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

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

Here we go again with far-right evangelical victimhood. 

From RadarOnline:

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

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

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

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

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

Florida State Rep Joe Harding

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

From The Associated Press:

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

According to Politico:

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

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

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

In particular, Harding wanted a controversial amendment included:

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

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

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

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

Karma don't play.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video - Brave people always combat hatred and bigotry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin

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

From CNN

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

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

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

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

'DeSantis helped anti-LGBTQ group members get on school boards to settle old scores' & other Mon midday news briefs

Ron DeSantis helped Moms for Liberty members get on school boards to settle political scores​ - People need to pay attention to DeSantis because he is going to run for president. And all of the unscrupulous stuff he's done to LGBTQ folks in Florida will be done on a national level should he get into the White House. When it comes to anti-LGBTQ persecution, DeSantis has the potential to make Trump look like RuPaul.

Same-sex households in the U.S. surpass 1 million for the first time, data shows - And will continue to grow. 

Jim Kolbe dies at 80 - One of the first openly gay Congressmen after having to out himself. And he was a Republican, showing yet again how far that party has fallen. 

After record election year, some LGBTQ lawmakers face a new challenge: GOP majorities - Keep your fingers crossed.

Texas man arrested on federal charges for threatening physician who provides care to transgender community

People need to recognize before things get worse.

From The Texas Tribune:

A Texas man was arrested Friday on a federal charge that he left a threatening voicemail message for one Boston doctor who provides care to the transgender community, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Massachusetts. The man, Matthew Jordan Lindner, 38, of the Hill Country town of Comfort, was charged with one count of transmitting interstate threats. Comfort is in Kendall County, about 50 miles northwest of San Antonio. 

Lindner, whose company Lindner Ammo was a federal firearms license in 2019, is accused of leaving a voicemail message on Aug. 31 threatening to kill the doctor who works at the Boston-based National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. Following the phone call to the Boston doctor an FBI agent stated in an affidavit that Lindner called two other phone numbers assigned to a Rhode Island university where the doctor is a faculty member.

 The calls were made from his company’s number, according to AT&T phone records cited by federal investigators. Lindner was arrested Friday morning and made an initial appearance in the Western District of Texas. He is being held without bail . . .

This is the latest in a series of threats which children's hospitals and physicians who treat transgender patients have been receiving this year because of a right-wing campaign of lies involving gender-affirming care for trans kids. Certain individuals have falsely claimed that gender-affirming care for trans children entails hysterectomies.

According to NBC News:

NBC News previously reported that social media accounts such as LibsofTikTok have fanned the flames in recent weeks, making numerous claims including that Boston Children's Hospital is providing gender-affirming hysterectomies to children younger than 18. Conservative influencers have shared the allegations with their millions of followers without evidence. The medical facility has denied that it provides such care to children under 18 and multiple fact-checking organizations have debunked the claim.

In August, Catherine Leavy, a Massachusetts resident, was arrested for making a bomb threat hoax to the Boston Children's Hospital.

Video - There is no difference between Fox News and Nick Fuentes

 Many have pointed that the Fox News Network mimics the language and narratives of white supremacists but without the label of "white supremacy."  I think this video makes a very good case. It is from The Daily Show and compares things said by Fox News personalities to things said by infamous white supremacist Nick Fuentes. Fuentes has been in the news lately because of a recent dinner he had with Donald Trump.

'DHS warns of domestic terror threats to LGBTQ, Jewish, and migrant communities' & other Thur midday news briefs

DHS warns of domestic terror threats to LGBTQ, Jewish and migrant communities - We've got PROBLEMS. 

On World AIDS Day, Think About What You Can Do - Then Do - Amen.

School district ends partnership with LGBTQ+ program after right-wingers get mad at card game​- The idiotic 'groomer' accusation strikes again. 

Drag Queen Who Lost Friends at Club Q and Pulse Tells Anti-LGBTQ Lawmakers Blood 'Is on Their Hands'- Preach!!

Hate group leader Tony Perkins whines that people of faith will be 'beaten into submission' by Respect for Marriage Act

Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council

Tuesday's 61-36 victory in the Senate for the Respect for Marriage Act has gotten many conservative groups and leaders all out of sorts.

Good. 

But leave it to Tony Perkins, president of SPLC-designated hate group the Family Research Council to win major awards for whining.

