comes to depictions of gays:
Now Is the Time to Start Talking About Racism in the LGBT Community - WONDERFUL piece, which I have a small disagreement with. It's not so much as racism than it is bubbles. Unfortunately, large segments of my lgbt community live in bubbles which unfortunately insulates them from the fact that our struggle is multicultural and other voices and people need to be heard, celebrated and lifted up as leaders. Think of this from the perspective of a gay man. We have folks like Larry Kramer, Michelangelo Signorile, Vito Russo, Harvey Milk, Evan Wolfson. I refuse to believe that out there aren't gay men of color out there who we can see as reaching the same status in the lgbt community as these wonderful leaders have. They are out there, but do they get attention or time to shine? And do their opinions get as much respect as the folks mentioned? Or their contributions to the totality of the lgbt struggle for equality? I ask this question as a person who has wondered about this regarding the projects I have createdandthe posts I have written.
Okay, let's talk about 'silencing' - And before folks accuse me of whining in the news item above, this wonderful post by Jeremy Hooper serves a dual purpose. It outlines just how the game is run on lgbts regarding "professional victimhood" and so-called censorship by the anti-gay right and their collaborators. Insulting a community and then pulling the "stop trying to silence me" card when you get responses for your comment is yet another way of "gaming the referee." It's an ugly tactic, but thanks to certain degrees of laziness by folks who should know better, it generally works.
The above "sexually charged text messages" are from Missouri Speaker of the House John Diehl to a college intern. Diehl is married with three children. Naturally, the intern he traded messages with is NOT his wife.
It's certainly a juicy scandal, made more apropo to the lgbt community because according to Right Wing Watch:
Earlier this year, Diehl and the president pro-tempore of the state Senate filed an amicus brief in defense of the state’s anti-gay-marriage amendment, leading the Missouri Family Policy Council, the state affiliate of the Family Research Council, to praise the speaker “for demonstrating moral leadership and true integrity in standing up for the sacred institution of marriage and the family values of the people of Missouri.” The state affiliate of the Southern Baptist Convention thanked him for “fighting to defend biblical marriage.”
. . . Diehl also co-sponsored a 2012 bill to ban Gay-Straight Alliances in public schools, which read: “Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no instruction, material, or extracurricular activity sponsored by a public school that discusses sexual orientation other than in scientific instruction concerning human reproduction shall be provided in any public school.”
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch at the time called it a “hateful and unconstitutional attack on individual rights” and slammed Diehl for backing “a loathsome bill in a cynical attempt to garner support from the right wing.”
As with the case of SC Rep. Mark Sanford, LA Senator David Vitter, etc., etc., perhaps some folks need to stop accusing gays of attempting to ruin marriage and instead focus on those who claim to be defending it.
I know that conservatives assume that Phyllis Schafly is some type of arch-goddess of their movement, but there comes a time when some folks just need to be put out in the pasture.
The legendary Lena Horne is reputed to have once said "A lady always knows when to leave the room."
Ms. Schafly, take the hint. Or at least remember your gay son when you spin such trash as below:
In an interview with conservative radio host Chuck Wilder on Monday, Eagle Forum founder Phyllis Schlafly said that lawsuits against business owners who violate nondiscrimination measures by refusing service to gay and lesbian customers show that marriage equality advocates ultimately seek “to wipe out the Christian religion.”
“Have you noticed that only Christian small-businesspeople have been harassed and sued for refusing to participate in same-sex marriages even though our fast-growing immigrant populations, you know of Muslims, Hindus and other faiths are also opposed to that concept?” Wilder asked. “The use of same-sex marriage to attack Christian businesses but not businesses run by members of other religions demonstrates what is really driving the demand for the new constitutional right to same-sex marriage.”
“Well, that is right,” Schlafly responded. “They want to wipe out the Christian religion. And most of these other religions do not recognize same-sex marriage. I assume there are some Muslim bakers and photographers and other people who have been harassed, but they’re not being attacked and they’re not being criticized.”
