News brief special - Two years after Pulse, LGBTQ community will continue to combat physical & spiritual violence

Today, @HRC marks two years since 49 lives were senselessly taken at Pulse nightclub. It has been 730 days since this tragedy yet nothing has changed. We urge our elected officials to pass common-sense gun violence protection measures. #HonorThemWithAction https://t.co/foV600EyxL pic.twitter.com/zesTdO0TZD

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) June 12, 2018

The Stories of the Victims of the Pulse Gay Nightclub Massacre in Orlando - Never forget.

No, We Cannot Weep Together - An appropriate post written two days later.

Jim Obergefell, Marriage Equality Plaintiff: Religion Is Being Weaponized Against Us - Meanwhile, the fight for our dignity and rights continue. Those who try to take away what is ours don't always use physical violence. Spiritual violence is just as bad.

Why Are Antigay Ads Running Before LGBT Videos on YouTube? - See commentary on news brief above . . .

22 Incredible Photos Of LGBTQ Pride Celebrations Over The Decades - But we will not lose. As we commemorate and weep and fight, we are still here. We will continue to be here.

Franklin Graham would rather rail on the trans community than comment on Jeff Sessions asylum block

So today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that there will be no asylum for people from foreign countries attempting to escape domestic or gang violence. One would think that the evangelical community would be up in arms about it. After all, they are so into exact interpretations of the Bible, which contains many verses admonishing folks to care for strangers.

Think again. Better yet, allow me to focus on one prominent evangelical leader, Franklin Graham. Do you think he has anything to say about this? Sometimes, simple tweets tell a sad, but pertinent message:

@Franklin_Graham i know you have a lot on your plate with attacking gays but in light of what the Bible says about how we should treat strangers . . well anytime you wanna weigh in would be super . . yeah . . https://t.co/QhNV11PKcR

— Holy Bullies (@holybullies) June 11, 2018

Hours later, no such luck:

'Andrew Garfield's Tony Awards speech takes on gay cake debate' & other Mon midday news briefs

Andrew Garfield’s Tony Awards Speech Takes On Gay Cake Debate - Of course the religious right would rather throw attention to Robert DeNiro's words about Trump, Andrew Garfield's words are a bit more appropriate to this blog, seeing that the Masterpiece decision is officially a week old.

  Adoption, Foster Care Agencies That Shun LGBTQ People Get Millions From Taxpayers - "You ain't nothing but a nasty dirty sinner. God doesn't love you and you're going to hell. Now gimme your money, bitch." - That line isn't in the article, but that's what the article makes me feel like what these "religious" adoption & foster care agencies are saying to me.

Patrisse Cullors On The ‘Legacy Of Queer Black Women’ This Pride Month - PREACH!! 

Indiana GOP scraps proposal to move away from Pence-era marriage equality opposition - All of that nasty symbolism. In spite of it all, we worked hard to gain the right to marry and we aims to keep it.

‘Shame Is A Good Thing’: Dave Daubenmire And Crew Will Be Protesting A Mosque, An Abortion Clinic, And A Pride Parade This Weekend - At the same time?

Beware of the homosexuals . . .

Just a little comedy to get us ready for the week, courtesy of filmmaker and photographer Ivan Bellaroba from 2014. Did you know there is no vaccine for homosexuality and . . . it's rather easy to catch.

 According to the bio on youtube, this video was inspired by certain 1950s "educational" films on homosexuality, as well as events taking place in Russia, Nigeria, and Uganda with regards to the persecution of the LGBTQ community there.

'Did SCOTUS give the anti-LGBTQ right a dreaded 'white elephant' gift in Masterpiece Cakeshop ruling' & other Fri midday news briefs

As of now (things could change), it's looking more and more like SCOTUS handed the anti-LGBTQ right a "white elephant" when it gave them the victory with its 'Masterpiece cakeshop' ruling. 

Let me explain - there is a legend about a certain king of Siam who would give a white elephant as a gift. The reason for the gift was to show his displeasure because the upkeep of the white elephant would eventually bankrupt the person he gave it to. 

It seems to me that SCOTUS gave the anti-LGBTQ right a win in Masterpiece solely on a technicality. As to the general question of using "religious liberty" as an excuse to engage in anti-LGBTQ discrimination, though the court did not touch that subject, Justice Kennedy specifically affirmed the rights of same-sex couples and the LGBTQ community. This had a serious effect on a ruling in Arizona right after Masterpiece. So while SCOTUS handed the anti-LGBTQ right a victory, the win has thus far undermined their eventual goal - the right to use "religious liberty" as an excuse to allow anti-LGBTQ discrimination by secular entities. SCOTUS is very secretive regarding its rulings and such but maybe the Masterpiece ruling was Kennedy's way of saying to the anti-LGBTQ right - "We see you! You ain't slick!"

My point:

Fury and despair over the Masterpiece Cakeshop ruling are misplaced 

Masterpiece case used by AZ court to reject anti-LGBTQ discrimination

‘Masterpiece Cakeshop’ just totally blew up in the face of the hate group that argued it

Wedding Invitation Business Can’t Shun Same-Sex Couples, Arizona Court Rules

 In other news:

Iowa judge overturns state’s ban on Medicaid covering transgender medical procedures - Wonderful!

Why Some Gay Men Hate Pride Parades — And Ourselves - A controversial but needed debate.

Trump Finally Has An LGBTQ Judicial Nominee - And with no catch! I know. Get up off the floor.

Maryland ad becomes first in the country to show political candidate kiss same-sex partner

After seeing this bold ad, I sincerely hope Maryland state senator Rich Madaleno does win the gubernatorial election. Alas, however, he is polling in fourth place for the Democratic nomination.. But even if he doesn't win, he's already made history in a positive way.  Something like this goes way beyond politics because it sends a message of openness and pride - something which is wonderful for our LGBTQ children to see.

 From The Huffington Post:

 Maryland state Sen. Rich Madaleno (D) wants two things: to be elected governor of his state and to irritate President Donald Trump. The gubernatorial candidate’s most recent TV ad begins by listing accomplishments, including sponsoring legislation to support Planned Parenthood and a measure to ban assault weapons, which he says “infuriate” the president and his conservative allies. “Take that, Trump,” Madaleno’s supporters, including several children, chime after each item. For the kicker, Madaleno turns to husband Mark Hodge for a kiss. 

 . .The ad is the first in the United States to show a political candidate kiss a same-sex partner, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund and Madaleno’s campaign.

'Closed CrossFit gym, fired executive, & transphobic Congressional candidate learn the wages of bigotry' & other Thur midday news briefs

 Jazmina Saavedra (top picture) and Russell Berger (bottom picture) both learned that people don't like hate, no matter  if it's hidden behind supposed concerns for safety or religious beliefs

Indy gym closes, CrossFit exec fired after Pride event canceled - In the recent controversy involving the CrossFit gym chain, it wasn't just the high level official who lost his job. The franchise which began the homophobic mess by attacking Pride and disrespecting its gay customers has closed. Well that solves it all. If you think Pride and homosexuality is sinful, you no longer have the option to take our money.

A Republican who filmed herself harassing a trans woman lost her election. By a lot. - On that note, a certain wannabe elected official who had the nerve to film a transgender woman attempting to use the restroom lost her primary. And it wasn't even close. 

Shop Owner Who Posted “No Gays Allowed” Sign Celebrates Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision - Okay. Even though he is wrong with his thinking that the decision allows him to do that, go right ahead and prove our point. We can always count on the religious right and their supporters to prove their point when they go overboard and show their proverbial asses. 

When 'religious liberty' breeds homophobic entitlement - Reposting this post is very appropriate. It's like I said in it - "When someone calls the LGBTQ community sinners and then tries to play the victim by accusing us of being intolerant when we call them out, it's the equivalent of an abusive relationship where your partner blames you for him giving you a black-eye, a busted lip, and assorted bruises." 

Bermuda’s repeal of marriage equality lasted less than a week - Hehehehe!!!

LGBTQ Russians Are Fleeing To NYC, But They Still Face Hostility - It's been a good day on my news briefs. But don't celebrate so much that you forget that we still struggle worldwide.