"Republicans clearly acknowledged by their support of the Lee, Lankford, and Rubio amendments that this legislation is a threat to the First Amendment freedo­­­­ms of individual Americans. And yet 12 of 12 Republicans still chose to vote for the (Dis)Respect for Marriage Act. The (Dis)Respect for Marriage Act makes people prime targets for government harassment, investigation, prosecution, even civil action. This bill is a club, with which the Left will attempt to beat people of orthodox faith--who believe in marriage as God designed it and history has defined--into submission to their destructive sexuality ideology.

 "My experience as a former chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has shown me that religious freedom's greatest threat is not a military force that eradicates or suppresses religious freedom, although that has certainly occurred. The greatest threat are policies like the so-called Respect for Marriage Act. They are what curtails the exercise of religious freedom-- which leads not to a violent overthrow of this fundamental freedom, but to its systematic suppression and eventual loss. In other words, the government has declared open season on anyone who believes in marriage as it's always been, the union of a man and woman.

Am I the only who thinks that Tony's heart simply wasn't into making his statement. Even that nonsense in labeling the bill "The (Dis)Respect for Marriage Act) comes across as more artificial than usual.

In truth, the Respect for Marriage Act has absolutely nothing to do with Perkins and company, no matter how many times he attempts to make it all about them. It's about LGBTQ people and our rights to make choices in our lives instead of having those choices forcefully being made for us.

'The gay man helping Tucker Carlson ramp up hatred against LGBTQ community ' & other Wed midday news briefs

Justin Wells, the gay man helping Tucker Carlson ramp up hatred against the LGBTQ community.

The powerful gay man behind Tucker Carlson's bloodcurdling hate​ - This right here is some "repugnant shit."  A gay man is behind Tucker Carlson's empire of hate. 

Schools are becoming hotbeds of political conflict – especially in purple districts - And deliberately so, no doubt. 

Senate Passes Respect for Marriage Act - Just in case you missed this wonderful news. 

These recently elected trans lawmakers say anti-LGBTQ bills inspired them to run - This is how you do it. You don't cower in the face of hate. You use it to inspire you.

Marriage equality is about the LGBTQ right to make decisions about our own lives

As the Respect for Marriage Act makes it through the Senate, back to the House, and eventually on President Biden's desk to be signed into law, I want to address something which I have been thinking about for a long time.

Those who are followers of this blog probably think that I am going to be talking about the anti-LGBTQ industry and their tantrums about the Respect for Marriage Act. 

Not this time. 

Instead I want to remind folks what this is all about. Even as we attain the rights we are owed, there exist an argument within the LGBTQ community. Some in the community have accused others of attempting to copy heterosexuals, i.e. adjusting our lives to be just like that of heterosexuals. This mindset to some peoples includes dreams of a life as a Norman Rockwell painting with 2.5 kids, a nice home in the suburbs complete with a white picket fence, and other tokens of a stereotypical idea of the Leave It To Beaver television show. The only difference of course is it's Ward and Ward or June and June leading the family instead of Ward and June.

The folks against this image say that such aspirations are a slap in the face because they imply that LGBTQ people are okay so long as we act like heterosexuals. And this supposedly means a forgetting of our roots, when we were - and still are - the outcasts because of our inability to fit the supposed ideas of normalcy. What's the use of fighting for LGBTQ equality if you think that the goal is to act just like the heterosexuals?

And then there the accusation that the movers and the shakers of the LGBTQ community are wanting this Norman Rockwellian image so much that they sacrifice the push for equality in LGBTQ communities of color and particularly the transgender, bisexual, queer, and other communities which don't fall under the umbrella of "normal." The desire for marriage rights is in some ways seen as a cop-out or a desire to be like heterosexuals because internally there is some self-homophobia afoot.

Well I don't like getting into those discussions because often times, they result in ridiculous tangents in which people go so far in different directions that they end up being angry with each other over something said or the desire to get the last word in.

I'm a 51-year-old gay man. Over 25 years ago when I was coming to grips with my sexual orientation, what pained me to the point of so much misery was that other people, who didn't even care to know me, were making decisions about how my life would be. From the legislators like Jesse Helms or  Sam Nunn  trying to undermine my future through the legislative process , to preachers like Jerry Falwell telling all sorts of lies about me in the pulpit, to organizations like the Family Research Council pushing along bogus research papers and making speeches about my so-called radical agenda.

These folks never knew me but the things they said and did affected me in an extremely negative sense. Based upon their beliefs and false ideas of entitlement, they told this young gay man - me - that I have no rights to a future decided my wishes and desires. They were telling me that I don't get to pick my path. They, on the other hand, get to tell who I am, who I can love, how I can love, and what my future will be as decided by their parameters. I had no say on anything. Instead, they got to determine my future. They had the first, middle, and last about my life. And if I didn't like it, then too bad.

