Elmo, President Biden, drag queens, New Jersey, & everyone else the right has accused of 'grooming' children

What do trans people, LGBTQ people in general, school boards, libraries, teachers, hospitals, Democrats, the United States Budget, the Department of Agriculture, drag queens, Sesame Street's Elmo, Pizza Hut, State Farm Insurance, and Oreos have in common?

They were all accused by conservatives and right-wingers of "sexually grooming" kids. 

The watchdog site Media Matters compiled an exhaustive list of all of everything and everyone these folks have accused of "sexually grooming" kids.

Grooming is a set of manipulative behaviors abusers use for the explicit purpose of forming a sexual relationship with minors. Right-wing media outlets and figures misappropriated the term, drawing on old and bigoted stereotypes that LGBTQ people are a sexual threat to minors in order to perpetuate hate — turning a once useful term into a de facto anti-LGBTQ slur. 

 This rhetoric supported dangerous bans on life-saving trans healthcare, a directive investigating parents who support their trans children, legislation revoking the parental rights of LGBTQ allies, and vague laws restricting any mention of LGBTQ people in the classroom. The smear has also contributed to a wave of anti-LGBTQ violence — including armed terrorists storming drag queen story hours and family-friendly pride events, death threats against gay politicians, and bomb threats against Children’s Hospitals. 

 Mainstream press perpetuated the smear by platforming its architects in puff-piece profiles and articles framing LGBTQ rights as a political debate. By the time the Associated Press had officially released guidance against uncritically repeating the slur, groomer was already the right’s catchall for the LGBTQ community. 

 And no one is safe from their accusations. Here are some examples.

Parents 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, conservative “parody” site Babylon Bee’s CEO Seth Dillon, conservative commentators Steven Crowder and Tim Young, Fox News guest Jimmy Failla, and Candace Owens contributed to claims that parents who expose their children to LGBTQ themes or supported their LGBTQ children were themselves groomers. This trend continues to fuel new legislative efforts. Gov. Abbott directed Texas state agencies to investigate parents and medical caregivers of trans youth. Florida Republicans proposed legislation criminalizing adults taking children to drag shows while Republicans in Idaho, Alabama, and Michigan proposed legislation criminalizing guardians providing gender-affirming care to their children.

The Entire LGBTQ Community 

In addition to targeting specific LGBTQ people or groups, right-wing media accounts such as Libs of TikTok, OAN personalities Landon Starbuck and Alison Steinberg, Fox News host Tucker Carlson, right-wing podcasters Tim Pool, Allie Beth Stuckey, Matt Walsh, and Freddy Silva, and conservative commentators Christopher Rufo and Dave Rubin made generalized claims against the entire LGBTQ community. Following a severe uptick in the use of the word groomer on right-wing social media accounts, evidence that the slur contributed to real-world violence against LGBTQ people, and calls for guidance from organizations, including Media Matters, some social media outlets incorporated the slur into their hate speech policies. The Associated Press eventually cautioned against uncritical use of the slur, but on social media, regulation and enforcement remain varied.

Teachers, Schools, School Districts, and School Boards 

Right-wing media figures Libs of TikTok, Tucker Carlson, Jesse Watters, James Lindsay, Christopher Rufo, OAN’s Kara McKinney, and the Daily Wire’s Candace Owens contributed to the false claims that inclusive curriculum, the teachers who support it, and the school boards that fund it were all guilty of sexually grooming children. As a result, multiple teachers and school board members were harassed, threatened, and doxxed after becoming the right’s target of the week. Meanwhile conservative educational organizations who oppose LGBTQ representation in schools began to plan their own counter-curriculums at the state and federal level. Nevertheless, a record number of LGBTQ people ran for school board positions in 2022.

Elmo 

BlazeTV host Chad Prather told OAN that Sesame Street character Elmo was a groomer after the beloved puppet received his COVID-19 vaccine. “I've always said that Elmo is a groomer anyway. They use these puppets to try to influence kids with their agenda.” Prather continued, “This actually should be illegal. You are pushing — I mean, what happens in a month? Is Elmo going to get a vasectomy? How much can we continue to push on this medical tyranny on our kids using a puppet?” 

 The Proposed U.S. Budget 

The groomer slur reached such prevalence that it became a go-to smear for Democratic policies and agendas. In an extreme example, The Blaze’s Daniel Horowitz claimed that Democrats were promoting “grooming throughout the federal budget and international relations budget.” Horowitz did not elaborate. 

The state of New Jersey 

As MMFA’s Mia Gingerich noted, Fox News falsely claimed New Jersey subjected first and second graders to “predatory grooming” and “psychological torture” after the state implemented new, LGBTQ-inclusive student health and physical education standards. The network misleadingly conflated one sample lesson plan from one school district, which was not implemented, with the 2020 state standards in order to malign trans people and rekindle their attacks on comprehensive and inclusive sex education.

Check out the Media Matters article for the complete and long list. It proves that conservatism hasn't been a governing philosophy for YEARS. It's now an "outrage racket" where minds are coddled then manipulated by a slew of fake moral panics for the purpose of cash and clout.

Graphic by Andrea Austria/Media Matters

'Under West Virginia bills, exposing minors to transgender people could be a crime' & other Mon midday news briefs

Under West Virginia bills, exposing minors to transgender people could be a crime​ - I wish I could say I am surprised but that would be a lie. Simply being made aware of trans people shouldn't be seen as a crime. 

Groundbreaking study reveals differences between straight & LGBTQ+ adults during pandemic - Study found that older LGBTQ people were more negatively effected by the COVID pandemic than their heterosexual peers. 

