Suspect arrested for transphobic bomb threat against children's hospital that conservatives called a hoax

First Libs of Tik Tok, Tucker Carlson, Matt Walsh, and the rest of that bunch spread a false story that  Boston Children's Hospital was performing hysterectomies on trans kids. 

Then when their lies generated bomb threats against the hospital, they claimed that it was all a hoax.

I wonder what they are going to say now that it turns out that the bomb threat turned out to be real? In fact, I insist that we demand they say something 

From Insider via Yahoo News:

Federal authorities arrested a Westfield, Massachusetts, woman on a charge of making a fake bomb threat that was called into the Boston Children's Hospital on August 30. Catherine Leavy was arrested at her home on Thursday morning, US attorney Rachael Rollins said during a press conference. Her age was not disclosed during the announcement. 

 Authorities allege that the suspect was the caller on August 30 who made a false bomb threat to the Boston hospital. "There is a bomb on the way to the hospital, you better evacuate everybody, you sickos," the caller said, according to Rollins. The threat prompted an immediate lockdown of the hospital and the surrounding area, and a bomb squad was sent in to investigate the facility, an FBI agent said during the conference. No explosives were found, Rollins said. 

 Through a court-approved search warrant, authorities were able to track the phone call to the suspect's phone, the attorney said. She is being charged with one count of a false telephonic bomb threat. Rollins could not speak on possible motives.

Technically until there is more proof, I guess there can be no confirmation about motive. However, let's not play games. I would venture to say that the motive isn't farfetched, nor the parties involved in creating the motive. The Boston Children Hospital has been attacked in a vicious campaign of lies over the past months concerning how it treats trans kids.

According to Heavy:

The misinformation about trans health care for kids and threats against the hospital led Facebook to suspend “LibsofTikTok” from its platform, MassLive.com reports. “LibsofTikTok” is run by Chaya Raichik, a Brooklyn-based real estate agent who has amassed more than 1.3 million followers and appeared on Fox News with Tucker Carlson. Raichik and her page have quickly risen in prominence among right-wing media. Facebook reversed its decision to permanently suspended the account 24 hours after doing so.

 LibsofTikTok shared a video on August 11 of a Boston Children’s Hospital doctor talking about “gender-affirming hysterectomies.” The children’s hospital said they do not perform gender-affirming hysterectomies or removal of sex organs on patients under the age of 18. The hospital said in a statement a patient with “persistent, well-documented, gender dysphoria” must be at least 18 and have a letter from a doctor recommending the surgery, according to The Boston Globe. 

Right-wing commentator Matt Walsh tweeted to his 1 million followers on August 11, “There needs to be an organized effort to fight back against the drugging and mutilating of children. There should be rallies outside of hospitals that butcher children. There should be marches on Washington with hundreds of thousands of people. I will try to get this ball rolling.”

Many folks who had a hand in spreading the lies about the hospital claimed that threats were a hoax.   Ari Drennen, LGBTQ Program Director for Media Matters for America compiled a list which included the following:

Matt Walsh of the Daily Wire: "No critic of gender ideology gains anything or has any incentive to make a threat. The Left does gain and does have incentive" pic.twitter.com/4vmtDC1BRM

— Ari Drennen (@AriDrennen) September 15, 2022

Billboard Chris, a Canadian anti-trans activist who had announced a protest of the hospital for this weekend, also said that "it was a false flag" pic.twitter.com/JswxMj9wDr

— Ari Drennen (@AriDrennen) September 15, 2022

I hope there will be repercussions not only for the perpetrator of the bomb threat, but also the parties who instigated it all. I can say at least for now that this story is far from over.

'Upcoming gay romantic comedy 'Bros' may be highly controversial' & other Thur midday news briefs

 

What reviews are saying about Billy Eichner’s gay rom-com “Bros”​ - Let me just say that based upon the trailer, this may be a very controversial move within the LGBTQ community. But I laughed out loud at a few of the scenes. 

‘Hate-fueled intimidation’: Proud Boy attends school board meeting after Facebook fight over teacher displaying a Pride flag - What gets me about all of this is the irony of the Proud Boys attacking LGBTQ people when its founder once shoved a dildo up his rear on live television in order to claim that he isn't homophobic. 

Supreme Court declines to block order requiring Yeshiva University to recognize LGBTQ student club - Don't get too happy. Alito was pissed. 

Right-Wing Extremists to Protest School Board Meeting Over Pride Flags - Poor babies. They are not going to win this one.

Celebrating the 37th anniversary of 'The Golden Girls' with LGBTQ Pride

Thirty-seven years ago today, a legendary comedy show, "The Golden Girls,"  premiered on NBC. Looking back, it's impossible to see how this show wasn't going to be a monster hit.

From Itech Post:

"The Golden Girls" managed to break the stereotype that women aged 50 and older led boring lives at home, knitting and spending time with their cats. The show found its leads in Bea Arthur, who played Dorothy Zbornak, Betty White who brought life to Rose Nylund, Rue McClanahan who played Blanche Devereaux, and Estelle Getty who portrayed Sophia Petrillo.

 Together, these four women shared a Miami home and showed viewers the vibrant, exciting lives that women 50 and above continue to lead despite the issues brought about by that specific stage in life. The show also tackled sensitive issues such as sexual harassment, illnesses, sexually transmitted diseases, and the LGBT community, topics that are easily still relevant today. 

 "We were four active, vibrant, funny women, three of whom were still working and all who dared to still have an active sex life," White, who passed away on December 31, 2021 from a stroke, said during an interview with the media publication. "We were all widows, but not lonely. And we were women to be valued and cared about, not cast aside, and an important part of society," the actress said. "The Golden Girls" was well-received by viewers, so much so that it had 25 million viewers during its debut and went on to receive 11 Emmy Awards, including one each for all of the four main leads. The NBC series also received four Golden Globe Awards. 

