Trump supporting evangelicals silent on revelation that he knew seriousness of pandemic while calling it a hoax

The group of evangelicals supporting Trump have been conveniently silent as his latest scandal tears the country apart.

 

Unless you've been hiding under a rock or in a cave with fingers in your ears, you've probably heard about the latest involving Donald Trump. It's another huge scandal

According to Raw Story:

Watergate reporter Bob Woodward’s new book is coming out next week — and the leaked excerpts in it contain multiple damaging bombshells for President Donald Trump. The new book, entitled “Rage,” contains multiple revelations on a wide variety of topics ranging from the president’s handling of the novel coronavirus to his relationship with the American military to his strange affection for North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. 

Raw Story outlined five shockers in this book, but the one which has virtually taken everyone's breath away is the following:

Trump said that he knew the coronavirus was five times more deadly than the seasonal flu — then admitted to playing it down in public.Audio recordings show that Trump told Woodward in early February that COVID-19 spread through the air and was much more deadly than the flu. Despite this, he continued to downplay its significance in multiple public statements. Just over a month after that, Trump admitted to Woodward that he deliberately downplayed the virus because he didn’t want to create a “panic.” “I wanted to always play it down,” Trump said on March 19th, shortly after he declared a national emergency. “I still like playing it down.” 

Trump lies so much that there is little doubt that he downplayed the pandemic - even when knowing how serious it was - to help only himself regardless of what he claims. The following video expresses it better than I can:

 

 The video captures just a small extent of the brutal tug of war Woodward's revelation has led to. There are some folks, especially the contributors and employees of Fox News, bending over backwards to defend Trump via talking points which induce more shock than agreement.

But I've noticed that one group has been conveniently silent - Trump supporting evangelicals.

'Feds capture man who detonated bomb in front of a gay gym' & other Wed midday news briefs

Feds capture man who detonated bomb in front of a gay gym - Something you haven't heard about on the  national news, no doubt.

HIV-Positive Service Members Get Their Day in Court Against Trump - Pluck that turkey! 

An all-Black version of The Golden Girls hits the internet today - Why not? Sounds like a good idea to me.

High schools must teach LGBTQ-inclusive sex education in England - Good.

Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters celebrates 14 years of calling out homophobic liars and keeping receipts

Sunday marked the 14th anniversary of this blog. It's been a bunch of wild, successful, and at times, very frustrating years.

I've had much success (waves to my 2017 GLAAD Media Award from across the room), lots of positive press (The Advocate, Newsweek, MSNBC), met lots of new friends and allies, and raised a little ruckus (blocked on Twitter by Tony Perkins, Bryan Fischer, 'Porno' Peter LaBarbera, Ryan T. Holmes, Matt Barber, multiple members of the Alliance Defending Freedom, Mass Resistance, and the Liberty Counsel. Blocked from commenting on Lifesite News and World Net Daily.)

I hope that I've succeeded in my original aim, which was to shine a bright spotlight on how religious right groups distort and cherry-pick science to denigrate LGBTQ people as unhealthy, diseased others out to 'recruit children,' 'wreck Christianity,' and cause general chaos.

So how long will I do this and what's my next move?

'Gay Trump official gets angry when called out for 'smoke and mirrors' initiative' & other Tue midday news briefs

Richard Grenell

Gay Trump official throws tantrum when asked about homosexuality initiative - No matter how much frosting and icing you coat on manure, it's still manure Richard.

WATCH: Homophobic street preacher has sermon interrupted by big gay dance party - We do what we do and we do it well.

For His Birthday, a Gay Atheist Is Raising Money for an LGBTQ-Inclusive Church - Wonderful story!

Texas Assistant AG Fired for Anti-LGBTQ+ and Other Outrageous Tweets - Bye fool. Felecia said "don't use my name."

Michael Cohen: Trump made fun of his evangelical supporters before winning the 2016 election

 

According to some reports, our fighting men and women of the military aren't the only group that Donald Trump has a low opinion of behind closed doors. 

Conservative evangelicals make up a gigantic amount of his base and led by folks like Franklin Graham and Robert Jeffress and groups like the Family Research Council, they have stuck by Trump in spite of every discovery of dishonesty, every lie, and every bit of chicanery learned about him.

And Trump definitely appreciates their support. In front of cameras, of course. But, if his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, is to be believed what you see in front the cameras isn't exactly true: 

 President Donald Trump spoke condescendingly about evangelical Christians after holding a meeting with religious leaders before the 2016 election, his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen has said in a new book. Cohen, who broke with Trump to cooperate with the special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, is releasing a memoir Tuesday titled "Disloyal: A Memoir: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump." The Washington Post, which obtained a copy of the book before its release, reported one passage in which Cohen details what he says happened after Trump met with prominent evangelical leaders at Trump Tower in 2016 before winning the presidency. After the meeting was over, Cohen says, Trump said: "Can you believe that bulls---? Can you believe people believe that bulls---?" 

