Is the American Family Association lying about support of its anti-Walmart campaign?

Is AFA lying about actual number of people who signed its anti-Walmart petition?

Much has been said about the American Family Association's attack on Walmart for posting a gay dating ap.  Unfortunately, very little of it has to do with the means AFA is stooping to with its protest. Recently the hate group bragged about an upcoming meeting with Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon. However, there is a good chance that the petition AFA has been circulating to generate this meeting is faulty when it comes to the number of supporters.

From LGBTQNation on Thursday:

To date, over 186,000 individuals have allegedly signed onto a pair of petitions from One Million Moms and AFA accusing Walmart of endorsing the “cultural revolution and [rejecting] the beliefs of its customer base.” 

However, prior investigation into the signature gathering tactics utilized by these groups has shown the numbers are likely inflated. In March, this journalist reported that individuals who wished to sign the petition were able to do so dozens of times from the same IP address, even the same web browser. 

While the online form builder Wufoo allows petitioners to put safeguards in place to ensure their campaigns don’t attract spam bots and fake signatures, One Million Moms and AFA declined to opt into those security measures. 

The bar for signing the petition was so low that typing in random gibberish in the name and email prompts was still accepted as a valid entry. 

This wouldn’t be the first time that One Million Moms and AFA have falsified its campaign numbers or allowed its petitions to be easily compromised. When the groups led a boycott of Target’s trans-inclusive bathroom policies, The Daily Beast and ThinkProgress debunked claims that more than a million people had joined the campaign.

'More than half of banned books challenged for LGBTQ content' & other Tue midday news briefs

More than half of banned books challenged for LGBTQ content - For Pete's sake, what are folks so scared of?

Attorney General will investigate hostile work environment & issues LGBTQ nondiscrimination order - I'll wait on it. 

Pete Buttigieg To Mike Pence: Marrying My Husband ‘Moved Me Closer To God’ - Some of our own don't like the story Pete Buttigieg told about his self-acceptance. I say no one gets to police our stories, including us.

New LGBTQ clinic opening at Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines - THIS is wonderful.

Trump told his people to break the law in separating immigrant families but he is still a good Christian. Right?

In the age of Trump in the White House, we are sadly learning that to right-wing evangelicals - especially their leaders - religion nothing more than as a weapon to undermine LGBTQ equality and safety and to serve as an excuse for the excesses of a horrible leader.

Presidential nominee Pete Buttigieg has raised many eyebrows with his calling out of the hypocrisy of Trump and his evangelical conservative supporters. And he is pissing off the right people:

Via @crooksandliars: Fox And Friends Smears Pete Buttigieg Over Religion https://t.co/UKAR8jK111 pic.twitter.com/js4qDxXXCW

— bɹǝʇ ɟnɔʞ!ʇoן (@crewislife) April 8, 2019

And then there is the fake news "Christian" publication One News Now:

It is widely contested that evangelicals were the main demographic group that put Trump in the White House, and most have justified their support for him by pointing to his vows to champion biblical principles while in office, while recognizing that the president is a sinner – like all Christians – with a repentant heart to do what is right before God. 

 . . . Evangelical leaders, including Rev. Franklin Graham, Dr. James Dobson and Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr., have often come under attack by the leftist media for supporting the president – as reporters typically either resurface actions the president has admitted and apologized for or recite anti-Trump allegations that have been vehemently challenged as false.

Lastly, there is Fox News host Laura Ingraham:

It's rather ironic, but also fitting that on the same day in which these folks are attacking Buttigieg for calling out Trump and the hypocrisy of  his Christian evangelicals supporters that we find out Trump was ordering border patrol agents to break the law and lie to judges, pushing hard to resume forced separations of immigrant children from their parents at the border, and firing his Secretary of Homeland Defense when she tried to prevent him from breaking the law.

'Religious right trying to sow its homophobia in Europe' & other Mon midday news briefs

The religious right thinks that Europe is now fertile ground for its anti-LGBTQ agenda - Using the same tactics they are using in America. The same lies. The same dog whistles.

