Anti-LGBTQ religious right pushing passive-aggressive support of Trump's attempted election coup

Gary Bauer (top pic) and Tony Perkins (bottom pic) are just two members of the anti-LBGTQ religious right giving passive-aggressive support to Trump's attempt to steal election from Joe Biden.

How does the anti-LGBTQ religious right stand on Trump's attempt to cheat his way to second term in spite of the fact that he clearly lost the election to Joe Biden?

Do I even have to ask? 

On Thursday, Trump's legal team, led by former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani, held a press conference about the matter. It was panned as bizarre and surreal but totally devoid of any proof that Trump had been cheated out of a second term.

According to one Mediate article:

Not even Vincent LaGuardia Gambini could successfully litigate the groundless voter fraud cases being brought to various state courts by President Donald Trump’s campaign. But that isn’t stopping Rudy Giuliani from trying — by summoning the spirit of the titular lawyer from the ’90s comedy classic My Cousin Vinny, no less. In an utterly bizarre sequence during a Thursday news conference in Washington, the former New York mayor channeled his Big Apple compatriot, actor Joe Pesci, in an effort to claim that Trump campaign representatives were stationed too far away to meaningly observe the ballots being tallied. (The Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected this claim on Tuesday.) 

 And Giuliani wasn't the only one called out for oddball behavior:

Rudy Giuliani got things off to a wild start at the press conference held by President Donald Trump’s legal team, but Sidney Powell was next up to speak, and she cranked things up a notch…or several. Powell, known for representing Michael Flynn before Trump, spoke days after after claiming that the CIA is involved in the Dominion voter fraud conspiracy theory, which has been embraced by Trumpworld since the 2020 election ended. She began by claiming that the “massive influence of communist money through Venezuela, Cuba, and likely China” is the reason why Joe Biden won.

And besides Twitter, several members of the media were highly critical. CNN's Jake Tapper called it a "hot mess" while Fox News's Kirsten Fisher played fact-checker supreme by pointing out the many lies Giuliani and company told

However at One News Now, a "news source" run by anti-LGBTQ hate group the American Family Association, the reaction to the press conference was, shall we say, a bit more positive to Trump's point of view. Not only that, but the article included comments from various religious right figures which left me wondering just what press conference had they viewed:

"I just found myself hoping and praying that enough Americans were hearing [this new conference] because through the filter of the news, many of them will never know any of that. And I think no matter what side you're on, you're going to be concerned if you hear the evidence that Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell laid out about the corruption in this election." - Sandy Rios, American Family Association 

 "We haven't seen the evidence yet – we today heard it described and it's very troubling … and I certainly believe that Donald Trump and Mike Pence won the presidential election. But courts are going to be very reticent to take the risk of throwing out legitimate votes because other votes were illegal or produced from fraud." - Gary Bauer, Campaign for Working Families 

 "The Trump campaign conference this morning gave me hope: hope that there are still some truly great Americans who love this country enough to go to the mat to save it." Janet Mefferd, Christian radio talk-show host

And it gets more interesting. 

'Karine Jean-Pierre is 'top candidate' to be Biden's press secretary' & other Thur midday news briefs

 

Karine Jean-Pierre

Lesbian political powerhouse Karine Jean-Pierre is the “top candidate” to be Biden’s press secretary - Oh that would be sweet! Representation matters.

Two terrifyingly anti-LGBT+ candidates running for Virginia governor want to make queer people ‘second class’ citizens - This is bad. Really bad. 

New York to Offer ‘X’ Gender Marker on Driver's Licenses - Good for New York! 

LGBTQ advocates call 1st Islamic school for transgender students in Bangladesh a "positive step," but not enough - The struggle is universal, y'all.

Catholic League's Bill Donohue falsely claims Biden is launching 'assault on life, marriage, the family, and sexuality'

Catholic League head Bill Donohue isn't smiling when he thinks about Joe Biden as president. Maybe that's not a bad thing.

While some members of the religious right may be holding out for the ridiculous notion that Donald Trump's frivolous lawsuits will give him a second presidential term, the Catholic League isn't taking any chances.

The Catholic League, rumored by many to be only one guy - Bill Donohue - and a fax machine, recently went all out in attacking President-Elect Joe Biden.

From The New Civil Rights Movement:

A Catholic lobbying organization with close ties to the Catholic Church in America has just issued an attack on President-elect Joe Biden. The Catholic League says Biden’s policies will “create confusion” among the Catholic faithful, and his religion – Biden is a devout Catholic – “complicates matters” for the Roman Catholic Church. The group doesn’t even assert that Biden is President-elect, a jab at the top Democrat who has served his country as an elected official for 44 years. “Assuming Joe Biden is chosen as president next month by the Electoral College, he will pose a problem for the bishops,” Catholic League President Bill Donohue says in his latest press release. He adds that “the head of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Archbishop José Gomez, indicated this week that the bishops are already beset by Biden.”

