Trump Administration briefed anti-LGBTQ hate group leader about Kavanaugh investigation, raising ethical questions

From Media Matters:

In a since-deleted Facebook post, Michael Farris, president of the influential and extreme anti-LGBTQ group Alliance Defending Freedom, wrote today that the White House had called him “with information about the Kavanaugh-FBI investigation” not long after U.S. senators received the FBI’s report on the matter. Farris and his organization argued twice before the Supreme Court over the last session, and ADF has played a role in more than 50 other cases at the high court.

 . . .  It is not clear who at the White House contacted Farris or why they would be giving such information to him, particularly as he and his group are likely to argue in the future before the Supreme Court, which could include a Justice Kavanaugh.

One reason for alarm about Farris receiving private information from the White House about the Supreme Court confirmation process is that he and his group have argued before the high court several times before and are very likely to do so again, meaning they will be particularly affected by the nomination decision.  . . .  The Supreme Court ruled in favor of ADF’s client, NIFLA, a network of fake health clinics. The court also ruled in favor of another ADF client during the past session in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case, determining that the commission had shown “hostility” to a Christian baker who refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple. The ruling was considered narrow and did not indicate how the court should rule on other cases regarding religious discrimination. The Department of Justice issued an unusual brief in favor of ADF’s client.

 . . .  While it is not surprising that Farris and ADF are in contact with the White House about sensitive matters, it raises ethical questions for the White House to contact them with private information that will directly affect ADF’s work as the group continues to push for discriminatory policies through the courts. Farris’ deletion of the post only adds to those questions.

 

'Poll says Americans more likely to shop at business which take a pro-LGBTQ equality stand' & other Thur midday news briefs

Putting $$ where your values are: 68% would shop at businesses that back LGBTQ equality - This kernel of good news got lost in the Kavanaugh mess. Something to put perspective in through the din of overpaid punditry and dismal concern trolling: 

More than two-thirds of Americans say they would be likely to dole out their dollars at businesses that take a public stand for LGBTQ equality, a survey released Wednesday shows. . . . Seven out of 10 Americans also say a federal law is needed to protect LGBTQ people from bias in employment, public accommodations, housing and credit, according to the Harris Poll done in conjunction with Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, a nonprofit dedicated to workplace equality. 

 Across U.S., several colleges open 'clothing closets' for trans students - Even in this climate, all is never lost. Seemingly small acts of kindness reap huge benefits for us all.  

Facebook admits to blocking gay adverts - Shame, shame, shame. 

Trump’s Latest Attack On Same-Sex Couples Is Exactly What His Base Wants - Of course it is. Let's not get discouraged over what we can do, however.

Anti-LGBTQ publication LifeSite News fails in attempt to smear gay male couples

I present you with something short and sweet which demonstrates how members of the anti-LGBTQ industry distort research to denigrate and demonize our community.

The anti-LGBTQ publication LifeSite News (which blocked me from commenting on its site years ago) posted the following tweet about a July article on its site:

This sounds terrible and it is terrible . . . the way LifeSite News shamelessly lied to create a hideous factoid about gay male couples. And what's more pathetic is that the first two paragraphs of the article  exposes this distortion:

Nearly half of men in same-sex relationships have been abused by their partner in some way, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Men's Health.

 The study found that among 160 homosexual male couples, 46% of the men reported “some form of intimate partner abuse” in just the past year, HealthDay News reports. The abuse took forms such as physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse, and controlling behavior.

So in a study of 160 gay male couples, 46 percent of the men said they had suffered some form of intimate partner abuse.  That's less than 100 couples. Yet in the configurations of LifeSite News, that less than 100 couples equals half of all gay male couples.

Also, even though LifeSite News attempts to paint the study as proof that gay couples is a negative concept, the article continues to contradict the site's intent. The study's authors clearly say that it is outside negative influences which may contribute to the violence:

To explain the discrepancy between straight and gay abuse, the study purported to show an “important connection between internalized homophobia and violence reporting among couples.” Stephenson also noted that health care providers tended not to ask male couples about domestic abuse. It also asserted that violence was “more common among partners who had experienced homophobic violence and who had traditionally hegemonic views of masculinity that they had difficulty negotiating.”

