Anti-lgbt hate group supports Trump's false claim about wiretapping

Determined to keep the possibility open that all of their little right-wing evangelical fantasies (anti-lgbt religious liberty laws, curtailing of transgender rights, defunding Planned Parenthood, conservative justices on SCOTUS, elimination of the Johnson Amendment) would become realities, some religious right groups and organizations are backing Trump regardless of how off the deep end he goes with his statements and assertions

For example, there is his latest nonsense that the former president, Barack Obama, wiretapped his phones at Trump Tower before the election. Trump didn't offer any proof and federal officials, such as FBI director James Comey have said it didn't happen. Meanwhile, Trump's team has been scrambling to either back him up or lessen the backlash while credibility has taken another beating, particularly in the press.

Nevertheless, the folks at the anti-lgbt hate group American Family Association's fake news site, One News Now, is backing him up with a comically awful article, A crazy accusation that might not be so crazy.

To make matters even more pathetic, One News Now is taking a poll which doesn't even offer any genuine questions:

Lies about wiretapping told in the name of God are still lies. But I guess AFA doesn't care as long as it keeps Trump's so-called Christian evangelical supporters from becoming sensibly demoralized.

'Anti-lgbt leaders blame Obama, witchcraft for Trump's troubles' & other Mon midday news briefs

Matt Barber

While those who can be considered (if such a term is credible) as "mainstream anti-lgbt groups," such as the Family Research Council, are quiet on Trump's claim of wiretapping by Obama, the more fringey, one fry short of a happy sect is pulling out all of the stops to spin general conspiracy theories. That is, at least according to posts by People for the American Way's Right Wing Watch. I just think  it's ironic that they haven't pointed the finger at us for now:

Lou Engle Calls For National Fast To Save Donald Trump From Witchcraft Curse

Rick Joyner: Obama Holdovers Are Committing Treason Against Trump To Cover Up Their Crimes

Matt Barber Says Obama Is Engaging With ‘Domestic Terrorists’ To Take Down Trump

In other news:

Supreme Court Ducks Big Transgender Rights Case — Thanks To Trump Administration - By NO means is this over.

Trans women of color are missing from the conversation about transphobia - Seven transgender women of color have been murdered thus far in 2017. What the hell .  .

This Stunning Photo Series Is Highlighting The Experiences Of LGBT African Immigrants - Stunning is the right word for this series. It's

Franklin Graham spews homophobic foolishness over 'Beauty and the Beast'

Franklin Graham

The news that there was will be a gay character in Disney's upcoming live action depiction of 'Beauty and the Beast' has gotten the "usual suspects" up in arms with their Helen Lovejoyish cries of "won't someone think of the children."

And none of them seem to be louder than evangelist Franklin Graham.

According to the Huffington Post:

In a Facebook post shared this week, Graham wrote that the company is “trying to push the LGBT agenda into the hearts and minds of your children — watch out!” Then, acknowledging that “Disney has the right to make their cartoons” because “it’s a free country,” the evangelist went on to state, “as Christians we also have the right not to support their company. I hope Christians everywhere will say no to Disney.” 

So it's the old "gays want your children" fear tactic. Granted, it's several steps above the Anita Bryant cry of how we supposedly want to "recruit children to refreshen our ranks," but the same meaning still applies. The Huffington Post also added this about Graham's tendency to be public about certain issues:

Graham has previously made his thoughts on other non– straight, white, Christian groups clear with comments about President Trump’s ban on Syrian immigrants (“not a Bible issue”), Islam (“evil”) . . .

It's unfortunate that Graham's interpretation of Christianity includes attacking a different religion with lies and opposing the tenet Jesus put forth in his parable of The Good Samaritan while railing against a fairy tale simply because a depiction of it includes a gay character. One wonders how he feels about 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' i.e a teenage girl living in the forest with seven unmarried men.

I honestly wasn't planning to see 'Beauty and the Beast,' but thanks to Graham, I'll probably go to see it. Twice.

'Christian conservative TX mom becomes 'accidental activist' after child comes out as transgender' & other Fri. midday news briefs

Christian, Conservative And Parenting A Transgender Child In Texas - I read this story this morning a few minutes after I woke up. It's easily the most poignant thing I've read in a while. When someone comes at you about how transgender children" make other children feel uncomfortable and pushing the "bathroom predator" nonsense, send them this piece. Kimberly Shappley is a self-described Christian and conservative. Then her six-year-old child came out as transgender and she had to decide what was more important. Luckily, as the video above shows, she made the right choice.

 Transgender Conservatives Speak Out: Trump ‘Failed’ The Test Of Equality - No shit! 

 When We Rise Falls Again in Ratings; Eyewitness Canceled - There seems to be a problem with viewers not flocking to lgbt-themed shows and such. The religious right, if they begin to brag about this, will claim that America is getting tired of having the so-called lgbt agenda supposedly thrust in its face. I personally think the problem is more complex. There needs to be a focus on the wide diversity of the lgbt community in both who represents us and region of the country where this representation comes from. Not all of us have history in California.

 Secretive Council For National Policy Pushing Trump To Sign ‘Religious Liberty’ Order - Yeah Trump. Go ahead and sign that executive order and see what happens . . .

This Far-Right Tweet About "The Future That Liberals Want" Backfired Into A Huge Meme - HEHEHEHE!

Anti-transgender 'bathroom bills' keep no one safe except the politicians pushing them

Has the indispensable video journalist Matt Baume been reading my blog? Probably so, but I doubt as much as I would like for me to take credit for this wonderful video he just completed.  Baume proves that politicians pushing "bathroom bills" do so because they are more concerned about their re-election chances than protecting the public. Then he compares the rhetoric used to justify these bills to the rhetoric used to justify banning marriage equality. In doing this, Baume proves a point I've made repeatedly - that the religious right and their allies exploit people's fear about children in danger to hinder lgbt equality. Outstanding!

