TX lawmaker who accused drag shows of 'grooming' kids faces complaint of 'inappropriate relationship' with young intern

Bryan Slaton

In June of last year, Texas state rep Bryan Slaton said that all-age drag shows "sexualize" children. He even threatened to sponsor legislation which would ban children from attending drag shows.  Less than a year later,  he now faces accusations of an "inappropriate relationship" with an intern under 21-years-old.

According to Vice:

Texas state Rep. Bryan Slaton has reportedly had a complaint filed against him with the Texas state legislature that claims he had an “inappropriate relationship” with an intern. A complaint filed with the House General Investigating Committee by a legislative staffer and obtained by the Texas Tribune, as well as a Tribune source with direct knowledge of the incident, said that Stanton called the intern, who is under age 21, after 10 p.m. on Friday, March 31, and invited her to his apartment, where he served her alcohol. According to allegations in the complaint obtained by the Tribune, Slaton later showed that intern fake emails that claimed to have information about the incident in an apparent loyalty test, and told her not to tell anyone about the incident.

Slaton's attorney denied the charges but according to the Texas Tribune, this is not going away anytime soon. Two lawmakers are already demanding his resignation:

Two state lawmakers have called for the resignation of Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, after The Texas Tribune reported that he is being investigated following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a Capitol intern. 

 “The past few days in the Texas House, screams of everything that’s wrong with a small segment of its elected officials. Unfortunately calling the behavior of [Slaton] ‘inappropriate’ is a gross understatement,” state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, wrote on social media Tuesday morning. “He needs to resign.” 

 The resignation calls have come as Slaton has remained silent about the allegations beyond an initial statement from his lawyer decrying unspecified "outrageous claims." His usual political allies have also stayed quiet about the situation. Meanwhile, the intern has retained a lawyer, Julie Springer in Austin, who specializes in employment law. Springer confirmed Tuesday she was representing the intern but declined to comment further.

Vice took the time to remind folks just how extensively Slaton attacked drag shows for supposedly "sexualizing" kids:

Slaton, who is 45 years old, has spent more than a year denouncing all-ages drag performances, and last month he introduced a bill to ban drag shows from having kids in attendance. “In the wake of these erotic drag performances sweeping our state, I committed last year to filing legislation that would stop this disgusting practice in the presence of children,” he said in a statement announcing the bill. 

 “The State has a duty to protect kids from being sexually exploited, and HB 4129 is the most comprehensive bill to stop the sexualization of kids by these performances,” he continued.

Slaton has previously blasted an all-ages drag show as a “grooming event.”

 “This is just going to the grooming, the sexualization of our children,” he said last summer. “This comes down to decency, morality and ethics, and children should not be the object of your sexualization, your desires.”

If this situation turns out to be as bad as it sounds, it simply shows that drag queens are so popular that even karma has their back.

'Florida lawmaker calls trans people 'demons and imps' during legislative hearing' & other Tue midday news briefs

Florida lawmaker compares trans people to ‘mutants’, calling them ‘demons and imps’​ - Sometimes you just gotta give people room to act like bigots and fools. They never disappoint.

Bud Light Called Out For Staying Silent Amid Dylan Mulvaney Controversy - Because Bud Light is smart. All of the publicity conservatives are giving them benefits them. 

Political nepo baby Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ reign of terror on LGBTQ+ people continues - The Huckabees are always causing problems for LGBTQ people. Like father, like daughter. 

How a Nashville suburb’s LGBTQ pride festival became a bitter flashpoint - Some bull about "gyrating drag queens" made people think that it was a good time for them to bring out their hidden prejudices.

TX Rep Dan Crenshaw tries to boycott Bud Light for partnership with trans influencer but ends up embarrassing himself

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX)

Conservatives keep attacking Bud Light for its partnership with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney. And they keep ending up looking foolish. 

The latest person is Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw.

From Raw Story:

The Houston Chronicle reported Crenshaw was triggered by seeing a trans woman holding a can of Bud Light in an Instagram post this weekend. Crenshaw announced that he was going to throw out all the Bud Light in his fridge. "Saw Bud Light's stupid ad campaign," Crenshaw rants in the video. "So guess what we're going to do? We're going to throw out every single Bud Light we've got in the fridge." 

So, according to the article, Crenshaw showed his refrigerator full of other beers such as Karbach, Crush City IPA, Dos Equis and others.  However, folks watching the video noted something which Crenshaw obviously didn't.

 "Who wants to tell him?" replied JayWolfe3802 on Instagram. The comment comes from a user that clearly knows the Karbach in Crenshaw's fridge is owned by Bud Light's parent company Anheuser-Busch Inbev, which Crenshaw was ranting about. 

 Dos Equis, the Mexican lager known for its "Most Interesting Man in the World" is owned by Heineken, which tends to give more money to Democrats during four of the last five elections, Open Secrets said. 

 "You really gotta use those research skills you use when gerrymandering on bud lights beers bud," replied someone named kirby_carlock. "If you are going to do cancel culture make sure you do it right snowflake."

Way to go, Dan.

On one hand, it's funny. But the other hand, it's a sad commentary about how people are willing bend over backwards to make fools of themselves for social media. A little advice, Dan. People elected you to serve their interest on Congress, not to be a social media jackass

'Right wingers having deliciously EPIC meltdown' over Bud Light's partnership with trans influencer' & other Mon midday news briefs

Completely a parody here but some folks are acting like it's a fact.