“A gay man who’s struggling with his identity might lash out at his partner with physical or emotional abuse as a stress response behavior,” a University of Michigan news release about the study explained, “similar to heterosexual couples, where an unemployed man lashes out at his female partner because he feels inadequate.”

Nice try LifeSite News but you get an "F" for effort. And that's only because I can't think of a lower grade.

Editor's note - This is the original study  which LifeSite News distorted.

''Taught to hate myself': How ex-gay therapy is thriving in SC' & other Wed midday news briefs

'Taught to hate myself’: How gay conversion therapy in SC is thriving - How the fraud of 'ex-gay' therapy is thriving in my state of South Carolina. Kudos to the Post and Courier for a wonderful article. 

 Texas Governor Says “Bathroom Bills” Are No Longer on His Agenda. Should You Believe Him? - Should we believe him? Hell no simply as a matter of precaution.

Family Research Council applauds Trump's new visa policy because, quite simply, it hurts gays - Repost from last night. I guess with Trump in power, FRC and groups like it don't have to pretend to not hate the LGBTQ community. 

Evangelical University Lifts Ban On Same-Sex Couples, Then Reinstates It - Make up your minds, folks.

The Radical Friendship Of Lorraine Hansberry And James Baldwin -

Two giants of Black History and both were LGBTQ.

Family Research Council applauds Trump's new visa policy because, quite simply, it hurts gays

Family Research Council head Tony Perkins applauds how a new Trump policy hurts foreign gay diplomats.

On Tuesday, the Trump Administration initiated a new policy denying visas to same sex partners of foreign diplomats and United Nations officials if the couples aren't married. Some have cried foul over this policy because some of these diplomats come from countries which don't allow gays to marry. But anti-LGBTQ hate group the Family Research Council has applauded the policy for basically the same reason. And specifically because it serves to hurt the LGBTQ community. Some will say that this observation, and the headline of this post, is alarmist and hysterical. However I stand by it. A comparison between the garishly vulgar way FRC president Tony Perkins celebrates this policy compared to how it hurts gay couples (via NPR) proves my point:

Family Research Council:

No sooner had Hillary Clinton taken over as secretary than the White House ordered her to use the agency as a club to beat other nations into submission on sexual politics. Under her leadership -- and, later, Secretary John Kerry's -- the State Department worked, not to advance America's interests, but the interests of the Left's radical social agenda. Obviously, the strategy was for the State Department to force these policies on the international stage and then build pressure on the U.S. to adopt policies like it.

. . . Fortunately, the Trump administration has real respect for other nations' beliefs -- and Secretary Mike Pompeo's agency is proving it. Yesterday, the administration announced a new policy at the State Department that would block diplomatic visas for the same-sex partners of any foreign officials and U.N. employees. As of Monday, couples will have to provide proof of marriage for their significant others to stay in the country after 2018. Right now, experts think that about 10 U.N. employees would be affected by the change.

"Same-sex spouses of U.S. diplomats now enjoy the same rights and benefits as opposite-sex spouses," the U.S. mission wrote in a July 12 note to U.N.-based delegations. "Consistent with [State] Department policy, partners accompanying members of permanent missions or seeking to join the same must generally be married in order to be eligible" for a diplomatic visa.

To most conservatives, it was powerful rebuke of Hillary Clinton's 2009 decision to bypass the law for LGBT partners. And an important one. As it stands, only 12 percent of U.N. member states allow same-sex marriage -- putting the Obama State Department well out of step with the world. Thank goodness for the Trump administration, which has proven time and time again that its focus is religious freedom and human rights for everyone -- not special rights for a select few.

'Trump Administration weaponizes marriage equality to punish gay diplomats, UN officials' & other Tue midday news briefs

The Trump Administration continues to give the LGBTQ community hell.

Trump Administration to Deny Visas to Same-Sex Partners of Diplomats, U.N. Officials - More proof that the religious right pro-Trump mantra "promises made. promises kept." is bullshyte. Trump promised to stand with the LGBTQ community. Apparently he meant he would stand on our backs and stomp us a few times. This policy is being derided as ugly and mean-spirited. The new policy demands that the gay couples be married—even if they're from countries that criminalize gay marriage. What the policy does is use the right to marry passed in America as a weapon against gay diplomats from countries not allowing marriage equality: 

Samantha Power, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, denounced the new policy on Twitter as “needlessly cruel & bigoted.” “State Dept. will no longer let same-sex domestic partners of UN employees get visas unless they are married,” she tweeted, noting that “only 12% of UN member states allow same-sex marriage.”  

