Can We Talk?

Hey, MAGA - lemme talk to y'all for a little bitty minute.

Y'know how your panties always get all knotted up whenever somebody starts in about heterosexual, and homosexual, and gay, and lesbian, and queer, and +, and bi, and non-binary, and trans, and intersectional, and all like that?

First - you have to relax, bubba. There's a stroke headin' your direction.

But second - you guys are always jaw-jackin' about being clear-eyed, savvy, pragmatic Capitalists. So how did you get so confused about people indulging in a little thing called Brand Differentiation?

Thought for sure you'd know that.

And actually, I think for sure you do know that. So I have to wonder why you let your "leaders" get your hackles up over something that's a foundational tenet of the kind of Capitalism we practice here in USAmerica Inc.

It's like Jesus always said: "Just what the fuck you idiots think you're doin'?"

Here We Go

I guess I can hope that by making the public aware that there's a chance for violence, the feds may be putting it out there to tell the bad guys "We know what you're up to, so don't."

And I can hope the cops aren't overlooking the domestic shitburgers who might be planning a surprise or two.

FBI, Homeland Security warn of possible threats to LGBTQ events, including Pride Month activities

WASHINGTON (AP) — Foreign terrorist organizations or their supporters might target LGBTQ-related events and venues as part of June’s Pride Month, federal agencies warned in a recent public announcement.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security issued the announcement May 10 to raise awareness of “foreign terrorist organizations (FTOS) or their supporters potential targeting of LGBTQIA+-related events and venues.”

“Foreign terrorist organizations or supporters may seek to exploit increased gatherings associated with the upcoming June 2024 Pride Month,” the agencies wrote.

The announcement did not specify any locations or indicate the agencies were tracking any specific threats. According to the release, foreign terrorist groups and supporters have in the past promoted anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and targeted related events.

The release noted that June 12 marks the eighth anniversary of the attack on the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. That was the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ community in U.S. history, leaving 49 people dead and 53 people wounded as “Latin Night” was being celebrated at the club. Gunman Omar Mateen was killed by SWAT team members after a three-hour standoff. He had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

In June of last year, three alleged sympathizers of the Islamic State group were arrested in Vienna for attempting to attack a Pride event there, the release noted.

The release also noted possible signs to watch out for that might indicate a potential problem, such as violent threats made online or in the mail. Potential attackers might also try to take photos of security-related equipment or access points at events; attempt to get into restricted areas or impersonate law enforcement personnel; or chat up staff at various venues to get information like what types of events they have upcoming and what the crowd sizes might be.

Pride Month, held in June, is a particularly important time in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. After starting June 28, 1970, as New York City’s first Pride march, it has evolved into a nationwide event in which cities and towns across America hold marches both to call attention to specific issues such as same-sex marriage and to celebrate.

Leave People Be

Yesterday's Today

Hope everybody had a happy and memorable Punch A Fuckin' Nazi Day.

Proud Boy assholes got a little taste of resistance yesterday in New York.

Today's Eternal Sadness

One of the truly shitty parts is that some conservatives consider this a "win".

Trans flight attendant famed for airline ad dies by suicide: ‘Sorry I could not be stronger’

Scott, who shared her transition story for a 2020 Trans Day of Visibility video produced by United, declared in a 2:30 a.m. Instagram post that she was planning to end her life.

“As I take my final breaths and exit this living earth, I would like to apologize to everyone I let down. I am so sorry I could not be better,” reads the emotional Instagram post. “To those that I love, I am sorry I could not be stronger. To those that gave me their everything, I am sorry my effort was not reciprocated.”

When reached by The Post for comment, reps for United said, “We are incredibly saddened by the tragic loss of Kayleigh Scott and extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and co-workers.”

According to comments on her final post, Scott’s friends called Denver authorities, asking them to do a welfare check on the flight attendant.

Scott continued, “Please understand that me leaving is not a reflection of you, but the result of my own inability to turn myself for the better. To Ashley, Cynthia, Regine & Sophia. I am so sorry. Please remember me for the good memories we have shared, and never for my downfall. I will see you all again on the other side.”

A spokesperson for the Denver Police Department said an investigation is ongoing and that the final determination of cause of death will be made by the Denver Medical Examiner’s Office, the Los Angeles Blade reported.

However, Scott’s sister, Ashley Scott, later commented to confirm her sister’s death.

“To all who have commented and those watching this post, Kay has passed,” Ashley said. “Thank you for your concern and outpouring of love for her. We are going to miss her so much.”

Scott made headlines in 2020 when United featured her as a part of its diversity campaign.

“There was so much pain behind that sweet boy’s eyes … This is a story that I know is so important for me to continue sharing,” said Scott in the video documenting her struggles to fit into the cis community. “Not for me, but for those out there who are still fighting social norms, the boundaries set upon them, fighting themselves. Gay, lesbian, bi, trans, pan, whatever, whoever you identify as, come out to be counted.”

Scott said she credited United for helping her transition.

“My life changed for the better when I came to United as a flight attendant. With the support from the company, our business resource group for LGBTQ+ employees, and all of my loving co-workers,” Scott said at the time. “I was able to break free from the chains that helped me and to this day, I’m living confidently. It’s my true self.”

Details surrounding the end of her life remain unclear, but several of her friends revealed that she struggled with depression.

“2022 has been a year packed with upset and difficulty,” wrote Scott in a New Year’s Eve Facebook post. “I saw too much death & loss in my life, I came to realize I work a meaningless job for a company that doesn’t value me as an employee.”

“I had my heart destroyed, I lost my nice little home and had to downsize significantly and start over,” continued the post. “I’m really struggling to find happiness and hope. I’m begging 2023 to be better to me. Please.”

Scott’s mother also posted about her daughter’s passing.

“I now have words, my mind is completely rushed with thoughts of you and you like a flooded river are just rushing though my heart,” wrote Andrea Sylvestro. “Kayleigh Scott … I am so unbelievably proud to have you as my daughter, proud and amazed by everything that you have done in your life, your smile was absolutely beautiful, your laughter was unbelievably contagious, your heart was bigger than any of us could have ever understood.”

Sylvestro’s lengthy tribute continued: “I miss you so much already, everything that you have been through, every morning you woke up and looked in that mirror, I hope you saw what we all saw.. a beautiful, eloquent, compassionate, courageous beautiful soul! love you so so much,” continued the post. “Fly high my beautiful daughter, I will not let a day go by that I don’t honor your name and everything you stood for.”

“Go climb those mountains, live free and let the wind take you away…all my love my beautiful girl,” concluded the post.

According to Scott’s Instagram, she was an avid skier and mountain climber.

The Post reached out to United and Denver police for comment.

Meanwhile, Scott’s death has sent shock waves through the LGBTQ+ community.

“Such a promising life, it’s devastating for an LGBTIQ like me in his early sixties to learn of tragedies of such untimely demise,” commented one person on Twitter.

“My heart is in pieces,” tweeted another.

“Stop targeting vulnerable people. They were born equal to everyone,” a third person declared on a post about Scott’s passing.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can dial the 24/7 national suicide prevention hotline at 988 or go to 988Lifeline.org.

Why All The Fuss?

This aired last night on MeTV:

Not my cup of meat, but I'm not going to get any knots in my Underoos over it.

The Ed Sullivan Show was not exactly out there on the fringe - this was as mainstream as it gets in 1970 - prime time every Sunday.

Ain't nuthin' new about no drag show. 

So I have to ask why it seems there's this sudden urgent need to be alarmed. So a local fire fighter - or a shoe store clerk - or any random guy - decides he'll dress up like Barbra Streisand and read a coupla cute stories to a rapt audience of 2nd graders. So fuckin' what?

I wonder who might feel the need to manipulate people into being frightened by a form of entertainment that's been around for centuries.

Widening Diversity

Axios:

A record number of LGBTQ candidates are running for Congress

A record number of LGBTQ candidates are running for all levels of office this year, motivated in part by red states passing scores of laws targeting LGBTQ people.