A bunch of dudes are having a big sad on TikTok because of trans beer - They don't like Bud Light's inclusive campaign with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Good grief, folks. 

Travis Tritt Cuts All Anheuser-Busch Products From His Tour Rider Following Brand’s Trans-Inclusive Campaign​ - Speaking of which . . . .Good grief, Travis. It's not like it's the end of the world. 

Florida's First Gay Latino Lawmaker, Carlos Guillermo Smith, Announces State Senate Run - That's right. Keep on motivating us, DeSantis.

Orlando paper epically takes down Ron DeSantis for his obsession with punishing Disney - That's right. Read him to filth! 

Montana Bill Would Erase Trans People, Threaten Women's Rights - The state will no doubt try. Succeeding though is another matter.

SNL Weekend Update - 'Aladdin's Jafar makes fun of DeSantis for being embarrassed by Disney

 So many people are making fun of how Disney is making a fool of FL Gov Ron DeSantis that I guess Jaffar from the movie Aladdin wanted his turn. Okay in reality, it's comedian Bowen Yang absolutely pillorying DeSantis on an edition of SNL's Weekend Update, but it's still hilarious.

And much deserved.

Appeals court says teacher cannot misgender trans students because of 'religious objection'

An excellent victory to begin the weekend and delicious loss for anti-LGBTQ hate group the Alliance Defending Freedom. Conservative evangelicals have weaponized their religious beliefs and won't acknowledge how its backfiring against them.

From Reuters:

An Indiana high school did not break the law by allegedly forcing a music teacher to quit after he refused on religious grounds to use transgender students' preferred names, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Friday.

 The rights of the teacher, John Kluge, to exercise his religious beliefs were outweighed by the potential disruption that his conduct could have on the learning environment at Brownsburg High School in the Indianapolis suburbs, the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said. Kluge said his Christian religious beliefs barred him from complying with a school policy requiring faculty to use students' preferred names and pronouns. 

 The school initially allowed Kluge to call students by their last names but reneged after receiving complaints from students and faculty, according to court filings. He said he resigned in 2018 after he was told he would be fired. Kluge sued the school district in 2019, accusing it of violating a federal law that prohibits workplace discrimination based on religion. He was seeking to get his job back and unspecified money damages. Kluge is represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal group. Rory Gray, a lawyer with the group, said he was evaluating Kluge's options.

'Education Dept rule would allow some restrictions on trans athletes and neither side is happy about it' & other Fri midday news briefs

Education Department rule would allow some restrictions on trans athletes​ - Oh mercy. The Biden Administration just got EVERYONE on both sides of this argument angry. 

Journalist who broke story about Tennessee’s Lt. Gov. liking gay pics says his home was shot up - Be careful. 

  Mary J. Blige Is Judging a Historic Voguing Ball — And You're Invited - Hot damn! 

All-trans soccer team radiates joy in history-making match - Great article!

SCOTUS refuses to lift injunction against West Virginia law which bans 12-year-old trans child from playing sports

Here is what happened - the court refused to lift the injunction set by a judge against the ban while the case goes through the trial process. I think basically it comes down to that fact that seven justices decided not to be a heel against one 12-year-old trans girl (because that's all the case involves) who simply wants to play sports. Two guess on which two justices who had no problem wanting to play the heel.

From The Advocate

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a request from West Virginia that would have allowed the state to reinstate a law that prohibited transgender students from participating in sports teams that reflect their gender identity. As a result, an injunction is currently in place preventing the law from taking effect. Because of Thursday’s decision, West Virginia’s Save Women’s Sports Act enacted in 2021 cannot be enforced against Becky Pepper-Jackson, a 12-year-old transgender girl. The decision is a victory for the girl and her parents, who have been fighting to continue her cross-country and track training.

 As the legal challenges unfold, the continued injunction is also a victory for transgender rights advocates. Currently, many states nationwide are enacting similar sports bans. While two justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, dissented from the ruling, the court didn’t explain its decision. State attorney general Patrick Morrisey requested an emergency hearing in March from the court to request the justices’ opinions on a hot-button issue that has gained traction recently as Republican-led states have sought to limit trans youth’s rights, especially when it comes to school sports. The law was signed by Republican Gov. Jim Justice in 2021. 

The law was temporarily blocked three months after a district court passed it after a transgender student-athlete sued. A district court has, however, recently ruled in favor of the state. An appeal by the athlete caused the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to halt the law again. While the decision allows challenges to the law to proceed, the enforcement of the law remains on hold.

Kansas legislators override veto on anti-trans sports ban law which would require genital inspections' & other Thur midday news briefs

Transgender student athlete ban on the books in Kansas, following three years of GOP campaigning​ - Here is an interesting feature of the law.  They want to "protect" girls sports so much that they now will be subjecting them to situations in which people can demand to inspect their genitals: 

"The legislation requires children to participate in school activities based on the gender they were assigned at birth, from elementary school to college. Challenges could require them to undergo genital inspections, or require a birth certificate for proof of the child’s gender." 

North Dakota advances record-setting 10 anti-LGBTQ bills in one day, advocates say - Completely unnecessary. They will have to learn the hard way via lawsuits. 