"The cosmic joke was that Trump convinced a vast swathe of working-class white folks in the Midwest that he cared about their well-being," Cohen added, according to The Post. "The truth was that he couldn't care less." It's unclear what meeting Cohen was referring to, but Trump did meet with conservative Christian leaders in New York City in June 2016, according to NPR, which was allowed inside the private event.

Of course if this excerpt gains legs, expect evangelical leaders to engage in the usual rationalizations of their support of Trump. From "God chooses imperfect people" to "He was a baby Christian then. His faith is stronger," my guess is that their explanations will be epic and totally transparent. Cohen's revelation simply reveals the predatory relationship Trump and conservative evangelicals have. Most likely, Graham, Jeffress, and the rest know what Trump thinks about them. And while they can claim he has changed, they know he hasn't. One can easily measure Trump's behavior from the beginning of the 2016 campaign until now and easily come up with the the fact that Trump hasn't changed for the better. If anything, he's gotten worse.

If there has been any change since Trump took office, it's within the evangelical community. They no longer talk about values as much as they used to. They no longer pretend to look heavenward because their eyes are more on Trump than Jesus.  And in some ways, they are working to somehow mingle Trump with Jesus. And it's not working. They are so busy trying to point to the halo they claim exist over his head that they are totally oblivious to horns and tails which have appeared on their persons due to their close proximity to him.

But they don't care. As long as he gives them power and appoints judges they think will rule their way, particularly against LGBTQ equality and abortion, Trump could urinate publicly on the White House lawn and they would call it nectar from heaven.

'Georgia church splits from United Methodists over gay rights' & other Fri midday news briefs

21 Gay People And Couples That You May Or May Not Know Have Children - LGBTQ celebrities and their children. This is so cute! And it embraces how important visibility is. No matter what some fools try to tell us or mandate for us, we can have families. And we should have families if we want them. 

 Georgia church splits from United Methodists over gay rights - Faith and religious beliefs are two more things we should have regardless of what some people think because when it's all said and done, only God gets to judge us.

This Former Log Cabin Republican Is on a Mission to Stop Trump - Good for her!

The 100 Greatest Movie Insults - How many do you recognize?

 As I've said so many times during this awful pandemic, one can't allow himself to get so serious. While it's true that we have no idea if it will end any time soon, keeping ourselves from going insane with fear involves taking some time out from the seriousness of it all to laugh.

And while this blog mainly focuses on calling out the lies of the anti-LGBTQ industry, I also want people to come here for comfort as well as knowledge. With that in mind, the above video is embraces the gay stereotype of "scary bitchy." One hundred movie insults? Come on. You know there's a gay one in there somewhere. 

'LGBTQ people notch legal win against Trump's health care rule' & other Thur midday news briefs

LGBTQ advocates notch legal win in fight against Trump health care rule - Good for us! 

 Who’s your Newsmaker of the Year? - I'm an old softie. I would vote for them all.

Supernanny's Jo Frost Discusses Same-Sex Parenting During COVID - Definitely a needed resource. 

'The Boys in the Band' trailer reunites Broadway cast For Netflix film - I don't care how dated it is. I want a happier ending. I refuse to watch until it's rewritten.

Franklin Graham's deluded support of Donald Trump finally leads to a backlash

Franklin Graham

No matter how low Trump stoops, how badly he flails, or what off-the-wall thing he says, he can always count on the support of one person - Franklin Graham.

Graham, who apparently functions with his eyes closed and his fingers stuffed in his ears, not only support Trump, but seems to believe that his reelection will cause God to 'spare America.'

From CBN:

"I think God brought him here for this season, for these four years. I'm just asking that God would spare this country for another four years to give us a little bit more time to do the work before the storm hits. I believe the storm is coming. You're going to see Christians attacked; you're going to see churches close; you're going to see a real hatred expressed toward people of faith. . .God uses men. He works through men and I believe Donald Trump is the president for a reason. I think God has put him in this position. Western civilization as we have known it, he is defending that."

'Congressional candidate raises $100,000 after GOP anti-LGBTQ smear effort' & other Wed midday news briefs

Gina Ortiz Jones

Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones Raises $100,000 After GOP’s Anti-Gay Smear Effort - Way to go, Ms. Jones!

Jacob Blake's Transgender Cousin Responds to Anti-LGBTQ+ Threats - Ignorance and hate is everywhere and is, unfortunately, so easy to partake in.

Meals on heels: San Francisco drag queens deliver amid pandemic - Creative and heartwarming.

These 56 Celebrities Came Out in 2020 - Sweet! I remember when we were lucky to have just one every few years. If at all. And YES! It is still an important thing to do.

M.Signorile: GOP convention speech proved that Trump does not care about LGBTQ people

Don't let him fool you. Donald Trump doesn't care about LGBTQ even when exploiting us for reelection.

When openly gay Trump pick Richard Grenell spoke at last week's Republican National Convention, some folks took it as a sign that Trump was attempting to get LGBTQ support for his faltering campaign. Maybe or maybe not. However, radio show host and long-time gay activist Michelangelo Signorile wrote a piece which disputes any idea that Trump actually care about LGBTQ people.

