Long-time opponent of LGBTQ community Vicky Hartzler wept in muted fury against passage of Respect for Marriage Act

 

Long-time opponent of LGBTQ community, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler can only weep at the end of her speech while unsuccessfully attempting to keep The Respect for Marriage Act from passing the House.

The House passed Respect for Marriage Act today and President Biden will sign it soon. But the moment folks are talking about is below:

Here’s Vicky Hartzler crying as she urges Members of Congress to oppose rights for gay and interracial couples.

Tears of joy for discrimination.

This is the Republican Party in 2022. pic.twitter.com/PKbXy1ERh3

— Equality PAC (@lgbtequalitypac) December 8, 2022

According to The Advocate: 

 Anti-LGBTQ+ U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Missouri started crying on the House floor Thursday as she begged her fellow representatives to vote against the Reflect for Marriage Act, which will write marriage equality into federal law. “I’ll tell you my priorities,” said Hartzler, a Republican. “Protect religious liberty. Protect people of faith. And protect Americans who believe in a true meaning of marriage. I hope and pray that my colleagues find the courage to join me in opposing this misguided and this dangerous bill.” She teared up toward the end of her remarks.

What the hell is she crying about? How can she even have the gall to cry as if someone is doing wrong to her? As evil as that woman has been to LGBTQ people throughout the years, she has got one hell of a nerve.

Let me put it this way. There are people who don't like LGBTQ folks and then there are people simply can't stand us. And based on Hartzler' s legislative career, she simply could not stand us.  I would venture to say that if given the chance, Anita Bryant would have pulled her aside to tell her to lighten up on LGBTQ people. 

Kirk Cameron claims that his faith-based books are being banned from libraries. But his story is highly sketchy

Kirk Cameron's latest attempt to market his 'Christian' brand is deceptive and highly cynical.

Here we go again with far-right evangelical victimhood. 

From RadarOnline:

'90s sitcom star Kirk Cameron claimed he was banned as a featured author at over 50 libraries across the public system, in addition to being prohibited from presenting his new faith-based children's book at a storytime event. Cameron was allegedly told his book's contents did not "align" with one library's values, RadarOnline.com has learned. The child actor-turned-writer/producer, along with his publisher, Brave Books, condemned the banning and claimed the refusal was a threat to "our kids" and "this country."

Cameron's claim is being amplified throughout the right-wing media with personalities comparing how libraries have no problem with allowing drag queens to read to kids while supposedly banning Cameron's faith-based books. The following from conservative personality Charlie Kirk is indicative of the narrative:

When something like this happens, folks on social media and the like figuratively step all over each other trying to be the first to give their two cents. Unfortunately, very few seem are even trying to get the true story. All we know is that libraries won't allow Cameron to read his books to kids because of anti-religious discrimination as per the story told by Cameron and his publisher.

In other words, Cameron is claiming that libraries are banning him from reading this book. That's the story - Cameron is making claims.

Florida lawmaker who sponsored state's 'Don't Say Gay' law indicted by federal grand jury for COVID loan fraud

Florida State Rep Joe Harding

Editor's note - The one thing I will NEVER stop loving about this blog is the support I receive. Many folks know what I am trying to accomplish here, so they support me with their readership, words of encouragement, ad sales, and tips such as the one below. 

From The Associated Press:

The Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics call “Don't Say Gay” has been indicted on charges of defrauding a federal coronavirus loan program for small businesses, officials said Wednesday. Federal prosecutors said Rep. Joe Harding, 35, illegally obtained or tried to obtain more than $150,000 from the Small Business Administration in pandemic aid loans. He is being charged with two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and two counts of making false statements. 

According to Politico:

The indictment, unsealed Wednesday night, alleges that between Dec. 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021 Harding used the dormant companies on applications for loans on the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications, including using false bank statements as supporting documentation. . . . Harding, 35, was formally indicted on Tuesday. He had a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, and was

The Associated Press article went on to point out that Harding sponsored the state's infamous 'Don't Say Gay' bill which later became law.:

Harding, a Republican, became nationally know this year over his sponsorship of a law that forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as well as material that is not deemed age-appropriate. 

In particular, Harding wanted a controversial amendment included:

A portion of the bill originally said that school officials must out LGBTQ students to their parents unless "a reasonably prudent person would believe that such a disclosure would lead to abuse, abandonment, or neglect . . ." 