Pete Buttigieg To Mike Pence: Marrying My Husband ‘Moved Me Closer To God’ - Being an LGBTQ is not opposite of being religious or having any type of faith. I like how Buttigieg is pushing that fact.

Bulgarian politician threatens to use “illegal means” to stop an LGBTQ photography exhibition - Like I said- the struggle is real and it is universal.

LGBTI activists urge Vatican to condemn homosexuality criminalization laws -Do the right thing.

More companies boycott Brunei over anti-gay laws - Speaking of which.

‘It’s dangerous to go out now’: young, gay and scared in Brunei - Goes without saying.

Pete Buttigieg calls out hypocrisy of Trump's conservative evangelical supporters

Pete Buttigieg

Say what you want about presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg or his chances of getting the 2020 nomination,  one thing is for certain. He is using his candidacy to call out the right-wing evangelicals who support Trump. And that is something which needs lots of attention.

WATCH: How does Mayor Pete Buttigieg explain President Trump's support from the evangelical community? #MTP #IfItsSunday@PeteButtigieg: Scripture talks "about lifting up the least among us, and taking care of strangers, which is another word for immigrants." pic.twitter.com/sVzOxAJHWz

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) April 7, 2019

From Raw Story:

Speaking with host Chuck Todd, the possible Democratic presidential contender got right to the point. 

 “It’s something that really frustrates me because the hypocrisy is unbelievable,” he told the NBC host. “Here you have somebody who not only acts in a way that is not consistent with anything that I hear in scripture or in church, where it’s about lifting up the least among us and taking care of strangers, which is another word for immigrants, and making sure that you’re focusing your effort on the poor.”

Related posts:

Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg calls Mike Pence 'cheerleader for porn star presidency'

'Christian' Trump supporters spew nasty rage at presidential candidate who called out Mike Pence's hypocrisy

'GOP staffer apologizes after claiming no one cares about trans troops' & other Fri midday news briefs

A Republican Staffer Told Progressive Activists “No One Cares” About Trans Troops - The fact that he apologized - even though it was two days later - refuted that nonsensical statement.

Mormon church drops antigay policies to ‘reduce hate & contention’ in society - Hmmm. The jury is still out. 

GOP was determined to exclude protections for trans people from VAWA - And you know they tried their worst to be evil about it. 

Where We Call Home: LGBT People in Rural America - a very MUCH needed spotlight. 

Carson: HUD won’t issue LGBT guidance because ‘you would dislike’ it - Figures.

10 people who tried to 'cure' homosexuality

With bans on "ex-gay" therapy for minors becoming more prevalent, none of us should forget that the practice itself for adults as well as minors is a big bowl of crock. Thanks to the comedy site Cracked, we have reminders.

Cracked looked at 10 people who unsuccessfully attempt to "cure" homosexuality, giving them the derision they deserve. Folks like:

who wrote this monstrosity:

Cracked says this about Nation of Gay Babies:

Nation Of Gay Babies is a barely organized collection of thoughts and charts copied from library books that in no way uncovers any gay origins or cures. Mason opens the book by asserting that he's smarter than all physicians and assuring you, the reader, that you'll soon be better informed than "the experts." Then it's mostly seventh-grade biology lessons illustrated with aggressively random science clip art. In the middle of explaining what chromosomes are, he'll throw in an unlabeled carbon chain or a brain gland diagram. He illustrated his academic book the same way a three-year-old girl might decorate a cake, only gayer than I'm making it sound.

And then there's this guy:

But you're going to have to check out the article to read about him, Clark, and the eight others. And believe me, it's worth the read.

Hate group AFA's 'questions' for Walmart underscores its desire to erase the LGBTQ community

Editor's note - I may not post news briefs for Thursday because I feel that this post needs full attention:

The American Family Association is claiming that its campaign against Walmart is bearing fruit. The hate group  has been raging against Walmart ever since the store chain ran an ad on Facebook geared to its LGBTQ customers.

