Bobby Jindal wants you to pray with THIS MAN

Jindal

Louisiana Gov Bobby Jindal's little prayer thing is coming up this weekend, so I thought I would remind folks just who Jindal is teaming up with in this little venture of his.

I'm doing this particularly because according to Right Wing Watch, the conservative magazine National Review is deliberately distorting the situation when it comes to the sponsors of this event, the anti-gay hate group American Family Association:

The National Review’s Eliana Johnson has taken note of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s hosting of this weekend’s “Response” prayer rally as well as the protests it has sparked on the campus of Louisiana State University. Johnson’s article accurately portrays the rally as part of presidential hopeful Jindal’s political outreach to evangelical voters, but it mischaracterizes the reason for the protests:

The event has already sparked controversy because the group underwriting it, the American Family Association, has organized boycotts against companies that do not use the word “Christmas” in their holiday advertising and communications as well as those that participate in gay-rights events or donate to gay-rights causes. That included a one-month boycott of PetSmart last November and a three-year boycott of Home Depot that ended in 2013. 

People aren’t protesting Jindal’s partnership with the American Family Association because it has organized boycotts. Boycotts are the least of the problems with the intensely anti-gay AFA, whose chief spokesperson Bryan Fischer is a font of broadcast bigotry and has argued that only Christians — and certainly not Muslims, Hindus or Mormons (whom he does not consider Christian) — are covered by the First Amendment’s religious liberty guarantees.

In other words, roll the video footage of Fischer's "greatest hits and while viewing it, ask yourself, "Would you pray with this man?"

Or better yet, "Would you want the person who sees nothing wrong with praying with this man anywhere near the White House?":

'Mike Huckabee - states can ignore SCOTUS on marriage equality' and other Wednesday midday news briefs

Mike Huckabee: States Can Ignore Supreme Court On Gay Marriage - Huckabee needs to check himself. The states CANNOT ignore the Supreme Court on marriage equality. And broadly speaking, Huckabee is a perfect reason why EVERY lgbt who is of the voting age should be registered and ready to cast their ballot. We are winning but people like him are going to make sure we can't secure what we win.

Wedding Planner Goes Out Of Her Way To Tell Couple She Does ‘Not Feel Comfortable’ Helping Them - The Family Research Council is trying to make this wedding planner seem like a victim. However, one should read the entire story, PARTICULARLY the part which details why the gay couple has no legal case against her. 

 Pennsylvania governor-elect names transgender woman as Physician General - Wonderful news indeed!

 In Wake Of Controversial 'Ex-Gay' Billboard Lawmakers Introduce Ban On Conversion Therapy - Sweeeet!

 Ben Carson: Congress Should Oust Judges Who Rule For Marriage Equality - Because . . . . I guess he doesn't need a reason. 

And finally . . . . 

Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for a 2015 GLAAD Media Award, including THIS BLOG in the category of Outstanding Blog. It was a delightful shock to wake up to the news that I received my second consecutive nomination and it is certainly an honor. I am in good company with The Art of Transliness, Autostraddle, Box Turtle Bulletin, and My Fabulous Disease. 

And allow me to be honest. I am hoping to win. However, even if I don't win, I am so overwhelmed by the honor and very thankful to everyone who have supported Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters over the years. 

You all are the best supporters anyone can have.

Obama leaving silly anti-gay right behind to wallow in self-righteous madness

Obama

Last night, President Obama's State of the Union speech was groundbreaking in so many ways, particularly when he praised marriage equality and pushed for the rights of the lgbt community in general. It was the first time our community had been directly mentioned in a State of the Union address:

"As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we're threatened, which is why I've prohibited torture, and worked to make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained," said Obama, adding, "That’s why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We do these things not only because they're right, but because they make us safer."

Meanwhile, poor Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association sits in front of his lonely microphone and pretends that he is God's appointed judge in terms of who is or isn't a Christian:



Fischer is indicative of the anti-gay right - deliberately using semantics, talking points, and dodgy terms to avoid treating lgbts as human beings, something which Jesus would do.

Pathetic self-righteous trash, but so indicative of a group of people who can't seem to understand that they are losing the fight.

Conservative gay author has interesting story to tell about working with religious right

A very good friend of mine has just published a book which should be of much interest to us all:

Ever wonder what it is like to be a longtime member of the Christian Right and a married gay man? Ever believe that such a combo would make Ozzie & Harriet look like Oscar & Felix?

Joe Murray was a longtime cadet of the Christian Right and spent the early years of his life building a resume that might make Goldwater envious. He served as a member of Pat Buchanan's Presidential campaign staff in 1999 and was appointed to the Alliance Defending Freedom's prestigious Blackstone Fellowship for budding Christian attorneys in 2000. He spent a number years working on the front lines of the "Culture War" as a Staff Attorney for the American Family Association. He worked with the Pennsylvania Pastor's Network and was a columnist for the conservative Philadelphia Bulletin. Murray, a Conservative Catholic, also happens to be gay.

In his new book, Odd Man Out, Murray tackles the misconception that one's identity should predetermine one's politics. Murray's background has provided an excellent opportunity for a frank discussion on a number of social policy issues that are presently dividing the nation. Building upon his experiences working deep inside the Christian Right, Murray discusses how public interest politics has led to a perverse politics in which profit overtakes principle. He shines a light on some of the not-so-Christian events he witnessed while working for the Christian Right and he talks about some of the rivalries that existed (and continue to exist) on the Right. Murray uses his personal story to take the reader behind the scenes of Christian and gay politics and, in doing so, offers new insights on how to frame the controversial discussion.

Though a piece of political nonfiction, Murray's new book is also intimately personal. Murray shares a number of stories that have molded his life and shaped how he sees the world. He opens the door for readers to see how a Catholic, Libertarian-leaning, Irish-American, gay attorney is able to fully operate in society, despite the political perception that he is an ideological inconsistency. Murray uses his personal experiences to argue that people should use their identity to expand their ideas, not limit them.