LGBTQ activists voice support for SC Democrats’ anti-discrimination legislation - Good luck to passing that legislation. 

‘Gay’ or ‘queer’? On Twitter, the word debate rages on - We picked the most unnecessary thing to quibble about. To me, it doesn't matter what word is used.

Saturday Night Live blisters liar extraordinaire George Santos in two hilarious sketches

 At least someone is having fun with the arch-liar, drag queen, conservative gay and con artist Congressman George Santos. Last Saturday, Saturday Night Live dragged him in two sketches. 

  

'DeSantis trying to undermine gender-affirming health care on two fronts' & other Fri midday news briefs

DeSantis seems to be intent on attacking gender-affirming healthcare:

Federal judge rejects Florida Gov. DeSantis’ request to evaluate trans kids in Medicaid fight

DeSantis seeks transgender university students' health care information 

In other news:

Fox hid the Schlapps from its airwaves after a GOP staffer told The Daily Beast that Matt Schlapp groped him​ - Who's not surprised at this? 

Meet Rep. Jared Patterson, the latest Texas embarrassment who wants to ban all things gay - And we got another one.

Riot police break up dueling protests over teen girl seeing trans woman in YMCA locker room - I completely support the trans woman here who was obviously minding her own business. I also think in situations like this, parties involved need to come to some type of discussion and solution instead of running to the media and trying to gain clout and such, which is what the teen girl did.

'It's never been about protecting the children' - Laverne Cox calls out the anti-trans legislation being pushed across the country

Laverne Cox

Thank you trans activist and actress Laverne Cox for lending your voice to fighting this awful onslaught of anti-trans bills being proposed in states across the country. Especially a bill in Oklahoma which would ban gender-affirming healthcare for those under the age of 26. It's also nice to see the media amplify the voice of a trans woman instead of zombie pundits repeating bad talking points for a paycheck and bought-and-paid-for activists from anti-LGBTQ groups. 

For a change.

'North Dakota lawmakers weighs absolutely idiotic book ban' & other Thur midday news briefs

North Dakota weighs ban of 'sexually explicit' library books - 'Sexually explicit' is defined in part as depicting sexual and gender identity, thereby possibly outlawing every book featuring couples whether they be heterosexual or LGBTQ. 

Culture laws have families considering Florida exit for more LGBTQ-friendly places​ - And I bet DeSantis is just happy about that. 

Minnesota inches toward LGBTQ ‘conversion therapy’ ban - Slowly but surely.

George Santos allegedly stole $3000 from a veteran’s dying dog - Good grief! That man is simply evil.

Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters nominated sixth time for 'Outstanding Blog' GLAAD Media Award

Pardon me for taking time out to brag. It's rare but what's life without a little patting on your own back every now and then.

On Wednesday, the 34th annual GLAAD Media Award nominations were announced and (drumroll please), Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters received its sixth nomination for 'Outstanding Blog.' In 2017 I was blessed to have won in the category, but I consider this particular nomination to be extra special. Last year was awful, culminating with the passing of my beloved mother, Nancy Lee Riley. I want to dedicate this particular nomination to her as well as pay tribute to my fellow nominees in the category as well as all of the other nominees and special award recipients. We work hard doing what we do.

#GLAADawards: Here are the nominees for OUTSTANDING BLOG

Full List: https://t.co/ecQAn9iuws pic.twitter.com/7Iv4sl2TeJ

— Tony Morrison (@THETonyMorrison) January 18, 2023

In my particular case, I have worked diligently and endlessly since 2006 to call out the anti-LGBTQ industry and the lies and dishonest tactics they use to undermine LGBTQ rights, health, and safety. To the right of this post are various articles I've published over the years detailing their dishonesty as it pertains to our health, our families, our kids, and our basic rights to self-determination.

And the tactics have shifted tremendously. They are now openly declaring war on the trans community and the falsehoods, cherry-picked studies, and questionable anecdotes used against gays in the past have been adapted to stigmatize trans men, women, and children. But don't think they are leaving the rest of us out. They are still using the "gays recruit" children" angle but have skillfully adapted it to attack drag queens.

Nor do they say "gays recruit." They now say "gays groom kids."

 The evil doesn't change. Just the manner in which they present it. The packaging may be different but underneath, it's the same old lies and hate. The same old bigotry. And lies in the name of God are STILL lies.

Check out all of the 'Outstanding Blog' nominees. Please feel free to share our work, and donate if you can (in my case, just click on the ads).

'GOP nominee for House special election runs 'ministry' claiming to 'cure' people from 'homosexual and lesbian living'' & other Wed midday news briefs

GOP nominee for House special election runs “ministry” falsely claiming to cure people from “homosexual and lesbian living”​ - I tell you, the GOP sure can pick 'em, can't they?

NFL broadcasters Tony Dungy and James Brown are featured speakers at outspoken anti-gay preacher’s event - And no one will say anything, unfortunately. 

These School Bans On Pride Flags Should Freak All Of Us Out - They are definitely freaking me out. 

Dolly Parton’s turning 77. Her philanthropy & LGBTQ+ activism have made her a national treasure - Dolly Parton is a sweetheart. I have yet to find anyone who has ever said anything negative about her. 

Protestors Clash Over Library's Drag Queen Story Hour - And the haters lost again.

GOP staffer now suing Matt and Mercedes Schlapp for sexual battery and defamation

Mercedes and Matt Schlapp

 If you thought the Matt Schlapp scandal was fading away,  you're wrong. 