'All of the best and gayest moments from the 2022 Emmy Awards' & other Wed midday news briefs

Jerrod Carmichael stole the Emmys with his outfit and his win for 'Best Writing for a Variety Special.' In his variety special, Carmichael talked about coming out as a gay man.

All the best and gayest moments from the 2022 Emmy Awards - IF you missed it before . . .

Harris: ‘Probably by design’ that attacks on abortion, voting and LGBTQ rights come from same ‘sources - I have been saying this for YEARS. 

Disney Drag Brunch Canceled After Targeted by Right-Wing Trolls​ - Like I said, you give in and haters become more and more empowered.

Chicago-area library cancels drag queen bingo event for teens over 'vitriolic' threats - Second verse, same as the first. 

Seattle Pacific University leaders are sued for anti-LGBTQ hiring practices - I'm gonna be honest. I do not feel comfortable with suing private religious schools over this sort of thing. Now if they are getting any tax dollars, that is completely different.

Family Research Council claims that transgender Americans are a danger to women while posting misinformation which could actually kill women

Yesterday, I posted that the Family Research Council had gotten called out for tweeting misinformation about abortion. The tweet below in fact:

Many people have pointed out that this is blatant medical misinformation and complained to Twitter about it.  But as of today, the tweet remains. FRC even attempted to justify it by posting the following:

But even this backfired because FRC's article admits that abortion is necessary in some cases when the mother's life is in danger. The group attempts to cover its tracks  in the article with this confusing statement:

 

The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) helpfully explains, “There are times when separating the mother and her unborn child is necessary to save the life of the mother, even if the unborn child is too premature to live. … In contrast, the purpose of an induced abortion is to produce a dead baby.” Though it is true that in some tragic cases, the baby will not be able to survive after being delivered too prematurely, as abortionists admit, there is never a need for a medical professional to intentionally kill the unborn baby in the process of saving the mother’s life.

Several responses have pointed out that the Family Research Council is making a sad effort to justify its original lie.  And they are right.

The Family Research Council also posted on its website the following article - College of the Ozarks Continues Court Fight to Keep Men Out of Women’s Private Spaces

 To summarize, FRC continues to push the hysterical lie that transgender women are actually men who pose a danger to cis women by "invading their spaces." It's a false narrative FRC continues to push, even going so far as to imply that transgender children are predators:

It's rather ironic, isn't it? The Family Research Council falsely claiming that transgender Americans are a danger to women while posting medical misinformation which could actually kill women.

'Libs of Tik Tok targeted a school's district mural project. And failed' & other Tue midday news briefs

LibsofTikTok targeted a school district’s Pride mural project, with little success - The battle is always strenuous but that makes the victories sweeter.

Gay Democrat Seeks Congressional Seat in a Deep Red Kentucky District​ - Good luck to him.

Montana adopts permanent block on birth certificate changes for trans people - For Pete's sake, come on! This is so unnecessary.

Lauren Boebert says LGBTQ people are “spitting in God’s face” and “perverting” the nation - Gurl, sit down.

The Family Research Council's blatant lie about abortion proves that it doesn't care about the life of the mother

The Family Research is infamous for deliberately spreading lies about LGBTQ people.. But our equality is not the only issue the group likes to spew distortions about, as the following tweet demonstrates:

This is a lie. Not a difference of opinion. Not a thought coming out of religious beliefs. It is an LIE. It's a lie which has been shut down several times, including by Reuters in 2021.

 Apparently the Family Research Council seems to have conveniently forgotten the recent story of the 10-year-old child who was raped and needed an abortion simply because the procedure of childbirth would have devastated her body. And then there are cases of ectopic pregnancies,  a  pregnancy complication which does in fact place the mother's life at risk

An ectopic pregnancy most often occurs in a fallopian tube, which carries eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. This type of ectopic pregnancy is called a tubal pregnancy. Sometimes, an ectopic pregnancy occurs in other areas of the body, such as the ovary, abdominal cavity or the lower part of the uterus (cervix), which connects to the vagina. An ectopic pregnancy can't proceed normally. The fertilized egg can't survive, and the growing tissue may cause life-threatening bleeding, if left untreated.

According to the Associated Press, pregnancy complications are rare but they still affect thousands of women each year. Besides an ectopic pregnancy, they include:

Preeclampsia - A serious high blood pressure condition that can develop suddenly in pregnancy, typically during the second half of pregnancy 

 Premature Rupture of the Membranes - Membranes in the fluid-filled amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus often rupture or break at the start of childbirth — commonly called water breaking. In at least 3% of pregnancies, the sac ruptures too early, often leading to preterm birth. The condition increases chances for a uterine infection. Doctors may recommend ending the pregnancy, especially if water breaks before 24 weeks, when infant survival chances are slim. 

Placenta abruption - The placenta is a crucial structure that develops in pregnancy and attaches to the uterine wall, connecting with the umbilical cord to help nourish the fetus. In about 1 in 100 pregnancies, the placenta separates prematurely from the womb, after about 20 weeks of pregnancy. That can pose a life-threatening risk to the fetus and can cause dangerous maternal bleeding.

Based upon the responses FRC's tweet has been receiving, a lot of folks don't appreciate lies being told about situations placing a woman's health in danger. It's amusing to read how viciously FRC has been dragged.

But on the other hand,  it is absolutely irresponsible for any organization, much less one which has immense influence on members of Congress and claims to be pro-family, to lie about something so easily proven.

The Family Research Council tells these lies about abortion for the same reason it smears LGBTQ people. The organization doesn't care about reality. It's sole goal is to project the image in which the perfect home is heterosexual (mostly white) family with 2.5 children, a white picket fence and a car in the garage. A household in which the husband goes to work every morning while the wife stays at home as a happy housewife and where pregnancy is seen as a beautiful thing completely devoid of complications and stress.

