Lena Waithe, lesbian of color, makes Emmy Award history with well-deserved victory

If only all of my weeks could start off this way:

Lena Waithe and Aziz Ansari’s Emmy win made history on Sunday night. The two earned the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series at the 69th annual awards for the “Thanksgiving” episode from Season 2 of Netflix’s “Master of None.” Waithe, the first black woman to be nominated in the category, is now the first black woman to win in the category. . . . In her acceptance speech, Waithe thanked her “LGBTQIA family,” telling them, “I see each and every one of you.” “The things that make us different, those are our superpowers,” she continued. “Every day when you walk out the door, put on your imaginary cape, and go out there and conquer the world. Because the world would not be as beautiful as it is if we weren’t in it.”

The award-winning episode, 'Thanksgiving' had to do with Waite's character coming out as a lesbian to her mother (portrayed by the legendary Angela Bassett, who herself was nominated for an Emmy for 'Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series' for the episode,)

 

Both Waithe's story and victory prove one thing. In the LGBTQ community, we ALL have stories to tell and very few of them are the same. Instead of talking up diversity, we need to support each other and provide those of us who need it opportunities to get those stories out there. There is no one homogenized LGBTQ community. We are different mixtures and flavors which blend together to form a richness which no degree of hate or ignorance can extinguish. Don't be afraid of celebrating and respecting the mixtures.

Family Research Council asks for God's help in its war of lies against SPLC

According to People for the American Way's Right Wing Watch, the anti-LGBTQ hate group Family Research Council is calling for a new ally to join its fight against the Southern Poverty Law Center.

And, all jokes aside, I really don't think it's going to work out in the group's favor. You see, FRC just made a public prayer to God about the matter:"

“Pray that the SPLC’s leaders, deeds, and motives will be exposed and that their influence will diminish. May God mercifully reach into the lives of the SPLC’s leaders, staff, and supporters, and convict them of the wrong they are doing. May the Holy Spirit lead them to repentance. May many encounter Christ dramatically, just as Rabbi Saul before he became the Apostle Paul, who was on his way to destroy followers of Christ. May the American press and Big Business cease and desist from promoting the SPLC. May those who have helped instigate the present divide among Americans cease to sow seeds of division. Rather, may their stockpiled millions of dollars be used to heal the divisions in America they have helped to create. Protect and prevent the innocent and vulnerable from falling prey to SPLC’s fundraising schemes. Keep them from entanglement with the deeds of the SPLC. Finally, we pray that you would hinder the SPLC from inspiring the harm of one more person and move them to take sincere Christ-followers and Christian organizations off their ‘Hate List’ and issue a much needed apology.”

Bear in mind, just who FRC is praying to.

This is the "the truth shall set you free" God. The "therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another"' God. The "then keep from speaking evil and from telling lies." God. The "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor" God.

FRC seems to have mistaken God for one of their naive followers or at least one of the propaganda spewers from Fox News. The group thinks it can demonize LGBTQs, conflate us with pedophiles, make all up all sorts of nasty innuendos about our sexual behavior, and generally declare us as a public health menace, but then expect God to suddenly take its side over the group (SPLC) which has not only called them out for it BUT has the proof (i.e. receipts) to back up its charges?


Word to the wise, FRC.  You're making yourself look completely hypocritical. What does it say about the "personally held religious beliefs" you claim to hold so dear if you are praying to your God to help you cover up your lies? 

'LGBTQ seniors in CA gain victory in spite of Fox News' & other Thur midday news briefs

In spite of the lies of Tucker Carlson, LGBTQ seniors in CA, especially members of the trans community, are now protected from abuse.

California Legislature Approves 'Bill Of Rights' For LGBT Seniors -In spite of Tucker Carlson, the Fox News Network cadre of lies, and distortions about free speech, LGBTQ seniors, particularly transgender seniors, are now protected in California.

Linda Harvey: Criticism of The Nashville Statement Is A Precursor To Persecution Of Conservative Christians - Linda pines for the time when the LGBTQ community would simply take abuse. Sorry, girlfriend. Those days are way in the past. 

After death of LGBTQ rights activist Edith Windsor, community thanks her - Damn right. We owe Ms. Windsor the world. 

Ted Cruz's Pollster Is Flooding Australians With Antigay Robocalls - Why the hell are these jokers interfering with another country's decision about marriage equality?

Just A Bunch Of Tweets Searching For The True Definition Of Gay Culture - These tweets are very astute.

A short, delightful history of homosexuality on film

I'm not always gunning for the jugular of religious right groups. There are times in which I enjoy glimpses of LGBTQ history, such as the video below.

It was created in 2015, right after marriage equality became legal. I found it to be quite astute and a very good history lesson about how we have been portrayed on film. How many of these movies have you seen?

Alabama's largest paper issues warning about anti-LGBTQ activist Roy Moore' & other Wed midday news briefs

Alabama’s Largest Paper Issues Blistering Attack On Roy Moore: Look At How Much He Hates LGBTs [VIDEO] - The above video and accompanying post (hat tip to Joe Jervis) doesn't come as a caution but a severe warning. Moore, who was removed from the Alabama's Supreme Court for attempting to circumvent the SCOTUS ruling on marriage equality, is the front runner for the Alabama US Senate seat. And should he win, count on him causing havoc for the LGBTQ community. Don't wait for the inevitable. Don't wait until the last minute and then attempt to stuff all of your anger in a march. Start planning now. We have allies in Congress. But this man will be an enemy. A dangerous one. 

 LGBT Rights Pioneer Edith Windsor Has Died At 88 - Yesterday, one of the greatest heroes of our community met her reward. Ms. Windsor proved you are never too old to fight for your rights and maintain your dignity. We are a much better people for her presence and grace. 

It’s Official: Donald Trump Is The Most Anti-LGBTQ President In U.S. History - That doesn't mean we are going to lose to this turkey, though. The LGBTQ community has faced larger obstacles and won. Trump will be no different.

51 Of The Most Hilarious Signs From Marriage Equality Rallies Around Australia - They are still fighting for marriage equality in Australia and the folks there know how to do it.

Family Research Council's newest symbol of SPLC persecution is yet another fraud

Carol Swain, FRC's fake symbol of 'SPLC persecution'

In the mind of the Family Research Council, there is a huge rebellion of credibility against the Southern Poverty Law Center, For those who don't know, FRC has been feuding with SPLC ever since the organization called out its deliberate lies about the LGBTQ community by giving it the label of a hate group in 2010.

Since then, FRC has been taking potshots at SPLC, even falsely connecting it with a near shooting at  FRC headquarters in 2012 and the shooting in DC earlier this year which saw member of the House of Representatives hospitalized.

But try as it may, and even with the help of other anti-LGBTQ hate groups and like minded conservative groups, the only thing FRC is doing is making a complete fool of itself.

Take today's Washington Update for example:.

Retired Vanderbilt professor Carol Swain explains "What It's Like to Be Smeared by the Southern Poverty Law Center" in a strong column for the Journal, which hasn't exactly been holding back its skepticism of Richard Cohen's group. For Dr. Swain, institutionalized prejudice is nothing new. As an African-American woman, she's been threatened, protested, and verbally abused for exposing students to other views in one of academia's elite laboratories of radicalism. Now, she can add "targeted by the SPLC" to her long list of distinctions, which among other things, accuses Carol of expressing hatred toward minorities – which is ridiculous since she is a minority! 

Still, Swain insists, she "wears the SPLC's mud as a badge of honor because I know I am in the company of many good men and women who have been similarly vilified for standing for righteousness and truth." But, Carol writes soberly, the SPLC's labeling has had "has had a lasting impact on my life and career. Offers from other universities ended and speaking opportunities declined. Once you've been smeared in this way, mainstream news outlets are less likely to cite you as an expert of any kind." 

But, she continues, "Some of those vilified by the SPLC have been subjected to even worse treatment. The Family Research Council and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise have been violently attacked by individuals inspired by the propaganda the SPLC regularly dishes out -- which is often accepted without criticism and passed on by media, law-enforcement agencies and universities." Like others at the Wall Street Journal who think SPLC's "hate list" feeds the polarization it claims to be fighting, Carol knows Cohen's group has one goal (articulated, conveniently, by former staffer Mark Potok): "destroying" the groups it opposes.

First of all, the man who shot Scalise, James Hodgkinson, was not inspired by SPLC. He once "liked" SPLC's facebook page, a far cry from being inspired. So, pardon me for saying so, but Swain is a liar.

Sen Al Franken blasts Trump nominee on ties to anti-LGBTQ hate group, triggers right-wing snowflakes

This is wonderful.

 Last week, Senator Al Franken calls out Trump's judiciary nominee, Amy Barrett, on her links to anti-LGBTQ hate group the Alliance Defending Freedom. His astute series of questions sent the religious right and their allies into fits as evidenced by these headlines via conservative news sources:

Senator Franken Smears Alliance Defending Freedom with ‘Hate Group’ Label

Citing the SPLC, Sen. Al Franken Compares Alliance Defending Freedom to Pol Pot

Franken charges Trump judicial nominee with hate group ties

No matter how triggered these right-wing snowflakes became, Franken was correct in every statement he made about ADF. And it's not the first time Franken has taken religious right groups and their supporters to the "woodshed." In 2011, during another Congressional hearing, he called out Focus on the Family's Tom Minnery for misrepresenting a study.

The LGBTQ community should copy Franken's behavior in warring against these hate groups who seek to take away our equality.

1. Call these anti-LGBTQ groups exactly what they are - hate groups. DO NOT give an quarter or an inch based upon their claims about merely defending religious freedom or "personally held beliefs.

2. Educate yourselves on WHY these organizations are hate groups. In the video above, Franken broke down the nefarious activities of ADF in detail. Nothing can refute generic claims about "religious liberty" more effectively than specific details contradicting the claims.

3. Be firm and unyielding. Control the narrative always. These groups and individuals are always putting us on the defensive. Based upon their actions, they have questions to answer. Demand that they do. Turn the narrative from us to them. Every time.