Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Randy Rainbow again comes for Donald Trump with brutal song parody of latest scandal


Randy Rainbow leads me to realize that some stereotypes about gay men aren't all that bad. Like for instance the absolute brutal way we can verbally put certain people in their place.

Certain people like Donald Trump in view of yet another scandal in his Administration, this one involving two aides who were recently dismissed after accusations of spousal abuse were lodged against them.

'Court to decide custody battle between parents, grandparents of trans child' & other Tue midday news briefs



Parents want custody to stop transgender teen having hormone treatment - An Ohio court will rule on this case and I hope it rules for the grandparents who supports this child's gender identity. From  the witnesses and sources  - including the teen's court appointed guardian AND a hospital medical team - the hormone treatment is the best thing in this case. 

Trans School Principal Goes Public - It's easy to forget the lives of transgender people when there is more of a focus on treating them as an invading horde. Stories like this are hated by the religious right.

Bisexual ice skater Ireen Wüst has become the most decorated LGBTQ Olympian of all time - Alright, girlfriend! 

Malaysian Newspaper Slammed For ‘How To Spot A Gay’ List - Hmmmmm.

NOM Claims It Played ‘A Significant Behind-The-Scenes Role’ In Bermuda’s Marriage Equality Repeal - Odious if not true. A bit scary if true.

Monday, February 12, 2018

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos needs to stop whining & cease undermining the rights of trans students

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos needs to do her job to protect the rights of transgender students

Last week, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos remarked during a meeting that it's hurtful when her critics claim that she isn't protecting the rights of students.

Really? When I'm glad she feels that way because girlfriend needs to explain why the Department of Education has yet again its their back on transgender students.

From Buzzfeed:

The Education Department has told BuzzFeed News it won't investigate or take action on any complaints filed by transgender students who are banned from restrooms that match their gender identity, charting new ground in the Trump administration's year-long broadside against LGBT rights. 
It’s the first time officials have asserted this position publicly as an interpretation of law. No formal announcement has been made. 
For nearly a year, the Trump administration took a less clear stance, with officials saying they were studying the issue. When the Education Department and Justice Department withdrew Obama-era guidance on transgender restroom access in February 2017, Trump’s officials said in a memo and court filings that they would "consider the legal issues involved.” Then last June, the Education Department issued another memo saying it was "permissible" for its civil rights division to dismiss a trans student's restroom case. However, in those statements, officials never cemented their intent to reject all restroom complaints issued by trans students. 
For the past three weeks, BuzzFeed News called and emailed Education Department officials attempting to pinpoint the agency’s position. Finally on Thursday, Liz Hill, a spokesperson for the agency, responded “yes, that’s what the law says” when asked again if the Education Department holds a current position that restroom complaints from transgender students are not covered by a 1972 federal civil rights law called Title IX. Asked for further explanation on the department’s position, Hill said Friday, “Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, not gender identity.” 
She added that certain types of transgender complaints may be investigated — but not bathroom complaints.

The irony is that it is horror stories about young girls being in danger by being "trapped" in bathrooms with "predators" which has been the center of numerous attacks on the rights and dignity of the transgender community. Evangelical anti-LGBTQ groups have been successful in exploiting this even though there isn't as shred a proof backing it up.

'LGBTQ athletes shining at Olympics' & other Mon midday news briefs

Openly gay figure skater Adam Rippon wins bronze at Winter Olympics - American Adam Rippon isn't slouching either.

Fox removes 'Darker, Gayer, Different' Olympics column - Meanwhile, a certain column from Fox News criticizing the diversity of American Olympians got pulled. Hey John Moody! What's good?

For The Modeling Industry, The Future Is Transgender - Hopefully the beginning of a long and huge trend.

NC Christian supremacist claims that Amazon HQ2 might make the state too LGBT friendly - Smallest violin playing for this fool.

How journalists can avoid spreading misinformation about anti-LGBTQ conversion therapy - Pay attention, folks.

