Open letter to GLAAD voices anger over elimination of award

After five years of honoring bloggers, GLAAD has decided to do away with the 'Outstanding Blog' category, forcing LGBT grassroots and independent media to compete with larger media sources. Many of us noted bloggers and activists (and more are forthcoming) have signed a letter detailing why we feel this is an egregious error.

This situation is about more than just an award or recognition. This is a terrible example of a larger organization deciding not to acknowledge grassroots activists and journalists who have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure fairness and equality for the lgbt community. And it sends an awful message to future activists and journalists.

An Open Letter to GLAAD Regarding the 2016 Media Awards

We, the undersigned, respectfully but strongly disagree with your decision to remove the category of ‘Outstanding Blog’ from the GLAAD Awards and with your rationalization behind this decision. 

LGBT blogs and independent media play a crucial role in relaying information, providing new and diverse voices, and bringing attention to LGBT issues that have been overlooked and omitted by the mainstream media. Bloggers are the last truly independent voices of lived LGBT experience, and those who undertake this task typically do so without pay or recognition. They don’t grace the cover of magazines. They don’t get book deals. They don’t win Oscars. What they accomplish through their sacrifice of time and energy is the proper dissemination of information which serves to make our community stronger and better educated. 

The ‘Outstanding Blog’ award bestowed by GLAAD was one of the few ways LGBT bloggers has been given their due. The idea that these voices will now have to compete with larger and more powerful news entities such as The New York Times, MSNBC and Buzzfeed is unfair and, frankly, humiliating. The elimination of the ‘Outstanding Blog’ category implies that unless one is a celebrity or affiliated with a publication with a high profile and finances to match, you are held without regard in the LGBT media landscape, or at least as GLAAD sees it. 

It is sadly ironic that GLAAD, an organization which prides itself on lifting up positive LGBT portrayals, has rendered grassroots LGBT voices invisible and unworthy of recognition. While an initial statement from GLAAD explained that bloggers are still welcome to compete with national outlets in other journalism categories, a simple fact speaks for itself: among the 2016 award nominees, there is not a single blog (or community-based LGBT outlet, for that matter) to be found anywhere on the list. The crucial voice of first-person LGBT voices has simply disappeared from the GLAAD Awards. This is a troubling message to send to the general public, to up-and-coming LGBT writers, and to the LGBT community itself. 

In the spirit of a community in which every voice is an asset in our march to full equality, we ask that the ‘Outstanding Blog’ category be fully reinstated immediately. Please conduct a nomination process at once so that this critical error might be rectified before your 2016 awards dinner.  Also, announcing the winner of this category from the stage, unlike in year’s past, would also be a nice touch.

Sincerely,

Diane Anderson-Minshall

CEO of Retrograde Communications & Editor in Chief of Plus Magazine

Hivplusmag.com

Bil Browning

Founder of The Bilerico Project

Bilerico.com 

2011, 2012 GLAAD Award Nominee

JD Davids

Managing Editor, TheBody.com

Zack Ford

LGBT Editor, ThinkProgress.org

Michael Hamar

Michael in Norfolk - Coming Out in Mid-Life

Michael-In-Norfolk.blogspot.com

Rebecca Juro

Columnist, South Florida Gay News

Mark S. King

MyFabulousDisease.com

2015 GLAAD Award Nominee

Will Kohler

Back2Stonewall.com

Alvin McEwen

Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters

holybulliesandheadlessmonsters.blogspot.com

2014, 2015 GLAAD Award Nominee

Noah Michelson

HuffPost Queer Voices

Huffingtonpost.com/queer-voices

Michael Rogers

Netroots Connect

lgbtnetrootsconnect.org

Dana Rudolph

Mombian.com

2012 GLAAD Media Award Winner

Michelangelo Signorile

Sirius XM PROGRESS

Signorile.com

Pam Spaulding

Pam’s House Blend

PamSpaulding.net

Joe Sudbay

Longtime Blogger

Berlin Sylvestre

Editor, OUT FRONT Magazine

Brynn Tannehill

Independent Writer

Daniel Villarreal

Editor in Chief, Unicorn Booty

UnicornBooty.com

Ashton P. Woods

Strength in Numbers

ashtonpwoods.strengthinnumbershouston.com

Sarah Toce

Founder/Publisher, The Seattle Lesbian

theseattlelesbian.com

Dana Beyer

Weekly Columnist

Huffpost Queer Voices
 

Jim Burroway

Box Turtle Bulletin

2015 GLAAD Nominee for Outstanding Blog

2012 GLAAD Nominee for Outstanding Digital Journalism Article

2012 National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Winner for Excellence in Online Journalism

Sue Kerr MSW
Founding Editor
Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents
 www.pghlesbian.com
@pghlesbian24

Andre Duque

Blogger, Blabbeando

Blabbeando.blogspot.com

2011 GLAAD Award Nominee

Franklin Graham's bigotry should not be sugarcoated

Franklin Graham is what's wrong with Christianity

As you may or may not know, Franklin Graham is traveling around the country supposedly calling people to Christ. And the phony news site, One News Now, is giving him all sorts of wonderful press:

Evangelist Franklin Graham is on a bus this year going to all 50 state capitals to preach on the capitol steps. Dr. Ken Barun with Billy Graham Evangelistic Association describes the Decision America Tour.

"It is a campaign for God,” he says. “Franklin has said that right from the beginning. All these people will be out doing campaigns for different candidates, but in this case it's a campaign for God."

 . . . He explains that Graham isn't endorsing any candidates on this tour. "He has said many times he's lost confidence in both parties and there's no candidate who's going to change our country,” Barun explains. “It's going to be God." 