Donohue claimed that Biden's position is an “scheduled assault on life, marriage, the family, and sexuality [which] looks to be on automatic pilot.”  By this, Donohue meant Biden's stance on abortion. And, of course, LGBTQ equality. Particularly that of the transgender community:

(Donohue) goes on to attack transgender people as engaging in a “fictional quest,” and calls the LGBTQ Equality Act “the most serious assault on religious liberty ever countenanced.” He warns it “would lead to an assault on the autonomy of Catholic hospitals and ensure that boys who think they are girls can compete against biological girls, sharing locker rooms and showers with them.” 

So that's the second false accusation against Biden with regards to the transgender community in two days. The first was from former Focus on the Family head James Dobson.

I think we can predict a pattern of possibly how the anti-LGBTQ industry will go after Biden here/.

'YouTube helping PragerU fundraise off of transphobia' & other Wed midday news briefs

 

YouTube is helping PragerU fundraise off of transphobia - What the hell? Get with it, YouTube! 

Candace Owens gets backlash from Harry Styles fans over 'bring back manly men' tweet - Bring back people who get fame by honestly working for it instead of exploiting resentment. Her BLEXIT gimmick is dying so Owens needs a new thing to keep the little bit of relevancy she has. 

Lil Nas X shut down a failed Republican candidate that came for him on Twitter with just seven words - Second verse. Same as the first.

Do homophobic attack ads work? It's complicated. - Something worth knowing.

James Dobson mourns Trump's loss, spews transphobic lies at Biden

James Dobson

Whether they like it or not, the religious right has to deal with the fact that Donald Trump lost the recent presidential election and come January will no longer be president. This means they are going to lose all of their access to the White House and the ability to meddle in and muck up policy issues. 

While some are spinning portents of doom and despair, others are handling it with a heavy heart such as former Focus on the Family head James Dobson: 

There is a heaviness within my spirit today on behalf of our beloved nation. I’m sure I share that sentiment with many of you. In a sense, Shirley and I are also grieving over the potential passing of an era, during which I believe God gave America a spiritual reprieve. President Donald Trump was partially responsible for this crucial change of trajectory.

Dobson neglects to say exactly why God chose Trump to be the vessel of a spiritual reprieve for America. I guess he was too busy attempting to paint Trump as a hardworking Christian man besieged by people attempting to destroy him at every turn.

 People who know the President best tell us he is one of the most hard-working and dedicated men ever to serve in the Oval Office. We saw that indefatigable nature during his final campaign, when he once held nine rallies in two days. He is also remarkably resilient. The media and his political opponents hammered him every day for four years. There was never a respite. President Trump arose every morning knowing he would be unfairly ridiculed and attacked from morning to night. . . . Yes, I admire Donald Trump. He is sometimes brash and aggressive. But as a New York entrepreneur and as a president under siege, he has had to be tough to deal with his challenges. But there is no doubt that he loves America and its people. Speaking personally, I will miss his presence on the national stage when he is no longer our President. 

For someone who opposes gay marriage, Dobson seem to be making a strong case why he will divorce his wife and marry Trump.

'Paramount releases trailer for its gay holidays romance' & other Tue midday news briefs

 

WATCH: Paramount releases trailer for its gay, holidays romance - This promises to be good.

Meet the trans teen becoming one of the first female Eagle Scouts - Way to go!

In Poland, hate is spreading against LGBTQ, Jews, Muslims - Just like that, our people have a serious problem in Poland.

Gillian Anderson’s portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Crown is bringing up painful memories for the LGBT+ community - I never realized how much Thatcher was disliked until after she died. She was an appallingly awful woman, particularly when it came to LGBTQ people

LGBTQ Trump supporters get reminded of 'their place' at 'Million MAGA March'

Some LGBTQ people are still under the illusion that Trump supports us.

Last weekend, a few thousand Donald Trump fans went to DC to protest his election loss to former Vice President Joe Biden. Urged on by Trump, these silly folks contended that the election was rigged and thereby stolen from Trump. Of course the only proof they had were bad conspiracy theories and a lot of resentment that the Trump presidency was pretty much over. However, they refused to let that bother them aathey wrapped themselves up in American flags, donned their bright-red MAGA hats and demonstrated their ignorance before God and Man alike.

According to LGBTQNation, two of the organizers of the event were gay Trump supporters:

Brandon Straka, a hairdresser who founded the “Walk Away” movement meant to convince LGBTQ people to abandon the Democratic Party, will co-host a Sunday morning “Rescue America” rally with other third-rate Twitter activists and pundits. Scott Presler, another gay man who has made a name for himself online with his rabid support for President Donald Trump, will speak at the main event on Saturday.

The publication was also quick to point out how these folks were uniting with several not-necessarily LGBTQ supporting groups such as white supremacists, wannabe Nazis, and militia groups. Regardless, apparently Straka, Presler, and any other LGBTQ people supporting Trump actually made it out of the event in one piece. However, something did take place which puts the sad irony of being an LGBTQ Trump supporter on display.

'Does Justice Alito's anti-gay bias present a problem at the Supreme Court?' & other Mon midday news briefs

 

SCOTUS Justice Alito

Justice Alito begins full-court press on LGBTQ rights by claiming that marriage equality ruling censors people - Justice Alito was never afraid to show his anti-LGBTQ bias and this presents a huge problem. And also a huge asset. 

