Monday, June 05, 2017

So-called Christian groups exploit transgender boy's suicide for foul attack on community

What you are about to read is disgusting. I didn't even want to write anything about it but I felt something needs to be said because this is the lowest I have ever seen the religious right stoop in my over 10 years of tracking their lies and hate.

From The Family Research Council:

 Gender Distortion and Tragedy 
 Erin Georgia had prayed for a son all her life. She says she got one, but not in the way she expected. When her sixth- grade daughter came to her and said she was struggling with her identity, Erin and her husband, Matt, said their first stop was the psychologist. Eventually, the Alabama couple decided the best decision would be to let Jane Marie start living as Jay. "We've always just loved and accepted our children for whoever they are. I'm a very outspoken, tattooed Christian, very strong in my faith. We were just encouraging Jay."

That encouragement ended in absolute heartbreak last month, when Jane took her own life at their home. Now, absolutely devastated, her parents -- both Marine veterans -- struggle to understand what went wrong. After all, Jane was part of group therapy and started taking medication to help her cope. But in the end, it wasn't enough, the Georgias believe. "Jay was not ready to come out to the world in the sixth grade. Jay wasn't really ready at the end." For her parents, who only wanted the best for their daughter, it was a blow no one saw coming. "As Jay was going through this journey, he would go to church with us. The church was welcoming, but there was no safe space."

'Hate group continues ugly smear against lesbian teacher' & other Mon midday news briefs


Liberty Counsel Continues Its Crusade Against Pro-LGBTQ Florida Teacher - Anti-lgbtq hate group The Liberty Counsel has found a new crusade and it's really beginning to bug me. The organization has been targeting this teacher since May. They've accused her of "bullying" Christian students and "indoctrinating" other students in the so-called homosexual agenda - charges which were shown to be nothing when the school district investigated. But the organization won't stop. THIS is the very definition of bullying.

Related posts:

Anti-lgbtq right conveniently quiet after exoneration of teacher they targeted

Anti-lgbtq hate group continues to target exonerated high school teacher 

In other news:
 
Planet Fitness isn’t violating privacy by welcoming transgender members, Michigan court rules - A recent court decision just dealt a blow to the "transgender predator" myth.

 John McEnroe Rips Tennis Bigot Margaret Court in Salty, Delicious Denunciation: WATCH - Just imagine how homophobic someone has to be to get me the cheer John McEnroe for giving them a good "read."

 ‘Our Bible’ app aims to support LGBTQ Christians who feel excluded - Yet of a reminder that the "Gays vs. Christians" nonsense is a fictional war propagated by people (hello Franklin Graham) and organizations (the Liberty Counsel) more interested in attaining power than not pushing people away from God. Great discussion in the comments section with the usual cast of characters.

Government branches acknowledging LGBTQ Pride Month in spite of Trump


Even though Trump failed to recognize June as LGBTQ Pride Month, other branches of the federal government are not following his lead.

The Defense Department for one:

The Defense Department is observing June as LBBT Pride Month to recognize DoD's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members and civilians. DoD Pride, an employee resource group, is hosting its annual celebration June 12 at the Pentagon. "The struggles, sacrifices and successes among the LGBT community continue to shape our history and remind us to uphold tolerance and justice for all," Anthony M. Kurta wrote in a memo announcing the observance today. Kurta is performing the duties of the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. "Integrity and respect are fundamental qualities of our military and civilian culture," Kurta noted in the memo. "As we celebrate the diversity of the total force, we honor all who have answered the call to serve, and their unwavering commitment to our shared mission," he wrote. "During the month of June, let us celebrate the diversity of the DoD workforce and rededicate ourselves to equity, dignity and respect for all."