At the South Carolina Freedom Summit, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN 7)
advocated State Department intervention when asked what role the United
States should play in protecting Christians around the world:
One
of the things that we should be doing here is being very strong in our
stance with religious freedom in our country... Our allies around the
globe want to see us stay strong on our rights and not erode those
rights... With the human rights violations and religious persecutions
around the globe, we need a State Department that is going to step in
and say, "This is not acceptable."
Blackburn
thought that Christians are being persecuted in the U.S., but could not
give any examples when asked by this reporter. Watch her remarks below:
I think that says it all regarding this "Christian persecution" nonsense. Thank you, Congresswoman Blackburn
The supposed 'Silencing': How Kirsten Powers Is helping far-right sell pervasive meme - This situation brought me down yesterday and it is still poking at my mind today. Jeremy Hooper puts the entire situation in perspective better than I can. But in a nutshell, I learned an ugly truth. Sometimes when a pundit claims to be for lgbt equality, it is only for the knife to go deeper when they stab the community in the back. Such is the case with "Fox News liberal" Kirsten Powers. She has just published a "liberals and gays are trying to silence their critics" book, which should garner her much popularity and attention. I learned two things by this experience regarding her book. From the excerpts I read thus far, her book is no different than any of the books written by conservatives like Jonah Goldberg, Laura Ingraham, or Ann Coulter. Heck, the cover of Powers's book is clearly stolen from the cover of one of Coulter's book - i.e. skinny blond in fetching outfit standing defiantly with her hand on her hip besides the book title. Powers offers nothing new. It's not simply the idea that Powers is pushing. It's that the idea is pretty much a carbon copy of the other books which whines that liberals and gays are "silencing" people and she uses the same half-baked anecdotes already offered as proof of a conspiracy and flowery language to cover up the fact that her theory is simply a conservative wet dream. Powers is merely tracing, i.e. copying a formula and claiming that her spin on it is original when it is actually old and stale. The only difference being is that she is supposedly a "supporter" of lgbt equality. In essence, she is exploiting her so-called relationship with lgbts to sell her book.
And the second thing I learned? From reading Jeremy's post, people like Powers are always whining about being silenced, but they generally (and probably deliberately) mistake debate challenging their ideas as attempts to silence them. Sorry for the long expository, but it depresses me when stories of our pursuit for equality are bastardized for profit, particularly those who are supposed to be on our side.
Allow me to be frank. Ryan T. Anderson, the Heritage Foundation, Maggie Gallagher, Brian Brown, and all of the rest on the right (and their concern troll collaborators) can stick it.
No one has the right to negatively judge a family simply because they don't like the way the family is made up. If not wanting to put certain families in an inquisitional spotlight under the phony guise of "having a debate" makes me "intolerant," then so be it.
No family should have their dignity attacked in such a vile way. When we dispense with all of the pseudo-intellectual hypotheticals, the false rhetoric, and the deceptive talking points, that's what we are talking about - people hiding their personal dislikes and ignorance behind fake studies and Biblical Scripture taken out of context.
The video ABOVE is the correction definition of good families. And we should take the time to honor all of these families who do what they can for their children, particularly the mothers - no matter what orientation they may be - who are the crucially important parts of these families.
For more info, go here.
Gay NYC Hotelier Who Hosted Ted Cruz No Longer Sorry, Calls Gays 'Extremists' In New Op-Ed - Awwww poor baby! To me, the real story is that HE gets an op-ed while so many of the rest of us - because we don't have money or influence - gets the shaft. He is HARDLY a victim. But watch how quickly some in the media will portray him as one while ignoring how lgbt children are bullied.
Ryan T. Anderson of the Heritage Foundation has been anointed by some as the intellectual future of the anti-gay movement or anti-marriage equality movement. I am not sure which overrated title he has been given because I think such things are ignorant.
Also, they tend not to be true, as one can gauge from this tweet Anderson sent out yesterday:
Today we celebrate Mother's Day. Next month we celebrate Father's Day. Because moms & dads are irreplaceable. Regardless of what SCOTUS says
So many things come to my mind in order to properly describe this tweet. Ignorant. Tacky. Hateful. Inappropriate. Stupid.