From Right Wing Watch:

The American Family Association, which has been recognized as an anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, claims it has secured a meeting with a “representative” for Walmart CEO Doug McMillon. 

The meeting with McMillon’s representative, which AFA told subscribers to its email list is scheduled to take place “later this month,” will be purportedly used to discuss an ad Walmart shared on Facebook that featured a same-sex couple. As Right Wing Watch has previously reported, the ad sent AFA into a nuclear meltdown, with the organization accusing Walmart of joining a “cultural revolution” to normalize same-sex relationships. AFA launched a petition to urge Walmart to return “back to its founding principles” that the organization says gathered 163,000 signatures.

AFA head Tim Wildmon presented a list of questions he will be demanding answers to. The questions are vile when one takes into account what AFA is implying in presenting them. I took the liberty of asking my own questions after each one. The purpose is to underscore just how bigoted AFA's campaign appears to be:

1. Are you aware of the 163,000 families who are offended by the ad and have signed AFA’s petition to Walmart for its removal? 

Isn't it hypocritical for your organization to stand with businesses which refuse to serve the LGBTQ community and then attack  businesses which acknowledge that they have LGBTQ customers?

2. Have you viewed the ad and read the gay-affirming comments posted by Walmart with some posts accompanied by the rainbow flag? The rainbow flag, commonly known as the gay pride flag or LGBT pride flag, is a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride and LGBT social movements. The appearance here is that Walmart, Inc. has joined the LGBT movement. Is this true or false? 

That's not only false, but also an idiotic question and assumption. 

3. Are you aware that Walmart has only commented on the positive posts on the ad but has completely ignored the hundreds expressing objections? Does this mean that Walmart does not care about those who have objections and have been offended? 

Regardless if there are hundreds of comments in opposition to the ad, what difference does it make? The general question why is there a problem with a store catering to a clientele. LGBTQ people shop at Walmart and the store wants their money.

4. 163,000 families supportive of AFA - including many of your own customer base - have been offended by the gay-affirming ad. What is your defense of the ad? These families are awaiting a response – and deserve one. 

But what about those who support the ad? You alluded to them in question two. Don't their opinions matter? Why should Walmart have to defend catering to customers?

5. AFA has always maintained that Walmart and other corporations should not take sides by promoting the LGBTQ social and political agenda. Why has Walmart chosen sides against the traditional definition of family with this ad? 

How is simply acknowledging  LGBTQ customers and catering  to them "taking sides?"  Who or what gives you the right to decide the "traditional definition" of family? Or the definition of "family" in general?

It is simply diabolical how homophobic and  twisted the AFA chooses to be when it comes to the LGBTQ community. To that group, we aren't people. We are things with "an agenda." Who we date, where we shop, how we carry on our daily lives seem to be a part of "the agenda," according to the American Family Association. And it's not enough for AFA to have this view. By using evasive code phrases like "traditional families" or "taking sides" and issuing threats, the organization is demanding that Walmart adhere to that view.

But who is more of a threat? Gay men meeting in Walmart and dating or a self-righteous faux religious group which sees conspiracies every time LGBTQ people act as if we are normal members of society?

'Equality Act gets hearing on Capitol Hill' & other Wed midday news briefs

Republicans Are Trying To Kill An LGBT Bill In Congress By Arguing It Hurts Women - It's always exploiting fear with them. 

 Pramila Jayapal’s Speech Supporting The Equality Act Is Deeply Personal - A Congresswoman's personal story on why we need the Equality Act.

Texas Senate approves occupational licensing bill LGBTQ advocates call a "license to discriminate" - One more step for disaster. Businesses do not support this bill.

'TransMilitary' Documentary to Draw Transgender Advocates, Lawmakers Together - We defeat Trump's trans ban by telling these stories.

Tennessee House passes bill allowing adoption groups to refuse service to LGBT couples - This is going to be a mistake by Tennessee.