And then there is the State Department:

A State Department spokesperson on Friday said embassies and consulates have received guidance that allows them to recognize Pride month. 
 “Advancing the human rights of vulnerable groups including LGBTI persons is a core component of U.S. foreign policy,” the spokesperson told the Washington Blade. “All people should be protected from discrimination and violence, and must be allowed to exercise their human rights, including their rights to the freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief.” “LGBTI Pride celebrations are an expression of these rights,” added the spokesperson. 
 ”As such, the department has issued guidance to embassies and consulates allowing them to, as appropriate to their local context, recognize LGBTI Pride Month.” The rainbow flag was raised over the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic on Friday. 
“So incredibly proud of U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo for raising the Pride flag today,” wrote former U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic James “Wally” Brewster on his Facebook page.  
The U.S. Embassies in Chile and Mexico in recent days have also publicly acknowledged Pride month. The rainbow flag flew over the U.S. Embassy in Cuba on May 17 in commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

So while it's disappointing that Trump is ignoring our month, we will just have to do what these departments have done - just move him to the side and not allow his actions to steal our joy

Thursday, June 01, 2017

Family Research Council doesn't think 'Christians' should have to follow the law


Editor's note - Friday's midday news briefs may be pre-empted.

 And just like that, the religious right has another so-called victim of marriage equality persecution.

According to anti-lgbtq hate group the Family Research Council:

In another astounding case of intolerance, Country Mill Orchards was kicked out of the sellers group last August when city officials got wind of the couple’s biblical views on marriage. After seven years of hosting one of the most popular stalls at the market, they’ve been pushed out because they dared to agree with 53 percent of the American people! Of course, the irony is, the Tenneses never mentioned marriage at the market -- this was all the result of a Facebook fishing expedition from a potential wedding client.

When two women asked to be married on the farm in 2014, the Tennes turned them down, explaining that because of their faith, they referred same-sex couples to neighboring farms. Two years later, the couple decided to launch a social media smear campaign, urging people to stay away from Country Mill. When their post was brought to East Lansing’s attention, local leaders raced to pass an ordinance directly targeting small business owners like the Tenneses. In a press conference this week, Steve could only shake his head at the strong-arm tactics of the Left. “East Lansing [had] posted on their Facebook page: ‘We love the Country Mill.’ That came to an abrupt end that same August [when the family went public with their views]. Because of our beliefs,” Steve went on, “the city of East Lansing strongly and immediately pressured us not to return to the farmers market that very weekend. Ultimately, the city developed a new policy to target and block our farm from further participation in their city-run farmers market.”

And here’s the kicker: the Tenneses not only serve people who identify as LGBT -- they employ them! But that’s not enough for the extreme Left, who will accept nothing less than the full and complete surrender of every Christian’s First Amendment rights. As Steve pointed out, “Our faith and beliefs on marriage and hosting weddings at our home and in our backyard of our farm have nothing to do with the city of East Lansing. Nor does it have anything to do with the produce that we sell to the people that attend the farmers markets who are from all backgrounds and all beliefs.”

The attack on the Tenneses is especially upsetting since both Steve and Bridget are military veterans, and they -- more than anyone -- know the price of freedom. “We were surprised, and we were shocked,” Steve told Fox News’s Todd Starnes. “My wife and I both volunteered to serve in the military to protect freedom. Now we come home and the freedom that we worked to protect, we have to defend in our own backyard.”

Now, the veterans are fighting a new battle to keep this same harassment from happening to other Americans. Together with Alliance Defending Freedom, the family is taking East Lansing to court, demanding their reinstatement in the local market. “We have to stand up for what’s right and be able to speak freely about our beliefs,” Steve said determinedly. “And to live out our own beliefs at our own home on our own farm.”

To paraphrase Thelma Ritter from 'All About Eve,' it's a good story . . including the part about the hounds snapping at their rear ends.

'Trump doesn't acknowledge LGBTQ Pride Month' & other Thur midday news briefs

'Friend to the gays,' my tookis!

Trump breaks tradition of recognizing LGBTQ Pride Month - Surprise, surprise! The self-proclaimed friend to the gays doesn't acknowledge LGBTQ Pride Month. I bet you miss Obama now seeing that he did. Don't be blase about this LATEST slap in the face Trump has given the lgbtq community. Just take it as more incentive to dismantle his presidency bit by ugly bit, starting in 2018 (that is IF he is still president by then).

 Rhode Island House Votes to Ban Harmful Gay ‘Conversion Therapy’ - Go Rhode Island!

Anti-LGBT Posters Found at Eastern Alamance High School - In North Carolina, no less. Hehehe! If folks want to put up posters of Biblical incidents (like in this case the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah), they should REALLY be careful. Lots of interesting things to choose from.

 These Two Univ. of Minnesota Teammates Open Up About Falling In Love - This is SOOOO CUTE!!! 

Martina Navratilova Slams Margaret Court In Open Letter - There is a serious drama going on regarding former tennis champion Margaret Court. She is extremely ugly to the lgbtq community and playing the "I'm being persecuted" card while doing it. Another former tennis champion and present lesbian icon Martina Navratilova simply isn't having any of it.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Hate group (The Liberty Counsel) doesn't actually believe in religious liberty

Mat Staver of the Liberty Counsel
Anti-lgbtq hate group The Liberty Counsel has made a name for itself via defending individuals like Kim Davis and others it claims are victims of religious persecution.  The organization would like for people to believe that it does these things because it stands for the so-called concept of religious liberty.

However, recent statements by the group regarding a church in Florida raises questions as to just whose religious liberty is the Liberty Counsel interested in preserving.

From the American Family Association's fake online news service, One News Now:

Northland Community Church in Orlando recently hosted the event, which was titled: "Elevating the Dialogue on LGBTQ Inclusion and Understanding of the Church." It was sponsored by The Reformation Project, founded by Mathew Vines, author of the book God and the Gay Christian. Joel Hunter, pastor of Northland Community Church, told Charisma News his church hasn't wavered on the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. But he said he invited Vines "because his organization helps churches – including churches that do not agree with him – have a conversation to increase understanding between the two normally adversarial groups." Hunter also told The Orlando Sentinel: "It's not about our church's position about homosexuality. It's about how we treat each other when we're different in our perspectives."

And here is where the Liberty Counsel comes in the conversation:

However, a litigation, education and policy organization based in Orlando has some concerns about the event. Roger Gannam is assistant vice president for legal affairs for Liberty Counsel. 
"It's one thing to host a conversation, a panel discussion, or a debate where different sides of an issue are presented," says Gannam. "But for a church to invite into its walls an organization led by a man who espouses basically heresy – something that is not biblical at all – it's very disappointing and it's very alarming." 
The founder of Liberty Counsel, Mat Staver, believes Pastor Hunter has fallen into a trap. "For him to host that pro-LGBT event is heresy," he adds. 
Liberty Counsel argues that the purpose of the event was to "distort the Bible and change theology in order to affirm an alternate sexual lifestyle as normative."

And there you have it. Under the guise of religious liberty, the Liberty Counsel will defend a government employee (Kim Davis) who discriminates against same-sex couples even though her salary in part is paid by their tax dollars.

Then the organization will make a 180 degree turn to criticize a church for having a simple dialogue about lgbtq issues.

Apparently the Liberty Counsel is more interested in preserving the religious liberty of those who would treat the lgbtq community as second class citizens rather than those who would treat us as human beings.

'VP Pence to speak at conference hosted by pastor who called gay equality 'demonic' ' & other Wed midday news briefs

Mike Pence To Speak At Conference Hosted By Radical Pastor John Hagee - VP Mike Pence will be speaking at a conference hosted by John Hagee, a guy who once said "that God sent Adolf Hitler to the world in order to be a “hunter” of Jews, advancing a divinely inspired plan to push Jews back to the land of Israel."  And of course Hagee is also homophobic. 

Cases in point:



AND my favorite:



Okay the following is also my favorite. Just go on youtube and google "John Hagee" and "homosexuality." It's a like a smorgasbord of homophobia:



Pence will practically LOVE it there at his conference.

 In other news: 

 Appeals court smacks down Wisconsin school’s anti-transgender discrimination - THIS happened yesterday. Sweet!!! 

 Russian retail chain puts up anti-gay ‘no entry for f*ggots’ sign - In Russia, of course. Ugh! 

18 Types Of People That Make Queer People Say "Oh Boy" - Probably controversial? Yes. Hilarious? HELL yes!

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

'It Gets Better' disputed, religious right overdoes celebration

Dan Savage
Dan Savage's monumental "It Gets Better" campaign recently fell under scrutiny via a study which questions its effectiveness.

According to LOGO Newnownext:

The It Gets Better projects was launched by Dan Savage and Terry Miller in 2010, in response to a chilling number of suicides by LGBT teens facing bullying. Sine then, it’s added more than 50,000 videos from people of all walks of life.

