Franklin Graham engages in hypocritical bigotry against Disney, LGBTQ youth

So Franklin Graham just put out this tweet this morning:

So he's mad at Disney for daring to emphasize the reality that LGBTQ children exist. That's his right. However, I call out his homophobia as well as his hypocrisy for doing so.

 This is the same guy who supports "pu@@y-grabber" Donald Trump's presidential administration even to the point of speaking at his rallies. However to my knowledge, he has NEVER publicly called Trump to the carpet for the myriad of distasteful things he has done, from his vulgar comments to his questionable public policies, and general incompetence.

What's more of a negative influence on our children? Disney acknowledging the simple fact that LGBTQ youth exist and showing their lives or a pastor who has abandoned his moral and religious integrity for the power and spotlight?

Roy Moore will bring more homophobia & hypocrisy to the Senate

Most likely,  the controversial former Alabama judge (he was kicked off of the bench twice) Roy Moore will be elected as the US Senator from Alabama due to a combination of the GOP putting party before country and Alabama citizens so programmed to vote Republican that they do it anyway even when they don't like the GOP choice. Taking that in mind, the following video courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign is what not just what the LGBTQ community will be getting, but also what America in general will be getting.  Enjoy it (or not).



Too bad Moore doesn't feel the same way about crooked money practices than he does about the LGBTQ community. Moore's philosophy seems to be "homosexuality is a sin, but questionable ways to get money isn't." But seeing who is in the Oval Office at the present, Moore's brand of evangelical plutocracy will fit in nicely.

Editor's note - I didn't publish this post to create despair so don't even start with the raging or wringing your hands in abject fear of what's coming. Knowing what could be coming is just the first step in  defeating it. The key to victory here will be not losing your head to fear or rage. It will be knowing what's coming, planning for it, and if necessary, using whatever you can to your advantage. In other words, Moore's fanaticism could be more of an asset than a liability to us.

'GOP tax plan would let pastors endorse candidates from the pulpit' & other Fri. midday news briefs

The GOP are about to reward the religious right for replacing Jesus with Trump.

Republicans' tax plan would let clergy endorse candidates from the pulpit - This would eventually be catastrophic for the church. And you know it would wreak havoc with the LGBTQ community. On one hand, with the religious right pushing heavily for this, we are gaining further proof of the power hungry face it hides. On the other, I am a religious person and I don't like churches being immersed in the ugly political world. This will lessen its credibility.

GOP lawmaker suggests repealing the Johnson Amendment isn’t really about ‘religious freedom’ - This is why they want to repeal the Johnson Amendment.

Battle Over Rights Inspires More Transgender Political Candidates - THIS is wonderful news - "Nearly 30 races in the 2017-18 U.S. election cycle already have a transgender candidate, up from 13 in 2015-16, according to Harvard researcher Logan Casey." You see, that's how progress begins. These candidates understand that it's about more than academic terms in your circle, group-shaming of people not being "correct" or useless public displays garnered to simply get attention. 

 Virginia Legislator Says Trans Opponent Defies ‘Laws Of Nature’ At A ‘Fundamental Level’ - BUT it's not without struggle. No struggle, no progress. 

This Short Film Hilariously Examines Dangerous Expectations Of Masculinity Among Gay Men - THANK YOU!

When religious liberty was used to justify racism instead of homophobia . . .

Zack Ford of ThinkProgress has just published an excellent piece about the upcoming SCOTUS case involving  the baker attempting to use his religious beliefs as an excuse to not serve gay couples.

In 8 arguments against the anti-gay baker you may not have considered, Ford looks at the amicus briefs submitted in the case on behalf of the gay couple. It's all a fascinating read which proves that this is not a case simply about baking a cake.

One brief I found interesting in particular was by the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund. Apparently the idea of using religious liberty as a way to deny services was already litigated in the courts. But that particular case had to do with racial discrimination:

One particular amicus brief makes perhaps the most compelling argument that the Masterpiece Cakeshop case poses a threat to all civil rights. Here’s how the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund describes it: 

This case involves a familiar story: Three customers walk into a small business that sells specialty foods. The owner is said to be an “artist” for his unique culinary skills and believes his religious convictions imbue his work. The owner turns the customers away entirely or denies them access to the full range of his products because these religious beliefs forbid him from serving a particular group of persons. When the owner is challenged in court regarding his refusal to serve the customers, he claims that the First Amendment should abrogate public accommodations laws and immunize his refusal to provide service. 

This portrays what occurred in 2012 to Mr. Mullins, Mr. Craig, and Ms. Munn in the instant case—but it also describes what transpired in 1964 to three African-American customers at a barbeque restaurant in South Carolina, which led to this Court’s seminal case addressing racial discrimination in public accommodations. 

The NAACP is referring to the case Newman v. Piggie Park, which it litigated. And exactly as the organization describes, an “artist” of barbecue, Maurice Bessinger, denied service to customers on account of their race and argued that he was simply following his religious beliefs. The Supreme Court outright rejected these arguments and ruled that the discrimination was not justified. It’s an informative case because 50 years have passed and it’s clear there were no consequences to ruling against the owner’s “religious freedom.”

'Senate confirms Trump judge opposed by 27 LGBTQ groups' & other Thur midday news briefs

27 LGBTQ groups opposed Joan Larsen but the Senate confirmed her judgeship.

Senate Confirms Trump Judge Opposed By 27 LGBTQ Rights Groups - Not good, but we are going to be watching her with MUCH interest. 

Russia sought to influence LGBT voters with ‘Buff Bernie’ ad - Lawd hammercy!

Rejected by adoption agencies, same-sex couple from Dimondale is suing the state - If you get tax dollars from gays, you shouldn't have the right to discriminate against us regardless of your faith. If you feel that your faith is strong, then pray for the funding. Michigan is getting with a lawsuit. 

AU Tells Supreme Court To Stop Businesses From Using Religion As Excuse To Discriminate - PREACH!! 

The Muted Fight Against HB 1523, the Most Anti-LGBT Law in America - Now I like this right here. Just because work to ensure LGBTQ equality isn't shouted from the rooftops doesn't mean its nonexistent. As the anti-LGBTQ industry has shown, the best work is always done behind the scenes and away from the "maddening crowd."

Parents call out Trump judicial nominee for derogatory comments he made about their trans children

Easily the most offensive of Trump's judicial nominees (all of them are awful as it is), is one Jeff Mateer, whose work with the anti-LGBTQ organizations led him to impugn transgender children by claiming that they are proof that "Satan's plan is working."

Since that revelation, the Trump Administration and the anti-LGBTQ industry have been silent regarding Mateer, which is surprising. I thought at least the Family Research Council or the American Family Association would be publicly defending him.

However, the parents of transgender children have not been silent and in this video, they address Mateer personally for what he said about their kids. They also break down why they oppose his nomination as a judge.

'Latest Trump judicial nominee, like others, has ties to anti-LGBTQ industry' & other Wed midday news briefs

Leonard Steven Grasz, the latest Trump judicial nominee with ties to anti-LGBTQ groups

Donald Trump Keeps Losing in the Courts, so He’s Trying to Take Them Over - You're almost there. Scratch out Trump's name and insert "the anti-LGBTQ industry." It's not just that these nominees are anti-LGBTQ, it's that a concerning number of them come specifically from anti-LGBTQ organizations. 

We Need To Stand Up To Bullying In The Asian American And Pacific Islander Community - Speaking of diversity in the LGBTQ community . . . 

Out2Enroll launches LGBT coalition to promote Obamacare under Trump - Wonderful! 

Breathtaking Portraits of the Children of LGBTQ Parents - Author of photo book spotlighting children of LGBTQ parents talks about her project. 

  Egypt Doesn’t Speak for Africa on LGBT Issues - Egypt has declared war on the LGBTQ community. South Africa isn't happy over it. Step up!