God forbid anything interferes with that fantasy, particularly single parents, LGBTQ people in general, or any portion of reality which reminds people of just how complex and difficult life is. FRC thinks we should ignore the reality in which  solutions take more effort than scapegoating people for being different instead of accepting differences as a normal part of life. 

It's a silly fantasy but what's not silly is how far the Family Research Council will go to preserve it.  It's terrifying to contemplate how many lives the Family Research Council is willing to ruin instead of admitting the fact that in some cases, abortion is medically necessary

It's even scarier when one realizes that there are so many other groups out there willing to do the same thing while, like FRC, claiming that they are pro-family.

'Providing help and hope to LGBTQ+ elderly struggling with suicide' & other Mon midday news briefs

Providing Help & Hope to LGBTQ+ Elders Struggling With Suicide - Yep. And a very important issue for me also. 

Boise Pride cancels “Drag Kids” event after organizers receive death threats​ - Damn! We cannot give in to those liars and haters. It only empowers them.

'Drag Kids' event at Boise Pride becomes subject of political pushback - More detail about this issue. 

GOP Sen. Ron Johnson Tries to Explain Flip on Marriage Equality Vote - I hope no one believe that turkey would support our bill in the first place. 

High court blocks recognition of LGBTQ campus at Yeshiva U - For now.

Conservative outrage industry smears Biden's Monkeypox Adviser as a Satanic thirst trap

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis is bringing out all sorts of 'feelings' from the conservative outrage industry.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis​  is President Biden's National Monkeypox Response Deputy Coordinator. Conservatives have been driving themselves crazy with attempts to smear him. 

From The Advocate via Yahoo News:

In recent days the Biden administration’s monkeypox response deputy coordinator, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, has been attacked by right-wing figures and media. The reason? His thirst traps, his tattoos, and his sexuality. The conservative media outlet The Daily Caller specifically targeted Daskalakis and his history of being open about being gay as well as being directly involved on the front lines of health care. What’s ensued is a wave of homophobic attacks against Daskalakis. The reporter who wrote the Caller piece tweeted, “Meet Joe Biden's monkeypox czar: a ‘progressive, radical gay' doctor who performs HIV screenings in sex clubs and gives meningitis shots in drag. Now he's in the White House.”

One attack is accusing Daskalakis of being a Satanist:

Daskalakis has denied the allegation:

“I am certainly not a satanist,” Daskalakis tells The Advocate. And why do people think he is? “It's because I wear high-fashion harnesses by Zana Bayne,” he cheekily replies. The harness has been making a splash in the fashion world for more than a year now. Also, the pentagram (or really a pentacle, since it has a circle around it) has been around for thousands of years, even predating Christianity. The HIV prevention specialist has tattoos including other iconography, including a more Christian-oriented one. Maybe it’s all about balance?

Also those who are a bit knowledgeable on useless trivia such as pentagrams and the like (yours truly)   were quick to voice their opinions about the inane claim that the good doctor is a Satanist.

Demetre Dasalakis has a tattoo which symbolizes paganism. He is not a Satanist. A pentagram UPSIDE DOWN in a circle is Satanic. His pentagram is right side UP. https://t.co/o7OL3NlHbn

— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) September 9, 2022

As difficult as it is to believe, the accusation of Satanism against Daskalakis is nothing compared to the other attack on him via the writer of the original Daily Caller piece, Dylan Housman. Apparently Dylan went through Daskalakis's Instagram account and pointed out just how many shirtless pictures he found of the good doctor. It could be said that Housman was attempting to appeal to negative stereotypes about gay men. Maybe. Or maybe not. Unlike so many folks on Twitter, I am not going to pronounce myself an expert on psychological motives behind certain actions. If you catch my drift.

But I will say that aside from the fact that one should ask why does any of this matters when it comes to Dr. Daskalakis doing his job, another good question should be just who benefits from viewing all of those bare-chested pictures of the good doctor? And in what manner do the benefits manifest themselves?

Just asking questions, Mr. Housman. 

The conservative outrage industry is annoying and infuriating at times. But then comes the golden moments in which it owns itself. This has to rank at the top tier of these moments.

Fox News helped spread lie that children's hospitals were giving hysterectomies to trans youth

 It should be of no surprise to anyone that Fox News amplified the attacks against children's hospitals. Network pundits practically rolled out the red carpet for the folks spewing lies that these hospitals were giving  trans children hysterectomies.

From Media Matters:

While children’s hospitals were facing a deluge of violent threats in August from an online campaign of intimidation and misinformation fueled by anti-LGBTQ trolls, Fox News repeatedly provided a platform for the individuals responsible for the harassment to amplify their attacks. Over the course of two weeks, Fox News — the most-watched cable network in the country — spent more time and ran more segments targeting three different children’s hospitals over false claims about gender-affirming care than CNN or MSNBC combined spent discussing the attacks.

 Led by conservative social media figures including Chaya Raichik and Matt Walsh, an online campaign began by targeting Boston Children’s Hospital and Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.,with false claims that they were providing hysterectomies for trans youth. The unsubstantiated claims were debunked by independent fact-checking websites and refuted by the hospitals, which did not stop right-wing media figures from taking up the attacks to malign all gender-affirming care for trans youth as “mutilation.”

 In reality, these hospitals do not provide genital surgery to trans youth. Rather, they follow the standards of care established by national medical organizations, offering medically necessary care that is supported by every major medical organization in America.

  . . . Amid the influx of threats against children’s hospitals, Fox News adopted the attacks as part of its ongoing effort to demonize trans health care for political points and at the expense of trans children.

 Between August 18, when the network’s first segment attacking Boston Children’s Hospital aired, and August 31, when Fox aired its most recent segment, attacking Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital, the network aired 7 segments and spent more than 20 minutes vilifying the hospitals. Notably, three of the Fox prime-time shows featuring the attacks are in the top 10 most-watched cable news programs in the country — Tucker Carlson Tonight, The Ingraham Angle, and Jesse Watters Primetime.