For the LGBTQ community, family brings extra benefits and costs - Yep! Always. 

Ritchie Torres Never Dreamed He’d Be First Black Latino Gay Man Elected To Congress - But you are, Ritchie! You are! (Sorry for the bad Baby Jane impression there). 

Why Lena Waithe says being a Black queer woman has helped her in Hollywood - Good article.

Video Details The Top 10 Scandals of the Obama Administration

 

 

The above video by The Daily Show needs a wider audience because it opens up a conversation that America is too scared (and/or "too white") to have. I've always believed that things are chaotic now because of one thing - the election of Barack Obama as president. 

Why? 

Because a black man becoming president was such a new concept, it caused extreme trepidation in a lot of Americans. And unfortunately, our media - PARTICULARLY Fox News - chose to exploit this fear by constantly insinuating that Obama was a "Manchurian leader," that "he hated America," that he "bowed to foreign leaders," etc., etc.  They took the most ridiculous situations and pumped them up to scandalous proportions.

They told so many lies about how Obama is trying to destroy America that it ultimately led to where we are now - an America fearful and totally untrustworthy of our own institutions. An America which elected an incompetent fool who not only led us to the brink but also is presently challenging truth itself  in hopes of a second term in spite of losing the recent election. And what's worse, he has a lot of Americans backing him up; Americans have been fed garbage for years by the media who was supposed to give us objective truth but decided to err on the side of exposure, bias, and greed.

The above video is proof of how it all started. It would be hilarious if it all weren't true. But seeing that it is true, it's downright scary.

'How will Biden support LGBTQ rights' & other Fri midday news briefs

 

Biden talked a big game on LGBTQ rights. Here's what his agenda may look like. - Nothing wrong with asking about it.

Lena Waithe talks Black LGBTQ representation, 'bittersweet' election win for Kamala Harris - A really good interview. 

Trump’s gay outreach director thanked a war criminal for his “service” on Veterans Day - Because Richard Grenell is a basic moron.

West Virginians Sue Over State Ban on Gender-Affirming Health Coverage - And I hope they win.

'Bury Your Gays' trope is powerful reminder of what LGBTQ people are fighting against

 

From YouTube:

Throughout the many LGBTQ stories that have been told onscreen, there is one dominant theme: suffering. From the "Bury Your Gays" trope that sees queer characters dying far more frequently than straight characters, to stories that foreground the struggles of LGBTQ lives, we rarely allow them to be happy. So why have we insisted on making queer characters miserable? Here’s our Take on how this trope has dominated LGBTQ representations over the years, and whether we can get to a place where suffering isn’t always part of their story.

The video is powerful and worth watching. It's reminder that in terms of LGBTQ progress, the struggle isn't over.

Related post - Bury Your Gays

'Biden adds transgender veteran to his transition team' & other Thur midday news briefs

 

President-Elect Joe Biden

Biden adds transgender veteran to presidential transition team at Department of Defense - In addition to several other LGBTQ people added to Biden's transition team. This is good so far.

Wentworth Miller Says He’s Done With ‘Prison Break’ And Playing Straight Men - This is an interesting first. 

New ‘blueprint’ lights way for Biden to reverse Trump policies on LGBTQ rights - Wonderful! Let's get it started. 

"10,000 Portraits of Queer America" Bring Joy and Sanity - I think I may have posted this as a news brief item a while back. If I did, so what. I'm posting it again. Such a wonderful project. It brings me comfort to simply see the pictures.

Franklin Graham's support of Trump ignites a family feud over Billy Graham's legacy

 

According to a very juicy article in Mountain Xpress from Asheville, NC, Donald Trump has ignited a feud between the family of the late prominent pastor Billy Graham.  On one side stands his son and very vocal Trump supporter Franklin Graham. And on the other is his grandchildren, Aram Tchividjian,and  Jerushah Duford, and their mother and Graham's daughter Gigi Graham Tchividijian. Apparently this feud partly stems from Franklin's claim in 2019 that his father voted for Trump in 2016. 

I hadn’t shared who my father @BillyGraham voted for in 2016 but because of @CTMagazine’s article, I felt it necessary share now. My father knew [Trump], believed in him & voted for him. He believed Donald J. Trump was the man for this hour in the history for our nation. 

 

Tchividjian, while not outwardly calling his uncle a liar, got highly shady with his response.

I’ll never forget that day in 2016 when my grandfather @BillyGraham, shrugged off the symptoms of Parkinson’s and hydrocephalus, got up out of bed for the first time in a year, drove down to the polling station, and cast his vote. What a glorious memory!

 

According to Mountain Xpress, this exchange blew open the door: 

 For those who hadn’t followed the insular world of evangelical Christianity, this exchange blew into full view a rip in the Graham family’s fabric that mirrors a larger split within the entire evangelical community – a split likely to be accelerated by Trump’s defeat for re-election. Tchividjian and his more outspoken sister, Jerushah Duford, whose mother, Gigi Graham Tchividijian, is Billy Graham’s oldest daughter, have emerged as the family’s most visible critics of their uncle and of Trump. Both have written several books, separately and together, about their grandfather and his worldwide ministry, which was rooted in the North Carolina mountains near Asheville. Although they are not the first among evangelicals to publicly charge Franklin Graham with undermining the memory of his father, the fact that they are bringing the charge from within the family brings powerful momentum to it. Graham declined to comment through a spokesperson.