But Anderson's tweet reveal much more. A game plan. A deliberate attempt to play same-sex households against heterosexual households. Anderson is just one of many on the anti-gay right who say that same-sex households damage children because these households supposedly deny children of having the allegedly right to have a mother and a father.
The venomous implication is that gays are stealing children away from heterosexual families who would properly care for them in order to satisfy their own selfish desires.
It's like saying what Anita Bryant said in the 70s - that we "recruit children," but with focus on "implying" and "hinting."
I need not refute Anderson. Too many folks, especially those who read this blog, know the love and sacrifices all parents make for their children. Parenthood is not a competition nor do the vast majority of folks who become parents by whatever means take it lightly.
Nor should it be thought of as a caste system. Not all children live in households with a mother and a father. And while this can be a good home for a child, it is not the only type of home environment children grow up in nor should it be considered the "gold standard."
And all homes providing love and support for their children should be celebrated.
Editor's note - Please do not contact Anderson, particularly if you have something ugly to say. He will mostly likely what you say as an example of how "intolerant" gays are. He tends to do this a lot, even if he at first baits folks via HIS tweets.
As a person of faith, I think the idea of a National Day of Prayer is a great idea for those who want to participate. HOWEVER, I also think that the hands of Shirley Dobson and her husband, James, should be kept off of planning it.
Sorry for those who disagree but based upon the following video, James Dobson comes across as a zealot from the Middle Ages railing at so-called heretics because he isn't allowed to imprison them. I see no sincerity or humility from this man, only a public display of his ego as he spins ludicrous fear stories:
If James Dobson wants to think that he sits on the right hand of God, that's his right. But there shouldn't be a national day, or anything else, designed to indulge his madness. Especially not a day designed to getting all people of faith, whether they be lgbts or heterosexual, Christians, Jewish, Muslims, etc. together to appeal to God.
The Supreme Court might legalize gay marriage. But that won’t stop opponents from pushing anti-gay laws. - I am going to sound gloomy today but it needs to be said. IF the Supreme Court rules for marriage, it is not an ending, but the beginning of a new dimension in this so-called culture war. And my question is the lgbt community prepared to learn new skills or underestimate our opponent, play catch up, and fondly reminisce about antiquated tactics like we seem to always do?
Rubio Headlines Fundraiser For Policy Group That Supports Conversion Therapy - HERE is a given. Sen. Marco Rubio likes to claim that folks like him who oppose marriage equality are unfairly bullied. This proves how much of a hypocrite he is. Why is Rubio supporting a group which believes in the fraudulent "ex-gay" therapy. It's a good question TO ASK HIM or put out in public.
Anti-gay conservatives are criticizing CBS News' Bob Schieffer
for correctly identifying one of his guests as the president of an
anti-gay "hate group," accusing him of "anti-Christian bias" for doing
so. The outrage over Schieffer's disclosure highlights why it's so
important for the media to hold extremists accountable for their
views when they appear.
During the April 26 edition of CBS' Face the Nation, Schieffer
invited Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council (FRC),
to discuss the Supreme Court's upcoming oral arguments on marriage
equality. Schieffer began the interview by noting that FRC has been listed as an anti-gay "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and citing critics who argue that Perkins' extreme views don't represent the views of most Christians . . .
The right-wing outrage following Schieffer's interview illustrates
why it's so important for the media to properly identify members of hate
groups when using them as sources or booking them as guests. Hate group
leaders like Perkins know that they won't be taken seriously if
audiences are informed about the fringe extremism that motivates their
anti-LGBT politics. Hate groups thrive when they're able to disguise
themselves in the mainstream media as serious, reasonable policy organizations.
Perkins will likely think twice before agreeing to appear on CBS again, and that's a good thing. Hate groups should be
afraid of the sunlight and accountability that results from appearances
in major media, which has a responsibility to reveal the agenda behind
the facade.
