News Tidbits

Southern Poverty Law Center: Federal court permits Vermont lesbian to sue Liberty Counsel, Mat Staver for role in international kidnapping

Reuters: Come down from pulpit to deal with sexual abuse, Catholic leaders told

Associated Press: Katy Perry says she 'prayed the gay away' as a youth

The Independent: Republican politician says rape and incest part of God's will

Philly*com: Religious groups sue school district over transgender student

Buzzfeed: This Bus Is On A Road Trip To Convince You That Transgender People Aren’t Real

Washington Blade: Kentucky governor signs ‘religious freedom’ bill against LGBT students

Washington Blade: Caribbean pastors ask U.S. to stop promoting LGBT rights abroad

Sexual Assault Victim Unhappy After Group Uses Her Attack to Promote "Bathroom Bill"

2017 has produced a bumper crop of transphobic "bathroom bills", which would prohibit transgender persons from using public restrooms that correspond with their gender identity. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, lawmakers in 15 states have introduced bathroom bills during the 2017 legislative session, with legislation pending in 12 of those states.

Bathroom bill proponents defend their work as an effort to protect women and children from alleged transgender predators. Such claims are ridiculous, as multiple commentators have noted. Bathroom bill proponents fail to provide any evidence that transgender persons are more likely to commit sex crimes. Furthermore, they ignore ample evidence that transgender people experience disproportionate rates of bullying, harassment, and sexual victimization  -- including in restroom settings -- due to transphobia. For example, The Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found that out of a national sample of over 27,000 transgender adults, 9% indicated that someone denied them access to a restroom in the past year, and 12% experienced verbal harassment while accessing a restroom. Over half of respondents admitted to avoiding using a public restroom in the past year due to fear of confrontations.

Anti-sexual violence services recognize that bathroom bills have nothing to do with protecting women and children and reject the myth of transgender restroom predators. Last year, multiple victim service organizations signed a joint letter supporting equal restroom access for the transgender community. Now, a sexual assault victim is also raising her voice against bathroom bills.

According to MyNorthwest, Kelly Herron fought off a male attacker in a public Seattle restroom this year. ABC News states that her reported attacker, Gary Steiner, has a record of multiple assaults against women and is facing attempted rape and assault charges.

Herron was disgusted when Washington's Just Want Privacy campaign campaign used her attack to promote an anti-transgender policy measure. Just Want Privacy supports I-1552, a ballot initiative that would require separate restroom facilities for males and females, as well as preventing transgender people from using facilities that correspond with their gender identity.

Herron described her shock upon seeing her assault used to promote I-1552. "I’ve been pretty even keeled throughout this recovery time," she told Dori Monson at KIRO Radio. "I haven’t really cried very much or been angry. When I opened up this link to a newsletter that went out for the bill ...the Yes on I-1552, and it’s got my bloodied face on the cover of this newsletter that's coming out, and on their Facebook page, using my violent sexual assault to promote an initiative that discriminates against transgender people. What?!"

Herron emphasized her respect for transgender people as well as her outrage at having her image used without her permission.

"I have transgender friends. I work with transgender people. They are people. They identify differently and I don’t care where they use the bathroom. When I see a transgender person in the bathroom, we talk about lip gloss ... Now my face is being used to promote discrimination. This is outrageous. One issue has nothing to do with the other."

Just Want Privacy issued an apology in a March 14th Facebook post.

"Last week a Seattle woman was attacked in a bathroom at Golden Gardens by a level III sex offender.

Because our campaign exists to help create safe spaces, we referenced her story—as we have many others before her—to highlight the need for common sense public policy to minimize danger to women and children from those who seek to harm others.

We have recently learned through several media outlets that the woman objected to our reference to her story in our communications.

Since many of the volunteers that comprise this campaign are themselves survivors of sexual assault, the last thing we want to do is make anyone feel exploited.

If our actions have inadvertently failed in this effort, we are sincerely sorry.

Our campaign would welcome the opportunity to apologize to her in person if she would like to reach out to us or provide a way for us to reach her."