'NPR doing awful job covering lgbt issues' & other Thur midday news briefs

NPR doing bad job on lgbt issues

NPR demonstrates how not to report on LGBT issues — four different times - It is crucial, particularly during the Trump Administration era, that our community demand fair coverage of issues involving us. When noted media sources like NPR get crucial facts wrong AND allow anti-lgbt hate and religious right groups to dictate the terms of the conversation, we have a SERIOUS problem. 

The Epidemic of Gay Loneliness - While we fight for equality, the lgbt community cannot forget that there are other internal issues which laws can't take care of. This is a huge one.

 12 Transgender People React to Trump's Order on Their Civil Rights - Thank you, Teen Vogue for focusing on the important part of this issues, i.e. the rights and voices of transgender people.  

DOJ lets stand court order against transgender health care - Disgraceful! 

 Former NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire says he’d avoid gay teammate - Don't nobody want you!

Will the Family Research Council ever stop distorting the Sweet Cakes bakery case?

Religious right groups portray the Kleins as victims.  Don't be fooled. They aren't.

One thing which is absolutely aggravating about religious right groups like the Family Research Council is not just how they lie, but how they will repeat the lie in spite of it being refuted.

For groups who claim to speak about upholding values and Christians ethics, organizations like FRC seem to have no problem playing fast and loose with the truth whenever it suits them. Take the situation about Sweet Cakes bakery for example. FRC just sent out a Washington Update pushing the usual nonsense about how supposed Christians, like the owners of Sweet Cakes bakery, are being "persecuted" by the lgbt community:

There has to be space in our society for people who hold differing views. Isn't that what liberals meant by tolerance? Apparently not, as Aaron and Melissa Klein know all too well. Like dozens of other family businesses, the Kleins never thought that their faith would be a liability to their booming bakery business. They were wrong. In a politically correct world, thy found out that costs of running a business are a lot more than dollars and cents. For these bakers, it was their First Amendment rights.

Their dream of opening a dessert shop near Portland, Oregon turned into a nightmare when two lesbians refused to take "no" for an answer on their request for a same-sex "wedding" cake. As FRC's Travis Weber points out, the Kleins were happy to provide any item from their shop to gay and straight customers alike. They welcomed everyone to come and shop at Sweet Cakes by Melissa. The only thing the Kleins declined to do was become part of a same-sex wedding ceremony; they didn't want to be forced -- by any customer -- to create a cake that violated their beliefs. The same was true of any event contradicting their faith -- like a celebration of divorce, an order they would also decline.

Still, liberals in the state hounded the Kleins with a ferocity that ultimately forced their store to close. Now, facing a $135,000 fine, the parents of five will finally have their day in court. Until now, they've been at the mercy of a biased administrative body in Oregon that even went so far as to impose a gag order on the couple. 

FRC is being highly deceptive. No one put a gag order on the Kleins.

'Marriage equality attacked on two fronts' & other Wed. midday news briefs

Conservatives & religious right just can't leave this issue alone.

In two states, marriage equality is being attacked via legislative and judicial means. Some conservatives and members of the religious right seem to be determined to overturn the SCOTUS decision. The attempts are long shots but they also prove how deeply entrenched the other side is in not letting this issue go. All I have to say is don't laugh it off and don't let your guards down. The surest way to lost marriage equality is to assume that you can't lose it. It's not the belief that they can take away marriage equality which bothers me. It's that they think they can. You've been warned.

 Texas Conservatives Are Still Fighting Marriage Equality 

Arkansas voted for a federal constitutional convention to ban marriage equality 

Derby district rolls back bathroom access for transgender students - Awful and yet there is a kernel in this article which may blossom into something big. According to some, the students don't care about the issue either way. That is to say they aren't getting spooked by the 'bathroom/lockerroom' predator myth. The adults are. Keep your ears open on how students actually feel about this issue in general.

10-Year-Old Busts Myth About Trans People With Powerful Sign - I'm convinced that in the long run, it will be the young ones which will show us the way.  

Yet Even More Proof That Religious Right Myths Never Die - Well when you don't have enough people calling them out, they don't die. You get worn down by the power of repetition.  

The Israeli Air Force Celebrated ‘Family Day’ by Posting a Pic of This Gay Officer’s Family - NICE!

Transgender teen turns 'bathroom predator' myth on its head by putting simple truth in the mix

The issue of transgender equality has become, unfortunately, yet another situation about lgbt rights in which religious right groups seem to be defining the terms of argument, i.e. reducing the argument to an inaccurate, attention-catching point which exploits fear and subsequently finds the lgbt community playing defense.

In this case, religious right groups and spokespeople have pushed everyone's attention on bathrooms and the fear of not being safe in that very private and vulnerable space. While I despise the fact that the lgbt community finds ourselves yet again in another position of playing defense, I am happy with the fact that we are getting rather skilled at fighting from that position.

Buzzfeed proves this point in by spotlighting a drawing created by a transgender teen which turns the bathroom predator myth on its head by adding a little truth to the formula:

According to Buzzfeed,the drawing, which 22-year-old writer Jason Gross created in 2012, has become "a symbol in the fight for trans bathroom rights."

Gross told Buzzfeed:

"It’s good to know that this isn’t just me being a baby and actually resonates with others,” he said. “So if it can help further the movement the way it seems to be doing I’m happy to let it go.”