In an exclusive interview with the publication, Duford called out her uncle for his support of Trump, which she also contends is hurting her grandfather's legacy and the overall integrity of Christianity:

“My grandfather’s goal was to introduce people to the saving love and grace of Jesus and he stayed out of politics for the most part because he knew that he would alienate an audience if he was involved,” Jerushah, 42, said, then adding a reference to her uncle: “He is too polarizing of a personality to be introducing people to Jesus. People outside the church are not going to listen to Franklin.” Her brother, two years older, said that his uncle Franklin’s public claim about Billy Graham voting for Trump was “such blatant baloney” that he couldn’t resist responding with the sarcastic tweet. Tchividjian said that he now regards his uncle and Trump as “two peas in a pod.”

The article deserves reading and sharing. It also proves yet again that karma does not play. 

'Embrace Your Bullsh!t' - The Top Five Times the Religious Right practically swooned over Donald Trump

One thing we must never forget about the Donald Trump presidency is how quickly and often the religious right pandered to him.

Remember, while presently watching this mess going down with Trump refusing to concede the election wihch he fairly lost, the increase in COVID infections, and the general chaos, how conservative evangelicals contributed to it all.  These self-appointed religious leaders have done nothing and said nothing to quell the situation.  They only cared about what Donald Trump gave them and as long he gave them goodies (access to the White House, photo ops, policies favoring their desires, conservative judges), they threw plaudits after him as if he were the Second Coming of Jesus. They didn't give a damn about the damage he was doing to the country. Most likely, they still don't.

 

First is Gary Bauer. His claim to fame is being the first president of hate group the Family Research Council and undermining the fight against AIDS while working in the Reagan Administration. According to Reagan's Surgeon General, the late C. Everette Koop, Bauer undermined his ability to communicate to Reagan the severity of AIDS because he felt it "God's punishment."

Next is former Focus on the Family head James Dobson, the one who thinks that gays have thousands of sexual partners.

I'm including two times from Franklin Graham because honestly if kissing Trump's ass was an Olympic sport, they would have to create a special medal in Graham's honor.

And last but not least, the following is simply an embarrassing display of obsequiousness:

You love Donald Trump? Good Lord, James Dobson!
 

'Aspiring transgender soldiers call on Biden to restore their right to serve' & other Tue midday news briefs

Aspiring Transgender Soldiers Call On Biden To Restore Their Right To Serve - Damn right! Keep the promise, Joe.

Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws Will Move to States, With Trump Judges to Defend Them - And here we go. Let's gear up for battle. 

Adrian Tam defeats local Proud Boys leader, becomes 1st gay Asian American in Hawaii House - Good for him. 

Don Lemon celebrates Biden’s victory, rips into antigay Trump supporters who’ve made his life hell - Give em hell, Don.

Michelle Bachmann wants God to use 'iron rod' to smash the 'delusion' of the presidential election

Michele Bachmann

While some conservative evangelicals such as Franklin Graham and Tony Perkins are playing coy with the news of Trump's defeat, others are reacting badly. And by badly, I mean hilariously. Far be it from me to make fun of the disappointment of others, but these folks exploited their faith for worldly power and now it's blowing up in their faces.

Sympathy should not be on the menu for them. 

But if you ask me, the one who wins the booby prize has to be former Congresswoman, Michele Bachmann. Bachmann, who has been known for basic homophobia, took it upon herself to appeal to God to use his "iron rod" in order to smash the outcome of the recent presidential election . . . in a figurative sense of course.

Former congresswoman Michele Bachmann calls on God to "smash the delusion, Father, that Joe Biden is our president. He is not." pic.twitter.com/gqoFP97ipT

— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) November 9, 2020

I'm trying to keep from making corny jokes. Really I am. But it's hard. Harder than the rod Bachmann wants God to use (whoops! there I go!)

'Fort Lauderdale out mayor faced intimidation & slurs. He was still reelected' & other Mon midday news briefs

 

Fort Lauderdale’s out mayor faced intimidation & slurs from Trump supporters. He was still reelected. - Perseverance defined. 

Congress will have record number of LGBTQ lawmakers next session - Sweet! 

Claire McCaskill Sorry for Blaming 'Transsexuals' for Democrat Losses - Yes you should be. Totally wrong and inappropriate on so many levels.

LGBTQ rights may be safe at the Supreme Court -- for now - Emphasis on "for now."

With Trump's loss to Biden, anti-LGBTQ evangelicals will hopefully lose their White House access

With Donald Trump losing the election to Joe Biden, anti-LGBTQ Trump officials such as Roger Severino (bottom pic) will hopefully be out of a job and conservative evangelicals (posing with Trump in the first pic) will lose their ability to dictate White House policy. 

There are a lot of reasons why I, as a gay man, am looking forward to  the upcoming Biden Administration. Probably at the top of the list will be an elimination of the open door policy the White House had with the anti-LGBTQ right. 