 In it's glowing tribute lovefest, One News Now conveniently omits the ugly comments and positions Graham has taken, including his verbal attacks and generalizations about the Muslim community, including calls to keep Muslim immigrants from out of the country.  And the sad thing is to justify his position, he cited a misleading study from a rabid Islamophobic group. 

And then there is his homophobia. Graham is the classic case of a homophobe who will use his opinion that homosexuality is a sin to justify any and every vicious comment he makes or position he takes about lgbts.

The main thing which sums up Graham's awful beliefs about lgbts is his 2014 verbal support of Russia's anti-gay laws, which serves to persecute lgbts in that country:

 "Putin is right … he has taken a stand to protect his nation’s children from the damaging effects of any gay and lesbian agenda,” 

According to Mark Joseph Stern of The Slate, this is what Graham is supporting:

The issue of violence against gays in Russia is, of course, nothing new. Before the passage of the new federal measure, several regional governments passed identical laws, stripping gay citizens of legal rights and human dignity. More than one-half of Russian gays reported psychological abuse, while 16 percent experienced physical assault, and 7 percent were raped. Yet 77 percent also reported complete distrust of the police, leaving most anti-gay crimes unreported.

Putin’s law has only darkened this already bleak picture. By putting the government’s stamp of approval on rampant Russian homophobia, Putin effectively declared open season on gay people. As the Harvard study notes, violence against gays in Russia isn’t considered violence at all; rather, it’s thought of as a way for young males to prove their own heterosexuality—while simultaneously cleansing society of an aberrant, pedophilic community.

So to surmise, Franklin Graham supports distorted generalizations about the Muslim community and countries which persecute lgbts through violence  And regardless of  that, he thinks he is worthy enough to lead people to embrace the religion of Jesus Christ, "the Prince of Peace," without any introspection of the ugly irony he is committing.

I don't know what's worse. Graham's gall or the fact that this country seems to desensitized or taken in that no one is crying foul.

'South Dakota House of Reps pass ugly anti-gay bill' & other Tue. midday news briefs

Louie Gohmert is a nut. End of story

South Dakota House of Representatives Passes Extreme Bill Authorizing Taxpayer-Funded Discrimination - If this bill becomes law, South Dakota is gonna learn the way Indiana did.

 An American Couple Has Been Sentenced To 20 Years In A Kuwaiti Prison. Is It Because They’re Gay? - This is awful! 

Tennessee Teens Fighting To Save Gay Straight Alliance From Being Shut Down Just A Month After Founding It - Stay strong, kids. You will win.

 United Nations issues LGBT stamps - Not baaaad!

 Louie Gohmert Says SCOTUS Declared Itself God In Legalizing Gay Marriage - From the land of Ted Cruz . . .

The sad, sad history of 'straight pride' parades

What you are seeing in the above picture is "history," so to speak. According to Unicorn Booty:

In 2015, Anthony Rebello promised to celebrate heterosexuality by holding a massive straight pride parade in Seattle. He invited thousands of people via Facebook, writing: “In the name of equality & equal rights, I have created this event to celebrate our right to be heterosexual, and to encourage younger heterosexuals that they should be proud of their heterosexuality.”

 . . . The parade was held on July 25, 2015. Rebello clutched a bunch of black and white balloons and a “STRAiGhT Pride” sign made of a ragged chunk of cardboard. Proudly clad in the traditional heterosexual male garb of ill-fitting pants, a rumpled T-shirt and an unflattering hat, Rebello marched on Seattle’s Capitol Hill, alone, and we mean alone—literally no one else joined the parade.

Believe it or not, there have actually been six cases of heterosexuals attempting to initiate "straight" pride parades and flopping miserably. Unicorn Booty has catalogued them all in A Short, Stupid History of Straight Pride Parades.

'Some complain Superbowl halftime show 'promoted' homosexuality' & other Mon. midday news briefs

A Lot Of People Are Angry Thinking The Super Bowl Halftime Show Was 'Promoting Homosexuality' - Seriously, are you kidding me? Youtube has scores of videos featuring football players getting depantsed during plays (and they don't wear underwear), but its the rainbow during the Superbowl halftime show which gets people upset? Not even the basically see-through football pants, but the rainbow during the halftime show. 

 Maine’s Governor Takes A Nasty Swipe At Transgender Kids - Back off, LePage. You've got enough troubles as it is. 

 How Marco Rubio Crusades Against Gays and Women While Still Being Labeled 'Moderate' - Because he lies then plays the victim.

Rubio Faith Staffer Eric Teetsel: Marco Just As Extreme As Ted Cruz - Far be it from me to pile on . . . but I just plain don't like Marco Rubio.  

For gay Republican in N.H., Carly Fiorina ‘sealed the deal’ - Before asking this man "have you lost your ever loving mind," read the article. Carly isn't playing straight (oooh, bad pun) with voters. 

 A Principal Is Getting Praised After Standing Up For Trans Kids - We need more folks like this principal.

How Homophobia Sounds to Normal People

In tribute to all of the so-and so's who claimed that last night's Superbowl halftime show "promoted" homosexuality, I present this old, but very pertinent video called "How Homophobia Sounds to Normal People"

'SC high school transgender student suspended for using bathroom' & other Fri. midday news briefs

Transgender student suspended for using bathroom at SC high school - This ridiculous incident typifies the ignorance and willful fear people have about the transgender community. This young man did everything he was supposed to, but still got suspended. Warning - there are a lot of ignorant folks making comments below the article. 

Robert George does "Poor Us" about as proficiently as anyone - Robert George is not that widely known by our community, but he should be. He attempts to be the "author of our pain" with his many exploits, including co-founding NOM and getting funds for that fraudulent Regnerus study. 