'New film explores the ability to find love after 'ex-gay' therapy' & other Tue. midday news briefs

A Gay Conversion Therapy Survivor Finds Love In This Bold New Film - 'Fair Haven' promises to be good! According to the Huffington Post:

The romantic drama, which hits select theaters Friday, follows James (played by Michael Grant), a young gay man who returns to his family’s New England farm after receiving conversion therapy treatment. At first, James believes he’s been cured of his same-sex attraction, but soon finds myself reconnecting with a former flame, Charlie (Josh Green), as seen in the video above.

 The Particularly LGBT Drama of the ‘Moonlight’ Best Picture Oscar Victory - How 'Moonlight' echoes the "the nature of LGBT political advances in recent years."  

WATCH: Sean Spicer Repeatedly Gives Bad Answers as Reporters Keep Asking About Transgender Guidance Being Revoked - As this issue moves through the courts, I have a feeling that we will be seeing more of the inability of certain folks to defend discriminatory policies against the transgender community.

 
CPAC Attendees’ Inappropriate Behavior Prompts Apology From Convention Center - Look who was acting like a bunch jackasses.

 LGBT Activists On Trans Student Guidelines: "This Is More Than A Bathroom Issue" - Amen to that!

To 'Moonlight' from a black gay man - a BIG thank you

Everyone is talking about Moonlight's big victory at the Oscars last night, as well they should. However, I noticed that something isn't being said which NEEDS to be said. Therefore, let me give my two cents with a personal letter to the motion picture and it's makers:

To the director and producers of Moonlight,

Thank you so much for making this movie. As a gay black man, it has been difficult to see three-dimensional characters on television and the big screen who are just like me. I was so desperate, I would look at old Soul Train clips on youtube and make guesses about the dancers. Or the episode of New York Undercover featuring Joe Morton a former boxer who became a drag queen.

Your victory and continued success is not only a triumph for yourselves, but also to the African-American lgbt community at large. I hope that Moonlight will be the first in a long line of films which spotlights accurate African-American lgbt portrayals and storylines.

Because goodness knows, we need it. Seriously, we have come a long way and I feel that your film is a reward for all of the times lgbts of color have had to sit through some of the most disgusting, nauseating, stomach-churning, religion -questioning ( I think you know where I'm going with this) portrayals of us created by our own people, i.e. African-Americans.

I mean there's just so many

oversexed bisexuals, self-hating black gay men in prison who commit suicide so that their mothers won't find out their orientation, butchy rape enthusiast lesbians,  gay black male plane stewards with purple lip gloss, invisible high school characters who likes to wear flesh toned hot pants during prison visits, drooling gay men who get hot and bothered over seeing men hanging over hospital beds while wearing bloody diapers, hairdressers named Peaches, devious transgender women, specials on the "downlow," fake-ass authors who publish books on "how to spot if your boyfriend is gay," phony tv shows which offer a crusty, dried up olive branch in the form of AIDS education episodes between the mocking, and above all, sermonizing by certain gospel music programs featuring certain singers who happen to be gayer than a giant statue of Judy Garland

that I can take seeing before I get the desire to pull out my razor.

Granted, my comments are not meant to speak against the lgbts of color who don't fit the supposed norms because we are all God's children There is nothing wrong with  effeminate gay men or butch lesbians. Nor is there anything wrong with sex in general. It's just that I am so happy to see anything featuring us as the main subject and the center of attention rather than a side character who is treated like a condiment.

Because, honestly speaking, I am running out of episodes of Soul Train to watch.

''Moonlight' Best Picture win perfect ending to diverse Oscar season' & other Mon. midday news briefs

The ‘Moonlight’ Best Picture Win Is A Vote For Inclusivity In Hollywood - Some have called 'Moonlight' winning Best Picture a perfect response for 'Brokeback Mountain' losing to 'Crash' in 2006. I say WOW! Us lgbts don't forget anything. LOL

Fox News’ Tucker Carlson says ‘Moonlight’ only won Best Picture because of political correctness - Dear Tucker Carlson, kindly #@!% yourself and the horse you rode in on.

 Supreme Court Instructs Liberty Counsel to Refer to Transgender Teen Gavin Grimm as Male - The case has not been heard yet, but SCOTUS will NOT stand for any disrespect to Mr. Grimm. At the very least for now, this is a good thing. 

 ‘Intolerance in practice’: Chris Cuomo shreds pundit for fear of transgender ‘genitals in your face’- The right-wing has been tearing at Chris Cuomo all weekend for his transgender-inclusive tweets. As this interview shows, Cuomo doesn't give a rip what they think. Good!

 There Is A New Landmark Suicide Prevention Strategy For LGBTI People - Wonderful!

Hate group spokesman - 'religious liberty' executive order is still coming

Editor's note - Moonlight's victory last night for 'Best Picture' at the Oscars was huge; so huge in fact that it's going to take a while for me to properly conceptualize how I feel about it. It was wild enough to finally see a movie which speaks to the experience of being a black gay man in America. Watching as said movie take a historical nod was just a bit more moving than I realized.

Blackwell

The lgbt community can't afford to let our guards down for even a minute during this Trump Administration. While he has yet to sign any anti-lgbt 'religious liberty' executive order, an official of his transition team, who is also a member of the anti-lgbt hate group the Family Research Council, told noted journalist Michelangelo Signorile that the executive order is coming:

Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, who has served as domestic policy chair of President Donald Trump’s transition team, told (Signorile) in an interview on SiriusXM Progress that the controversial “religious freedom” order that leaked to the press a few weeks ago is very much on the way, even though White House officials had played it down. 

According to Signorile, the worst is yet to come:

 . . . Blackwell, a senior fellow at the Family Research Council (deemed an anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Policy Law Center), said in our interview at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) over the weekend that the order is far from dead. He also confirmed that the former director of Family Research Council’s Center for Religious Liberty, Ken Klukowski, had “actually structured” the draft order as a legal advisor to Trump’s transition team. Klukowski, who is now a senior attorney at the Liberty First Institute and a Breitbart contributor, is one of the lawyers “in the process of redrafting it,” Blackwell said, hinting that the original order may have been perceived as being too vulnerable to a legal challenge.