And Grenell's speech proves it. Not by the speech itself, but by what wasn't said in the speech Grenell didn't say a word about LGBTQ rights.

 An excerpt from Signorile:

. . . if Grenell was set to speak on Trump’s supposed LGBTQ rights achievements, he or someone else decided against it at the last minute. Unlike Black and female speakers who were used to try to soften Trump’s image regarding women and people of color by speaking about Trump supposedly championing their issues, Grenell mostly promoted conspiracy theories about unwarranted surveillance against Trump by President Obama. He also peddled the boilerplate nativist and racist ideas of Trumpism, lauding Trump’s “America First” policies and expressing that he was proud of “being called a nationalist.” 

 But oddly, nowhere in the speech by the man who preposterously championed Trump in the Log Cabin video as the “most pro-gay president in history,” did he state he was gay, let alone say anything about Trump and LGBTQ rights on the stage. This was a far cry from Trump’s 2016 convention, when Peter Thiel, the gay billionaire and Paypal founder, who was used by the RNC to convey an inclusive message, was very clear

The entire piece deserves a reading. And while you're at it, subscribe to the Signorile Report

'Gay man joins anti-LGBTQ group founded by Pat Robertson' & other Tue midday news briefs

Richard Grenell now works for Pat Robertson's group.

Trump’s favorite gay Republican joins anti-LGBTQ group founded by Pat Robertson - Richard Grenell continues to be a backstabber only concerned with his own status.

Cher raises $2 million for Biden at LGBTQ virtual fundraiser - Sweet!

Trump's Press Secretary Repeats Lie That He's Pro-LGBTQ+ - Girlfriend must think we're drunk AND stupid.

Niecy Nash's wedding begins a needed conversation. Black LGBTQ people need to get a word in.

A huge topic on Monday was the news that television star, comedian, and multiple Emmy nominee Niecy Nash came out and announced her marriage to singer Jessica Betts.  To some folks, this is not major news because so many celebrities have publicly come out. However, to many folks it is a big deal because the vast majority of those celebrities are white.

It has caused much conversation and controversy in the black community with folks either congratulating the couple, whining about how could Nash "choose" a woman over a man,  and even making ridiculous comments about Betts' appearance.

But let's ignore the fake Afrocentrics and the idiotic fools determined to psychologically dissect the LGBTQ and black identities. Nash's decision to go public is yet another chance for the conversation to begin in both the LGBTQ and black communities, so I want to spotlight a few videos featuring African-American LGBTQs talking about us. These videos are just a small segment of  the diversity of LGBTQs of color. And it's just my attempt of beginning an accurate conversation which is long overdue.

Unfortunately when conversations about being black or being LGBTQ come up, there are assumptions made by both communities when it comes those of us who encompass both identities. There's not enough listening. Even on this blog. When I post blog entries featuring LGBTQ people of color, they aren't generally popular. And that's a real shame. Too many folks in both communities claim that they want to accept us but they forget that this acceptance includes listening to us.

'NYC must pay $5.9 million to settle after transgender woman's death' & other Mon midday news briefs

New York City will pay $5.9 million to settle suit after transgender woman’s death- Good. get up off the money.

Federal judge: State Department must recognize U.S. citizenship of gay couple’s daughter - Damn skippy! 

The World Is Finally Ready for Trans Musical Genius Glenn Copeland - Sounds promising.

Antigay lawmaker cooks up revenge plot against primary opponent who beat her - A shame and a disgrace.

The Top 10 Most Famous Celebrity Coming Out Moments

As we move into this week which, because of the election in November, promises to be tumultuous, let's enjoy a little history. Two years ago, the site Ms. Mojo came up with a list of the Top 10 Most Famous Celeb Coming Out Moments.

How do you feel about the list and the folks on it two years later? Particularly the top moment? Have there been other celebrity coming out stories more interesting than these?

Four years in 'Trump's America' is enough!

Donald Trump's attempt to blame Joe Biden for his failures as a president creates a first for him. It's the first time he has given someone else credit for HIS work instead of the other way around.

'TX teacher reinstated in spite of complaints about LGBTQ and BLM posters' & other Fri midday news briefs.

A teacher in TX nearly got into trouble because of posters in her virtual classroom.

Teacher reinstated after parents complained about Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ posters - Good. Stand firm.

New Orleans shelter to be ‘forever home’ for homeless trans people - This is wonderful news. And I hope others will follow the lead. 

HHS sued for ending data collection on tribal, LGBTQ youth in foster care - Sock it to them! 

Gay Trump Appointee Grenell Spreads Falsehoods at GOP Convention - 'Gaslighting Grenell' lied his bony white ass off. 

National Republicans Are Ordering Up Attacks On A Democrat’s Sexual Orientation - Nasty is as nasty does.

Video - Donald Trump would not protect America from COVID-19. He doesn't deserve a second term.

