'Trump's secret campaign lawyer has a homophobic reputation' & other Wed midday news briefs

 

Cleta Mitchell

Trump’s secret campaign lawyer is so anti-gay even Republicans call her “a nasty bigot” - I bet she's a gas at parties.

7 Moments of Queer Triumph That (Almost) Redeemed 2020 - Heavy on the 'almost.' 

Top 10 national news stories of 2020 - From the Washington Blade. 

Woman pleads guilty after threatening to bomb gay-inclusive Catholic school - Girl, bye.

Wednesday = Donald Trump's Ragnarok

On Wednesday, Donald Trump  and his supporters are going to have to face the truth that he lost the November election. That's the day when Congress convenes to certify Joe Biden's victory. But don't think they won't be kicking and screaming. While his supporters will gather on the streets of DC whining about election fraud, 140 Republican members of the House of Representatives and 12 Republican senators will challenge Biden's win citing the same discredited information which has been dismissed in courtrooms throughout America.

It won't do any good. Biden will be certified as the election winner and later this month, he and Sen. Kamala Harris will be inaugurated as the newly elected president and vice president of the United States. It's unstoppable and inevitable. But for the sake of education, the above video is a sad reminder of what these idiots are fighting for and what we must never allow to taint the White House ever again.

'Five things social media platforms can do to combat anti-LGBTQ disinformation' & other Tue midday news briefs

 

5 things social media platforms can do to combat anti-LGBTQ disinformation - Write this down and take it to heart.

Paramedic Proposes To Nurse Boyfriend During COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment - Awww! That's cute!

Georgia Senate race holds far-reaching implications — especially for LGBTQ Americans - Come on, Georgia. We need you to do right.

Gay Republican Says Fiancé Was Fired for Attending Trump's NYE Bash - Read for complete story. Totally reckless what these two did. I don't feel sorry for them NOR their pets.

Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council - Homosexuality is sin. Lying to steal an election for Donald Trump is not a sin.

 

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council

As we get nearer to Joe Biden officially taking over as president and Trump becoming more and more desperate to keep power, one notices a certain segment of Trump supporters, who were practically his entourage when he had power, are slowly becoming conveniently silent.

Probably attempting to recover from the humiliation of falsely predicting that God ordained a Trump victory, some conservative evangelicals seem to be moonwalking into the shadows and downplaying their support as Trump and other allies engage in pathetic schemes and lurid conspiracy theories all focused on the impossible probability of him receiving a second term.

But to claim that they have totally given up on Trump would be a mistake. On Monday, the People for the American Way's Right Wing Watch posted this item:

A group of right-wing movement leaders signed a Dec. 30 letter to Senate Republicans urging them to “protect the republic” by contesting electors from battleground states won by Joe Biden. Also signing the letter was Cleta Mitchell, the right-wing lawyer who took part in President Donald Trump’s instantly notorious call badgering Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” new votes and “recalculate” the results of the 2020 presidential election to deliver the state’s electoral votes to Trump. On the call, Mitchell said she has been working with Trump’s team for “weeks.”

 The letter was released by the Conservative Action Project, which is affiliated with the Council for National Policy, a secretive and influential network of leaders spanning different sectors of the right-wing movement. Many of its leaders have been active in the so-called “Stop the Steal” campaign to overturn Biden’s victory. The group released another letter a few weeks ago, signed by many of the same people, urging state legislatures to overturn swing state results. 

 The new letter says the Constitution gives state legislatures “plenary power” to choose electors. But, the letter claims, since state election laws were “ignored or violated” this year, “the decisions regarding the electors must revert to the constitutional procedures.”

Right-Wing Watch goes on to say that the letter contains the following:

Following the 2020 election, substantial evidence has been presented to courts and state legislatures of clear and extensive election irregularities, violations of state law, and large numbers of illegal votes that were counted and certified. In several states, there are more illegal votes included in the certified numbers than the margin of victory for the certified winner from the state. More than 50 million American voters believe the election was stolen or somehow illegitimate due to the large number of irregularities, illegal votes improperly counted, the myriad state laws that were ignored or violated, and elections that were conducted in a manner significantly inconsistent with state law.

One of the signers of the letter was Tony Perkins, president of the so-called Christian group the Family Research Council. This pretty much means that they support the letter. And that's odd.

 Perkins and his group supposedly stand for a "biblical worldview" and it is for that reason that they oppose LGBTQ equality and rights. In their eyes, the lives we lead is a violation of that "biblical worldview." I won't go into detail about this stance because I've written about it enough times. But for the purpose of this particular post, allow me to point something out regarding the above passage of Mitchell's letter regarding "voting irregularities" in the 2020 election.

That part of the letter is a blatant lie. 