Meet The Real Mike Pence - It's not be confirmed but 2 to 1, this policy may have its roots with Vice President Mike Pence, a man who has shown an extreme personal animus against the LGBTQ community. This Human Rights Campaign report proves this. That's okay. Pence's animus will be his downfall.  

The international far-right has a new target: Gender and identity - UGH!  

Anti-LGBTQ activist behind Proposition 8's passage brags about work crafting "gay propaganda" law in Russia - Brian Brown seems to be the Sarah Palin of the anti-LGBTQ industry. He creates nothing positive. He takes up much needed space. But he won't go away. 


Image taken from LGBTQ Nation.

Celebrate the heroes and sheroes of LGBT History Month 2018

October is LGBT History Month and with the help of Equality Forum, let's look at 31 heroes and sheroes who taught, and continues to teach, us all about style, discipline, intelligence, beauty, dignity, and pride. These 31 people are merely a small representation of the power and diversity of our community and serves as a reason why, in the face of so much bigotry and nonsense, we are still here and still fierce. I especially want our kids to see this video.

'Court rules for LGBTQ community against NC bathroom law' & other Mon midday news briefs

Bathroom law victory: Federal court allows challenge to HB2 replacement to proceed - Just came in. WOW!

A federal court last night said that House Bill 142, the 2017 law that replaced North Carolina’s notorious anti-LGBT measure, House Bill 2, does not bar transgender people from using public restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity. U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder also said that he would allow a challenge to the law’s ban on local LGBT nondiscrimination policies to go forward.

Court Says NC Law Does Not Bar Transgender People from Public Facilities - More about this from Lambda Legal. 

The Beautiful Way This Town Responded To Franklin Graham’s Anti-LGBTQ Views - They couldn't keep him out of Britain, but they damn sure left a message about his hate.

12 things every gay & bisexual man should know about prostate cancer - THIS is major.

Forget about Ernie and Bert. Take a look at these confirmed LGBTQ animated characters

Another bit of silliness to ease you into the week. Last week was a bizarre drag and I think this week may shape up to be even wilder. That being said, everyone has been so busy being so consumed about Ernie and Bert being gay, that they have forgotten about the following animated characters:

'From the archives of LGBTQ history - GOP & anti-gay leaders brought down by gay sex scandals' & other Fri midday news briefs

For todays's news briefs, I decided to do something different.  Far be it from me to be implying anything at all, but I was moved by the spirit to pull up just a few but very pertinent articles on elected officials in the closet. That's all I will say on the matter.  I am not channeling anything. I am merely expressing myself in the best way I see how. And please spare me the concern trolling:  


20 Republican Politicians Brought Down By Big Gay Sex Scandals

16 Antigay Leaders Exposed as Gay or Bi

What Drives Gay Republicans into the Closet? - And an old article which helps to explain it all. 

In other news:

I was sexually assaulted. Maybe my story will help other LGBT victims speak out - If any good comes out of this thing with Kavanaugh, it's this. 

Taron Egerton Looks Fantastic As Elton John In ‘Rocketman’ Biopic - An Elton John bio pic? It was bound to happen. 

 Florida Church Offers Pro-LGBTQ Message to Counter Vandalism - Love conquers all (even if sometimes you have to be a mega-bitch to get your point across or mark your territory of respect.)

'The Golden Girls' for this terrible day on Capitol Hill

If you, like me, felt that this was a horrendous day because of that Kavanaugh hearing on Capitol Hill, enjoy the brief but wicked clip above from The Golden Girls. Yes it includes a wild gay stereotype, but that's why I posted it. It's still funny and in this case, consider it like indulging in a guilty pleasure - you know you shouldn't but the day warrants a little kicking up of the heels.

'Congress turns back anti-LGBTQ adoption amendment' & other Thur midday news briefs

Congress does good by same-sex families for a change.