“In the final analysis, what we want is an executive order that will meet the scrutiny of the judicial process,” he explained. “If there is no executive order, that will disappoint [social conservatives]. But a good executive order will not. So we’re still in the process.” Blackwell envisions the “anchor concept” of the order as one that will allow people with devoutly religious beliefs to turn away LGBTQ people in the course of business.

“I think small business owners who hold a religious belief that believes that traditional marriage is between one man and one woman should not have their religious liberty trampled upon,” he explained. “I would imagine that that will be, strongly and clearly, the anchor concept [of the order].” (In an interview with me at the Republican National Convention in 2008, Blackwell had explained that he doesn’t view LGBTQ people as a class of people who are discriminated against, but rather sees homosexuality as a “compulsion that can contained, repressed or changed.”) 

To recap - according to a member of the anti-lgbt hate group the Family Research Council, who is also working with the Trump Administration, a homophobic executive order will be forthcoming. And this order is being worked on by others connected to FRC to ensure that lgbts can't win in the courts should, or rather, when it is challenged.

Maybe it's just me, but this sounds like things are going to be "hopping" before the year is out.

And it's about time, too. I'm past ready to raise some hell.

'Media not doing good job in calling out anti-lgbt hate groups' & other Fri. midday news briefs

Major Publications Fail To Identify Anti-LGBTQ Hate Groups In Transgender Policy Coverage - We clearly have more work to do because this problem isn't simply about transgender issues. There is a reluctance in much of the media to call anti-lgbt hate groups what they are. I'm not of the mindset of some in my community about denying these groups a platform. I don't think it should be a platform where they are allowed to spew their litany of lies without challenged by a pro-lgbt spokesperson. And I also don't think the media should turn an invisible eye to these groups. They call them to respond on issues but rarely is there any story or article focused on the tactics of anti-lgbt groups. That HAS to stop.

2013 booklet on anti-lgbt groups

Speaking of which:

 How They See Us: Unmasking the Religious Right Lie on Gay America - my free online booklet on anti-lgbt hate groups and their tactics. Published in 2013, it is still relevant today seeing that Trump is working hand-in-hand with some of these groups and spokespeople. I have a feeling that the booklet will be needed a lot before it's all over.  

Transgender Republicans say Trump seriously failed his first LGBT litmus test - Transgender attendees at CPAC. Lawd hammercy!  

Why On-Screen Representation Actually Matters - Seeing people's lives mean a lot. And it's not solely an lgbt issue.

  Arkansas Supreme Court strikes down pro-LGBT city ordinance - Siiiiigh!

Stop Using Women And Girls To Justify Transphobia - PREEACH!!

Transgender cub scout makes more sense about 'bathroom' nonsense than Trump & religious right

No matter what anyone in the Trump Administration says, the protection of transgender students is a federal issue. And whether some folks like the comparison or not (and I don't really give a crap if they don't), claiming that this is an issue best served by the states is not unlike folks who claimed that segregation was state's right issue issue.

And let's be clear as to why some folks are trying to claim that the protection of transgender students is a state's rights issue. They don't want to have to deal with the courts and have their lies exposes again; just like their lies were exposed about sodomy laws and marriage equality.

But this issue, and the issue of transgender rights in general has led me to take a new tact in communicating to people. It's a process I call "hand over." I could rail and raise hell, but I don't think it would be right for me to do that in cases where I should hand over the spotlight to folks everyone needs to hear from, which is in this case members of the transgender community.

And specifically, transgender children:

News brief special - Trans kids embraced by schools, celebrities, & business community after abandoned by Trump Administration

States Vow To Keep Protecting Transgender Students After Trump Rolls Back Rules - Wonderful! Transgender children need to know who has their back. 

'You Are Not Alone': Celebs Stand Up For Trans Kids After White House Drops Civil Rights Protections - I generally think we rely too much on celebrity as a community. In this case, however, it is VERY necessary. 

 Tech opens new war with Trump over transgender rights rollback - TAKE. HIS. ASS. TO. SCHOOL!  

CNN conservative flops when challenged to explain where Obama’s trans bathroom rule has hurt kids - THIS is gold right here! 

Gavin Grimm To Trump: Transgender Students Just Want To Learn In Peace - Listen the children before you believe the lies.

 7 times Trump and his cabinet lied about their plans for LGBT rights - Okay, can we stop with the "Trump is good for gays" lie. If this man will turn his back on our transgender children, we are all in the bulls-eye.

These are the transgender children you are going to hurt, Donald Trump

This mess Trump did in rescinding transgender student protections is bogus, ratcheted and basically a big bunch of bull. It stems from religious right propaganda and false stories about transgender predators scoping out girl's restrooms or parading themselves in the shower. It's not unlike the religious right propaganda (which is still used in many circles) which falsely portray lgbts as "recruiting children."  And in this particular case, it's devastatingly ironic because those who will be hurt by Trump's action are children. They are the transgender children whose voices are usually drowned out by the lies propagated by the religious right, Fox News, and the conservative right in general.  The following videos feature just a few of the many. See their faces, hear their stories, and educate yourselves on the issues of the transgender community.

'Federal judge sues using anti-lgbt 'religious liberty' card' & other Wed midday news briefs

Refusing to Watch LGBT Video, Houston Judge Sues Employer for Religious Discrimination - The lgbt community must take a hard stance against so-called "religious liberty" laws and not be swayed by the illusion that it's simply about bakeries and florists. These laws can bleed into cases of federal and state employees who want to take our tax dollars while refusing to do their jobs; from refusing to issue wedding licenses (hello Kim Davis) to, in this case, refusing to watch a video on how to treat us fairly. 

