News Round-Up: June 14, 2019

Some news items you might have missed:

• International pop star Ricky Martin shirtless selfie (above). What else do you really need to know? Oh, and he just helped kill a 'religious freedom' bill in Puerto Rico.

• Pennsylvania's Republican-controlled state Senate killed a proclamation recognizing Pride Month. So, LGBTQ ally Gov. Tom Wolf attended a Pride event and read his own proclamation.

• Right-wing Christian activist Dave Daubenmire surprised many this week when he warned straight men that “masturbation is a form of homo sex." According to the activist, "You’re having sex with yourself. It’s a male having sex with a male. That’s homo sex.”

• The official White House twitter account for real shared a photo of Donald Trump accosting an American flag in recognition of Flag Day:

pic.twitter.com/c40BQpZFtW

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 14, 2019

• Donald Trump continues his history of not paying his bills as his campaign still owes the District of Columbia over $7 million for costs related to his inauguration.

• Authorities have arrested a Florida Chick-fil-A owner and operator on two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation involving a 15-year-old girl. Pinellas County Sheriff deputies say that Heather Matuszek gained the trust of the girl while acting as a youth leader at the Clearwater Community Church.

• Speaking with Fox & Friends, Donald Trump wouldn't commit to supporting his own Vice President, Mike Pence, in the 2024 election. “You can’t put me in that position.”

• Taylor Swift dropped a new track in time for Pride Month titled, "You Need To Calm Down," complete with lyrics that take a none-too-veiled swipe at homophobes and a shout-out to GLAAD.

In the song, Swift sings, "You are somebody that we don’t know / But you’re comin’ at my friends like a missile / Why are you mad when you could be GLAAD? / Sunshine on the street at the parade / But you would rather be in the dark ages / Makin’ that sign must’ve taken all night." Hit the play button below.

Texas Republicans Revive Anti-LGBTQ 'Chick-Fil-A' Bill

Last week, I reported that the anti-LGBTQ “Save Chick-fil-A” bill in Texas, House Bill 3172, had been successfully torpedoed by out state Rep. Julie Johnson.

The legislation, authored and sponsored by GOP state Rep. Matt Krause, would have banned cities and other governmental entities from taking “adverse action” against anyone for their “membership in, affiliation with, or contribution, donation or other support” to a religious organization.

It became known as the “Save Chick-fil-A” bill as supporters felt it would have helped avoid the recent boycott and eventual elimination of the fast-food chain from San Antonio’s airport. The fast-food restaurant has years of history of making donations to anti-LGBTQ organizations that advocate against LGBTQ rights.

The Dallas Voice had labeled the legislation one of the “most extreme anti-LGBT bills this session.”

Well, now the bill is back thanks to some last minute maneuvers in the state Senate, according to The Dallas News.

Senate Bill 1978, the companion bill to HB 3172, was filed by state Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola).

Addressing the Senate Affairs Committee, Hughes told a practically empty room on Monday that, “The bill as filed ensures religious beliefs are protected from discrimination.”

Hughes emphasized that the bill was about “those uniquely American rights,” freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

The room was nearly empty because the GOP-led Senate waived rules just minutes before so that the bill could be heard in committee without giving public notice.

Last week, when HB 3172 came up for debate, dozens showed up to denounce the legislation.

But with no one to debate the bill, the committee advanced the legislation to the full Senate. SB 1978 is on today’s intent calendar.

The Dallas News says Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, issued a statement via a spokesperson defending the last minute waiving of the Senate rules.

Sherry Sylvester, Patrick’s spokesperson, said it's not uncommon to suspend the rules to speed up bills this late in the session.

Sylvester also went to lengths to say the language in SB 1978 is the same as matches the HB 3172, and that bill received “several hours” of debate last week.

"This is not a new bill,” she said, adding, “It's passage will strengthen our protections for religious liberty -- a priority for the Lt. Governor.”

Kathy Miller, the president of Texas Freedom Network, issued a statement calling the tactic a ‘ghost hearing.’