Editor's note - UGLY days because of a nasty hearing that conservatives and the LGBTQ industry doesn't want. They want to push their SCOTUS nominee on the courts so he can get busy changing the laws to suit their twisted vision of America. Who cares about investigating his alleged sexual assault victims. And apparently Sen. Grassley thinks that there will be a MVAH -Most Valuable Asshole - trophy awarded at the end of the hearing. Nevertheless, I will continue to do my daily blogging duties.

Congress Turns Back Anti-LGBTQ Adoption Amendment - Well at least Congress can do good things instead of badgering witnesses: 

The amendment, named for its author, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama, would have allowed faith-based agencies to turn away prospective parents who posed a conflict with an agency’s religious doctrine, whether by being LGBTQ, single, a member of a different faith, or another factor. It was similar to laws passed by some states, including, recently, Kansas and Oklahoma. It “also required states to allow foster care and adoption agencies to deny a broad range of child welfare services to foster children based on religious or moral beliefs, cutting their funding if they did not comply,” notes the Family Equality Council’s press release. 

Amandla Stenberg Says She Wants More Black, Gay On-Screen Narratives - You and ME BOTH, girlfriend!  

The GOP isn’t concerned about a cisgender sexual abuser but still says trans women are predators - So true!! 

Historic Number Of LGBTQ Candidates Won Primaries In 2018 Midterms - I covered the fact that a lot of LGBTQ candidates ran but I didn't know that a huge number won.

The LGBTQ community is using Ernie and Bert to 'recruit' children? I never got the memo.

 

See, now this sort of thing makes me angry.

National Headquarters never sent me a memo or an email saying that we were switching to Ernie and Bert. I'm still using 'The Smurfs' to recruit (Oh stop with the fake surprise. I mean come on. A village with 100 males and one female.)  So how in the heck did vile homophobe Gordon Klingenschmitt get the news before me?

Seriously though, before the usual comments from "I bet he likes public restrooms" to "why do you give that homophobe any attention" commences, just remember a few things.

1. It's rather sad that almost 40 years after Anita Bryant, there are some folks who still believe that "gays recruit children."

 2. Most importantly, very briefly, Gordon Klingenschmtt here used to be a state legislator, serving one term in the Colorado state legislature. And while he is gone, remember that in state legislatures across the country, including the United States House of Representatives and Senate, there are a few who believe as he does about the LGBTQ community and children. And it only takes about two or three to team up with anti-LGBTQ hate groups like the Family Research Council or the Alliance Defending Freedom and push bills which give us hell.

So feel free to ignore Klingenschmitt here, but never ignore what he represents. You do that on your own peril.

Hat tip to Right Wing Watch.

'New charges of sexual assault, gang rapes rocks Trump's SCOTUS pick' & other Wed midday news briefs

Like the vast majority of things handled by Trump, his pick of Brett Kavanaugh as a SCOTUS justice is a muddled dis

Julie Swetnick Accuses Brett Kavanaugh Of Sexual Misconduct, Alleges He Was Present During ‘Gang Rape’ - This Kavanaugh this just got uglier real fast. I hate the entire thing, i.e. how the selection of a SCOTUS judge has become a rushed game political football played by folks who care less about fairness and more about cheating the process because they have no reasonable courtroom arguments to defend their positions (i.e. I am looking right at you, anti-LGBTQ industry groups such as the Family Research Council, the Alliance Defending Freedom, the Heritage Foundation, the Federalist Society, etc.)

What do I speak of? This post from 2016 which is aging very well:  Marriage Equality Opponents Need to Admit Actual Reason for Their Loss

And today, marriage equality and other LGBTQ rights hangs in the balance: Justice Brett Kavanaugh would represent an immediate threat to LGBT rights

Mike Pence to 'troll' Atlanta's LGBTIs, schedules visit just ahead of Pride - So, Mike Pence is coming to Atlanta a day before the city holds it Pride event in order to stump for the GOP gubernatorial candidate. I hope folks have something suitable planned as a welcome for him.

LGBTQ-Inclusive Florida Church Responds With Love After Sign Is Vandalized - But let us never lose our faith and hope.

Anti-LGBTQ groups step up effort to steal gay tax dollars via sleazily deceptive website

Via a webpage pushing a deceptive campaign, anti-LGBTQ and conservative groups seem to be stepping up efforts to undermine gay adoption and gay families.