And while other Fox News prime-time shows similarly repeated anti-trans attacks on the children’s hospitals, Tucker Carlson’s program has been the most responsible for amplifying the misinformation campaign and the figures behind it.

The above excerpt is merely the beginning. Media Matters brings the receipts and this later may prove important. Fox News already has one lawsuit biting its ass. Another lawsuit calling out the network's sketchy relationship with truth would be lovely as far as I'm concerned.

'Peppa Pig, popular children's show, introduces first same-sex couple' & other Thur midday news briefs

'Peppa Pig' Introduces First Same-Sex Couple — Two Polar Bear Mommies — to Children's Show - Wonderful because same-sex families raising kids is a reality which needs to be seen and amplified. And the religious right freak out sure to come is simply icing on a delicious cake.

Trans Floridians sue to block Medicaid rule excluding gender-affirming care - Good for them. I hope they win. 

Federal lawsuit challenges Oklahoma anti-transgender bathroom law - Good. Another lawsuit via our side.

Ted Cruz says he will vote against marriage equality bill​ - Well duuuuuh.

Ben Shapiro accuses California of “allowing people to attempt to kidnap kids and gender change them” - That people like Ben Shapiro are considered great minds by anyone signals the fall of this country's intellect.

 

Court ruling against HIV medications reveal pettiness of 'religious freedom' argument

On Wednesday, a Texas judge (who is infamous for prejudicial rulings) ruled that employers did not have to cover HIV medications if they felt such medications would 'encourage homosexual behavior.'

From The Huffington Post:

A federal judge in Texas ruled Wednesday that requiring employers to provide coverage for PrEP medications ― which prevent the transmission of HIV ― violates the religious rights of employers under federal law. U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor said that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act provides a religious exemption from purchasing health insurance that complies with the Department of Health and Human Services’ preventive care mandate under the Affordable Care Act, which requires PrEP coverage. 

 O’Connor said the government must provide this religious exemption to eight defendants ― six individuals and two businesses ― who claim that being required to provide such insurance coverage violates their “sincerely held” Christian and “non-religious” beliefs rejecting “homosexual behavior, intravenous drug use, and sexual activity outside of marriage between one man and one woman.” By requiring them to provide insurance that covers PrEP, as well as the HPV vaccine and sex education, the government “would make [them] complicit in those behaviors,” O’Connor concluded.

 It's a bunch of bull and hopefully be overturned on appeal. But far-right pundits, sensing blood in the water, have already exploited the ruling to pull the old, but steady "pervertedly promiscuous homosexual" card. Mark Joseph Stern, a very talented writer from The Slate, had to drag one of them on Twitter.

This is an outrageous lie. Just one example to refute it: The CDC is fervently encouraging PrEP uptake among heterosexual Black women, who remain disproportionately affected by HIV. PrEP is NOT just for "promiscuous homosexual men." What a disgusting and dangerous allegation. pic.twitter.com/o5GCwXrS3V

— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) September 7, 2022

Michael Knowles is notorious for racists and anti-LGBTQ comments in pursuit of clout chasing, so I doubt this will be the last we will hear from him.

The homophobic basis of the anti-PrEP lawsuit and the vulgarity expressed by Knowles is akin to when then Reagan White House employee and now Trump supporter Gary L. Bauer undermined the fight against the AIDS crisis. According to the late Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, Bauer felt that AIDS was "God's punishment" on gays and that they deserved to die:

[In 1986] President Reagan asked the surgeon general to prepare a report on AIDS as the United States confirmed its ten-thousandth case. Leaders of the evangelical movement did not want Koop to write the report, nor did senior White House staffers who shared Koop’s evangelical convictions. As Dr. Koop related to me, “Gary Bauer [Reagan’s chief advisor on domestic policy] … was my nemesis in Washington because he kept me from the president. He kept me from the cabinet and he set up a wall of enmity between me and most of the people that surrounded Reagan because he believed that anybody who had AIDS ought to die with it. That was God’s punishment for them.”

Once again, far-right evangelicals are weaponizing religion as a tool for discrimination. But now they are also putting people's lives in danger. There is no justifiable reason for this lawsuit except for the desire to be downright petty.  This is not about freedom of religion. It's about simple hatred of LGBTQ people. Don't let anyone tell you differently because it would be a lie. This type of hatred is primal. No amount of religious covering can disguise it.

 But under the cover of religion seems to be where it is always hiding.

'Anti-LGBTQ GOP nominee accused of trying to crash car with entire family inside' & other Wed midday news briefs

Kristina Karamo

'Fuck It, I’ll Kill Us All': Kristina Karamo's Ex-Husband Accused Her of Trying to Crash Car with Entire Family Inside​ - Well she is a Trump supporter . . . 

MI GOP nominates Satan-obsessed homophobe for Secretary of State - And surprise, she's homophobic. Or may not such a surprise. She has the nerve to call US evil. 

Country star raises over $100,000 for trans youth after denouncing influencer’s transphobia - Thank you Maren Morris for turning a negative into a positive. 

Trans Boy Kept Off Boys' Soccer Team in Florida Gets Apology - This happened last week. I'm sorry that I didn't catch it. A perfect example of how screwed up these anti-trans sports laws are. He got an apology because the law is against transgender girls, not transgender boys. 

Meta is profiting off ads baselessly slandering LGBTQ people as “groomers,” despite the company’s ban on the slur - You need to get it together, Meta.

Religious right attack on PA Pride Festival is laughably boring

Attempting to take part in the far-right sparked hysteria about drag queens, pride parades, and children, the American Family Association posted an article (via its 'news site' American Family News) about a Pride event in Pennsylvania entitled 'Family-friendly' pride festival was anything but'

There was just one problem with the article. In fact, a big one as far as I'm concerned. See if you can guess what it is.