On Thursday night, Donald Trump will officially accept the Republican nomination for a second term in the White House. Expectantly, he will lie, distort, and basically conjure up bullsh!t reasons as to why he deserves a second term.  There are so many reasons why he is undeserving, but the one which really should stand out is his failure to protect America from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 A true leader would have made decisive and intelligent moves instead of spotty and incompetent actions. A true leader would have listened to medical experts instead of worry about his re-election. A true leader would have made protecting Americans his first priority instead of rushing to get things supposedly back to normal.  But we don't have a true leader. We have Trump. And he screwed it all up. Forget his speech because the one minute and 16 seconds it takes to watch this video is all you need to know.

'Log Cabin Republicans trying to duplicate Grenell's attempt to gaslight LGBTQ people for Trump' & other Thur midday news briefs

Richard Grenell

Log Cabin’s new project seeks to duplicate success of Grenell video - The gaslighting attempt continues.

Ric Grenell’s Claim Trump Helped Legalize Homosexuality Worldwide Is a Lie, Activists Say - This relates to the above post. 

 GOP resolution condemns org that tracks anti-LGBTQ hate groups with ties to Republican politicians - Another silly and useless attack on SPLC. 

U.S. appeals court sides with transgender student over bathroom access - Just in case you didn't hear, another victory for our community. 

What a second Trump term could mean for LGBTQ people - It wouldn't exactly be nice. It was already hell throughout these years but we gave as good as we were given and actually came out with some surprising victories. Still, it would be better to beat this beast by eliminating the head.

Donald Trump gave LGBTQ Americans lots of broken promises. Anyone telling you different is a liar.

Richard Grenell thinks he can fool LGBTQ Americans into supporting Donald Trump.

On Wednesday night during the Republican National Convention, openly gay former diplomat and Trump pick Richard Grenell is going to make a argument that Trump is pro-gay. It's a continuance of a video in which Grenell anointed Trump as the most pro-gay president in American history.

As proof of this claim, Grenell is no doubt going to pull out some human rights initiative by the Trump Administration which sought to decriminalize homosexuality around the world.   As luck would have it, an article came out in Wednesday's edition of the Daily Beast which said this initiative was nothing more than "smoke and mirrors" and that it accomplished absolutely nothing.

I wish I were surprised.

No matter what Grenell might say, please don't be taken in. Donald Trump is not pro-gay NOR is he pro-LGBTQ. In fact, the method in which Trump has dogged LGBTQ Americans should be considered the epitome of how Trump has dogged America in general.

If there is any group who has been the prime victim of 'Trumpism,' it's LGBTQ Americans. You know what Trumpism is, don't you? It's the art of stabbing people in the back while trying to make them grateful that you're touching them in the first place. Perhaps Trump believes that we are into psychological sadomaschism. Either that or he thinks we're stupid. Or maybe highly forgetful.

LGBTQ Americans are none of those things, especially that last one. We seldom forget when we've been done wrong. It goes along with the measured cynicism we have. It's a quality which we, to paraphrase a line from All About Eve, acquired the day we realized how different we were from other little boys and girls.

And when it comes to four years under the Trump Administration, we not only don't forget. We've been taking notes. Many, many notes.

Allow me to be blunt. Anyone claiming that Donald Trump is even a little bit pro-gay is either delusional or a liar more concerned with his status than with the rights and safety of LGBTQ people. Allow me to be even more blunt. By unashamedly helping to create a false narrative that Trump is pro-gay,  it is obvious that the only community Grenell seems to care about is comprised of only himself and maybe whatever  barely legal twink he has managed to corral for a time. (yeah, I know it's a stereotype, but this is war).

LGBTQ Americans do not forget that while running for office in 2016, Trump sent us this tweet:

Nor do we forget that after he was elected, Donald Trump instead silently declared an unofficial war on us, including the following seen below:

'COVID lockdown has led to depression in LGBTQ people' & other Wed midday news briefs

Coronavirus lockdown has led to depression in LGBTQ people - Yes it has. We really need to be there for each other, y'all.

Nigerian lesbian love film to go online to avoid censorship board - The struggle is real and it's universal, y'all. 

LGBTQ+ Californians Know Kamala Harris, We Know She Will Fight for Us - Amen. 

Jerry Falwell Jr.’s Years of LGBTQ Hypocrisy End With the Splash of a Pool Boy - And another one bites the dust. Junior gives us the karma we were denied with regards to senior.

Trump Jr's girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, becomes the national laughing stock after insane speech at RNC convention

I feel the need to be "gay bitchy" today. That's being bitchy with a severe dash of evil. And Monday night's edition of the Republican National Convention provides so much material.

No matter how the GOP tries to spin it, last night's most memorable moment was the bonkers speech of Kimberly Guilfoyle, former Fox pundit and present girlfriend of Donald Trump, Jr. No doubt she was hoping to give this speech to a packed house. However, COVID put a dent in her plans. Still, girlfriend thought she was a "true diva" and decided to carry on.

She really shouldn't have as this shows:

No doubt when she screamed that the best is yet to come, she was thinking about the increase of pay she will be asking for should Trump get elected. Being Trump Jr's "girlfriend" and a "fundraiser" is obviously hard work.Expensive outfits, good teeth, hair, etc don't pay for themselves. And $15,000 a month simply isn't enough.