You can buy a copy here or at Joe Murray Enterprises

'TV show will blow the lid off of homophobia in African-American community' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

Gay Couple, Second to Marry in Florida, to Attend Tonight's State of the Union Address - Sweeeet! 

Lee Daniels Is Using 'Empire' To 'Blow The Lid Off' Homophobia In The Black Community - Oh this is going to be gooooood! And it's a perfect example of why there needs to be some representation of the lgbt community when it comes to the television and movie industry. Do you really think a heterosexual white guy would be able to do this?

 Gay Marriage Foe Calls For Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan To Quit Marriage Case - While I am not counting my chickens before they hatch with regards to how the Supreme Court will rule on marriage equality later this year, I must say that the smell of anti-gay desperation is mighty intoxicating.  

University bathroom posters claim transgender people ‘rape women every 9 minutes’ - Uh excuse the heck out of me!  

This Is What Transgender Locker Room Harassment Looks Like - The true story behind transgender locker room harassment. The wrong folks are being "protected." 

Finally, some great news. I have been tinkering with new ways to make it easier for folks to download or read my booklet How They See Us: Unmasking the Religious Right War on Gay America (even on their mobile phones) with much success. Clicking the link below will give you direct access to How They See Us as a google document when you can read, save, or download. Please take advantage. Let's educate and arm our community with knowledge because knowledge is the only thing which can defeat the religious right as well as their attempts at an oncoming backlash:

How They See Us: Unmasking the Religious Right War on Gay America

HERO signature controversy could sink 'religious liberty' argument in Houston

Image from last year's anti-gay rally in Houston may come back to haunt supporters.

Remember last year when the controversy over a trans-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance in Houston led the press to label the city as "ground zero" in the so-called war over religious liberty?

Remember when the Family Research Council, Fox News personality Todd Starnes, Mike Huckabee  and that man from the television show Duck Dynasty (whose name I am deliberately forgetting) rallied a throng of folks in a huge televised rally which called attention to the supposed persecution of Christians and the so-called encroachment of the vicious "gay agenda."

Remember the portents of doom and fear which came from the rally ; the horror stories of Christians being put into jail for professing their faith, being forced to (gasp and swoon) serve gay customers at their places of business, of men being legally allowed to go into women's restrooms and locker rooms and sexually harass at their leisure.

Surely you do. And if you don't, you should dig into archives for these memories. Savor and cherish them because, it's beginning to look like those folks responsible for these lies and moral panics are about to get a huge goose egg on their faces.

Anti-gay leader Tony Perkins proves it - his side has NOTHING to refute marriage equality

This morning, Prop 8 lawyer Ted Olson and Family Research Council head Tony Perkins had a debate this morning on Fox News with anchor Shannon Bream as the moderator.

Personally I don't see how any reasonable person can have a debate on Fox News, particularly with someone like Shannon Bream (who is the typical Fox News female anchor - talentless eye candy with a decayed center), but I think Olson did rather well for himself.

With the news that the Supreme Court will be hearing cases which may decide marriage equality in the United States once and for all (keep your fingers crossed and no celebrating UNTIL it's all said and done) and with somewhat of a homefield advantage for Perkins (Fox has interviewed him numerous times without anyone else giving an opposing opinion), one would think that the FRC head would at least try to bring some type of A-game to the debate.

Not so much. It was the same tired old arguments, fear tactics, and misdirections that we are familiar with. Not even Bream could help Perkins as Olson effortlessly beat him down.

Even giving Perkins the last word didn't help because Olson had refuted the point Perkins (i.e. the courts should respect the "will of the people") made in the last word at the beginning of the debate.

'Hate group leader to debate Prop 8 lawyer on Fox News' & other Friday midday news briefs

Fox News Sunday Invites Hate Group Leader For Debate About Same-Sex Marriage - Just in case you haven't heard, this upcoming Fox News Sunday will feature a marriage equality debate between Ted Olson, one of the attorneys who successfully beat down Prop 8 in the courts and Family Research Council head Tony Perkins. And I do agree with the article's lament that Perkins can be considered anywhere - even on Fox News - as a credible voice on lgbt issues in spite of him and his organization's history of outrageous lies and inane comments against the lgbt community. In fact, below are two guides to remind you about the negative history of Perkins and the Research Council. Please read and pass around if you see fit: 

Tony Perkins's most homophobic statements - GLAAD has compiled a list of statements made by Tony Perkins while contradict any notion that he is a credible leader on morality. 

 16 reasons why the Family Research Council is a hate group - And then there is my post from August 20, 2011 in which I compile a concise list of incidents, comments, and claims which more than proves the notion that the Family Research Council is a hate group. It is a post which continues to be relevant. 

 Huckabee, Santorum join professional 'ex-gay' as conservative conference headliners - Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum will be teaming up with an 'ex-gay' speaker at a conservative conference. That would be awful within itself. But remember that Huckabee and Santorum will most likely be running for president. Even though they don't have a chance, it should scare folks that such a nasty element could be anywhere close to the White House.  

Have You Ever Had to Convince Someone You're a Woman? (VIDEO) - Fight on, my brothers and sisters. I will ALWAYS have your back.  

Wyoming Pastor-Lawmaker's Bill Allows Discrimination Against 'Oppression' Of Gay Marriage - You wanna run that by me again . . .

Atlanta Kasim Reed will not back down from 'religious liberty' controversy

I have to give MAJOR PROPS to Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.  He is catching a huge amount of flack for his dismissal of former city fire chief Kelvin Cochran.

While Cochran's supporters claim that this is an issue of religious persecution, Reed has contended that this is an issue of bad judgement and behavior by Cochran.

And he is not back down. In the following interview with MSNBC's Tamron Hall, Mayor Reed makes his points eloquently  but forcefully. In doing so, he is a model for us all when we are called anti-Christian bigots because we believe in fairness and respect for all:

Related posts:

 Atlanta's Mayor Dismantles "Religious Freedom" Defense Of Terminated Anti-Gay Fire Chief

Does Kelvin Cochran's definition of religious liberty justify his dismissal? Probably so

Stopping an anti-gay smear BEFORE it gains power

Today comes news that a pro-lgbt cake shop in Colorado is being sued on the grounds of religious discrimination.