Groups such as the Family Research Council, the Heritage Foundation, the Alliance Defending Freedom, and a few others have been steadily making the case that faith-based foster care and adoption agencies which refuse to work with gay couples should still receive tax dollars. A few states, such Oklahoma and Kansas, have passed legislation saying so. Other municipalities, such as Philadelphia, however have made it clear that tax dollars shouldn't go to entities which discriminate for any reason. And Philadelphia won in court on that premise.

Apparently there is now a website sponsored by the aforementioned groups which makes the case for tax dollars going to discriminatory agencies. The website (keepkidsfirst.com  and the hashtag #keepkidsfirst ) claims that children will suffer greatly if faith-based adoption and foster care agencies are made to follow the rules:

Hundreds of adoption agencies and foster care providers across the country are founded on Christian beliefs and operate according to those beliefs. But a current effort is underway to target these faith-based providers and force them to abandon their beliefs or shut them down. Why? Because these faith-based adoption and foster care providers believe that every child deserves the chance to be raised by a father and mother.

'Homophobe claims that 'demons of hell' opposing Trump's SCOTUS nominee Kavanaugh' & other Tue midday news briefs

Bryan Fischer

Bryan Fischer Wages ‘Major League Spiritual Warfare’ Against the ‘Demons of Hell’ Attacking Kavanaugh - Bryan Fischer takes a moment away from his usual spewing of homophobia to spew other things. 

19 TV And Movie Characters You Didn’t Realize Were Bisexual - In honor of Bisexual Awareness week - #BiWeek 

Two federal judges rule insurance companies must cover transgender health procedures - Love those sweet victories.

These four transgender political candidates want to shake up the status quo - Danica Roem set the standard. Can these four follow up? I hope so. 

Finally - 

In the 12 years, in which I have worked this blog, I have been blocked on Twitter by many folks on the right, some because I engaged them, others because I have written about them, and a few because they probably heard of me.

But I will say that the following block is one I will be most proud of (click on picture to enlarge):

Mr. Cain, my guess is that you didn't care for our twitter conversation nor the fact that I publicized it. I could care less. It's like I said in the post:

"Mr. Cain, you don't get to treat us like we are your "side chick." You don't get to jump on our side and then to the side of those who stand in the way of our rights. In other words, we don't need you and we certainly don't need your sorry-ass support. We have gotten this far without you, so we certainly aren't going to miss you."

When defending Kavanaugh fails, attack Obama and his alleged girlfriends (and boyfriends)

While defending Trump's SCOTUS pick and accused assaulter of women Brett Kavanaugh, high and low profile Trump supporters are doing what they do best:

Pointing the finger at Obama.

Wayne Allyn Root, conservative radio and television personality and extreme Trump supporter who was recently the opening speaker for one of his rallies, sent out the following tweet today:

The vast majority of those who tweeted back rightfully poked fun at Allyn's silly whataboutism and attempt to drag Obama into this mess.  Generally, folks pointed out that the situation had nothing to do with Obama and that the former president is a decent person who respects women.

Then there were those who agreed with Root's tweet.

'Bigotry is causing our LGBTQ kids to harm themselves' & other Mon midday news briefs

LGB Youth at ‘Increased Risk’ of Substance Abuse. Blame Homophobia. - We keep telling folks this and the religious right & conservative groups keep pushing this aside.

We could have used a trans survival guide growing up: By writing one we hope to make today’s teens feel proud of who they are - And we will not forget out transgender children either. ALL of our LGBTQ kids must be protected and lifted up.

Thousands of students walked out of school to protest sex ed classes that don’t include gays - A step in the right direction of alleviating the problem in the above news brief.

Bisexual People Aren’t Confused Or Closeted. We’re Tired Of Being Invisible. - Amen.

Sandy Rios: Marriage Equality Is A ‘Fist Of Defiance’ In God’s Face - Can't these folks think of a more original insult?

The LGBTQ community doesn't need Dean Cain's weak tea support

The LGBTQ community don't need Dean Cain's weak tea support.