When Did Christians Become Comfortable with the Loss of Truth? - Not necessarily an lgbt issue per se, but it has a lot to do with us. When you have groups like the Family Research Council and the American Family Association steering people who label themselves as "Christians" into an entire train of thought which include lies and distortions, we have a serious problem with the faith itself. And very few are aware of this. 

 Family Research Council's Peter Sprigg gave misleading testimony at hearing on 'ex-gay' therapy - My post from last night.

 Same-Sex Marriage Laws Linked To Powerful Drop In Teen Suicide Rate - I already sent a link about this, but it needs to be shouted from the rooftops. This is why marriage equality is important. When our lgbt children see a more inclusive society and people fighting for a more inclusive society, it means the world to them. Never forget that. 

 This Republican Congressman Has A Plan To Help LGBT Renters And Homebuyers - Yeah, I know. The GOP is generally awful towards the lgbt community. This guy though seems credible in what he is attempting.  

49 People Tell Us When They Realised Being Open About Their Sexuality Mattered - Wonderful stories to inspire folks about being their authentic selves, particularly young lgbts.

Family Research Council's Peter Sprigg gave misleading testimony at hearing on 'ex-gay' therapy

Peter Sprigg, Family Research Council

Today, the Family Research Council bragged in its  Washington Update about testimony given by spokesman Peter Sprigg in New Hampshire. The testimony in question had to do with a bill banning ex-gay therapy for children. Ex-gay therapy is controversial in that it is supposed to be able to change one's sexual orientation.. States, such as California, Oregon, and New Jersey have passed laws against the practice, citing critics who contend that it is actual harmful. But FRC and other religious right groups have pushed back with testimony at legislative hearings:

In New Hampshire, it's double-your-trouble with two bills meant to take away freedom under the mask of "tolerance." The first is a bill that bans sexual reorientation therapy for children under 18, robbing parents of a crucial choice to help their confused kids. As if that weren't bad enough, liberals are also trying to award special rights on the basis of gender identity -- including using the government to punish businesses that designate bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers for men only and women only. FRC's Peter Sprigg was on hand in the Granite State to testify before the legislature on both attacks on locals' liberty. As he explained, the attacks on reorientation therapy usually have nothing to do with their effectiveness and everything to do with politics. And, as Peter points out, there is abundant anecdotal evidence that such therapies work. . . . Even the increasingly liberal American Psychological Association admits that "participants reporting beneficial effects in some studies perceived changes to their sexuality, such as in their sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual behavior, [and/or] sexual orientation identity." (To read Peter's full testimony, click here.)

I read Sprigg's testimony and found a few problems with his sources and claims.

'Trump rumoured to be rescinding transgender student protections' & other Tue. midday news briefs

Trump's possible next move will harm transgender students.

Trump admin to rescind trans student protections: source - The right calls US bullies but have no problem with actions which harm our transgender children under the false guise of "safety."  This will NOT stand. 

Julian Assange Defends Milo Yiannopoulos as Breitbart Mulls Dismissal - One fool defends another.

 Arkansas’ ‘bathroom bill’ is ripping apart Republican politics - As it SHOULD. 

Bryan Fischer: Court Ruling Against Anti-Gay Florist Is A Modern-Day Kristallnacht - Geez, Bryan Fischer. How disgustingly hyperbolic does one have to be? 

People Are Loving How This Rapper Helped Out A Gay Teen After He Was Kicked Out Of His Home - WONDERFUL story!

Milo Yiannopoulos is getting exactly what he deserves

Milo Yiannopoulos

By now, the vast majority of us know the particulars of the downfall of one Milo Yiannopoulos.

The British self-described gay "super villain" troll of the right traded racist, transphobic, Islamophobic and misogynistic rhetoric for extreme controversy, intense anger, a lucrative book deal, and much undeserved popularity. But now it may be all gone because of the one thing which ironically led to it all.

His mouth.

 He is now just another example of how the past can bite one in the ass and how it's not good to make too many enemies. Milo, for those who don't know, is facing an ugly backlash because of an interview in which he defended pedophilia. The backlash in question has left the communities he victimized in joy, the conservative community (particularly the folks at CPAC, the big gathering of conservatives in which he was going to give the keynote address) very embarrassed, and Milo himself defiant.

Never one for "going gentle into that good night," Milo has been contrite but stern in insisting that this incident won't stop him. In fact today, he is holding a press conference, in which I'm sure there will be an intensely contrite performance.

Give me a break. Granted, I'm not happy over anyone's downfall but if anyone had it coming, it was Milo. Flippant, nasty, hateful, and an all-around drag, that chyle brought me down faster than being trapped listening to a Bryan Fischer speech.

Basically, Milo should hush. He got exactly what he deserved. He not only demonized innocents but, worse than that, he was a religious right wet dream. He was everything they claimed the lgbt community to be and then some - caustic, flippant, shallow, materialistic, mean, immoral, and oversexed down his badly dyed hair.

The young man is now learning a hard, but necessary lesson that there are some things you can't joke about. And when you busy yourself deliberately making enemies, you lose sight of the fact that there will be times in which you need friends.

Most of all, Milo is learning that "super villains" lose and lose big.  As they are supposed to.