Watch: In Total Flip-Flop, Trump Tells Reporter He Will Advance LGBT Rights. Reporter Is A Lesbian.- That wasn't a simple flip flop. That was a full body gymnastic move worthy of Olga Korbut.  

We Know All We Need To Know To End The HIV Epidemic. Here’s Why It Continues. - Because it's not over.

VIDEO - Being gay and in the military

Buzzfeed has come out with a fascinating video which I think many of us should watch. Sometimes we forget the lgbts who are in the military protecting our freedoms and what they have to deal with, before and after Don't Ask, Don't Tell. It's a wonderful view and as well as a good recollection of lgbt history:

Flower company ad celebrates the diversity of love, including same-gender love

This commercial is from Telafora, a Los Angeles flower delivery company and it celebrates the diversity of love, including that between gay couples. I would make snarky comments about how it will anger members of the religious right, but to hell with them. Who cares what they think when it comes to matters of love:

'National anti-gay groups attacking transgender students' & other Thur. midday news briefs

Truth meme needs to be spread.

National Conservative Groups Descend On South Dakota To Help Advance Anti-LGBT Bills - Because apparently treating lgbts as second class citizens and preventing transgender children from safely using the bathroom are our new American values. 

Log Cabin leader: GOP aren’t as anti-gay as Dems say - Apparently this guy is taking some goooooood medication. 

 What the religious right is scared to tell you about gay marriage referendums . . . - A shout out for my new undertaking of using internet memes to refute religious right lies. 

 Black Trans Lives Matter, Too - Yes they do.

 Rick Santorum Leaves GOP Race But His Bigoted Legacy Will Remain - One homophobic nut leaves the GOP presidential race, but there are so many others left.

What the religious right is scared to tell you about gay marriage referendums . . .

Today, I am beginning something new and necessary on my blog. Thanks to the efforts of many folks (myself included), it seems that anti-gay groups are relying less on junk and cherry-picked science and more on basic and anecdotal lies to smear the lgbt community and our right to equality. From time to time, I am going to feature some factual memes which are designed to combat their spin with the truth and get the conversation going. I would love some feedback.

And feel free to steal and place it anywhere:

'Survivors of the 1980s AIDS crisis tell their stories' & other Wed. midday news briefs

Survivors of 1980s AIDS crisis reveal what happened to them - We have a responsibility to see that these folks are NEVER forgotten and a duty to make sure that such a ugly crisis never happens again.

Charlotte tries to ease tensions over LGBT protections - One wonderful way to ease tensions, establish a dialogue and refute all of the religious right myths, especially about the transgender community.  

Indiana gay rights bill is dead: 'We took a beating from all sides' - And deservedly so. NO ONE on either side wanted this bill.  

Ted Cruz Scares Me the Most - Join the club. It's growing immensely.  

Erick Erickson's New Book Warns The "Leftist-Homosexual Mafia Will Shut You Down" - Just a preview of another right-wing book full of lies and anecdotal (and false stories) about gays "persecuting" Christians. They are still working that "gays will force pastors to officiate gay weddings" lie. This is a battle of rhetoric so don't be blase or nonchalant. An unchallenged lie is easier to be taken as truth than a challenged lie.

Franklin Graham & anti-gay hate group rallying to 'save' America

Get a load of THIS mess:

In the nine and a half years I have covered the religious right, they have had more "We have to save America because it's in deep crisis" rallies than I've cared to count.

To paraphrase Rod Serling, according to these folks,  America has been on death's door so many times, we've worn out the welcome mat.

In this particular case, these set of rallies involve Franklin Graham and the anti-gay hate group American Family Association:

AFA is proud to partner with Franklin Graham in encouraging you and your family to attend the Decision America Tour rally in your state. Franklin is traveling to all 50 states in 2016 to hold prayer rallies, to preach the Gospel, and to challenge believers to take a stand and take action. He’ll be urging Christians to vote, to live out their faith in every part of their lives, and to pray for our nation just as Nehemiah cried out to God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore hope to His people.

Well isn't that special. Of course my opinion is that any self-respecting Christian wouldn't pray with Franklin Graham. Aside from his teaming with the AFA, Graham himself has been not been necessarily Christian in his rhetoric. Such as:

his consistent approval of laws in Russia which serve to persecute and otherwise victimize the country's lgbts,

his ugly and prejudiced attacks on the entire Muslim community, including a call to ban Muslim immigration ,

or that time when he said gays should be kept away from churches and children,

or when he said God would smite Obama for the marriage equality ruling.

Unfortunately to many of his supporters, none of these things matter because nothing says "I love Jesus" like rallying with a Islamophobic, homophobic pastor reaping off of his father's good name.

 I can just see Graham now. He will be in the middle of a massive throng of gullible believers, arms held up, hands stretched out and eyes closed tight so he can eek out some tears while he soaks up all of the attention like that villain in Poltergeist II when he wouldn't let his followers leave his doomsday cult.

Seems to me that if America is in trouble, it's only because this country has allowed folks like Graham to not only get away with their con, but also anoint them as credible religious leaders to boot.

If anyone planning to attend any of Graham's rallies had sense, they would douse him with holy water and then head for the hills.

'Cruz, Rubio's appeals to blatant homophobia' & other Tue. midday news briefs

Ted Cruz

 Homophobia pushes Ted Cruz to the win in Iowa caucuses - Naaaaw! 

 Ted Cruz's Religious Right Support Carries Him To Iowa Victory - More information on the above point.  

Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio Have Pledged to Pass This Vile Anti-Gay Law in First 100 Days of Presidency: WATCH - No slouch in the homophobia department, check out the law that Iowa Republican Caucus third placer (and eventually winner Ted Cruz) has vowed to pass within 100 days of either winning the presidency. It ain't pretty. It would allow business and individuals to discriminate against gays under the guise of "religious liberty." 

A simple question someone should ask Marco Rubio about his bigotry - My post from last year reminding folks that Rubio would actively take rights away from same-sex couples and their children while having the temerity to make himself seem like a victim if people called him a bigot for doing it.  

Transgender Police Officer Banned From Workplace Restroom - This is seriously some nonsense!  

Gay Republicans Care More About Democrats Losing Than LGBT Equality - And they wonder why they get hardly any respect in the lgbt community.

'Ted Cruz doesn't care about gay people'

So Ted Cruz won the Iowa Caucus. What does this mean?

Definitely too much analysis by the Beltway media. As far as I'm concerned, it's an appropriate time to remind folks that a Ted Cruz Administration in the White House would be a nightmare for the lgbt community:

Jacksonville, FL anti-gay activists aiming low to defeat non-discrimination ordinance

The handiwork of an anti-gay activist smearing a Jacksonville Councilman

While everyone's eyes are on the Iowa Caucus, there is an interesting situation developing in Jacksonville,  FL.

According to Media Matters:

Jacksonville is set to be the next major battleground for LGBT equality as the city council considers extending non-discrimination protections to include LGBT people. Here's what the media should know about the groups and activists leading the fight against LGBT equality in Jacksonville. As the largest US city that has never enacted protections for LGBT people, Jacksonville is considering updating its Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) to include non-discrimination protections based on gender identity and sexual orientation in areas like housing, employment, and public accommodations. Anti-LGBT activists leading the fight against expanding Jacksonville's HRO falsely claim that adding LGBT protections would allow sexual predators to enter women's restrooms, a bogus talking point that was used to defeat similar protections in Houston in 2015.

Media Matters point out the three entities who are heavily involved in defeating the non-discrimination ordinance.  The organization also gives information which the media should point out. The groups are:

 The Liberty Counsel:

Right-wing Christian legal group based in Orlando, FL

Designated an anti-LGBT "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center

Represented notorious Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis

Has a history of misleading media outlets

Florida Family Policy Council:

Florida chapter of national anti-gay group Focus on the Family

Headed by anti-gay activist John Stemberger 

Urges gay people to seek help in leaving the "gay lifestyle"

And last, but certainly not least, this guy:

"Pastor" Kenneth Adkins channeling anti-transgender stereotypes

This is Pastor Kenneth Adkins. Amongst other things, he is responsible for the awful graphic above smearing a councilman. He supposedly leads a group of black pastors against the non-discrimination ordinance:

Adkins has said that the definition of the expanded HRO is "Giving Civil Rights to men who engage in Anal Sex with each other," called City Council Member Tommy Hazouri the "anti-Christ" for supporting the HRO, and photoshopped Hazouri's face onto pornographic images.

He has also:

Took photos of himself dressed up as a woman to oppose the Jacksonville HRO

Garnered local media attention with his vocal antics against the expanded HRO

Stroll over to Media Matters for the full story on these folks. If we lose this one, we really need to assess our priorities as an equality movement. There has been a lot of talk lately over a certain nasty event which happened a recent lgbt conference.  All I am going to say about that is  if we don't get our stuff together and stop with the bickering and bullshit academic "queer studies" lingo, we are going to lose to people like THIS guy above.

Often.

'LGBT rights on the menu for Trump, Cruz in Iowa caucus' & other Mon. midday news briefs

Phil Robertson judges gays again

Phil Robertson: 'Rid The Earth Of' Gay Marriage Supporters - At a Ted Cruz rally, of course. And then he misquotes Thomas Jefferson. Not that it matters because no matter how many times you refute it, the so-called evangelical gullible will believe him out of spite. Much like they do with anti-lgbt propaganda. 

Trump toys with reversal on marriage equality: I’d appoint judges who would overturn it - Because apparently that is NOW prerequisite of being on the Supreme Court. Eh. I still don't believe him.

Gays for Trump: How the Log Cabin Republicans Were Deluded By a Demagogue - This is why the Log Cabin Republicans get no respect. It's not that they are Republicans that I have a problem with. It's that they are doing practically NOTHING to change their party from within. 

President Obama Opens Up About His Hope For LGBT Acceptance - Be honest. You are going to miss Obama when he leaves office. 

This Transgender Girl Scout Stood Up To A Bully By Selling Thousands Of Cookies - Good for her!!!!

REPOST - The Erasure of 'Gay' From Black History and the Black Community Must Stop

Editor's note - In celebration of Black History Month, from time to time I will be reposting columns I have posted on my thoughts about being black and gay:

From October 6, 2014

As a gay African-American, I've heard the argument about how "you can't compare the gay civil rights movement to the African-American civil rights movement" more times than I care to count.

The constant so-called moral outrage of some African-American heterosexuals when the topic is mentioned has gotten me to the point where my mind automatically tunes out the monotonous drones of how supposed sinful homosexuals are "high jacking" the civil rights movement or how gays "can't compare their sin with black skin."

As such, I almost missed the epiphany which occurred two weeks ago.

I was vaguely scanning comments on a conservative site by an anonymous African-American female as she went on and on about how gays were never subjected to slavery, segregation or declared three fifths a person. While the logical side of my mind was gathering up the customary argument of how wrong it was for disadvantaged people of any stripe to play the "Oppression Olympics," the emotional side of my mind struck immediately.

