''Straight Pride' is a mimicking bit of nonsense' & other Tue midday news briefs

The distraction of Straight Pride, as explained by LGBTQ activists and historians - That nonsense about Straight Pride is a bad joke.

Just A Bunch Of Awesome Parents Supporting Their Kids During Pride - We need more of this.

Illinois governor signs executive order to help trans students feel safer at school - Good for him!

This Trump Spokesperson Is Gay — And He Doesn’t Care If That Makes The Left Mad - Awful piece of trash. Perfect example of someone stabbing his own in the back for money and power.

Top artist Lil Nas X comes out. Twitter reactions are funny, strange, and sad

Lil Nas X

I admit that I am old and am not up on who is popular in today's music. So when I heard about rapper Lil Nas X possibly coming out, I was like "who?" Granted I know he has the number one song in the country ( "Old Town Road," his collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus) and I knew about the controversy with him being a black country singer, which in itself is rare.

But his coming out can be seen as monumental. There have been rumors of various musicians being gay before they came out (i.e. George Michael, Ricky Martin) while others were openly gay when they reached their fame (Frank Ocean.) But this has to be the first some an artist has come out as an LGBTQ while at the top of the charts.

So here are the best and (and worst) Twitter reactions to Lil Nas X coming out.

The first one is the one I like to call "Welcome to the party, Lil Nas X"

And here come the homophobes with their super clever takes... 🙄 pic.twitter.com/tL4omdC5cb

— Q. Allan Brocka (@allanbrocka) July 1, 2019

And now here are the rest. I'm not passing judgment. Some may find a few funny. Some may not. But it does say a lot about our stereotypes  about each other and the concepts we hold dear:

i been thirstin on lil nas x for months, whole time he gay pic.twitter.com/94tzkND4BB

— amber thee stallion™ (@j_hyunleee) July 1, 2019

country fans when they realize lil nas x is gay pic.twitter.com/c1WxIQiRFi

— ًbay 83 (@igortyIer) July 1, 2019

'World Pride a massive success' & other Mon midday news briefs

Thousands are taking to NYC streets to celebrate WorldPride - I've never been one for humongous events like this, but I am very glad that it was a success.

50 years of pride: LGBTQ rights celebrated with parades, protests - The entire month was filled with wonderful celebrations. 

Hawaii Governor signs 3 pro-LGBTQ bills during Pride Month. Now that’s how you celebrate! - Sweet! 

N.Y. becomes eighth state to ban ‘gay panic’ defense - 42 more to go.

Elton John Calls Out Vladimir Putin For His LGBTQ ‘Hypocrisy’ - Amen.

Trump Administration delays anti-LGBTQ conscience rule because of various lawsuits

A bit of good news is being obscured while everyone is barking about the first Democratic primary debate or noting Trump's latest general insanity.

From The Hill:

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is delaying the implementation of its “conscience protection” rule until November to give the administration more time to deal with a lawsuit over the policy. 

HHS announced in a court filing Saturday that the rule, which was originally scheduled to take effect July 22, would not be implemented until Nov. 22 at the earliest.
A coalition of Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit against the administration in May saying the policy, which would allow health care providers to refuse to provide services on the basis of their religious beliefs, is unconstitutional. 

 . . . Another coalition, which includes Lambda Legal, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Center for Reproductive Rights, filed a suit with Santa Clara County, arguing that the rule will result in “mass confusion among health care providers and is completely infeasible to implement” and could lead to health care facilities scrapping their reproductive and LGBTQ services altogether.

The Advocate had this to say:

Many fear the new rule will not only engender confusion but encourage conservative doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals to deny contraception services, transition-related care for transgender people, and even drugs like PrEP, an HIV prevention regimen. The situation could be incredibly dire for women and LGBTQ people in rural areas, where there are much fewer service providers than in urban areas.

“In the Obama administration, we were focused on expanding access to health care through the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the full and balanced enforcement of anti-discrimination and provider conscience laws,” Jocelyn Samuels, Executive Director of UCLA's Williams Institute, a think tank on LGBTQ issues, said in a statement in May.

“By contrast, this administration is simultaneously trying to restrict universal access to care through attacks on the ACA and expand the authorization for denials of care by religious providers. These actions stand to undermine the health and wellbeing of vulnerable communities, including LGBT people.”

Former 'ex-gay' leaders call for national ban on dangerous conversion therapy

This is awesome. Good for them. Granted, it is probably going to take a while, but something like this is worth fighting for.

Hat tip to TruthWinsOut.org

Drag Queen Story Hour is harmless. See for yourself.

I've noticed that a lot of people who rage about Drag Queen Story Hour have probably never attended the event. That's why I am featuring these two videos. Granted, I know that a lot of those who have raised a ruckus over the event aren't interested in seeing these videos. But I think putting them out there would do some good because they clear up a lot of misconceptions.

The opponents of Drag Queen Story Hour rely on  inferences and ugly stereotypes about  gays supposedly "sexualizing" or "recruiting" children. That's a lie. Nothing is done secretly or sneakily.  It has nothing to do with harming children in any way, shape, or form. Drag Queen Story Hour is comedy, a farce, no different than a clown show or children being read to by adults dressed up like superheroes. No one has ever accused someone reading to children while dressed as Superman of tricking them into thinking they could fly.

''Straight pride' parade moves a step closer to becoming a reality' & other Thur midday news briefs

NOT the official Straight Pride flag, but would it surprise you if it were?

Boston Approves Application For ‘Straight Pride Parade’ - I have no problem with straight people. I just wish they stop "promoting that lifestyle" in public with their hand-holding, walking as couples with their children, going to movies and such together. Keep it in the bedroom. Yeah, I am a sarcastic bitch.

LGBTQ+ History Should be Mandatory in Schools - Inclusion with other facets of history, yes.

Trump observes marriage equality anniversary by speaking to anti-LGBT crowd - Because he is a jerk. 

Out soccer star Megan Rapinoe says she’s ‘not going to the f–king White House’ after World Cup - This sister don't play. I like her.