But folks decided look at her speech in other ways:

'Republican National Convention features racists, homophobes, and con men' & other Tue midday news briefs

Republican National Convention will feature racists, anti-LGBTQ activists & con men - No shit. But still, let's remember and take in account.

Looking Back at Kellyanne Conway's Anti-LGBTQ+ Rhetoric - Guess who's leaving the Trump Administration because of "family" issues.

 A straight guy confronted anti-gay preachers on the street. They landed him in the hospital. - Be careful, folks. 

Donald Trump is trying to blame Joe Biden for the divided America which 'Trumpism' created - My post from last night deserves another look.

Bonkers preacher (who once said gays stick cellphones up our butts) claims Kamala Harris is trying to recreate Sodom and Gomorrah

Editor's note - When you're done reading this post, check out the post below it - Donald Trump is trying to blame Joe Biden for the divided America which 'Trumpism' created. Both of them prove that we have some screwed up people we need to fight (instead of each other and those wanting to represent our interests.)

 Patrick Wooden Declares That Kamala Harris Is ‘Trying to Turn America Into Sodom and Gomorrah’ - Well that nails it down. I'm REALLY supporting Senator Harris now. A little information about Patrick Wooden:

 Wooden is a preposterously vehement anti-gay activist who has claimed that gay men regularly shove objects such as cellphones, baseball bats, and animals up their anuses and has insisted that by the time gay men reach middle age, they “have to wear a diaper or a butt plug just to be able to contain their bowels” because of “what happens to the male anus.”

 Oh yeah. He naaasty! And a liar.

Donald Trump is trying to blame Joe Biden for the divided America which 'Trumpism' created

 Because he has absolutely no way to justify a second term, Trump is attempting to scare voters. He claims that Democratic nominee Joe Biden will create a violent and divided America. However, the images in this Don Winslow Films video show that Trump has already done just that during the four years we have been cursed to have him in the White House. It's not an easy video to watch but it is necessary for us to remember what we are fighting against. Especially during the Republican National Convention.

'State Dept fighting to deny US citizenship to gay couple's child' & other Mon midday news briefs

State Dept. fighting to deny US citizenship to gay couple's child - The Trump Administration lost but its appealing just to be ugly.

Los Angeles police slam 'callous' witnesses who filmed attack on 3 transgender women - Everything about this situation pisses me off. Let's NOT forget the bastards who stood by and did nothing or laughed when this was going on. 

Chasten Buttigieg gets blunt with Fox News during live interview - Oop! 

Mom asks LGBTQ people to send cards to trans teen left paralyzed after being brutally beaten - Address enclosed. Please do this if you can.

Court rejects anti-gay 'Save Chick-Fil-A' lawsuit

While we await the beginning of the upcoming disastrous nonsense (or as its called by its common name, the 2020 Republican National Convention) here is some recent news which I hope will be considered as sort of a good look charm for the week.

From the San Antonio Current:

A Texas appellate court has rejected a lawsuit against the City of San Antonio by conservative activists angered by council's decision not to allow Chick-fil-A to participate in an airport concessions contract. 

On Wednesday, the Fourth Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's ruling that allowed the suit move forward. The appeals court agreed with the city's argument that law protects it from being retroactively forced to rebid the contract. 

“We’re pleased that the Fourth Court of Appeals has dismissed this suit," City Attorney Andy Segovia said in a statement. "The plaintiffs tried to use the court to advance a political agenda, and we’re glad to see this matter put to rest.” 

The five plaintiffs sued last September after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law prohibiting local governments from discriminating against businesses for their owners' religious beliefs. The plaintiffs argued the decision not to include Chick-fil-A in the contract stemmed from its donations to Christian groups.

Let's hope the rest of the week goes well in general for us all, especially LGBTQ people.

'Dense, dumba$$ gay man calls Trump the most pro-gay president in American history' & other Fri midday news briefs

Richard Grenell is a manipulative user.

Trump tweets it’s his “great honor” to be the “most pro-gay president in American history” - Richard Grenell can kiss my ENTIRE black ass.

Los Angeles Police Investigate Attack On 3 Transgender Women As A Hate Crime - Good! Catch those bastards and put them UNDER the jail. See link at your own risk. I'd advise that you stop the video.

Trump proposals threaten LGBTQ asylum-seekers' hopes of refuge in U.S. - Why voting matters part 1,001. 

Amid COVID crisis, two Philly LGBTQ nonprofits merge to form new initiative for seniors - A wonderful idea.

Upcoming book - Hannity thinks that Trump is 'batsh!t crazy,' Fox staffers frustrated with being presidential echo chamber

According to an upcoming book, Fox News personality and Trump cheerleader Sean Hannity has a totally different private view of Trump.

I think I may buy this particular book about Trump. It sound deliciously evil. And very accurate. The central theme is that Trump biggest cheerleaders, Sean Hannity, actually thinks he is "batsh!t crazy."

From Alternet:

Sean Hannity is among President Donald Trump’s most strident sycophants at Fox News, angrily lambasting anyone who questions anything that Trump says or does. But according to CNN reporter Brian Stelter’s forthcoming book, “Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth,” Hannity has privately told colleagues that he believes Trump is “batshit crazy.” 