But all is not what it seems. According to The New Civil Rights Movement:

If you want a wedding cake, the Azucar Bakery in Denver wants to make one for you. Gay, straight, they don't care. A walk through their Facebook photos shows a vast assortment of cakes and desserts, which may be one of the reasons owner Marjorie Silva (photo above) won an award for Best Wedding Cake at the 2012 Colorado Chocolate Festival. Recently, an older man walked into the bakery and asked for a bible-shaped cake, which was "no problem at all," Silva tells OutFront. In fact, she says she makes Christian-themed cakes "all the time."

The man pulled out a piece of paper with the words he wanted written on the cake, but he would not hand it over.

"He wanted us to write God hates …" one of the employees, Lindsey, told OutFront. "Just really radical stuff against gays."

"He wouldn’t allow me to make a copy of the message, but it was really hateful," Marjorie says. "I remember the words detestable, disgrace, homosexuality, and sinners."

"I told him that I would bake the cake in the shape of a Bible," says Marjorie. "Then I told him I’d sell him a [decorating] bag with the right tip and the right icing so he could write those things himself."

"He told me I needed to talk to my attorney about this," Marjorie adds, saying he then left the bakery, only to return a few hours later, to ask if she had contacted her lawyer. She had not. Lindsey says she thinks the man "was looking for trouble, and describes him as "being really pushy and disruptive."

Silva has since been notified by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) that a discrimination complaint against the bakery has been filed. In the response to the complaint, Lindsay wrote that the man "wanted an open book with the words 'god hates homosexuality' and a 'no' sign over two men. He also wanted a scripture and the Ghostbusters logo."

This man doesn't have a legal leg to stand on. The bakery didn't refuse his service even when the owners felt what he wanted to put on the cake was offensive. And it even offered to sell him a cake bag so he could do the writing himself.  It's clear that the man was looking for a reason - however unjustifiable - to sue. I cringe to think how far he would have taken it if the bakery had agreed to decorate the cake.

Now reasonably, this would be the end of it. However,  add an anti-gay network of bloggers, organizations, and fake news sources, you have the recipe for an homophobic cause celebre which would flood the airwaves and state Congressional halls with cries of anti-Christian persecution before the truth even has a chance to put on its shoes.

'Republicans FINALLY censures Dave Agema for racist, homophobic posts' & other Thursday midday news briefs

Mississippi schools under fire over efforts to curb Gay-Straight Alliance - It's amazing how ignorant some folks are when it comes to students wanting to start gay/straight alliance clubs. The sad thing is that all it would take is for these folks to establish a dialogue with the students wanting to start the clubs. But as it is, they want to do things the hard way. Have at it. 

GOP Censures Anti-Gay Republican - I am SO not impressed. This should have happened to Dave Agema a long time ago. It was when he demonstrated himself to be a racist as well as a homophobe that Republicans are getting "alarmed" enough to censure him. 

More information from 2013 - Dave Agema saga exposes the lies of the anti-gay right

Lawmaker Wants To Pay Students $2,500 If They See A Transgender Person In The ‘Wrong’ Bathroom - Oh good Lord! I think we should get more alarmed at lawmakers stirring up fear about this nonexistent issue of our transgender brothers and sisters using bathrooms.  

Judge: Michigan Must Recognize 300-Plus Gay Marriages - Decision stayed for 21 days but still an awesome victory.  

Anti-gay ‘religious freedom’ discrimination bill on way to N.C. - Oh brother! Here we go, here we go!  

World Congress of Families Spokesman: 'Russia Is The Hope For the World Right Now' - What in gay hell . . .

Anti-gay leader Tony Perkins prefers hyperbole to actual debate

Far be it from Family Research Council Tony Perkins to discuss the actual facts when it comes to the dismissal of former Atlanta fire chief Kelvin Cochran.

He prefers hyperbole and false claims about how folks would rather shut down "Christians" like him rather than debate issues. Of course one of the grand ironies is that Perkins pointedly refuses to debate lgbts on issues:

'Religious right learns not to call out Ellen DeGeneres' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

Ellen DeGeneres Fires Back at Christian Post for Alleging Hollywood Gay Agenda (Video) - The religious right learns the hard not to call out Ellen DeGeneres because she is NO shrinking violet and WILL answer. As satisfying as the incident is, it also underscores a sad reality. To some people, us lgbts being open, honest, and proud of who we are is a violation of their so-called "religious liberty" Not living our lives in accordance to their ignorance is a violation of their so-called "religious liberty." 

A New Center In The Bronx Will Focus On Gay Seniors - Awesome and much needed!

Colorado church under fire for stopping woman’s funeral because she was gay - Tacky. Just plain tacky as well as wrong.  

Texas Republican Lawmakers Aim To Nullify LGBT Nondiscrimination Protections Covering 7.5 Million People - When there is a backlash to the advancement of equality, don't get scared. Fight harder for equality.  

Texas Lawmakers Already Have Three Different Ideas For Anti-LGBT Laws - More on that issue. These folks are running scared.

Anti-gay leader Tony Perkins despises Nazi, Holocaust imagery . . . unless HE gets to use it

Perkins

Tony Perkins of the anti-gay Family Research Council reached the pinnacle of blind audacity tonight. In an email blast, he sent the following:

If anyone is guilty of "virulent views," try the Left! It's a prime example of the pot calling the cake pan black in Colorado, where member of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission was caught on tape calling Christian baker Jack Phillips a "Nazi" for politely turning down a same-sex "wedding" order.

Diann Rice, part of the board who is deciding Jack's fate, is the one on the hot seat now that audio of her July comments have leaked to the press, in which she said the "freedom of religion has been used to justify all kinds of discrimination throughout history, whether it be slavery, whether it be the Holocaust...(T)o me, it is one of the most despicable pieces of rhetoric that people can use..."