Because of the support white evangelicals gave Trump in 2016 and beyond, he pretty much became their sugar daddy. When not personally obliging their wishes (such as creating a nonsensical ban on trans people serving in the military based on false information) he let them run amok in his administration and they not only did a lot of what they wanted to endanger LGBTQ equality and safety, they also bragged about their access.

 

The Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins said in August (2017), “I’ve been to the White House I don’t know how many more times in the first six months this year than I was during the entire Bush administration.” The Susan B. Anthony List’s Marjorie Dannenfelser said she visited the White House seven times in Trump’s first 100 days in office. 

Penny Nance of Concerned Women for America said in September, “I’m told from people before me that even under George W. Bush, we didn’t have this kind of access. It certainly is unprecedented and we’re very grateful.” Land gushed about evangelicals having “unprecedented access” to the White House, adding that there “are more evangelicals in this administration as personnel than any administration in my lifetime.”

 In exchange for access and help on their policy priorities, Trump has earned the love of the Religious Right. Some called his election a miracle. Others determined that he must have personally come to Christ. Many have gone to bat for Trump’s most controversial comments and positions. An early campaign faith adviser started a group called POTUS Shield that is dedicated to shielding the president from spiritual attack. 

 

In exchange, Perkins and company continued to give Trump support or cover whenever his excesses attracted too much negative attention. The word "mulligan" comes to mind.

Joe Biden beats Donald Trump! Becomes 46th president.

 This says it all:

BREAKING: JOE BIDEN WILL BE PRESIDENT-ELECT, NBC NEWS PROJECTS. https://t.co/gGS2tyKRy9 pic.twitter.com/s17hCZDvBR

— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 7, 2020

HISTORY MADE

Senator Kamala Harris is the first woman and first Black and South Asian person elected Vice President in U.S. history! pic.twitter.com/JODbS1jJv3

— Tony Snell Rodriguez 🏳️‍🌈 (@TonyEquality) November 7, 2020

Let me put it another way:

 

Watching the ballot count with Eartha Kitt and Grace Jones

I need a little release after this week. I won't go over what's going on because I think everyone knows. This presidential election is crazy. But it's almost over and it looks good. However, it is playing havoc on my nerves and my postings. So I think a comical post is due because laughter is always a wonderful release. I didn't think that the 1992 movie Boomerang was all that good, but gay icons Eartha Kitt and Grace Jones stole their scenes. Definitely not safe for work.

 

  

'SCOTUS appears poised to rule for foster care agency against LGBTQ couples (and LGBTQ taxpayers)' & other Thur morning news briefs

Supreme Court appears poised to rule for foster care agency against LGBTQ couples - You never know but certain judges - no doubt secure with a 6-3 conservative majority - were showing their asses. Unfortunately, I don't think the subject of tax dollars even came up.

2020 election brought notable firsts for LGBTQ candidates - But, just in case you haven't heard, the LGBTQ community had a very good night during Tuesday's elections. Baby steps forward are still steps and we took many during the election. 

The sheriff fired her because she’s a lesbian so she ran against him. She’ll be the new sheriff now. - Ain't THAT a trip? 

Editorial: Wake-up call on LGBTQ rights - That's right. And marching alone won't do it. We are against very moneyed, very skilled folks. We got skills too.

'LGBTQ candidates could have a big election night' & other Tue midday news briefs

LGBTQ+ Candidates to Watch on Election Night - Sixteen reasons - besides the others - to keep your fingers crossed.

LGBTQ representation in the House could double on Election Day - Keep your fingers crossed (if they aren't already crossed.) 

 LGBTQ leaders in battleground states plead with voters because local elections make a big difference - Good commentary. 

Vatican Claims Pope’s Civil Union Comments Were Taken Out Of Context - And here we go. As if any of us should be surprised.

Supercut video reveals how Melania and Tiffany Trump are attempting to gaslight LGBTQ people into supporting duplicitous Donald

Tiffany Trump is trying to trick LGBTQ people into supporting her father.

No doubt, I have been driving people crazy with my posts about the election and for that I apologize. But to me, this is strangest, most off-the-wall, most crucial presidential election I can remember. This has to be the first election in which LGBTQ people being simultaneously scapegoated and gaslit by the same side. While conservatives and Republicans are attempting to scare voters with lies about the so-called evils of homosexuality and eight-year-old trans children undergoing surgery, Melania and Tiffany Trump are assuring us that Donald Trump is our best friend.  And some idiots are attempting to make us fall for it.

But there is always truth which cannot be hidden and "receipts" that are always kept. This wonderful supercut video from The Recount speaks for itself:

The Trump family has spent the campaign's closing days whitewashing the president's abysmal record on LGBTQ issues.

Let's roll the tape: pic.twitter.com/bJfsav3FxT

— The Recount (@therecount) November 1, 2020

What else there left to be said except for get out there and vote. LGBTQ safety, rights, and future depends upon it. 