Publications which fired writer after homophobic tirade are being hypocritical about their own bigotry

McAllister

“CDC Finally Acknowledges: Homosexual Behavior Can Lead To More STDs. Duh,” 

 “Homosexual Christians Doing Just What Jesus Wants By Waiting to Have Homosexual Sex Until After Homosexual Marriage,” 

“Trans Woman Demands TSA Ignore Biological Sex” 

 “FDA: Screw The Public, Let Gay Men Donate Blood.” 

These are the articles run by one of the publications which recently fired conservative writer Denise McAllister. Her offense? A viciously homophobic tirade aimed at openly gay journalist Yashar Ali.

However, as Media Matters points out, the right-wing publications which fired McAllister are being extremely hypocritical. Articles published by these publications pass along the same vulgarities she voiced in her twitter tirade. But in a so-called more respectable tone:

 . . . The Federalist is rife with articles arguing against allowing gay couples to adopt, some of which frame the issue as akin to child abuse. Articles such as “Dear Gay Community: Your Kids Are Hurting,” “What It’s Like To Face The LGBT Inquisition,” “Same-Sex Marriage Won’t Bring Us Peace,” and “The Kids Are Not Alright: A Lesbian’s Daughter Speaks Out” warn that “if people cease to take thinking seriously, the LGBT lobby wins,” that it’s “not natural” to grow up living with two women, and that “redefining marriage undermines freedom of speech and conscience, parent rights, and good home lives for children.” 

The Federalist is also home to a host of articles eager to blame gay people for the sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church, with articles bemoaning that the church isn’t putting a focus on “the link between sexual abuse and homosexuality among the clergy.” Similarly, Federalist writers have argued repeatedly that “Christianity that endorses sexual license isn’t Christianity” and that “there have been a disturbing number of people who claim the name of Christ who would like us to believe that God and the Bible are totally cool with homosexuality. They are not.” It also hosts op-eds extolling the virtues of “the traditional Christian teaching on sex and marriage” while denouncing “homosexual practice” and “sex-changes as an answer to gender dysphoria.” 

 . . . Like The Federalist, The Daily Wire is also very concerned about “LGBT school indoctrination,” the potential negative effects of letting same-sex couples adopt children (even going so far as to claim that adoption agencies have a “right to deny children to homosexual couples”), and the rise in acceptance of “activity typically gauged as immoral” such as being gay. Columnists are quick to remind you that if you don’t accept that “the homosexual act is a grave sin and abortion is an abomination,” you are not a “real Christian.” 

You’ll also find a number of articles bemoaning the support of “same-sex ‘marriage’” from people “pushing homosexuality, ‘transgenderism’ and other pernicious perversions down everyone’s throat.” Right-wing commentator Erick Erickson has written a number of inflammatory anti-LGBTQ articles with lines such as “homosexuality is a perversion and sin” and California is “hellbent on forcing children into the latest religious craze: transgenderism.” Other Daily Wire writers warn that the United Nations is trying to “push homosexuality” on the rest of the world, that Pope Francis is wrong for saying that being gay isn’t a choice, and that people who disagreed with the intensely anti-LGBTQ “Nashville Statement” are basically heretics.

The entire article deserves a read. It appears that McAllister was not fired for her homophobic rant more than failing to hide her bigotry behind veneers of  "religion," "common sense," "science," or even the old reliable claim of "standing against political correctness."

In other words, she got caught without her mask.

'Anti-LGBTQ group falsely claims Equality Act would ban the Bible' & other Tue midday news briefs

Liberty Counsel: The Equality Act Will Ban Using The Bible “Wherever It Addresses Homosexual Actions” - They are at it again. Bear in mind that these are the same groups AND entities who falsely said that LGBTQ-inclusive hate crimes legislation would lead to the arrest and silencing of pastors if they said homosexuality is a sin. It didn't happen. (click on the graphics to enlarge them).

Buffalo airport drops planned Chick-fil-A - And some of the same folks who think businesses should be allowed to turn away LGBTQ  Americans are angry.

Gay ‘American Idol’ Contestant Performs ‘Landslide’ For Parents Who Don’t Accept Him - This is so sad. 