From American Family News:

The American Family Association (AFA) of Pennsylvania recently addressed outgoing Governor Tom Wolf's "misguided" executive order banning so-called "conversion therapy" from the state. And last month, he fully supported and even gave $10,000 to fund a homosexual pride event in the central part of the state. He wrote a letter, specifically expressing support for the Pride Festival of Central Pennsylvania, deeming it a time to "promote self-affirmation, dignity, and equality, and to minimize communities." 

 "As Governor, and on behalf of all the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I am honored to offer my support for Pride Festival of Central Pennsylvania’s thirtieth anniversary," Wolf wrote.

 "This is actually the first year for the PA Pride Community Grant Program," reports Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of Pennsylvania. "Other pride organizations have been helped along, shall we say, with our taxpayer dollars through the Department of Community and Economic Development." 

 The viral video, posted by Libs of TikTok, depicts a shirtless man instructing a child — who appears to be a boy — wearing a rainbow tutu and headband. He is seen climbing a dance pole and then spinning around to the applause and cheers of onlookers. 

 There were 17 recipients of the PA Pride Community Grant program, which "supports Pride festivals and events throughout the commonwealth through September 2022." The Central PA Pride Festival, where this video is believed to have been taken, was among them.

 "As I've gone to some of these gay pride events, I've seen increasingly they have family zones, where they want to normalize their lifestyle, want to make it appear as if this is a family-friendly event," the conservative activist relays. "It's not, not at all. It's the exact opposite."

 Breitbart reports Carrie Fischer Lepore of the state Marketing, Tourism, and Film Department described the festival as an "uplifting" event that celebrated "belonging, accessibility, and inclusion" and sent the message that in Pennsylvania, "all are welcome to pursue their happiness."

Where is the salacious content? Where is the shocking footage?  Not even one picture?

All we have are two things. One is a video from a Libs of Tik Tok , a twitter address which just came off of suspension after spreading the lie that children's hospitals are giving trans kids hysterectomies. Libs of Tik Tok isn't exactly a bastion of truth.

And the other thing is a quote from Diane Gramley, an ancient right-wing pundit who sounds like if she did truly go to Pride events, she would hide under a bush because she'd be scared that a drag queen would use her body as a costume drape.

Is that it? Seriously? Nothing about a drag queen? I know somebody was passing around condoms or something.  At least one person had to be wearing leather, no matter how hot it probably was. A harness maybe?  Anything? Anything at all?

 Not even a one butt-cheek twerk? 

Oh well.

Little advice, Diane. The next Pride event you attend, instead of looking for things to condemn,  have a drink. In fact have a couple of drinks, grab some drag queens, and have a good time for a change. And if by chance you see a genuine stripper pole, hop on for a twirl. It would probably do you some good.

'Best selling novelist donates $50k to library defunded over books with LGBTQ content' & other Tue midday news briefs

Best selling novelist donates $50k to library defunded over books with LGBTQ content​ - Thank you, Nora Roberts!

Internet services company Cloudflare blocks fringe message board Kiwi Farms, citing 'targeted threats' - A horrible message board which scares even me has been shut down thanks to the hard work of several activists. Especially one in particular. 

5 things older gay men need to talk about more to survive and thrive - These discussion help. Tremendously. 

Over half of LGBTQ Southerners say their parents tried to change or repress their identity, report finds - I am not shocked at all about this.

Melbourne police shut down false story of sexual assault by trans student in school bathroom

 

I envision the DeSantis Administration getting angry that this incident was exposed as false before they could exploit it as yet another reason to undermine the state's LGBTQ community. Knowing them however, it wouldn't be a surprise if they used it anyway. 

From Florida Today via Yahoo News:

After a nearly three-week long investigation, Melbourne Police said in a report finalized on Friday that allegations of a transgender student assaulting a girl in the bathroom at Johnson Middle School were unfounded. Over the course of the investigation, police spoke to administrators at Johnson Middle School, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, and the Department of Children and Families, all of whom said no reports regarding a sexual assaults at the school had been made. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, and the parents that police spoke with were unable to give specific information, saying that they had heard the story of the alleged assault from multiple sources, including other parents and an unnamed teacher who did not work at Johnson Middle School. 

 Brevard Public Schools vehemently denied that any incident occurred at the middle school after Fine publicly called for Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz to investigate a potential sexual assault at Johnson Middle School on Aug. 11. Fine did not have firsthand knowledge of any assault, but said parents had reached out to his office. He blamed BPS' practice of allowing transgender students to use bathrooms of the gender that they identify with for making such an incident possible. 

 . . . Police traced the story of the Johnson Middle School assault to a conversation between retired BPS teacher Karen Parrish and a teacher who did not work at Johnson, then closed the case as unfounded when Parrish did not provide the name of the current teacher and no witnesses came forward.

 

 If the story had turned out to be true, we would be hearing about it all over social media and in the cable news media. But since it turns out to not be true, the vultures who exploit stuff like this are slinking away, hoping that it will be forgotten.

Video - Me and Lucile Bluth for Labor Day

It's the start of the Labor Day weekend holiday, so I am not posting anything serious (although with my luck, I bet something good is going to happen and I will probably miss out).

Barring anything interesting happening, this will be my last post until Monday evening. Those who keep up with this blog will agree with me that I need a break. It's been a turbulent year highlighted by the death of my mother a month ago. In tribute to her and the gift of laughter, I am posting video of quotes from probably one of the worst, but funniest, mothers of all time - Lucille Bluth from  Arrested Development. Lucille is the EXACT opposite of what my mother was.  These clips recently made me laugh at moments when I needed something to lift me up. I hope they have that effect on you, also.

'25 LGBTQ+ Coming-of-Age Films' & other Thur midday news briefs

'Moonlight' is the only LGBTQ+ Coming-of-Age movie to win the Oscar for 'Best Picture'

25 LGBTQ+ Coming-of-Age Films​ - One even won an Oscar for 'Best Picture.' 

First monkeypox-related death reported in US - We got a situation. 