From CNN:

The Republican campaign staffer who has accused Matt Schlapp, a high-profile conservative activist, of sexual assault is now suing Schlapp and his wife, Mercedes, for more than $9 million. The sexual battery civil lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Virginia Circuit Court in Alexandria, also accuses both Schlapps of defamation and of conspiracy to impugn the accuser. 

 The complaint recounts accusations made by a Republican strategist, a male in his late 30s, who alleged that Matt Schlapp fondled him without his consent as he drove Schlapp back to his hotel in Georgia last October. The staffer was working for the Georgia GOP and Herschel Walker’s Senate campaign and had been assigned to drive Schlapp to campaign events in the Atlanta area. The plaintiff, who is listed as John Doe in the lawsuit, alleges that in the wake of his coming forward there were “dishonest efforts” by the Schlapps and “others associated with and acting in concert with them, to discredit Mr. Doe.”

According to Raw Story, Schlapp's wife is included in the lawsuit due to alleged comments she made:

"The lawsuit accuses Mr. Schlapp of defamation by pointing to Mr. Spies’s initial statement that described the accusations as false, personal attacks. The lawsuit argues that Ms. Schlapp defamed the Walker staff member by telling neighbors that he was a 'troubled individual' who had been fired from previous jobs for lying and for making false statements on his résumé. The message was shared on a group text with neighbors, the plaintiff said." 

 Earlier on Tuesday before the lawsuit was announced, the Schlapps commented on the allegations through their attorney

“This anonymous complaint demonstrates the accuser’s real agenda, working in concert with Daily Beast to attack and harm the Schlapp family. The complaint is false, and the Schlapp family is suffering unbearable pain and stress due to the false allegation from an anonymous individual,” Charlie Spies, a lawyer representing Schlapp and his wife, wrote.

Big wins at Critics' Choice Awards, Activists fired up to take on over 100 anti-LGBTQ bills & other Tue midday news briefs

Queer Stories and Actors Win Big at the Critics' Choice Awards - I hope it's a sign of things to come. 

With over 100 anti-LGBTQ bills before state legislatures in 2023 so far, activists say they're 'fired up' - Damn skippy it's on!

Hockey’s Kalamazoo Wings celebrate Pride Night by clapping back at homophobic tweet​ - Welllll!

Marjorie Taylor Greene held an anti-trans rally at the Capitol & almost no one came - Whomp! Whomp! (yeah, I know. It's a tiresome saying) 

Opinion: Focusing only on LGBTQ 'groomers' is what puts kids at risk for sexual abuse - Preach!!

Oklahoma bill would ban adults from gender-affirming healthcare while Florida looking to expand 'Don't Say Gay' law up to sixth grade

The attacks on transgender healthcare and the visibility of LGBTQ people (as best demonstrated by Florida's Don't Say Gay law) share one characteristic espoused by their supporters. And that is the claim that these actions are being done to protect young children from being "exposed" to supposedly dangerous concepts. We all knew it was a lie and further actions taken by the originators of these attacks are proving us right. 

They are slowly but surely upping the age of those they claim to be protecting. 

Last week, a bill was introduced in Oklahoma which would ban gender-affirming care for anyone under the age of 26. According to ABC News:

A new bill would make it a felony for anyone under the age of 26 to access gender-confirming care in the state of Oklahoma. Senate Bill 129, sponsored by Republican state Sen. David Bullard, is the most recent anti-transgender care bill to be introduced in an ongoing push against gender-confirming care by Republican legislators across the country. Though many of these bills have initially targeted minors, several recently proposed bills have started extending the bans into adulthood. Under this bill, physicians and health care providers cannot provide gender transition procedures to a patient under the age of 26 or refer them “to any healthcare professional for gender transition procedures.”

 

Then comes this news from Florida by way of LGBTQNation:

The office of Florida Gov. DeSantis (R) has confirmed that the anti-LGBTQ+ governor is supportive of extending the stipulations of the state’s Don’t Say Gay law – known formally as the Parental Rights in Education Act. 

 Right now, the law bans discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity up to third grade, and a staffer for the state’s Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R) told The Daily Mail that lawmakers are thinking about introducing legislation to expand the law up to sixth grade. 

 In a press conference in December, Passidomo expanded on this, saying that she doesn’t think she’d “be supportive of high school because kids in high school are, hopefully, a little more mature, or at least they should be, but you know, the middle school, maybe go up to 6th grade or something like that."

These bills and laws are less about protecting children and more about undermining the healthcare and very existence of LGBTQ people. The question is how long will their supporters and creators be able to get away with the subterfuge.

Conservative anti-trans star Gina Carano's movie bombs at the box office. HARD.

Gina Carano is NO Pam Grier.

Gina Carano is an actress and a former mixed martial artist who once had it made. She had roles in several high profile action movies (The Fast and the Furious 6 and Deadpool) and a plum role in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian.

But her inability to keep her mouth shut wrecked her career.

Granted, this is America and people have some right to freedom of speech. But freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from consequences of that speech, especially when you aren't dealing with a government entity but a company - Disney - who worries about how its image is affected by the words of its stars.

And ugly comments Carano made online about Black Lives Matters and transgender people, as well as peddling misinformation about COVID and comparing American conservatives to Jewish people persecuted during the Holocaust wasn't something which Disney wanted to be associated with.

So Carano got canned. And immediately went on a martyr tour in the right-wing propaganda industry claiming that she was the victim of "cancel culture." She also signed up to collaborate in a movie with the right-wing conservative site The Daily Wire, which was looking to break into the movie industry by supposedly making films geared to strike back against "cancel culture."