Pete Buttigieg is gay enough - Yes he is. (but the bitch in me still snarks that IF America ever elected an openly gay president, he would be the type.)

'Democrats hate our troops,' says hate group which actually hates our troops

To commemorate Transgender Day of Visibility and to voice disagreement with Trump's ridiculous ban of transgender men and women serving in the military, Democratic lawmakers have been conducting symbolic but meaningful gestures. These gestures, such as hanging the transgender equality flag outside their Capitol Hill offices, were meant to show support to the transgender community

The conservative and religious right zeroed in on the allegation that some lawmakers were supposedly replacing the POW/MIA flag for the transgender equality flag.   Newsweek identified only one lawmaker, Representative Kim Schrier,  who did it. But to hear conservative and right-wing publications spin it, Democrats supposedly replaced the POW/MIA flag en masse.

 And leave it to SPLC-designated hate group the Family Research to zero in without any shred of self-awareness:

Is it Capitol Hill or a transgender pride parade? In some hallways, it's tough to tell. The same Democrats who think our military should take a backseat to gender-free validation are proving it by lining the walls of House office buildings with "trans equality" flags. And in case our troops didn't know where they ranked with Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) party, some even took down POW displays to make room. 

It's a jarring sight on the 5th floor of the Longworth House Office Building. A sea of baby blue and pink flags greets everyone who walks by -- an unpleasant reminder of just where the new majority's priorities are. Not that anyone really needed reminding. Late yesterday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) party made it quite clear what they thought about our service members by condemning a policy that saves our military from deadly distractions. But in the Left's hierarchy of political priorities, keeping the troops safe has always fallen way below keeping them "tolerant."

'Conservative writer fired after homophobic rant against gay journalist' & other Mon midday news briefs

Denise McAllister

The Denise Infamously Dragged By Meghan McCain On Twitter ‘Fired’ After Anti-Gay Rant - She got what she deserved but the entire thing is very hypocritical. The publication which fired her, The Federalist, have said worse things about the LGBTQ community, albeit in a less vulgar manner

Crackpot victim alert - The newest so-called victim of the "LGBTQ Mafia" is a lying flop just like the others. 

Texas AG Probes ‘Potential Discrimination’ In Airport’s Axing Of Chick-Fil-A - The same state which wants to pass a law making it legal for medical professionals to deny services to the LGBTQ community, mind you.

Over 20,000 protestors showed up at a hate group’s international conference - Good for them! We need more spotlight focused on World Congress of Families (WCF).

Six gay minutes with Waylon Smithers of 'The Simpsons'

Again, let's ease into the week with a little comedy and frivolity. How much has Waylon Smithers' sexual orientation has been used a comedic device on The Simpsons over the years? This much. It's interesting to gauge the trajectory of LGBTQ visibility by this one character.

'Beyonce and Jay-Z, Sean Hayes, 'Queer Eye,' 'Love, Simon'' honored at GLAAD Media Awards' & other Fri news briefs

Beyonce And Jay-Z’s Emotional GLAAD Media Awards Speech Honors Family, Champions LGBTQ Rights

‘Queer Eye,’ ‘Love, Simon,’ ‘Vida’ Honored at GLAAD Media Awards -  Congratulations to all of the GLAAD Media Award nominees and recipients. And see you in May for the second half!

Google pulls "conversion therapy" app amid pressure from LGBTQ groups - About time, too.

George Clooney: Boycott hotels over Brunei anti-gay death laws - Yes!

NCLR and Lambda Legal Sue Arizona over Anti-LGBTQ Curriculum Law - THIS is wonderful!

Anti-LGBTQ activist claims Jussie Smollett was freed to protect 'three pillars of liberalism'

According to anti-LGBTQ activist Peter LaBarbera (first picture), Jussie Smollett (second picture) was able to walk away from charges of allegedly staging a hate crime to protect the 'three pillars of liberalism.'

Perennial anti-LGBTQ activist and all-around laughing stock 'Porno' Pete LaBarbera claims to know why actor Jussie Smollett was able to walk away free from charges that he allegedly staged a hate crime.