Nothing has been proven with regards to "election irregularities." "illegal voting" or  fraud of any kind. There have been several recounts proving that Joe Biden fairly won the election. At the time of Mitchell's letter, Trump had lost 59 cases claiming voter fraud, including a huge one at the Supreme Court. Under oath, his lawyers have said there is no evidence of widespread fraud. 

Trump and his allies have claimed that he lost the cases because the judges have refused to look at their evidence, such as affidavits from witnesses of the alleged fraud. That claim turned out to be another lie because justices in several cases did in fact look at the so-called evidence and witness statements, calling them hearsay, conjecture, speculation, and third hand information.

So all of that leads me to ask one simple question - aren't Perkins and FRC being highly hypocritical here? If you had a discussion with Perkins about homosexuality,  he will no doubt quote  biblical verses while calling it a sin and against God's will. Perhaps someone should ask him to quote the biblical verses which says it's perfectly fine to lie in order to steal an election from the rightful victor.

Or could it be that Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council care more about grabbing and keeping power instead of truly maintaining a "biblical worldview."

'These are the transgender people lost to violence in 2020" & other Mon midday news briefs

These Are the Trans People Lost to Violence in 2020 - I HATE posting stuff like this, but it's necessary for so many reasons.

2020 election saw increase in “Equality” voters that prioritize LGBTQ rights - About damn time. Because our rights are human rights. 

Biden’s Team Tells Senate Democrats To Send Him Judicial Nominees ASAP - This is good!

LGBTQ people can finally get domestic violence protections in NC, court rules - About time!

Top Lesbian Movies of 2020 via glboom

I get a lot of questions from my lesbian sisters asking what movies would be wonderful for them to see. With the help of gbloom, a Youtube site celebrating positive portrayals of LGBTQ women in general media, I think I'm on my way to answering that question.

Joe Biden beating Donald Trump was the greatest moment of 2020 for LGBTQ people

Editor's note - Hands down, the greatest moment of 2020 was the victory of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice Presidential-Elect Kamala Harris. Enjoy the video clips. Then, if you are so inclined, read my post about 2020. What I wrote came out due to frustration of four years of idiocy, especially 2020 in general. Barring a juicy religious right scandal, this will probably be the last piece I post for 2020. Have a Happy New Year. Be careful, be safe, and wear your dang mask! 

As always, thank you all for the support you've given this blog over the years.

   

  

As 2020 winds down to a close (thank God), I feel like I'm in the aftermath of one of those fights I used watch during high school. In those fights, punching is the least effective measure you can do. Those fights were wild. I'm talking head-slinging, hair-pulling, ripping, tearing, body-tossing, body-slamming frenzies of madness which generally involved everyone in the vicinity. Who cares if they weren't directly involved in the outbreak of chaos. Everyone was busy ducking bodies and avoiding whatever projectiles  flung through the air. 

In that same manner, 2020 has been a riotous, chaotic year  The important thing though is that we got through it or, in this case, almost through it.  We lost a lot of good friends, felt much too much pain and fear regarding the future, and got angry on an unhealthy level more times than we would like to admit.

But we had many surprising and hard-fought victories. One was in June when the Supreme Court said that we are protected from workplace discrimination by federal law. That was a victory which I was not expecting and even now, months later, continues to blow my mind. 

 And it came no thanks to Donald Trump. He promised to be our ally when running for president, but then used his Administration to undermine our safety and rights in so many avenues. He had nothing to do with any of our victories, especially the one in June.

This victory would have been greatest moment of 2020 if it were not for a certain election in which LGBTQ people joined a larger community of African-Americans, other people of color, white people Democrats, Republicans, Never-Trumpers, older Americans, progressives, conservatives, and all-around fed-up folks to topple Trump's undeserved presidency and place President-Elect Joe Biden  and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris in the White House.

There is so much I have to say about Donald Trump and to his supporters, particularly those who believe his bogus crap about how the election was "stolen" from him. 

The election wasn't stolen. It was relinquished.

'Six victories for the LGBTQ community in 2020' & other Wed midday news briefs

 

Here are just six victories for the LGBTQ community that came in 2020 - Every victory was unapologetically hard-fought. 

HUD appears to have given up on anti-transgender homeless shelter rule - Victory number seven? 

Jose Antonio Vargas Opens Up About Being Undocumented and Gay - I met him once. He is a nice guy.

Gay cricket star Alex Blackwell says she’s tired of lesbians in sport being ‘profiled as predators’ - Amen to that!

Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters' top post of 2020 - A 'Proud Boy' and a small black sex toy

Top 'western chauvinist' Gavin McInnes seems to have a thing for small black dildos.

In the future, when I am asked to describe how bad of a year 2020 was, I won't go into much detail. I will simply point to what is now the top post of the year on this blog. It had nothing to do with revelations that the religious right continues to lie about LGBTQ people nor does it have anything to do with any of the exploits of soon-to-be former President of the United States (hallelujaaaaah!)  Donald Trump.