Carl Nassib met the media and most of the questions were about football, not being gay. Hooray for that. - Thank you!! 

U.S. sees progress on LGBTQ rights but equality is lacking, U.N. expert says - THIS is depressing.

As anti-LGBTQ legislation proliferates, some Iowans depart - As well as this.

Report - TX governor's order to investigate the parents of transgender kids could put state agency 'on brink of collapse'

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's order to investigate the parents of trans kids is wrecking the state's child protection agency.

From the Dallas Morning News:

Continuing to investigate the parents of transgender youth could put Texas’ child protection agency over the brink of collapse, a group of its staffers said in a new court filing. In an Aug. 25 brief filed with the Austin appeals court, 16 current and former employees at the Department of Family and Protective Services said there has been an exodus from the agency that could hamper its ability to perform basic and necessary functions. They urged the court to keep the abuse investigations on hold while the policy continues to be litigated.

“As career DFPS employees,” they wrote to “respectfully advise the Court that DFPS is on the brink of collapse, and that the politically motivated decision to compel DFPS employees like themselves to investigate nonabusive loving and supportive families who merely rely in good faith on their doctor’s advice would put DFPS over that brink.” 

 They noted that age appropriate and individualized gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, are supported by the state and nation’s largest medical organizations. These treatments are meant to help treat gender dysphoria, the feeling of discomfort or distress that can occur for those who identify as a gender different from the gender or sex assigned at birth.

 “The great mass of DFPS employees did not choose the child welfare profession to break up loving families who, with no ill motive, malice, or negligence toward their child, are simply following medical advice and administering medicine under a doctor’s supervision,” they added. 

 The staff warnings underscores the chaos that the controversial policy change has created. It was filed less than two weeks after The Dallas Morning News first wrote that internal documents revealed confusion and secrecy marked the decision’s rollout in February. More than 2,000 employees have left the agency this year, The Houston Chronicle reported this month.

Abbott's order to investigate the parents of trans kids was considered a touchstone in this so-called culture war about trans issues. Now that it all seems to be falling apart for him, where is all of the attention? This article is infuriating on so many levels, but one of the main issues why is that very few people in the media seem to be paying attention.

It says lot about they think about LGBTQ people and our issues.

'VA school board adopts anti-LGBTQ hate group's policy for trans students' & other Wed midday news briefs

Virginia school board votes 5-2 to adopt hate group ADF’s policy​ - The Alliance Defending Freedom again. They got their hateful hands in everything.

California may act as U.S. refuge for transgender youth​ - It's terrible that we have to even talk about refuges for our kids, but still I support the idea. 

Yeshiva University petitions Supreme Court in bid to prohibit official LGBTQ club - If you get tax dollars, then forget it. Although I think our SCOTUS may be more inclined to disagree seeing that it is religiously biased. 

How Tobacco Companies Harm the LGBTQ+ Community - Needs to be told. 

Virginia Court Blocks Republican Attempt To Criminalize LGBTQ Books - Nice try but you failed.

LGBTQ teachers open up as their schools -- and identities -- become next front in the culture war - It's on. Stay strong.

Libs of TikTok still threatening to lie about children's hospitals even after Twitter suspension

Some folks are determined to figuratively walk into a volcano.

From Media Matters:

Libs of TikTok’s Chaya Raichik pledged to redouble her attacks on hospitals providing trans people with health care, she wrote in a rant on her Substack in which she called gender-affirming care “mutilating the body.” Raichik’s recent efforts against Boston Children’s Hospital, Children’s National Hospital in D.C., and others have led to violent threats against health care providers and at least one request for help from law enforcement. Libs of TikTok has fallen silent on Twitter for the first time in weeks as a result of a suspension for violation of the platform’s rules against hateful conduct. 

 The Washington Post’s Taylor Lorenz reported on Sunday that Libs of Tik Tok had earned a seven-day suspension. A Twitter spokesperson confirmed the suspension in a statement to Media Matters, saying that “we took enforcement action against the account … for violating our hateful conduct policy. The account was placed in read-only mode for seven days.” 

 Libs of TikTok has reportedly been suspended multiple times on multiple platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Raichik’s last Twitter suspension came for accusing LGBTQ people of “grooming” children, which Twitter confirmed violates its policies against hateful conduct after pressure from Media Matters and others. 

 . . . The suspension comes after Libs of TikTok targeted Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., leading to online suggestions about bombing the hospital and putting its employees in a woodchipper. The account has targeted multiple other hospitals providing gender-affirming care, resulting in threats to patients and providers and forcing at least one hospital to request support from law enforcement. 

 . . . In a screed posted to her Substack after the suspension, Raichik alleged a diabolic plot by medical providers, writing that “a false belief in the mind is not treated by mutilating the body. Any doctor performing these surgeries should have their license revoked. They belong in prison.”

Again, let me remind people that Raichik is LYING when she claims that children's hospitals are mutilating trans children. She has been exposed several times for deliberately taking footage and clips out of context. 

If Libs of TikTok and Raichik want a degree from the University of FAFO (F@k Around and Find Out), I sincerely HOPE that Twitter stands ready to make them summa cum laude.

'MI GOP nominates Satan-obsessed homophobe for Secretary of State' & other Tue midday news briefs

Kristina  Karamo 

MI GOP nominates Satan-obsessed homophobe for Secretary of State​ - Oh mercy! Why?! 

Now rightwing Christians don’t want girls to play sports at all - Should this surprise anyone? 

Billy Eichner calls out “homophobe” Clarence Thomas in fiery, full-volume VMAs speech - Well, did he lie? 

What LGBTQ+ Families Should Know For Back-to-School Time - Write it down.

Libs of Tik Tok suspended from Twitter for seven days after continuing to spread lies about trans kids receiving hysterectomies

It was bound to happen, but it should be longer than seven days.

Libs of TikTok is locked out of twitter for a FULL WEEK after they led a massive hate campaign resulting in shutting down websites of Children's Hospitals, threatening the patients in the process.

