Family Research Council ignores Rob Porter spousal abuse scandal to praise Trump's 'religious devotion'

Today was the National Prayer Breakfast, which is always attended by the President. That being the case,  Donald Trump attended. And Family Research Council president Tony Perkins practically oozed praise at Trump for doing so:

Every president since Eisenhower has spoken at the National Prayer Breakfast. But not everyone has practiced the policies they preach. Barack Obama was famous for using the event to talk about the "inherent dignity of every person" only to ride back to an office that did more to promote abortion than any White House in history. Or to insist "we can't leave our values at the door," while he ordered Americans to do exactly that on marriage, health care, and faith. With Obama, what you heard wasn't necessarily what you got.
In the year since Donald Trump has been in office, he hasn't just talked a good game -- he's walked it. When he stepped up to the microphone this morning to promote religious liberty, 12 months of accomplishments already spoke volumes. Executive orders, HHS rules, Justice Department briefs, and confirmations like Sam Brownback's point to just how sincere the president is about what he says. 

This morning, he didn't disappoint, using the opportunity to draw the country's attention back to the importance of our First Freedom. "Our rights," Trump said, "are not given to us by man. Our rights come from our Creator. No matter what, no Earthly force can take those rights away." Then, in a nod to one of the biggest struggles in our society, he took time to highlight real tolerance and what it means to a nation like ours. "When Americans are able to live by their convictions, to speak openly of their faith, and to teach their children what is right, our families thrive, our communities flourish, and our nation can achieve anything at all." 

Then, broadening his scope, he hinted at the work cut out for Brownback, America's new Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom. "Together, as Americans, we are a tireless force for justice and for peace... We know that millions of people in Iran, Cuba, Venezuela and North Korea and other countries suffer under repressive and brutal regimes. America stands with all people suffering oppression and religious persecution."
It was another solid speech that reminded us all: words matter. But we can all be grateful that to this president, actions matter just as much.

So why is today is an odd time for Perkins to praise Trump's religious devotion? Because the Trump Administration is presently facing yet another scandal; this one involving a top aide, Rob Porter, who resigned this week because of allegations of spousal abuse involving his two ex-wives. Not only that but supposedly top Trump aides were aware of these allegations because the ex-wives informed the FBI last year during his background check, with one supplying pictures. Supposedly Trump was unaware of the situation until this week.

'Mike Pence's anti-LGBTQ history comes back to haunt him just in time for the Olympics' & other Thur midday news briefs

Come on, Mike Pence. You know how we in the LGBTQ community are. We don't forget major slights from legislators and politicians. And if said legislators and politicians come at us nicely while pretending that the slights weren't made, we will remind you about them. It's one of our major powers. To put it plainly:

We don't forget sh!t.

‘Hypocrite’ Mike Pence Slammed For Tweet Supporting Gay Olympic Athlete

Mike Pence lies about his support for anti-gay conversion therapy during riff with Olympic skater Adam Rippon

Here’s a Recap of Mike Pence’s Attacks on LGBT Rights – READ

In other news:

School kicks trans athlete off boys basketball team for using the bathroom - Oh what the hell . . .

This elderly lesbian who was ‘slapped and told that homosexuals burn in hell’ is suing her care home - Someone needs their behinds whipped for this. I hope she wins.

LGBT historic site projects continue under Trump - Don't let the religious right know. They'll try to mess it up for us. 

Mercer University students grill Trump’s lawyer on anti-LGBTQ, anti-Muslim stances - Take note college students - THIS is how you handle an anti-LGBTQ speaker or any speaker you oppose coming to your campus. Wildcat screaming and yelling don't mean crap. You organize, plan, educate yourself on his/her history and ask pointed questions at the event. With dignity and purpose.

Do you agree with these Top 10 lists of LGBTQ culture?