And just how did that work out for her? Well that's the crux of this post. Her movie, Terror on The Prairie made $804 at the box office. Needless to say, Carano was not happy when it was pointed out to her. 

From Mediate:

Gina Carano lashed out at a journalist mocking the MMA-fighter-turned-actress over a report her 2022 Daily Wire-distributed movie Terror on the Prairie only earned $804 at the U.S. box office. The Western was one of the first movies produced and distributed by Daily Wire and is part of a larger partnership Carano entered into with Daily Wire following her firing from Disney’s The Mandalorian. 

The Hollywood Reporter’s Richard Newby mocked Carano this week on Twitter and said she “fumbled the bag” by losing out on her Disney role. 

 His comments initiated a Twitter war between the two which saw Carano defend her actions with regards to The Mandalorian and call Newby a "“sell out journalist” beholden to “fickle manipulated mob.”"

Right-wing sites practically bent over backwards to create a narrative that Carano was the winner in the exchange. However it was a contest which ended long before Newby called her out.

Making only $804 at the box office doesn't make you a winner, no matter how the story is spun.

'Libs of TikTok's Chaya Raichik appears on QAnon show to attack LGBTQ people' & other Thur midday news briefs

Libs of TikTok’s Chaya Raichik appears on QAnon adherent’s show to attack the LGBTQ community​ - Slowly but surely, chop that trash down. Rip off her mask.

Idaho School Board Meeting Erupts in Chaos Over LGBTQ-Inclusive Policy - This is what some folks do. They shout, scare, and then try to boggart the conversation. 

Federal judge rules Catholic hospital discriminated against transgender man - Good news! Although I suspect the religious right will attempt to milk it in order to play the victims. 

Virginia bill would force school staff to out transgender students - Exposing trans kids to the possibility of violence. Just insane. I don't think the bill has a chance of passing but it's still a travesty. 

Woman sprays 'holy water' on gay couple outside Mexico church - Laaawd!

Mercedes Schlapp tries to troll Pete Buttigieg over FAA outage. Gets repeatedly reminded about gay sexual assault accusation against her husband.

Mercedes and Matt Schlapp

An unfortunate feature of the modern day Republican Party is its tendency to mistake trolling on Twitter for actual legislative work. However Wednesday, one of its operatives learned a valuable lesson about the drawbacks of being a complete ass online.

Former employee of the Trump Administration and highly connected member of the Republican party, Mercedes Schlapp took it upon herself to troll Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Earlier that day, a computer outage at the Federal Aviation Administration grounded thousands of flights. The system is back up for now but during the time it was down, Schlapp was one of several GOP  operatives and legislator making cheap shots at Buttigieg and by association President Biden for the situation.

Schlapp sent out the following tweet:

'Jeremy Pope says he lost a major film role for being gay' & other Wed midday news briefs

Jeremy Pope

Jeremy Pope Says He Lost a Major Film Role For Being Gay - Give names! Give names! 

Kansas right pushing back more aggressively on LGBTQ rights​ - But it might not work against us.

Florida School District Bans Book on Gay Penguin Couple - They knew what the "Don't Say Gay" law was meant for when they passed it. 

Trailblazing trans boxer Patricio Manuel pushes back against the WBC’s proposed trans division - And he makes a good point.

Video - 1990 was when the first actual gay wedding took place on American television

Time for another history lesson so bear with me, folks. 

The first televised version of an actual same-sex wedding (not a movie or television series featuring one) took place on an episode of Phil Donahue's classic talk show. Of course it wasn't "legal" but it's still a moment in history. Take a bit of time to watch it, particularly the discussion and the audience's responses. It goes to show that when third parties aren't riling people up with horror stories and false claims about a "gay agenda" people could rationally discuss the issue, even then.

'Arizona bills seeking to regulate, restrict drag shows' & other Tue midday news briefs

These 3 Arizona bills would restrict when and where drag shows could be held - Simply insane. 

Senator introduces bill to regulate drag shows, limit hours of operation in Arizona - More details about this bills. They don't have a good chance of becoming law but it does paint a picture of what possibly could come in other states, particularly Florida. 

Florida English teacher pushing book bans is openly racist and homophobic, students allege​ - No surprise there. 

“I want to fight”: LGBTQ Texans ready for legislative session as GOP lawmakers target them in dozens of bills - Keep the faith, y'all. You will win. 

LGBTQ people, both real and fictional, will be front and center at the Golden Globes - Oh really? We will see.

Conservative outrage industry whining about 'pregnant Joker' storyline

With social media comes a cottage industry of what I call "conservative anger fairies" who seek fame and fortune in creating outrage from incidents which really shouldn't warrant such attention. They can spin any incident, no matter how trivial, into a conspiracy to destroy so-called American values and morality. And when it comes to doing that, they love ignorance and fear of LGBTQ people. It's a goldmine for them. 

The latest incident on their agenda is apparently a plotline in a comic book which casts Batman villain the Joker as pregnant.

By using words like "wokesim" and attaching LGBTQ people to the storyline, the conservative anger fairies are hoping to ride a wave of hysteria to more attention for their brands. You can easily see that from the young lady in the last picture who conveniently created a video mining this supposed controversy (my blotting out her name was intentional.)

I don't know the storyline here and I don't think I have any interest in reading it. But the attempt to exploit it as some further proof of "wokeism"  or some LGBTQ plot is some straight-up bullshit. For one, it's a damn comic book, not a plot to ensnare or "groom" kids.

And most importantly, we're talking about the Joker here. He is a homicidal maniac who has committed a plethora of violent crimes in comic books over the years including:

Murdering scores of people with his "Joker venom.