"This is the most ignorant crap I've ever heard," I thought. "Just where in the hell does she think gay black people were during slavery and segregation? On a spaceship orbiting the Earth? "

I was instantly struck by oddity of what I had thought. Not that my outrage wasn't coming from a place of truth, mind you, but how the simple fact never entered my mind that yes, gay people were subjected to slavery, segregation and racism because of our skin. Just as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people of color exist now, we existed back then. Then it suddenly struck me again that I've never recalled any acknowledgement of this fact during the myriad of discussions, I've read, listened to or seen regarding comparisons between the gay and civil rights movements.

And why is that?

There have been numerous debates, articles, columns, movies and documentaries about how the legacy of racism has had a negative effect on so many aspects of African-American community, from our families to the way we interact with each other. It stands to reason that the legacy of racism didn't leave LGBT people of color unscathed. But information about what LGBT people of color did during those awful times in our history or what effect it has had on us is practically nonexistent.

It is a subject hardly ever mentioned. No one talks about it in the black community and that includes leaders, intellectuals, journalists, authors or any other person with some type of platform.

And this leaves me feeling as if the events of black history, which are supposed to be a part of my heritage, are nothing more than hand-me-downs donated to me out of charity because there are very few, if any, events which are specific to me as an LGBT person of color.

What the lgbt community can expect from a Ted Cruz presidential administration . . .

I've said this repeatedly and I am going to keep on saying it until it is drummed into collective psyche of lgbt community.

Donald Trump may be getting all of the attention, but Ted Cruz has been getting much of the religious right support. Either way, the lgbt community would be highly ignorant to either sit the 2016 election out or get distracted by tangents of Hillary vs. Bernie or some side argument of "snowflakes" and the "academic lingo" which serves to DO NOTHING but strangle and divide us.

I like to be simple and direct, so let me put it this way. If there ever is a Ted Cruz Administration, the following inferences by the picture below is what the lgbt community can expect. And even if we see ourselves as winning regardless, we need to ask ourselves do we even want to begin this battle:

What the #lgbt community can expect from a #TedCruz presidential administration - https://t.co/ekhANAN85Q pic.twitter.com/iqct0lkXFz

— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) January 30, 2016

Editor's note - to answer your question, that link in this tweet is to my booklet on anti-gay propaganda. Perhaps if our community focused attention on that issue for a change, we could rip away the stranglehold perception that the anti-gay evangelical right represents all Christians.

'Witch hunt against Iowa lgbt youth group continues' & other Fri. midday news brief

Jussie Smollett

Anti-Gay Iowa Lawmaker Says He's Sick Of Reading About How Anti-Gay He Is - The smallest violin in the universe plays for him, but it's what happens when you engage in a witch hunt against an lgbt youth group - a witch hunt, I might add, which was began by one of those anti-lgbt leaders that activists in our community ignore in their pursuit of "queer studies." Yes, I am being snarky. While we fight amongst ourselves, our kids are like sheep in the wilderness and the wolves are assembling.

Bradlee Dean: Gay People Have Never Once Been Victims Of Hate - I rarely feature this 80s Gunner Axel Rose wannabe reject but his unbelievable statement gives us a window in the mind of anti-lgbt activism.  

Religious groups want Nebraska's gay marriage ban kept on the books - And I want Rob Kardashian to be one of my many love slaves. That doesn't mean it's going to happen.

  'Empire' Star Jussie Smollett On Being A Gay Man With 'An Extremely Open Heart' - More lgbts of color in the public eye!!!!

 This Young Trans Filmmaker At Sundance Wants To Revolutionize Trans Storytelling - This sounds very interesting. I'm all for it.

Rubio promises to 'uphold the Constitution' (except for when he tries to take rights away from gay families)

After viewing THIS commercial, there is no other way to put it: Sen. Marco Rubio is an opportunistic, pandering, despicable phony. He attempts to come across as so religious as if he wants you to imagine heavenly choirs singing and a halo appearing above his head. Then he claims to "uphold the Constitution" while implying that President Obama has not done so.

Isn't that lovely?

Apparently, in Rubio's world, "upholding the Constitution" means scheming to take away hard earned constitutional  rights from same-sex couples and their families while complaining about being seen as a "bigot" for doing it.

The audacity alone is simply nauseating.

'Who was the anti-gay VA legislator caught on cruising on gay site?' & other Thur. midday news briefs

Who Is He? Antigay Republican Lawmaker Caught Cruising Grindr - An anti-gay state lawmaker in Virginia was caught "chasing" on a gay online cruising site. We don't know who he is because the news site which broke the story won't reveal his name. What would you do? It's a difficult call but it is a news story so no malice intended but I would put the chyle on blast. 

The Latest Anti-Gay Oklahoma Bills Are Almost Too Crazy to Believe - Just how insane are those 26 anti-lgbt bills filed in Oklahoma? I hope you are holding on to something. 

 An open letter to the GLAAD Media Awards - It goes without saying that the elimination of the 'Outstanding Blog' category was a blow to us bloggers. It shouldn't have happened. 

 Bigot Lawmaker Says He Wants Option to Send His Kid to Gay Conversion Therapy as Hawaii Considers Ban: WATCH - How do you feel about lobotomies? They are equally harmful and fraudulent.  

Indiana And South Dakota Kick Off Backlash Against LGBT Rights - Looks like both Indiana AND South Dakota do in fact need to be economically spanked.

Homophobia always comes down to 'gay sex' and children

"Porno" Pete Labarbera and Dave Daubenmire are two of the slimiest, most repulsive anti-lgbt activists in existence. But they also share a degree of candidness which should give our community perspective when it comes to reasons behind homophobia.