I should point out that Rice is not on any hot seat. The claim that she is in trouble is a tactic used by conservatives and the anti-gay right. Their allies on right-wing blogs, fake news sites (such as The Daily Signal via the Heritage Foundation) and various other propaganda sites (i.e. Fox News or The Washington Times - where the story is coming from) will play up the story, giving the false idea of a controversy.

In the mainstream media, no one really cares.  What's more, if one reads the article, he or she would discover that Rice never called anyone a "Nazi." The word never came out of her mouth. She said:

"I would also like to reiterate what we said in the last meeting [on Mr. Phillips]. Freedom of religion and religion has been used to justify all kinds of discrimination throughout history, whether it be slavery, whether it be the Holocaust."

I personally fail to see how Rice is wrong here I made that same statement two years ago in my booklet, How They See Us (pg. 2). 

But there is rich irony in the fact that Perkins can dare take the high road and "grasp at the pearls" in shock  because HE has used Holocaust and Nazi imagery in the past.

Does Kelvin Cochran's definition of religious liberty justify his dismissal? Probably so

Cochran

The situation involving former Atlanta chief Kelvin Cochran heated up today with a rally in his honor, new details about the investigation which led to his firing, and what I would call mind-bogglingly ignorant comments by Cochran which underscores just why his firing may have been appropriate.

From Think Progress:

The leader of the Family Research Council (FRC), a socially conservative organization that the Southern Poverty Law Center labeled an anti-gay hate group in 2010, plans to join conservative pastors and “religious liberty advocates” at an Atlanta rally on Tuesday supporting a former senior city official who was fired after he expressed hostility towards gay people. Last week, Atlanta’s former fire chief, Kelvin Cochran, was dismissed due to a self-published book Cochran authored entitled Who Told You That You Were Naked? In that book, Cochran attacks “uncleanness — whatever is opposite of purity; including sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, pederasty, bestiality, all other forms of sexual perversion,” and he describes sex between two men as a “vile, vulgar and inappropriate” act that “defile[s] their body-temple and dishonor[s] God.”

In announcing his decision to fire Cochran, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed (D) cited the city’s nondiscrimination policy, adding that anyone who “creates an environment where that is a concern” will not remain a city employee.

FRC is presenting this as a case of religious discrimination — “If a government will fire someone for their religious beliefs, no beliefs are safe from government regardless of how sacred those beliefs may be,” accorrding to FRC’s press release — but that’s a red herring. Cochran was not fired because the city objects to his identity as a Christian. Indeed, Mayor Reed is also a Christian. Rather, Cochran was fired because of concerns that his now very public anti-gay views would create a work environment that was not welcoming to his gay subordinates. Mayor Reed also claims that Cochran published his anti-gay book without following protocols for seeking approval from city officials.

Meanwhile, according to a local Atlanta newstation, details came out about just who Cochran distributed his book to on his job, which contradicts his original story:

The 30-day report says that Cochran did not have the authority to publish the book, which is required by the city's code of ordinances. The report also says Cochran distributed the book to at least nine subordinates at work. According to the report, at least three of those who received the book said it had been given to them unsolicited.

In addition, the report says Cochran gave the book, unsolicited, to a battalion chief during a professional one-on-one meeting. The purpose of the meeting, the report said, was to discuss what the battalion chief needed to do to prepare himself for appointment to the position of assistant chief. The assistant chief's position in the Atlanta Fire Department is the only sworn position that a fire chief may appoint at his sole discretion. All other sworn positions in the fire department are filled through a pre-determined selection process.

The report describes a consensus among employees interviewed in conjunction with the investigation that publication of the book undermined Cochran's ability to lead the fire department. According to the report, continued assertions that Cochran was fired for his religious beliefs were demonstrably false.

"Mr. Cochran and I are both men of faith," Reed said in a statement released on Tuesday. "My decision has nothing to do with his religion and everything to do with his judgment and conduct as the leader of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and a member of my Cabinet. Mr. Cochran ignored the City's Ethics Code which establish a clear protocol which must be followed before a Commissioner may engage in private activity for pay. Mr. Cochran made numerous judgment decisions regarding the book that are unacceptable for a leader in City of Atlanta government: he sold the Book without the requisite approval; he authored the book identifying himself as the Atlanta Fire Chief; he distributed the book at work, despite the fact that its content expressed opinions which are contrary to the City's and my personal commitment to nondiscrimination; he exposed the City to potential litigation from employees; and he published the book without ever mentioning it to me. Mr. Cochran's decisions as a City official, not his religion, resulted in his termination."

But what caught my eye were comments Cochran made in this story:

"LGBT citizens deserve the right to express their belief regarding sexual orientation and deserve to be respected for their position without hate and discrimination, but Christians also have the right to express their beliefs as well," Cochran said.

Cochran seems to think that lgbts and Christians are diametrically opposed to each other.  His statement reveals a troubling mindset with regards to lgbts.  He seems to be saying that the rights of gays to live our lives openly and freely in the workplace is the same as his nonexistent right to denigrate us for doing so.

Is Cochran saying that if gay employees have the right to talk about, put pictures up, or even receive visits from their loved ones and children at work, he is perfectly justified in labeling them as sinners in the same environment?

If that is the case, then Cochran has a very screwed up idea of "religious liberty." People should be free to talk about their families and their marriages at work without fear of being denigrated simply because another employee has a religious belief against these marriages and families. And if being proud of your loved ones and family is somehow a slight to someone's religious beliefs, that's not your problem. That problem lies with the person espousing the religious belief.

I don't see how Cochran can compare the two scenarios and I would love for him elaborate on what he meant.

Editor's note - Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is taking a lot of heat from ignorant people because he stood up for the lgbt community. Please show him your support by retweeting the following editorial by the New York Times which supports his actions and tweeting support at @kasimreed #IStandWithKasim or #ReedWasRight 

Seriously, folks. We need to stand up for those who go to bat for us. Lord knows it's not easy .

'Is Mike Huckabee backing away from anti-marriage equality position?' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

Huckabee backs away from opposition to same-sex marriage - Dear Mike Huckabee, you can pretend that you are "coming around" when it comes to marriage equality but no self-respect lgbt will support your possible bid for president. We aren't stupid and even if some of us were "born yesterday," when it comes to you, those who were "born yesterday" was up all night studying. 

God, Gays and the Atlanta Fire Department - The New York Times lays the smack down on this fake case of violated "religious liberty" in Atlanta involving former fire chief Kelvin Cochran: 

"Imagine that Mr. Cochran, who is black, were an adherent of a religion that avowed the inferiority of white people, and that he distributed literature to that effect. He would not have lasted another day in a job that requires him to manage and protect the well-being of a large and diverse work force. It should not matter that the investigation found no evidence that Mr. Cochran had mistreated gays or lesbians. His position as a high-level public servant makes his remarks especially problematic, and requires that he be held to a different standard."

Speaking of which, go here to freep this poll. Cochran SHOULD have been fired.

Megapastor T.D. Jakes aligning with extremely anti-gay Harry Jackson, Family Research Council - For the record, I never did like T.D. Jakes. He teaches people fear and encourages ignorance disguised as "The Gospel." Just another dime-a-dozen fake preacher growing fat on his own ego. 
 
A Teacher Was Fired From A Russian School After Being Outed By An Anti-Gay Activist - Handle yo' business, girlfriend! 

Finally, I have a celebratory announcement to make. Today marks the two-year anniversary of the publishing of How They See Us: Unmasking the Religious Right War on Gay America. In those two years, my online booklet has over 1,000,000 views and over 2,000 downloads.

As this year progresses and hopefully the lgbt community wins more victories to ensure our equality, the anti-gay right will rely on ignorance and the reluctance of the media to fully investigate them in order to play "victim" to a supposed "encroaching gay agenda."

That entire point of view is a lie. For over 30 years, anti-gay groups and spokespeople have made the lgbt community scapegoats and victims in their campaign of distortions and misdirection. 

How They See Us has the goods on them. It is free and I encourage every one to download a copy from either this site , this one, or get a direct link to the booklet here.

South Carolina, Texas would punish government employees for recognizing same-sex marriages

SC Rep. Gary Smith

Apparently some legislators in South Carolina got a real bee in their bonnet about losing the marriage equality fight.

And they are going to take it out on government employees who would recognized these marriages. On December 11, SC Reps Gary Smith and Bill Chumley filed House Bill (H3022)

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-1-235 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF TAXPAYER FUNDS AND PAYMENT OF GOVERNMENT SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE LICENSING AND SUPPORT OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, TO PROHIBIT GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FROM RECOGNIZING, GRANTING, OR ENFORCING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE LICENSES, TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF TAXES OR OTHER PUBLIC FUNDS TO ENFORCE A COURT ORDER TO ISSUE A SAME-SEX MARRIAGE LICENSE, TO REQUIRE COURTS TO DISMISS CERTAIN LEGAL ACTIONS RELATED TO THE LICENSING AND RECOGNITION OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AND TO AWARD ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS IN THOSE ACTIONS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE STATE FROM LIABILITY FOR CERTAIN CONDUCT.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Article 3, Chapter 1, Title 20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 20-1-235.    (A)    No state or local taxpayer funds or governmental salaries may be paid for an activity that includes the licensing or support of same-sex marriage.

(B)    No state or local governmental employee officially shall recognize, grant, or enforce a same-sex marriage license. If an employee violates this subsection, the employee must not continue to receive a salary, pension, or other employee benefit at the expense of the taxpayers of this State.

(C)    No taxes or public funds may be utilized to enforce a court order requiring the issuance or recognition of a same-sex marriage license.

(D)    A court of this State shall dismiss a legal action challenging a provision of this section and shall award costs and attorney's fees to a person or entity named as a defendant in the legal action.

(E)    No person employed by this State or a local governmental entity who violates or interferes with the implementation of this section may continue to receive a salary, pension, or other employee benefit.

(F)    The State is not subject to suit in law or equity pursuant to the eleventh amendment of the United States Constitution for complying with the provisions of this section, regardless of a contrary federal court ruling.

(G)    If a judicial officer violates this section, that judicial officer is disqualified from office pursuant to Section 19, Article V of the South Carolina Constitution, 1895."

Here is something interesting which should be known. In Texas, legislators are proposing pretty much exactly the same bill, albeit with different text:

A bill has been introduced in the Texas Legislature that if enacted would strip the salary of any Texas-government employee who issues a marriage license to a same-sex couple.

Known as House Bill 623, the recently introduced bill declares that no state funds will go to the distribution of gay marriage licenses.

"State or local taxpayer funds or governmental salaries may not be used for an activity that includes the licensing or support of same-sex marriage," reads HB 623.

"If an employee violates this subsection, the employee may not continue to receive a salary, pension, or other employee benefit at the expense of the taxpayers of this State."

Of course these bill are ridiculous and would totally undercut our system of checks and balances as well as infringe upon the rights of same-sex couples who have legally won or could win the right to marriage. But I think the lgbt community, particularly our leaders, activists, and bloggers, would do ourselves a favor to not focus on the "puppets" in this matter, i.e. the lawmakers proposing these bills.  Instead, we should focus on the "puppet masters."

I am betting that we will see more of these mean-spirited bills pop up in other states because some entity is maneuvering this mess behind the scenes, probably even to the point of providing language for the lawmakers to use.

And I am almost certain that this entity, whoever it or they (meaning more than one organization) may be is obscuring their behind-the-scenes work by continuously claiming that Christians will be "persecuted" because of the onslaught of pro-marriage equality decisions.

It would be certainly embarrassing if these entities were made public, wouldn't it? After all, you can't plead victimhood when it shown that you have state legislators in your hip pockets.

 But who ever it or they may be, their hypocrisy is duly noted. Gay couples have been winning the right to marry fair and square via the courts. Seems to me that if these folks proposing all of this nasty legislation had any legitimate argument against marriage equality in the first place, they wouldn't be in the position to have to stoop so low in order to stop it.

'Sneaky attempts at anti-gay laws desperate strategy by losers' & other Monday midday news briefs

More Sneaky Anti-Gay Laws Popping Up - DO NOT get discouraged because this only means that we are winning. You can't have the victory without the attempted backlash. History has repeatedly shown this. The only difference here being we know that it's coming and should prepare ourselves to fight it. In other words . . . let's rock! 

New Missouri Bill Would Permit Christian College Groups To Discriminate Against Gay Students - Oh yeah. Religious liberty . . . and everything . . . 

Stop with the false witness–bearing, Focus on the Family! - In my eight plus years of blogging, it is very rare that I would catch Focus on the Family distorting legitimate studies. But the organization would distort current events as if it were going out of style.  

NYPD Reps Held Secret Talks With Virginia Republican Who Calls Gays 'Very Sick' - Way to go, guys! (eyes rolling).

 Bryan Fischer's Incoherent Theory Of The First Amendment - Fischer has a screwed up concept of Christianity. Why should we be shocked that he doesn't know anything about the first amendment?

NYT column provides excellent counterpoint to 'religious liberty' sham

Bruni

The column in Sunday's New York Times by writer Frank Bruni -  Your God and My Dignity Religious Liberty, Bigotry and Gays - is a dignified, but still take-no-prisoners counterpoint on the anti-gay idea of religious liberty.

It is also an important piece because it is the first (and hopefully not the last time) I know of that someone from the lgbt community has articulated our view on this subject in the mainstream media. We need more of this because if there aren't our voices being heard on the concept of 'religious liberty,' the only voices heard will be those coming from the anti-gay right:

. . .  Baking a cake, arranging roses, running an inn: These aren’t religious acts, certainly not if the establishments aren’t religious enclaves and are doing business with (and even dependent on) the general public.

Their owners are routinely interacting with customers who behave in ways they deem sinful. They don’t get to single out one group of supposed sinners. If they’re allowed to, who’s to say they’ll stop at that group?

  . . .  I support the right of people to believe what they do and say what they wish — in their pews, homes and hearts. But outside of those places? You must put up with me, just as I put up with you.

'Proposed legislation would punish clerks for issuing licenses to gay couples' & other Friday midday news briefs

 One Lawmaker’s Sneaky Attempt To Keep Marriage Equality Out Of Texas - Unbelievable. A Texas state lawmaker is proposing legislation which would make it illegal for clerks to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples . . . even if marriage equality became legal in Texas. Senator Marco Rubio, if you don't understand why opponents of marriage equality are thought of as bigots, please see Exhibit A in Texas.

Religious Right Poised for Greater Power in 2015 - As much as we like to pretend that anti-gay groups are on their way out, the reality is that they have too much money and hold too much influence to fall even if their rhetoric is homophobic and archaic. They simply change the rhetoric. Folks, it's high time that we all get serious about this situation. Defeating these groups and securing our equality is going to entail more than profanity, useless public displays of anger (i.e. glitterbombing), and holding on to past actions as hallmarks of success. The anti-gay right are adapting to the times. We should also.  

Advice For America From Parents Who Support Their Transgender Kids - This is an excellent article and it should be given a wider audience.

Mike Huckabee: Ban Marriage Equality Because Bisexuals Demand Two Spouses - There are actually people out there who want this boob to be president . . . 

 Anti-Gay Forces On Offense in Europe; ‘African Islam’ Challenged by Extremists; Irish Marriage Foes & ‘Sounds of Sodomy’; Global LGBT Recap - This is spooky and one has to ask just how much of it can be laid at the feet of the American religious right.

Anti-gay spokesman Bryan Fischer is blind to his OWN hypocrisy

In his zeal to defend former Atlanta fire chief Kelvin Cochran after Cochran's dismissal by the city for giving out a self-published anti-gay book to fellow employees, the American Family Association's Bryan Fischer becomes so shortsighted that he fails to see his own hypocrisy.

In the above video, while simultaneously defending Cochran's nonexistent right to publish the book and retain his job, Fischer repeats one of his earlier statements that gays should not be allowed to hold public office at all.

Now before anyone goes into a  "why should we bother to pay Fischer's nonsense any attention" tangent, please do remember that Fischer and the AFA does retain a considerable amount of influence to, at the very least, cause problems for the lgbt community.

According to Right Wing Watch (who supplied the above video):

Fischer’s radio show has become an obligatory stop for Republican presidential candidates, prominent Republican politicians and top social conservative activists. As the AFA’s leading talk show host, whose voice is heard on affiliates in the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, Fischer frequently hosts likely presidential candidates who are looking to make inroads among Religious Right voters.

Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, former House speaker Newt Gingrich, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and businessman Herman Cain have all appeared on Fischer’s radio show. In addition, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour were both guests on Fischer’s show while they were weighing runs for the presidency. Many of these leading GOP figures have voiced support for Fischer’s bigotry, conspiracy theories and extreme views.

Huckabee agreed with Fischer’s claim that President Obama “has some fundamentally anti-American ideas,” and explained to Fischer that he believes the Mau Mau Revolution, the Kenyan uprising against British colonialism in the 1950s, had detrimentally “molded” Obama’s “worldview.” Huckabee added, “Most of us grew up going to Boy Scout meetings and our communities were filled with Rotary Clubs, not madrassas.”

 Pawlenty and Barbour both promised Fischer that if elected they would reinstate the military’s discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, with Barbour warning that openly gay troops could bring an “amorous mindset” to the battlefield. When Fischer asked Gingrich how he would “slow down the homosexual agenda” as president, Gingrich pledged to work against gay rights. 

And then there Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who will be teaming up with Fischer and the AFA for a prayer vigil later this month. Jindal is said to be doing this in anticipation of a possible 2016 presidential run.

To even imply that the lgbt community shouldn't keep at least one eye open on Fischer and at least one spotlight on his unapologetic homophobia goes way beyond the definition of "oblivious."

'Fox News personality accuses gays of 'cultural cleansing'' & other Thursday midday news briefs

Todd Starnes: Gay Rights Movement Ushering In 'Cultural Cleansing' - The hyperbole is strong in THIS loser.

Kelvin Cochran and the homophobia hiding behind 'religious liberty'  - Yes I know this is an post of mine but I'm presenting it again because of a  personal resolution. Every time I feature a piece or post on how the anti-gay right is attempting to make Cochran a martyr (such as the piece above with Todd Starnes), I will be including THIS post because it gives an excellent point of view as to why "religious liberty" is a deceptive tactic.

Marco Rubio Slams Florida Court For Permitting Marriage Equality - Rubio is seriously bothering me on this issue. He is encouraging ignorance when it comes to our system of governing.

Larry Tomczak Warns Christians To Beware Of All The Gays On TV - Folks like Tomczak fear the visibility of lgbts because it destroys their false idea of our orientation being merely a 'sexual thing' which should not be talked about in public. We are people, not sex objects.

 Supreme Court To Meet Again On Hearing Gay Marriage - Keep your fingers crossed, brothers and sisters.

Fox News personality compares gays to 'Charlie Hebdo' terrorists

Erick Erickson

Yesterday, Fox News personality Erick Erickson went BELOW tacky:

Fox News contributor and radio talk show host Erick Erickson declared that "the terrorists won in Atlanta" after right-wing media falsely claimed that Atlanta's anti-gay fire chief was terminated for his religious beliefs.

On January 6, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed dismantled conservatives' claims that Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran was fired over a book that he wrote which contains anti-gay remarks, explaining that Cochran's lack of judgment in distributing the book to his employees, and not following instructions regarding his month-long suspension over publishing the book without notice to the city, is what led to his termination.

On January 7, hours after a horrific terrorist attack against staffers of the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris that left 12 people dead, Erickson wrote a blog post that likened the LGBT community to terrorists for objecting to the former Atlanta fire chief's book, and stated that "the terrorists won":

A publisher published something that offended. It mocked, it offended, and it showed the fallacy of a religion. It angered.

So the terrorists decided they needed to publicly destroy and ruin the publisher in a way that would not only make that destruction a public spectacle, but do it so spectacularly that others would think twice before publishing or saying anything similar.

The terrorist wants to sow fear. The destruction of an individual is not just meant to be a tool of vengeance, but a tool of instruction. It shows others what will happen to them if they dare do the same. It is generates self-regulating peer pressure. Others, fearing the fall out, will being to self-police and self-regulate. They will silence others on behalf of the terrorists. Out of fear, they will drive the ideas from the public square and society will make them off limits.
[...]
So they demanded the Mayor of Atlanta fire the Chief of the Fire Department for daring to write that his first duty was to "glory God" and that any sex outside of heterosexual marriage was a sin.

And the terrorists won in Atlanta.

No funny words or quips from me.  There aren't enough words for me to describe just how nasty and vile  Erickson is. And the words I can use . . . well I would rather not.

Related post:  Kelvin Cochran and the homophobia hiding behind 'religious liberty'

Comedy sketch gives the inside view of the homophobic mind

I've never been one to subscribe to the theory that the loudest homophobes are secretly gay because frankly, I don't care whether they are or not. But having said that, let me also say that the following skit from over 30 years ago courtesy of the short-lived comedy sketch show Fridays has me thinking with regards to the mindset of those who shout the loudest against the lgbt community. I have never laughed so hard in a long time:

'Possible Va legislation designed to stamp out lgbt equality' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

Va. lawmaker wants to allow widespread discrimination against LGBT individuals - You REALLY need to read the text of this awful bill. It's not talking solely about gays who get married. It targets ALL lgbts and gives a good idea of where the anti-gay right will be headed.

Archbishop Of Miami Threatens To Fire Employees Who Support Marriage Equality - Talk about your stank attitudes.
 

Conservative uses teen’s suicide to smear transgender people as demon-possessed lunatics - Just sad trash.

 Look: Here's The Latest Map Of Marriage Equality In America - Here's something guaranteed to make you smile. 

Jeb Bush: 'Respect' My Opposition to Your Civil Rights Because 'Religious Liberty' - I respect it, but that doesn't mean I'm going to sit on the side and just smile while you attempt to make me a second-class citizen. I respect your opposition, now you respect my dignity as a human being and my family.

Kelvin Cochran and the homophobia hiding behind 'religious liberty'

Cochran

The fire chief of Atlanta, GA, Kelvin Cochran, was just dismissed because of a self-published book he wrote which was viewed as homophobic. According to Think Progress:

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed (D) announced Tuesday that he has fired Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, who had previously been suspended for publishing and distributing a book condemning homosexuality..

  . . . Since Cochran’s suspension last month, he has become a bit of a martyr for conservatives, who believe he has been persecuted for his religious beliefs. J. Edgar White, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Convention, suggested that Cochran was among those “who are punished or marginalized for their faith” and called on Christians to purchase his book and support him.

Reed was adamant during Tuesday’s press conference that Cochran’s religious beliefs were not the reason he was fired. His book, Who Told You That You Were Naked?, was published in violation of Atlanta’s Standards of Conduct, which requires approval from the Ethics Officer and the Board of Ethics. According to Reed, Cochran’s “actions and decision-making undermine his ability to manage our fire department” because employees need to feel that they are “a valued member of the team and that fairness and respect guide employment.

That's the story before conservatives and the religious right will attempt to make Cochran the newest martyr of the concept of  'religious liberty.'   'Religious liberty' is a phrase these individuals have coined to claim that those who practice their version Christian faith in America are supposedly being persecuted because of their objections to homosexuality and marriage equality. To them, "persecution" is a wide and loaded term which includes being forced to serve gay customers or, as we see with the above situation with Cochran, not being allowed to "voice objections" to homosexuality in places where such objections aren't exactly conducive or appropriate to the environment.