Vanity Fair has published an except from Stelter’s book, which contains interviews with Hannity associates who spoke on condition of anonymity. In that except, Stelter quotes a Hannity associate as saying that the Fox News host “would tell you, off-off-off the record, that Trump is a batshit crazy person.” And a friend of Hannity, similarly, told Stelter, “Hannity has said to me more than once, ‘He’s crazy.’”

I've read the excerpt and it is juicy:

(Hannity's) friends told me he was burnt out for long stretches of the Trump presidency. Being the president’s “shadow chief of staff,” as he was known around the White House, could be a thrill, but it was also a serious burden. Hannity counseled Trump at all hours of the day; one of his confidants said the president treated Hannity like Melania, a wife in a sexless marriage. Arguably, he treated Hannity better than Melania. Hannity’s producers marveled at his influence and access. “It’s a powerful thing to be someone’s consigliere,” one producer said. “I hear Trump talk at rallies, and I hear Sean,” a family friend commented. 

Hannity chose this life, so no one felt sorry for him, but the stress took its toll. “Hannity would tell you, off-off-off the record, that Trump is a batshit crazy person,” one of his associates said. Another friend concurred: “Hannity has said to me more than once, ‘he’s crazy.’” 

But Hannity’s commitment to GOP priorities and to his own business model meant he could never say any of this publicly. If one of his friends went on the record quoting Hannity questioning Trump’s mental fitness, that would be the end of the friendship.

Guess what, Sean. That secret is out. And it gets even better.

'Report - Trump policy enabled discrimination against LGBTQ families' & other Thur midday news briefs

Report: Trump Policy Enabled Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Families - Don't be blase about this. A SCOTUS case is coming up. 

Supreme Court sets Nov. 4 to hear if adoption agency can reject LGBTQ parents - Speaking of which.

Queer folks are sharing their conversion therapy stories on TikTok - This is when social media can be used for good. I love it! 

VIDEO: Former LGBTQ Talk Show Host Tim Gaskin Recorded In Anti-Mask Rant - So sad and so embarrassing.

Trump praises group whose members think Obama is a Satanic child-sex trafficking cannibal (not a joke)

Conspiracy theory group QAnon, whose members think that Obama is part of a group of Satanic pedophiles and cannibals, just got praised  Wednesday by Donald Trump.

Let's be clear about one fact - Trump is an incompetent, desperate character who will kiss the ass of any person or group who can get him re-elected.  And we need to say it more times than we do. It needs to be hammered in. Particularly after his latest hot mess.

Trump just gave his blessing to a group of dangerous conspiracy theorists:

Speaking during a press conference at the White House, Trump courted the support of those who put stock in the conspiracy theory, saying, "I heard that these are people that love our country." It was his first public comment on the subject.

A lot of people aren't familiar with QAnon, but to put it nicely, they are a bunch of nuts:

 The QAnon conspiracy theory baselessly claims that there is a "deep state" apparatus run by political elites, business leaders and Hollywood celebrities who are also pedophiles and actively working against Trump. View described it as meta conspiracy theory that provides an underlying narrative for other baseless theories. According to View, its followers believe that this "worldwide cabal of satanic pedophiles" run "all the major levers of power," including government, media, business and Hollywood. 

QAnon theorists believe that were it not for Trump's election in 2016, the cabal would stay in power, View says. But Trump, working with the military, is actively putting an end to it, according to the theory. An anonymous poster named Q shares cryptic tips that followers then decode to learn the ways in which the "deep state" controls the world, how Trump is battling and marching orders to join in, said Angelo Carusone, the president of Media Matters for America, a nonprofit that researches misinformation in the United States. 

QAnon members haver accused celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and Tom Hanks or government officials such as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama of being pedophiles. They also think that children are being harvested for chemical compounds and that JFK is still alive.

And yes,they are dangerous:

A Yahoo News report from August 2019 says that the FBI identified fringe conspiracy theories as a domestic extremist threat, and it specifically mentions QAnon. The majority of QAnon supporters say they are peaceful and most of their activities remain online, View said. "The danger is essentially that there have been multiple instances where QAnon followers have taken their beliefs offline in violent or dangerous ways," he added. View cited multiple cases of violence connected to QAnon believers. In June 2018, Matthew Wright, motivated by his belief in QAnon, blocked the bridge near the Hoover Dam with a homemade armored vehicle. He later pleaded guilty to making a terrorist threat.

Last year the FBI declared the group as a domestic terrorist threat. But guess what? One of these conspiracy theorists is going to Congress next year.

'Judge stops Idaho from enacting ban on trans athletes' & other Wed midday news briefs

Judge stops Idaho from enacting ban on transgender athletes - Another victory. At least temporarily for now.

Three trans Instagram influencers attacked by a mob in LA as passersby laughed & refused to help - This shit is NOT funny. I'm posting because I want these bastards caught but watch at your own risk.

'It Has A Chilling Effect': Some In LGBTQ Community Say Scrutiny Of Alex Morse Is Harmful - Scrutiny my foot! It was targeting.

