Sacramento: Parishioners Nonplussed By Pastor "Blow The Gays' Brains Out" Jimenez

Parishioners smiled and waved at protesters at the Verity Baptist Church in Sacramento, California, after Pastor Roger Jimenez told his congregation that he there was no tragedy in the Orlando nightclub shooting that left 49 dead and 53 hospitalized.

“I wish the government would round them all up, put them up against a firing wall, put a firing squad in front of them, and blow their brains out," said Jimenez.

From Sacramento’s NBC affiliate:

About 100 people protested Wednesday night outside of a Sacramento Baptist church after a pastor praised the Orlando mass shooting during his sermon. It was supposed to be a silent protest, but dozens of people shouted and sang as parishioners, with Bibles in hand, tried to make their way through the crowd.

Yellow tape and Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies kept protesters back and didn’t allow them inside. Pride flags and posters filled the parking lot of Verity Baptist Church in Sacramento as protesters tried to get the attention of Pastor Roger Jimenez.

During his sermon Sunday, Jimenez talked about sodomites and said it is “unnatural to want to be with some of the same sex.” As he continued to speak, Jimenez said he was upset more people didn’t die. The sermon was recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Jimenez briefly came outside but turned back around as protesters continued to shout.

Another protest is scheduled for Sunday.

CBS News: Liberty Counsel Is Behind Anti-LGBT Hate Laws In At Least 20 States

LGBT activists have known the names Mat Staver and Liberty Counsel for years. Staver and his cronies have spent years working to subvert the rights of LGBTs in the areas of marriage and public accommodation.

But now, CBS News has not only put Staver and company in the spotlight, but revealed in no uncertain terms the true nature of their mission: to control the "fire" of LGBT rights.

Demonstrators against the so-called bathroom bills were out in force in South Carolina -- their chants echoing those in other states where they say legislatures have have enacted laws enabling bigotry.

But while they protested, the conservative group, that's helped author many of those measures protecting religion over sexual orientation, was working at its Orlando area office on new ways to uphold what it says is really at stake.

"It is only about being free to pursue your faith," said Mathew Staver. "We have no interest in discriminating against anyone."

Staver is the founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, which has affiliated attorneys in all 50 states -- drafting bills, advising lawmakers and defending clients in what they believe to be the great cultural clash of our time.

CBS News first met Staver when he defended a Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis who said it was against her religion to hand out marriage licenses to homosexuals. Lately, Liberty Counsel has been helping to draft legislation for conservative lawmakers in at least 20 states.

Their bills began cropping up in state legislatures soon after the Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage last year.

An objective observer could conclude that they want to push back against that ruling.

"Well I certainly want to push back against that ruling," Staver said. "It was a wrong ruling. It has no basis in the constitution."

Where are they going with this?

"The Supreme Court in the 5-4 opinion on marriage in 2015 lit the house on fire," Staver said. "All we're trying to do is control the fire at this point in time."

And he is unfazed by corporate threats to pull out of states in protest against his work.

"They're not gonna follow through," Staver said.

So it's a bluff?

"It's a bluff. They're not leaving," he said.

Things You Should Know About North Carolina's Extreme Anti-LGBT Law

The Human Rights Campaign shares these facts you should know about North Carolina’s brand new, virulently anti-LGBT law:

• The law eliminates existing municipal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people and prevents such provisions from being passed by cities in the future. This means that only statewide non-discrimination laws are allowed, and the law passed doesn’t include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.

• The law forces transgender students in public schools to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity. Additionally, access to facilities in all government agencies must be based on biological sex as well. That includes public universities.

• North Carolina is the first state in the country to enact such a law attacking transgender students, even after several similar proposals were rejected across the country this year.

• Because the law directly contravenes Title IX, North Carolina’s federal funding - at least 4.5 billion dollars- is put at risk.

• The law also prevents cities from regulating in areas like living wage laws, benefits and hour regulations for workers in the city, city contracting, and even child labor regulations.

Learn more here.

South Dakota Governor Vetoes Anti-Transgender "Bathroom Bill"

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Governor Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota has vetoed House Bill 1008, which would have made South Dakota the first state to ban transgender students from using school restrooms that correspond with their gender identity.

“Thank you Governor Daugaard for meeting with transgender people to see through their eyes that they are our friends, family, and neighbors, worthy of the same fair treatment and dignity as everyone else,” said Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of Equality Federation. “The more people get to know about the real lives of transgender people, the more empathy prevails. All students, including transgender students, should be able to fully participate and have a fair opportunity to thrive in school.”

The state legislature could vote to overturn Daugaard's veto. But, at least for now, the votes are lacking in the state Senate which voted in favor of the bill 20-15, which falls short of the necessary two-thirds threshold.

Congrats South Dakota! And thank you, Gov. Daugaard.

UPDATE: It looks like the bill's sponsor doesn't want to do a veto fight. From Rep. Fred Deutsch's response:

"HB 1008 was intended to be a practical solution to our evolving social values on gender issues. Unfortunately emotions on both sides of this issue have dominated the news coverage and the recent debate. I still believe an objective reading of the proposed law is consistent with my intent to be non-discriminatory and fair to all students and parents.

However, because I think the national focus on South Dakota should be on our positive business environment, strong labor market and the excellent work our schools do, I am going to ask my legislative colleagues to concur with the Governor's veto. Further focus on this issue will detract from the other significant accomplishments of the legislature this session."

Tweet Of The Day: Bernie Sanders

America's first black president cannot and will not be succeeded by a hatemonger who refuses to condemn the KKK.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 28, 2016

Harlem Hate Pastor David James Manning Rages Over Plan To Buy Church For Homeless LGBT Youth

David James Manning

This past weekend I wrote about The Ali Forney Center, which serves homeless LGBT youth in NYC,  is working to raise funds to buy virulently anti-gay Pastor David James Manning’s ATLAH World Missionary Church, after it was announced that the property is up for auction due to past due taxes and utility bills.

With a goal of $200,000 the fundraising page shows over $151,000 donated at this time.

Click here to donate.

Manning has posted another of his hate-filled rants on YouTube saying the building will never be used to help LGBT youth because "this ain't no bathhouse!"

From the video:

“This is the lord’s house! This ain’t no damn bathhouse! It ain’t no fag house! And before you can ever own this property – hook or crook – own this property. Men who are fags with testicles will be carrying babies in their testicles and giving birth to them through their anus. That’s how impossible it is for you to get this house. When you start carrying a baby in your bags and birthing that baby through your ass, then you can own this house! But until I see you pull a baby out your ass, you ain’t gonna pull this church out from underneath us. And boom shaka-laka goes right there! And all you fags can go to hell! I’m James David Manning, everybody. I’m the lord’s servant!”

“I imagine we are going to hear a lot of ranting and raving from Rev Manning until the auction,” says Ali Forney Center director Carl Siciliano. “And he has good cause to be ranting. The Ali Forney Center has been overwhelmed with support since we announced our bid to site a housing program for LGBT youth.”

Alabama: Birmingham News Says "Roy Moore Is Delusional About Roy Moore"

 The AL.com editorial board in Alabama has a scathing op-ed addressing misguided, anti-gay State Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore and his latest attempts to stop same-sex marriage in his state.

Just an excerpt - from the folks who know him best:

It is time Roy Moore realized that he is wrong. He is wrong on this issue, he is wrong in thinking he might ever be governor of Alabama, he is wrong in seeing himself as of presidential timber, he is wrong in thinking that he matters.

Already, there are citizen calls for his impeachment. He will soon go into retirement and be remembered as a bigot, disrespectful of the law and of his fellow human beings. That might be the only memory he has earned in his time in public office. And, hopefully, Alabama’s citizens will be remembered as the ones who showed him the door.

Canadian College Professor Fired For Posting "Queers" Should Be Hanged

Click image to enlarge

Edge Media reports that a Canadian college professor was fired this week after he allegedly made a violent and anti-gay Facebook comment, officials announced Wednesday, according to the CBC.

Officials from St. Lawrence College said they received a complaint about business professor Rick Coupland, regarding a Facebook comment he allegedly made. The school's spokeswoman said the comment was "deeply concerning."

Screen shots of Coupland's alleged post made their way on social media and shows him sharing a link to a story about a rainbow flag being raised in St. Petersburg, Fla., with his added comment: "It's the queers they should be hanging, not the flag."

According to Gay Star News, it was a former student who made the complaint to the college and posted screenshots of the comments to social media. The website also notes that Coupland later updated his status saying, "I have to get off Facebook for awhile. I've been called into work and told to bring a representative re: my comments on FB. Please pray for me and my job..."

The CBC reports the teacher's Facebook profile has been deleted.

St. Lawrence College said Coupland's remarks do not reflect the school's values, noting it has a strict policy regarding the conduct of its employees. On Wednesday, the school confirmed that it had fired the professor.

Ukraine: Gay Couple Attacked While Recreating "Walking While Gay" Video

From Bird In Flight:

Last week the creators of ChebuRussia TV published a video that documented how people in Moscow reacted to two young men walking around the city holding hands. The video has more than eight million views by now.

This experiment was widely discussed in Ukraine as well, and some speculated on whether the reaction to a similar couple in, say, Kyiv would be different.

Bird In Flight decided to see for themselves and filmed Zoryan and Tymur walking in crowded public spaces.

We can see that most of the people have a neutral opinion, they show no particular interest. This proves that the confrontation is between the two minorities.

The only problem is that one of the minorities is excessively aggressive. I think that law enforcement should start the so called ‘safari’ on aggressors, because the latter are discriminating against Ukrainians, popularizing violence and are making it clear with their actions and statements that law enforcement is insignificant to them and the aggression will remain unpunished.

Arkansas: Fayetteville Repeals LGBT Protections Ordinance

"For Repeal" wins on Fayetteville's Ordinance 119 with 52% of the vote.

— Larry Henry (@5NEWSLarry) December 10, 2014

Brian Brown: "I Am An Extremist and I 'Export Hate'"

Hate group leader Brian Brown of the ironically named National Organization for Marriage has penned an "essay" for the Washington Post in which he voices his disagreement with the Human Rights Campaign, who recently launched a new campaign which exposes some of the leaders of the anti-gay rights movement.

Part of that campaign that sheds light on Brown's "export of hate" around the world.

Well, Brown is not very happy in this spotlight. He writes:

I readily and proudly plead guilty to the “crime” of not supporting that organization’s desire to redefine marriage. I have had the nerve to express that view not only here in America, but when invited to speak in other countries. Hence, in the distorted world of the campaign, I am an extremist and “export hate.”

[snip]

I am proud to have played some small role in this emerging global movement. One of the few things the Human Rights Campaign correctly notes is that I have spoken to conferences around the world.

However, these speeches focused not on “hate” or “division” but on the importance of individuals of different faiths, nationalities, cultures and political creeds uniting together in a shared defense of the truth of marriage and family. Working together with men and women dedicated to protecting the family is not the definition of hate, but love.

After all that high-minded hyperbole, Joe Jervis of JoeMyGod points out that Brown recently appeared at a Kremlin conference which concluded with a call for more nations to criminalize homosexuality.

So much for "the importance of individuals of different faiths, nationalities, cultures and political creeds."

Sounds like hate to me. Read more about Brian Brown's extremist work to undercut the rights of LGBT citizens around the world at the HRC's "The Export of Hate."

The Bahamas sees first gay pride event cancelled due to death threats

The Bahamas saw it's first ever gay pride event cancelled early with only 11 attendees (all foreigners) due to death threats according to the Nassau Guardian.

Victor Rollins, one of the organizers of the event,  received death threats on his Facebook page after posting pictures promoting the event with featuring gay pride flags along with Bahamian flags on a beach yesterday.

Rollins said the backlash came quickly starting Thursday after organizers issued a press release in support of the event, which was held at Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort.

He said local talk shows were a particular source of vitriol, with many claiming God would judge The Bahamas for allowing a gay pride event to take place and some people wishing harm on those involved and members of the LGBT more generally.

He said that no one from the Bahamian LGBT who said they would come to the event and even those who were to be honored at the event showed up.

LGBT discrimination is extremely common in the Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean.

Florida Baptist Church cancels funeral after learning the deceased was gay

Last week, 42 year old Julion Evans was given six months to live. Two days later he was dead.

When his family arranged to have his funeral at the church he had grown up at, New Hope Missionary Baptist in Tampa, the church agreed to host the service. But when members of the congregation found out through an obituary that Evans was gay and married, the church abruptly cancelled the service.

WFLA reports:

Julie Atwood was standing at her son's casket when the phone rang. The church where her son's funeral was scheduled to be held the next day decided to abruptly cancel the service, after the pastor learned the deceased was gay and his obituary listed a surviving "husband."

Atwood said she was told it would be "blasphemous" to hold the services at the church because her son, Julion Evans, 42, was gay.

"It was devastating," she said. "I did feel like he was being denied the dignity of death."

Evans' husband, Kendall Capers, says the pair were partners for 17 years and married last year in Maryland. Evans died at home after a 4-year battle with a rare illness called Amyloidosis, which destroys organs in the body.

Capers said that because of the abrupt cancellation, some mourners were not notified of the late relocation and missed the funeral.

Westboro Baptist Church: We don't need Fred Phelps to hate

"The church of the Lord Jesus Christ does not rise or fall with any man – in fact, the Lord doesn’t need ANY of us.

"This is still a nation and world awash in sin. We will still warn you of this condition, out of our love and fear of the Lord, and out of our love for our neighbors.

"Here is the message of Westboro Baptist Church: God still hates fags, God still hates fag enablers and any nation that embraces that sin as an ‘innocent’ lifestyle can expect to incur the wrath of God. Repent or Perish." - Westboro Baptist Church, in a statement posted to their website.

(h/t JMG)

Bryan Fischer: Having same-sex parents is "child abuse"

Predictably, hate group leader Bryan Fischer was not happy about this year's Grammy Awards show.

Regarding the Macklemore/Madonna/Queen Latifah "Same Love" segment near the end of the telecast, Fischer calls the marriage ceremony an "abomination."

He goes on to say "If you care about children," Fischer said, "this thing ought to appall you because gay marriage is bad for children. In fact, same-sex parenting - I'm going to be very direct here - same-sex parenting is a form of child abuse."

(via Right Wing Watch)

Right wing websites angry President Obama includes LGBT community in Thanksgiving proclamation

Yesterday, President Obama's Thanksgiving proclamation included a veiled inclusion of the LGBT community as "first and foremost Americans." Here's a quote from the statement:

"Thanksgiving offers each of us the chance to count our many blessings -- the freedoms we enjoy, the time we spend with loved ones, the brave men and women who defend our Nation at home and abroad.

"This tradition reminds us that no matter what our background or beliefs, no matter who we are or who we love, at our core we are first and foremost Americans.

[snip]

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 28, 2013, as a National Day of Thanksgiving."

Nice, friendly and warm, right?

You should read the ranting going on over on conservative websites and the names the President is being called because he included EVERYONE in his proclamation.

It really is incredible, and no wonder a Republican hasn't won the popular vote in the past six Presidential elections.

Go back and read the quote above then head over and check out some of the comments on the right wing "news" site CNSnews.

The hate is pretty amazing.

(h/t JMG)

Anti-gay leaders tweeting outrage over ENDA vote in US Senate

The anti-gay hating leaders of the world are gnashing their teeth over the upcoming ENDA vote in the US Senate today.

La, la, la, la, la....

:)

(h/t JMG)

Rally against marriage equality in Illinois

The haters were out in full voice, if not full crowds, to denounce and deny LGBT community members equal rights. Hit play and watch the sad commentary.

Gov. Chris Christie gets unfriended by Brian Brown of NOM over marriage equality

NOM's Brian Brown is TOTALLY sad that same-sex couples have equal rights in New Jersey regarding marriage.

From the NOM Blog:

"There's no question that the courts of New Jersey are responsible for the imposition of same-sex marriage in that state, and we sharply criticize them for redefining our most important social institution with no regard to the wishes of voters or even elected officials," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "The refusal of the New Jersey Supreme Court to order a stay of the same-sex 'marriage' ruling was wrong, and the latest example of an activist judiciary running amok, substituting their views for those of the people of the state.

Still, we are extremely disappointed in Governor Chris Christie for withdrawing the state's appeal of the underlying decision, effectively throwing in the towel on marriage. The mark of a leader is to walk a principled walk no matter the difficulty of the path. Chris Christie has failed the test, abandoning both voters and the core institution of society - marriage as the union of one man and one woman."

A superior court judge had imposed same-sex marriage in New Jersey in a ruling in September, with same-sex 'marriages' set to begin today. Christie's administration appealed the decision and sought a stay to preserve the status-quo until the merits of the case is heard next year. The New Jersey Supreme Court denied the request for the stay, and today Christie dropped his appeal of the underlying decision imposing same-sex marriage.

"It's a sad day for the voters of New Jersey," said Brown. "An activist judiciary has once again imposed its views and ignored the rights of voters. We will continue to fight for the right of New Jersey voters to determine the definition of marriage. Regrettably, Governor Christie's decision to surrender on marriage reveals him to be a man who lacks the courage of his supposed convictions. As far as we are concerned, it's a disqualifying failure. His surrender on marriage effectively surrenders any chance he might have had to secure the GOP nomination for president."

GOP candidate for Lt. Governor of Virginia - Those anti-gay things I said were taken out of context

I always wonder what constitutes "context" for these folks...

(h/t JMG)