No matter how anti-gay groups like the Family Research Council and personalities like Tony Perkins and Franklin Graham attempt to disguise it, no matter how folks like Kim Davis give false appeals to their supposed "deeply held Christian faith," in the end, homophobic bigotry comes down to what LaBarbera and Daubenmire obsess about - gay sex and kids. The quality of our lives and families seem to always be reduced to sweaty precautionary fantasies. The difference between folks like Daubenmire and LaBarbera and "mainstream" anti-gay groups and personalities is how the latter can play the game of inference:

An open letter to the GLAAD Media Awards

I adore the GLAAD Media Awards. For the past two years, I was fortunate to be a nominee for 'Outstanding Blog' and I cannot tell you how proud it made me feel.

I have been blogmaster for Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters for over nine years and my goal is simply to educate the public on anti-gay propaganda and the groups who use this propaganda to exploit ignorance, fear, and religious opposition to lgbt equality. Often times, what I do can be considered to be dull, without "queer flavor," and repetitive. However, I consider it important because we are way behind in educating the public when anti-gay groups like the Family Research Council and leaders such as Tony Perkins and Franklin Graham are looked upon as authentic religious leaders rather than homophobic purveyors of lies they are.

I am an African-American male from the southern state of South Carolina. I have never been to the supposed gay meccas of New York or any other big city save San Francisco (and I had a rotten time). As such, I don't fit the pattern of the conventional well-dressed younger twink or older well-to-do white mostly male lgbt leader or activist one sees on television or reads about in our magazines and online publications. The only thing I have to contribute my full intelligence and skill to the community is my blog.

So being honored by GLAAD as a nominee for 'Outstanding Blog' on two occasions meant a lot to me. It increased my profile and sent the message that anyone in our community with enough heart, skill, discipline, and patience can make a positive impact in pursuit of our equality.

However, this year, GLAAD has chosen to eliminate the 'Outstanding Blog' category, probably permanently. And this sends a negative message to grassroots and non-celebrities like myself. The GLAAD Media Awards should help to elevate new leaders, not push them away because lack of notoriety or fame. It's not just solely about visibility, but also acknowledging and cultivating new spokespeople and leaders. And you can't do that by focusing specifically and only on prominent celebrities and national media. Our acquisition and securing of rights, respect, and dignity relies on not only those who are in the media's eyes, but also those who cultivate and aggregate the news behind the scenes. Many a time, these individuals do not reach the masses on the same level of national publications and celebrities, but they are nonetheless equally important to our community. 

While I've had a enjoyable time imagining myself in certain scenarios after winning the award (i.e. my imitation of actress Gloria Grahame stumbling to the stage after winning her Oscar is a hoot), winning was never really the point. It's the acknowledgement that  I am making a positive difference in the community. Granted, some say one shouldn't expect vocal validation of such things. 

I say such things help. They motivate and they send messages out to not only the nominees and the winners, but also to those wondering how they can put their talent to good use for the community. Some of us don't sing. We don't act. We aren't employed in major newspapers. We don't have "hot bodies." We aren't in the public eye. But we are talented nonetheless. 

The one thing we don't deserve is a cold shoulder.

'Oklahoma files a record 26 anti-gay bills' & other Wed midday news briefs

Oklahoma introduces record 26 anti-gay bills - There is a record 26 anti-gay bills filed in Oklahoma. 26?! What the hell do they think we are doing so ugly that they have to file 26 bills against us? I'm beginning to think that it's not homophobia. It's jealousy. 

UPDATE – BREAKING: Indiana Senate Committee Kills Anti-Gay 'RFRA On Steroids' Bill - Perhaps Indiana doesn't need to be spanked again.  

GLAAD announces Media Awards nominees - Nominations for the 27th annual GLAAD Media Awards are announced. But keep your eyes open for a brewing controversy. GLAAD eliminated the 'Outstanding Blog' category, thereby leaving some of us less famous, more grassroots oriented folks out in the cold (and also keeping yours truly from getting a third consecutive nomination). Some folks are not happy with this shift. Will something come of it? Keep your eyes peeled. We will see. 

 Here's A Prom Night Game-Changer For Queer Teens Everywhere - Wonderful article!

 Trump Embraces Radical Anti-Catholic, Anti-Gay Pastor - Because apparently EVERY GOP candidate has to have at least one anti-gay radical supporting them.

BREAKING - Anti-gay hate group leader Tony Perkins officially endorses Ted Cruz

According to Media Matters,Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council just endorsed Ted Cruz for president.:

And in case you need a reminder, that's Tony Perkins, who once said that gays are the pawns of Satan:



And his group, the Family Research Council, called a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for its deliberate spreading of lies about the lgbt community:



Again I say that Donald Trump as president is a scary thought because he is a bloviating clown in over his head.

Ted Cruz is scarier because of whose support he eagerly garners. If he becomes president, the only thing lgbts will be able to decide is how deep in the closet will he shove us all. Or maybe he will make the decision for us. Either way, it's NOT a good thought. Resting on our laurels after winning marriage equality would be a mistake because the @#^! just got real.