In a change suggested by the bill's sponsor, Rep Joe Harding, school officials would be required to out LGBTQ kids to their parents regardless of whether or not it would lead to abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

Harding later withdrew the amendment after a huge round of criticism from parents, students, and teachers.

The post isn't about gloating but simply a reminder that LGBTQ people are not the problem. But those who undermine our rights and safety? Well . . .

Karma don't play.

'U.S. House poised to pass same-sex marriage bill, show shift in attitudes' & other Wed midday news briefs

U.S. House poised to pass same-sex marriage bill, showing shift in attitudes - LGBTQ people and our allies won this fight through good old fashioned blood, sweat, toil, and tears. Through the same sacrifices, we can not only keep marriage as a right but overcome all of the other mess thrown at us by the haters. Don't ever forget that.

Marvel actor leaves Great American Family after Candace Cameron Bure's anti-LGBTQ comments​ - Folks need to realize that 'traditional families' are comprised of LGBTQ people. We were always there. Candace Cameron Bure is learning that lesson. 

Fact check: Respect for Marriage Act explicitly protects religious tax-exempt status - Yet the anti-LGBTQ industry will continue to lie. It basically comes down to them not wanting to see LGBTQ people married. 

Club Q shooter charged with 305 counts, including murder & hate crimes - Put that f@ker under the jail. 

Wisconsin school board member sues over new sex-ed curriculum - And of course national anti-LGBTQ groups are stoking the controversy while the majority of folks there are not on their side. 

Same-sex couples wary despite federal marriage rights bill - It is frustrating but it's not supposed to be easy. It never was.

Video - Brave people always combat hatred and bigotry

 I amplified a video such as this before and I got a lot of positive comments. The LGBTQ community has a lot of ugliness thrown at us right now. People are organizing to undermine our rights and the safety of our kids by falsely calling us groomers. We got some idiotic group called the Proud Boys feeding their egos by disrupting our events. We got legislators and other government officials plotting to either erase us or undermine our healthcare.

But we also have truth on our side and as long as we stand up for truth in spite of all of the evil and lies thrown at us, we will not lose. That's what these folks in the video should remind us all about. To combat evil and lies, first you have to stand up to hate and combat it face to face. Never back down.

'Will SCOTUS make another boneheaded anti-LGBTQ ruling with recent case?' & other Tue midday news briefs

SCOTUS leans toward web designer with anti-gay marriage stance​ - If SCOTUS makes this move, it will not be good for them. They already have a problem with credibility and this case really should have never made it to them. 

The Easy-to-Miss Twist That Makes the Supreme Court’s New Gay Rights Case So Strange - More about this case. 

High-profile drag queens are now touring with armed security and metal detectors - Never thought I would live to see the day. But if it's necessary, then it's necessary. 

  Gays Against Groomers Headline Anti-LGBTQ+ Rally in Ft. Lauderdale - Just a mess.

Putin, Russia crackdown on country with expanded anti-LGBTQ law

Russian President Vladimir Putin

As you read this, remember that it all started when Putin pushed for anti-LGBTQ laws for the sake of "protecting the children." Sound familiar?

From CNN

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed into law a bill that expands a ban on so-called LGBTQ “propaganda” in Russia, making it illegal for anyone to promote same-sex relationships or suggest that non-heterosexual orientations are “normal.” 

 The ban was rubber-stamped by Putin just days after a harsh new “foreign agents” law came into effect, as the Kremlin cracks down on free speech and human rights as its military operation in Ukraine falters. The new laws significantly broaden the scope of a 2013 law which banned the dissemination of LGBTQ-related information to minors. (Editor's note - italics added by me) 

The new iteration extends the ban on promoting such information to adults as well. The new laws make it illegal to promote or “praise” LGBTQ relationships, publicly express non-heterosexual orientations or suggest that they are “normal.” The package of amendments signed by Putin include heavier penalties for anyone promoting “non-traditional sexual relations and/or preferences,” as well as pedophilia and gender transition. 

Under the new law, it will be banned across the internet, media, books, audiovisual services, cinema, and advertising. As Russia struggles in Ukraine, repression mounts at home Under the new law, individuals can be fined up to 400,000 rubles ($6,370) for “LGBT propaganda” and up to 200,000 rubles ($3,185) for “demonstrations of LGBT and information that encourages a change of gender among teenagers.” These fines rise to up to 5 million rubles ($80,000) and 4 million rubles ($64,000) respectively for legal entities.