Tag: anti-LGBT

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Pastor Steven Anderson: “The Good News Is There’s 50 Less Pedophiles In The World”

Pastor Steven Anderson

Today in “good Christian” news: virulently anti-LGBT Pastor Steven Anderson of the Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, Arizona, drops these bon mots celebrating the violent shooting deaths in Orlando over the weekend.

“A Muslim terrorist went into a gay bar and shot ’em up. There’s 50 sodomites, homosexuals, that have been killed; and another 50 some-odd injured,” says Anderson in this YouTube video he posted yesterday.

“The good news is there’s 50 less pedophiles in the world. Because, you know, these homosexuals are a bunch of disgusting perverts and pedophiles.”

“[those who were killed] were going to die of AIDS and syphilis and whatever else. They were all gonna die early anyway. Because homosexuals have a 20 year shorter lifespan than normal people anyway.”

Anderson then added, “At least they’re off the streets. I’m just trying to look at the bright side.”

The “good pastor” goes on to moan that the bad news is the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the country will be used to take away folks’ guns, and become an attack on preachers “telling the truth” about dirty homo perverts.

I shit you not.

UPDATE: Apparently, YouTube removed the idiot’s video for violating Hate Speech regulations.

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Media Matters Shines A Light On “Christian” Legal Group Alliance Defending Freedom

Media Matters’ Carlos Maza reports on anti-LGBT Alliance Defending Freedom

Media Matters‘ Carlos Maza shines a spotlight on the virulently anti-LGBT legal group, Alliance Defending Freedom.

Sounds really patriotic and all that jazz, right?

Not so much. These folks are NOT fighting for LGBT freedoms.

The right-wing organization routinely opposes transgender rights, LGBT rights and women’s reproductive rights. In fact, they have advocated for prison sentences for gays around the world.

ADF is a right-wing legal powerhouse that’s been linked to nearly every recent attack on LGBT equality and women’s reproductive health care. The group has testified against Planned Parenthood and was a major player in the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby case. Legislation like North Carolina’s bathroom law and Indiana’s “religious freedom” law are the products of ADF’s behind-the-scenes legal work. The group shops extreme model legislation to state lawmakers across the country, testifies in favor of those laws, and then defends them in local and national media.

But news networks that host ADF often identify them as a “Christian” or “conservative” legal organization, failing to mention the group’s history of smearing the LGBT community and working to criminalize homosexuality. ADF has helped defend laws in Belize and Jamaica that would put people in prison for engaging in gay sex. The group opposes anti-bullying efforts, which it believes will indoctrinate “impressionable” children into homosexuality. Alan Sears, the group’s current president, co-wrote a book which claims that homosexuality and pedophilia are “intrinsically linked.” At a recent conference, one ADF attorney claimed that the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard had been falsely depicted as an anti-gay hate crime in order to advance the “homosexual legal agenda.”

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U.S. Department Of Justice Sues North Carolina Over HB2

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed suit against North Carolina over anti-trans “bathroom law” HB2.

The suit specifies alleged violations of Title VII, Title IX, and VAWA.

From the lawsuit:

1. The United States files this complaint challenging a provision of North Carolina law requiring public agencies to deny transgender persons access to multiple-occupancy bathrooms and changin facilities consistent with their gender identity.

2.As set forth below, Defendants’ compliance with and implementation of Part I of North Carolina Session Law 2016-3, House Bill 2 (“H.B. 2”), which was enacted and became
effective on March 23, 2016, constitutes a pattern or practice of employment discrimination on
the basis of sex in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e, et seq. (“Title VII”); discrimination on the basis of sex in an education program receiving federal funds in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681, et seq. (“Title IX”), and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 54 (2000), 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (2010); and discrimination on the basis of sex and gender identity in programs receiving federal funds in violation of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“VAWA”), 42 U.S.C. §13925(b)(13).

Speaking directly to transgender Americans during a press conference today, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said,”No matter how isolated, how afraid, and no matter how alone you may feel today, note this — the Department of Justice and indeed the entire Obama Administration want you to know: we see you, we stand with you, and we will do everything we can to support you going forward.”

Lynch, who was born in North Carolina, addressed the governor’s claim that the Department of Justice is “bullying” North Carolina lawmakers. “I think the people who probably feel bullied are the transgender individuals who live and work in the state of North Carolina.”

The DOJ’s filing makes it clear that the federal government sees “transgender” discrimination as a “sex discrimination” issue.

“For individuals who have aspects of their sex that are not in alignment, the person’s gender identity is the  primary factor in determining that person’s sex.”

See from the filing below:

Stay tuned kids. It’s getting serious now.

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Mississippi: ACLU Files Lawsuit Over Anti-LGBT Law HB 1523

The ACLU and ACLU of Mississippi have filed a lawsuit challenging the recently passed HB 1523 which allows public officials and businesses to refuse to serve LGBTs.

Via the ACLU:

The lawsuit, which targets the registrar of vital records, was filed on behalf of ACLU of Mississippi members and Nykolas Alford and Stephen Thomas, a gay couple who are engaged to be married and face discrimination as a result of this law.

Plaintiffs Nykolas Alford and Stephen Thomas have been engaged for nearly two years. They describe the law, HB 1523, as “a slap in the face.”

“When HB 1523 passed, it was heartbreaking because it takes away our chance to finally be treated equally. At a time when we’re supposed to be excited as a couple engaged to be married, this law permits discrimination against us simply because of who we are. This is not the Mississippi we’re proud to call home. We’re hopeful others will come to realize this and not allow this harmful measure to become law,” they said.

The Supreme Court was clear in its marriage ruling last year: States must provide the “same legal treatment” to married same-sex couples that they provide to the marriages of different-sex couples. HB 1523 directly contradicts the Supreme Court’s ruling by treating the marriages of same-sex couples differently than the marriages of everyone else, the ACLU said. The statute does not authorize anyone to discriminate against the marriages of different-sex couples based on religious beliefs. It singles out the marriages of same-sex couples and provides a special right for governmental officials and for-profit businesses to discriminate against them.

“We’re stepping up to fight this sweeping anti-LGBT and unconstitutional law that authorizes discrimination against gay and transgender people,” said ACLU Staff Attorney Josh Block. “HB 1523 has no rightful place in Mississippi or in our history books, and we’re hopeful this lawsuit can stop as much of it as possible before it goes into effect. We won’t rest until every last piece of this law is struck down and all LGBT people in Mississippi have equal justice under the law.”

The harms caused by HB 1523 are not limited to married same-sex couples. In particular, HB 1523 includes many provisions authorizing discrimination against transgender people outside the context of marriage, and against anyone who has sex outside of heterosexual marriage. For procedural reasons, those other provisions cannot be attacked in this pre-enforcement challenge against the registrar, but the ACLU and ACLU of Mississippi are committed to challenging these other provisions as soon as possible if they go into effect.

“The ACLU stands firmly against discrimination in all forms,” said ACLU of Mississippi Executive Director Jennifer Riley-Collins. All citizens deserve the right to be treated equally regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The ACLU of Mississippi will continue to work to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the U.S. Constitution guarantees everyone in this country.”

The case, ACLU of Mississippi v. Judy Moulder, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi in Jackson. The ACLU and attorney Oliver Diaz are co-counsel.

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Creepy New Video From Jehovah’s Witnesses Compares Gays To Terrorists

A creepy, new “educational video” from the Jehovah’s Witnesses teaches kids that their school friends’ gay parents can avoid hell by not being gay.

Because, “they can change.”

Oh – and the mom in the video goes on to compare gays to terrorists attempting to board an airplane.

#Hideous

From the Friendly Atheist:

The mother proceeds to tell the child why same-sex couples are going against the will of Jehovah by comparing gay marriage to a terrorist trying to get through airport security… and telling the daughter that “people can change,” a subtle nod to the widely debunked notion that gay people can turn straight, something JWs believe regardless of the evidence against it.

What an awful message to teach your children. That the only way gay people can be truly happy is to deny themselves a loving relationship. That people can just “turn off” the gay switch. That there’s anything wrong with a family that doesn’t resemble your own. That the TSA won’t allow you to bring a bag full of gay genes through the metal detector.

Watch the cringe-worthy video below:

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Tennessee: Governor Signs First State Law Allowing Therapists To Turn Away LGBTs

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today signed the first ever state law, hiding under the pretense of “religious freedom,” to allow therapists and counselors to refuse to treat clients based on “sincerely held religious principles.”

Read that – “turn away the gays.”

According to Buzzfeed‘s Dominic Holden, “House Bill 1840 provides counselors and therapists immunity from liability if they turn away a client whose goals, outcomes, or behaviors conflict with their beliefs. Counselors who decline clients would need to refer them to a provider who will see them.”

From AP reports:

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he signed the bill after talking to numerous counselors, including those who were in favor and those opposed.

The American Counseling Association called the legislation an “unprecedented attack” on the counseling profession and said Tennessee was the only state to ever pass such a law.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Jack Johnson, maintains the bill is “not anti-anybody, it’s not anti-anything; it’s just pro-religious liberty.”

Via press release, Art Terrazas, the Director of Government Relations at the American Counseling Association said, “We are extremely disappointed that Governor Haslam has ignored the lessons learned in North Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi and has elected to sign this dangerous bill into law. Plain and simple, this bill codifies discrimination.

“It not only disproportionately affects LGBTQ Tennesseans seeking counseling, but will also have unintended consequences that will reach Tennesseans in all walks of life—whether it’s a veteran suffering from PTSD, a woman suffering from spousal abuse, or a business owner simply trying to attract out of state clients.”

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North Carolina: Legislation To Repeal HB2 To Be Filed Today In State House

Four North Carolina House Representatives are set to file legislation this morning with the intention of repealing anti-LGBT hate law HB2 in its entirety.

The North Carolina Democratic Party has sent out a press release, which read in part: “The damage to NC’s reputation and economy has been swift and is growing exponentially. House Bill 2 is bad for all NC citizens and it is bad for all NC businesses.”

The Winston-Salem Journal concurs, and has announced it’s support of the repeal:

As the legislature arrives in Raleigh Monday for its short session, we have one important message: Rescind House Bill 2. Rescind it for financial, legal and moral reasons. Throw it away and forget about it. Act like this embarrassment never existed.

Major corporations have withdrawn their investments in North Carolina because of HB2 and threaten to withdraw more. They would prefer to do business in states that welcome and treat everyone with respect. HB2 does the opposite. Hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs are at stake. Rescind it.

HB2 has become the poster child for government overreach, initially promoted as a response to a city bill about bathroom usage, then morphing to impede civil rights, citizens’ access to state courts and cities’ and counties’ ability to regulate their own affairs. Rescind it.

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North Carolina: Anti-LGBT “Pledge” Falls Flat

The haters in North Carolina say they have no animus towards the LGBT community.

Right?

Except, that is, when they want to force legislators to sign a “pledge” that no pro-LGBT protections will ever happen as long as the lawmakers are in office.

The folks over at anti-LGBT NC Family Policy Council began to circulate the above pledge designed to keep HB2, the new hate law in the state, in place.

But notice that third bullet point – “That I will not vote for any bill that would add the terms “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” or “gender expression” to HB2 or any other statute or state policy.”

So, in reality, it’s not JUST about “protecting children” from bathroom predators. It’s about keeping the gays from having equal rights.

NC Capitol has the details on how the haters in NC backpedaled out of this mess:

John Rustin, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council, sent the pledge to all members of the House and the Senate. By mid-afternoon Wednesday, he had emailed lawmakers, saying the pledge was circulated “inadvertently” and should be ignored.

“We had considered providing a means, prior to the convening of the 2016 Legislative Session, by which we could continue to encourage North Carolina lawmakers to stay strong in your leadership defending the privacy and safety of all North Carolinians, and clarifying that there is no patchwork of confusing local laws in the state that are harmful to commerce, labor, and trade,” Rustin said in the email. “However, we decided not to move forward with this pledge and respectfully ask that you disregard yesterday’s e-mail.”

State House Rep. Darren Jackson made sure the “pledge” was seen by the public:

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Belinda Carlisle To Mississippi Governor: You Are Making Life Hell On Earth For Your LGBT Citizens

Belinda Carlisle stands up for LGBT Mississippians

Via press release: Pop star Belinda Carlisle, of “The GoGo’s” fame, is calling on Governor Phil Bryant to repeal the recently-passed HB 1523, which attacks lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Mississippians by permitting businesses, individuals, and social service agencies to freely discriminate based on personal religious beliefs.

Governor Bryant, I am scheduled to perform in your great state this Saturday, however given the very recent anti-LGBTQ attacks that your administration has leveled against some of your own citizens I very nearly cancelled my appearance. After discussion with various LGBTQ groups, however, I’ve decided to go forward with the show in order to say a few things to those who live in the Magnolia State — and I want to start off by addressing you directly.

As the very proud mother of a gay child I can’t imagine anything less Christian than using the law as a weapon against others. Because of my career as a performer and the privilege that has brought to our family, my son will be all right, but the pain you’re causing LGBTQ Mississippians is devastating, especially the transgender folks and LGBTQ people of color who will be most directly impacted by these attacks. Brave organizers like Kaylee — a black transgender Mississippian — and Brandiilyne — a lesbian pastor in Mississippi — are just two of the people who will be directly impacted by hateful bills like these. Their bravery in organizing against these attacks is stunning.

Nearly 30 years ago, I released a song titled “Heaven Is a Place on Earth.” I was proud of the message of that song then and I continue to be proud of it today. Unfortunately, Governor Bryant, you and those around you are making life hell on earth for many Mississippians.

So I’ll go forward with my show on Saturday and I’ll use it as an opportunity to speak the truth about the bravery of people like Kaylee and Brandiilyne and so many others across your state who are resilient and loving and brave. Finally, it is my call, as a mother, that you bring a little bit of heaven to Mississippi by repealing HB1523. – Belinda Carlisle

(h/t JMG)

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Rock Band BOSTON Cancels Three North Carolina Concerts Over HB2

One of my absolute favorite bands of the late 70s/80s, BOSTON, has cancelled three concerts in North Carolina over the recently passed anti-LGBT legislation, HB2.

Boston’s hits include “More Than a Feeling”, “Peace of Mind”, “Rock and Roll Band”, “Smokin'”, “Don’t Look Back”, and “Amanda”. The band has sold more than 75 million records worldwide, including 31 million albums in the United States, of which 17 million were from their self-titled debut album released in 1976.

From the band’s Facebook page:

While the enjoyment of our fans is our central concern, and we have been looking forward to celebrating forty years of history performing for our listeners in North Carolina with spectacular live shows this spring, human rights are more important. It is with deep regret, that I must announce the cancellation of our upcoming shows on May 4, 5 & 6 in Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh in order to raise awareness, and protest in the strongest terms, the recent passage of HB2, the so called “North Carolina bathroom law.”

HB2 has the appearance of an oppressive discriminatory law against a small minority, who already have to deal with a narrow-minded world regarding issues beyond their control which they did nothing to bring upon themselves. Other aspects of the new law arguably encourage bigotry. With thousands of fans in attendance at our shows, it is likely that some members of our audience and/or their loved ones are affected on a daily basis by this ugly expression of intolerance.

My sincere apologies to our fans who have already made arrangements to attend these shows. The removal of the shows from our schedule is a major disappointment. It has always been my wish to inspire people with BOSTON’s music. Hopefully the sacrifices we are all making here will inspire people to do the right thing in the future. We look forward to the day that the state government of North Carolina will come to its senses and treat ALL individuals with equal freedom in their pursuit of happiness here in the United States. ~ Tom Scholz

I love when folks you admire for a long time don’t disappoint 🙂

One of my favoritest recordings – ever.

(h/t JMG)