Sunday, February 11, 2018

'Evangelical' publication omits latest Trump scandal to talk about 'transgender programming'

'Evangelical publication too busy reporting on 'transgender programming' instead of covering Trump Administration's latest scandal.

While the Trump Administration continues to be embroiled with controversies involving Russia, domestic violence, staff members not receiving security clearances, memos, (have I left anything out), its allies on the evangelical right are conveniently ignoring speaking out on these things.

Instead, they are either being silent, propping Trump up on other issues, or going off the deep end like this article in the American Family Association's One News Now demonstrates:

Public schools are programming children to align their way of thinking to the LGBT’s transgender ideology, argues one propaganda expert, who formerly served as an intelligence professional. 
Stella Morabito, who is a historian of the Soviet Union, issued a warning at Family Research Council’s (FRC) office in Washington, D.C., that public education in the United States is beginning to implement an LGBT propaganda agenda that is geared to demolish free thinking and force students to embrace its politically correct gender worldview. 
"Social and emotional learning is becoming all the rage in the public education policy realm, and if left unchecked, it will result in a monolithic, nationalized mandate demanding conformity to the politically correct dogma of the day,” Morabito alerted attendees at FRC on Tuesday, according to The Christian Post (CP). “In other words, it is a massive state-sponsored propaganda operation intended to isolate and control people, including kids, about how to feel and relate to people.” 
She was referring to a strategic progressive operation orchestrated by an organization known as CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning), which uses various materials and processes to indoctrinate children into its mode of thinking. 
 . . . “[CASEL activists] say it is because [transgender indoctrination] is the only way children will acquire ‘life skills’ and children, who are bound to become ‘self-directed,’ are ‘crying out’ for this, noting that data show that approximately 40 percent are ‘chronically disengaged’ in school.” CP reported. “CASEL's curriculum is being implemented in certain places in the U.S. – especially in urban areas.” 
Morabito emphasized how the pro-LGBT training is nothing short of state-enforced social propaganda.

The article continues on like this, heaping the steaming helpings of conspiratorial bullshyte like it's the only food for folks in a famine. It would hilarious except for the fact that some people, driven by their so-called religious beliefs and personal prejudices, actually believe this mess.

Like all other conspiracies about the LGBTQ community driven by the religious right, this one has the same characteristics:

1. The conspiracies almost always imply that LGBTQs are out to "recruit" children.

2. The conspiracies are spun rather well except for a deliberate vagueness in terms their origins or specific players involved. In other words, the organizers are always grouped in depersonalized hordes and there is hardly ever any background given to the so-called plot or who the specific players may be. The conspiracies are geared to exploit people's personal prejudices and fears.

Oh well. This is nothing more than another "receipt" on those groups and individuals who have anointed Trump as Christianity's savior while ignoring all of the evidence which puts him on the "opposite side."

Friday, February 09, 2018

'Fox News executive has problem with racial, sexual orientation diversity of American Olympians' & other Fri midday news briefs

John Moody thinks America is sacrificing "quality" for "diversity" in the Olympics. Because he is obviously such a 'wonderful' athlete himself.

Fox News executive VP rails against diversity of US Olympians: "Darker, Gayer, Different" - It's always funny how these "let's have equal competition without thinking about race or sexual orientation" types act when we take them on and beat them. Their entitlement shows like a red light.

The Olympics Have Left Sochi, But Don’t Forget LGBTQ Russians - That's right. Don't forget.

More U.S. Teens Are Identifying as Trans and Gender-Nonconfirming - Sweet. This means our work is succeeding. Our kids are less fearful of coming out. But still more work to do.

This bill would prohibit South Dakota teachers from acknowledging transgender kids exist - Another attempt to erase our kids? Oh hell no! 

Republican-backed education bill alarms LGBTQ advocates - Some "religious liberty" mess. 


Thursday, February 08, 2018

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.