'Biggest myth about anti-lgbt hate groups debunked' & other Fri midday news briefs

The Biggest Myth About Anti-LGBTQ Hate Groups Debunked - If I said it once, I've said a multitude of times. Lgbt equality will be harder and harder to attain IF we don't start taking anti-lgbt groups seriously. And aggressively calling them out BEFORE they smear us. We should encourage discussion and debate instead of whining about "a bigot being given a platform." Platforms are great places to fight battles AND change narratives. And one narrative we must change is how they claim their opposition to us is Biblically based. THAT is the ugliest lie of them all. Don't argue about it amongst yourselves. Just trust me on this one. 

Texas Lieutenant Governor Works with Hate Group to Drum Up Support for Anti-Trans "Bathroom Bill" - Government officials working with anti-lgbt hate groups is ugly. Again, stop pussyfooting around with these groups. And "street protests" alone aren't going to cut it this time. 

 The Plot To Turn Same-Sex Marriage Into Second-Class Marriage - THIS is the warning. 

 Pat Robertson: Anyone Who Opposes Trump Is ‘Revolting Against God’s Plan’ For America - No! No! That's not how this works AT ALL! 

Why President Trump Isn’t Anti-Gay Enough for the Religious Right - Don't worry. I'm sure he is working his way to screwing with us.

You do not have a First Amendment right to discriminate against the lgbt community. DEAL with it.

Sorry Ms. Stutzman. You do not have a religious right to discriminate

As the news of today's ruling against Barronelle Stutzman (the florist who a Washington state court told that she does not have a right to discriminate against a gay couple)  travels, the usual cast of characters screaming about "religious freedom" and the right to discriminate against lgbts are sounding their horns:

 Family Research Council president Tony Perkins:

After this morning's decision, (Baronelle Stutzman) was stunned. "I'm not asking for anything that our Constitution hasn't promised me and every other American: the right to create freely, and to live out my faith without fear of government punishment or interference." Americans like Barronelle were told repeatedly that redefining marriage wouldn't impact their lives. Now, two years into this social experiment forced on the country by the courts, families are being driven from their businesses -- and today, their homes -- for wanting the same tolerance the Left preaches. Barronelle's attorney, Alliance Defending Freedom's (ADF) Kristen Waggoner, was blown away by the injustice.

"In a free America, people with differing beliefs must have room to coexist," she said. "Our nation has a long history of protecting the right to dissent, but simply because Barronelle disagrees with the state about marriage, the government and ACLU have put at risk everything she owns... It's no wonder that so many people are rightly calling on President Trump to sign an executive order to protect our religious freedom to prevent the federal government from persecuting Christians the way rogue state actors in states like Washington are doing. Because that freedom is clearly at risk for Barronelle and so many other Americans, and because no executive order can fix all of the threats to that freedom, we will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear this case and reverse this grave injustice."

Ken Pazton, Texas Attorney General:

 "The First Amendment guarantees the liberty to speak freely, and the fundamental right to disagree. The government cannot force individuals to create art against their conscience and deeply held religious beliefs. Today's display of intolerance by the Washington State Supreme Court both defies the Constitution and seeks to outlaw the belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Compelling individuals to speak messages against their sincerely held beliefs is un-American and unconstitutional."

You know how I feel about it. This entire "religious liberty" argument is a bogus piece of nonsense perpetrated by phony moral groups and fed to gullible individuals -  both parties being too stubborn to admit the fact that they lost fair and square against marriage equality in our court of laws. This argument is not just about florists. Just where do you draw the line? Let's say that today, florists and bakers are given the right to refuse potential lgbt customers. How do we know that it won't be restaurants, hospitals or apartment complexes tomorrow?

'Court rules against florist who discriminated against gay couple' & other Thur midday news briefs

Court rules florist Barronelle Stutzman cannot use 'religious liberty' excuse to discriminate.

Washington Supreme Court rules against florist who discriminated against same-sex couple - This JUST came in. It was a high profile case and it could give Trump an excuse to sign a so-called "religious liberty" executive order. I almost wish he would. I've had a rotten attitude since he was elected and I know the lgbt community have been primed to start fighting. It would be almost a sin to get all worked up for nothing. Bring it on! 

Laverne Cox References ‘Hidden Figures’ To Make Powerful Point About Trans Rights - And it was ON POINT. 

 Carol Swain Can’t Go Out In Public With Her Female Friends Without Wondering ‘Do People Think We’re Gay?’ - Girlfriend, what? For those who don't know, Swain affiliates herself with the anti-lgbt hate group the Family Research Council.

  First-ever UN LGBT rights watchdog seeks ‘open’ dialogue - It's good to know that even Trump can't stop progress.  

Business alliances forming across the U.S. to argue for LGBT+ inclusion - Remember the point of the last news brief? Good.

Newly crowned anti-lgbt hate group peddles deceptive video on 'religious freedom'

According to Media Matters, the Southern Poverty Law Center named the Alliance Defending Freedom as an official anti-lgbt hate group. Media Matters breaks down 10 facts you should know about ADF.

They are listed below and should you want further information, go this very thorough link:

1. SPLC Labeled ADF A Hate Group Because Of Its Extreme, Demonizing Lies About LGBT People.

 2. ADF Boasts A $48 Million-Plus Annual Budget And Over 3,000 “Allied Attorneys.” - Editor's note: Let met just break in here because I want to address those folks who constantly claim that if we ignore anti-lgbt groups and their actions, they will go away. When an organization has a budget of over $48 million and over 3,000 attorneys dedicated to eradicating your equality, it is not going ANYWHERE.

 3. ADF Defended The Constitutionality Of Criminalizing Gay Sex In The U.S.

4. ADF Has Expanded Its Anti-Choice, Anti-LGBTQ Extemism Internationally.

 5. ADF Is Behind The National Push For Anti-LGBT “Religious Freedom” Laws. 

 6. ADF Is Leading The National Campaign For “Bathroom Bills” Targeting Transgender Youth.

 7. An ADF Attorney Once Called Matthew Shepard’s Murder A Hate Crime Hoax.

 8. ADF Believes In A “Homosexual Agenda” Dedicated To Destroying Christianity. 

9. ADF Has Long Opposed Anti-Bullying Efforts In Schools And Even Launched The “Day Of Truth” To Combat The “Day Of Silence.”