It is a concept which is gaining speed now that marriage equality is becoming more accepted and swiftly the law throughout the country.  'Religious liberty' has gained support from the "fire and brimstone" sect, who see persecution behind every bush, to the concern trolls who clamor that since gays are gaining the right to marry, we should "be nice and respectful" to those who oppose our general equality.

In other words, "religious liberty" is a load of nonsense.  It's equivalent to a good paint job a bad car salesman puts on an busted up clunker in a sad attempt to cover that it's stinker.

First of all gays were not given the right to marry. It was a right which should have been ours from the start and one which we earned by slowly slogging through the trenches and terrain of this ridiculous so-called culture war.

'Religious right, conservatives FURIOUS at Newsweek article' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

How Dare Anyone Criticize Fox News' Christian Viewers! - A Newsweek article has earned the anger of conservatives and the religious right because it dared to push the theory that the Bible is misunderstood and that many so-called Christians, evangelicals, and fundamentalists are exploiting it to bash lgbts and force their worldview on American society. I think the author, Kurt Eichenwald, should win some type of award on that score alone. LOVE this opening: 

They wave their Bibles at passersby, screaming their condemnations of homosexuals. They fall on their knees, worshipping at the base of granite monuments to the Ten Commandments while demanding prayer in school. They appeal to God to save America from their political opponents, mostly Democrats. They gather in football stadiums by the thousands to pray for the country’s salvation. They are God’s frauds, cafeteria Christians who pick and choose which Bible verses they heed with less care than they exercise in selecting side orders for lunch. They are joined by religious rationalizers—fundamentalists who, unable to find Scripture supporting their biases and beliefs, twist phrases and modify translations to prove they are honoring the Bible’s words. 

Todd Starnes: 'Repugnant' Newsweek 'Blasted The Bible' By Disagreeing With Conservatives - As a matter of fact, Fox News personality Todd Starnes is pitching a hissy fit over the entire situation. 

Atlanta fire chief back on job, is new face of Georgia ‘religious freedom’ fight - And while we are on the subject of exploiting the Bible to bash lgbts . . .  

Transgender Teen Shares Coming Out Story With Inspiring Birthday Photos - This is sooooo cute! 

Here's What Same-Sex Marriage In Florida Looks Like - Pictures of the weddings taking place in Florida! What a great day!

 Conservatives Admit The Truth On Indiana ‘Religious Liberty’ Bill - And that truth they don't want lgbts to even have cheese on our whopper burgers.

'Sounds of Sodomy' flyer backfires on anti-gay group

An anti-gay group from Ireland thought they had an original argument against marriage equality. As it turns out, not only was the argument unoriginal and repulsive to boot, but it made the group a laughing stock:

A friend handed this to me today. This anti #marriagequality leaflet was being handed out yesterday - no words. pic.twitter.com/Jnk5A6m7Eb
— Steve Conlon (@stevenconlon) January 5, 2015

Despite the fact that straight parents have sex too, and straight people sometimes unwittingly allow their children to hear it, a yet to be identified lobby group purportedly produced a large number of these leaflets and handed them out in County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland.

Urging Christian voters to oppose equal marriage rights for homosexuals, the flyer says it hopes to put an end to this "beastly obsession with unholy acts."

'Some gay marriages in Florida happening NOW' & other Monday midday news briefs

Ruling by Miami-Dade judge allows same-sex marriages to begin in Florida - Boom! 

3 things to know about same-sex marriage in Florida today - While gays can marry, some clerks and counties continue to act stupid.  

To Avoid Marrying Same-Sex Couples, 14 Florida Counties Stop All Courthouse Weddings - I reiterate - Total and completely stupid. 

 LGBT-owned firms get diversity boost - This is sweet!  

Michael Sam sells more NFL jerseys than top draft pick Jadeveon Clowney - Oh come on, guys. Hurry up and draft this guy!  

Porno Pete Ends 2014 Bemoaning Anti-Gay Losses, Writing Poetry - Some folks will ask why am I paying this nut any attention. It's simple. Anyone who has the temerity to rhyme "gayness" with "anus" deserves some sort of prize, even if it is the booby prize.

'Gay agenda' - fact vs. fiction

I read the following amusing "news article" courtesy of the American Family Association's One News Now:

The Human Rights Campaign has launched an $8.5 million campaign targeting three states in the South with the homosexual agenda. Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH) says the strategy is obvious.

"The Human Rights Campaign, the world's largest homosexual lobby group, knows that the Bible Belt is the last bastion of people who are really solid on the homosexual issue," he explains. "And so they're naturally going after Mississippi, Alabama, [and] Arkansas; they're going after those states that still believe strongly in the Word of God."

Tim Cooke, the CEO of Apple and a native of Alabama, has come out as a homosexual and has made a substantial donation to the campaign targeting the three states. So LaBarbera urges pastors to realize that the movement, which sees homosexuality as a "gift" from God, is a battering ram to attack the Christian faith.

"They have to do things like change the definition of marriage. It's all a part of a desperate quest for affirmation -- anything it takes to take this thing which is a sin and turn it into something good or a civil right," the AFTAH president submits.

He concludes that people of faith, especially pastors, "have to be the ones who point this out to the rest of the culture."

It is an ignorant one-sided piece of propaganda which only serves to as a pitiful attempt to keep LaBabera in the public eye. It also underlines why those who share LaBarbera's point of view are losing ground everyday.

They continue to speak of the lgbt community as outsiders, as mysterious invaders looking to bogart ourselves into American culture and cause all sorts of mayhem.

They can't seem to understand that they are clinging to old images and old fears.  Meanwhile, the following video represents what we really are. And it also represents the simple fact that America has passed LaBarbera and company by.And the almost sad thing is that LaBarbera and company fails to realize this fact: