SC marriage equality opponents rally in poorly attended 'Pickett's Charge'

The issue of marriage equality in South Carolina has been settled at least for now. Barring a different decision from the Supreme Court later this year, gay and lesbian South Carolinians fairly won the right to marry. And that should be the end of that.

However, don't break the news to the sparse group of folks who assembled earlier today at the State House. They assembled in support of a bill which they hope would stop marriage equality, no matter what the courts say. The bill, proposed by SC State Rep. Bill Chumley,  would defund gay marriage in the state and punish state employees who issue or recognize same-sex marriage licenses

Their argument, which was repeated continuously by various speakers from the stage, including Chumley and State Sen. Lee Bright, was that the federal government was overstepping its bounds and interfering with the sovereignty of South Carolinians who voted overwhelmingly to ban marriage equality in 2006.

What the crowd, made mostly of elderly South Carolinians, lacked in numbers, they made up for greatly in enthusiasm, particularly when speakers talked about an "over-reaching" federal government.

'Anti-gay Family Research Council pushing bogus religious liberty poll' & other Friday midday news briefs

FRC's ridiculously bunk new poll (*from partisan polling firm) - The Family Research Council pushes a transparently deceptive poll on religious liberty. Whatever happened to the good old days when fraud and chicanery had a certain style. Now I know there are some folks on my side who want to be nonchalant and jaded over this. I wouldn't recommend it. Any time we can catch FRC in a lie and publicize it, it is another chop in its tree of credibility. Besides, one day I will  relate to you the days when there was no one exposing FRC lies. It was NOT a good time. Be thankful for those of us willing to jump into the breach.

WATCH: Homophobes Have Invented a Scary New Tactic to Undo Equal Rights - It ain't pretty and eventually, it may backfire spectacularly. However, I cringe to think of the damage it may do BEFORE it self-destructs.  

AL Gov's Pastor Urged Him To Defy Federal Courts On Marriage To Prevent America's Collapse - Gasp and swoon! How dare Alabama's governor remember that he was elected to serve all the people of Alabama and not the church! The meanie! 

 U.S. Churches: Banning Same-Sex Marriage Has Nothing To Do With Homosexuality - There isn't enough snarkiness in the world for me to make a comment about this #@!*!

 Jeb Bush, 2016’s Gay-Friendly Republican - Naturally other Republicans aren't exactly ready to jump on THIS train. Oh this is going to be sooooo much fun to watch!

Anti-gay Family Research Council moves on to another discredited researcher

Mark Regenerus - FRC's newest discredited researcher?

For years, the Family Research Council was one of the many anti-gay groups who relied on the work of discredited researcher Paul Cameron, a man who had been criticized for poor techniques methodologies, as well as dismissed or censured from organization such as the American Psychological Association, the American Sociological Association, and the Canadian Psychological Association

FRC and other anti-gay groups used his bad research to prove negative theories about the lgbt community However, when Cameron was exposed for being the fraud that he is, FRC and other anti-gay groups slyly distanced themselves from his work.

According to a recent email I received from the organization, however, FRC may have found another discredited researcher it can use:

Yesterday, respected University of Texas professor Dr. Mark Regnerus spoke at FRC about "Stability and Change in Americans' Relationships." His presentation was based on an exhaustive survey he conducted of more than 15,700 people from every background and walk of life. The survey's findings showed some change in Americans' attitudes towards marriage, cohabitation, and homosexuality, but one of the most striking findings is that only 42 percent of the American people support same-sex marriage, a percentage that roughly mirrors FRC's survey, released earlier this week, showing that 53 percent of people agree that marriage should be defined only as a union between one man and one woman.

Despite the sexual revolution of the past several decades, less than half (44 percent) of Americans believe cohabitation before marriage is a good thing. And as to infidelity, a whopping 74 percent say adultery is never acceptable. Dr. Regnerus noted that "so much is up for grabs" but made clear that religious commitment and the strength of one's family "track together."

"Marriage is not considered outdated," Dr. Regnerus observed, and "people regard marriage as concerning children." As the Supreme Court ponders same-sex "marriage" later this year, let's hope and pray their listening to those they have been appointed to represent -- the American people -- when it comes to redefining an institution still held in high regard throughout our society.

Regnerus is NOT respected. He is the author of a 2012 badly done, much rebuked, disputed, and discredited negative study on same-sex parenting.

Anti-gay AFA doesn't know which deception to push about Washington state florist, so it pushes two

\

As witnessed by these posters, anti-gay groups can change talking points quickly.

 When it comes to the case of Barronelle Stutzman, the Washington State florist who was found guilty of breaking that state's anti-discrimination laws by refusing to serve a same-sex couple, anti-gay groups had to play a quick game of message switching.

At first, she was portrayed as a Christian grandmother who was in danger of losing her home, business, and life-savings supposedly because she was "standing up her her values" against evil government officials and lgbts attempting to "make" her "participate" in marriage equality.

However, when the news came down that she actually refused to accept a settlement from Washington State's attorney general of $2001, quicker than Diana Prince would change into Wonder Woman on the 1970s television show, anti-gay groups suddenly transformed her into a person who would not sell out her values even if this could possibly, but really not proven as would, cause her to lose her life savings, business, and homes.

That's not to say though that one particular anti-gay group isn't brazen enough to push both talking points at the same time.

This afternoon, I received an email from the anti-gay American Family Association:

Barronelle Stutzman has rejected a deal by Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson that would have forced her to betray her religious beliefs and start providing flowers for gay weddings.

"You are asking me to walk in the way of a well-known betrayer, one who sold something of infinite worth for 30 pieces of silver," Stutzman wrote in a letter to Ferguson. "That is something I will not do."

  . . . Feeling the heat from the Christian community, Ferguson had offered to settle the case if she paid a $2,000 penalty for violating the Consumer Protection Act, a $1 payment for costs and fees, and agreed not to discriminate in the future.

First of all,  the claim that Ferguson was "feeling the heat from the Christian community" and offered to settle because of it is a lie.

'AFA's silly 'bigotry map' declares the Carolinas 'gay-free' zone' & other Thursday midday news briefs

Gay Marriage Opponents To Rally - Now you just KNOW that South Carolina wasn't going to be left out of this wildness. Folks will be assembling at the State House this weekend to push support for "protection of marriage bills" in my state. Barring the weather, I will be there taking pictures. As for the possible success of these bills, I have tremendous faith in the statewide organization, SC Equality, in its efforts to stand for our community. The organization is hard at work even as I speak. 

N.C. Senate passes anti-LGBT religious discrimination bill - Meanwhile, a bill which would allow magistrates and registrars of deeds to not do their job for same-sex couples passed. I don't see a bright future for this law. 

 American Family Association proclaims the Carolinas a safe, queer-free zone - According to the American Family Association's 'bigotry map,' the Carolinas (North and South) have no lgbt groups at all. Now we all know this isn't true on so many levels. On one hand, I am incredibly insulted. However, on the other, the James Bond villain in me is thrilled that our secret homosexual organization dedicated to bringing down America and having Judy Garland's birthday declared a national holiday hasn't been detected yet. This means (fake European villain accent) "no one has made me cross enough to feed them to my piranha fish."  

Texas Bill Would Punish Businesses If They Don’t Discriminate - It's an old adage, but I can safely say that yes, I have now "heard everything."  

Facebook, Fox Entertainment Executives Spoke At Media Conference Featuring Anti-LGBT, Islamophobic Extremists - Fox News I can understand, but Facebook? Shame! 

 Fired for Being Trans - This should NEVER happen EVER.

Washington Post gives the 'skinny' on the anti-gay discrimination wars of 2015

 . . . the fight over gay rights continues in conservative corners of the country, where legislators are advancing laws that would, intentionally or not, ensure that gay people can be refused service, fired or evicted simply for being gay.

There are no national laws protecting against these forms of discrimination, so the matter has been left up to individual communities. A growing list of cities, for instance, are passing gay anti-discrimination ordinances, which has raised the ire of their more conservative state houses.In this year’s legislative session, similar bills in several states are striking back against gay rights.The proposed state laws fall into two categories.

Some are anti-anti-discrimination measures that would prevent a state’s cities or counties from creating protections for gay people. . . . In another, more classic category are laws that would protect people who discriminate against gay people on religious grounds. There has been tremendous legal murkiness concerning when and in which contexts religious rights trump gay rights. These religious freedom bills would have religious rights triumph, always.

Everything You Need To Know About The Gay Discrimination Wars in 2015, The Washington Post

Those who want to celebrate thinking that the lgbt community is about to win marriage equality need to get off their asses. As one war ends, another begins. So it shall be if the religious right and their allies have anything to say about it.

'Religious liberty, marriage equality battles all over place' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

Fox News Rallies Behind Florist Who Refused To Serve Gay Couple - I wish the anti-gay industry would make up their minds when it comes to this mess. First they portrayed this woman as in danger of losing her home, business, and life savings because lgbt folks are suing her. And now when it comes out that she refused a settlement of $2001 (one dollar to pay for court costs), suddenly they shift the situation to her being a hero for her supposed values.

Alabama Same-Sex Couple’s Marriage Recognized, But Joint Adoption Still Denied - This dance is called the "Homophobia Boogie." You take two steps forward and they drag you back one (apologies to the tv show "Good Times" where I freely pilfered for the above sentence.) 

 Walmart Comes Out Against Anti-LGBT Bill - Why gee, thank you Wal-Mart (and everyone else) who are finally opposing this bill . . . AFTER it became law. 

 It's not a 'marriage debate' simply because pro-discrimination lawmakers say it is - Jeremy Hooper makes a GOOD point about framing the issue here. 

 Iowa Radio Host: Jeb Bush Gave Conservatives 'A Middle Finger' By Hiring Gay Spokesman - I just KNEW when Bush hired this guy, all hell would break loose. And it starts . . .

 Indiana Senate passes ‘religious freedom’ bill - This just in . . . and it ain't pretty. With the situation in Arkansas, then here and several other places, folks are asking what are organizations like ACLU or HRC doing to fight this. I understand the need to not reveal battle plans, but y'all, we really need some type of assurances that we aren't sitting ducks here.

  'Walking Dead' Fans Upset Over Gay Kiss, Tweet Homophobic Comments - So let me get this right - in a show about a post-apocalyptic world where humans are fighting zombies (and not the 'Scooby-Doo' type but the hungry, fast, cannibalistic type made famous by George Romero and Lucio Fulci), folks are angry because two male characters kissed? ARE YOU $#@!&!; KIDDING ME?!!!!!