Why it matters:

• LGBTQ voters are among the fastest-growing parts of the electorate, and also have higher turnout than other voters. Yet there are only 11 out LGBTQ lawmakers serving in Congress.

What we're watching:

• At least 104 LGBTQ candidates have mounted campaigns for House or Senate seats this year. Some of those campaigns have already ended, but as of last week, 57 candidates are still actively running, according to data provided to Axios by the Victory Fund, which supports and tracks LGBTQ leaders.That's a nearly 20% increase in LGBTQ congressional candidates compared to the 2020 election cycle, when 87 people ran.

"People know that their rights and their livelihoods are on the ballot and that who is [in office] helps influence the decision," Sean Meloy, Victory Fund's vice president of political programs, told Axios.

What we're watching:

• A handful of congressional candidates have the potential to shatter the rainbow ceiling in multiple ways.Robert Garcia, the mayor of Long Beach, California, could become the first out immigrant LGBTQ elected to Congress, after winning the Democratic nomination for California's 42nd District.
• Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, who won the Democratic primary for North Carolina's 11th District, would be the first out LGBTQ person elected to any federal position from the state.

At the state level, candidates say discriminatory laws have motivated them to seek a seat in their legislatures."It was really just the realization that my experience fighting for marriage really did have a profound impact on me, and just this need to continue doing what's right," Jim Obergefell, whose lawsuit led to the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage, told Axios of his decision to run for Ohio state house.

What they're saying:

• Will Rollins, the Democratic nominee looking to unseat Rep. Ken Calvert in California's 41st District, frames LGBTQ rights as a matter of national security."The United States cannot out compete other countries unless we establish equality under our laws so that people can achieve their human potential and we can attract immigrants and LGBTQ folks from all over the world who want to come here and invent and contribute to our economy and our military," Rollins said.
• As a high school junior, Rollins watched the Twin Towers crumble on 9/11 and immediately wished to enlist, but was turned off by the 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' policy. Now, Rollins is on the cusp of being just the second gay man from California to serve in Congress.

Between the lines:

• LGBTQ candidates face unique challenges on the campaign trail."In so many places, there hasn't been an LGBTQ candidate who's stepped forward before, so there's misgiving and apprehension and sometimes there's an animus," Meloy said.

"That representation, you know, I didn't have that growing up," Erick Russell, who's running for state treasurer in Connecticut, told Axios. Russell would be the first LGBTQ person of color to be elected to statewide office there."I dealt with this professionally as well, where I wasn't always sure that I would be able to be out and comfortable in a lot of these spaces that I was navigating," Russell said. "It's really important that we have that representation."

check 'em out

Today's WTF

Dan Avery, NewNowNext:

MassResistance is an anti-gay hate group that opposes marriage equality and anti-bullying programs as attempts to “normalize homosexuality.” Members even attacked Governor Mitt Romney as being too soft on LGBT rights.

So it’s a little surprising the group’s Texas chapter opened its teen summit with… this.

That is possibly the best combination of Coming Out and Fuck-You-Trolling ever.

Stop Roy Moore

via Mock Paper Scissors

Sounds Mildly Important

As driftglass puts it: Isn't that what they call mutiny?

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley says, while holding a glass of wine, he too found out about Trump's transgender ban through the news pic.twitter.com/MKInvXsIRh

— Natalie Johnson (@nataliejohnsonn) July 27, 2017

Vox:

President Donald Trump said his decision to ban transgender people from serving in the military, announced via Twitter on Wednesday morning, came “after consultation with my generals and military experts.” It’s becoming clearer and clearer that he was lying.

Secretary of Defense James Mattis was on vacation when the decision was announced, and privately opposed the move. The Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. James Dunford, said Thursday that the military wouldn’t implement the ban absent a formal, non-tweeted order from the commander in chief. 

And then there were the remarkable remarks that Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley made during a luncheon at the National Press Club. 