But my top post of the year has to do with the man in the picture at the top of this post. His name is Gavin McInnes and he is a known racist and homophobe. He is/or was the leader of an ugly right-wing group known as the Proud Boys. The Proud Boys are known for two things -manically insane support of Donald Trump and the violent street fights they tend to start.

It's a group of sad, assorted nuts who drape themselves with a with a fake pedigree (being founders of Western Civilization or something like that) to cover up their shortcomings. 

McInnes himself claims that he isn't homophobic, even though there is footage of him being a completely crass bigot. BUT to prove how homophobic he wasn't (and here is where my blog came in), McInnes shoved a small dildo up his butt while being televised on his radio show. He did it to supposedly "own" liberals.

'12 hot mess stories which signified 2020 - as told by LGBTQnation' & other Tue midday news briefs

Our top 12 outlandish stories that will only make sense if you made it through 2020 - Twelve insane incidents which typified just how screwed up 2020 was. To the prayer by Trump's spiritual advisor Paula White (seen in above video) that he win the election to that fly in Mike Pence's hair during the vice presidential debate, it's been one of those "drinking years."

The humiliation of Mike Pence is 'reaching a crescendo': Trump biographer - And I can't think of a more deserving guy.  Okay. Maybe one.

Dozens of anti-gay groups are making money off Amazon's charity platform - Absolute vile mess. 

'Drag Explosion': The 'fabulousness and defiance' of '90s drag - The drag community catch a lot of flack, but it is easily the most disciplined, dedicated, friendliest, and popular part of our community.

The 10 Best Quotes from Gay Movies

 

 

Just a quick line from 10 movies and a nice way to ease us all into this week.  Personally, I'm partial to line number four. Which ones do you recognize? Which ones do you prefer? Which quotes do you think were unfairly omitted?

'Megan Rapinoe, Bill Jean King, and 174 female athletes sign brief supporting trans athletes' & other Wed midday news briefs

 

Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe, Billie Jean King & 174 female athletes sign brief supporting trans women in sports - THANK YOU! 

West Hollywood to Add Black, Brown Stripes, Trans Flag to Crosswalks - Now some folks may not agree. But I do.

  N. Carolina wedding venue denies lesbian couple, citing 'Christian values' - And here we go again. At least we have a decent president as this battle will no doubt begin again.

My aborted project - Examining how the religious right exploits the 'gays recruit children' lie

 In 2016, I was beginning a new project about the anti-LGBTQ industry. But I, as well as the world in general, got sidetracked by a four-year odyssey into the deepest bowels of hell. so to speak, otherwise known as the Donald Trump presidency.  Like the figurative version of the Greek mythological monster Charybdis (look it up) which he is, Trump and his "madcap hijinks" as president sucked up the energy and attention away everybody and everything. That included my project. And now four years later with that orange dragon slain, dissected, and pounded to fine powder, maybe I can start the project anew.

Or at the very least, talk about it.

As so many of you who keep up with this blog know, I track and refute anti-LGBTQ lies which are spread to dehumanize our community and rob us of our rights and safety. For this particular project, I wanted to focus on one particular, especially nauseating lie. The one which claims that we are "recruiting" children.

Implying that LGBTQ people are "after" children is probably one of the most successful tactic of the anti-LGBTQ right. From fights against marriage equality and anti-discrimination ordinances to passing anti-transgender pieces of law, claiming gays want  "access" to children seems to always be in their bags of tricks. 

 When they pull the "gays want children" card, often times,  the religious right will use words like "indoctrination" or "marketing." They tend to skirt around what they mean, but those who believe what they say, the meaning is clear as expressed in these clips:

And that, my friends, is their general premise and argument. Any law positive to LGBTQ people, any television show showing us in a good light, any ordinance which guarantees our rights and safety, anything in general which benefits us or allows us spotlight is actually a part of a huge plot to get children. And often times, it's that lie which puts the religious right in the winner's circle. Unfortunately the belief that "gays recruit children" isn't as archaic as you would think. The above comic is presently available on a "religious webpage" along with other comics claiming the same thing about us and children. 

Laughing a belief of a monster hiding under the bed is always fun until you realize how people exploit that belief to harm others. Especially when the "others" in question include you.

I haven't decided whether or not I will take up this project again.  I will let everyone know once I do decide.

'How LGBTQ people can handle difficult conversations during the holidays' & other Tue midday news briefs

 

How LGBTQ people can handle difficult conversations during the holidays - Cause there is always at least that one relative with no damn sense. 

How Viola Davis Leaned Into Ma Rainey's Queer Desire in Black Bottom - Cause Ma Rainey was family.

LGBTQ and Women’s Rights Activists in Europe Hope a Biden Administration Will Make the U.S. an Ally Again - Oh he will! 

Bisexual men more prone to eating disorders than gay or straight men, study finds - Double discrimination ain't no joke.

Pat Robertson 'dumps' The Donald. No longer a member of 'Team Trump'

Pat Robertson (right) threw some "Christian shade" at Donald Trump (left) on Monday.

The Deep State has claimed Pat Robertson! 

Not really, but the "dean of the religious right" and Christian Broadcasting Network founder has practically knocked everyone on their butts with his statement about Donald Trump and the recent presidential election which he lost:

Televangelist Pat Robertson declares that Biden will be president and that Trump "lives in an alternate reality," "is very erratic," and should not run again in 2024: "You've had your day and it's time to move on." pic.twitter.com/2WYCZOSNTO

— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) December 21, 2020

From Mediaite

 . . . on Monday, in a segment first flagged by Right Wing Watch, after The 700 Club aired a report about Trump considering a 2024 run, Robertson actually said, “With all his talent and the ability to raise money and grow large crowds, the president still lives in an alternate reality. He really does. People say, ‘Well, he lies about this, that, and the other.’ No, he isn’t lying. To him, that’s the truth.”

 Robertson added Trump shouldn’t run in 2024, saying such a move would be a “mistake” and a “sideshow.” Robertson commended Trump on the economy, but made a point of highlighting false claims Trump made over the years and said, “He is very erratic and he’s fired people and he’s fought people and he’s insulted people… It’s a mixed bag.” 

 Earlier on in the program, Robertson acknowledged Biden’s victory, and he later went on add it’s time to say to Trump “you’ve had your day and it’s time to move on.”

 I guess that should be considered as "conservative white man shade." But keep in mind as you laugh and gape  (and you know I gotta pull out "the receipts") that in October, Robertson said that God told him that Trump was going to win. 

And in November, he prayed to God that He would stop Satan from making people believe that Biden had won the election.

Then earlier this month, he prayed for a so-called miracle which would swing the election to Trump. 

And finally, when Texas took that ridiculous lawsuit to the Supreme Court, Robertson claimed that it was a miracle of God's doing.

 The lawsuit ultimately failed. Disastrously.

Far be it from me to me to guess God's will, but if I were other members of the religious right - Paula White, Alveda King, Tony Perkins, Gary Bauer, etc etc - I would take it upon myself to remember that song from The Color Purple:

God's Trying To Tell You Something.

'Anti-LGBTQ activist angry that her organization is rightfully labeled a 'hate group'' & other Mon midday news briefs

Jennifer Roback Morse

Longtime marriage equality opponent is outraged that her organization is a hate group - Jennifer Roback Morse and her group, The Ruth Institute, will simply have to get over it. Notice Morse is starting a "petition" instead of a lawsuit. 

Speaking of The Ruth Institute, SPLC has detailed reasons why it's considered a hate group. 

'Chosen families' ruptured: How Covid-19 hit an LGBTQ lifeline - An issue needing more spotlight.

12 LGBTQ+ Seniors Share the Joy of Being Out - LGBTQ seniors don't get the kudos they deserve from the rest of the community. 

Elliot Page Thanks Supporters In First Post Since Coming Out As Transgender - And we all wish Elliot a lot of success in his journey to be his authentic self.

What you should know about Ma Rainey before watching 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'

Right now, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is the movie to watch with folks predicting Oscar nods for Viola Davis as legendary blues singer Ma Rainey and Chadwick Boseman in his final role as a member of her band in conflict with her and the reality of his life as opposed to his dreams and aspirations. 

It's a brutal and haunting movie, slightly altered from the original stage play by August Wilson. There's so much to pull out of this movie from racial inequalities, the rights of artists versus greedy record producers and even a bit about being an LGBTQ in America. Ma Rainey was openly bisexual and neither the play nor movie shied away from that fact.

But the video above tells you all you need to know. Watch it before seeing the movie.

'Virginia GOP censures Congressman for officiating gay couple's wedding' & other Fri midday news briefs

 

GOP censures Congressman for officiating a conservative gay couple’s wedding - Now that was just mean. 

Is Being an Older LGBTQ+ Person as Terrifying as It Sounds? - A very significant issue in our community. 

Wild-eyed gay Trumper claims the election “isn’t over.” Kathy Griffin rakes in kind. - Get him, Kathy!

Gay couples face added hurdle when trying to start a family: Insurance policies - The struggle seems eternal but every bit is necessary.

From 'd@mn lesbian' to 'welcome Pete' - Roberta Achtenberg took on the beast and paved the road for Pete Buttigieg

Roberta Achtenberg (top pic) bested the most homophobic US Senator of his time, Jesse Helms (bottom pic), thereby paving the road for Pete Buttigieg's historical cabinet nomination

The minute President-Elect Joe Biden announced that he will nominate Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation, my mind went back to 1993. 

At the time, President Bill Clinton had nominated Roberta Achtenberg to be the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She was approved, becoming the the first openly lesbian or gay public official in the United States whose appointment to a federal position was confirmed by the United States Senate. But that's not to say the debate over her nomination wasn't controversial and contentious, thanks mostly to the late North Carolina senator, Jesse Helms.

Helms is legendary in the annals of Congress and the state of North Carolina. Granted, some folks may disagree with my next statement, but allow me to break down who and what Jesse Helms was. 

Jesse Helms was a racist son of bitch, a total bastard, and an all-around living embodiment of foul-smelling cyst who exploited religion to justify the most hateful comments which spewed out of his mouth like sewage encrusted water.

And (surprise, surprise) he especially despised the LGBTQ community.  In the case of Achtenberg, he went above and beyond the call of duty to smear her on the Senate floor. Why? Because she was - and still is - a lesbian. But not just any lesbian. 

To Helms, she was a "damn lesbian."  

According to the May 7, 1993 edition of The Washington Post: 

Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) said he will oppose the nomination of San Francisco gay rights activist Roberta Achtenberg to be assistant secretary for fair housing at the Department of Housing and Urban Development "because she's a damn lesbian. I'm not going to put a lesbian in a position like that. If you want to call me a bigot, fine," Helms told the Washington Times. When queried yesterday by The Washington Post, Helms said, "I'm not going to dispute it {the Times account}, but I was interviewed . . . on the run. It's not just that she's a lesbian, she's a militant activist lesbian whose entire career has been devoted to advancing their political agenda. . . . She introduced her lover . . . at the beginning of the hearing." The nomination of Achtenberg, a San Francisco city supervisor, was approved Wednesday by the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee 14 to 4. Senate conservatives are threatening to fight further to block the nomination, but the White House remains confident Achtenberg will be confirmed.

 

The transcript from the debate regarding Achtenberg is a nightmare to read even now, with Helms leading the charge of GOP senators against her, while Democratic senators cried foul at the shots against her sexual orientation:

″We are crossing the threshold into the first time in the history of America that a homosexual, a lesbian, has been nominated by a president of the United States for a top job in the U.S. government. ... She has been a militant activist ... She is pushy, demeaning, demanding; she is a mean person, mean-spirited.″ Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C.

"She is not pushy and she is not demeaning and she is not demanding and she is not mean... and I am sure that the senator from North Carolina himself might be surprised at how many people think he is mean.″ Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. 

″Her record is one of intolerance, discrimination and vendetta against those who do not share her values and beliefs. ... She has used her public and private position to punish, extort, and wage economic war.″ Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss. 

″In the twisted value system of Roberta Achtenberg, the Boy Scout tradition is a menace to society that needs to be quashed, and the sex club tradition is one which is beneficial and deserving of our protection and encouragement. I couldn’t disagree with this more.″ Sen. Bob Smith, R-N.H. 

″This is not a vote on whether a senator accepts homosexuality, approves of it, accepts it as the equal of a heterosexual lifestyle. I do not. ... It is a vote on whether I find her to be qualified to fill this position, and I most assuredly do.″ Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn.

 ″My daughter, Julia, is president of the Rhode Island Alliance for Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights ... I would not want to see her barred from a government job because of her orientation.″ Sen. Claiborne Pell, D-R.I. 

 ″I have heard words like strident, extremist, terrorist, activist, twisted mind ... What is the purpose of this? There is only one purpose: that is, to divide and polarize. Another purpose is only to destroy her before she begins her work by destroying her integrity and her credibility by this kind of slurring innuendo.″ Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. 

Like I said earlier, this story has a happy ending. Achtenberg was confirmed and served in several other capacities in the federal government, including being appointed by President Obama to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Helms retired from the Senate and died in 2008. And while his reputation was somewhat glossed over in respect to his passing, the stench from his many years of ugliness was never forgotten and has bubbled to the surface, where it deserves to remain.

Whether or not Buttigieg is confirmed as Secretary of Transportation, it's good not to forget the road which was traveled to get him and us to a place where I doubt a senator in Congress would dare make such a public slur against him like Helms made against Achtenberg.

And let's especially not forget those who had to walk across that bumpy and rough road, thereby smoothing it out for the rest of us.

Those such as Ms.  Roberta Achtenberg. 

'The 15 Best LGBTQ+ TV Shows of 2020' & other Thur midday news briefs

The 15 Best LGBTQ+ TV Shows of 2020 - Cause I think a lot of us will be doing the television show marathon thing this Christmas.

Hungary amends constitution to redefine family, limits gay adoption - Wow, Hungary. Fu . .get you!

TranSanta Launched for Gifts to Trans, Non-Binary Youth - Wonderful idea!

'Jeopardy!' contestant makes history as 1st out transgender winner - Visibility matters. Positive visibility is worth its weight in gold.

Meet the angriest Donald Trump supporter of them all

Meet realTina40, probably the angriest Trump supporter of them all.

Forget Melissa Carone because she is past news compared to this very angry Trump supporter.  

She calls herself realTina40 and at first you may think she's pulling a huge performance art game. But she is real. Loud, profane, vulgar, dripping with anger and conspiracy theories about the recent presidential election, but very very real. She even has a site selling swag, which I will not link to. 

However, if you think you've seen all kinds of Trump supporters there are, I guarantee that you haven't until you hear Ms. Tina rant and rave. As you can tell should you watch the tweet below, her videos are generally filled with so much profanity that some can't be embedded and can only be watched on Youtube.

Girlfriend was obviously born in a "cussing household." Either way, I find her hilarious from a campy point of view.

She seems really angry. This seems not great.

pic.twitter.com/A1Yw0Jr9zR

— Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) November 24, 2020

'Four teachers suspended after homophobic comment about lesbian co-worker' & other Wed midday news briefs

4 Teachers Suspended For Homophobic Comments About Lesbian Coworker - Talked about the teacher AND her child. Y'all gotta go! It wasn't that much of a punishment but the politics of high school is always harsh.

Pennsylvania radio host calls trans health secretary a “freak show” in disgusting on-air tirade - Unfortunately, trash people like this still exist. That's something we shouldn't ever forget.

Pete Buttigieg Is Nation's First Out Presidential Cabinet Nominee - Just in case you didn't hear.

Presence vs. representation: Report breaks down LGBTQ visibility on TV - Interesting article.

Conservatives are having a hard time coming to grips with 'life after Trump'

On Tuesday, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell congratulated President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris for winning the election. For many conservatives, McConnell's act brought home a hard fact that many still can't admit to themselves - Joe Biden fairly won the election and regardless of his court challenges and allegations of fraud, Trump will not have a second term. 

While some are slowly coming to grips with it, others seem to be stumbling in hazes, unable to admit Trump's election loss without lashing at who they think "betrayed him," or remaining defiant in hopes that a deus ex machina will swoop down and anoint Trump as president for four more years.

Via a few articles and random tweets, I've assembled responses from several prominent conservative leaders and activists as they deal with the soon-to-come reality of life after Trump.

First comes some venomous comments from the ultra right-wing site Parler as Trump supporters there attack Senator McConnell and his wife, Elaine Chao.

And while McConnell may seem congratulatory to Biden and Harris, other GOP senators aren't so willing to be nice:

This next tweet would be funny if it weren't for the fact that Marjorie Taylor Greene is now a member of Congress, thanks to the same election which handed Biden the presidency.

Meanwhile, while some of Trump's religious conservatives have been praying for a fast miracle,

others have said "to hell with it all."

A few of his supporters are defiant by clinging things happening in which are obviously alternate universes.

While some, like Franklin Graham, are actually taking Trump's loss in stride by creating their own alternate universes in which Trump saved America by "restoring honor and morality" and then departed to a great mountain where he fell into a deep slumber and will awaken again should America need him again

Okay, I lied with the part about the mountain but that sounds way more truthful that the following nonsense Graham posted on his Facebook page.

'Tulsi Gabbard's anti-trans athlete bill opened the door for right-wing media lies' & other Tue midday news briefs

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's anti-trans athlete bill gave right-wing media fodder to attack trans youth ahead of legislative sessions - Tulsi Gabbard is nothing but a headache.

 The hashtag that grew fastest on Twitter in LGBTQ community this year is “#transrightsarehumanrights” - And it's a welcomed hashtag because of mess like the above article.

The 20 best LGBTQ books to gift this holiday season - I adore cash, but books are always wonderful gifts, too. 

Milo Yiannopoulos: 'I Lost Everything Helping Put Trump in Office' - I am not cheering this. I only posted this to express the fact that this chyle is being so nauseatingly over dramatic.

Proud Boys literally show their asses during Saturday's pro-Trump rally

 

What do Proud Boys wear under their kilts? Do you really want to know?

As I have said in a post earlier this year, the Proud Boys is an SPLC- designated hate group with a history of violence. They allegedly call themselves proud "western chauvinists" who "refuses to apologize for creating the modern world." Several times during the Trump Administration (which is thankfully coming to an end), they have started several bloody street brawls, the most recent being during last Saturday's pro-Trump rally in DC.

Now someone playing armchair psychologist or comedian could make a comment about the oddity of  a bunch of men banding together supposedly in what can be described as an "uber-macho he-man woman hater club." And in making that comment, that same person could substitute the word "oddity" for "queerness." Of course in today's "woke society," that person would most likely be criticized for passive-aggressive homophobia, or passive-aggressive stereotyping, or whatever academic phrase is in vogue these days.

'Anti-LGBTQ nonprofits, businesses received millions in COVID-19 aid' & other Mon midday news briefs

Anti-gay nonprofits, businesses received millions in Covid-19 aid - That's LGBTQ tax dollars. They think we're sinners but they don't mind helping themselves to our tax dollars.

Anti-LGBTQ pastor’s church gets $4M in COVID bailout funds. They bought him a private jet. - Yep. And had to return the money when found out.

An anti-LGBTQ extremist now heads the prestigious Voice of America - Well damn. 

The Best LGBTQ+ Films of 2020 - And in one of them, I am rooting for Viola Davis at the Oscars.

Lifetime's The Christmas Setup Is the LGBTQ Holiday Movie I Never Thought I'd Get to See - Oh?

Fox News' Rachel Campos-Duffy amplifies lies about Trump losing the election

Fox News personality Rachel Campos-Duffy 

This absolutely insane rendition of Trump's tenure as president and his recent election loss  (seen below) by Fox News personality Rachel Campos-Duffy would be funny. That is if one forgets that lies like it have damaged the integrity of our elections, millions of Americans are encouraged to believe it, and that she probably won't face any punishment for it. If our media had an integrity, she wouldn't be able to get a job at a news stand.

At any rate, I hope that her lie will be the catalyst of a long debate on whether or not Donald Trump is the problem in our nation today. Or just a symptom of allowing bad actors, biased views, fake media personalities to plague the airwaves like fungus.

"I just feel for POTUS. I see the pain & frustration. You do everything you're supposed to do. You run the country well. You campaign your heart out while the other guy's in a basement, then in the end, fraud & shenanigans at the local level, you're robbed. We've all been robbed" pic.twitter.com/1cHKFOqvoB

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 13, 2020

Bye bye bullsh!t lawsuit - Supreme Court tells Trump and friends to get lost

With a definitive 7-2 action on Friday night, the Supreme Court most likely put the final kibosh on Donald Trump's attempt to remain president even after he lost the election to Joe Biden.

From Raw Story: 

 “The Supreme Court on Friday rejected an audacious lawsuit by Texas that had asked the court to throw out the presidential election results in four battleground states captured by President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.,” The New York Times reported Friday. “The court, in a brief unsigned order, said Texas lacked standing to pursue the case, saying it ‘has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another state conducts its elections.'” 

 . . . “The move, coupled with a one-sentence order on Tuesday turning away a similar request from Pennsylvania Republicans, signaled that the court has refused to be drawn into President Trump’s losing campaign to overturn the results of the election last month,” the newspaper reported. Marc Elias, who is coordinating lawsuits for Democrats, noted this is the 57th time Trump and his supporters have lost in court.

The lawsuit, called a longshot  and embarrassing by many legal experts and pundits, was brought by Texas attorney general Ken Paxton. Seventeen other states, all of which were won by Trump in the election and over 120 Republican members of the House of Representatives signed on to it.

Trump and his allies called it "the big one" probably because they knew it was probably his last shot in a ridiculous attempt to somehow remain president for a second term even after losing the election.

And it failed spectacularly, leaving more egg on Trump's face in front of the nation and world in general. Barring probably a few more public tantrums and displays of stupidity by him and his supporters, Trump's reign of terror presidency will be officially over in January when Biden is sworn in.

Related post - 'Christian' group Family Research Council supports fraudulent lawsuit aimed at stealing the presidency from Biden

'Elderly lesbian couple win justice after being rejected from retirement home' & other Fri midday news briefs

 

Elderly lesbian couple rejected by homophobic retirement home finally win justice after ‘harrowing’ legal fight - Good for them. They deserve the victory.

More LGBTQ candidates won elected office this year than ever before - Nice! Representation matters. I can't begin to tell you how happy this makes me. I came from a time where the huge majority of LGBTQ people were fearful of being open, much less running for public office. Slowly but surely, we are climbing that mountain.

In Crisis, LGBTQ+ Health Care Discrimination Thrives - But our battles continue. 

Ruling that overturns ban on controversial therapy for LGBTQ youth causing concern locally - Trashy ruling reverberates.

'Christian' group Family Research Council supports fraudulent lawsuit aimed at stealing the presidency from Biden

The Family Research Council approves of attempts to steal the presidential election from Biden.

It shouldn't be unbelievable that the Family Research Council has come out supporting what's been called a "long shot" and a "seditious" attempt by Donald Trump and his supporters to overturn the election which he lost to Joe Biden. 

First a little background.

 Since losing to Biden, Trump and his allies have falsely contended that he actually won by a landslide but because of a massive conspiracy of fraud, Biden turned out to be the victor. They have filed lawsuit after lawsuit across the country attempting to overturn the election on hearsay and discredited, refuted claims. They've lost over 50 cases. Politifact said these losses can be attributed to them not being able to prove widespread fraud, errors, and jurisdictional problems.

But now enters Texas attorney general Ken Paxton with a lawsuit which is not only a sham, but has dangerous repercussions. 

According to Raw Story:

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing four battleground states — Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — whose election results handed the White House to President-elect Joe Biden. In the suit, he claims that pandemic-era changes to election procedures in those states violated federal law, and asks the U.S. Supreme Court to block the states from voting in the Electoral College. 

 . . . In a filing to the high court Tuesday, Paxton claims the four battleground states broke the law by instituting pandemic-related changes to election policies, whether “through executive fiat or friendly lawsuits, thereby weakening ballot integrity.” Paxton claimed that these changes allowed for voter fraud to occur — a conclusion experts and election officials have rejected — and said the court should push back a Dec. 14 deadline by which states must appoint their presidential electors.

Paxton's claims of fraud are the same ones which were practically laughed out of court in several of the over 50 cases I mentioned earlier.  The courts found that the claims simply were not proven. 

Still, the lawsuit is asking the Supreme Court to nullify the results of those four battleground states, thereby removing 62 electoral college points from Biden and then allowing the House of Representatives in those states - all GOP majority - to vote for the presidential candidate.

 

In other words, stealing the election for Trump. 

In addition, 17 states, all voting for Trump in the election, and over 100 members of the House of Representatives, all Republicans, have signed on to this lawsuit.

But them, the lawsuit itself, and Paxton have been widely slammed by the legal community, the media, and others elected officials. Many have predicted that SCOTUS won't even waste time considering it. Others have called the lawsuit "undemocratic and seditious,"  a joke, and "a dangerous violation of federalism."

On his blog, law professor at the University of California Irvine Richard Hansen was especially brutal as he broke down the reasons why the lawsuit will fail:

 . . .this is a press release masquerading as a lawsuit. Texas doesn’t have standing to raise these claims as it has no say over how other states choose electors; it could raise these issues in other cases and does not need to go straight to the Supreme Court; it waited too late to sue; the remedy Texas suggests of disenfranchising tens of millions of voters after the fact is unconstitutional; there’s no reason to believe the voting conducted in any of the states was done unconstitutionally; it’s too late for the Supreme Court to grant a remedy even if the claims were meritorious (they are not). What utter garbage. Dangerous garbage, but garbage.

Now the main point. 

'RuPaul's Drag Race announces first trans man contestant' & other Thur midday news briefs

RuPaul

 'RuPaul's Drag Race' announces first trans man contestant in season 13 cast - It is significant. 

Frustration builds as Biden’s Cabinet includes no LGBTQ picks - I think in this case, we can show a bit of patience. We got a rabid dog on the other side who won't let go unless he's smacked on the head. 

Meet the 21-year-old con artist who scammed ‘Gays For Trump’ donors out of cash - I feel so bad for them. (No I don't.) 

Biden faces pressure on women’s health, LGBT issues - Hello! Can he get sworn in, first?

The Family Research Council doesn't believe in 'religious freedom' for LGBTQ people

On its webpage, the Family Research Council says the following about the idea of "religious liberty."

Family Research Council believes that religious liberty—the freedom to hold religious beliefs of one’s own choosing and to live in accordance with those beliefs—is an inherent human right. Therefore, the religious liberty of all people of all faiths everywhere must be promoted and defended.

The group has several sections on the concept. In the section it calls Domestic Religious Freedom, FRC says the following:

Family Research Council believes that religious liberty—the freedom to hold religious beliefs of one’s own choosing and to live in accordance with those beliefs—is an inherent human right. Religious belief is of the utmost importance because it informs our deepest convictions about God, the world, and ourselves. The American Founders understood the importance of religious liberty and ensured that it was protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. All people have the right to bring their religious beliefs into the public square. Churches, private organizations, public servants, and other individuals have the right to proclaim their faith in public settings and to bring their religiously-informed moral values to bear in all aspects of public life, including public policy decisions.

It's rather noble of FRC, that is if the organization actually believed that. A post on its webpage, New ’Woke’ Denomination is a Warning Sign to Christians, could be called a contradiction. 

'Hate group claims Ritz ad 'promotes the transgender lifestyle'' & other Wed news briefs

Hate Group Assails Ritz Ad for Promoting 'The Transgender Lifestyle'- Oh for Pete's sake! 

Lesbian firefighter says a male coworker groped her “almost daily” & she was fired after complaining - Ew.

Trump's new religious exemptions for employers an invitation to discriminate, critics say - Ya think? Of course it is. 

Nearly Every Major TV Show Had A Queer Girl In It This Year And Here Are The Receipts To Prove It - Good!