Giving one of his subordinates a nitroglycerin cigar ("Rest in pieces, Alby.").

Beating a teenager half to death with a crowbar,

Throwing another subordinate (who was in a wheelchair) into a shark tank,

Shooting a woman in the head in a room full of infants, 

Blowing up a school full of kids,

Shooting a young lady, paralyzing her. He then stripped her naked and took pictures of her  and had her father tied up on a carnival ride where he bombarded the poor man with giant photos of her naked, wounded body,

Skinning a man alive, 

In one storyline, gassing Superman causing him to kill a pregnant Lois Lane and then using her death to detonate a nuclear bomb which destroyed Superman's city of Metropolis, 

Having his own face skinned and then fixed by on with staples.

Seems to me that being pregnant is probably the most harmless thing he has ever done. These folks who want you all upset over a pregnant Joker have never raised hell over his violence because apparently violence doesn't push the same desired buttons as false narratives concerning LGBTQ people and "grooming."

Come on people. We need to recognize the true villains here, i.e. the bloodsuckers who are attempting to make names for themselves exploiting people's ignorance, fears, and entitlement, and basic stupidity.

In other words, it's just a damn comic book. No one is forcing anyone to read it. People need to get over it. 

And tell those idiots trying to screw with your heads to get a real job.

Hat tip - The 16 Worst Things The Joker Has Ever Done.

'11 states considering bills to restrict transgender health care' & other Mon midday news briefs

11 states considering bills to restrict transgender health care​ - It's unbelievable how these idiots are still playing this game when it continues to be unsuccessful for them.

DeSantis appoints anti-civil rights activist Chris Rufo to New College of Florida Board of Trustees - DeSantis doesn't seem to understand that if you are going to pursue national office, you can't turn to red meat activism. It makes you look spooky.

 BTW -THIS Chris Rufo - Far-right personality encourages supporters to deceive people into talking about 'trans strippers in school'

11-year-old girl loses federal court challenge against state’s trans sports ban - Simply nonsense. The ruling makes no sense.

Florida Theater Students Believe ‘Indecent’ Production Shut Down Over Anti-LGBTQ Law - Ugh!

'How it started' vs. 'How it's going' featuring Matt and Mercedes Schlapp

 How it started:

 How it's going

This story is rock solid. Matt Schlapp accused of groping a male staffer on Herschel Walker's campaign -- and the campaign offered "nothing but support" for the staffer at the time.

Schlapp has allowed the most horrific anti-LGBTQ bile at CPAC. Another GOP hypocrite. https://t.co/LNQE5aAWtF

— Michelangelo Signorile (@MSignorile) January 6, 2023

Folks may find this scandal either amusing or boring because of it being another case of Republican hypocrisy when it comes to matters of sex and LGBTQ people. But I don't think it's either..

For one thing, if the story turns out to be true, it is a case of sexual assault. And sexual assault is not funny. And for another thing, no matter how it is seemingly another case of Republicans not practicing what they preach, LGBTQ people need not be so jaded that we waste the opportunity to get rightfully pissed.

As illustrated by the tweets put out by Schlapp's wife from 2022, Republicans have been exploiting the lie that LGBTQ people are "grooming" kids. And that companies, such as Disney, have been helping in this effort. The LGBTQ community have had to endure stuff like this all last year. 

Our people have been physically threatened and murdered,

Drag shows have been disrupted by white supremacists,

People have lost their jobs because distorted videos and lies amplified in far-right circles, 

Legislation has been pushed and passed undermining trans people - especially trans kids - getting their basic healthcare and even existing in accordance to their truths,

Children's hospitals have been besieged with bomb threats simply for providing trans kids with basic health care

Last but not least, there is now an entire cottage industry of phony children's advocates, detransitioners, fake citizen journalists, distorted videographers, and assorted grifters spinning lie after lie about us in a craven attempt to get on Fox News, elevate their brand, or sell their dime-store swag.

And it turns out that we aren't the bad guys at all. We aren't the ones attempting to "lure" children and we aren't the ones placing our hands where they aren't wanted or "pummeling" private parts. 

How many of those righteous crusaders in the Republican party are out there doing what Schlapp has been accused of doing?  How long will America accept grubby, no-talent opportunists like the Schlapps or any other right-wing pundits  repeating empty talking points and pointing fingers at marginalized people while hoping that people ignore the three other fingers pointing back at them?

 Why are we silently justifying their possible hypocrisy and attempts to turn gaslight the situation, like the tweet below sent out by Schlapps's group, CPAC:

Sorry guys, but you simply can't blame the "left" for this one. This is a scandal which came from a young man from Herschel Walker's senatorial campaign. The campaign was informed of the situation the day after it happened and confirmed that it took steps to keep the young man away from Schlapp.

Of course I guess that means that Republicans will now be claiming that the Herschel Walker campaign is from the "left."

DeSantis Administration encouraging broad interpretation of 'Don't Say Gay' law to purge books with LGBTQ characters from school libraries

DeSantis and his supporters claimed that his 'Don't Say Gay' bill was only designed to keep young kids from being exposed to "sexual instruction" in classes. A lot of us knew that was a lie. Thanks to what seems to be a deliberately broad interpretation of the bill, now a law, books with LGBTQ characters in general are being purged from school libraries in Florida.

From Judd Legum's Popular Information:

In March 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed into law the Parental Rights in Education Act, which critics dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill. DeSantis angrily accused the media of promoting a "false narrative," insisting the bill does not prohibit mentioning LGBTQ people in Florida schools. According to DeSantis, the scope of the bill is limited and only prohibits "sexual instruction" directed at young students. 