According to Washington Won't Discriminate (an initiative opposed to I-1552), Herron has since joined efforts to fundraise for its Decline to Sign I-1552 campaign. "Using Kelly’s story to promote I-1552 is pure propaganda," the group wrote on its website. "I-1552 would not have done one thing to prevent the attack on her, and it’s already illegal to enter a restroom or locker room to harm someone, period."

I applaud Kelly Herron for speaking out against bigotry and the misuse of her story. Sex crime victims deserve respect and support, and their struggles should never be used as cheap propaganda. Society must realize that the struggle against sexual violence and the struggle for transgender rights are entwined, not mutually exclusive.

Today's Orange Horrors, and Glimmers of Hope

We're heading to Trump International Hotel #daywithoutawoman pic.twitter.com/CFpa4N8y2U

— Women's March (@womensmarch) March 8, 2017

BBC News: More US states challenge Trump travel ban

USA Today: Activists: Trump call for honor killings report targets Muslims

New York Times: Trump Aides Address His Wiretap Claims: ‘That’s Above My Pay Grade’

New York Times: EPA Head Stacks Agency With Climate Change Skeptics 

NPR: EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Questions Basic Facts About Climate Change

Inside Climate News: Chief Environmental Justice Official at EPA Resigns, With Plea to Pruitt to Protect Vulnerable Communities

Politico: Republicans sign letter urging Trump not to cut AmeriCorps funding

The Hill: Senate Dems: State Department is in disarray

Forbes: AMA Says Trumpcare Is 'Critically Flawed'

Talking Points Memo: Major Hospitals Group Comes Out Against GOP Health Care Bill 



We can still be hopeful, thanks to ongoing activism. 

Time: Women's March Organizers Arrested at 'Day Without a Woman' Protest Outside Trump Hotel

USA Today: Native American groups to protest pipeline projects in march to White House

McClatchy: Trump turns apolitical Mennonites into protesters

Fox 17: Large protest planned for President Trump's visit to Nashville

News Tidbits

PRRI: Americans’ Double Standard on Religious Violence

Newsweek: The Harrowing Story of Life Inside Alabama's Most Sadistic Christian Bootcamp (Trigger warning)

GQ: Peter Popoff, the Born-Again Scoundrel

LGBTQ Nation: Colorado tries to pass conversion therapy ban for minors again

New York Times: As Funds Invoke Bible Values, Others See Intolerance

Los Angeles Times: Meet Daryle Jenkins, the activist who digs up dirt on the far-right

Associated Press: North Carolina: Ex-congregants reveal years of ungodly abuse  (Trigger warning)

Associated Press: Pope quietly trims sanctions for sex abusers seeking mercy

Washington Post: Antiabortion bills forcing doctors to push ‘junk science’ spread across country

Washington Post: ‘She was demonized’: Nicaraguan woman dies after being thrown into fire in exorcism ritual  (Trigger warning)

News Tidbits

Christian Post: Public Decries Christian Men's Conference for Featuring Speakers Accused of Rape, Sexual Abuse Cover-Up

Washington Blade: Anti-LGBT legal organization designated a hate group

The Hill: Washington court rules against florist who refused flowers for gay wedding

ABC 33/40: Alabama: Briarwood Presbyterian Church seeks lawmakers’ approval to establish police force

Huffington Post: Creationist Ken Ham’s Giant ‘Noah’s Ark’ To Feature Dinosaurs vs. Giants Diorama

Gay Star News: New Mexico Senate votes to ban anti-LGBT conversion therapy

Pink News: Christian radio host Bryan Fischer says homosexuals are ‘literally’ Nazi stormtroopers

Washington Post: Influential conservative group: Trump, DeVos should dismantle Education Department and bring God into classrooms

The Independent: UK: Children at faith school 'ordered by teachers to ignore classmate because her parent is transgender'

News Tidbits

Pennlive: Should religious beliefs come before children's health in Pennsylvania?