EXCLUSIVE: ‘This is my story, not hers’: Teen says anti-trans article about their puberty blockers got facts wrong - The second story targeting the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to fall to pieces. This was the first. Bari Weiss is an EVIL person. 

Cyd Zeigler offers ‘regrets’ after tweeting his support for DeSantis - Good grief, Cyd. You're a gay guy and the editor of a noted gay publication. Don't give me that 'freedom of thought" mess. DeSantis is putting us all in the same boat and you want to help him drill holes in it. If it sinks, you are in danger of drowning as much as the rest of us.

Judge extends restraining order against law banning drag shows until late May. Trial date set for May 22.

Lawmakers attempting to police drag out of existence should pay attention to what's going on in Tennessee. It's could be predicting the fruits of their endeavors.

From The Advocate:

A Tennessee federal judge extended the temporary restraining order against a new law in the state that bans public drag shows and restricts drag shows from happening in the presence of minors. The extension will last until May 26, according to Melissa Stewart, one of the attorneys representing the drag-centric theater group Friends of George’s. A trial date is set for May 22. Memphis-based Friends of George’s sued the state last week over the law. The organization wrote on Twitter Wednesday afternoon, "The temporary restraining order has been extended to May 26 while we continue to fight this unjust law."

 . . .In their suit, the group said the law "explicitly [restricts or chills] speech and expression protected by the First Amendment based on its content, its message, and its messenger." On Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, handed down a 14-day temporary restraining order only hours before the law was to go into effect Saturday. In his order, Parker explained that the state hadn’t provided “a clear answer to the Statute's purpose considering current state obscenity laws, along with the Parties' present filings on the Statute's legislative history, the Court finds that Plaintiff has made a likely case for subjecting the Statute to strict scrutiny here."

 . . . The anti-drag legislation was signed into law last month by Republican Gov. Bill Lee. It passed along with a bill banning gender-affirming care for youth. Those found in violation of the law, which affects “adult cabaret entertainment” with “male or female impersonators,” could face felony charges on repeat offenses. It bans drag performances from public property or venues that “could be viewed by a person who is not an adult.” 

 We are getting past the legislative strong-arming and the whispering campaigns on Twitter focusing on misrepresented, anecdotal incidents. We are moving into a new venue in this fight in which folks pushing these drag bans have to defend them in a court of law under oath. 

We will see if the witness stand is still a lonely place to lie for conservatives in this situation as it was for marriage equality.  I personally think that notion still holds. 

 Editor's note - I am reposting this list of the times in which drag queens and drag shows have been deliberately mischaracterized as x-rated by those on the right. A paper trail exists for those willing to seek it out:

Far right activists don't know the difference between a circus act and a drag show

Undercover investigators say no lewd acts were performed at drag show targeted by DeSantis

Taken out-of-context video fuels ugly lie about drag queens 'grooming' children

Drag performer sues far-right blogger alleging defamation over edited video 

BUSTED! Far right caught spreading false story that a drag queen exposed self to children 

Candace Owens can't even tell a good lie. Far right personality busted using fake photo of 'drag queen' 

Babylon Bee editor Seth Dillon caught spreading false story about a child tipping a half naked drag queen 

Silly conservative 'activist' doesn't know the difference between drag queens, drag kings, and strippers

'Some lawmakers are trying to police drag out of existence' & other Wed midday news briefs

Some States Want To Say Where You Can And Can't Be In Drag​ - It's stupid and it won't work. But they will try anyway. 

Democrats troll Ron DeSantis with calls to ban his own book from Florida schools - Love the backfire.

Kid Rock shot up Bud Light cans in response to trans influencer partnership - Seriously Kid Rock? But I bet you bought the beer first. 

Texas GOP Votes to Halt Gender-Affirming Care for Existing Patients - These people are simply cruel. It will come back on them.

DeSantis Abandons Florida's Most Vulnerable Kids While Posing As Protector - About time someone points this out.

'We'll cut your throats. We'll put a bullet in your head' - Maryland man charged with threatening LGBTQ group in wake of Nashville mass shooting

 

Adam Michael Nettina

So much attention seems to be focused on Donald Trump's indictment that other more pertinent issues are being shoved to the back. And in several cases, that's a mistake.

Ever since that awful Nashville shooting last month, the far right have been attacking the trans community. The shooter was a person with emotional problems who was said to identify as a trans man. While ignoring the many other times in which mass shootings were perpetrated by cis white males, people like Tucker Carlson, Rep Marjorie Taylor-Greene, Laura Ingraham and others on that noxious side of the political spectrum have exploited this specific tragedy to blame trans people and the LGBTQ community in general.

This is the type of mindset they are inviting. From The Washington Blade:

A Maryland man has been charged with making threats against the Human Rights Campaign. The Justice Department in a press release notes Adam Michael Nettina, 34, of West Friendship, Md., on March 28 left a threatening voicemail that referred to the massacre at the Covenant School in Nashville that took place the day before. The press release notes the shooter who killed six people inside the school “was publicly identified as being transgender."

The Justice Department alleges that Nettina in his message made numerous threats. “You guys going to shoot up our schools now? Is that how it’s going to be? You just gonna to kill little kids. You’re just going to slaughter fucking little kids,” said Nettina, according to the indictment. “Let me tell you something, we’re waiting, we’re waiting. And if you want a war, we’ll have a war. And we’ll fucking slaughter you back. We’ll cut your throats. We’ll put a bullet in your head. We’re not going to give a fuck. You started this bullshit. You’re going to kill us? We’re going to kill you ten times more in full.” 

 Nettina appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Maddox in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on Monday. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted on the charge of interstate communications with a treat to injure. 

 According to The Advocate:

HRC spokesperson Elizabeth Bibi put the threat in context of other attacks on LGBTQ+ Americans. “The LGBTQ+ community is under attack in statehouses across the country and on social media platforms,” she told The Advocate via email. “This violent, hateful rhetoric leads to stigma, and stigma leads to physical violence. As we see radical politicians sow hate and fear with anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, we have seen the physical threats to our community multiply — from armed men at Pride parades, to threats of violence against local drag shows at libraries, to bomb threats at children’s hospitals, to the continued rise in fatal violence against members of our community, especially Black transgender women. 

 “Late last month, HRC received two threatening voicemails. These threats were referred to law enforcement, who have since confirmed that they have made an arrest. We are grateful to law enforcement for acting so quickly to keep our community safe, and we condemn any and all violent words or deeds. We will continue our work to call out those who spread violence, fear, and disinformation.”

'Neo-nazi arrested for firebombing church hosting Drag Queen Story Hour' & other Tue midday news briefs

Neo-Nazi Arrested for Firebombing Church Hosting Drag Queen Story Hour - Here is a story the media is missing.

Anti-drag laws are trying to ban the art form. How 'Drag Race' is fighting back​ - The queens have only BEGUN to fight.

School district sued after eliminating the student newspaper for publishing LGBTQ+ content - Works for me. The lawsuit that is.

Wrestling convention bans Rick Steiner for transphobic comments toward IMPACT’s Gisele Shaw - Rick Steiner was a favorite pro wrestler of mine. Emphasis on "WAS."

Disney CEO Bob Iger blasts DeSantis policies as 'anti-business' and anti-Florida'

Disney CEO Bob Iger

I'm simply watching how DeSantis is wrecking his presidential aspirations as his vendetta against Disney continues to blow up in his face. And enjoying the view:

From Yahoo Finance: 

Disney (DIS) CEO Bob Iger addressed the company's ongoing battle with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during the media giant's annual meeting of shareholders on Monday. "A company has a right to freedom of speech just like individuals do," Iger said, adding DeSantis' policies are "anti-business" and "anti-Florida" as the politician looks to strip Disney of its self-governing powers.

The fight stems from what has largely been seen as a politically-targeted response over the company's reaction to the so-called "Don't Say Gay" law, which forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through third grade.

 In 2022, then-CEO Bob Chapek denounced it at the company's annual shareholder meeting after initially deciding not to speak publicly on the matter. In response, DeSantis signed a bill into law that allows him to take control of the company's long-standing special tax district, formerly known as Reedy Creek. Earlier on Monday, DeSantis asked Florida's inspector general to look into a last minute agreement signed by the previous Reedy Creek board that essentially renders the new oversight committee, appointed by DeSantis, powerless.

 No doubt DeSantis had hoped that feuding with Disney would enhance his "culture war fighter" image with conservatives as he readies a run for the 2024 presidential nomination. However, all DeSantis has done thus far is to reveal himself as vindictive, petty, and completely lacking of the intellectual, moral, and emotional majority it takes to be the leader of this nation.

America already elected one disaster infested with those characteristics in 2016. Goodness knows we don't need to elect another one.

'Federal judge orders books with LGBTQ content to return to library shelves in TX' & other Mon midday news briefs

Federal judge orders books with LGBTQ content to return to library shelves in Texas - There you go!

Trump-Appointed Judge Temporarily Blocks Tennessee’s Anti-Drag Law - In case you didn't hear.

MAGA supporter claims drag shows kill more people than guns​ - These people . . . 

The best LGBTQ+ movies and TV shows coming to streaming in April 2023 - Make up a list.

Far right activists don't know the difference between a circus act and a drag show

In their zeal to attack drag shows and falsely accuse drag queens of  'grooming' kids, the far right and their allies have on occasion misrepresented public events to further their claims.

Here is the latest:

Comments about the video are of course filled with venom against drag shows and false accusations against the LGBTQ community at large. I've seen pictures from the video used in montages (with other misrepresented events) in order to push the hysterical idea that drag shows are filled with sexually explicit content while kids are present.

But . . . wait for it . . . here is punchline.

The event is question is not even a drag show.  It was an event by a circus troupe (you visit the Facebook page) which took place in London.  And while some folks may rightfully question it as an event where parents should talk babies, no one can honestly say that it was a drag show.  Unfortunately, an article about the event may have contributed to the false accusation that it was a drag event. The headline read Fury at 'Drag act for BABIES': Semi-naked man in thigh high boots performs bondage routine in front of tots and parents at 'sensory event'  

However, nothing in the article identified the event as a drag show.  Even the phrase "drag act for babies" doesn't appear anywhere in the article. The publication in which the article was published, The Daily Mail, has been called out on more than one occasion for its questionable sources and lack of accuracy. 

According to Media Bias Fact Check:

. 

The Daily Mail tends to publish stories utilizing sensationalized headlines with emotionally loaded wordings such as “Woman, 63, ‘becomes PREGNANT in the mouth’ with baby squid after eating calamari”, which is a misleading headline. In 2017, Wikipedia banned the Daily Mail as an ‘unreliable’ source. When it comes to sourcing information, they use minimal hyperlinked sourcing and sourcing to themselves. Further, a Reuters institute survey found that 26% of respondents trust their news coverage and 47% do not, ranking them #11 in trust of the major UK news providers. In general, most stories favor the right; however, the Daily Mail will report either side of the story is sensational enough.

Below are several other examples of how the far right have misrepresented incidents to demonize drag queens. These outbreaks of wanton hysteria would be funny except for the fact that they have contributed to the violent climate against drag shows and oppressive laws against the LGBTQ community at large.

Related posts, articles:

Taken out-of-context video fuels ugly lie about drag queens 'grooming' children

Drag performer sues far-right blogger alleging defamation over edited video 

BUSTED! Far right caught spreading false story that a drag queen exposed self to children 

Candace Owens can't even tell a good lie. Far right personality busted using fake photo of 'drag queen' 

Babylon Bee editor Seth Dillon caught spreading false story about a child tipping a half naked drag queen 

Silly conservative 'activist' doesn't know the difference between drag queens, drag kings, and strippers

Creator of homophobic Libs of TikTok came for AOC in halls of Congress. AOC wasn't having her nonsense.

Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik (left) tried to stunt Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But AOC wasn't having it.

From Mediaite:

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Chaya Raichik of the “Libs of TikTok” Twitter account engaged in a war of words in the Capitol Building on Thursday after the latter filed an ethics complaint against the former. Raichik alleges that Ocasio-Cortez lied about her during a February committee hearing when she said that the political influencer’s advocacy had “culminated in a real-life harassment and bomb threat to the Boston Children’s Hospital.”

 With help from the Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank, Raichik filed an ethics complaint alleging that she broke House rules by doing so, and sought to personally deliver the complaint to Ocasio-Cortez at her office.

 Raichik managed to run into AOC later and the following happened: 

 Raichik explained that she had “just delivered an ethics complaint to your office because you lied about me in a committee hearing.” “Uh-huh. Oh hi! Yeah no, I actually didn’t,” began Ocasio-Cortez as the two tried to speak over each other. “I never inspired a bomb threat,” replied Raichik while Ocasio-Cortez explained that the social media star is “actually super transphobic and I never want to share a space with you!” “Thank you!” she added before walking away briskly. You can see the exchange here:

 

.@AOC told Chaya Raichik aka libs of tiktok that she's transphobic straight to her face when she ran into her. pic.twitter.com/FKebaCmOiA

— Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) March 30, 2023

Unfortunately, the Mediaite article failed to add more context. AOC wasn't being untruthful. According to Politifact, Libs of TikTok did  help to spread a false story that Boston Children's Hospital were giving young girls hysterectomies:

A viral tweet falsely claims that a pediatric hospital is offering surgical treatment for transgender children. "Boston Children's Hospital is now offering 'gender-affirming hysterectomies' for young girls," read an Aug. 11 tweet from Libs of TikTok, a conservative Twitter account with more than 1 million followers. 

 . . . Libs of TikTok's tweet included a video of a physician at Boston Children's Hospital discussing gender-affirming hysterectomies — or the removal of the uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes. Nowhere in the 33-second video did the physician suggest that the procedure is offered to children. The notion, however, seemed to rely on the hospital having "children" in its name. 

 . . . Although the Center for Gender Surgery is inside a pediatric hospital, medical treatment is offered only to "eligible adolescents and young adults," the center's website said. The hospital adheres to medical guidelines developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, or WPATH, which doesn't recommend surgical treatment for children. 

 And this lie did in fact lead to several bomb threats against the hospital. In September, a woman, Catherine Leavy, was arrested for making one of the bomb threats. And during all of this,  Libs of TikTok continued to target the hospital, accusing the physicians of lying and mocking them for complaining about the chaos it was causing.

Raichik's attempt to approach AOC and her complaint is obviously a stunt meant to drive more attention to her demonizing attacks against LGBTQ people. And the organization assisting her, The Heritage Foundation, is known for its constant attempts to undermine LGBTQ people's rights and safety.

And not just in America. 

Earlier this month Delano Squires, a research fellow of  the Heritage Foundation, defended a possibly soon-to-be passed law in Uganda which would jail people simply for identifying as LGBTQ. 

And he defended it using the same tropes Libs of TikTok does to dehumanize LGBTQ people:

Perhaps Uganda doesn’t want its culture colonized by the West again. Maybe the people there would rather fly their own flag than yours. https://t.co/xa18gUMqVE pic.twitter.com/minkMnRIvV

— Delano Squires (@DelanoSquires) March 22, 2023

 

'Trans Tennesseans fear violent backlash as trans identity blamed for school shooting' & other Thur midday news briefs

Trans Tennesseans fear violent backlash as trans identity blamed for school shooting - Be strong, y'all. A lot of people are on your side. 

The Far Right Is Exploiting the Nashville Tragedy to Promote Transphobia - THIS is what the folks in the above article are having to deal with. 

House & Senate Democrats Unveil Legislation to Promote LGBTQ+ Rights Abroad - Keep your fingers crossed. 

California May End Travel Ban to States With Anti-LGBTQ Laws - Her idea sounds interesting. Some folks may not agree but I understand she wants to do. 

Ghana’s president softens country’s stance on draconian anti-LGBTQ bill as Kamala Harris visits - We'll see.

Disney pulls the rug from under Ron DeSantis takeover attempt with major power play

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis

From The Associated Press:

Board members picked by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to oversee the governance of Walt Disney World said Wednesday that their Disney-controlled predecessors pulled a fast one on them by passing restrictive covenants that strip the new board of many of its powers. The current supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District said at a meeting that their predecessors last month signed a development agreement with the company that gave Disney maximum developmental power over the theme park resort’s 27,000 acres in central Florida. 

 The five supervisors were appointed by the Republican governor to the board after the Florida Legislature overhauled Disney’s government in retaliation for the entertainment giant publicly opposing so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation that bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as well as lessons deemed not age-appropriate.

 In taking on Disney, DeSantis furthered his reputation as a culture warrior willing to battle perceived political enemies and wield the power of state government to accomplish political goals, a strategy that is expected to continue ahead of his potential White House run.

 

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis chose to play a game with the Disney Corporation - while exploiting homophobia - to bolster his image before the 2024 election. Now he is learning that a billion dollar corporation generally plays for keeps. 

He was probably expected a neat victory, but now he is in for a long war. And don't think that his more than likely opponent for the GOP presidential nomination isn't taking note

Ouch:

Senior @RealDonaldTrump campaign staffer just now: "President Trump wrote 'Art of the Deal' and brokered Middle East peace. Ron DeSantis just got out-negotiated by Mickey Mouse." https://t.co/UQwbfcpPoQ

— Peter Schorsch (@PeterSchorschFL) March 29, 2023

'From hair stylists to vocal coaches - anyone 'aiding and abetting' trans youth could be targeted in SC bill' & other Wed midday news briefs

From hair stylists to vocal coaches, anyone ‘aiding and abetting’ trans youth could be brought to trial in new South Carolina bill​ - This is easily the most insane thing I have read this year. Completely insane. 

The Far Right Is Exploiting the Nashville Tragedy to Promote Transphobia - Collectively, these people ruin all of my faith in mankind. 

NHL teams using Russia as excuse for screwing up their Pride nights - Wimps. 

From drag shows to pronouns: Florida GOP takes aim at LGBTQ issues - Florida's supermajority of Republicans have declared war on LGBTQ people.

Congressman called out in embarrassing comparison of his remarks about drag shows versus school shootings

Those of us on my side are probably desensitized with how many times conservatives reveal themselves to be hypocrites. They do it so much that it's lost the shock value necessary to get people motivated. But the solution, as difficult as it sounds, is to not give in. Particularly in the case of the awful school shooting which took place in Nashville on Monday. Too many of these things have happened and we know the main reason why. It's the easy ability in this country for folks to get guns, even the guns which go way beyond self-protection. 

And no matter how many times school shootings happen, it doesn't seem that Congress is going to do anything about it. Their priorities are in the wrong place as this video of Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett proves.  He's all for acting against drag shows, but when it comes to school shootings, his opinion changes on an embarrassing level.

Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett on drag queens vs mass shootings. This demonstrates perfectly the complete moral rot of Tennessee politicians.

Drag: "We're not going to put up with it.

Mass shootings: "We're not gonna fix it."pic.twitter.com/e6lCpEE5YK

— Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) March 28, 2023

Hat tip to Alejandra Caraballo

'As 2024 NC Gov race looms, possible candidate obsesses about targeting LGBTQ people' & other Tue midday news briefs

NC Lt Gov Mark Robinson

'God formed me' to fight LGBTQ issues, NC's Mark Robinson says as 2024 governor's race looms​ - Some people have to learn the hard way. His personal crusade against LGBTQ people is NOT an issue voters want to talk about. 

How This Queer Woman Became One of the Best Stunt Drivers in the Industry - Get it, girlfriend! 

Idaho passes law letting students sue for “emotional harm” if they see a trans kid in the restroom - Another court case they will lose. 

Students, LGBTQ group sue Texas university over canceled drag show - Good for them!

Texas anti-LGBTQ activist knew for years about child sex abuse claims against SBC leader but still used his name to bolster reputation

Jared Woodfill

From The Texas Tribune by way of Raw Story:

In 2016, former Harris County GOP chair Jared Woodfill received an urgent warning about Paul Pressler, his longtime law partner and a Southern Baptist leader. In an email, a 25-year-old attorney from Woodfill’s Houston firm said he’d recently gone to lunch with Pressler, who told him “lewd stories about being naked on beaches with young men” and then invited him to skinny-dip at his ranch. 

Woodfill — an outspoken anti-gay politician and prominent conservative activist who’d just played a key role defeating an equal rights ordinance for LGBTQ Houstonians — responded to the young man’s request for help with shock and indignation. “This 85-year-old man has never made any inappropriate comments or actions toward me or any one I know of,” he wrote of Pressler at the time.

 But new court records show that wasn’t true. 

 In recent sworn testimony, Woodfill said he’d known since 2004 of an allegation that Pressler had sexually abused a child. Woodfill learned of those claims, he said, during mediation of an assault lawsuit filed against Pressler that he helped quietly settle for nearly a half-million dollars at the time. Despite his knowledge of the accusation, Woodfill continued to work with Pressler for nearly a decade — leaning on Pressler’s name and reputation to bolster their firm, Woodfill & Pressler LLP. 

 And this little morsel makes the story even more repulsive:

 Rather than pay him a salary, Woodfill testified, the firm provided Pressler a string of employees to serve as personal assistants, most of them young men who typically worked out of his River Oaks mansion. Two have accused Pressler of sexual assault or misconduct.

Woodfill led the Harris County Republican Party from 2002 to 2014 and has for years been at the helm of anti-LGBTQ and other hardline conservative movements in Houston and Texas. In 2015, amid tense debate over a Houston equal rights ordinance that would have made LGBTQ workplace discrimination illegal, he and well-known GOP power broker Steven Hotze co-led a campaign that, among other things, said the measure would allow children to be sexually groomed and abused in bathrooms, paid for hundreds of thousands of dollars in opposition advertisements and compared the gay rights movement to Nazis.

 The article in its entirety is a doozy because it implicates other religious right players. The article seems to imply that Pressler's scurrilous behavior wasn't a secret but was covered up by folks for their own personal benefit. So while they carried on about LGBTQ people being predators, they kept quiet while an actual predator prowled in their midst.

'How bigots, clout chasers, and lies disrupted the drag community in Tennessee' & other Mon midday news briefs

How drag was pushed back into the shadows in Tennessee - It happened because of a bunch of lies pushed by bigots and clout chasers.

Bakery that hosted drag event closes after hate groups made her work a “nightmare”​ - I HATE it when the bad guys win, no matter how temporary the victory may be. 

Grindr joins major public health push to distribute free at-home HIV tests - Good for Grindr. 

Uganda's new anti-LGBTQ bill grew out of a poisonous American seed - This is one of those evergreen pieces because conservative evangelicals from America are always trying to spread their poison.

Video - Would you rather children be around drag queens or those who protest drag queens?

I'd rather have drag queens around kids than this guy.

The video below speaks for itself. Folks need to leave drag queens alone and worry about the folks claiming that kids need protection from drag queens.

Observe the contrast between the vicious hate outside today’s Drag Story Hour, and the love and positivity inside. Awful that the families were exposed to it on their way in. Thank you @NewYorkStateAG for hosting this reading event at @LGBTCenterNYC today! pic.twitter.com/uy22dmw5L0

— Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) March 20, 2023

Hat tip to LGBTQNation

'Families sue to stop Florida ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth' & other Fri midday news briefs

Groups sue to stop Florida's gender-affirming care ban for kids​ - And it begins. Let's dance, y'all. For our kids.

Christian Nationalist Mark Robinson Plans NC Gubernatorial Run Even Though He Doesn’t ‘Want’ to Be Governor - This man is a loud, vulgar moron. He turns off voters. 

World Athletics bans trans women from the female track and field category - THIS is a bunch of nonsense. 

'Reprehensible' and 'disgraceful': House Democrat scorches GOP book bans and 'Parental Bill of Rights' - Preach!! 

Most Transgender People Find Transitioning Positive: Poll - Not if some jerks had their way.

Utah parent demands that the Bible be banned from school libraries under new law because it is 'sex-ridden'

A Utah parent is demanding that the Bible be banned from school libraries in accordance to a new state law banning pornographic materials in schools. The parent submitted eight pages of Bible verses to back up their claim.

In all honesty, the parent has a point based upon the law. The Bible is a wonderful book but it is also chock full of sex and extreme violence:

From The Salt Lake City Tribune:

Frustrated by the books being removed from school libraries, a Utah parent says there’s one that hasn’t been challenged yet, but that they believe should be, for being “one of the most sex-ridden books around.” So they’ve submitted a request for their school district in Davis County to now review the Bible for any inappropriate content. 

 “Incest, onanism, bestiality, prostitution, genital mutilation, fellatio, dildos, rape, and even infanticide,” the parent wrote in their request, listing topics they found concerning in the religious text. “You’ll no doubt find that the Bible, under Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-1227, has ‘no serious values for minors’ because it’s pornographic by our new definition.

” The code cited is the Utah law passed in 2022 to ban any books containing “pornographic or indecent” content from Utah schools, both in libraries and in the classroom. It came after outcry from conservative parents groups, who have been pushing to have titles removed.

Raw Story added:

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the parent, who remains unidentified for privacy reasons, submitted their challenge on Dec. 11 along with an eight-page list of passages from the Bible that they found to be offensive and worth reviewing.

 . . . “Get this PORN out of our schools,” the parent wrote. “If the books that have been banned so far are any indication for way lesser offenses, this should be a slam dunk.”

And apparently the parent did not come to play games. According to the Tribune:

The eight-page list starts with passages from Genesis that mention sex, alcohol, nudity, rape and incest. A quote from Genesis 19:8 reads: “See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish.” 

 Genesis 19:35-36 adds: “Then they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father.” 

 The other citations highlight similar themes, including passages mentioning “whoredom” and “breasts” and “fornication.”

Utah state representative Ken Ivory, who sponsored the law, was not happy at the parent's request. He called it a stunt and  said it would drain the school's resources: 

 “There was a purpose to the bill and this kind of stuff, it’s very unfortunate,” he said. “There are any number of studies that directly link sexualization and hyper-sexualization with sexual exploitation and abuse. Certainly, those are things we don’t want in schools.” 

 “For people to minimize that and to make a mockery of it is very sad,” Ivory added.

 I think that was the parent's point, Mr. Ivory - to show the inanity of book banning.

 According to the Tribune, the request has been given to a committee and the process usually takes 60 days but there may be backlog.  

'Disney announces huge LGBTQ+ conference. What will DeSantis do about it?' & other Thur midday news briefs

Disney announces huge LGBTQ+ conference just weeks after Ron DeSantis said he’s their “sheriff”​ - Well this promises to be interesting.

DeSantis to expand ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law to all grades - Speaking of which, DeSantis is most likely doing this because Trump is wrecking him in the polls. By double digits.

LGBTQ-friendly books being read to elementary students in Montgomery County - A very good article which points out an interesting fact. A parent here says that she was not consulted but the school DID send out a statement regarding the things she claimed not to be consulted about. And apparently there was an evaluation process about it. 

NASCAR Racer Zach Herrin Wears His Gay Identity Proudly - You'd better believe it. 

Sarah Huckabee Sanders Signs Trans Bathroom Ban Bill Into Law - A stupid and unnecessary bill.

'I am the parent of a transgender child. What about my parental rights?'

So many conservatives who shout "let kids be kids" and "parents should raise their kids, not the government" are basic hypocrites. All of their prattle is a smokescreen to cover up their prejudices and attempts to undermine the lives and rights of transgender Americans. Their actions against this community belies both their mantras. 

If they actually believed in letting kids be kids and letting parents raise their own kids, they would heed the words of Jennifer Koslow. She is a Florida parent and the mother of a trans child. Legislation proposed in Florida against gender-affirming healthcare would do her family great harm.

She makes her case in The Tallahassee Democrat 

I am the parent of a transgender child. I should have the fundamental right to determine what is in the best interests of my child's health and education. HB 1421 & SB 254 that ban gender-affirming medical care for minors (and put conditions on medical care for adults), HB 1403/SB 1580, "Protections of Medical Conscience," and HB 1223/HB 1069/SB 1320, which expands legislation related to Educational Institutions and Instruction Requirements will all have the same impact. They undermine my parental authority. 

 My family, and no family I know, has ever made a medical decision regarding their transgender child without consulting a team of physicians. Having gender dysphoria is not being "confused." It is a condition where a person's feelings about their body are out of alignment with the physical traits of their body. For some (but not all), gender dysphoria creates extreme distress. 

Thirty years of data on puberty blockers tell us that this is a safe medication to temporarily pause puberty. As transgender children become adolescents, gradually taking gender-affirming hormones is only done as an informed decision for them and their parents. HB 1421 & SB 254 undermines a parent's fundamental right to make medical decisions for their child in consultation with their physicians.

Her entire post deserves a read and a share.

'Leaked emails reveal anti-trans 'holy war'' & other Wed midday news briefs

‘Under His Wings’: Leaked Emails Reveal an Anti-Trans ‘Holy War’​ - Spooky and not surprising. We need to amplify this more because those folks fear being exposed. 

Uganda lawmakers approve new anti-homosexuality bill - And LGBTQ Ugandans have to deal with this again. 

Tennessee GOP leader survives no-confidence vote amid racy social media controversy - Randy McNally got lucky. That's okay for now. 

What It's Like to Be an LGBTQ+ High Schooler in DeSantis's Florida - I'm actually too scared to imagine. 

West Texas A&M University president cancels student drag show - Sounds like someone is angling for a future in politics. Maybe?

Former FL legislator who wrote 'Don't Say Gay' bill pleads guilty to fraud, faces up to 35 years in prison

Former FL legislator Joe Harding

I posted about the hypocrisy of former FL GOP state legislator Joe Harding last year when this first went down. The follow-up is an appropriate reminder.

From Raw Story

Joe Harding, the now-former Florida Republican lawmaker who authored the extremist “Don’t Say Gay” bill could face up to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday afternoon to federal felony fraud charges in a scheme to obtain $150,000 in COVID-19 relief funds, according to Florida Politics‘ publisher Peter Scorsch. 

 Harding, 35, was a construction project manager who started his own lawn care company. He quickly became a right-wing darling after his anti-LGBTQ legislation, officially the Parental Rights in Education Act, was embraced by Florida GOP Governor Ron DeSantis, who signed it into law. Harding was charged in a December federal indictment with six counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in his plot to obtain $150,000 in COVID funds. He resigned from the legislature the following day. He originally pled not guilty. 

 After Harding was charged and resigned, Nadine Smith, the executive director of Equality Florida, responded via social media, saying: “So much harm to students, parents and teachers because of his raw political ambitions. He slandered entire communities and trafficked in lie after lie that has emboldened violent bigotry. He will have his day in court but his legacy is already a despicable one.”

Well that's one less fool we have to worry about in politics.

'Proud Boys left bloodied in clash outside NYC Drag Story Hour' & other Tue midday news briefs

Proud Boys left bloodied in clash outside NYC Drag Story Hour​ - Folks do NOT play games in New York.

Georgia County Pays $1.2 Million to Fight Gender-Affirming Care Suit - It would have been cheaper to allow the employee to have her gender-affirming care. But some folks just have to be stubborn no matter how much it costs them. 

Spread of anti-LGBTQ bills could have ‘enormous impact’ on HBCUs - I kept telling folks that we are all connected. 

Queer students in Florida are terrified - It's sad how these "let kids be kids" types aren't doing anything but harming kids.