''Religious right tries to silence Carrie Underwood while whining about lgbt 'thought police' & other Fri. midday news briefs

Carrie Underwood

Christians decry ‘thought police’ then call for blacklisting Carrie Underwood

The Stunning Hypocrisy Of The AFA’s ‘Thought Police’

Just so we are clear - Kim Burrell calling us "perverted" is perfectly okay and the "homosexual thought police" should "stop trying to destroy her career." Carrie Underwood supporting lgbt equality? Unacceptable! She should shut up! She is not a Christian! How dare she gets invited to sing at a Christian conference. I hope you all know that the religious right will attempt to get away with such rank hypocrisy if no one calls them out on it.

Texas and Virginia join other states competing for the most anti-trans legislation - Just an opening salvo. We knew it was coming. That doesn't mean we are going to lose and it certainly doesn't mean we need to get all chicken#@!%. Bring it on.

'Bathroom bills' are cynical exploitation of parental fears - This morning's post to chew on.
 

Coachella’s Owner Under Fire For Alleged Ties To Anti-LGBTQ Groups - This is HUGE!

'Bathroom bills' are cynical exploitation of parental fears

Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick held a press conference on Thursday announcing that he will be pushing an an awful anti-transgender bathroom bill which is similar to North Carolina's HB2.

The bill is terrible enough, but what really puts the icing on this bitter cake is the propaganda used by the Family Research Council to defend it:

If Texas thought it had seen the end of the transgender bathroom agenda, they were mistaken! After the overwhelming defeat voters delivered to the Houston mayor and city council for its gender-free, anti-religious liberty ordinance, conservatives are ready for the next chapter: more permanent protections against this dangerous and unpopular crusade of the Left. Like most sane people, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick (R) doesn't think grown men should be sharing fitting rooms, locker rooms, showers, and restrooms with little girls.

To put the brakes on the Left's campaign, Lt. Gov. Patrick has teamed up with State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, in unveiling a statewide bill, the Texas Privacy Act of 2017 (S.B. 6), which would bar public schools, state government agencies, and political subdivisions from throwing open bathroom doors to people of the opposite sex. Sounds reasonable, right? Not to the Left, which is already fueling up its propaganda machine to pump out false information about the measure would and wouldn't do. "I don't know what problem he's proposing to solve," said Chuck Smith of Equality Texas. Why not ask the women and children at Target stores, who have been victims of voyeurs or sexual predators under genderless policies like these? Or the high school girls in Illinois, who are so afraid to undress in the locker room that they wear their gym clothes under their regular ones? The concern is not that transgendered individuals are more likely to be sexual predators, but rather that sexual predators could exploit such laws by posing as transgendered in order to gain access to women and girls.

Although the bill is similar to North Carolina's H.B. 2, this version is exclusively focused on bathroom and shower privacy. It doesn't preempt local entities from taking a position on gender identity in the context of hiring, housing, health care, or public accommodations like the Tar Heels' did. "This is a public safety issue, not a discrimination issue," Patrick said. "It's about common courtesy and privacy, particularly for women." And that's a goal both sides can get behind!

First of all, let's look at the links provided by FRC in answer to Chuck Smith of Equality Texas. Both are questionable. One is from another anti-lgbt site, One News Now (which pushes heavily slanted news courtesy of an anti-lgbt hate group, the American Family Association). It talks about an alleged incident in Texas where a man was caught filming a women in a public restroom. I say alleged because no link to any article talking about the incident was provided.

The second link is from Fox News personality Todd Starnes, a man infamous for creating false stories of anti-Christian persecution. In any legitimate media organization, Starnes wouldn't be able to get a job cleaning bathrooms, much less writing articles about them. Of course it is Fox News which employs Starnes. That speaks for itself.

But what really gets me going in a negative way about FRC's propaganda was a phrase it uses when talking about the issue:

 Like most sane people, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick (R) doesn't think grown men should be sharing fitting rooms, locker rooms, showers, and restrooms with little girls.

That's not a deliberate concern of FRC. It's a deliberate reliance on fear by conjuring up images of disgusting predators dressed unconvincingly as women being alone with innocent little girls.

Like this:

 And therein is the problem. You will notice that FRC doesn't say a word about transgender children or transgender men. The organization stooped to the lowest common denominator, the most extreme example in order to exploit parental fear. FRC deliberately plants a seed in the minds of parents. It's  just a little seed, but it is strong enough to blossom into a full spread paranoia. People will gladly act in error when it comes to the safety of their children. Religious right organizations like FRC know this and that is why in almost every issue of lgbt equality, be it marriage equality, lgbt ordinances, and especially transgender equality, they deliberately take the form of Helen Lovejoy from 'The Simpsons' and interject their battle cry "won't someone please think of the children" into the fight.

They do this because facts aren't on their side, especially not in the case of transgender women using public restrooms. The transgender predator image is an ugly creation which has been debunked time after time.

But every time it's debunked, so-called Christians groups like FRC continue to conjure it up. They know they are lying but they don't care.  They just don't care.

'Obama leaves a huge legacy on LGBTQ equality' & other Thur. midday news briefs

Editor's note - My apologies for this possibly being the only post today. You know how those family "issues" can be . . .

Obama Leaves A Monumental Legacy On LGBTQ Rights - This is true. For all of the griping thrown at him, Obama's Administration did right by us. Now that he is leaving, it is up to us to maintain that legacy. I would sincerely hope we spend more time doing this than griping about what we couldn't get done under Obama.

McAuliffe signs anti-LGBT discrimination executive order - Awesome!  

From the Pulpit to the People: Kim Burrell, Homosexuality and the Black Church - A thought-provoking commentary on the Kim Burrell controversy.  

Texas 'bathroom' bill renews fight over transgender rights - Meanwhile, the Texas Lt. Gov. is attempting to build a political future on the backs of the transgender community by introducing a bill which makes North Carolina's HB2 look like a Sunday social.

The lgbt community hasn't forgotten what you did in Indiana, Mike Pence

So according to the incoming Vice President Mike Pence, the first order of business will be "repealing and replacing" Obamacare, with a heavy emphasis on repealing but short on details about replacing. I don't think it's going to be as easy as they think.

It's interesting that it was Pence who led the press conference talking about this and not Trump. It sends the message that Pence will be doing the legislative work while Trump basks in the "glow" of being president. Not surprising.

And even though all eyes will be on the battle over Obamacare - and a few others - I want to let Pence know something:

The lgbt community hasn't forgotten what you did in Indiana.

For those who have forgotten, check out this article from 2015 which basically breaks down how Pence was caught in a HUGE anti-lgbt lie about his homophobic "religious liberty" bill:

Mike Pence's claim about his anti-gay law contradicted by picture of him with lobbyists

And then let's not forget Pence's attempt to defend the law on This Week, which went over like a lead balloon:



We know that a national anti-gay "religious liberty" bill will be coming. Don't think we aren't ready.

Family Research Council complains about the State Dept's defense of lgbt equality

Family Research Council objects to defending lgbts abroad.

As it has done for eight years, the anti-lgbt hate group The Family Research Council recently attacked the Obama Administration for the work it has done to advance the cause of lgbt equality.

In its daily Washington Update, the organization listed several accomplishments of the State Department under the Obama Administration  concerning the lgbt community while attempting to unsuccessfully make these accomplishments sound like blemishes:

 . . .Obviously, America has a sincere interest in stopping the unjust persecution or targeting of any human being. But what's happened for the last eight years is not the simple defense of those who are mistreated -- it's the elevation of people around the world based on sexual behavior.

While some people are falling for the line that social issues are "irrelevant" to the work of the State Department, the Trump team isn't buying it. They're keenly aware of the culture of extremism at the agency -- so much so that they've requested a detailed list of the ways the office has tried to promote "gender equality." Late last month, the New York Times reported on the Trump memo, which asked the department to provide, among other things, details on the positions "'whose primary functions are to promote such issues' -- as well as how much funding was directed to gender-related programs in 2016."

The State Department's report should be an easy one. After all, the White House has graciously done the work for them, boasting in great detail about the "gains" it's made for the global LGBT community on its website (many courtesy of the agency that supposedly has no dealings in social issues). Here are a few of the highlights (and some the administration conveniently forgot):

• Created a "Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Persons" at the State Department. When announcing the position, Secretary Kerry said: "Defending and promoting the human rights of LGBT persons is at the core of our commitment to advancing human rights globally."

• Funded LGBT advocacy around the world through the State Department through an entity called the Global Equality Fund. "The Department of State continues to grow the Global Equality Fund, a multi-sector public-private partnership to advance the human rights of LGBT persons globally. Since the Fund was launched in December 2011, it has allocated over $30 million to civil society organizations in 80 countries worldwide."

• Used the United Nations to push LGBT issues. "In 2011, we proudly partnered with South Africa to ensure passage of the first-ever U.N. resolution on the human rights of LGBTI persons, adopted by the Council."

• Flew the rainbow flag at U.S. embassies around the word, despite host countries' complaints, concerns, and religious volatilities.

• Appointed ambassadors who openly identify as gay or transgender in defiance of other countries' values and traditions. As John Kerry said in 2014, "I'm working hard to ensure that by the end of my tenure, we will have lesbian, bisexual, and transgender ambassadors in our ranks as well..."

• Marked International Human Rights Day with a controversial Geneva speech insisting that "[G]ay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights."

• Ordered the publication of overseas op-eds hostile to other countries' views on sexuality to celebrate LGBT "pride."

• Made transgender issues a key negotiating point with other nations at the expense of diplomatic relations. "We have instructed our human rights and health officers to raise transgender issues in their host countries, and we have encouraged our public affairs officers to include the needs of transgender groups in their programming, so that we are showing that this is something that we're going to engage in..."

• Strong-armed other countries to accept America's misguided policies on same-sex spouses. "Let me be clear," Kerry lectured in a defiant speech, "we oppose any effort by any country to deny visas for spouses of American staff. It's discriminatory, it's unacceptable, it has no place in the 21^st century."

• Revised the State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual to allow same-sex couples to obtain passports under the names recognized by their state through their marriages or civil unions.

Here is my question - just what is wrong with these endeavors? Seriously. What's wrong saying that gay rights are human rights or promoting the idea? And what's wrong with opposing any effort by foreign countries to deny visas for spouses of American staff? What's wrong with flying the rainbow flag at OUR embassies? What's wrong with defending the rights of lgbts who may live in countries where homosexuality is punishable by death or imprisonment? Where lgbts butchered and beaten to death by homophobes without any reprisal?

Nothing, except to the Family Research Council, these acts are wrong because they are supposedly "elevating a sexual behavior? 

FRC tries to pigeonhole us in terms of sexual behavior to the point of crying "bloody murder" to any entities -  be it the Obama Administration, the State Department, or the lgbt community itself - who refutes the organization's insulting attempts to define us.

The State Department under the Obama Administration was clearly engaged in protecting the right of lgbts Americans as they went abroad and standing up for the worldwide lgbt community, particularly in areas of the world where they have been persecuted.

Again I ask what is wrong with that? Clearly the Obama Administration should be applauded for its very important and much needed assurances to the lgbt community that we shouldn't be treated or judged as less than human. At the same time, the Family Research Council should be asked why it seems to be so consumed with judging lgbts on supposed sexual behavior that it refuses see us as human beings.

And FRC's stance has to be taken into account seeing how the organization already has influence in the incoming Trump Administration.  If FRC thinks that defending lgbts abroad is wrong, one can only guess how calamitous its influence on Trump's policy regarding lgbt equality in general could be.

News brief special - Gospel singer Kim Burrell faces wide condemnation for ugly words against the gay community

Kim Burrell faces rightful condemnation for her ugly words about lgbts.

 “I came to tell you about sin . . .That sin nature… That perverted homosexual spirit, and the spirit of delusion and confusion, it has deceived many men and women… You as a man, you open your mouth and take a man’s penis in your face, you are perverted. You are a woman and will shake your face in another woman’s breast, you are perverted.” - gospel singer Kim Burrell in a sermon  uploaded Friday on Facebook
 

Pharrell’s Singing Partner Caught On Tape In Homophobic Rant - When I logged on Saturday morning, this was the talk of so many black folks, particularly black gay men, cause you know we love our Jesus, our church, and our gospel singers (seeing that quite a few are in the closet). And it has not abated. Kim Burrell has been justifiably blasted from all sides because of her words. And I noticed how religious right groups have not really defended her. They may come to her aid, but if they don't, do not think it's because her words were THAT vicious. Most likely they feel that they can't fundraise to other white evangelicals about a controversy in the black church community. 

Famous gospel singer Kim Burrell attacked after preaching sermon on the ‘sin’ of homosexuality - Looks like I spoke too soon. The right-wing Blaze jumps in the controversy and check out the headline in that it makes Burrell look like a victim. Between me and you - avoid the comments section of this article. It's a drag.  

Pharrell Williams, Yolanda Adams & Others Speak Out Against Gospel Singer Kim Burrell’s Anti-Gay Sermon - Another gospel singer, Yolanda Adams, not to mention Chaka Khan, Octavia Spencer, and a few others call out Burrell. 

 Kim Burrell: Gospel star defends homophobic comments - That's nice because everyone else is calling you to the carpet, girlfriend. And you should be called to the carpet.

Janelle Monae Says Homophobic ‘Hidden Figures’ Singer Won’t Perform On ‘Ellen’ - And here is the grand irony of it all. Burrell was supposed to appear on Ellen this week to sing a duet with Pharrell Williams from the soundtrack of 'Hidden Figures,' a movie slated to grab many critics' prizes, including the Oscar. Talk about timing. BAD timing. 


Editor's note - I say this as a black gay man raised in the church. This situation demonstrates the nuances of the Christian religion that the media tends to ignore and the religious right likes to omit. It is taken for granted that the black church community believe that homosexuality is a sin. Not all of us believe that and those who do don't believe it to the point where they completely stand against lgbt equality.  Some folks may feel that homosexuality is a sin, but even they don't like to see us smeared and they respect us, our lives, and families. 

And I can honestly say that a huge number don't believe that religious right tripe of  "Christians being persecuted in America."  This is a serious lesson for the lgbt community to remember in terms of not allowing folks like Franklin Graham or the Family Research Council bogart talks of religion, particularly when it comes to the lgbt community and the black community. 

Lastly, this post is not meant to attack Burrell on her looks or any other thing which has nothing to do with the topic at hand.

Anti-transgender legislation rooted in lies & fear

Rewire, an independent newsletter, has an excellent breakdown on the rise of anti-transgender legislation in the United States, as well as how those advancing this legislation rely on fear tactics. A portion of the article reads as follows:

Anti-trans bathroom rhetoric is a perfectly whisked concoction of ignorance and fear for a general public still trying to come to terms with gender variance. Much like the false claim that same-sex marriages would diminish the long-standing heterosexual ones, the bathroom issue paints trans people as a threat to the safety of women and children—and usually white ones.

“The bathroom commercial that [HERO opponents] ran used a little white girl in the ad,” said Houston-based writer and blogger Monica Roberts. “They tapped into the fear and demonization of trans folks. It’s similar to the old Jim Crow fear of Black folks into generating a fear of trans folks.”

The Jim Crow tactic Roberts references relates to the idea that increased access for Black people in the United States—specifically Black men—would result in white women being at a higher risk of violence, harassment, and sexual assault. It was often used as a moral case against desegregation of public spaces in the South, but was exposed in Southern Horrors: Lynch Law In All of Its Phases by historic Black journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett. More recently, convicted murderer Dylann Roof seized on this trope as a reason for committing the Charleston massacre and taking the lives of nine Black people. President-elect Donald Trump also has used the it against Latinx communities when he insinuated that Mexicans are rapists in a campaign speech during the 2016 presidential election.

In a similar fashion, conservatives often strip trans women of their womanhood and paint them and all transfeminine individuals as hypermasculinized, hypersexual predators, despite a major lack of evidence for this case. However, due to continued ignorance on gender identity, anti-transgender politicians maintain a hold over the general public when it comes to the bathroom debate.