But a new study suggests imagining a better future may not be an ideal coping mechanism for struggling teens—and may, in fact, do more harm than good. University of Arizona professor Russell Toomey and his team examined profiles of 245 lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young adults to see how they coped with sexual-minority stress during adolescence. Three common strategies emerged: Cognitive strategies (the “It Gets Better” approach), alternative-seeking strategies (changing social circles or schools), and “LGB-specific” strategies (joining a gay-straight alliance). Young people who sought out LGB-specific strategies reported better psychosocial adjustment and were more likely to graduate high school. Cognitive and alternative-seeking strategies were associated with poorer adjustment, higher incidents of depression and lower self-esteem. Alternative-seeking strategies were even linked to lower likelihood of finishing high school. “Our findings question the ’It Gets Better’ narrative that’s been given to LGB youth,” said Toomey. “Asking youth to accept negative experiences as the only coping strategy potentially exacerbates stress.” 

 Personally,I think the study's premise presents an inaccurately simplistic view of the 'It Gets Better"  campaign. Regardless, it is a fascinating twist which will no doubt lead to debates, arguments, and unfortunately, groups and individuals who will  exploit the study to push their own anti-lgbtq agenda.


'LGBTQ community faces 'invisible' summer movie season' & other Tue midday news briefs


LGBTQ Community Faces An ‘Invisible’ Hollywood Summer Movie Season - Well this kinda sucks. Granted, we are probably being saved as Oscar bait pics, but I wouldn't mind seeing an action picture with a gay guy. Preferably black and wearing leather and knowing karate and holding a big gun in a few scenes . . . 

Anti-transgender legislation is still a threat as Texas considers a special session - A special session? For THAT mess? 

 Tank slammed online for performing at D.C. Gay Pride event - If this was a white artist, there would be more controversy over him receiving criticism. 

 Gay issues discussed at meeting of France and Russia’s leaders - Since a certain American leader didn't talk about it, France had to take up the slack. "Freedom fries," my ass! 

 32 Things Gay Asian Men Are Really Tired Of Hearing - Yes lawd!

Trump is bad, but Pence is the real drag

Pence
While folks are focusing on the consistent incompetence of Trump, they shouldn't forget the homophobia and false piety of his VP, Mike Pence. 

 Rolling Stone magazine didn't. In an article earlier this year, writer Stephen Rodrick blisters Pence.

It's so good that it's worth repeating :

During my travels across the self-proclaimed Crossroads of America, I learned that Mike Pence had once paid his mortgage with campaign funds, dragged his feet during an HIV epidemic and a lead-poisoning outbreak, signed an anti-gay-rights bill that nearly cost Indiana millions of dollars, lost his mind on national TV with George Stephanopoulos, and turned away Syrian refugees in an unconstitutional ploy laughed out of federal court. And he ended his gubernatorial term unpopular enough that his re-election bid in a Republican state seemed dicey at best.
 Pence is the nation's 48th vice president. Nine vice presidents have assumed the presidency as a result of death or resignation. That's a 19 percent ascendancy rate. Between Trump's trigger-happy Twitter persona, the ethical nightmare of his business empire, his KFC addiction and possible entanglements with Vladimir Putin, I'd say the chances for Mike Pence are more than 50-50.  
So what do we know about Pence? The governor benefited greatly from the wall-to-wall "Trump is a crazy monkey throwing feces" media coverage during the fall campaign, in that his record was undercovered, but it's out there and suggests that his impact as vice president will screw African-Americans, women, the poor and any other square peg in round America. His concerns for the parts of Indiana outside his comfort zone toggled between disinterest and disdain.  
 And here's the frightening thing: Unlike his boss, Mike Pence has an actual ideology. Pence proclaimed at the 2016 GOP convention that "I am a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order." However, his actual record – including turning down up to $80 million in federal pre-K funding – is the antithesis of Jesus' "whatever you do for one of the least of my brothers, you do for me" theology.

Friday, May 26, 2017

'Republicans are targeting lgbtq students' & other Fri midday news briefs



Needs to be said repeatedly. No matter how many times these folks claim to be protecting the children, they obviously aren't talking about our lgbtq kids.

Anti-gay Chechyna purge is orchestrated by the government, new report confirms - Explains a lot . . .

Alumni of this anti-LGBTQ hate group are serving in federal, state, and local governments - The Alliance Defending Freedom has been busy, unfortunately.

 The Amazing Journey These Gay Dads Took To Build Their Family - We must NEVER forget our families.

 Meet The U.S. Religious Right’s International Friends - oh wonderful. An international legion of homophobia.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Anti-lgbtq hate group & allies want to 'transform America' by pushing the church into political arena

Watchmen on the Wall is another bit of false Christianity

When folks like the Family Research Council and their allies get together for one of their "conferences," they tend drop all pretenses and talk too much. It's as if they get psychologically drunk by coming together and overwhelming themselves with their talk of how holy and righteous they are and how they will get the country to see things their way.

Below is a report via anti-lgbtq hate group the Family Research Council from what it calls its 14th annual Watchmen on the Walls conference . Read this hot mess in its entirety:

"Work like everything is up to you, and pray like everything is up to God." That was Senator Roy Blunt's (R-Mo.) advice to the hundreds of pastors who descended on D.C. for FRC's 14th annual Watchmen on the Wall conference. "The mission of our Watchmen on the Wall ministry is simple," said Dr. Kenyn Cureton, FRC's Vice President of Church Ministries, "We champion pastors to transform America... because the problems we face in America today... are spiritual at their heart and core, and the demand of the hour is for spiritual leadership to step up and engage."

A stellar line-up of spiritual and political leaders joined Senator Blunt, who reminded everyone about the importance of religious liberty. "The church house is the locker room, but the playing field is everywhere else." And that playing field includes Capitol Hill, as Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.) made clear. "I've never started a day in Washington, D.C. that didn't start in the Word of God." That should come as a great relief to the men and women in the Hyatt ballroom, who've worked tirelessly to elect leaders who would exert Christian influence on government. After eight years of some of the most radical anti-faith activity, Fox News's Todd Starnes told the crowd, "We are surrounded by cultural bullies, the enemies of freedom are advancing. The time has come to stand resolute." After all, he went on, "We are to be civil lambs, but not silent lambs."

Thankfully, a majority of these pastors are no stranger to boldness. Rev. Mark Harris, who was a first-time attendee in 2012, reminded everyone, "You never know today, how God is going to prepare you for tomorrow." After his trip to Watchmen, he felt convicted to get more involved in the cultural battles of the day. Then, the Charlotte riots happened, and he was prepared. To those who ask should Christians be involved in politics, Frank Turek said, "Politics affects virtually everything we do." When people complain that you shouldn't legislate morality, Turek tells them, "I don't want to legislate your morality. I don't want to legislate my morality. I want to legislate the morality." If there's no standard, then there's no right or wrong, and everything is a matter of opinion. So, whose morality shall we legislate?

Rabbi Jonathan Kahn knew the answer. "America was uniquely founded on the word of God... It's time to become the Elijahs of our day!" Fortunately, most of these pastors are well on their way to achieving that vision. But please join us as we continue to pray for these pastors -- that they may be strengthened to stand and for the Spirit of God to move among us.

It's sad that these "God warriors" didn't talk about ways to improve the quality of life for Americans, particularly those 23 million uninsured people should Congress repeal Obamacare, Or anyone who would be negatively affected by Trump's attempt to cut monies from Medicaid or other programs.

They want so badly for people to worship the way they want and pray the way they want, they don't seem to care that the person praying could be a child who hasn't been fed because there is no food in the house. Or that the prayer could be for his mother who is sick and has no medical insurance.   They are so caught up in  having power and the desire to rule over everyone in the supposed name of God that they have forsaken the basic humility, and simple kindness which comes with being a true servant of God.

But, as nauseating as FRC's report of this event sounds, it's also healthy for those of us who oppose these "God warriors" to bear witness to their ecclesiastical bacchanalia.

It gives us a good reminder of what they really are. And it's something we can show the rest of the world.

'Four facts should be included in articles about anti-transgender bills/laws' & other Thur midday news briefs

Four facts reporters should include in stories about Texas’ pending attack on the transgender community - And not just in Texas. These four facts SHOULD be included in every article about legislative attacks on the transgender community. Thorough and totally on point.

First Chechnya, now Indonesia: Police have been told to target LGBT+ citizens - Well this is huge problem.

 Betsy DeVos Is An Enemy Of LGBTQ People. Always Has Been. Always Will Be. - Hell, I KNEW that. I didn't fall for the early nonsense implying that she was a friend of the lgbtq community.  