 10. ADF Wields Significant Power In The U.S. Legal System.

But if you want a general idea of how deceptive ADF is, check out the following video the organization posted asking Trump to "defend" the practice of "religious freedom," i.e. allowing people and businesses to discriminate against lgbts and in some cases, still be able to receive tax dollars. The video is 47 seconds and is very straightforward, so straightforward in fact that you may miss how it is deceiving you:



 The summary of the video says the following:

Grace Youth and Family Foundation, one of thousands of faith based organizations that contribute a trillion dollars in services each year while serving their communities. They face giving up the very faith that drives them to serve or stop serving those who need it most

Have you guessed how this video is deceptive?

How about if I ask a simple question: how is this charity being forced to trade its faith for tax dollars? Or better yet, is this charity actually being forced to make a decision between its faith and tax dollars?

The video doesn't explain this and I'd wager that it is because this charity is in no such danger.

It's all about images.

You see, when organizations like the ADF push the idea of  "religious freedom," the image they seek to peddle are  that of noble charities and so-called moral individuals forced by the government to  abandon their personal beliefs for the money. They want to push images of upstanding Christians being forced to submit to the wishes of a so-called godless horde, be it bureaucratic or lgbt-oriented.

Organizations like the ADF don't want you to think about the lgbt families with their children or the lgbt youth who would be hurt by allowing people and businesses to discriminate against them.. They don't want you to think about the gay or lesbian couple who won't be able to get married because the clerk refuses to do his or her job while freely taking their tax dollars.

They don't want you to think of the possibility of the gay couple who could be denied fair treatment at hospitals if either of them or (shudder) any of their children are hurt because the registered nurse or the physician can pull the "religious freedom" card.

They don't want you to think about the significant ways lgbts lives could be disturbed by these "religious freedom" laws which would allow people to disrespect or devalue us while, in some cases, still taking our tax monies

This truth is what ADF and other like-minded organizations don't want you to know about. And the fact alone that they work so hard to hide this truth makes them worthy of being called  hate groups

'Anti-lgbt right blaming Obama & media for Flynn resignation' & other Wed. midday news briefs

I think that it's safe to assume that there is a small but satisfying degree of panic within the religious right that their "meal ticket to power," Donald Trump is in trouble.

The anti-lgbt hate group, the American Family Association is pointing the finger of blame at a supposed "evil conspiracy" for the recent resignation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Flynn was forced to resign after it was discovered that he was illegally communicating with Russia before Trump took office and lying about it.

But the American Family Association thinks the following:

And then there is this lovely gem in AFA's  phony news site, One News Now - A man named Flynn and a media feeding frenzy. 

It reads as such:

The media's gleeful reaction to Flynn's resignation has set off a firestorm of criticism from media watchdogs such as MRC and others who see a behind-the-scenes effort from Obama loyalists to damage the Trump administration. "The political assassination of Michael Flynn," a story written by Bloomberg columnist Eli Lake this week, describes an enemy of the Left who was targeted for retaliation – with other Trump loyalists targeted for the next round of attacks.

Lastly, there is this lovely statement courtesy of Bryan Fischer:

In other news:

What I Learned From ‘Gender Revolution’ - Katie Couric learns something we all need to learn.

Family Research Council president Tony Perkins doesn't think anti-lgbt persecution is a 'real human rights crisis' - My post from last night reminding folks that while the Family Research Council create phony cases of anti-Christian persecution, the organization doesn't think that persecution against the lgbt community, no matter where in the world, is a "real human rights crisis."

Gov. Cooper unveils HB2 repeal plan to lackluster LGBT reaction - Sorry, Gov. Cooper, but this "compromise" isn't going to cut it.

‘Donald Trump’s Think Tank’ admits ‘religious freedom’ means anti-LGBT discrimination - Because anti-lgbt organizations like The Heritage Foundation won't compromise  so why should we?

Family Research Council president Tony Perkins doesn't think anti-lgbt persecution is a 'real human rights crisis'

FRC president Tony Perkins (1st photo) doesn't think anti-lgbt violence (2nd photo) is a 'real human crisis.'

From a recent Family Research Council Washington Update:

Of course, one of the best examples of the Obama administration's disdain for other country's beliefs was the addition of a full-time, taxpayer-funded, diplomat who openly identified as gay to the payroll whose sole purpose was forcing the president's radical social agenda on reluctant countries. And as usual, the 44^th president bypassed Congress to appoint one. Like most conservatives, we encouraged the new administration to do away with the position and focus on the real human rights crises -- like Christian persecution and genocide. - FRC President Tony Perkins, February 14, 2017

Reality:

Despite recent progress in the US, Latin America and even Ireland – one of the most conservative societies in Europe – the global campaign for the rights of sexual minorities has experienced a series of setbacks in other regions including Africa and the Middle East. Fewer than 1 billion of the world’s population live in countries where same-sex marriage or civil unions are recognised, compared to almost 2.8 billion living in countries which criminalise gay people and impose severe punishments on homosexuality, such as imprisonment, lashings and even death sentences. - The Guardian, February 26, 2015


 A report that a Ugandan advocacy group released on Friday indicates persecution based on sexual orientation and gender identity increased after the country’s president signed an anti-gay law in 2014. The Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) report documents 264 “verified cases of human rights abuses against LGBTI Ugandans” between May 2014 and Dec. 31, 2015. The report indicates that 84 of these cases were loss of property and employment and other forms of intimidation. Forty-eight of the 264 cases of anti-LGBT persecution involved violence, which included “torture by the state.”  - Washington Blade, April 22, 2016

While Americans have fiercely debated how to respond to the massacre last month at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Brazilians have been confronting their own epidemic of anti-gay violence — one that, by some counts, has earned Brazil the ignominious ranking of the world’s deadliest place for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.

Nearly 1,600 people have died in hate-motivated attacks in the past four and half years, according to Grupo Gay da Bahia, which tracks the deaths through news articles. By its tally, a gay or transgender person is killed almost every day in this nation of 200 million.

“And these numbers represent only the tip of the iceberg of violence and bloodshed,” said Eduardo Michels, the group’s data manager, adding that the Brazilian police often omit anti-gay animus when compiling homicide reports. - The New York Times, July 25, 2016

 А Russian lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) activist and another person have been missing since January 31, 2017, in the separatist-controlled area of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, and are feared to be victims of enforced disappearances, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch is concerned that the de facto authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) have detained them and are refusing to acknowledge their detention. Grey Violet, a Russian transgender person (also known as Oleg Vasilyev and Maria Shtern), and Victoria Miroshnichenko arrived in the DNR on January 31. They had planned to stage a public performance in Donetsk in support of the LGBT community and record it on video. - Human Rights Watch, February 9, 2017

The point is not to make eradicating persecution a competition. When any group is persecuted, it is a hideous red mark for society in general. That being said, no one group is above another and for a so-called Christian organization to falsely claim or imply in anyway that lgbt persecution of any sort is not a "real human rights crisis" (especially in light of the fact that a simple google search refutes that idea) is beyond unconscionable.

It makes one wonder just what god does Perkins and the Family Research Council actually serve.


Second photo taken from The New Civil Rights Movement

'New ad urges lgbtq community to 'hold tight' to one another' & other Tue midday news briefs

 Heartfelt New Ad Urges LGBTQ People To ‘Hold Tight’ To One Another - "LGBTQ people of all ages are encouraged to hold their loved ones close in a heartwarming new ad campaign for the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) Released Feb. 9, the “Hold Tight” clip is intended to commemorate Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which kicks off Friday Feb. 17, and the Auckland Pride Festival (Feb. 10 ― 26). ANZ is a sponsor of both celebrations."  

Anti-LGBTQ activists to Trump: Be Our Valentine - A special return from my friend, Jeremy Hooper. Trump doesn't have to worry about facing criticism from religious right groups for his incompetence. But he will if he doesn't grant them more power to make churches political tools and stamp down on lgbt equality. 

Arkansas Will Hear Bill To Dismantle Marriage Equality On Valentine’s Day - Some people are determined to try and ice skate uphill.  

Bryan Fischer: ‘The Real Brownshirts Are In The Homosexual Movement’ - Sigh! Bryan Fischer is calling us Nazis again, y'all. That's why ads like in the first news brief are important. Fighting evil rhetoric with true faces of love means a lot, particularly to impressionable lgbt kids. Remember that they are watching and listening. Always.

Sorry religious right, the Special US LGBT Envoy is staying at the State Department

Berry

The Family Research Council wanted Special LGBT Envoy Randy Berry gone, but he's staying.

From The Washington Blade:

The Trump administration will allow the position of special U.S. envoy to promote LGBT and intersex rights abroad to remain in place at the State Department. A State Department spokesperson told Foreign Policy on Monday that Randy Berry is continuing “in his role under the current administration.” A State Department spokesperson reiterated this statement to the Washington Blade.

“Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Randy Berry, a career Foreign Service officer, continues in his role under the current administration,” the spokesperson told the Blade.

Former Secretary of State John Kerry in 2015 announced the creation of the position within the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.

 . . .  Monday’s statement comes against the backdrop of concerns over whether President Trump would eliminate the special LGBT envoy position. Advocates have also urged the new administration to continue U.S. efforts to promote LGBT and intersex issues around the world that the Obama administration began.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins asked Trump late last year to remove “activists” from the State Department who promote LGBT and reproductive rights abroad. A spokesperson for the president’s then-transition team told the Blade that any suggestion “that discrimination of any kind will be condoned or tolerated in a Trump administration is simply absurd.”

Don't think for a moment that this decision means the lgbt community shouldn't be wary of the Trump Administration. He still has a vice president and a host of anti-lgbt groups and personalities supporting him.

'Ex-gay ministries lose their 'father,' gays still here & intact' & other Mon midday news briefs

Frank Worthen, the 'father' of ex-gay ministries, dies.  Lgbts reportedly still here.

The ‘Father’ of Ex-gay Ministry Dies - Never met this guy. I don't think I ever wrote about him. But it is important to note the harm that he did and that while he is gone, WE are still here and mostly intact. 

This Supreme Court Case Could Affect Trans Lives for Generations - Laverne Cox mentioned the name "Gavin Grimm" last night during the Grammys. This is the story of that brave young man.

 The U.S. Department of Justice Just Rolled Back Protections for Trans Students - Don't even THINK that we aren't noticing this quiet but deadly movement against our transgender children. 

 New studies show how discrimination harms people with same-sex orientations - Of course when and IF the religious right cites these studies, they will naturally omit the part about discrimination.  

Price confirmation to HHS dismays LGBT advocates - Just in case you missed it, we got another one to be wary of besides DeVos and Sessions.

Everything about Adele's tribute to George Michael, including the start over, was legendary

Editor's note - This site can't be political all the time. It would drive you all crazy.

Adele's tribute to George Michael at the Grammys last night was very appropriate, particularly the part when she stopped the performance and began again. When a gay singing idol is paying tribute to a gay icon,  there was too much power in the air.