According to LaBarbera, Smollett being gay had a lot to do with it:

One pro-family activist who works to expose the truth about homosexuality says he is not happy with the decision of prosecutors to drop all charges against openly gay Smollett. 

. . . Americans for Truth about Homosexuality Founder and President Peter LaBarbera argues that liberalism has encouraged people like Smollett to act like victims in fake hate crimes. 

"Liberals have deified homosexuality,” the pro-family leader asserted. “Liberals have decided that homosexuality –[which is] a sexual perversion [and] immoral behavior – a sin in the eyes of God -- is almost sacred." 

The Christian leader also noted that homosexuality is one of the three pillars of liberalism today – along with support of abortion and illegal immigration. 

"And so, because liberals have celebrated homosexuality to such a degree, they've helped these gay activists to feel like, “Oh, wow, I'm a victim, and the right is so hateful,” and they make up this whole mindset,” the outspoken conservative continued. “And then, sometimes, things can go off the deep end – like Jesse Smollett – and they act on it."

Yes, I confess that Peter LaBarbera is correct. And I would know because I was chairman of the committee to get Smollett freed. And I was very angry that I had to take time away from my crucial work of "recruiting" Christians into homosexuality and imprisoning children to hinder them from practicing their faith. Or something like. that.

But this was supposed to be secret. Who spilled the beans to LaBarbera? Why can't any of you queens keep your mouths shut?

Unrelated post, but still check it out while you're here - What's wrong with anti-LGBTQ 'religious freedom' laws? It's rather simple to explain.;

'Apple, Google, Facebook stand against TX anti-LGBTQ bills' & other Thur midday news briefs

Apple, Google, Facebook rebuke ‘divisive’ anti-LGBTQ bills in Texas Legislature -Good for them.

Why is Google cozying up to anti-LGBTQ activists? They won’t say. - BUT, let's not get too happy. Google, we gotta talk. 

What's wrong with anti-LGBTQ 'religious freedom' laws? It's rather simple to explain. - Post from last night. Bears repeating, retweeting, sharing. etc. etc. 

Brunei’s New Anti-LGBTQ Law Introduces Stoning and Whipping - Good Lord, this is awful!

The LGBTQ community can’t win our rights until we start making sure others can too - Amen

What's wrong with anti-LGBTQ 'religious freedom' laws? It's rather simple to explain.

One thing about these so-called religious freedom bills popping up is how their supporters attempt to make them sound reasonable when they aren't.

This is how the fake news source, One News Now, described one in Texas:

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-Texas) is pressing forward with a new bill that would protect the religious rights of Texans when threatened by LGBTQ activists seeking privileges in the name of “civil rights,” inclusion, and so-called “nondiscrimination.”  . . . “The bill would allow state license holders like lawyers, health care professionals and counselors to serve clients based on their religious beliefs without any adverse actions from licensing boards,” CBN News reported. 

It sounds justified except for when one gets past the rhetorical nonsense. And there is a simple way to do this. Substitute other racial and ethnic groups for the phrase "LGBTQ activists."

1.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-Texas) is pressing forward with a new bill that would protect the religious rights of Texans when threatened by African-Americans seeking privileges in the name of “civil rights,” inclusion, and so-called “nondiscrimination.”  . . . “The bill would allow state license holders like lawyers, health care professionals and counselors to serve clients based on their religious beliefs without any adverse actions from licensing boards,” CBN News reported.  

2. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-Texas) is pressing forward with a new bill that would protect the religious rights of Texans when threatened by people of the Jewish faith seeking privileges in the name of “civil rights,” inclusion, and so-called “nondiscrimination.”  . . . “The bill would allow state license holders like lawyers, health care professionals and counselors to serve clients based on their religious beliefs without any adverse actions from licensing boards,” CBN News reported.  

3. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-Texas) is pressing forward with a new bill that would protect the religious rights of Texans when threatened by interracial couples seeking privileges in the name of “civil rights,” inclusion, and so-called “nondiscrimination.”  . . . “The bill would allow state license holders like lawyers, health care professionals and counselors to serve clients based on their religious beliefs without any adverse actions from licensing boards,” CBN News reported.  

4. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-Texas) is pressing forward with a new bill that would protect the religious rights of Texans when threatened by Muslims seeking privileges in the name of “civil rights,” inclusion, and so-called “nondiscrimination.”  . . . “The bill would allow state license holders like lawyers, health care professionals and counselors to serve clients based on their religious beliefs without any adverse actions from licensing boards,” CBN News reported. 

 If it bothers you when other groups are substituted for "LGBTQ activists," then shouldn't it bother you that "LGBTQ activists" (which is anti-LGBT industry code phrasing for LGBTQ people in general) are the prime group targeted by these bills in the first place?

Claiming that these laws merely protect people's "rights" to serve clients based on their religious beliefs without any adverse actions  is a clever deception which doesn't answer a key question. What if  a person's religious beliefs dictate that African-Americans are inferior? Or that interracial couples are sinful? Or that Muslims or Jewish people shouldn't be treated the same as Christians? Or vice versa?

It's not by accident that the supporters of these "religious freedom" bills tend to avoid these questions.


Related post - Texas Republicans advance a bill that would allow doctors to refuse LGBTQ patients

'TX bill would allow doctors to refuse LGBTQ patients' & other Wed midday news briefs

Texas Republicans advance a bill that would allow doctors to refuse LGBTQ patients - Part of me is a bit fatalistic. People need to understand just how dangerous these bills are.

Lawmaker presses DeVos for 'personal opinion' on LGBTQ discrimination - One guess who this turned out . . .

Charges dropped against Jussie Smollett, attorneys say - THIS happened yesterday, which you all know, and everyone has been flipping.

Right-Wing Media Melts Down After Charges Dropped Against Jussie Smollett - I haven't seen this many pissed off folks on the right since Obama got re-elected. 

Transgender Teen Wins Gender-Neutral Prom Title After Being Told He Can’t Run For King - Boom!

Federal court removes final barrier to Trump's ban on transgender military troops

Yes it sucks and is no way to treat our fighting men and women. You want to change it? Then it's going to have to be done the hard way. Work to change the administration pushing this mess.

From The Washington Blade:

A federal appeals court has issued a mandate confirming its order to allow enforcement of President Trump’s transgender military ban, clearing the way for the administration to implement the policy. 

A three-judge panel on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the mandate Tuesday after a trial judge, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, affirmed her injunction against the Trump policy was still in effect and the administration was “incorrect” in moving forward with plans to initiate it April 12. 

. . . No transgender person is expected to be expelled from the U.S. military as a result of the implementation of the ban. The policy contains an exemption that allows transgender service members who are already out to continue to serve and receive transition-related health care. 

However, as a result of the policy, individuals who have sought to obtain transition-related care or been diagnosed with gender dysphoria will not be able to enlist in the armed forces. Moreover, service members not included in the exemption who are later diagnosed with gender dysphoria or seek transition-related care will be discharged.
Even though the target date for implementation of the ban is still weeks away and on its face the policy doesn’t impact transgender people currently in service, Minter said troops are already feeling its impact. 

“We are concerned by the serious harms that the imminent enforcement of the Mattis ban is already causing, both to the military and to transgender service members, many of whom are now scrambling to come out and initiate a gender transition before the April 12 deadline in order to be included in the so-called ‘grandfather’ provision,” Minter said. “The government’s plan is already wreaking havoc in the lives of dedicated transgender troops who must now face the grim choice of suppressing their identity or leaving military service, to the detriment of their fellow service members and national security.”

And I'm willing to bet that as cold hearted as those jerks are who pushed this ban, they are probably working to undermine the exemption conditions. Like I said, fight like hell to change this mess.

Related posts:

Trump’s ban on transgender troops, explained 

Hate group Family Research Council awards Congresswoman who waged war against transgender troops 

Family Research Council exposes own lie about cost worries in latest attack on trans soldiers