All over trans people.

Lets keep the pressure up. @Shopify! Drop Libs of TikTok! pic.twitter.com/6tS180cktI

— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) August 29, 2022

Libs of Tik Tok has been targeting children's hospitals around the nation, claiming that they are performing hysterectomies (the removal of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and sometimes ovaries) on trans kids. In spite of the fact that this claim has continuously been refuted, the site and its founder, Chaya Raichik, continues to spread it.

And her followers have been threatening these hospitals with violence. According to The Daily Dot, an incident with the Children's National Hospital in DC may have been the final straw:

On Thursday, Aug. 25, Libs of TikTok shared audio that caused a right-wing explosion, in which she spoke to at least two employees at Children’s National Hospital and asked them if they would perform hysterectomies on children under the age of 18 to aid in transitioning.

 The call came as conservatives have led a charge against children’s hospitals for providing care to trans patients, as part of a moral panic against transgender people, one which Libs of TikTok both spearheaded and egged on. In the audio, it’s unclear who Raichik speaks to, but she goads them into saying they would conduct hysterectomies on patients under the age of 18. 

 According to the Washington Post, Children’s National Hospital didn’t dispute the accuracy of the audio but said that the employees provided inaccurate information. Conservatives have pointed back to a line on Children’s website, which said the hospital provided gender-affirming care to patients from ages “0-21.” 

 Children’s Hospital told the Post that the information on its website was also erroneously posted. But the denials from Children’s National Hospital did not satiate the right-wing crowd stirred up by the audio. It led to a flood of threats against the hospital, which has happened to a number of children’s hospitals that Libs of TikTok and other prominent conservatives posted about this month.

(Editor's note - You can listen to the audio on the Daily Dot's webpage. Raichik has long since blocked me on Twitter months ago.)

There are two things about this which bothers me. 1. Gender-affirming healthcare is very complex. It isn't always about surgeries, particularly involving trans kids. 

2. Until I see more information, I have a serious problem with believing that Raichik talked to an actual worker. She has been called out in the past for deliberately misrepresenting comments or taking them out of context:

Some of the claims about Children’s National, Boston Children’s and other hospitals were pushed by the Libs of TikTok account, which regularly reposts videos and social media posts from LGBTQ people, teachers, schools and other institutions. The clips are sometimes taken out of context and framed to fuel outrage or ridicule of LGBTQ and anti-racist causes, in what the account owner has described as “exposés” of “the crazies.” For example, a short clip about gender-affirming hysterectomies from a video originally posted by Boston Children’s that Libs of TikTok reposted makes no mention of patients’ ages. But Libs of TikTok tweeted alongside the clip the false claim that the hospital offers the surgery “for young girls.”

And her defenders aren't exactly credible themselves.  Prominent conservative Seth Dillon posted the following telling people to support Raichik's 'work'.

But earlier this year, Dillon got in trouble for spreading a false story that a child tipped a half-naked drag queen.

For folks not happy at the short suspension, stay tuned. Raichik remains defiant and is threatening to target more hospitals. A permanent ban could be imminent.

BREAKING: In a rant posted to her Substack, Chaya Raichik responds to Twitter suspending her account Libs of TikTok by alleging a sinister conspiracy in gender affirming healthcare, promises to redouble her dangerous harassment campaign against hospitals if unbanned. pic.twitter.com/rbucHFklxY

— Ari Drennen (@AriDrennen) August 29, 2022

Meanwhile Shopify is still allowing Raichik to sell merchandise off of her brand of smearing LGBTQ Americans. Here is what you can do to stop it

Everyone go here and report LoTT to Shopify's customer service. Select "does not comply with TOS"

When you do, note that they use "Groomer" as a coupon, target LGBTQ+ people, and are currently leading a harassment campaign on Boston Children's Hospital, and mention the lockout. pic.twitter.com/EJA4ksfVpn

— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) August 28, 2022

Huge hat tip to Ari Drennen, Erin Reed and so many others on the frontline doing the hard work. 

''Straight pride' event in Modesto erupts in violence' & other Mon midday news briefs

“Straight Pride” in Modesto erupts in violence - Mercy!

  LGBTQ+ Migrants Caught in Deadliest Border Crossing Ever​ - The struggle is universal, y'all. 

  BYU pulls LGBTQ resource pamphlets from new freshmen gift bags - NOT a good move, BYU.

  ‘A League of Their Own’ remake shows what it’s like to be Black and trans in the 1940s - I haven't seen it yet, but it's gotten rave reviews.

Article shows how Libs of TikTok lie about transgender children, then runs away when confronted

 

Libs of TikTok is run by a person who will deliberately spread lies about transgender kids but will then run away instead of backing up her claims.

A recent NPR article looked at how children's hospitals are being falsely accused of harming children when in truth they are simply providing legal and safe gender-affirming care. The article names social media sites like the viciously bigoted Libs of TikTok as the culprits.

Hospitals and doctors around the country are facing harassment and even death threats over the medical care they offer to transgender kids. In many cases, they have been the subject of posts by a Twitter account called Libs of TikTok, as well as stories in conservative media outlets casting gender-affirming care as child abuse and mutilation. 

 . . . Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. became the most recent target this week when Libs of TikTok posted an audio recording in which hospital staff appeared to say that gender-affirming hysterectomies had been performed on minors. The hospital said that claim was incorrect and that none of the people recorded deliver care to patients. 

 “The information in the recording is not accurate. We do not and have never performed gender-affirming hysterectomies for anyone under the age of 18,” Children’s National said in a statement to NPR. “The operator speaking provided wrong information.” The statement continued: “Since the spreading of misinformation on Twitter, we have been the target of a large volume of hostile and threatening phone calls and emails.” Childrens’ hospitals in Boston, Seattle, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon, have also been targeted. 