You see, that's what it's all about to me, whether it be the fight for marriage rights or any other rights in the LGBTQ community. It's not about wanting to be just like heterosexuals or forgetting where you came from. It's about the ability to make our own choices. I feel this way - if you are an LGBTQ person who wants that Norman Rockwellian dream, then you have a right to have it. If you are an LGBTQ person who wants something else, then you have that right to make choices.

You have that right to determine which direction your life will go, not some conservative legislator, preacher, or anyone else wanting to reduce your choices. They don't have that right. It doesn't belong to them. And no laws, ordinances, or religious books gives them that right either.

That's what the Respect for Marriage Act, marriage equality in general or any other LGBTQ right is to me - the power of self-determination.. Your power to make choices unencumbered by someone else's prejudice, religious beliefs, or ignorance. Marriage is not the only right LGBTQ people should have. It's one of many. And instead of arguing about it, we should get busy in yanking more rights out of the hands of those who falsely think they should have to power to dole them out to us.

'10 pastors wanted LGBTQ Pride Month displays at local libraries' & other Tue midday news briefs

10 pastors wanted LGBTQ Pride Month displays banned at local libraries​ - Uh uh. No way. Forget it.

Colorado Shooting Hero Advises When You Come Out, Come Out Swinging - Amen! 

Broadcast news failed to mention crucial context in coverage of Colorado Springs shooting at LGBTQ nightclub - The media is notoriously slack when it comes to covering LGBTQ issues. 

Disney CEO Bob Iger addresses ‘Don’t Say Gay’ fallout, importance of LGBTQ inclusion in stories - Talk is cheap, Mr. Iger.

'Gays Against Groomers' founder has history of promoting white supremacist ideas and personalities

Jamie Michell, founder of 'Gays Against Groomers' has a documented history of promoting white supremacist ideas and personalities.

Editor's note - This revelation took place the day before Thanksgiving, which may explain how it went under the radar. But now that Thanksgiving has passed, I am hoping that it will receive more attention.

We all know about the hateful group Gays Against Groomers and how it is an outlet to funnel terrible lies against the LGBTQ community.  But here is something you may not know. According to The Wrap, an online publication covering the media and entertainment, the founder of Gays Against Groomers, Jamie Michell, has a history of promoting white ideas and personalities.

This revelation came as part of a larger story of how Michell appeared on Tucker Carlson's show to discuss the recent shooting at Club Q in Colorado which took five lives and left 25 others injured.  Michell - with no pushback from Carlson - blamed the victims of the crime for what happened. 

"It shouldn’t have to be said, but what is anti-LBGTQ that these people need to understand, and what is putting our community in great danger, it, you know, claiming that all of us support this and just associating all of us with this. You know, saying that ‘groomer’ is an anti-LGBTQ slur,” Michell said. “That is doing irreparable damage to us as a whole, and it’s putting a really large target on our backs. And unfortunately, the tragedy that happened in Colorado Springs the other night, you know, it was expected, predictable. We all within Gays Against Groomers saw this coming from a mile away, and sadly I don’t think it’s gonna stop until we end this evil agenda.”

Michell claims that her group is comprised of LGBTQ people who are trying to stop the so-called grooming of kids by the others in the community, particularly the trans community.  The Wrap points out how Gays Against Grooming was barred from Vemmo and PayPal for harassment campaigns against the trans community.

Then The Wrap dropped this little nugget about Michell, with "receipts" (and y'all know how much I love receipts). 

Michell identifies as Jewish and denies any affiliation with Nazism. But she has a long, documented history of association with white supremacist ideas. She is known to follow several openly white supremacists on Twitter, she has promoted the work of white supremacist Vincent James Foxx and she has openly called for political violence, among other things. 

 Old accounts owned by Michell on YouTube and Flickr contained explicit Nazi imagery, something Michell blames, variously, either on an ex-boyfriend or on being hacked, though she has never actually identified who her ex was. Read more about all that here.

I would love to hear Michell explain all of her conundrums. Of course we all know that she won't do that.  She'll most likely double down on her false narrative while claiming to be a victim. 

'Florida has genuine problem of child sex abuse in its foster care system' & other Mon midday news briefs

Innocence Sold: Florida’s foster system provides dangerous sex traffickers with easy access to vulnerable children​ - While accusing LGBTQ people and culture of trying to 'sexually groom' kids, Florida gov Ron DeSantis seems to be missing actual child trafficking in the state's foster care system. 

