Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Don't fall for Sen. Rubio's fake cry for 'tolerance' in marriage equality debate

Sen Marco Rubio
One of the most transparent tactics opponents of marriage equality will attempt is to claim that supporters of marriage equality are intolerant of their opinion.

It's not only a transparent tactic but highly cynical. And apparently it's the tactic that Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is attempting:

While Rubio has consistently held conservative positions on abortion and gay marriage, his current emphasis appears to be an effort to appeal to social conservatives who have yet to settle on a favored candidate for 2016. "Even before this speech is over, I will be attacked as someone who is a hater or a bigot," Rubio said.

  .. . In his remarks, Rubio acknowledged the United States has a history of discrimination against gays and lesbians. But he said he could not support such unions despite a quick-moving shift in public opinion in support of allowing same-sex couples to marry. "There is a growing intolerance on this issue," Rubio said of those who back same-sex marriages. He then urged his opponents to show civility: "Tolerance is also a two-way street."

No doubt, the folks at Fox News and members of the media who care more about attaining "access" than getting the story correct will fall for Rubio's junk.

But I agree with him that there needs to be civility on the issue. And let's start with addressing the following:
Staver: Gay Marriage Is 'A Direct Attack On Who God Is' 

 Klingenschmitt: Jesus Will Overrule The Supreme Court And Toss Gays Into Hell 

 Ben Carson Explains How Gay Marriage Is A Marxist Plot To Impose The 'New World Order'  
Barber: Gay Marriage Is 'The Brainchild' Of Satan 

 Renew America Pundit Warns Gay Marriage Will Turn Us Into Marxist Slaves 

If Sen. Rubio was honest with his cry for "tolerance," he would address those on his side of the argument with as much vigor as he attempts to place onus on us.

After all, we aren't the ones conjuring up images of Marxism, Satanism, or slavery. 

'Hobby Lobby fight divides lgbt leadership but the community can rescue it' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

Fighting the religious right exacts a toll: How LGBT groups got secretly divided - So the Hobby Lobby decision is causing problems for lgbt groups. If you forgive this anonymous black Southern blogger for "not knowing his place," this situation is indicative of how lgbt groups (I love them so) are like the proverbial fox in the fable of the Fox and the Cat. So much intelligence, so many avenues to consider that they are losing sight of the one thing which MUST be stressed. This "religious liberty" argument is merely a tactic, like so many others from the right, which while seemingly innocent, is merely a covert way to sway the argument in their favor by playing the victim. Perhaps a first step in our fight back is to remind people of this because goodness knows there is a LOT of history of the right pretending to be martyrs in pursuit of their goals of marginalizing the lgbt community. Just a thought from the Underworld of lgbt activism.

Editor's note - I interrupt these news briefs because the last one just reminded me of a crucial bit of news. On the new web page, my booklet, How They See Us: Unmasking the Religious Right War on Gay America, is merely 22 downloads away from hitting 1,000. I have never asked for money or donations on my blog in the seven plus years I have been in existence and I don't plan to. BUT I will ask that (if you haven't already) to either check out the new How They See Us web page and download the booklet or if you don't want to go through all of that, just click here to download the free adobe acrobat copy of How They See Us. And by all means, please send it to your friends, family, Congressional leaders, acquaintances, enemies, (I think you get the gist of what I am trying to say). Our problem as a people is that we fail to seize the argument. We fail to remind people of the true history and face of the anti-gay industry. That's a crucial reason why they have success with framing the argument of lgbt equality on their terms. I am hoping that my booklet, in its own way, can remind people of that face. I NEED you to make it a success. And again, remember I don't get ANY money for this. Equipping the lgbt community and our allies with what we need to fight the religious right is all the reward I need. One day, I may tell you all why I do this stuff. 

Okay, back to news briefs:

Social Conservatives Unload On Obama LGBT Order - So the religious right is angry at Obama for his recent lgbt executive order. I haven't been THIS shocked since Clay Aiken came out of the closet. 

Right-Wing Media Pretend Religious Liberty Protects Anti-LGBT Employment Discrimination - So the right wing media claims that the "free market" would solve the problem of anti-lgbt discrimination. Didn't they once say that about racial discrimination?

 An Open Letter to Former NFL Coach Tony Dungy - Tony Dungy catches flack for his absolutely stupid comments about Michael Sam.