Sometimes I feel like muckraking and sometimes I feel like I want to spotlight fun cultural references designed to get folks interested in educated about aspects of the LGBTQ community in entertainment. Today it's the latter so allow me to present four fun videos from youtube:

Top 10 Memorable Gay Characters, Top 10 Best Lesbian Themed Movies,Top 10 Inspirational Transgender Celebrities, and Top 10 Celebs You Didn't Know Both Ways (yeah, I'm not exactly happy about the title of that last one either).

Also, let me say that these video lists aren't representative of the entire LGBTQ community. They are to amuse and inspire searches for other bits of knowledge:

'Jeff Sessions is installing ‘religious freedom’ czars in every U.S. Attorney’s office' & other Wed midday news briefs

Jeff Sessions is installing ‘religious freedom’ czars in every U.S. Attorney’s office - Not if folks raise sufficient hell about this. It's no accident that anti-LGBTQ evangelical groups have refrained from crowing about these steps Sessions has been taking to codify this religious license to discriminate. I'm guessing they don't want anyone to know these behind-the-scenes moves.

‘I was enraged to see my story distorted and used’: Detransitioners object to anti-transgender book - Ryan T. Anderson is a little fraud who is attempting to repackage the same old anti-gay, anti-trans trash into a new, glittery package. 

AIDS In America Is A Black Disease - Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and work needs to be done in the African-American community in order to educate folks. 

LGBT Publix Employee Says He Was Fired for Reporting Anti-Gay Harassment - Really? Looks like Publix has a lot more work to do to get on our good side.

Why have Texas Republicans cooled on bathroom bill? - We can only hope Texas has.

Family Research Council's Tony Perkins tries to make homophobic lies into truth by repetition

FRC's Tony Perkins thinks he can make lies into truth via repetition.

On Tuesday afternoon, anti-LGBTQ hate group the Family Research Council just proved that no matter how much power it gains because of the Trump Administration, it will continue to be a deceptive, small-minded organization which works to undermine the LGBTQ community through lies and distortions.

Yesterday, the Georgia state Senate passed a bill which will streamline its adoption process. According to media reports, the bill was held up because it included a provision which would allow adoption agencies to discriminate against same-sex couples on "religious grounds" while still receiving tax dollars.  That provision was taken out and GA governor Nathan Deal is expected to sign the bill.

And that is what Family Research Council president Tony Perkins was raging about Tuesday afternoon:

Governor Nathan Deal (R-Ga.) never met a religious freedom bill he liked -- and the state's newest adoption proposal isn't likely to change that. The Georgia Republican, who valiantly displayed all the traits of a coward on the issue a year and a half ago, is back at it, threatening the state's conscience protections for faith-based groups. 

After demanding a "clean" adoption bill from lawmakers, the state's conservatives obliged -- but only until they could introduce a standalone proposal that would give adoption agencies the freedom to turn down prospective parents based on their lifestyle. "Some will believe in same-sex marriage, others don't, whether it's by faith or other reasons," the bill's sponsor, Republican State Senator William Ligon said. "As a pluralistic society, we need to figure out ways to accommodate that and not pressure one group to accept another group's version of marriage." 

Even before the Obergefell ruling, adoption was an explosive issue in places like Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Massachusetts, who cut off government grants for organizations like Catholic Charities because they sought what the social science research made abundantly clear were the safest and most nurturing environment for kids. If Deal gets his way, it would be open season on groups who take the well-being of children into account in adoption placement. 

This is how backwards we've become as a society. America's focus is no longer the well-being of children but on the "well-being" of a small but well organized political minority that uses Saul Alinsky tactics to force politicians into doing their illogical bidding. There's an abundance of social science data supporting the common-sense belief that children do best when raised by a married mother and father. In the largest peer-review study ever done on same-sex parenting, Dr. Mark Regnerus found that the emotional, financial, academic, and physical outcomes of kids raised in same-sex homes rated "suboptimal" or "negative" in almost every category. Because of that, there's every rational basis for agencies to prefer natural families over same-sex couples in adoption.
Why would anyone -- including Deal -- put the agencies that care about the social science out of business? Faith-based adoption agencies should never have to choose between their beliefs and helping people. That would be devastating – and not just for Georgia. Believe it or not, one of the biggest engines for adoption in America are private, social service agencies like Catholic Charities, who would sooner close its doors than compromise their biblical beliefs. 