21 GOP senators tell colleagues to oppose same-sex marriage bill unless it allows discrimination - Sorry, y'all. It ain't gonna happen.

Utah Groups Hope to Bridge Religious and LGBTQ+ Communities - We will see . . . 

How the American anti-LGBTQ hate machine is posing a threat to Canadians - Now this madness is bleeding over into Canada.

Video - These people are fed up with the banning of books and attempts to erase LGBTQ people in public schools

 Those people attempting to ban books and erase LGBTQ people in public schools tend to get too much attention. So much so that the people who take a stand against such hatred are ignored. We rarely see them in the media or hear the words they say to school boards because I guess it's more lucrative to give the haters the lion's share of attention.

But those taking a stand against banning books and erasing LGBTQ people in public schools are very vocal and very eloquent. They may not have right-wing money fueling them, but the truth of their words will always win in the end.

   

Far right personalities justify Club Q shooting, demand 'armed response' to 'grooming'

 Editor's note - I've always believed that knowledge is power, no matter how distasteful it is. That's why I am posting this.

One would think that after the recent shooting at Club Q, certain personalities would engage in some sincere introspection about the many ways they have smeared LGBTQ people with false claims that we are "grooming," "sexualizing," and "mutilating" kids.

Think again. 

Apparently to these folks, sincere introspection is for losers and doubling down on the lies you tell is the way to go. 

Kurt Schlitcher is a writer at the conservative site Townhall (whose political editor is an openly gay conservative by the name of Guy Benson).  Schlitcher has over 454,000 Twitter followers:

Tim Pool is a podcaster with 1.4 million Twitter followers and 1.3 million Youtube subscribers. 

 Pool is referring to an all ages drag show which would have taken place the next day. Calling it a 'grooming' event is a straight-up lie.  Pool is yet another conservative who has weaponized the word "grooming" in order to stigmatize LGBTQ people and minimize our culture into one solely about sexual intercourse. It's an updated version of the Anita Bryant claim from the 70s that "gays have to recruit kids to replenish their ranks."

Steve Crowder is an Apple podcaster with over 1.9 million Twitter followers and 5.88 million Youtube subscribers.

You can probably tell by looking at Crowder that in spite of his talk about being "armed," if someone handed him a gun, he'd "make lemonade and fudge" in his pants.

Let's be clear about a few things:

Drag shows are not inherently sexual. 

Many drag shows are rather tame.

Children are not being sexually groomed by drag queens or Drag Queen Story Hour events. 

Healthcare for trans kids is not mutilation.  

And most importantly:

People aren't reacting violently because these things are happening. They are reacting violently because they are being led to believe these things are happening by Pool, Schlitcher and Crowder.  And I genuinely don't think that Pool, Schlitcher and Crowder actually believe what they are spewing. 

This is what the LGBTQ community - particularly the transgender community - have been trying to tell the so-called mainstream all along. We aren't dealing with people who have simple difference of opinion or a "sincerely held religious beliefs."  We're dealing with posers, clout chasers, and people who simply don't give a damn about who gets hurt by their lies. Just as long as they get what they want. 

Five people are dead and 25 others are wounded. And while the shooter's motives is not yet known, the manner in which these three bozos closed ranks, actually justifying the shooting, says a lot.

'Here are the five victims who were killed in Colorado gay nightclub shooting' & other Tue midday news briefs

Here are the five victims who were killed in Colorado gay nightclub shooting​ - So many innocent lives taken. Even only one is one too many. 

Mass shooting at Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub comes amid a right-wing media hate campaign against drag queens - Never forget the entities who contributed to this madness. 

Club Q Patrons Pistol-Whipped and Pinned Gunman in Colorado Shooting - They whipped the BRAKES off of that fool. 

The Texas Legislature Is Preparing an All-Out War on Trans People’s Existence - Even in light of what happened at Club Q, some folks are still determined to undermine trans people. 

In Latin America, mothers of LGBTQ children fight against prejudice - And our fight goes on. Everywhere.

The right-wing media's hate campaign against the LGBTQ community has deadly consequences

From Media Matters:

At least five people are dead and 25 are injured after a shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Club Q had planned to host an “all ages drag brunch” on the morning after the shooting to celebrate Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual day of mourning for trans people whose lives were lost to violence.⁠ ⁠ Right-wing media have focused obsessively on drag shows in recent months, falsely portraying them as a threat not just to children, but to civilization as a whole.⁠

 Club Q has asked that people interested in donating to victims and the local community do so through a contribution to the Colorado Healing Fund, available at this link.