The Advocate: NOM Pushes Anti-LGBT "Religious Freedom" Order

Buzzfeed: A Leading US Social Conservative Just Launched A Mission To Moscow For The Trump Era

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin fines 22 hospitals over not offering emergency contraception to rape victims

Associated Press: 7 percent of Australian Catholic priests accused of abuse 

Huffington Post: Trump-Era Political Violence Begins As Liberal Activists Are Beaten, Hospitalized (Trigger warning)

News Tidbits

The Hill: Anti-abortion protesters take to DC for March for Life

Associated Press: Pence Becomes 1st Vice President to Address March for Life

Associated Press: Wyoming: Sponsors withdraw House religious freedom measure

Christian Science Monitor: Russia's decriminalization of domestic abuse: A sign of conservatives' influence?

Gay Star News: Priests will rebel after Church of England refuses to change stance on same-sex marriage

News Tidbits

Edge Media Network: Scott Lively Calls for 'Separation of LGBT & State', Likens Reagan to Putin

Toledo Blade: Toledo eyes ban on gender-conversion therapy

The Guardian: Jehovah's Witnesses charity drops attempts to block abuse inquiry in UK

LGBTQ Nation: New allegations: Education nominee Betsy DeVos funded radical Christian academy

The Guardian: Four more journalists get felony charges after covering inauguration unrest

Washington Post: Father and son accused of rape want ‘only law book that truly matters’ at their trial: The Bible    (Trigger warning)

Commentary Tidbits

John Pavlovitz: Dear Women, You Don’t Really Matter to the Men of the Christian Right

The Outline: Apocalyptic thinking in the age of Trump 

Rolling Stone: The Radical Crusade of Mike Pence

Aljazeera: Sexual assault in the time of Trump 

NARAL: New Report Paints Grim Picture of Future of Reproductive Freedom Under Trump

Center for American Progress: The DeVos Dynasty: A Family of Extremists

SPLC Hatewatch: Former Executive Director of Anti-Immigrant Hate Group FAIR Joins Trump Administration

Will Important Federal Programs Be On the Chopping Block?

On January 19th, the Hill reported that two members of Trump's transition team, Russ Vought and John Gray, were discussing budget cuts with the White House budget office. The proposed budget cuts, which would reportedly reduce federal spending by $10.5 trillion over 10 years, are alarming.

The proposed budget cuts listed in the Hill article include:

• Privatization of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting


• Elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities


• Major funding reductions for the Department of Energy and the Department of Commerce.


• Funding cuts and program eliminations for the Departments of Justice, State, and Transportation

It gets worse. Vought and Gray previously worked for the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, according to the Hill. The proposed budget changes strongly resemble those described in a budget "blueprint" published last year by the Heritage Foundation*, the Hill reports. In The Budget Book: 106 Ways to Reduce the Size & Scope of Government, the Heritage Foundation proposed even more horrifying budget cuts, including:

• Elimination of all Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants


• Elimination of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services


• Elimination of grants within the Office of Justice Programs


• Elimination of Titles II, VI, and VIII of the Higher Education Act


• Phasing out Head Start


• Elimination of the Renewable Fuel Standard, regional EPA programs, the EPA's environmental justice programs, and multiple EPA climate programs

After the inauguration, Americans must keep a close eye on the Trump administration's budget proposals. If the administration's proposed budget conforms to the Heritage Foundation's budget blueprint, vital crime victim services, educational programs, environmental programs, and stewards of the arts would be on the chopping block. Free expression, media, public safety, and the educational attainment of the next generation would all suffer greatly. This outcome is unacceptable.


To read additional commentary, visit the following links.

Chicago Tribune: Cutting the NEA is first move to eliminate a free, open public realm

Media Matters for America: Corporation For Public Broadcasting: Reported Trump Privatization Plan Would Be “Devastating” To Public Media

The Hill: Arts groups gear up for fight over NEA


* Blueprint for a Balanced Budget 2.0, written by the Republican Study Committee, also warrants attention.

News Tidbits

Reuters: Trump election prompts U.S. mothers to warn children about assault: poll

CNN: Controversial megachurch pastor Eddie Long dies at 63 

LGBTQ Nation: Al Franken confronts Trump nominee over conversion therapy donations

The Advocate: Ben Carson: LGBT People Don't Deserve "Extra Rights"

Washington Blade: Activists plan queer dance party outside Mike Pence’s house

News Tidbits

The Daily Independent: MSU continues oral history project on Kim Davis events

Yahoo News: Family Research Council Praises Passage of Obamacare Repeal Resolution

LGBTQ Nation: Tony Perkins thanks John Kerry for providing list of LGBTQ rights Trump can undo

LGBT Weekly: UK health care organizations unite against conversion therapy

Pink News: Raft of anti-LGBT clergy booked for Trump’s inauguration

Pink News: The author of Russia’s gay propaganda law is now pushing to let men beat their wives

Get Out and VOTE Tomorrow

I may have been absent from the blogosphere, but I haven't ignored developments in the 2016 presidential election. This summer and fall, each day has shown us more horrors involving Donald Trump, from violence at Trump rallies, to support for Trump among Alt-Right and white supremacist figures, to Trump's alliances with the Religious Right, to Trump's shocking comments about nuclear weapons, to his utter cluelessness during presidential debates, to an audio clip of Trump bragging about sexually assaulting women, to accusations of sexual assault from multiple women against Trump -- and that's just off the top of my head.

It should be obvious that Donald Trump would be incompetent and dangerous as president of the United States. His history of hateful rhetoric and foolhardy proposals should convince us that he is unsuited for one of the world's great seats of power. Hillary Clinton, while imperfect, is the much more competent and experienced choice.

Recent polls give us reason to be optimistic. Most election polls show Hillary Clinton with a substantial lead over Trump, according to the New York Times. A recent Gallup poll found that 69% of respondents were dissatisfied with the Trump campaign. Ultimately, though, polls mean nothing. Votes mean everything.

The candidate we Americans choose for president tomorrow will wield immense power over policy, foreign relations, military deployments, Supreme Court justice appointments, and the image of the U.S. across the world. As voters, we have a responsibility to choose our next president wisely. Our collective decision will have massive ramifications for the U.S. and world.

Tomorrow, go out and VOTE for Hillary Clinton.

Commentary Tidbits: Phyllis Schlafly Edition

Raw Story: Anti-feminist Phyllis Schlafly’s philosophy perfectly captured in 15 disturbing quotes

Friendly Atheist: Phyllis Schlafly, Anti-Feminist Conservative Activist, Is Dead at 92

Slate: Phyllis Schlafly Dead at 92

Deadspin: Phyllis Schlafly Finally Croaks

Right Wing Watch: How Phyllis Schlafly Paved The Way For Donald Trump

Think Progress: This bizzaro Ruth Bader Ginsburg could have been a destructive force. But she lost in the end.

Religiosity Linked to Acceptance of Rape Myths, According to New Study

A new study found a correlation between Christian religious devotion and belief in rape myths. "Religious Affiliation, Religiosity, Gender, and Rape Myth Acceptance: Feminist Theory and Rape Culture", published online in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, looked at the relationship between religious devotion and embrace of rape myths among college students in the U.S.

In a study of 653 university students ages 18-30, most students identified as Christian, with 52.2% identifying as Protestant and 23.9% identifying as Roman Catholic. A smaller percentage identified as atheist (10.4%) or agnostic (13.5%). Students completed surveys gauging their religiosity as well as their political ideology on social and economic issues. The students' rape my acceptance was measured by the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale–Short Form, which involved students rating statements on a scale such as "If a woman is raped while she is drunk, she is at least somewhat responsible for letting things get out of control", and "Although most women wouldn’t admit it, they generally find being physically forced into sex a real ‘turn-on'".

Researchers found that after controlling for political ideology, Protestants and Catholics demonstrated higher acceptance of rape myths than their atheist and agnostic counterparts. Higher religiosity was correlated with greater acceptance of rape myths. The authors speculate that people who are more involved in Christian church activities are exposed to patriarchal teachings more often, which may reinforce toxic attitudes about sexual violence.

Studies like these remind us how patriarchy poisons Christian communities. Misogynist attitudes and teachings in Christian churches are just as poisonous to clergy as they are to congregants. Two studies of American Christian clergy found that sexism was associated with negative attitudes toward rape victims.