"When you actually look at the bill and it says 'no sexual instruction to kids pre-K through three,' how many parents want their kids to have transgenderism or something injected into classroom instruction?" DeSantis said. "It's basically saying for our younger students, do you really want them being taught about sex? And this is any sexual stuff."

. . . Florida schools are using the law to justify the erasure of LGBTQ people. Public records obtained by Popular Information through the Florida Freedom to Read Project reveal that several Florida schools have already removed books with LGBTQ characters from their libraries, citing the Parental Rights in Education Act. Further, training materials produced by the Florida Department of Education for librarians reveal that the DeSantis administration is encouraging this expansive interpretation of the law.

 In Lake County, for example, the school district has removed three books with LGBTQ themes from libraries. The school district claimed the removal of these books was required "due to content regarding sexual orientation/gender identification prohibited in HB 1557," the Parental Rights in Education Act. These books do not involve "sexual instruction." 

One book that was removed, And Tango Makes Three, is the true story of two male Penguins, Roy and Silo, who lived in the Central Park Zoo. The pair build a nest together, and — after the zookeeper provides them with an egg — they raise an adopted child, Tango. There is no sexual content in the book. 

'AZ Gov Katie Hobbs signs executive order protecting state LGBTQ employees' & other Thur midday news briefs

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs executive order to protect state LGBTQ employees as first official act - Another reason why LGBTQ Americans must never take voting for granted. Getting people elected who support us is very important. 

10 of the Most Ridiculous Anti-LGBTQ+ Things Conservatives Said This Year - Just 10? 

Couple Sentenced After Scamming Over $400k Mostly From Gay Men​ - Put them UNDER the jail.

Irish government to seek conversion therapy ban in 2023 - Go for it!

Conservative hotline created to 'report' drag shows flooded with messages about predator pastors

 It's always wonderful when attempts to target LGBTQ people backfires. The above video is from The Humanist Report, leftist political news show on YouTube, Facebook & Twitch hosted by Mike Figueredo:

A conservative hotline in Texas was created for concerned citizens to "report" any and all drag shows happening in the state. Once LGBTQ allies learned about it, well, this hotline got a little bit more than it bargained for.

'DeSantis' 'culture wars' has cost FL taxpayers nearly $17 million' & other Wed midday news briefs

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

DeSantis’ culture war isn’t just divisive, it’s also expensive​ - Anything to be president, right DeSantis.

DeSantis’ culture wars grabbed headlines — and legal challenges that cost $17 million - More on this issue, which should be garnering more attention. A war on LGBTQ people - amongst other things - does tend to get expensive. 

Tennis star Martina Navratilova is diagnosed with throat and breast cancer - Prognosis is good. I do not agree with her on some things, but still am praying for her.

George Santos to Face Reopened Fraud Case in Brazil - Good.

Newly Named LGBTQ+ Commission Chair Congratulated on Grindr, Goes Viral -  I ain't mad at him.

Gay journalist - George Santos' serial lying undercuts GOP attack on LGBTQ people

George Santos

For those who aren't paying attention, the GOP was supposed to officially take control of the House of Representatives on Tuesday. I say "supposed to" because they are presently sidetracked with a delightful internal fight which at present leaves them with no Speaker of the House.

Poor Kevin McCarthy. He bent over backwards, stooped lower than most, and handed off pieces of whatever little integrity he had for the job of Speaker and it still isn't enough to satisfy some of his own people.

Mind you though, this is simply one of the many problems the GOP has had stemming from last year's mid-terms. They were supposed to take over both Houses of Congress in what was called a "red wave." The "red wave" turned out to be a pink trickle which saw them barely taking over the House while actually losing a seat in the Senate.

However, lost in the story of the GOP in disarray is another one which we should pay close attention to.

 According to long-time LGBTQ journalist and good friend of mine (yes, I am name-dropping and clout- chasing) Michelangelo Signorile, this story has to do with recently elected and proven "liar-on-steroids" George Santos. 

To hear Signorile tell it, the LGBTQ community "dodged a bullet" in terms of the damage Santos could have done to the community as an openly gay Republican because his history of telling outrageous lies nukes his effectiveness as a possible mouthpiece for anti-LGBTQ legislation.

Signorile's column deserves a read and a share.

Excerpt:

None of us knows exactly what will happen next regarding fabulist grifter George Santos. But one thing is clear: As a House representative, he’s severely damaged goods, exposed beyond anyone’s wildest imagination as a less-than-talented Mr. Ripley. 

That is a great development for LGBTQ Americans as Republicans are set to push a federal “don’t say gay” bill through the House with the help of gay Republicans who psychotically believe they’ll be accepted by MAGA extremists immersed in QAnon conspiracies if they just throw some of their own under the bus. 

 Santos, who supported Ron DeSantis’s odious “don’t say gay” law, would have been front and center in this effort as the first non-incumbent gay Republican elected to the House. He’d surely have been the poster boy of self-hate, giving speeches on the floor and sitting on TV talk shows, pushing smears about gay teachers as “groomers,” and attacking drag queens and transgender people as dangerous to children.

 But now Santos will be too preoccupied with keeping his seat in Congress, let alone keeping himself out of an American, or perhaps Brazilian, prison. He’ll have to keep his head down as GOP leaders do everything they can to hide this deranged fabricator from the press. Nothing he says will have even a shred of credibility. 

 Only weeks ago the tiny band of gay MAGA in politics was exhilarated over having one of its own in the House. But after the scandal broke the joyous squealing fell more silent than a herd of feral pigs that suddenly keeled over.

