Pastors suing for 'religious exemption' to ex-gay therapy ban

And yet another example of how "religious liberty" is being manipulated against the lgbt community. In this case, our lgbt kids could be put at risk.

From The Washington Post:

A group of Illinois pastors filed suit against the state Thursday, arguing that clergy should be exempt from a law banning counselors from trying to change a minor’s sexual orientation because it violates their constitutional right to free speech and exercise of religion.

The law, which went into effect in January, bans licensed counselors and mental health professionals from practicing “conversion therapy” — counseling designed to make gay, lesbian, bisexual or queer people become straight — on minors. While religious leaders don’t fall under this category, the suit says pastors could be held liable for consumer fraud under a section of the law that says “no person or entity” may advertise or practice conversion therapy that “represents homosexuality as a mental disease, disorder or illness.”

And that’s exactly what the five Christian pastors think, according to their lawsuit filed in federal court. “These pastors teach that homosexual conduct is contrary to God’s purpose for humanity and a disorder of God’s creation which can be resisted or overcome by those who seek to be faithful to God and His Word. This is what they say to those who seek their counsel — including minors,” according to the lawsuit, posted online by the law firm representing the pastors.

Supposedly these pastors don't want to change the law. They just want to be exempted from following it.

The idea that homosexuality is a sin is merely an opinion. However, the facts are that any therapy which attempts to alter sexual orientation can be detrimental and for that reason is opposed by several mainstream  health organizations such as the American Psychological Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association.

Religious liberty entails the right to worship as one pleases. This does not and never should include subjecting children to harm by fraudulent medical practices.

photo courtesy of Truth Wins Out.

Rubio talks about 'Christian' love for lgbts at conference he lied about

A water bottle won't save Rubio from facing his lies this time.

While I am happy that Sen. Marco Rubio and GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump are catching flack for their attendance at an anti-lgbt conference in Orlando, there is one portion of the story I feel should get a little more emphasis.

Rubio was initially evasive about the conference. When first confronted about it, he said the following:

"The event I will be speaking at in Orlando is a gathering of local pastors and faith leaders. Leave it to the media and liberal activists to label a gathering of faith leaders as an anti-LGBT event. It is nothing of the sort. It is a celebration of faith," he said.

"Because I believe that a strong America is not possible without strong families and strong values, for years now I have participated in events hosted by faith leaders to speak about the cultural and social issues before America, including the importance of parents and families, religious liberties and combatting poverty.

"I have always supported a traditional definition of marriage. But I recognize that a significant number of Americans hold a different view. Because marriage is regulated by the individual states, they have the right to petition their state legislature to change the law. And those of us who support traditional marriage also have a right to oppose those efforts.

"This debate should be conducted in a way that is respectful of the views and the dignity of those on both sides. That is the way I have expressed myself each time I have been asked to opine on this issue. And that is how I intend to continue to do so."

He said this in spite of the fact that other attendees and speakers at the same conference have an extensive  paper trail of comparing lgbts to pedophiles, claiming that we are tools of Satan, and all-around demonizing us.

And Rubio's speech at the conference should raise more eyebrows regarding his initial evasion. He is being portrayed as taking a stand against anti-lgbt intolerance:

Using the shorthand “L.G.B.T.” several times, Mr. Rubio told the group that the perception that many Christians are anti-gay is harming their faith. He urged them to resist passing judgment on gays. “Do not judge, or you will be judged,” he said, echoing a verse from the Bible.

 “To love our neighbors we must recognize that many have experienced sometimes severe condemnation and judgment from some Christians,” he said. “They have heard some say that the reason God will bring condemnation on America is because of them — as if somehow God was willing to put up with adultery and gluttony and greed and pride, but now this is the last straw.” While he repeated his belief that marriage should not be redefined to include same-sex couples, his speech touched on the history of discrimination against gays, which he asked his audience to consider.

“When it comes to our brothers and our sisters, our fellow Americans, our neighbors in the L.G.B.T. community, we should recognize,” he said, that American history “has been marred by discrimination against and rejection of gays and lesbians.” 

Personally, I'm not impressed. And I strongly believe that Rubio's tone has less to do with concern for the lgbt community and more to do with the fact that the challenger to his Senate seat, Patrick Murphy,  is gaining in the polls.

Rubio isn't doing me or any other lgbt any favors by supposedly defending us. I learned all I need to know about his aims when he lied about the conference in the first place.

And him giving a speech decrying homophobia at a conference which he claimed wasn't anti-lgbt in the first place is merely gravy.

'Daily Beast dealing with fall out from gay-shaming article' & other Fri. midday news briefs

Daily Beast: 'We were wrong' to publish article nearly outing gay Olympians - Yesterday, the Daily Beast published a highly irresponsible article which put lgbt Olympic athletes at risk. Even though the article was yanked, the publication is still dealing with the fall out, fueled by a righteously indignant lgbt community. Haven't folks learned not to cross the lgbt community?  

Grindr is not a gay sex peep show for straight people - The Daily Beast WILL learn today.

 Uganda’s LGBT Community Is Facing A New Wave Of Government Oppression - Speaking of oppression . . .  

New CDC Report: LGB Youth Face 'Heartbreaking' Level of Risk for Violence, Suicide Attempt, Bullying - We have to do more for our lgbt youths.

  LGBT Rights Opponent Newt Gingrich To Address Log Cabin Republicans - For Pete's sake, guys . . .

Family Rearch Council bragging about Trump speaking at its event

Does any of the recent controversies with Donald Trump (such as falsely claiming that Hillary Clinton and President Obama founded the terrorist group ISIS, attacking a Gold Star family, telling Russia to hack Clinton's email, implying to his supporters that Clinton should be assassinated should she be elected, etc. etc.) minimize his standing in any way with the "Christian" group the Family Research Council?

Of course not:

It's not surprising to a lot of us that FRC , in spite of its constant spin about morality and values, have remained pretty much silent throughout the ado about Trump's inability to show the poise and discipline one would expect from a presidential candidate.

The only value FRC is concerned about is power and the organization doesn't seem to care whose coat tails it rides upon to get that power.

The next thing you know, FRC will be praying to God that Voter ID laws be passed even though it's been proven that those laws unfairly target African-American voters.

My mistake. The organization already has.

'Equality Florida calls out Trump, Rubio for their homophobia' & other Thur. afternoon news briefs

Equality Florida rally calls out Trump, Rubio for anti-lgbt conference attendance.

Trump and Rubio Attend Florida Rally That Mocks LGBT Pain - Even though it may not be on the top of the news, the appearance of Trump and Rubio at an anti-lgbt conference in Orlando is causing people to stop and notice, as this piece in Time Magazine proves.

  WATCH: Equality Florida #ForThe49 Rally Protests Trump and Rubio Headlining an Anti-Gay Conference - And this rally generated lots of attention.

 ‘I’ll Go To My Grave With This’: Why Bi Men Still Fear Coming Out - We do need more of a focus on our bisexual brothers and sisters.

  This Is How Transgender Teenagers Get The Right To Medical Treatment - This is a wonderful tool.

Donald Trump no friend to lgbt community, Marco Rubio an unmitigated liar

Editor's note - There were no news briefs today because the public libary's internet was down. I simply have to get a tablet one of these days.

Thanks to profiles courtesy of Right Wing Watch of a few participants of Thursday's conference to be attended by both Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, we have more proof of two things:

Donald Trump is NO friend of the lgbt community in spite of he and other folks,  such as Chris Barron and Milo Yiannopoulos, have said.

Trump comes under fire for anti-lgbt conference

How will Trump explain attending anti-lgbt conference?

Aside from his absolutely clueless comments yesterday implying that Hillary Clinton needs to be assassinated, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has also come under fire for a decision to attend an anti-lgbt conference in Orlando held tomorrow.

According to the Miami Herald:

Liberal and LGBT activists are condemning Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his former adversary, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, for planning to speak at an “anti-LGBTQ” conference of 700 conservative pastors and spouses later this week in Orlando — exactly two months after the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

Equality Florida and several other organizations will have a peaceful rally and press conference in protest of the conference. The organization put out the following statement:

On the two-month anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, we are outraged that Donald Trump and Senator Rubio have the audacity to headline an extremist anti-LGBTQ event in Orlando. In the midst of our grief, we demand an end to hatred and bigotry of all kinds, call for the passage of fully inclusive anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people, and urge our elected officials to support common sense gun violence prevention measures to honor the 49 lives cut short by hatred.

Initially, it was Rubio who was being criticized for his decision to attend. But when it was learned that Trump would be there, the controversy increased. In a statement last week, Rubio defended the conference, claiming that it is merely a meeting of religious leaders:

“The event I will be speaking at in Orlando is a gathering of local pastors and faith leaders. Leave it to the media and liberal activists to label a gathering of faith leaders as an anti-LGBT event. It is nothing of the sort. It is a celebration of faith."

However, it should be pointed out that Rubio's statement was highly deceptive.  The conference is being sponsored by the American Renewal Project. According to People for the American Way's Right-Wing Watch:

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/gay-south-florida/article94716822.html#storylink=cpy

Self-described “political operative” David Lane founded the American Renewal Project as a way to mobilize conservative Christian voters and inspire right-wing pastors to run for elected office. He told (Jennifer) Jacobs (of Bloomberg News)  that he intends to quiz Trump on how he plans to fight “homosexual totalitarianism” and the gay rights “militants.” Lane, a vocal opponent of LGBT equality, has said that “homosexuals praying at the Inauguration” in 2012 would cause “car bombs in Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Des Moines, Iowa” as a sign of God’s judgment and that the “pagan onslaught” of the LGBT rights movement will lead to the destruction of America.

In addition, the speakers at this conference will include:

Mat Staver, whose Liberty Counsel Action sent out the invitation to the event and who is scheduled to speak, has gained a national reputation by representing Kim Davis and Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore through the affiliated Liberty Counsel. Last month, Staver denounced memorial gatherings for the victims of the Orlando nightclub attack as “homosexual love fests.” Staver has claimed that gay people are “demonic,” seek to abuse children and are similar to terrorists, and has warned that gay rights victories could lead to “forced homosexuality” and “another civil war.” At the same time, he has praised countries that outlaw same-sex relationships.

David Barton, a Republican Party activist who styles himself as a historian, thinks that God is justly preventing a cure for HIV/AIDS because it is a divine “penalty” for homosexuality, and has lamented that public schools try to “force” students “to be homosexual” when homosexuality really should be regulated by the government.

Maine pastor Ken Graves preaches against “militant homofascism” that he says “seeks to take over our land and make it Sodom” and argues that gay people cannot build happy families because they are “depressed.”

 Bill Federer, a Religious Right activist and conspiracy theorist, believes that gay rights are bringing about the Islamist takeover of America.  

 
 Trump's attendance contradicts his earlier statements that he is an lgbt ally.