Nebraska Woman Sues Gays On Behalf Of God And Jesus - Yes, we have all heard it of. Some have had a good laugh, while others have called it "click-bait." I personally think she is a personification of anti-lgbt mania. Remember, prominent anti-gay leader Rick Scarborough once advocated a "class-action" lawsuit against lgbts.
Click here IF you want to read her hand-written seven page petition. And below is the video of how I would enter the courtroom to testify (as a witness for the lgbt community, of course):
Online gaming website Steam have removed a controversial video game from availability after complaints were made about it’s violent homophobic and transphobic content by users.
‘Kill The Faggot’ was created and uploaded by Skaldic Games to Steam’s Steam Greenlight section which allows game developers to showcase their games and let the Steam user community decide which ones they want to be made commercially available through Steam.
Steam does not actively vet games for offensive content but developers must pay $100 to get their game onto Steam Greenlight as a quality control barrier.
The game description for ‘Kill The Faggot’ read ‘Hate gays? Want to unleash your frustration with the “LGBT” community? Well now is your chance.’
‘Murder gays and transgenders [sic] while avoiding killing straight people. Get points before time runs out.’
During last week’s National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, where Jeb Bush and Mike Huckabee made their pitches for the Latino vote, NHCLC head Sam Rodriguez told a TIME reporter that Republicans will not “fight arduously” to overturn a Supreme Court decision striking down bans on same-sex marriage. Of course, on the very same day Rodriguez announced that he and other NHCLC leaders signed a pledge to commit civil disobedience in defiance of any Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage. Rodriguez also told a reporter for the Christian Broadcasting Network that such a ruling would usher in a wave of anti-Christian persecution and possibly hate speech laws banning pastors from quoting the Bible.
Words don't do this video half-justice. You simply have to see it and hear this wild tangent NHCLC head Sam Rodriguez goes on. And as pathetically funny as he is, Rodriguez's words do serve a purpose. He gives a window into the mindset of so many folks who oppose marriage equality. To them, it's not a matter of Scripture, but a paranoid delusion created by their religious beliefs, entitlement, and egos all stroked by anti-gay groups such as NOM, the Family Research Council, and even Rodriguez's group.
None of this stuff Rodriquez is predicting would take place should SCOTUS rule in favor of marriage equality. But what can you do when someone is stubbornly clinging to their paranoia even when it is proven that they have nothing to fear?
Mike Huckabee is either a clueless fool or a brazen liar - Example No. 2 with a little background. In this post, Huckabee talks about the "intolerance" of gays while folks like him have done their utmost to show us courtesy and respect. Too bad the examples of his definition of "courtesy and respect" I included in this post makes him out to be a hypocrite.
Like a fungus at the end of your heel which you can't seem to get rid of, NOM is insisting that regardless of what the Supreme Court rules, it's not going away. That and other news courtesy of my buddy Matt Baume and the American Foundation for Equal Rights
Cameron Runyan (hoisting a bottle of champagne) during a 2008 lgbt political event (photo by Jonathan Sharpe/Free Times)
A consultant hired by the city of Columbia to help create a human rights ordinance and commission resigns after months of complaints by a group of pastors. However that is nothing compared to the story behind the controversy. It involves a councilman elected partly on the strength of the city's lgbt community and the betrayal they felt when he suddenly turned against them.
A controversy about including lgbts in a human rights ordinance in the city of Columbia, SC has led to the resignation of a consultant the city hired to help create the ordinance and a commission. According to an article in the April 29th edition of The State newspaper:
Growing tensions over a plan to protect gays from discrimination in
the city of Columbia have led to the resignation of a consultant city
leaders hired to help develop a human-rights ordinance. Christine
Johnson, a lesbian and advocate of gay rights, said she quit because
City Councilman Cameron Runyan had obstructed her efforts to help create
the proposed ordinance. Johnson said in an April 10 resignation
letter that Runyan helped set up meetings with church groups to discuss
ending her city contract. Runyan made misleading statements to church
leaders, as well as misleading comments on a Columbia radio program
concerning the proposed city human-rights ordinance, she said in her
letter to City Manager Teresa Wilson.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article19918173.html#storylink=cpy
According to the article, the city of Columbia hired Johnson in December 2014 and her consulting was not to last more than six months. However, the fact that she is openly gay led to months of complaints by a group of African-American pastors calling themselves the Christian Coalition. Bishop Eric Davis, a member of the group, told The State that the Christian Coalition doesn't want lgbts included in ordinance. The group even went so far as to have a February 26 meeting to discuss the "non-renewal" of Johnson's contract.