If Georgia accepts Deal's terms, faith-based groups would be driven out of the adoption business -- leaving children and prospective parents with even fewer options for building families. Adoption is not -- and should never be -- about adults. This is about giving children the best chance to succeed in life. It's a shame Nathan Deal refuses to.

In the above tantrum, Perkins spins two distortions. And I think he knows this because both have been cited before by Perkins and those who on his side of this issue.  And both have been refuted time and time again, including by me. Someone needs to inform Perkins and FRC that the repetition of a lie doesn't change said lie into truth.

First of all, let's be clear about what Perkins favors. He thinks that citing "religious beliefs" should be a useful way for adoption agencies to discriminate against same-sex couples while helping themselves to the tax money paid in part by those couples they are discriminating against.

Now let's tackle the distortions.

'Public outcry gets Publix to change its bad policy on HIV prevention medication' & other Tue midday news briefs

Following outcry, Publix announces it will begin covering HIV prevention medication - In spite of today's climate, we still win when we band together and raise necessary hell the right way.

Why Are Murders Of Gay And Bi Men Up A Staggering 400 Percent? - One guess why:

 The great majority of these homicides, which include killers who lured their queer male victims using social media apps, weren’t committed by men involved with neo-Nazis or white supremacist groups. But those hate groups and their allies may feel emboldened by a president who talked about the neo-Nazi rally that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, last year as having “very fine people” on “both sides.” And according to another ADL report, white supremacists hate groups are organizing on campuses, targeting college students. Those factors, in turn, have added to the culture of fear in which rising violence against LGBTQ individuals has taken place.

 Be careful. People are being really stupid out there. Don't be lured. De-escalate the situation if you can, fight like hell with anything you can if you have to. No need to be polite.

Anti-Gay Pastor Leads Ex-Minister in Run-Off to be Costa Rica President - Lawd hammercy!

Mat Staver: Labeling Liberty Counsel An Anti-Gay Hate Group Is Akin To What The Nazis Did To The Jews - I think it's safe to say "that's not how any of that works."

Transgender bathroom policy debate returns to S.D. Legislature - And we are here again.

American Family Association wants credit for release of disastrous Nunes memo

Anti-LGBTQ hate group wants partial credit for the release of the Nunes FISA memo. I say it's all yours.

And the winner of the "You Really Should Keep Your Mouth Shut Because You Sound A Damn Fool" award this evening goes to anti-LGBTQ and Trump supporting evangelical hate group the American Family Association.

When I read the email from AFA president Tim Wildmon, I nearly choked from laughter. It definitely made my day:

Recently, we sent you an AFA Action Alert, asking you to contact President Donald Trump, your representative, and senators and urge them to take the necessary steps to declassify and publicly release a four-page FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) memo to the American public. 

High ranking government officials reported that a classified, four-page memo, dubbed the "FISA memo," had been made available to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives. 

The memo highlights extensive and abusive and likely illegal surveillance of private American citizens by federal government agencies. The classified memo contains details of a coordinated effort between government agencies, including the DOJ and FBI, and the Hillary Clinton political campaign against President Donald Trump, both prior to and following the presidential election. 

Your actions helped get the controversial four-page FISA memo written by the majority staff of the House Intelligence Committee has been released by President Trump.

For those who don't know, the FISA memo has been all of the talk since last week. It was a memo written at the direction of House Intelligence chairman Devin Nunes of CA and it claims that there is a conspiracy to unseat Donald Trump as president via the FBI. Before it's release, conservatives and the right-wing media had been hyping it up as "worse than Watergate" (i.e. the scandal which led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in the mid-1970s.). Self-avowed Trumpaholic Sean Hannity of Fox News was especially hyping it it to death.