Related post: 16 reasons why the Family Research Council is a hate group

FL pastor - gays are stalking, murdering children who won't have sex with them

For those who think that our victory in winning marriage equality last year means a nice shift in the so-called culture war, the following item from my friend Joe Jervis should tell you otherwise:

The Florida Senate Judiciary Committee today postponed until next week its hearing on SB 120, a comprehensive LGBT anti-discrimination bill. The committee ran out of time because it first heard public comments on SB 110, which as written would allow businesses to refuse to serve LGBT customers. Speaking in support of the bill were a slew of haters and alleged ex-gays, including a local pastor who recounted the 2008 murder of a Fort Lauderdale high school student by her childhood friend. According to the pastor, the slain girl “was not of a homosexual nature” and was killed when the other girl’s advances were rejected. The pastor went on to claim that homosexual potential killers are stalking Christian children in the hallways of schools all over Florida. “They are very forceful and they are very demanding towards those of a Godly nature,” he declared. Watch below. By a 7-3 vote down party lines SB 110 was approved for advancement to the full Senate 

You can gripe and call this pastor every name in the book, but it won't do any good. Until we take the time to demand a conversation on anti-gay propaganda and yank homophobes from behind whatever religion they hide their bigotry, expect to hear stuff like this over and over again.

Like a dog chasing its tail.

'Tenn. marriage equality supporters stop anti-gay proposal for now' & other Tue. midday news briefs

Some in a Tenn. county aren't happy with anti-gay proposal

Hundreds Of Same-Sex Marriage Supporters Shut Down County Commission Meeting Over Anti-Gay Proposal - No screaming, no rude shouting. Just showing up in large numbers to show that you mean business sometimes is just enough.
 
 This Is What It's Like To Have A Trans Parent - Exposing people to good information and education always eradicates ignorance.  

Mat Staver: Gays Are Imposing A 'Jizya' Tax On Christians In America - To the unaware, a "jizya" is merely Staver's way to combine homophobia with Islamophobia. Ridiculous concept but he is trying mighty hard.

Democrats And Republicans Unite To Support LGBT Rights In West Virginia

Bill prohibiting discrimination against LGBT gains GOP support - How's this for a double miracle? Bills supporting lgbt rights is gaining bipartisan support in two states - Florida and West Virginia.

Portugal's outgoing president vetoes gay adoption bill - Booooooo!

The opponents of marriage equality are afraid to debate this . . .

Certain opponents of marriage equality (whom I won't give the time of day) are whining because lgbts don't want to continue to debate the idea.

When they say "debate,"  what they mean is yet again obscuring the issue and making themselves sound like the victims of a supposed intolerant gay community out to brand them as "bigots" simply because they portray themselves as believers in "traditional marriage."

It's a crock for two reasons. Number one - why should we continue this debate? We did everything the right way and won marriage equality fair and square via the courts. Why is the lgbt community always having to put ourselves in the position to justify our existence or our rights even after we won said rights"? It's an insult to our dignity.

Secondly, and most importantly, when opponents of marriage equality tend to talk about having a debate, they are always bragging on the number of folks who voted in referendums against marriage equality. However, they seem to never want to talk about why some of these folks voted the way they did.

It's less about "protecting traditional marriage," and more about being exploited by fear tactics implying about how gays want to corrupt children, like so:

 So enough with the pity party. When opponents of marriage equality are ready to discuss the tactics they used to get voters on their side, I might be willing to entertain a debate.

Bear in mind, I said might.

'Parents, students attacking new GSA' & other Mon. midday news briefs

Tennessee Parents Wage War On Gay-Straight Alliance, Compare Club To ISIS - Tennessee again. Progress is always met with resistance. Just keep pushing. 

Students Wear 'Straight Pride' Signs In Tennessee High School After Gay-Straight Alliance Formed - B comes after A. When the parents act foolish, why should we be surprised when some children copy their behavior. 

 Anti-gay right angry at Biden for speaking against anti-lgbt violence, persecution - Repeat of this morning's post for those who missed it. The title speaks for itself, unfortunately. 

 Bill would toss adoption preference for heterosexual couples - This would be a wonderful step in making sure that all children have good homes. 

 The Olympics Just Became Much Friendlier For Transgender Athletes - Good for the Olympics!  

This 'Kiki' Clip Picks Up Where 'Paris Is Burning' Left Off - This is one documentary I am waiting to see . . . 

 Kim Davis: God Chose Me To Stand Against Gay Marriage - This just in - God apparently looks like and sounds like Kim Davis.

Anti-gay right angry at Biden for speaking against anti-lgbt violence, persecution

Biden

Vice president Joe Biden recently spoke about the persecution of lgbts in other countries during a roundtable discussion in Switzerland:

"LGBT people face violence, harassment, unequal treatment, mistreatment by cops, denial of health care, isolation -- always in the name of culture. I've had it up to here with culture. I really mean it," he said, striking the table with his palms. "Culture never justifies rank, raw, discrimination or violation of human rights. There is no cultural justification. None. None. None."

Of course leave it to the American Family Association's fake news site, One News Now to totally misrepresent his words:

Speaking in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, the VP pressured business leaders to take the lead in pushing other countries to adopt special rights and elevate the status of homosexuals. He then complained about culture.

"I've had it up to here with culture. I really mean it," he said. "Culture never justifies rank, raw discrimination or violation of human rights." He also spoke of a "straightjacket" imposed by culture on people who might otherwise be supportive of the LGBT lifestyle.

Sprigg

Not only did the site omit his entire statement but it also allowed Peter Sprigg from the equally anti-gay Family Research Council to weigh in:

Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council finds it strange Biden would talk of culture imposing a straightjacket on people.

"... Actually the pro-homosexual movement is dedicated to putting a straightjacket on people and making it impossible for them to even express the view that marriage is the union of a man and a woman or that children do better with a mom and a dad," Sprigg tells OneNewsNow.

The FRC spokesman says "the shoe is really on the other foot, in terms of a culture imposing limits on people" – adding that what Biden is ignoring is that an important part of culture is people of faith. 

"It shows a certain contempt for people's religious views for him to say that he's 'had it up to here with culture,'" Sprigg expresses.

He adds that every culture and every religion has the right to pass judgment on whether to believe homosexual conduct is appropriate.

According to an Aug. 9, 2013 issue of Buzzfeed, there are 76 countries in which there are  anti-gay laws and the punishment for breaking these laws are severe:

Punishments range from fines to short and lifelong prison sentences, hard labor, forced psychiatric treatment, banishment, whippings, and death by public stoning.

So a question should be asked. Where does the so-called Christian group the Family Research Council stand on anti-gay persecution? Does the organization approve of people being put in jail, whipped, or even murdered for simply being gay? 

It sounds like to me, based on Sprigg's words, that FRC has no problem with these awful acts.  Apparently in FRC's world, having to do your job, even if it means serving gays, is persecution. But being put to death for being gay? That's simply an allowable cultural difference.

'Tenn. ministers file sad lawsuit to stop marriage equality' & other Fri midday news briefs

Ministers seek to invalidate state law on marriage licenses - And the Tennessee controversy about marriage equality continues as three ministers are now trying to suing to stop marriage equality, including preventing the Williamson County Chancery Court clerk from issuing marriage licenses. And they include this guy. Remember him from last night's post?:

In other news:

 No, LGBT Children's Books Do Not 'Endanger' Kids - Doggone right! It's about time we defend our literature.

 UK To Allow Gay Couples’ Marital Status On Overseas Death Certificates - Sad story with a semi-happy ending. 

 A Gay Military Family Shares Their Journey To Fatherhood - We need more stories like this just in case folks conveniently omit our families (talking to you, Sen. Marco Rubio) 

  Va. man charged under federal hate crimes law - I hate stuff like this, but it's necessary.

Family Research Council - 'But he is gaaaaaay!'

Eric Fanning

There is a strong possibility that Acting United States Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning will be officially confirmed. If this take place, he will be the first openly gay man to hold the position.

Naturally the anti-gay hate group Family Research Council seriously opposes this. However, instead of a reasonable argument, the organization has chosen to post a free-form tangent ramble which basically says one thing:

You can't appoint this man because he is GAAAAAAY!

An excerpt is as follows:

What the White House didn’t destroy with budget cuts, it devastated with sexual experimentation. Now, with the Army desperately struggling to meet recruitment goals, President Obama is nominating an activist who will drive people farther away: Eric Fanning. The former Air Force Secretary has been the White House’s pick to take over for Army Secretary John McHugh, who stepped down last fall. But after months of serving as the acting leader, Fanning continued to hold the job without the Senate’s vetting -- exasperating Republicans like John McCain (R-Ariz.). “You don’t put people in jobs until they are confirmed by the Senate,” he said last week. “That’s pretty straightforward.”

Sensing Fanning might face some opposition (he’s been a gay activist for almost two decades), the administration bypassed the rules for government vacancies. With his time expired, Fanning agreed to step down until his confirmation hearing -- the first of which took place in the Senate Armed Services Committee today. Members had plenty of fodder for the discussion since Fanning has been open about his LGBT advocacy. Before rising to one of the highest civilian positions in the military, Fanning served on the board of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, where he caught a vision he hoped to push in the ranks. In an interview with the Washington Blade in 2013, Fanning made his agenda clear: he wants to use his influence to push open transgenderism in the ranks. “I think that the military is stronger, institutions are stronger, and society is stronger the more inclusive that we are,” Fanning said. “So, wherever we can root out discrimination, I think it’s a positive thing.”

With our servicemen stretched to the max, America needs a secretary whose priority is military readiness -- not political correctness. The Pentagon has already wasted valuable time on sensitivity training, EEO instruction, and tolerance sessions at the expense of combat skills. Now, the Senate is considering the appointment of a man who wants to unleash gender confusion and “non-discrimination” policies on an Army struggling to meet wartime demands. As both Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) have pointed out, our commander-in-chief is “more interested in promoting homosexuality in the military than he is in defeating our enemy.” So why would the Senate give the president a chance to exacerbate the problem?'

Confirmations like Fanning’s are only setting in place moral and cultural landmines that are sure to detonate when Obama leaves. At the very least, Americans deserve honest answers about what Fanning plans to do to protect the rights of every soldier.

Is this the best FRC can do? Obviously the organization must be slipping.

'Why anti-lgbt propaganda must be stomped down' & other Thur afternoon news briefs

This bozo, conservative commentator Larry Tomczak, is a perfect reason why we must never stop combatting anti-lgbt propaganda. Many of us know that the Paul Cameronesque junk he spouts is false. But I've been hearing it for 20 years and unfortunately there is always someone willing to believe it.

Tennessee House Panel Rejects Natural Marriage Defense Act - Sanity reigns in Tennessee . . . at least for now.

 Senator seeks protections for same-sex marriage objectors - A bill in Georgia easily worse than the monstrosity which "ate" Indiana.

 Poll: Damage from RFRA lingers, but severity unclear - Speaking of which, Indiana is still trying to recover.  

Employer To Pay Transgender Woman $115,000 In Job Discrimination Settlement - Sweet! Give it up! Turn it loose!

Lgbts, Democrats - don't screw up the 2016 election

Editor's note - Today's news briefs will be delayed until this afternoon

I've been mostly staying out of this Hillary Clinton vs. Bernie Sander primary fight because I know how nasty these things can get. I am ready to vote for whoever comes out on top.

But for all of you "purists" (particularly in the lgbt community) who will either vote for your candidate or no one at all, let me just say don't cut off your nose to spite your own face. There is a choice here and it goes way beyond the primary.

And if you don't make a choice, one will be made for you. And the alternative is a serious bitch. Just a few videos to remind you of this fact: