Database charts 259 LGBTQ characters which have existed in children's animated programs

 

The online publication The Insider has created an engrossing database which tracks the presence of 259 LGBTQ and gender minority characters in children's animated programs from the 1950s until now.

From early Bugs Bunny to Disney villains like Ursula in “The Little Mermaid,” queer culture and gender transgression have always been present in animation. Historically, that inclusion has been illustrated through subtextual representation, leaving viewers to extract what they will — or won’t — from coded characters and storylines. But in the past decade, small-screen animation has undergone a noticeable shift. Representation in children’s cartoons in particular has increased in frequency, nuance, and overtness.

Establishing a specific criteria, characters and the programs which comprise The Insider's database range from the obvious:

To who the heck is this:

Announcing a list such as this generated a small, but vocal controversy. On Twitter, several people voiced the usual nonsense about children being "indoctrinated," and the equally popular "why are they exposing children to this?" which is always followed by "I don't have a problem with gay people, but why are they pushing this on children." And lastly some form of the inane refrain of "let kids be kids."

But I've discovered the funniest thing about these moral squad crusaders. When you let them expend their energy on their hysterical overtures and then simply ask them what is the wrong with LGBTQ characters in children's animation, you will find that either they can't cite a specific problem or they cling to the silly belief that LGBTQ people simply existing is a risque issue. And God forbid if you bring up the existence of LGBTQ families and their children and how these animated programs are doing nothing more than reflecting a simple and innocent reality.

Strange, isn't it? Almost as if their ignorance and dehumanization of us, our families, and children is intentional. It's almost as if it's not enough for them to have silly and dated ideas of LGBTQ people. They want to force those beliefs on the rest of us even though we know better.

'Pride Month giving the religious right the 'vapors'' & other Fri midday news briefs

Pride Month and Prejudice - The religious right is angry about Pride Month. And I think it's wonderful. 

Pulse Site to Be Designated a National Memorial - Just in case you haven't heard the news. 

Kid Rock Doubles Down On Using Homophobic Slur In Bizarre Tweet - Kid Rock is a sad idiot.

Corporations should ‘not expand’ in states with anti-LGBTQ legislation: HRC President - I agree but we will see what happens. LGBTQ people need to speak with our wallets and pocketbooks.

Franklin Graham angry that the Pride flag is flying at US embassy in the Vatican. Good. Stay mad.

For Pride Month, the American Embassy in the Vatican is flying our rainbow pride flag. Some people like Franklin Graham are upset about it. 

And I am so here for it

 If we are pushing an agenda (which is such a vague thing to say to begin with), it is one of joy, love, self-determination, and self-esteem. Now if Frankie wants to whine about a 'negative agenda, he would have much to choose from when taking into account the past four years. That was when he attempted to make Donald Trump seem like the orange incarnation of Jesus. 

To wit:

If Frankie thinks that he can go back to condemning  LGBTQ people without people reminding him how he coddled and kissed up to the worst president in American history, he is sorely mistaken.

'Racist former Trump official whines about trans community' & other Thur midday news briefs

 

Stephen Miller

Stephen Miller whines “transgender ideology” tells kids they can be “whatever they want to be” - A pathetic racist whines about trans people. Oh yeah. THAT will convince me to stand against my trans brothers and sisters . . . 

A Record Number Of Americans, Including Republicans, Now Support Same-Sex Marriage - The religious right are so mad about this that they are ignoring it. 

The “ex-gay” conversion therapy movement has found a home on TikTok, despite the platform’s promised ban - Gotta stamp those bullshitters down again. 

No, the Biden Administration Isn’t Betraying Its Support for LGBTQ Rights - An assurance because of complicated recent events.

Religious right pastor: Hate crime laws are to protect gay men from violence after failed seduction attempts

E.W. Jackson thinks hate crime laws are to protect gay men after failed seductions.

Two things - 1. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who believe this lie - that hate crime laws were passed to protect gay men after failed seductions  2. E.W. Jackson, I can assure you that you and I would NEVER be in a situation in which you should fear me hitting on you. I'm gay, not desperate and without taste. But even if I were, you still wouldn't have a chance. Seriously, if I ever found myself in a situation in which I was attempting to seduce you, I'd kick my own ass.

Right-wing radio host and pastor E.W. Jackson says that hates crimes laws are designed to allow gay people "to try to seduce people without [straight people] being able to retaliate." pic.twitter.com/RCJDuCXiLC

— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) June 8, 2021

Hat tip to Right Wing Watch

''Pose' gets rave tribute calling for much deserved Emmy nominations' & other Wed midday news briefs

The groundbreaking FX series 'Pose.'

10’s Across the Board: Why 'Pose' Deserves Every 2021 Emmy Nomination - 'Pose' should have won the Emmy for Outstanding Dramatic Series a long time ago. I hope it's in the running at the next Emmy awards. 

Cinotti’s Bakery apologizes after VP shares anti-LGBTQ social media posts - At least they are apologizing. Money always talks.

Televangelists say Satan gave them COVID-19 because Milo went ex-gay - Naw, fool. Satan probably gave you Milo to begin with. 

Pride Flag Gets Redesign to Include Intersex Folks - Why not. I'm all for it. 

Judge Lifts Suspension Of Virginia Teacher Who Said He Won’t Use Transgender Pronouns - Temporary injunction while he pushes his ridiculous lawsuit which I hope he loses.

Let Transgender Children Do the Talking For A Change - Episode 1

There have been too many damn people scapegoating and targeting trans children for their own personal fame, publicity, and political aspirations. Courtesy of Fox News, the conservative propaganda media industry, and the anti-LGBTQ industry, we are being bombarded by so many voices and all of them are phony. 

The most crucial voices are being drowned out. And those are the voices of our trans kids. So I've got some videos for you which I hope will be the first in a series I'm going to post from time to time. It's in its rough, beginning stages, so please bear with me. By this series, I hope to amplify the voices of our trans kids instead of liars and haters who refuse to see or hear them.

These first two videos highlight how trans children are helped by parental support and how legislation pushed by people who refuse to acknowledge their gender expression serves to damage their health and well-being.

   

The video below is ugly but necessary. There are people out there who pretending to be experts and they are encouraging parents to reject their trans children. Courtesy of an snippet of a recent episode of 'Dr. Phil' (featuring a disgusting "old friend of mine"), this is an end result of what happens when a parent rejects their trans child.  I am serious  when I say that this video is not pleasant so please be advised. However, and as bad as it is, it's not the worse end result to contemplate. I need not go further in telling you what that is.

 

I hope folks will read and share this and other postings I make about letting trans children do the talking. This is about giving our trans kids the spotlight they totally deserve instead of the bastards who are treating them like a commodity.

'Ex-gay group holds yet another disastrous rally' & other Tue midday news briefs

'Ex-Gay' Organization Gathers Paltry Group for Sad D.C. Rally - Didn't even know it happened, did you?

11-year-old trans girl sues her state because they’re banning her from cross-country - Good for her! 

Forty years after first documented AIDS cases, survivors reckon with 'dichotomy of feelings' - Heartbreaking anniversary.

The religious right claims that the LGBTQ community stole the rainbow from God. And they want to take it back.

The anti-LGBTQ industry is claiming that LGBTQ people stole the rainbow from God.

The anti-LGBTQ industry is comprised of some coldhearted bastards. They don't want us to have anything. Not job protection, not marriage, not the ability to have children and raise a family, not peace of mind . . .

Not even the rainbow:

June is here and rainbow flags are popping up around the country to celebrate "Pride Month." They are on company logos, business fronts, and sadly even some churches. But the rainbow was God's idea! It’s both a symbol of God’s covenant promise to never again destroy the whole earth by water and a reminder that He will destroy the earth by fire one day. The rainbow is a beautiful reminder that God is both loving and just. This blatant misuse of the rainbow is further evidence that our culture is morally confused . . .

And the American Family Association isn't the only entity claiming that we 'stole' the rainbow. 

According to Pink News:

As rainbows and LGBT+ love spread online, conservative groups and far-right conspiracy theorists are desperately trying to combat it by flooding timelines with the hashtags #Christianity month and #ReclaimTheRainbow. Their rallying cry was led by far-right conspiracy theorist Lauren Witzke, who called on her followers to celebrate June as “Christianity month”. Being suspended from Twitter she was restricted to her Telegram channel, a favourite with conservative groups.

To me, 'Christianity month' and Pride Month need not be diametrically opposed. No matter what the anti-LGBTQ industry claims, being a Christian and a member of the LGBTQ community aren't two opposite identities never to cross paths. You know us black gay men love our Jesus!

Either way, the hashtags aren't attracting that many to the thread, so I thought I would spruce it up a bit.  Just me being petty again.

Don't #ReclaimTheRainbow - TASTE the rainbow. 😁😁 pic.twitter.com/FOlNzbNU4z

— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) June 7, 2021

'Companies celebrate Pride while donating to politicians who oppose the Equality Act' & other Mon midday news briefs

Walmart, McDonald's, and Amazon are among companies celebrating Pride after donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to politicians who voted against the Equality Act - We seriously have to talk about this.

A “loser teacher” faced discrimination working for a politician. He ran against her & just won. - Boom baby! That's how you roll. 

Biden Recognizes 40th Year of HIV, Calls for Billions to End It - It's nice to have a president again instead of a disaster. We've so taken it for granted. 

That time Renee Montgomery outplayed a homophobe by buying them out of their WNBA ownership - Sweet!

More Saturday Night Live 'Gay Moments' for Pride Month 2021

A few weeks ago, a video featured on Saturday Night spotlighting LGBTQ Pride Month became a monster hit on this blog. Courtesy of a youtuber named tai, here are more SNL gay moments which should remind you how the community has come from being the jokes to controlling the jokes.

'U.S. embassy at the Vatican is flying the Pride flag and the right can't handle it' & other Fri midday news briefs

 

The U.S. embassy at the Vatican is flying the Pride flag & the right is flipping out - Pride is about more than making the right go crazy. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it when they do. 

Depicting LGBTQ+ People in the Media, Without Stereotypes - It's not as difficult as some may think. 

Uganda police arrest 44 people at LGBTQ shelter - The struggle is real, y'all. And it's universal. 

The perpetual discourse over LGBTQ Pride, explained - Good discussion. 

These are the top states for LGBTQ+ inclusivity, according to latest ranking - Oh?

Conservatives having fits about Blues Clues and Pride Month. Good. Let them suffer.

Some conservatives are angry at the children's show Blues Clues for its association with LGBTQ Pride Month. Apparently these folks are all in a tizzy that the show has the temerity to spotlight the reality that LGBTQ families are raising children and that these families shouldn't be dehumanized.

To me, this is about the attempted deliberate erasure of families and their children, so my words to these individuals going through Helen Lovejoyish hysterics about children being corrupted wouldn't be polite It would involve me telling them to engage in certain sexual activities by themselves. 

Rather than lowering myself in that manner, however, I think I will hand it over to someone who can be a bit more eloquent than I would like to be. 

From Entertainment Weekly:

RuPaul's Drag Race Miss Congeniality winner Nina West is living up to her title as she defends her new LGBTQIA+ Pride campaign — created in collaboration with the animated Nickelodeon children's series Blue's Clues and You — from conservative critics. 

 West exclusively tells EW that "representation" and "inclusivity" matter most during Pride season, and that "LGBTQIA+ families deserve a safe space to raise their children and celebrate their individuality and grow without fear." That sentiment, West feels, holds true even amid backlash against her video project with the kid-focused network — featuring an animated version of West leading a sing-along through the Blue's Clues Pride Parade starring nonbinary animal characters carrying intersectional Pride flags — which detractors have recently slammed for "flagrantly" pushing "gender confusion and sexualized themes" at children.

. . . "What I love about my collaboration with Nickelodeon and Blue's Clues and You! is that we celebrate everyone that makes up our LGBTQIA+ community. It reminds us all that we are integral for the fight for equality," West says. "My job is to not only provide a space for celebration and fun but to reiterate, specifically to my community, that LGBTQIA+ are valid, worthy, and perfect the way they are. I will always continue to choose kindness and positivity and lead with love while educating people on LGBTQIA+ issues and equality. Happy Pride!"

Let me just wrap this up by saying if these folks don't like the idea of children and their families celebrating Pride, they need to get over it, deal with it, or do whatever they need to do. 

As been by the video above, what they will not do is erase us, our families, and especially not our children.

'Teacher put on leave after thinking his 'religious liberty' supersedes school policy protecting trans students' & other Thur midday news briefs

 

Gym teacher who told school board he would demean trans kids sues after getting put on paid leave - The danger of exploiting 'religious liberty' to not follow school policy even when said policy is put in place to protect children. 

OAN guest says people should celebrate “white history month” instead of “perverted” LGBTQ Pride - If you think that's wild, read what the interviewer said about Pride. 

Wisconsin Governor Stands Against Conversion Therapy, for Trans Youth - Thank you!!

New Connecticut parenting bill gives LGBTQ families a sigh of relief - One more step forward.

The Family Research Council wants to pretend that LGBTQ families and our children don't exist

With Pride Month every year comes the celebrations, the intense debates about where we are as a community, the bellyaching of various natures, and, last but not least, the futile whining of the religious right about how LGBTQ people are being uppity and not knowing our place, or rather the place they want to put us in.

Case in point is the Family Research Council:

There are lots of parents today who wouldn't think twice about sitting their kids down in front of the Disney Channel or Cartoon Network. And that, conservatives warn, is exactly the problem. Like so many other moms and dads, they're expecting the same kind of harmless storylines they watched in the 70s and 80s. What their children are seeing is anything but. 

Say goodbye to the regular plot lines of Blue's Clues and Scooby-Doo -- and hello to a 21st century lesson in transgenderism, sex, homosexuality, non-binaries, and drag queens.  That's the new reality of radical programming on some of America's favorite shows -- especially, parents are discovering, during Pride month. Loveable animals like Arthur and My Little Pony have been commandeered by the far-Left for lessons that would make most adult's jaws drop.

  In the latest example on Blue's Clues, real-life drag queen Nina West sings a Pride parade song to the tune of "The Ants Go Marching" -- except the lyrics have been replaced with "LGBTQ buzzwords like 'ace' -- which stands for 'asexual' -- as well as 'queer,' 'bi,' 'pan,' 'allies,' and 'kings and queens,'" the Blaze warns. Blue and friends watch their two-mom floats go by while rainbow and transgender flags dot the colorful landscape. 

This is just the beginning of Nickelodeon's full-blown assault on mainstream morality. SpongeBob Square Pants has already stepped into the LGBTQ world, so, according to TMZ, "it's really not that much of a stretch for them to get Blue onboard, too." The goal, the outlet says, is to take "proactive steps to teach kids about different family structures in a fun, catchy way that appeals to young children."

Oh the drama! And highly dishonest drama, too. Notice FRC's passage:

Say goodbye to the regular plot lines of Blue's Clues and Scooby-Doo -- and hello to a 21st century lesson in transgenderism, sex, homosexuality, non-binaries, and drag queens.

There is nothing in Blue's Clues video having to do with sex. The mention of "sex" is courtesy of FRC as a way of twisting the false image it hopes is driven into the head of its readers - that the LGBTQ identity is solely materialistic, solely sexual, totally devoid of anything resembling values of love, and that we are extremely eager to "recruit" children into this identity.

'When detransition narratives go awry' & other Wed midday news briefs

 

Where Detransition Narratives Go Awry - Zack Ford shows '60 Minutes' the mistakes it made with piece on transgender people. A very good post, by the way. 

Florida lawmaker torches DeSantis after he kicks off Pride Month by signing bill booting trans kids off sports teams - DeSantis is trying to get to the White House on the bodies of transgender children. 

Celebrating Pride Month: 30 LGBTQ firsts in art, politics, education and more - Learn your history. Know your history. 

Pride Month is starting & these are the best posts about it so far - That's so far.

Black conservative whines about being 'canceled.' Wants us to forget how she used her gay son to hide her group's homophobia

Editor's note - in celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month 2021, I pledge to be as mean-spirited and as vicious to the religious right and the anti-LGBTQ industry as possible while tight-roping expertly on the thin line of good taste. And hopefully tonight's post is the beginning.

Kay Coles James

Thanks to my good friend Zack Ford (whose very engrossing substack, Fording The River Styx, you should be signed up for right now), I was made aware of the following tweet:

From 2017 to earlier this year, James was the head of the far-right group The Heritage Foundation. And it's perfectly alright if some of you haven't heard of her. Right-wing groups generally like to keep black conservatives either hidden or under wraps unless they find some use for them, such as speaking ill about African-Americans in general (why hello there, Candace Owens) or leveraging their ethnicity to speak against a Democratic position on black issues.

But in 2019, James did something extra special which no doubt made her a star in the eyes of the conservative industry. Or as I put it in my response to her "I am a black person with her own mind and that's why the left tried to cancel me" tweet:

If you were truly canceled, it could be about your hypocrisy of bragging about your gay son on Fox News while leading a group - the Heritage Foundation - trying to take rights away from gays while accusing us of recruiting children.

— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) June 1, 2021

And yes, I got the "receipts." Hell, I wrote about it in 2019:

James was recently embroiled in a controversy involving Google. The company invited her to be a member of its Artificial Intelligence ethics board. However, her inclusion was protested so venomously by Google employees and other people that the company ended up disbanding the board. James was interviewed earlier this month by Shannon Bream of Fox News because of the Google controversy. She claimed that she wasn't homophobic because she has a gay son.

Homophobe? I don't think so. You know, I, I, I've never talked about it publicly, but I have a gay son whom I love beyond all measure. And he and his community have welcomed me, have helped me grow, have helped me to understand. There’s no hatred there. That’s my child you are talking about.

Oh really?

'Queer mechanics working to repair 'toxic industry' & other Tue midday news briefs

Meet the queer mechanics working to repair a 'toxic industry' - A fascinating and very different article. 

Portland church helps build LGBTQ+ senior housing - Wow! I rather like this article.

The 20 Most Exciting LGBTQ Movies of 2021 - And suddenly, an interlude.

Donald Trump was ‘repulsed’ by and ‘didn’t care about’ LGBT+ people, claims fixer Michael Cohen - And in the category of 'No shit, Sherlock,' the awards goes to . . .

Homophobic bigotry has no expiration date . . . but neither does truth

The biggest mistake people make when they see wanton bigotry is to say "I can't believe someone believes that in this day and age."  Bigotry never has an expiration date as seen by the tweet below:

Blue’s Clues segment of a drag queen hosting a pride parade for gay, trans, and non-binary animals.

Once you realize the Pride Movement is predicated on grooming your kids, you’ll recognize pretty much all children’s content and children’s entertainers are all perverted pedos. pic.twitter.com/HD9VbEkNT8

— 🌴 Josh Lekach 🌴 (@JoshLekach) May 29, 2021

And just in case this chyle decides to block me or show a smidgen of good taste by deleting the tweet, here a picture of it:

 Even decades after arch bigot Anita Bryant claimed that gays go after the young to supposedly "refreshen our ranks,"  some people still think that the LGBTQ community is conducting a thoroughly well-organized plot which involves "recruiting" and "grooming" children (as if we are actually that coordinated and disciplined .. . that was sarcasm.)

It's rather sad if you ask me. All this poor fool has accomplished with his tweet - aside from applause from the choir of usual homophobes - is full scale mockery. Bigotry has no expiration date, but neither does truth. And truth always wins out, even if it takes it time getting to where it needs to be. The trick is to take that truth and ride it roughshod over the lies. Without apology or pity.

Editor's note - check out the wonderful Blues Clues video which sparked the nonsensical tweet

40 brands that are giving back for Pride Month 2021' & other Fri midday news briefs

40 brands that are giving back for Pride Month 2021 - Something positive about brands and companies all in for Pride for a change.

Texas Lt Gov calls for special legislative session to ban trans teens from playing school sports - Dan Patrick has always been an evil bastard to the LGBTQ community. 

A Passionate Plea for — and Against — Police at Pride - In South Carolina, police departments with good relationships with our community participate in Pride. It all depends on the relationship is in each area. But I am totally agaist unilaterally keeping the police from participating in Pride in general. And I don't care if they do or don't wear their uniforms. 

Texas firm petitions court for “religious exemption” to fire LGBTQ people - Apparently some folks in Texas is attempting to win the homophobe of the year award.

'Keeps me up at night': Doctors who care for transgender minors brace for bans - Mean-spirited junk but we are going to win this one. 

60 Minutes segment on trans health care becomes ammo for right-wing media attacks - 60 Minutes made a big mistake here.

Video: Top 10 Things Pose Got Factually Right and Wrong

 

 Pose, the very popular television show, looks at the New York African-American and Latino LGBTQ ball community during the 1980s and 90s. For those interested the television show's background, here is a video which looks at 10 things Pose has gotten factually wrong and right about this time in LGBTQ history.

'Neo-Nazi arrested after reign of terror against gay couple, trans support center' & other Thur midday news briefs

Neo-Nazi arrested after terrorizing gay couple & vandalizing trans support center for months - A menace is off the streets, but for how long?

Hunter Schafer’s pastor dad says Jesus inspires his fight for trans rights in powerful essay - A needed story we don't often hear. 

Nashville prosecutor says he won’t enforce anti-trans law requiring bathroom signs - Oh? 

The Full Scale of Anti-Trans, Anti-LGBTQ Bills in State Houses Will Shock You - Brutal fight thus far and it will get uglier. Bring it on.

Latest attack on positive LGBTQ visibility makes the religious right look pitiful and desperate

In case you haven't heard (but I'm pretty sure you have,) Kellogg's announced that in celebration of the upcoming Pride month, it will be coming out with a special type of cereal:

“Together with Pride” is coming to stores in May and will have rainbow-colored cereal hearts in the colors of the rainbow flag. And they’ll be covered in edible glitter. Related: Converse drops Pride sneaker line for 2019 & this time it includes trans flag shoes The mascots of various Kellogg’s cereal brands – like Tony the Tiger and Toucan Sam – appear on the box because they’re “Together with Pride.”

Also in celebration of the month, LEGO will be coming out with an Pride-theme set:

The set, which hits the Lego online store June 1, includes 11 monochrome figures, each with its own hairstyle and rainbow color, according to a Wednesday statement. The colors in the set are inspired by the rainbow flag, according to the statement. The set also includes black and brown colors "to represent the broad diversity of everyone within the LGBTQIA+ community," as well as pale blue, white and pink representing the transgender community, and a purple drag queen figure, according to a description of the set from designer Matthew Ashton.

With those announcements comes the religious right freak out from various groups and personalities such as:

'Marjorie Taylor Greene tries to hide her anti-Semitism behind a dose of transphobia' and other Wed midday news briefs

 

Hurry up and self-destruct, Marjorie Taylor Greene. And I got a list of Republicans you can take with you when you do.

Marjorie Taylor Greene defends anti-semitic comments by lashing out at “gender destruction” - What an absolutely trashy person. Giving certain people oxygen is a good thing to a degree. It shows how quickly their ignorance withers and dies in the light and clean air. 

Equality Act, contorted as a danger by anti-LGBTQ forces, is all but dead - The sad possibility is there.

What Pride celebrations are, what they should always be about, and what they should never allow themselves to become - My post from last night. Putting it in the news briefs because I feel strongly about it. 

Classmates rally behind trans student as school plans to deadname him at graduation - Good for him and his classmates. 

What Pride celebrations are, what they should always be about, and what they should never allow themselves to become

Attendees of the 2014 SC Pride celebration enjoy the festivities.

In the LGBTQ community, there has been a huge discussion/debate about our Pride celebrations. Some folks think they have become stale and should be more controversial and in-your-face, so to speak. They feel that things are too corporate and too "family-friendly."

To me, Pride has nothing to do with being controversial simply for the sake of controversy. We don't need to worry about that because in spite of all we have achieved, the idea of same-gender loving people, transgender people, and folks who generally don't fit the paradigm of traditional roles in gender and sexual orientation ( non-binary folks, asexual folks, and pansexual folks) being open and unashamed about who they are is still a controversial concept to many.

In terms of corporate sponsorship of Pride, I see both the good and bad in the idea. But the one issue I simply cannot see both sides of is the complaint that maybe Pride is too "family-friendly." What's wrong with being family-friendly?  I understand that some people have a concept of being LGBTQ which puts them as some sort of a rebel against what they call a "heteronormative idea" of society. They frown on the idea of LGBTQ people having what they assume are traditional roles - i.e. a married life with a stereotypical white-picket fence and children with the only thing being different from the man/wife dynamic is that ours doesn't involve a man and a woman. And then don't even get me started with the "gay means sexual rebellion" folks. I will leave that alone for now and tell you what I know. 

Prides are different all over the country. Our individual Prides should reflect our individual communities, not one idea of a homogenized LGBTQ community and certainly not some false "in-your-face just to be in-your-face" idea. 

Down here in South Carolina, our Pride is family-friendly because we have a good number of LGBTQ people - couples and single parents -raising children. We are less in-your-face controversial and more of fellowshipping, educating, and meeting new friends. We love our swag which does from corporate booths and the petting zoos, bookmobiles, bouncy castles, and free prizes which come with our family-friendly, child-friendly ambience.

'Companies need to swap tokenism for authenticity if they want to celebrate Pride' & other Tue midday news briefs

 

Companies need to swap tokenism for authenticity if they want to celebrate Pride with us - Preach!! 

60 Minutes Story Focuses on Transition Regret, Gets Slammed - 60 Minutes should have done better and devoted more time to make the story right. 

Tennessee moves to the forefront with anti-transgender laws - State officials are simply thinking out of the air of new negative bills to make into laws. 

 Steven Crowder co-host says CNN's Don Lemon dresses like a “pedophile” - Accusing an openly gay man of "dressing like a pedophile." No dog whistle there. Particularly an absolutely stupid one.

Religious right meltdown/conspiracy theories about LGBTQ-themed LEGOs make for enjoyable reading

The anti-LGBTQ industry is having a hissyfit . . . over LEGOs?

Earlier, I was cynical about the upcoming LGBTQ-themed LEGO blocks, but I am now on the bandwagon for them because of how hysterical they are making members of the anti-LGBTQ industry. The American Family Association's false news source, One News Now, featured an article about them and I found it extremely amusing.