NBA betrays LGBTQ community by awarding Charlotte the 2019 All-Star Game - But we will still fight against HB2 and bills/laws like it.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

DeVos has no problem funding schools which discriminate against lgbtq families & children




Trump's Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, just showed that she has no problem giving tax dollars to schools who discriminate against same-sex families and lgbtg youth. She uses a weasel word, "flexibility" to cover up the bias.

 From The Huffington Post:

 Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said Wednesday that states should have the flexibility to decide whether schools can discriminate against LGBTQ students ― even if those schools get federal money. During a testy exchange in a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) told DeVos about Lighthouse Christian Academy, a private school in Indiana that receives state voucher money but denies admission to students from families where there is “homosexual or bisexual activity” or someone “practicing alternate gender identity.” Clark asked DeVos, whose budget seeks a $250 million increase for projects that include vouchers for private schools, if she would step in if that Indiana school applied for such federal funding. DeVos replied by saying she supports giving flexibility to states. “For states who have programs that allow for parents to make choices, they set up the rules around that,” she said. 

You can see the entire exchange in the video above. To me, however, this issue doesn't deserve any type of flexibility. Tax dollars have no business going to any schools which discriminate, especially against same-sex families or our lgbtq children.

'Why straight men kill the trans women they love' & other Wed midday news briefs

Jen Richards
Why Straight Men Kill The Trans Women They Love - A brutally honest piece from Jen Richards, a transgender woman and one which everyone should read.  It's not exploitative. Forget the stereotypes of transgender women trying to "trick" men because the truth is always more complex and powerful. It enthralled me from the beginning and I knew I had to put it in the news briefs. 

Taiwan Makes History As Court Rules In Favor Of Same-Sex Marriage - Hell yeah!!!

 Gay Dads Say Southwest Discriminated Against Them During ‘Family Boarding’ - Just a hot mess.

 Queer Prom A Safe Alternative For LGBT Teens - Queer Proms are a wonderful idea for our kids to be safe and have while being themselves.

 Harris, Carper seek answers on LGBT omission from 2020 Census - Nice to see that Congressional leaders aren't forgetting about us.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Anti-lgbtq hate group continues to target exonerated high school teacher

Mat Staver  and his group, the Liberty Counsel, continues to target an openly gay Florida teacher.

Last month, I posted about how conservative groups and anti-lgbtq hate groups targeted a Florida teacher, Lora Jane Riedas of Riverview High School, claiming that she was forcing her pro-lgbtq beliefs on students and discriminating against Christian students by making them take off their cross necklaces in her class.

After anti-lgtq hate group the Liberty Counsel sent a letter to the school district and the right-wing echo chamber tarnished Riedas's name (making sure to emphasize that she is openly gay), there was an investigation by the school district.

The investigation exonerated Riedas.

However, the Liberty Counsel doesn't want to let the situation end. The group is now claiming that the school district conducted a poor investigation and it is now representing four students. This new claim by the Liberty Counsel about the four students is an interesting twist to the situation seeing that students were interviewed during the  school district's investigation.

I'm going to post various parts of the Riedas exoneration letter sent by the district and compare them to the supposed refutations of the Liberty Counsel:

Monday, May 22, 2017

'Evangelical' Trump supporters are gutting, destroying Christianity

 Tony Perkins is abandoning Christian integrity to shill for Trump. He's not the only one.

At least once a week, I can find an item on the Family Research Council's Washington Update worth using to demonstrate the group's distortions and hypocrisy.

Today, I have two and they speak to a larger problem regarding the evangelical right's support of Trump and how this support is debasing the Christian religion in general.

The first item has to do with Trump's Saudi Arabia speech. It's not so much of how FRC praised Trump,  but how the group lies about Obama's Middle East outreach:

The best part of President Trump's speech in Saudi Arabia may have been what was missing: an apology. After eight years of Obama-sponsored groveling, Americans probably forgot what leading from a position of strength looks like. And while a 34-minute speech can't undo almost a decade of servility, it was a good start to reasserting our place as the unapologetic leader of the free world.

Unlike President Obama, who offered reparations for every American act since the Revolutionary War, Donald Trump made it clear that the only thing he's sorry about is that the legacy of political correctness has gotten in the way of true problem-solving.

As it has been pointed out consistently, Obama never groveled in any of his speeches. Of course the truth never stopped FRC from repeating a juicy lie.

 The second item has to do with the recent walkout of Notre Dame students from their own graduation in protest of commencement speaker VP Mike Pence. Notice how FRC proceeds to smear the students, who had every right to protest Pence's past actions and support of anti-lgbtq policies

The Class of 2017's choice of a commencement speaker wasn't without its share of controversy, but Mike handled the situation with the kind of poise people have come to expect from the Hoosier. In fact, he used the opportunity to point people back to the problem -- political correctness on college campuses. That much was evidence when a few dozen LGBT activists walked out of the auditorium in protest. (Once again we see that all the talk about "tolerance" is just that. Talk.) "This university is a vanguard of freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas at a time, sadly, when free speech and civility are waning on campuses across America," the vice president argued. "I would submit that the increasing intolerance and suppression of the time-honored tradition of free expression on our campuses jeopardizes the liberty of every American," he warned. 
Unfortunately, it was a message some students never heard. A group of liberal graduates and their families stood up and left at the beginning of Pence's remarks, giving the media a juicy distraction that was fanned by far-Left groups like GLAAD, who applauded the students' supposed "leadership." To many Notre Dame alums, it was a sad commentary on the church's compromise on the cultural issues of the day. After all, this is a religious institution that was once rooted in biblical morality. Like a number of faith-based institutions, they've surrendered important ground on the question of sexuality, which history tells us is just a harbinger of further moral compromise.

FRC's items, coupled with a few things I saw on twitter last weekend, has come to make me realize that Christianity in America is changing. But not for the better.

'Texas begins legislative assault on same-sex families, lgbtq community' & other Mon midday news briefs

TX governor Greg Abbott, legislators declaring war on lgbtq community.

With All Eyes On Trump, Texas May Soon Pass Horrific Anti-LGBTQ Laws - And old story we know very well and fear. With all of their money, planning, and discipline, the religious right and their allies always manage to go too far. Such as the case in Texas: 

Amendments to bills would allow nurses, lawyers and pharmacists to discriminate on religious grounds and restrict bathroom use for trans students. 
Texas Senate Approves ‘Religious Refusal’ Adoption Measure - This awful bill is about to become law. Hopefully it will be stricken down but why sit on our asses and wait? Make no mistake that this is an assault on our families. And I don't expect for it to stop in Texas. 

 On Harvey Milk Day, Here’s How to Honor the LGBT Visionary and Rabble-Rouser - Happy Harvey Milk Day and it is so apropo.

 Police Detained More Than 140 Men After A Raid On A Gay Sauna In Indonesia - Our fight for fairness and dignity continues around the world.  

Trans people are being blocked from registering to vote in the UK - I reiterate the point.

Notre Dame graduates walk out own commencement ceremony in protest of VP Pence

On Sunday, several Notre Dame students walked out of their own graduation ceremony during VP Mike Pence's commencement speech.

 According to CNN:

 A group of Notre Dame graduates walked out of their graduation ceremony Sunday in protest against Vice President Mike Pence and his policies. Pence was delivering the commencement speech after receiving an honorary degree from the Catholic university, located in his home state of Indiana. Videos showed some students standing as Pence took the podium, then walking out of the ceremony and gathering outside Notre Dame Stadium, where they held a short alternative "graduation ceremony." The protest action was planned ahead of the ceremony, with activist group We Stand For saying Pence's policies as vice president and as former Indiana governor targeted marginalized people on the basis of their religion, skin color or sexual orientation. 

All I can say is "Good for them!"

 


Friday, May 19, 2017

Eight states now ban fraudulent 'ex-gay' therapy from being used on youth' & other Friday midday news briefs


Conversion Therapy Now Outlawed in 8 States - Eight down, 42 more to go.

  New study shines light on how to ‘make it better’ for queer youth - Wonderful study giving out common sense advice on how we can make things better for our lgbtq kids.

 Court: Transgender people can sue under ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) - I can just imagine how the religious right will spin this one. 

Despite Nigeria’s Laws, LGBTQ Acceptance Is On The Rise - A bit of good news from the Mother Continent.  

Chechen gay men hopeful of finding refuge in five countries- Really wonderful news. Fingers crossed.