'Lindsey Graham makes anti-LGBTQ comments hailing 'traditional family structure'' & other Mon midday news briefs

Sen. Lindsey Graham

Graham makes anti-LGBTQ comments hailing ‘traditional family structure’ - WHICH is the epitome of irony. Graham is in the fight of his life. Regardless of how it may end, he will learn this electoral season.

Our Activism Can't End With the Presidential Election - So true, no matter who wins. It's not just about the election because the work needs to continue. 

People Say Melania Trump’s Speech Against ‘Hate’ Should Come With A Laugh Track - Amen. Who is she trying to kid? 

Broadcaster may punish certain employees that attend “controversial” events including Pride - Come on, BBC. Do better.

The 2020 Election Vogue Ball Dance Off - the Legendary House of Democrats vs. the House of Republicans

Picture the 2020 Election as a vogue ball dance-off featuring the Legendary House of Democrats vs. the House of Republicans.

These next two days - and possibly afterwards - are probably going to be strenuous and stressful. And no doubt some folks are going to bend over backwards to make them as drama-filled as possible. 

So right now, take a breath and enjoy this video by youtuber The Tebbster 

Melania Trump and the Log Cabin Republicans must think that LGBTQ people are stupid

First Lady Melania Trump (top photo) and the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay conservative group ,(bottom photo) are attempting to pass off Donald Trump as an LGBTQ ally. They must be out of their minds.

When it comes to upcoming election, Donald Trump, First Lady Melania, and the Log Cabin Republicans obviously think LGBTQ people are naive or stupid.

From The Advocate:

First Lady Melania Trump filmed a video for the Log Cabin Republicans — an LGBTQ+ GOP organization that endorsed Donald Trump's reelection — claiming her husband is pro-gay, even though his policies have harmed gay people and the entire LGBTQ+ community. 

 The video begins with the first lady claiming her husband is an "outsider" who wants all Americans to prosper, though he has staked his entire political career on white grievance and overt racism. Melania Trump then reverted to the role her family often falls back on: victim. 

She claimed Donald Trump earned the ire of powerful political insiders because he challenged the status quo. "I was shocked to discover that some of these powerful people have tried to paint my husband as antigay or against equality," Trump says. "Nothing could be further from the truth."

 . . . Melania Trump also touts her husband's appointment of Richard Grenell as ambassador to Germany and, later, acting national security advisor. Grenell resigned in June and has previously been accused of xenophobia and misogny. Grenell defended Donald Trump tear-gassing peaceful protesters this summer so he could have a photo op in front of a church. 

 Melania Trump also claims that "as the leader of the Republican Party and president of the United States, Donald has been clear that gays and lesbians have been treated as he has always treated them, equally."

You can go to the link if you want to see the ad because I refuse to soil my blog page with that shit. It just pisses me off "to the highest levels of pissivity" for a number of reasons. 

From having anti-LGBTQ spokespeople such as Roger Severino in his administration waging war on our health to his ban on transgender people serving in the military via inaccurate information to his administration unsuccessfully arguing in front of the Supreme Court that it was perfectly legal to fire people for being LGBTQ, Trump has waged a silent but debilitating and depressing war against LGBTQ people.

And even after all of that, here comes his wife and some fools who really should - and probably do - know better attempting to convince us that he's our best friend.

At least with Franklin Graham, the Family Research Council, the Alliance Defending Freedom, and the rest of the anti-LGBTQ industry, we know where we stand. We don't like them and they don't like us. There is something morbidly wonderful about having someone being upfront about opposing you.

It's entirely different when someone smiles in your face while trying to convince you that they are your best friend even after they've publicly, unashamedly, and repeatedly worked to undermine your rights and safety. It's even worse when they know that you know that they are lying but will lie to you anyway in hopes that you are naive enough to believe them.

It takes a certain type of evil to have that sort of temerity. A rotten, fetid, putrid, lack of self-respect type of evil.  It's the kind of evil which ranks down there with a group betraying their own people status and power. WHICH brings me to Richard Grenell and the Log Cabin Republicans.

I can't say what I want when it comes to that bunch because it involves - at the very least - figuratively jumping down throats and stomping livers. But I suggest that if this nonsense angers you - and it should - then go and vote in order to prove that you won't fall for this bullshit.

And if you need anymore incentive and a list to show to those believing this mess, check out this wonderful article -  No, Trump Is Not a Friend to LGBTQ+ People. Here's the Evidence

'First LGBTQ case for new SCOTUS justice Barrett comes next week' & other Thur midday news briefs

 

Amy Coney Barrett

Advocates fear Barrett will strip away gay rights. It could begin next week. - Next week promises to be interesting for a multitude of reasons. And hopefully no one will be too distracted to notice this one. We've worried about how Barrett will look at LGBTQ equality. The first test is will she say that LGBTQ taxpayers have to give up our money to entities who want to discriminate against us?

Obama protections the Trump administration has rescinded (or hopes to) - For those folks in our community who delude themselves when it comes to Trump's "support" of us. 

Dead Marijuana Candidate Paid by GOP to Defeat Lesbian Politician - Talk about your drama . . . 

Top football referee defiantly comes out as gay after player used vile homophobic slur in the middle of a match - Good for him!

American anti-LGBTQ industry sinking millions in European countries to roll back rights of women & LGBTQ people

Donald Trump's lawyer, Jay Sekulow, is involved in an attempt to roll back the rights of women and LGBTQ people in European countries.

This is something we need to keep our eyes on. The anti-LGBTQ industry is sinking an immense amount of money in Europe.

 From Time magazine:

 Twenty-eight U.S. Christian right groups have spent millions of dollars pursuing conservative agendas that threaten LGBTQ and women’s rights in Europe, a new investigation by British news website openDemocracy found Tuesday. 

The investigation by openDemocracy found that more than two dozen organizations have been involved in legal battles across Europe opposing same-sex adoption, defending legislation against same-sex couples and restricting access to contraception and abortion. According to the report, the majority of the money spent by these groups in Europe came from two Christian legal advocacy groups, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the latter of which the Southern Poverty Law Center has listed as a designated hate group for its support of anti-LGBTQ legislation both in the U.S. and abroad.

 . . . Together, both the ACLJ and the ADF spent more than $3.7 million in Europe in 2018, according to openDemocracy’s findings based on publicly available non-profit tax filings. The 28 organizations surveyed by openDemocracy spent more than $88 million in Europe between 2007 and 2018—an amount greater than anywhere else outside of the United States, followed by Africa, Asia and Latin America. The findings come ahead of the U.S. presidential elections on Nov. 3 and amid what activists say is a worrying rollback of women’s and LGBTQ rights in central and eastern Europe.

According to the openDemocracy report, both groups have intervened in European cases regarding women's reproductive rights and LGBTQ equality. Time magazine said the following:

Both the ACLJ and the ADF have intervened in dozens of European court cases over the past 10 years. President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, Jay Sekulow, who served as counsel for the president’s impeachment trial, has been the chief counsel for the ACLJ since 1991. The organization has backed the Polish government several times on its stances on abortion and LGBTQ rights, including submitting arguments earlier this month in favour of the conservative government’s most recent abortion restrictions that have sparked international protests. Earlier this year, the European arm of the ACLJ also criticized the European Commission’s decision to cut funding to Poland’s regions and towns that declared themselves homophobic “LGBT-free zones.” OpenDemocracy says the ACLJ did not respond to its requests for comment. 

 The ADF also has links to the Trump Administration as former staffers, allies and supporters of the organization have been appointed to roles in government, and has significantly increased its funding in Europe, spending more than $2.5 million in 2018 compared to $1.4 million in 2014. According to its website, the organization’s international arm “provides funding for cases with high potential to set major international legal precedents.”

It's another reminder that the most dangerous opposition to our rights and safety come from those who can successfully manipulate behind the curtain. Not those who make public spectacles of themselves.

'LGBT voters on Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation' & other Wed midday new briefs

 

Amy Coney Barret

US election 2020: LGBT voters on Amy Coney Barrett confirmation - Fascinating conversation. 

EPA Cancels LGBTQ Pride And Resilience Event Due To Trump Crackdown - Well shit. 

State Department no longer challenging gay couples’ children’s U.S. citizenship - Good. That's the end of that. At least for now.

Antigay politician admits to secretly prescribing opioids for lover. She’s also his second cousin. - Now see that's just naaaaasty.

Senate Candidate Rev. Warnock on 'Religious Freedom' and LGBTQ+ Rights - Preach!!

GOP smear that Biden supports surgery for transgender children backfires

In the same manner they've targeted LGBTQ people during other elections in the past, GOP operatives are attempting to help Trump by lying about Joe Biden and transgender children.

But in this case, truth smacked them in the face. 

According to Raw Story:

A reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer this week cornered a Trump-loving GOP operative for sending text messages to voters falsely claiming that Democratic presidential nominee supports having 8-year-old children undergo gender reassignment surgery. Terry Schilling, the executive director of the right-wing American Principles Project, defended his organization for sending out text messages to voters that cast false aspersion on Biden’s position that transgender children shouldn’t face discrimination.

The Philadelphia Inquirer said voters across the state of Pennsylvania got a text message telling them to watch a 30 second video in which a narrator accused Biden of endorsing transgender medical procedures for children as young as eight-years-old.

But according to the article's author, Chris Brennan, the claim is a lie:

The video includes images of Biden speaking to Mieke Haeck, the mother of an 8-year-old transgender child at an Oct. 15 ABC town hall in Philadelphia. Biden told Haeck “there should be zero discrimination” against transgender people, including children.

That was it. The statement which led APP to make its claim. 

When confronted by Brennan, Schilling, head of the APP,  said that Biden's statement could be extrapolated to mean that he does in fact support surgery for transgender children  It was obvious by the interview that Schilling was attempting to create another fake controversy against Biden not unlike the recent flop regarding his son's "emails." Brennan pointed out that the Biden camp didn't take the bait, but Mieke Haeck, the mother of the transgender child, was furious about how Schilling's group  exploited her family:

She called APP’s claims a “blatant lie” and considered the PAC’s video so over the top in its attempt to be scary that it was “almost laughable.” Haeck would have told Schilling that, if his PAC had reached out to her. “It has nothing to do with medical intervention, medication or surgery,” she said of her question for Biden. “That’s not what we’re talking about. It’s about my daughter using she and her pronouns, growing her hair and being who she is in her heart.”

Also, Brennan pointed out that the Associated Press had already debunked the lies about Biden and surgery for transgender children.

To reiterate,  the GOP sought to exploit fears and ignorance about the LGBTQ community in order to create a fake controversy against Biden. None of the parties they were targeting seemed to be biting. But those who were biting took a chunk out of their asses. So to speak.

'For transgender Americans, election stokes hopes and fear' & other Tue midday news briefs

Editor's Note - by the time you read this, Amy Coney Barrett will be a SCOTUS judge. There was no doubt that it would end this way. But there is much doubt that is THE END at all for us, our safety, and equality. Don't ever lose hope. And above all, get out there and vote if you haven't already.

For transgender advocates, election stokes hopes and fears - Yep and for the rest of us, too. But the trans community has a deeper stake because Trump devoted much of his anti-LGBTQ policy against them. 

One in 10 LGBTQ+ Teens Identifies as Asexual or Ace Spectrum - Time for more education. 

Gay state senator in New Mexico flees home after threatening phone calls - Good grief! 

Another gay teacher fired. LGBTQ students face expulsion. Discrimination continues in Florida schools | Commentary - From a publicly funded voucher school. So they want our tax money and also the ability to fire us for being LGBTQ.

The Lincoln Project recreates Trump's presidency as an animated, dismal fairy tale

 

 

Of all the ads the Lincoln Project has come up with to call out Donald Trump, I think this is one of the most incredibly potent. And that's saying a lot because the group has been a shining star throughout this entire election season. But this ad, which portrays the years of the Trump presidency as a dark fairy tale full of grim tidings, should be remembered. Particularly the lesson at the end.

'Study says Trump's State Department is ignoring anti-LGBTQ abuses abroad' & other Mon midday news briefs

 

Study: Trump's State Department Ignores Anti-LGBTQ+ Abuses Abroad - So much for decriminalizing homosexuality worldwide. 

Keiynan Lonsdale Channels LGBTQ Rights Icon Bayard Rustin In HBO Max’s ‘Equal’ - Good series and wonderful spotlight. 

PHOTOS: History of gay relationships chronicled over 100 years - A good look into our history. 

Don’t let Pope Francis’ nice words confuse you. The Church is still discriminating against us. - The Pope may have vocally supported civil unions for gay couples, but let's always keep one eye open.

Top 10 LGBTQ+ Couples on Animated Shows

 

 

This list came out last month and I'm rather fond of it. When I was a little boy - hell even when I was a teen and young adult - they wouldn't dare have LGBTQ+ characters on animated shows. Now it's happening on not only one show, but several at the same time. And without hardly any controversy. It's always a good thing when progress is made, but progress made without folks acting like fools is extra special.

'Eight queer candidates to watch closely on Election Day' & other Fri midday news briefs

 

Ritchie Torres

8 queer candidates to watch closely on Election Day - Our community will be getting more members of Congress.

Support for gay marriage reaches all-time high, survey finds - 70 percent. Not bad.

Susan Collins ‘Truly Grateful’ For Endorsement From Anti-LGBTQ, Anti-Abortion Group - Oh Sue! You have fallen!

Anger and Concern in Hollywood’s LGBTQ Community Ahead of Senate Vote on Amy Coney Barrett - We ain't exactly thrilled about it outside Hollywood either.

Trump Evangelical - If Christians (like him) don't vote, bestiality will become accepted in America

 

 

Feel free to laugh as long as you remember that people like him vote. We should be voting too.  

From Right-Wing Watch: 

 Frank Amedia,  . . .  who founded the POTUS Shield prayer effort to wage spiritual warfare on behalf of President Donald Trump, released a video last Friday in which he claimed that God told him that he is going to shift the polls in key races heading into the election so that Republican candidates gain 5 points, while Democratic candidates lose 5 points. And to drive home the point of just how important it is for Christians to vote, Amedia warned that failure to do so would result in an America where “animalism” is accepted and “somebody can marry a cow and have perverse sex with them.”

 . . . “This is about morality,” he said, “This is about same-sex marriage not being approved and blessed in this country. This is not about us changing genders into five and six different meanings now. Even sexual preference has all of a sudden been changed in the dictionary to where it’s offensive. How far do they want us to go? Wait until animalism becomes acceptable and somebody can marry a cow and have perverse sex with them. You think I’m laughing. That’s what’s going to come.”

'Trump's SCOTUS nominee was trustee at private school with anti-gay policies' & other Thur midday news briefs

 

Amy Coney Barrett

Barrett was trustee at private school with anti-gay policies- I dare anyone to act surprised. 

Nonbinary Actors and Creators Have Some Advice for Hollywood - Pay attention, Hollywood. 

United States to team with countries who persecute LGBTQ people for 'pro-family' manifesto, including 'Kill the Gays' bill sponsor Uganda - My post from Wednesday deserves repeating. 

West Hollywood officials vote to appoint a “Drag Laureate” to help promote the city - Sounds like a good idea to me. I'm all for it.