LGBTQ+ Elders Face a Serious Health Threat: Trump - Yep!

Anderson Cooper brutally calls out 'MyPillow' CEO and Trump supporter for pushing untested COVID-19 cure

It's always a delight when Anderson Cooper channels his "this queen has had enough of your bullsh!t" persona and proceeds to "read" (that's a black gay vernacular word) his guest like a dictionary.

I've only seen him do it once to a very deserving Roy Moore surrogate, but this time is a better delight. Cooper conducted an interview with 'MyPillow' CEO and widely known Donald Trump supporter Mike Lindell. According to The Hill, Lindell was pushing an untested cure for COVID-19 which could ultimately benefit his bank account:

Lindell is pushing oleandrin as a potential therapeutic for COVID-19. Last week, he was added to the board of Phoenix Biotechnology, which makes oleandrin, receiving a financial stake in the company, CNN reported. Lindell confirmed to CNN Monday that Trump participated in a July meeting at the White House regarding the use of oleandrin, an extract from the plant Nerium oleander, as a potential coronavirus treatment.

During the interview, Cooper "was not having it." Not even a little bit. You can watch either the full interview or snippets of it from the above videos.

'The Owl House' makes history with Disney's first bisexual lead character' & other Tue midday news briefs

'The Owl House' character Luz Noceda makes history .

'The Owl House' makes history with Disney's first bisexual lead character - Good for Disney. Our LGBTQ children should never be ignored or pushed to the side.

Three gay Democratic “rising stars” to give joint keynote address at convention - Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention is going to be fierce.

Margaret Atwood, Ed Harris, Judith Butler and more call out Poland’s hateful homophobia in powerful open letter - A wonderful way to use their platform. Good for them. 

The Internet Responds After Hallmark Movie Debuts Its First LGBTQ Couple - So how did it go? What do you think?

Federal judge blocks Trump administration rule against trans health a day before it was to take effect

This just came in this afternoon and it proves how important the recent Bostock decision was.

From Buzzfeed:

A federal judge on Monday blocked a Trump administration rule that would allow healthcare providers to discriminate against transgender individuals, one day before the rule was set to take effect. 

US District Judge Frederic Block found that the landmark US Supreme Court ruling earlier this summer expanding workplace protections for LGBTQ individuals applied in a legal fight over anti-discrimination provisions of the Affordable Care Act. It's one of the first cases to apply the Supreme Court's decision to other areas of federal law — in this case, healthcare. 

The Supreme Court ruled that workplace discrimination based on "sex" included discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Block, who sits in the federal district court in Brooklyn, found that the administration's plan to remove gender identity from the ACA's anti-discrimination provisions could not stand in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Bostock v. Clayton County. 

"The Court reiterates the same practical concern it raised at oral argument: When the Supreme Court announces a major decision, it seems a sensible thing to pause and reflect on the decision’s impact," Block wrote. "Since HHS has been unwilling to take that path voluntarily, the Court now imposes it." 

The case before Block involves Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination in health programs that receive federal funding. Under the Obama administration, the Department of Health and Human Services adopted rules in 2016 that made clear that Section 1557 applied to discrimination based on gender identity. 

A federal judge previously blocked the Obama-era rules from being enforced and sent the matter back to the Department of Health and Human Services. The Trump administration moved to get rid of the gender identity protections altogether. On June 12, the administration announced a final rule that would strip away the gender identity language.

For more details, check out the Buzzfeed article in its entirety.

'DC Congresswoman demands feds prosecute anti-LGBTQ hate crimes they've been ignoring' & other Mon midday news briefs

Eleanor Holmes Norton

DC Congresswoman demands feds prosecute the dozens of anti-LGBTQ hate crimes they’ve been ignoring - Eleanor Holmes Norton has always been an ally.

I’m A Nurse Who Cares For Gender Surgery Patients. Here’s Why I Love It So Much. - About time we hear from more than fake experts getting paid by right-wing groups.

Ashlee Marie Preston on What’s Next for Black Trans Americans - A wonderful and fascinating interview. 

Rising LGBTQ stars, historic platform on deck for Democratic convention - It's coming.

Creepy but effective ad highlights homophobia of VP Mike Pence and 2nd Lady Karen Pence

I had trepidation about this newest Don Winslow ad because while it speaks truth, it is also probably the creepiest ad of the 2020 campaign. If it gives you a"Norman  Bates from 'Psycho' vibe, please know that it's neither accidental nor a coincidence.

  But then again I sometimes wish the LGBTQ community could be this unapologetically brutal when calling out those who oppose our basic rights and humanity.

'Ricky Martin feared he couldn't become a parent because of his sexual orientation' & other Fri midday news briefs

Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin feared he couldn't become a parent because of his sexuality - I'm glad he realized that he could still be a parent. He now has four children.

A Christian troll wants to sue a lesbian baker after she made an antigay cake he ordered - When trolling fails.

Energizing the Black LGBTQ+ Vote in Swing State Michigan - Oh really? This sounds interesting.

Youth Ministry Accused Of Deceiving Queer Teens With ‘Bait And Switch’ - Messing with our kids again!

VP Mike Pence doesn't want Biden or Harris to cut America's meat (that's what he said)

Yes, Mike Pence. That was a dumb comment you made.

Dear Mike Pence, I know you were actually trying to attack Biden and Harris in terms of the US Dietary Guidelines when you said the following. I also know that in lieu of a doing a speech with substantial content,  you were trying to repeat the attacks the GOP made against former First Lady Michelle Obama when she was attempting to improve the health of our children

But, if you don't mind a little criticism, this line of attack backfired, especially when one takes into account your history of homophobia.

WTF? Are these fools even trying at this point?

"We're not gonna let @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris cut America's meat." --@Mike_Pence pic.twitter.com/dIOusQRAmf

— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) August 13, 2020

You definitely didn't mean this to have come out the way it did, but consider it as a metaphor for your aiding Trump's pathetic presidency.  I mean come on. You're talking about meat in the middle of a huge pandemic in which over five million Americans have been infected and over 170,00 have already died.

I am curious, though. Who would you let cut America's meat?

Or your meat . . .

I won't tell "Mother."

'An ugly plot to destroy the Congressional campaign of gay man' & other Thur midday news brief

Alex Morse

College Democrat chats reveal year-old plan to engineer and leak Alex Morse accusations - I despise The Intercept, but this is good journalism.

Antigay Dog Whistles Wrongly Insinuate Gay Mayor Engaged in Pedophilia - THIS is what it led to.
 

Black lesbian political powerhouse announced as Kamala Harris’s chief of staff - It keeps getting better for Biden and Harris.

The World Gay Boxing Championships look to ‘disrupt’ homophobia in sports - Oh? This sounds very interesting. 

Trump’s ambassador to Britain demanded auditors delete complaints about his racial and sexual remarks - Another day, another sh!tty Trump pick.

The 'WAP' remix featuring Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion and . . . Ben Shapiro?

Conservative pundit Ben Shapiro (top) attempted to shame rappers Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion (bottom). It didn't work out the way he had hoped.

Editor's note - This isn't necessarily LGBTQ related but it's campy as hell. And in keeping with my new policy of providing a bit of comedy every now and then to get us through the Trump years (and the fact that I had an awful day concerning politics and LGBTQ people), I thought this would be very appropriate. You're either going to laugh or get violently ill.  Or both.

If you haven't heard of the song 'WAP' by name, you are either too old or in a coma. It's the newest hit by rappers Cardi B and Megan thee Stallion.  It's already a monster on the charts, helped along by a very interesting video. The song itself isn't exactly boring. The acronym "WAP" stands for "wet a$$ p#ssy," which Cardi and Megan brags about in terms of the sexual and financial power it gives them over men.

Yeah, the song is raunchy - a bit too much for my taste - and highly controversial. So controversial in fact that conservative pundit Ben Shapiro took time out of his busy day of griping and whining (the usual conservative gimmick of grievance politics) to read the lyrics. I guess he was attempting to shock people. What he actually accomplished was a self-own so brutal that someone put it to music.

So without further ado, here is the 'WAP' remix featuring Ben Shapiro in all of his neebishness.

Just in case you're wondering, the answer is yes. People are laughing at Shapiro, especially Cardi B. Why should she be alarmed? The video has already been watched over 70 million times. And Shapiro's failed attempt to harm the song means more views and more money.

What I want to know is when will Shapiro be making an answer song, 'DAP.'

I think y'all can figure out what that stands for.

'Biden's VP pick Kamala Harris is an LGBTQ ally' & other Wed midday news briefs

Senator (and hopefully soon-to-be VP) Kamala Harris.

Harris as VP pick brings diversity, LGBTQ ally to Biden ticket - Biden's first big decision and he nailed it. 

Christian conservatives are enraged over a lesbian wedding in an upcoming movie - Guess who?

I’m 57 Years Old And My Father Just Disowned Me For Being Gay - Such a heartbreaking story.

Liberty U., Founded by Anti-Gay Jerry, Replaces Anti-Gay Jerry with Anti-Gay Jerry - Surprise. Surprise. Really?

Video - LGBTQ people should #VoteProud this November

With the help of the classic Barbara Stresisand/Donna Summer song 'Enough is Enough' and a surprise guest at the end, this video serves to remind LGBTQ people what happened when enough of us did not go out and vote in 2016. Let's not allow it to happen again.

Please #VoteProud

'Gay lawmaker falsely attacked as 'pedophile' by QAnon nutties' & other Tue midday news breifs

Scott Wiener

Rightwing launches disgusting attack on “pedophile” gay lawmaker over equality legislation - Good grief! Why am I not surprised!

Dating LGBTQ in a small town can be difficult - Yes, lawd!! 

Poland’s Anti-LGBTQ Attitudes, Arrests Spark Mass Protests In Warsaw - It's getting "real" in Poland. 

The Relentless Misgendering of Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania Health Secretary, Is Violence - There is no excuse for something so ugly like this to be happening.