During the lunch, Milley told reporters that he found out about the ban "the same way everybody else did — on the news." At the time, he was holding a glass of wine.

-and-

What’s more, it’s not even clear what the policy is. Would it bar openly trans people from joining the military going forward, or would it force the military to discharge trans people who are already serving? Would trans veterans — people who have already fought in wars — still be able to get health care through the VA?

These policy points are not details. Without answers to them, it’s literally impossible to figure out what Trump wants the military to do.

So - again - 45* acts like he thinks the military is his own personal tinker toy, and basically, he's right.  With a few exceptions, the CinC gets to do pretty much what he wants to do.  The Brass Hats at the Pentagon are trying to force him into some kind of normal protocol, but there's nothing that says a tweet isn't considered an official order.

And also too don't forget to remember - if it doesn't say specifically that he can't do it, then he'll probably try to do it. That's what he does; he's always looking for the loophole - the SmarmSpace.

BTW, there can't possibly be anyone anywhere who doesn't recognize this as 45* throwing more chaff in the air. He keeps looking for crazier-n-crazier shit he can pull as it gets harder to distract us from his Russia problem, and he can always do with a little help from the ChristoCons, so he "punched a queer" for them.

The guy has always benefited from creating chaos. Of course, now there's real potential for what he thinks is a little bit of his usual self-serving chaos to turn into a fullblown Constitutional Crisis all by itself.

The law of unintended consequences is a real thing.

Mr Trudeau

Here's a picture of PM Justin Trudeau at a Pride Day event, wearing rainbow socks and a pink shirt, high-fiving a young girl dressed as a Wonder Woman ballerina.

Anyone else starting to get the feeling Canada's just kinda fuckin' with us now?

A Questionaire

Please answer each question as honestly as possible

• What do you think caused your heterosexuality?
• When did you decide you were heterosexual?
• Is it possible your heterosexuality is just a phase that you may grow out of?
• Do you flaunt your heterosexuality?
• Could you be happy just being what you are and keeping quiet about it?
• Do heterosexuals feel compelled to seduce others into that lifestyle?
• Have you considered therapy to help you change your heterosexual tendencies?

hat tip = @samkalidi

Intercepted Podcast

LGBTQ issues, some scary NSA shit and 45* vs The Press.



Intercepted on Stitcher

Keep 'Em Flyin'

Thoughts And Prayers!!!

...the video game that's sweeping the nation
...brought to by (not really) The GOP

(click on the link at the top - I couldn't figure out how to embed)

And also too:

I am angry.

Yesterday I was sad. Today, I am angry.

I know that’s facile and cliche and maybe even self-absorbed. I’m trying to think of a better word — I bet the Germans have a perfectly and oddly specific one, but English doesn’t, so angry will have to suffice.

I’m angry that I’ve always known this would happen.

I’m angry that when marriage equality passed last year, my second thought, right after “OMG yay!” was, “I wonder how long it will take for someone to blow up a gay bar.”

I’m angry that I then immediately scolded myself: “DON’T LET THAT IN. Don’t put it out there. Don’t live in fear. Cling to hope and the arc of justice always bending in the favor or righteousness and all that. Don’t let the bad become conventional wisdom, don’t let the pain of the past calcify into cynicism. Relish this. Celebrate it. Believe in it.”

I’m angry that that has now been proven to be naive.

I’m angry that Christians were taking to YouTube calling for armed reprisals the day marriage equality happened, and so far not a single Christian I know has voiced any support or agony over this barbaric tragedy that killed 49 gay and trans people and allies.

I’m angry that that will be swept under the rug because the gunman was a Muslim.

...it goes on for a while, and just gets better. Let it out. 

Today's Tweet

pic.twitter.com/bJFs1tgITu

— Randy Prine (@randyprine) June 13, 2016

You're not really gonna try to argue with Morgan Freeman on this, are ya?

John Oliver

And a tweet

pic.twitter.com/G6Ba4zXYr2

— Steve Galluccio (@stevegalluccio) June 13, 2016

Let Them Show

Like a rainbow