While some Christian denominations respect women, many more still need to jettison their misogynist attitudes and doctrines. Too many faith communities still believe that men should have authority over women, that husbands are entitled to their wives' bodies, that female bodies exude temptation, and that rape victims are culpable for their victimization.*  Communities that espouse Christian Patriarchy/Quiverfull tenets are especially egregious.

This is unacceptable. Rape culture (and its sibling, purity culture) are reprehensible. We must challenge them wherever we find them, be it in secular society on religious settings.



* = As if attitudes condoning violence against women weren't bad enough, sexual violence against male victims isn't even on the radar of many churches. Men who have been victimizated find themselves out in the cold, hushed into silence or shamed.

Commentary Tidbits

Religion Dispatches: The Theology of Westboro: The “World’s Meanest Church” Is More Than Picket Signs

Broadly: Elizabeth Smart Is Standing Up for Rape Victims — And Tearing Down Purity Culture (Trigger warning)

Daily Beast: When Trump Met Mr. Brexit—the Alt-Right Coalition Goes Global

Daylight Atheism: Christian Apologists React to the Rise of Atheism

News Tidbits

NPR: Clinton: Trump Is 'Taking Hate Groups Mainstream'

Politico: Trump campaign CEO once charged in domestic violence case

Mamba Online: Pastor Steven Anderson’s new secret plans for Johannesburg trip already crumbling

Associated Press: Candidates capitalize on the ever-powerful 'religious vote'

Pennlive: In Pennsylvania House, even prayer practices are proving to be controversial

Christian Today: Mark Driscoll hits out at polygamy and warns it could be legal within two decades

Reuters: 9th Circuit upholds California ban on sexual orientation therapy for minors

Outsports: Lesbian basketball coach sues Catholic school that fired her for marrying her wife

Miami New Times: Miamian Fired for Anointing Desks With Oily Crosses Wasn't Discriminated Against, Judge Rules

Atlanta Journal Constitution: Spiritually manipulated, sexually exploited: A psychiatrist used religion to ply patients for sex   (Trigger warning)

Commentary Tidbits

Homeschoolers Anonymous: Lawsuit Against Bill Gothard and IBLP Amended

The Establishment: Why Does The GOP Still Support Dangerous Gay ‘Conversion Therapy’?

Newsweek: Donald Trump’s God Problem

The Advocate: Attack of the Closeted Church Queens

News Tidbits

Salt Lake Tribune: Students: BYU Honor Code leaves LGBT victims of sexual assault vulnerable and alone

The Guardian: 'I'm not a Mormon': fresh 'mass resignation’ over anti-LGBT beliefs

Newsweek: Russian Orthodox Archpriest Opposes Ban on Female Genital Mutilation

Irish Independent: Story of Noah's Ark is proof that climate change does not exist, says Irish TD Danny Healy-Rae

Religion News Service: Doctors at Catholic hospitals may be unable to refer women for services

LGBTQ Nation: NYC Catholic school sidesteps blame for bullied teen’s suicide

Talking Points Memo: Trump Dumps All Over U.S. Intel Community: 'I Won't Use Them'

Associated Press: Pope outlines vision for promoting life, family issues

Commentary Tidbits

NPR: There's No Controversy: Let's Stop Failing Our Children On Evolution

Mic: Marco Rubio to Spend Two-Month Anniversary of Pulse Shootings at Anti-Gay Conference

The Atlantic: The Christian Sects Who Protest at Conventions

The Telegraph: Islamic terror could drive Europe into the arms of the far right 

Washington Post: One ‘enemy of equality’ for LGBT Americans doth protest too much

New York Times: Voices From Donald Trump’s Rallies, Uncensored

The Advocate: What's in the Mind of a Trump Voter?

Huffington Post: Anti-LGBTQ Activists Are Beginning To Realize ‘We Don’t Win Anymore’

Huffington Post: A Friend Gave Me Date Rape Drugs, And I Got Pregnant. My Church Told Me To Repent.