“It’s appalling to hold a ghost hearing and then take a snap vote that leaves virtually no chance for anyone to tell senators how such a sweeping discrimination bill would affect individuals and families across the state,” said Miller.

“The lieutenant governor is so desperate to pass a bill that shields discrimination against LGBT Texans that he no longer even pretends to care what anybody else thinks about it,” she added. “But ramming this bill through doesn’t change the fact that the majority of Texans oppose laws that allow the use of religion to hurt people simply because of who they are or whom they love.”

A poll by Public Religion Research Institute in March 2019 found that 54% of Texas oppose allowing businesses to refuse products or services to LGBTQ people due to religious beliefs. Thirty-nine percent say they favor the idea.

San Antonio Votes 'No' On Chick-Fil-A Airport Location Due To Anti-LGBTQ Donations

(image via Pexels)

The San Antonio City Council has voted against allowing a Chick-Fil-A franchise to open at the local airport.

According to USA Today, the fast-food restaurant was originally included in a seven-year concessions agreement for Terminal A at the San Antonio International Airport. But, a new report from Think Progress citing continued contributions by the Chick-Fil-A Foundation to anti-LGBTQ organizations gave the council pause.

That report showed donations of more than $1.8 million in 2017 to companies that have public records of anti-LGBTQ animus, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

The amendment to remove Chick-Fil-A from the airport plans was approved by the city council by a vote of 6-4.

In a statement after the vote, Councilman Robert Treviño said that the council “reaffirmed the work our city has done to become a champion of equality and inclusion.”

“San Antonio is a city full of compassion, and we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior,” added the councilman. “Everyone has a place here, and everyone should feel welcome when they walk through our airport.”

For its part, Chick-Fil-A told USA Today that the company found the news “disappointing.”

“We wish we had the opportunity to clarify misperceptions about our company prior to the vote,” read the statement. “We agree with  the council member  that everyone should feel welcome at Chick-fil-A,” the company said in the statement.

“In fact, we have welcomed everyone in San Antonio into our 32 local stores for more than 40 years,” the statement continued.

The fast-food chain has had a long history of donations to anti-LGBTQ organizations.

When asked about donations to Exodus International, a company that promoted so-called ‘conversion therapy,’ Chick-Fil-A president Dan Cathy proudly told the Baptist Press in 2012 his company was “guilty as charged.”

The restaurant’s foundation has also made donations to Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council, groups identified as anti-LGBTQ “hate groups” by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

McDonalds Trolls Chick-Fil-A With "Welcome" Message

(screen capture)

Did McDonald’s just shade Chick-Fil-A?

A new Chick-Fil-A restaurant is opening in Glastonbury, Connecticut, right next to a McDonalds, and over the weekend, locals noticed a message on the McDonalds sign which read, “We Welcome Everyone.”

In the past, Chick-Fil-A has caught some serious criticism for the owner’s opposition to LGBTQ rights like same-sex marriage.

Founded in 1946 by religiously conservative S. Truett Cathy, and now run by his family, the chain’s policies have often been guided by those beliefs including allowing none of the restaurants to be open on Sundays in order to give employees ‘a day of rest.’

The general manager of the McDonalds told the local NBC affiliate that the sign’s message wasn’t political in nature.

"It just means that everyone is welcome, young old, everyone,” she said.

Most folks liked the message.

Tina Manus of Stratford drove almost an hour to show her support.

“For McDonald’s to step up and say we welcome everyone,” she told NBC. “I feel that is a huge step for them. Then in the background you have Chick-fil-A who has historically not welcomed everyone.”

Zack Caporale of Glastonbury wasn’t feeling it thought.

“I feel like it’s kind of rude to Chick-fil-A because they have Christian beliefs, but that doesn’t mean they have to not accept gay people," said Caporale.

Jordan Snook, the franchise owner of the new Chick-Fil-A wasn’t quite sure what to think about the McDonalds message but issued a statement which read:

“We are excited to open in Glastonbury next week, and look forward to being great neighbors who welcome everyone. Glastonbury will be representative of all Chick-fil-A restaurants in serving great food and providing remarkable service for all customers, as well as a diverse workplace of individuals who represent many viewpoints, opinions, backgrounds and beliefs.”

(h/t NBC Connecticut)

News Round-Up: August 27, 2016

Ramin Karimloo

Some news stories you may have missed:

• He sings! He acts! AND he looks like this! Broadway Style Guide shares workout tips from the fabulous Ramin Karimloo, star of Broadway's "Les Miserables."

• Despite losing AGAIN in court, Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis refuses to issue marriage license to gay couple for the 3rd time.

• In other Kentucky news, the state's largest public school district passed important protections for transgender folks.

• Former Will & Grace star will headline the Los Angeles premiere of the hit Broadway play, Act of God.

• Chick-Fil-A may lose chance at Denver Airport location over anti-gay history.

• Former half-term governor of Alaska Sarah Palin is still campaigning to be Donald Trump's running mate.

• What is it about a man and his horse?

Chick-Fil-A barred from Ventura high school campus

The principal of a Venture County, California high school has barred a booster club from selling Chick-fil-a sandwiches on campus because of the company's position on gay marriage.

Chick-Fil-A's CEO Dan Cathy has famously taken a stand against marriage equality in the past, saying that America is "inviting God's judgement" by letting gays marry.

CBS Los Angeles reports:

Ventura High School Principal Val Wyatt told the Ventura County Star that the football booster club could not sell Chick-fil-A sandwiches at Wednesday’s back-to-school night because the restaurant’s beliefs could offend some students and their parents.

“With their political stance on gay rights and because the students of Ventura High School and their parents would be at the event, I didn’t want them on campus,” Wyatt told the newspaper.

Every principal has the discretion to invite community groups or businesses onto their campuses.

“We value inclusivity and diversity on our campus and all of our events and activities are going to adhere to our mission,” Ventura Unified School District Superintendent Trudy Tuttle Arriaga said.

While some students didn't agree with Principal Wyatt, many felt it was the right call. Student Graham Wallace said, “There are gay kids that go to our school, and for them it might be kind of weird,” he said.

Although banned from being sold, Chick-Fil-A is still able to donate to the school's booster club.

Tony Perkins: Dan Cathy of Chick-Fil-A is a "coward"

In a strange, topsy-turvy world, Mike Huckabee chats with hate group leader Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council about how those who would keep the LGBT community from having equal rights are somehow the 'victims' of attacks on their religious freedoms. See, in their world, it is their right to discriminate against other Americans. And those who would seek to express themselves through their wallets are "economic terrorists."

During the segment, Tony Perkins calls out Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy as a "coward" for stepping back from his opposition to marriage equality.

But remember, Tony Perkins and his ilk are the 'victims' here.

Joe Jervis of JoeMyGod explains the anti-gay view of boycotts like this:

When major national Christian groups with millions of followers call for boycotts, that is a righteous use of the free market in order to preserve morality, marriage, family, and the American way. But when gay folks call for a boycott, THAT is homofascist intimidation, intolerance, bullying, economic terrorism, a stifling of religious liberty, and an attempt to deny the freedom of speech. And don't you forget it.

Chick-Fil-A CEO says he regrets stepping into marriage equality debate

Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy

In 2012, Chick-Fil-A executive Dan Cathy made several comments opposing same-sex marriage and oversaw his company donate $5 million to anti-gay groups.

The backlash was swift and the media covered the many stages of protest from the pro-gay "Kiss In" at several restaurant locations to an anti-gay countrywide Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.

Now Cathy says he regrets taking the restaurant into the culture wars, and feels he's learned something along the way. He had this to say recently to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

"I think that’s a political debate that’s going to rage on,” Cathy told the Journal-Constitution in an article published Friday. "And the wiser thing for us to do is to stay focused on customer service."

That doesn't mean he didn't learn anything from the 2012 firestorm, though.

"Every leader goes through different phases of maturity, growth and development and it helps by [recognizing] the mistakes that you make,” Cathy said. "And you learn from those mistakes. If not, you’re just a fool. I’m thankful that I lived through it and I learned a lot from it."

ThinkProgress reports that Chick-Fil-A has cut back donations to anti-gay groups from $5 million to $25K last year.

That being said, Cathy says his views on marriage haven't changed.

"I think the time of truths and principles are captured and codified in God’s word and I’m just personally committed to that," he told the Journal-Constitution. "I know others feel very different from that and I respect their opinion and I hope that they would be respectful of mine."

Dan Cathy, Chick-Fil-A owner, tweets then deletes disapproval over DOMA decision

So it looked for a minute there that fast-food chain Chick-fil-A was trying to improve it's image with the LGBT community by moving away from anti-gay beliefs and practices, but company president and CEO Dan Cathy disproved that myth Wednesday on Twitter.

Responding to the Supreme Court’s rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, Cathy tweeted:

Sad day for our nation; founding fathers would be ashamed of our gen. to abandon wisdom of the ages re: cornerstone of strong societies.

And then, lacking the courage of his convictions on LGBT issues, the tweet was quickly deleted.

Chick-fil-A spokeswoman Carrie Kurlander explained that Cathy “has his own views,” but “Chick-fil-A is focused on providing great tasting food and genuine hospitality.”

The distinction may not be very meaningful given that Chick-fil-A is privately owned and Cathy is its owner.

(via ThinkProgress)

Renounce your "gayness" and get a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich

Watch. They actually get free sandwiches...

Mario Lopez catches heat for Chick-fil-A tweet

Mario Lopez is catching some heat for tweeting about his affection of Chick-fil-A sandwiches, in spite of the recent uproar over the company's anti-gay policies.

On October 7 the host of Extra tweeted, "Why does it seem like I always crave Chick-fil-A on Sundays?? #Frustrating."

In January, Lopez spoke with The Advocate promoting his new underwear line, Rated M, to the gay community and praised his gay fans. When asked how gay fans are different from straight fans, Lopez said, "Gay fans are very loyal. And very cool. I'm honored to be embraced by the gay community. They're the smartest and the hippest. They determine what's hot out there."

Is loyalty a one way street?  Hmm...

(source)

At Chick-Fil-A: "I kissed a guy and I liked it!"

LOL... I saw this online earlier and I'm sorry it took me a while to post.

I think this guy, Comedian/Actor Skyler Stone, is pretty fab. He sets out with pal/comic Mike Smith to make a statement about Chick-Fil-A's grotesque opinions on gay marriage.

Both are straight people with a lot of compassion for gay people's fight against our corporations and our government.

Starring Skyler Stone (Hostel 3, Raising Hope, For Your Consideration, Accepted) and Mike Smith (Second City - Chicago).

Personally, if I was a female, I'd want to date either one. Sense of humor, good looking and they get a sense of inequality. Hot.

Can I get a hurray?

Jon Stewart on Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day

No one does this like Jon Stewart on The Daily Show...

LOL

Remember how Chick-Fil-A says this brouhaha is about freedom of speech?

Adam Smith, who lives in Arizona, filmed himself addressing a drive-thru employee of a Chick-Fil-A to protest the company's anti-gay donations.

His clip went viral on anti-gay sites, prompting internet sleuths to identify the man and track down his biotech employer who fired their CFO on the spot.

From the company's press release:

"Vante regrets the unfortunate events that transpired yesterday in Tucson between our former CFO/Treasurer Adam Smith and an employee at Chick-fil-A. Effective immediately, Mr. Smith is no longer an employee of our company. The actions of Mr. Smith do not reflect our corporate values in any manner. Vante is an equal opportunity company with a diverse workforce, which holds diverse opinions. We respect the right of our employees and all Americans to hold and express their personal opinions, however, we also expect our company officers to behave in a manner commensurate with their position and in a respectful fashion that conveys these values of civility with others. We hope that the general population does not hold Mr. Smith's actions against Vante and its employees.

A blogger for the Tucson Citizen denounced the firing:

"We all know that the Chick-Fil-A appreciation day is all about supporting “the first amendment” and “free speech”. As long as the speech is anti-gay, of course.  Otherwise it’s free speech for me but not for thee, at least at the Tucson company Vante. Adam Smith, Chief Financial Officer at Vante, on his own personal time and with no connection to his employer, Vante, took it upon himself to video his protest of Chick-Fil-A as “hateful” and post the video to YouTube."

"Mr. Smith’s actions were described as “bullying”, but I confess that I can’t find any bullying in his protest. What you think may depend upon the side you are on, but there is no doubt what side Vante is on.  That “free speech” is such a tricky thing, it seems."

Via JoeMyGod

Eugene Delgaudio Chick-Fil-A supporter - Fail

The anti-gay Eugene Delgaudio wants you to show support for Chick-Fil-A by buying their stock.

Except the company is privately owned. No stock to buy.

Fail.

Via JoeMyGod

Chick-Fil-A busted using fake Facebook profile to defend itself

Chick-Fil-A got busted today apparently using a fake "hours new" Facebook account defending it's recent announcements about discontinuing use of Muppet toy give-aways.

Apparently, in a back and forth on Facebook it was revealed that "Abby" - defender of all things Chick-Fil-A - was a brand new Facebook account and her face pic was a stock photo from shutterstock.com.

Gizmodo points to what may be a huge Facebook fail by Chick-Fil-A:

"Chick-fil-A claimed the toys were pulled because of a "possible safety issue". That, of course, is a complete lie. A lie that they're propagating with fake Facebook accounts of Chick-fil-a sympathists. Yep, Chick-fil-A is still stuck in its own reality and is doubling down on its lie. Instead of owning up to the fact that The Jim Henson Company stopped doing business with them because they're overrun with bigots, the chicken sandwich company is making fake Facebook accounts to defend its honor on the social network. How do we know the accounts are fake? Just check out this back and forth on Chick-fil-A's Facebook page between real, breathing people and "Abby Farle", a Facebook account that was made 8 hours ago by a chicken PR flack with a stock image of a teenage girl as her profile picture."

Click on the pic to enlarge the pic above.

Tell Chick-Fil-A to "cluck off"

The Muppets dump Chick-Fil-A

Photo via Flickr

The Muppets have dumped Chick-Fil-A. The Jim Henson Company has posted a statement to their Facebook page:

The Jim Henson Company has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over fifty years and we have notified Chick-Fil-A that we do not wish to partner with them on any future endeavors. Lisa Henson, our CEO is personally a strong supporter of gay marriage and has directed us to donate the payment we received from Chick-Fil-A to GLAAD.

Chick-Fil-A not welcome in the city of Boston says mayor

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has heard enough of the anti-gay rhetoric coming from Chick-Fil-A, and he's let the company know that that kind of discrimination isn't welcome on the Freedom Trail.

“Chick-fil-A doesn’t belong in Boston,” Menino told the Boston Herald yesterday. “You can’t have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population. We’re an open city, we’re a city that’s at the forefront of inclusion. … That’s the Freedom Trail. That’s where it all started right here. And we’re not going to have a company, Chick-fil-A or whatever the hell the name is, on our Freedom Trail.”

Menino said Chick-fil-A will find it “very difficult” to get licenses in Boston unless it changes its policies, and he plans to send a letter to the company’s headquarters in Atlanta “telling them my feelings on the matter.”

Chick-Fil-A does damage control

Lots of people are jumping on the "boycott Chick-Fil-A" bandwagon.  Tossing out the "independent Owner/operators" line to try and deflect criticism is disingenuous.

Not so sure this is going to stave off the loss of customers....