Two portions of this article should stand out. One involves how Libs of TikTok instigates this madness by what seems to be deliberately pushing false information. This false information appeals to misconceptions some people already have about gender-affirming healthcare given to trans kids:

These false narratives about pediatric gender-affirming care are rooted in fundamental “misperceptions,” said Dr. Angela Kade Goepferd, a pediatrician and director of the Gender Health Program at Children’s Minnesota. “People have misperceptions that we’re doing surgery on young kids. People have misperceptions that we are changing kids from boys into girls at a very young age,” they said. They said care for transgender kids is wide-ranging, from efforts to help children socially transition to puberty-blocking medications, and is undertaken with the input of pediatric psychologists, clinical social workers, hormone experts and endocrinologists, as well as families. Gender-affirming surgeries are not a routine part of pediatric gender care, they said, and Children’s Minnesota does not perform any such surgeries.

Some of the claims about Children’s National, Boston Children’s and other hospitals were pushed by the Libs of TikTok account, which regularly reposts videos and social media posts from LGBTQ people, teachers, schools and other institutions. The clips are sometimes taken out of context and framed to fuel outrage or ridicule of LGBTQ and anti-racist causes, in what the account owner has described as “exposés” of “the crazies.” For example, a short clip about gender-affirming hysterectomies from a video originally posted by Boston Children’s that Libs of TikTok reposted makes no mention of patients’ ages. But Libs of TikTok tweeted alongside the clip the false claim that the hospital offers the surgery “for young girls.” 

 The second point is equally as important. When she is asked to questioned about her actions, the woman behind Libs of  TikTok refuses to comment while simultaneously playing the victim:

Libs of TikTok, run by a Brooklyn woman named Chaya Raichik, has 1.3 million followers on its biggest platform, Twitter. It’s gained prominence and influence in right-wing circles over the last year as conservatives increasingly try to use anti-LGBTQ sentiment to gain support. NPR reached out to Raichik for this story. She initially responded and agreed to an interview, but did not respond to a follow-up message. Raichik frequently condemns criticism of her online activities as efforts to “cancel and silence” her. She has said that she has also been targeted with death threats.

What Libs of TikTok is doing is no different than past tactics used to demonize LGBTQ people. Like I always say - neither the lies nor the tactics change. But the scapegoats always do. 

'How a far-right Christian cellphone company 'took over' four TX school boards' & other Fri midday news briefs

How a far-right, Christian cellphone company ‘took over’ four Texas school boards​ - Cause they got money and no one was paying attention. 

Anti-LGBTQ+ Liberty Counsel hacked in major data breach - Oops!

LGBTQ Venues Accused of Extreme Racism in UK’s ‘Gay Capital of the North’ - There is a problem and we shouldn't hide it.

Texas Hate-Preacher Goes on Crazy Anti-LGBTQ+ Rant in Online Video - Some comedy to end today's news briefs.

Transgender Americans receive two major court victories

Recently, transgender Americans received two victories in the courtroom, one having major implications on the unfortunate war against gender affirming healthcare.

According to the Associated Press:

A federal appeals court on Thursday said Arkansas can’t enforce its ban on transgender children receiving gender-affirming medical care. A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a judge’s ruling temporarily blocking the state from enforcing the 2021 law. 

A trial is scheduled for October before the same judge on whether to permanently block the law. Arkansas was the first state to enact such a ban, which prohibits doctors from providing gender-confirming hormone treatment, puberty blockers or surgery to anyone under 18 years old, or from referring them to other providers for the treatment. There are no doctors who perform gender-affirming surgery on minors in the state. 

 “Because the minor’s sex at birth determines whether or not the minor can receive certain types of medical care under the law, Act 626 discriminates on the basis of sex,” the court’s ruling Thursday said. The American Civil Liberties Union challenged the law on behalf of four transgender youth and their families, as well as two doctors who provide gender-confirming treatments. 

The article also talked about a ruling last week which bodes well for the transgender Americans:

The 8th Circuit covers Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and the Dakotas. The ruling on Arkansas’ law comes after the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals that covers Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia ruled last week that gender dysphoria is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Experts and advocates have said that decision could help block conservative political efforts to restrict access to gender-affirming care. 

 NBC News said:

The ruling could become a powerful tool to challenge legislation restricting access to medical care and other accommodations for transgender people, including employment and government benefits, advocates said. “It’s a very important and positive ruling to increase people’s access to gender-affirming care,” said Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. The ruling is binding in the states covered by the Richmond-based 4th Circuit — Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia — but will inevitably be cited in cases in other states, said Kevin Barry, a law professor at Quinnipiac University.

The decision came in the case of a transgender woman who sued the Fairfax County sheriff in Virginia for housing her in a jail with men. The decision is not limited to transgender people challenging jail policies, but also applies broadly to all areas of society covered by disability rights law, including employment, government benefits and services and public accommodations, Barry said. “This decision destigmatized a health condition — gender dysphoria — and it says that what Congress did in 1990 wasn’t OK,” Barry said.

These rulings are significant as some states are attempting to outlaw gender-affirming healthcare for children and some adults via legislation. This legislation has been pushed via lies about children being castrated and rendered sterile by gender-affirming healthcare. Calculating politicians  religious right groups, propaganda industries masquerading as legitimate news media, and social media personalities have exploited these lies even going as far as to target children's hospitals. 

It's rather convenient how none of these people are volunteering to speak in the court on behalf of their anti-trans stances.

'TX officials were secretly furious over order to investigate trans kids' & other Thur midday news briefs

Texas officials secretly pissed over order to investigate trans kids - Good. This needs to be widely known.

Missouri high school asks teachers to remove gay pride flags​ - And folks protested as they should have.

Monkeypox ‘misjudgment’ leading LGBTQ people ‘to avoid care,’ FOLX Health CEO warns - No such thing as too much knowledge about this situation. 

This school newspaper put out an issue with LGBTQ content. The school board axed the entire program. - Simply ridiculous.