“Christine Johnson is not only a practicing lesbian, but she’s an
advocate, an LGBT advocate,” Davis said. “So from a Christian
perspective, our question was, ‘Is that built-in bias?’”
Davis
said he believes homosexuality is a sin and said he has broad support
from African-American churches representing 100,000 members.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article19918173.html#storylink=cpy
Runyan denies that he had anything to do with Johnson's resignation, but the incident is yet another chapter in the quiet but intense war between him and Columbia's lgbt community. However, this story isn't your conventional one about an anti-gay elected official attempting to run roughshod. It reads more like a soap opera with the elements of betrayal being heavy in the mix.
Airbnb Removes Texas Property Listing After Owner Reportedly Rejects Gay Couple - A dimension of the "religious liberty" argument the anti-gay right haven't thought of. They claim that business should have the right to not serve gay couples. Fine, but what if nationwide consortiums and groups designed to steer people to hotels, inns, restaurants, etc decide that they don't want to include you in their guides because of your discriminatory tactics. These things cuts both ways, don't they. Of course businesses shut out of these consortiums and groups can form their own so-called "Christian-friendly" groups. But being widely known as a part of group of businesses coming together because they refuse to serve gays is a stigma sure to backfire. Mercy, I just LOVE AMERICA!!
Alan Keyes: Gay Marriage Ruling A 'Just Cause For War' - Alan Keyes is easily one of the most pathetic African-American men in the world (yeah, I said it.) He supposedly has all of this intelligence but I wonder if he can point to at least ONE concrete thing he has done with his intelligence to make the world a better place. He depresses the heck out me.
24 Heartbreaking Struggles From The Transgender Community - This needs to be read and spread. I don't think of the transgender community as victims, but there is nothing wrong with getting REAL about the ignorance one has to deal with.
As seen by this video, the scene Tuesday outside SCOTUS was a mixture of tension and anticipation, but very peaceful while the justices insides heard oral arguments regarding marriage equality.
If there one thing which worries me about the possibility of us receiving 50-state marriage equality at SCOTUS, it is the reaction to folks who do not support us being married.
I am somewhat concerned, not because I think of them as irrational folks. There are some folks who have very sincere beliefs that marriage equality is wrong and I respect that. I am worried about who some are choosing to believe.
It's one thing to be absolutely ludicrous and make ridiculous claims that God will be angry at America. But it's when these folks start predicting actual persecution and conjuring up images of Christians and pastors being arrested which bothers me. Case in point, Glenn Beck:
Glenn Beck is a demagogue. A moronic idiot who lucked into a media empire, but he has a multitude of followers and while we laugh at his inanity, there are folks who actually believe what he says.
And unfortunately, he isn't the only person on the right pushing irresponsible rhetoric regarding the possible SCOTUS decision on marriage equality.
Never mind that these folks have track record for being inaccurate (they made the same claims about lgbt-inclusive hate crimes legislation), it's what they can fool people into believe which matters.
All it takes is one fool and the ignorance of fools is what these folks seem to be counting on.
Anti-Gay Activists Urge 'Resistance' Before Marriage Equality Destroys 'Just About Everything' - I want us to win at SCOTUS with regards to marriage equality because it's the fair and right thing to happen. But .5 percent of me can't help but wanting to see if the religious right has the guts to back up all of this "civil disobedience" and "revolution" junk they have been threatening. No one is naive, guys. When you talk about "resistance," you mean manipulating your supporting masses to do your dirty work while you, as Redd Foxx from 'Sanford and Son' puts it - "coordinate things."
Capitol Prayer Service: God Will Punish America For Legalizing Gay Marriage - SAD! Our Congressional leaders are in a position to help this country (BECAUSE they are Congressional leaders), but instead they are attacking marriage equality because they seem to think that God has turned a blind eye to more pressing problems of the human race (war, famine, natural disasters, etc) to focus His attention on marriage equality.
The tweet links to an article from MRC Newsbusters. a right-wing site which supposedly monitors "liberal media bias." The article includes a video of the march, but there is absolutely no way anyone can tell the number of participants by viewing the video.
So where did the "15,000 participants" claim come from ? From NOM itself. According to the article:
A marriage march press contact confirmed to MRC Culture through NOM that “approximately 15,000” marchers attended.
In other words, Brown is implying that an "unbiased" news source confirmed that NOM's March for Marriage had 15,000 participants. However, the claim isn't coming from the news source. It is coming from Brian Brown and NOM.
This absolute pitiful subterfuge has been a hallmark of NOM's fight against marriage equality. It would be easy to just allow the organization to embarrass itself out of existence.
But to hell with that. Why shouldn't the lgbt community get in on the fun?
GOP Rep. Bill Flores Links Baltimore Riots To Gay Marriage - Some fool exploiting the sad situation in Baltimore to attack marriage equality was to be expected. But the fact that it was a Congressman talking to Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council (who, for all his talking about gays trying to co-opt the civil rights movement, has been silent about Baltimore) is simply sad.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg eviscerates same-sex marriage opponents in court - Due to her awesome questions and such during yesterday's SCOTUS oral arguments on marriage equality, I called Justice Ginsburg a "bad ass steel armored bullet-proof Earth Mother." After reading this article which goes into more detail about yesterday, I think a better description of her awesomeness is in order.
Florida's Trans Bathroom Bill Dies - Whoever said these awful transphobic bills can't be defeated is lying. It takes will, courage, and hard work, but they can be exposed as the fraudulent pieces of trash they are.
Starnes: Pastors Will Be Charged With Hate Crimes If SCOTUS Legalizes Gay Marriage - Just a blatant lie. I don't care if he is a "commentator," there should be some type of integrity which keeps one from fear mongering in the name of God. No matter how much some "evangelicals" blame lgbts for the negative view some folks have of Christianity, it is people like Starnes who are mostly responsible.
I personally think that this morning, the lgbt community got a welcome, albeit minor, scare at SCOTUS. It should serve a reminder that nothing is a cake walk and we shouldn't celebrate until battles are over and not when they look as if they are over.
Let me also say that after that minor scare, things look good for 50 state marriage equality. All in all, it could boil down to the same thing which tipped the Windsor decision to us - the dignity of same-sex families and our children.
But rather than giving you an expository, I am going to spotlight what I feel were the three best articles which emphasizes the main points of today's oral hearing, particularly the part which may tip the case in our favor:
Supreme Court Mulls How Marriage Equality Will Come About - From the Huffington Post comes a general overview of today's oral session, including how the swing vote the lgbt community is counting on, Justice Anthony Kennedy, gave us a huge scare this morning and how the lawyer defending marriage equality bans actually brought Kennedy back to why he ruled in our favor in Windsor.
Marriage Equality Arguments First Reaction: Ginsburg Strikes, Kennedy Wavers - From Slate comes a wonderful analysis of the day which goes like this - Kennedy is a tough questioner to both sides of the issue, but has genuine concerns about same-sex families, Alito is a complete butthead, and Ginsberg is a bad ass steel armored bullet-proof Earth Mother.
So what do I think? In one form or another, marriage equality is here to stay. There are serious trepidations and fear by some of the justices of what they claim to be a "redefinition" of the institution. But this fear is going to be measured with (and hopefully outweighed by) giving same-sex families and their children the fairness and dignity of equal marriage.
For now, nothing is for sure. But it does look good.
Editor's note - We are all on pins and needles about the SCOTUS oral arguments on marriage equality today. They are happening even as I write this and if you want to check them out, go to the live stream at SCOTUSblog.
Coming Out As Gay In Elementary School - And this. Let me be honest with you. I personally don't expect to get married. It would be nice and who knows what may happen, but I want marriage equality so that our children can decide their future choices based upon what they have a right to receive, not what's denied to them. To me, the argument of marriage equality is simple - it's about dignity for present lgbt couples and potential future lgbt couples.
As we hope and pray for success at the Supreme Court this morning, let's remember those whose shoulders we are standing on and those who we hope to lift up to a higher plane with our endeavours.
And most of all, no matter what happens, always know that it's not an ending, but only a doorway to an entirely new world. Win or lose (and I'm hoping for a win), this our moment, this is our time.
The following video are scenes from NOM's latest failed attempt at a #march4marriage, which was held on Saturday. Of course none of the arguments these folks are making could ever make sense in front of the Supreme Court.
To me, the grand irony is how these folks whine about being persecuted and ridiculed for their anti-marriage equality stance while at the same time denigrating lgbts and our lives. It's that duck and dodge which has become very popular amongst those who stand against marriage equality.
Supreme Court’s Simple Marriage Case Questions Lead To Complex Arguments - Tomorrow is the DAY. SCOTUS will be hearing oral arguments on marriage equality. Some folks have taken it granted that we will win. I say I am taking NOTHING for granted. Chris Geidner of Buzzfeed gives an excellent analysis of the issues and questions at hand.
This week, SCOTUS will be hearing arguments regarding 50-state marriage equality. Folks are predicting that we are going to win one, however I have always been one for never "counting your chickens before they hatch."
But as the moment draws closer, national supporters and opponents of marriage equality appeared on Sunday news programs to debate the issue. On CBS's Face the Nation, Family Research Council head Tony Perkins debated Freedom To Marrys' Evan Wolfson.
It was a good debate, but I want to point to something before it gets drowned out. When Face the Nation's Bob Schieffer asked Perkins did he call for the impeachment of Supreme Court justices if they rule for marriage equality, Perkins was quick to say no, he did not.
Transcript (start at 3:32)
Bob Schieffer: Did you really say that justices who come down on the side of gays in this issue should be impeached?
Tony Perkins: No I didn't say that.
Bob Schieffer: Because there are reports to that effect.
Tony Perkins: No I didn't say that.
Bob Schieffer: What did you say?
Tony Perkins: Well I said . . . I didn't say anything about impeachment of the judges. What I said is that they are not the final say on this issue . ..
Perkins is not being truthful. He in fact did say something about impeaching the judges. According to Right Wing Watch, on Thursday of last week, he was interviewed by the Iowa based radio host Jan Mickelson:
. . . Perkins predicted will end with the court striking down bans on same-sex marriage across the country. Once this occurs, Perkins warned, “it will be open season on people of faith.”
He predicted that the court will issue a ruling similar to Roe v. Wade, further dividing Americans and contradicting “natural law.”
Mickelson suggested that if this happens, members of Congress should try to “remove” the Supreme Court’s “jurisdiction” over the marriage issue and “nullify” its decision, sending the message to the justices that “if you try it again we will impeach your sorry keisters.” Perkins heartily agreed: “I think you’re absolutely right.”
So why is this important? Because since people like Perkins are anticipating a loss at SCOTUS, they are attempting to shift the argument and make it seem like they are the victims who are being unfairly shunned because of their anti-marriage equality beliefs.
That's the constant mantra implied by spokespeople on that spectrum of the issue from Perkins to Maggie Gallagher to Ryan T. Anderson.
And Perkins implying that a SCOTUS judge should be impeached for merely ruling against his side on an issue doesn't exactly jibe with the image of "shunned Christians," does it?
Perkins's falsehood is definitely something I wish some folks on our side would keep in mind when they begin "concern-trolling" about this issue.
Certainly no one should be shunned simply because of their opinion, but when we are so quick to believe folks like Perkins even after all of the distortions they have spun in the past, we are merely walking into their latest con game.