As with every year, the LGBTQ community has to deal with the anti-gay hate group Family Research Council's 'Values Voter Summit.' The event never ceases to shine a huge spotlight on the hypocrisy of FRC and other conservative groups who claim to be fighting for morality, while having no problems using underhanded tactics to do so.

This year involved a controversy of a different sort. Dean Cain, who portrayed Superman on the series Lois and Clark (1993-1997)  made an appearance to promote his film, Gosnell.

According to The Advocate:

 Prior to Cain’s appearance at the event, where he was promoting his film Gosnell, in which he plays the detective who put abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell behind bars, GLAAD and other LGBTQ activists and allies called him out for appearing at the event along with the likes of anti-LGBTQ people including Mike Pence, Michele Bachmann, Tony Perkins, Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Phillips, and so many more.

Since Cain has in the past been vocal about his support of LGBTQ rights, he was called to the carpet for appearing at a conference sponsored by the Family Research Council, whose has worked steadily to undermine LGBTQ rights since its founding. In fact the Southern Poverty Law Center designated FRC to be a hate group due to the inaccurate claims it has made about gays, including how we supposedly recruit children.

However, nothing said to Cain could convince him that his appearance at this summit was wrong. Not even when GLAAD  and LGBTQ activists engaged him in Twitter. And to top it off, while he was at the summit, he labeled those calling him out as intolerant.

When the moderator of his Cain’s panel asked him if he’d “taken pressure” on social media for appearing with the hate group, Cain replied: “Yes. Certainly. I take that sort of heat and abuse every single day but it doesn’t bother me in the least…it doesn’t make me mad, it just shows people’s intolerance towards listening to another opinion. Just the fact that I’m here, just the fact that I’m here people were blowing me up all day long with the most ridiculous things that you could ever here. Talk about intolerance. It’s ridiculous. I take heat. It doesn’t bother me, I welcome it because I sleep well at night. I know I’m doing something that matches my convictions and my heart and I’ll happily defend the things I say and I stand for.”

To put it nicely, that pissed me off to the "highest levels of pissivity" and led me to challenge Cain on Twitter. What you are about to read is our exchange (errors included). To be fair, I started the engage by referencing FRC's past citation of the junk science of discredited researcher Paul Cameron.

When he tweeted me back, it was on:

'Lie told by Mike Pence about Indiana 'religious freedom' bill in 2015 highlights hypocrisy of 'Values Voter' Summit'

Ah yes. Today is the beginning of the annual Family Research Council 'Values Voter' Summit in which right-wing evangelicals throw off all pretenses of humility (the little they have) and show themselves to be power-hungry, self-righteous hypocrites  And it's a lovely day for those of us who decry their lies and basic homophobia to pull out all of the receipts we have collected over the years of their true faces. 

Since this year, Vice President Mike Pence will be a guest speaker, here is one of my favorites, i.e. when he lied in 2015 about the intent of a bill he signed while governor of Indiana, but was done in by a photo of him signing it.  It not only demonstrates just how low Pence has gone to lie (for his "religious beliefs" of course) but also epitomizes what a lot of us find so darn distasteful about these phony gatherings. FRC and its supporters claim that this "summit" is all about values and bringing the nation back to God, but if this is the case, why do they have to stoop to lies, grubby power grabs, and cynical alliances to do it?

In 2015, when Pence was governor of Indiana, he signed a "Religious Freedom Restoration Act," which he insisted had absolutely nothing to do with discriminating against the LGBTQ community. However, the photo above sunk that lie. If the bill had nothing to do with discriminating against the LGBTQ community, then why did Pence pose with  three of the leading anti-LGBTQ activists in the state?

For more on Pence's blatant lie, see this article via GLAAD.

In other news:

Conservative journalist tries to humiliate 11-year-old drag kid, but it blows up in his face - Our kids are awesome.

Living In An Unparalleled Golden Time’ Under Trump - If you ignore the corruption, the attacks on women's health and the LGBTQ community, the investigations, and the caging of immigrant children, sure. Love the Christianity some people like to practice.

Anti-transgender bigots sink to new low with latest ad - Old religious right tactic of exploiting ignorance and fear shifted from gay men to transgender women. Depresses the hell out of me. 

Here’s what is at stake for transgender people in the midterm election - Speaking of which, take notes folks.