Here is a snippet:

With the pro-LGBTQ toy being recommended for ages 18+, many critics are concerned about the actual contents inside the new product’s box and its appropriateness for youth, but the designer of the Lego set, Matthew Ashton, insists it is for all. "[I] wanted to create a simple little set with a powerful message of love, inclusivity and acceptance… so here it is! #lego love to you all!" tweeted Ashton, who is also a Lego vice president of design. He made special mention one particular Lego figure. “[I designed the purple figure to be] a clear nod to all the fabulous drag queens out there," he said, according to WND. 

 As seen by the above excerpt, the article itself is rather tame. The fun stuff comes in when One News Now features a sidebar of two "concerned activists" simply having fits about these LEGOs: 

 "Like no other time in American history, parents have to be alert to what is going on around their children. This culture is at war with God, and the spiritual and moral rebellion has even infected toys. Christian parents had better prepare themselves to properly disciple their kids if they have not already done so, because thousands of precious souls are at stake."  - Ed Vitagliano, executive vice president American Family Association 

 "It's apparent that even toy manufacturers are attempting to indoctrinate children by exposing them to the LGBTQ lifestyle. Why can't LEGO let kids be kids instead of glamorizing a sinful lifestyle? "LEGO is confusing our innocent children by attempting to normalize this lifestyle choice, which is not only irresponsible but also dangerous to the well-being of our children. Toy manufacturers need to remain neutral and should avoid aiming to please a small percentage of customers while pushing away conservative customers." - Monica Cole, director OneMillionMoms.com

Oh the drama! When do they target Bugs Bunny for all of the times he appeared in drag?

'Two school employees busted for unfairly punishing lesbian student (and lying about it)' & other Mon midday news briefs

Two employees punished for banning student from the school bus for saying “I’m a lesbian” - BUSTED! And how you lied is on tape. 

Ted Cruz Uses Antigay Slur While Slamming LGBTQ-Inclusive Army Ad - Ted Cruz is also the same fool who let Trump disrespect his wife without doing anything about it. We KNOW that rascal. 

Pride 2021: Big cities ‘playing the safe card’ with small gatherings, virtual events - Pride is coming back. 

Federal agencies take aim at Trump's LGBTQ policies - Get rid of every anti-LGBTQ policy. Sweep them all out. 

Fox host invokes Rev. Martin Luther King during belligerent denunciation of LEGO and their new set celebrating diversity - It's just a set of LEGOs, you moron.

'Pride Month Song' sketch by SNL is wicked and hilarious, but never insulting to LGBTQ people

 Here is a frivolous Sunday post to ease us into the week before Memorial Day weekend. It could be a good week for LGBTQ people or not. Regardless, I hope this post puts a smile on your face and laughter in your heart as we do what we always need to do to take care of business. 

On Saturday night, SNL ran what I think was a groundbreaking sketch about the return of gay pride celebrations after last year's halt because of COVID. I found the sketch to be funny, so much so that I was still laughing minutes after it was over. Historically, it was also wonderful on two points. 

A sketch poking fun at an LGBTQ subject featuring three out cast members (Kate McKinnon, Punkie Johnson, and Bowen Yang) and the musical guest performer of the week who is also out (Lil Nas X) is something I never thought I would ever see. It's certainly a long way from Eddie Murphy's portrayal of  Richard Simmons in the 80s. Delightful, too. Most importantly, the sketch was funny without  portraying LGBTQ people as jokes. It's a big reason why diversity is so important. No offense, but I doubt this sketch could have been as astute if it were written solely by heterosexuals.

'A look at Tenn's anti-LGBTQ legislation provides a window into a world of bigotry' & other Fri midday news briefs

Tennessee’s anti-LGBTQ bills supported by national conservative groups - We need MORE articles like this. If any other group of Americans were this openly targeted, it wouldn't be tolerated. There would be articles and news videos about it all over the place. 

Tennessee Governor Approves Transgender Youth Treatment Ban - Speaking of which. 

SC State Senator takes aim at Columbia's conversion therapy ban, LGBTQ community reacts - Even though certain members of our community will not acknowledge down in the deep South, South Carolina's LGBTQ community do not take any slack. Nor are we the ones to come for.

Drag queen teaches kids how to ‘feel fabulous inside our own bodies’ on national TV - Anyone thinking that anything is wrong with this can go sit on a nail. 

SGT. BILL HUMMEL: LGBTQ officers need to be part of PrideFest and Black Lives Matter - Amen. Not every LGBTQ community in the country has a bad relationship with their police departments. Some of us have good relationships. We all need to handle our business in our own ways, but no one has the right to generalize and define issues for the entire LGBTQ community. And that goes for members of the LGBTQ community.

Video: GOP demanding that we believe them instead of our own eyes about the January 6th Insurrection

 

Not necessarily an LGBTQ issue per se . . . or maybe it is. Isn't it ironic that the party which works to undermine LGBTQ rights and safety supposedly in the name of values and God is the same party attempting to gaslight people that the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol didn't happen?

Related post - GOP Lies Fueled The Capitol Riot. Of Course They Don’t Want A Panel To Expose That. 

'Removal of LGBTQ pride flags from classrooms causes huge controversy' & other Thur midday news briefs

 

LGBT pride flags removed from three PHHS classrooms - People are losing their minds.

Creating Gender-Affirming Spaces Literally Saves LGBTQ Kids’ Lives - This is why it's important for those flags to not be removed. 

Amid slew of anti-trans legislation, 42 percent of LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide in the last year: survey - The result of all of those lies by the religious right, Abigail Shrier, and the rest. 

Federal lawsuit filed over Washington State conversion therapy ban - One guess who is pushing up this nonsensical lawsuit. Bring it on.

Evangelical Tony Perkins whines about 'biblical worldviews' while hoping we forget how he spent four years kissing up to an orange devil

Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council (left) whines 'biblical worldviews' while hoping American forgets how he and his group spent four year kissing up to an orange devil.

Say what you will about the Family Research Council (I have and I will continue to do so), you have to be amazed as to how obliviously brazen they and their president, Tony Perkins are. I received a fundraising email from the group today. I will spare you the entire spiel and go straight to the most amusing part:

A recent post-election survey by renown Christian pollster, Dr. George Barna, revealed troubling numbers. His polling found that the majority of those who voted for President Joe Biden were less likely to have a biblical worldview. And 75 percent of the president's base thinks there is no absolute moral truth. Barna responded to the findings, saying, "The more the United States puts distance between itself and its moral and spiritual moorings, the less likely we are to have an effective, vibrant government and a healthy and vibrant way of life."

 . . . Just when Christian parents think their children might be safe from aggressive ideological indoctrination, they find it creeping into purportedly Bible-believing colleges. So how do we advance a biblical vision for human flourishing in a culture that appears to be on a downward spiral from its Christian heritage? We start with the Word of God! We can't stand for biblical truth if we don't know what it is. It's critical to understand what the Bible says and how to stand upon it.

Well this is lovely of FRC. A return to its usual scare tactics and lies about how America is becoming a dangerous place for Christians where "the left" are constantly indoctrinating children and plotting to replace God . . . or something like that. I'm not even going to ask what is the definition of a "biblical worldview" because it don't matter. Soon, supporters of FRC and right-wing evangelicals will be repeating the phrase until it's drilled into our heads.

What interests me is where were all these mentions of God and ecclesiastical references for four years when FRC had probably the most power it has ever had under former president Donald Trump. Or have I answer my own question?

You do remember Donald Trump, don't you? He is the lying, sniveling, worthless shithead who wreaked havoc on America for four years, not to mention caused the deaths of over 500,000 Americans via his incompetence in preparing to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

He's also the same guy which FRC gave a "mulligan" - free pass - for past his bad behavior because, according to Perkins, evangelicals supposedly got kicked around by the Obama Administration and wanted a fighter who would "punch the bully." And apparently that "mulligan" carried over to Trump's present and future bad behavior while he sat in the Oval Office.

Now I'm confused. I thought Perkins and company were Christians, which would mean they already had their side covered by God and Jesus. Why would they have to rely on a lying, sniveling, worthless shithead if they had God on their side?

Forget it, Perkins. All of this concern about "biblical values" mean nothing to those of us who saw you liplocking with an orange devil for four years. We can still smell the sulfur on your breath.

'TikTok's recommendation algorithms promoting homophobia and transphobic violence' & other Wed midday news briefs

 

TikTok’s recommendation algorithm is promoting homophobia and anti-trans violence - And just like that, we've got a new problem.

U.S. Expands Birthright Citizenship Of Babies Born Abroad To Same-Sex Couples - More proof of how voting matters.

Alabama bill to force teachers to out trans youth & ban health care access fails - Just in case you didn't hear. 

Salt Lake City rally aims to bolster LGBTQ support in schools - Nice!

11 Gay Actors in the Old Hollywood (if you didn't know who they were, now you do)

 

 

 From the video's description box: 

 Male movie stars who were hunks in Old Hollywood represented machismo and the classic expectation that they could always save the damsel in distress before a movie ends. Well, they are able to do this in movies because the script calls for it, but underneath all these bulging muscles and clean cut good looks, is a sexual orientation dilemma that have spooked a lot of these male celebrities. It's either they accepted who they were or suffered by repressing their identities until the end. Get to know who some of them are. 

Nothing here in this video shocks me because I've read about these actors countless times. Consider it as a historical lesson in what some gay men had to do to succeed in Hollywood back in the day. Then compare it to the ways we act and the corners we sometimes cut to succeed in general even now.

'SC state senator wants to stop city of Columbia from banning 'ex-gay therapy'' & other Tue midday news briefs

State senator asks AG Alan Wilson to intervene, block Columbia conversion therapy ban - Uh uh! No way. You will have a good fight on your hands.

Caitlyn Jenner gleefully shares ugly transphobic insult about a trans Biden appointee - This woman no longer makes me angry. She intensely saddens me. 

New Lavender Book app will map safe spaces for Black queer people - This is a really good idea.

Changing the Game Tells Heartfelt Stories of Trans Teen Athletes - There needs to be more projects like this.

You cannot fool us, Franklin Graham. We saw you sell out your 'faith' to Donald Trump

Spare us any of your criticism of Donald Trump, Franklin Graham. They are too little and much too late.

Now that Donald Trump is no longer president (Thank God!) certain people are trying to recast their fawning praise of him when he was polluting the Oval Office.  Certain people like Franklin Graham. 

According to the Huffington Post: 

Evangelical leader Franklin Graham, who has been one of Donald Trump’s biggest supporters among the religious right, hit the former president with a reality check over his 2024 election chances. “I think for him, everything will depend on his health at that time. If he still has energy and strength like he does. I don’t,” 

Graham told Axios, adding: “You know the guy does not eat well, you know, and it’s amazing the energy that he has.” Graham added that Trump seems to have lost 15 pounds. “So he might be in good health and in good shape,” he said. “I don’t know.” 

 And Graham apparently said more than that. Now he is being critical of Trump's demagogue-like behavior of smearing the press. In the same interview with Axios, according to The Wrap:

Rev. Franklin Graham admitted in a new interview that his pal, former President Donald Trump, shouldn’t have gone after the press the way he did. 

 “I would never have said that. I think it’s hurt him. I think it built a wall. I think it created animosity when it shouldn’t have. Just because somebody disagrees with you doesn’t mean they’re your enemy,” Graham said in a sit-down with Axios. 

 Mike Allen pressed the reverend, who has been a longtime supporter of Trump’s, on whether the one-term president’s attacks on the press were a mistake. “No question about it,” said Graham, the son of Christianity Today founder Billy Graham.

Oh Franklin, you two-faced, hypocritical bastard. 

I wish the interviewer would have pressed Graham on why he didn't take a public stand against Trump even though we probably already know the answer.  It's the same reason why Graham either defended Trump or remained silent during his Covid pandemic botching, his numerous lies, the teargassing of the protestors during his Bible-holding photo op, the storming of the Capital on Jan 6, his constant lies of a rigged election, etc, etc etc.

'College investigating after students try to break into LGBTQ home which used to be a frat house' & other Mon midday news briefs

 

A College Is Investigating After Students Allegedly Tried To Break Into An LGBTQ Home That Used To Be A Frat House - Oh my goodness! 

America Needs a Sane and Functioning Republican Party - I'll agree with this.

Biden names civil rights veteran to U.S. Education Dept. - We need more picks like this. 

NYC Pride parade bans police; Gay officers ‘disheartened’ - I have been arguing with folks all weekend about this. This is NOT a good idea. But it is this organization's right. However, I am totally against any denigrating generalization of any law enforcement officer in general. You can kiss my ass with that ACAB crap. 

Many countries still reject, torture and kill LGBT people - Depressing but true. The struggle is real and it is worldwide.

Student tries to play the 'religious persecution' card after getting kicked out of sorority for making fun of HHS trans official

A Louisiana student was kicked of out her sorority for making fun of Dr. Rachel Levine and is now attempting to play the 'religious persecution' card. Not today, girlfriend.

A Louisiana student recently got kicked out of her sorority for publicly making of  Dr. Rachel Levine, a transgender physician who Biden picked as assistant secretary for Health and Human Services. What the student is now doing to protest her dismissal should be considered infuriating.

From Pink News:

Emily Hines was dismissed from the Delta Tau chapter of Alpha Phi for a post which saw her dancing in front of a picture of Dr Levine. In the video, which has since been deleted, Hines pointed at Dr Levine’s face as she lip-synched the Bee Gees lyrics: “More than a woman, more than a woman to me."

There shouldn't be any argument that what Hines did was ignorant and she deserved the repercussions which stemmed from her actions. However, she is making a claim that she is being discriminated against because of her religious beliefs:

Hines was summoned judiciary board hearing where she was told her video was widely viewed as offensive. “They asked if I was remorseful at all, and I said I regret wearing the [Alpha Phi] sweatshirt but was not going to apologise for my beliefs,” she told Breitbart. 

 Shortly after, Hines received an email notifying her that she’d been terminated from the sorority. She was outraged by the decision which she blamed on “hypocrisy and one-sidedness”. “The way this situation unfolded has been absolutely ridiculous. My religious beliefs have been pushed under the rug because the social construct of gender has become such a big issue,” Hines told Young America’s Foundation.

As you can see via the links from Pink News, Hines talked to two conservative publications (Breitbart and Young America's Foundation) which both underplayed what she had done by implying that her actions were mere criticism.

Hines herself continued to figuratively clutch the cross:

“My faith teaches me that God made male and female in his image, and that one cannot become the other."

Her personal beliefs are besides the point. It is the manner which she expressed them which made her situation a problem. Her sorority deemed her "joke" - not beliefs - were demeaning and against its written rules.  To make it worse, she dragged her sorority into the mess by wearing her letters while doing her tacky act.

To me, it's rather disingenuous for her to even imply that there should be some religious defense for what she did. That's like a racist claiming that saying the 'n-word" should be considered religious.  Hines needs to take responsibility for her actions and not use her religion as an excuse for them. It definitely makes one see how little she regards her faith if she sees it as a excuse to ignore common decency and then not get punished for it.

But if girlfriend wants to become a "martyr," by all means please try. I personally hope that religious right groups do attempt to defend her. That would make it easier for us to prove how bogus their cries of "Christian persecution" and "religious freedom" are.

'Billy Porter and Zachary Quinto to play gay dads on Proud Family reboot' & other Fri midday news briefs

 

Billy Porter and Zachary Quinto to play gay dads on Proud Family reboot - I'm sold. And the possibility of the religious right getting angry about this is gravy.

Out lawmaker & marriage activist Mark Levine is running for Virginia Lieutenant Governor - More of this! Please! 

The LGBTQ community and African-Americans have one similarity - the same conservative groups undermining their rights - My post from last night. Both groups should fight the real enemy. 

Caitlyn Jenner Says She Didn’t Vote In 2020; Voting Records Say Otherwise - Caitlyn, girlfriend. Just sit down.