'Gay couple awarded big settlement after severe bullying at restaurant where they worked' & other Tue midday news briefs

Couple awarded almost $150,000 after severe anti-gay bullying at the restaurant where they worked - Winning money while protecting your rights is always a good thing.

Pope Benedict, aka 'God’s Rottweiler,' Seethed at Queers - LGBTQ people outlived another one, y'all. 

2022: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugliest - You've been warned. 

U.S. appeals court upholds Florida high school's transgender bathroom ban - For now.

17 LGBTQ+ books we can’t wait to add to our shelves in 2023 - Cause you just know someone will attempt to ban them.

DeSantis picks another fight with drag queens while ignoring a huge child sex trafficking scandal in Florida's foster care system

Instead of handling a child sex trafficking scandal in Florida's foster care system, Ron DeSantis is picking another fight with drag queens and the LGBTQ community.

Implying that LGBTQ people and our culture are "sexually grooming" kids has gotten Fl Governor Ron DeSantis a lot of press, so naturally he is continuing to push that narrative. 

From LGBTQNation:

The administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is investigating a performing arts venue for hosting a drag queen event. A right-wing online activist also recorded a video of himself being escorted out of the venue by security during the event after he stood up and yelled about kids being present. Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is investigating the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale and other venues after receiving “multiple complaints” of a December 26 “A Drag Queen Christmas” event that was allegedly “sexually explicit” and “marketed to children,” The Hill reported. If the venues are found to have violated the DBPR’s licensing standards, they could have their business and liquor licenses revoked, essentially putting them out of business. The investigation could also be referred to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for “potential criminal liability.” 

 . . . In a letter addressed to the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation, the second-to-last stop on the show’s tour, and sent to Drag Fans, the event’s organizer, the DBPR wrote, “The Department has reason to believe that this drag show is of a sexual nature, involving the exposure or exhibition of sexual organs, similar sexual activity, and/or the sexualization of children’s stories. The Department has become aware that drag shows by Drag Fans have been marketed to and attended by minors, including young children.” In actuality, the show contains one reference to alcohol with neither no nudity nor sexual references. 

 . . .A spokesperson for the Broward Center told The Hill that the drag performance was limited to people 18 years or older, unless accompanied by a parent. However, the Center’s web page advertising the event on December 17 called the event “an all-ages show” that “may contain adult content.” The Broward Center also sent out a “Know Before You Go” message to ticket purchasers making them aware that the show contained adult themes and content.

Attacking drag shows by falsely claiming that they are deliberately and sexually marketing to kids has been a popular claim from conservative "activists" and politicians this year. Hysterical claims helped along by distorted and taken out of context videos have helped to fuel a false narrative which has led to threat of violence against not only drag queens but the LGBTQ community at large.

In this particular situation, however, there seems to be pushback against DeSantis. State Rep Carlos Guillermo Smith sent out a series of tweets claiming that DeSantis is more interested with picking fights with drag queens and pushing culture war tropes than actually dealing with a huge scandal involving child sex trafficking in the state's foster care system. 

Ron DeSantis state-run foster care program exposed teenage girls to sex trafficking. In fact, 21% of Florida’s 377 verified child human trafficking victims in 2021 were groomed and recruited from foster care. Why isn’t he investigating that? https://t.co/05WUClrKc6

— Carlos Guillermo Smith (@CarlosGSmith) December 29, 2022

Ron DeSantis refused to fine a single hotel after finding 14,279 violations of anti-human trafficking laws, even though 377 verified sex trafficking victims were Florida children.

Instead, @FloridaDBPR is aggressively and publicly threatening businesses for hosting drag shows. pic.twitter.com/mRmkAfL6Mx

— Carlos Guillermo Smith (@CarlosGSmith) December 28, 2022

In reference to Rep. Smith's second tweet, according to a November article in MSN:

An investigation published by the South Florida Sun Sentinel found that 6,669 hotels and other lodging establishments had received 14,279 citations since a 2019 sex trafficking law required them to make changes to protect victims. Under the anti-trafficking law, violators are supposed to receive fines of up to $2,000 a day. However, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation says not a single fine has been issued because the law allows hotels a 90-day period to fix violations, and so far all have done so.

So apparently Florida does have a problem with sex-trafficking. But the problem isn't with drag queens or any other members of the LGBTQ community. The problem lies with DeSantis who is attempting to build a road to the presidency on the backs of LGBTQ people he demonizes and the sexually abused children he is ignoring.

Editor's note - This will most likely be my last post of 2022. Happy New Year and hope to see you in 2023.

'Elon Musk continues to embarrass himself by sharing bigoted memes' & other Thur midday news briefs

Elon Musk

Elon Musk Slammed for Sharing Anti-LGBTQ+, Anti-Feminist Meme​ - Slowest self-immolation in history And I am enjoying it. 

The 20 most-read Outsports stories of 2022 - LGBTQ people and sports do mix. 

Defining ‘woman’ battle heads to states amid new wave of LGBTQ bills - And here we go. The GOP did not get the message from the midterm elections. People want to see reasonable things get done by Congress, not get sidetracked by cynical culture war battles. 

Queering the family farm: Despite obstacles, LGBTQ farmers find fertile ground in Midwest - Yet more proof of how awesome LGBTQ people are. We thrive when folks think we can't. 

18 LGBTQ+ Words added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2022 - Nice.

Video: Survivor of Pulse nightclub mass shooting calls out DeSantis, 'grifters,' & right-wing extremists for 'pouring gasoline on anti-LGBTQ hysteria'

2022 was an ugly year for LGBTQ Americans

. From bogus legislation targeting trans men, women, and children. to  elected officials exploiting us as a stepping stones to higher office, to wannabe internet personalities passing distorted videos about drag queens to further the lie that we want to 'sexuall groom' kids, violence - physical, psychological, and spiritual - increased against LGBTQ people at a level which I have never seen before.

And punctuating it all was the mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado which left five people dead and over 20 others injured.

Earlier this month, Congress held hearings about the violence against LGBTQ people. Testifying was Michael Anderson, James Slaugh and Matthew Haynes, three survivors of the Club Q shooting. And the man in the video above, Brandon Wolf who survived the 2016 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Years from now, his testimony will be remembered as one of the greatest speeches of our time.

'18 attorney generals blast Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law as unconstitutional' & other Wed midday news briefs

18 attorney generals blast Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law as unconstitutional​ - We will see how this plays out.

30 LGBTQ+ Religious Saints Throughout History - Bet you didn't see THIS coming.

Constituent blasts Rep. Lauren Boebert for “embarrassing the entire country” - Yep.

Congressman-elect George Santos faces increasing calls to resign - But WILL the super liar resign? 

24 LGBTQ+ TV Shows Renewed For 2023 - Good for them.

Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok calls the entire LGBTQ community a child-grooming 'cult'

Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok may not know it yet, but she just gave the world her 'number.'

It only took just one interview with that disgusting Tucker Carlson for Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok to drop her mask and show the world her true ugly face of hate. Of course with so many other things, LGBTQ folks could have saved the world the trouble because we always had girlfriend's number.

From Mediaite:

The face behind the Libs of TikTok account was revealed Tuesday on Fox Nation’s Tucker Carlson Today. Fox News host Tucker Carlson sat down with the formerly anonymous creator Chaya Raichik, who declared the “LGBTQ community” has become a “cult.” The Libs of TikTok account shares videos from TikTok of LGBTQ activists and teachers who are typically fairly extreme in their views and expression of said views. The account has attracted a large following, but also faced backlash and been deemed hateful by critics. 

 Raichik made stunning comments in her interview with Carlson, accusing “evil” people within the “LGBTQ community” of trying to hurt kids. The creator said: 

 “There’s something so unique about — the LGBTQ community has become this cult and it’s so captivating and it pulls people in so strongly unlike anything we’ve ever seen and they brainwash people to join and they convince them of all these things and it’s really, really hard to get out of it. It’s really difficult.”

Alejandra Caraballo posted a clip of the interview on Twitter:

Chaya Raichik went on Tucker Carlson and said the "LGBTQ community has become this cult... It's extremely poisonous." She later says "They're just evil people, and they're out to groom kids. They're recruiting."

This is one of the most bigoted interviews I've ever heard. pic.twitter.com/0tVe9WONOH

— Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) December 27, 2022

Let me be clear about two things.

1. Raichik just demonized an entire group of people. It wasn't just a simple generalization. She is saying that LGBTQ people as a group are dangerous because we supposedly want to harm children. And when groups are deemed as harmful to society, certain actions to undercut this supposed harm are either encouraged or overlooked. Even if said actions are violent. In other words, think of one of those animated RAID bugspray commercial in which first the bugs are deemed destructive and then eradicated in an overly dramatic way. 

Also, there is nothing new about what she claims. Anita Bryant made the same claim in the 70s. The discredited researcher Paul Cameron made the same claim in the 80s and 90s (Of course he also claimed that we stuffed gerbils up our rectums. How long will it be for Raichik goes down that road?) Demonization of LGBTQ people is an old practice and is no different than anti-Semitism, anti-Asian racism, or anti-black racism. The only difference in this case is that people are able to hide their bigotry behind terms like 'religious freedom' or videos deliberately and falsely accusing LGBTQ people of sexually grooming children. Strip away that subterfuge and we are talking about the same mindset which claims that Jewish people are funding worldwide chaos, Asian people are responsible for the coronavirus, or that black people are violent sociopaths.

2. Let's break this down for some folks inside of the LGBTQ community. 

All of you supposedly "straight-acting," "upstanding" gays pointing the finger at the so-called oddballs in the community who you claim makes it so difficult for us to be "accepted," 

All of you white-bread, privileged gays who count on your high status and money to shield you from the discrimination dealt to us so-called lower echelon gays,

All of you LGB folks pointing fingers at our transgender brothers and sisters, calling them "the problem," 

All of you silly, stuck in the past fools whining about how the new generation of LGBTQ are too extreme,

NONE of you are excluded. 

When Raichik attacked the community, she meant you too. Like or not, we all are in the same boat in her eyes. And she is steadily attempting to drill as many holes in the bottom as she can. 

Also, allow me to be clear about one last thing. 

Miss Thing's interview with Tucker Carlson confirms one fact which we all must be clear on and repeat. None of this is about protecting children. None of this is about stopping the sexual grooming of children. It is all about, as it is always was about, falsely portraying LGBTQ people as oversexed monsters (again). It is all about a slow and steady march to building a narrative which would eventually make it acceptable to wreck our lives. Either by legislation or something else less legal and more destructive. Or may all at the same time.

Sounds familiar? It should because we've had this dance before. So much so that one would think we could recognize the steps. 

Truth be told,  Raichik  doesn't gives a damn about sexually trafficked children. Strip away her ugly disguise and you have an obviously sad person with possible personality issues. Raichik is under the illusion that she is doing something worthwhile when in reality she is trafficking the same hate which has led to so much destruction against innocent people throughout history.