Open hunting season on the LGBTQI+ community takes center stage in GOP

GOP Extremists Turn GOP Into A Circus Act That Aims To Take Down The Queer Community & Others

By: Nicole Lashomb* TRT Editor-in-Chief

We’ve seen it time and time again, members of the LGBTQI+ community politicized and stigmatized for political gain. However, this time is different than any other pastime I can recall. It is attack after relentless attack, primarily by some incumbent GOP candidates seeking a new term or first-time candidates coming out of the woodwork. Hunting season has begun and this time the queer community is the direct target.

There are two realities in this country at this moment in time — those who live within the confines of actual reality and others who choose to stay in the dark, lurking and preying on the most vulnerable to suit their interests while frantically pumping out fantastical fiction. Yet more concerning is the millions of Americans who buy into it, who hang onto every word of the con — further digging a deeper abyss of the great divide we are currently experiencing. When politicians promote lies, deceit and target groups often under the guise of religion, should be held accountable at the very least. But, what do we do when the accountability that they should face at the ballot box is blinded by cult-like following?

losing the privilege of holding office. If that had been the case, it would have halted a great number of the primary cult leaders and would have separated qualified people who earned the right to an elected office from those who did not. Without fail safes in place, it is as simple as manipulative practices, cons that kill, and a check mark at the ballot box that upholds a candidate’s “right” to be there. It was the people’s choice after all, they say. But, as a nation, there must be better systems of accountability set into motion by our grounded elected officials. It is bombastic to think that no matter what someone has said, no matter who they destroy in the process or how poisonous the oats sowed are, as long as they get the votes, then that is all that matters. They campaign on hate and fear and rely upon the uninformed and ignorant to buy the con. And, they succeed.

and gender identity without the student’s express permission,” the report read.

In addition to suicidal thoughts and acts, physical and mental well-being amongst a myriad of other factors, outing a student to a parent or other adminsistrators can have additional catastrophic effects.

According to The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, “LGBTQI+ youth comprise up to 45 percent of homeless youth. Family rejection is a significant factor — 43 percent of LGBTQI+ youth were kicked out of the home by unsupportive parents.”

— giving rise to the civil rights now afforded to members of the LGBTQI+ community.

“Just as the patrons of Stonewall were not intimidated by police, we will not be intimidated by the weaponization of the FBI and DoJ against President Trump or his home, Mar-A-Lago …where (as we announced hours ago) we will be holding our annual gala later this year!” the groups’ Twitter account read.

And it gets worse. The internalized homophobia is real.

According to LGBTQ Nation (https://bit.ly/3Tk9Ahd), “the Log Cabin Republicans previously held their 2021 Spirit of Lincoln Gala at Mar-A-Lago, where they honored former First Lady Melania Trump with a special award. But despite kowtowing to the GOP, including embracing Trump and endorsing overtly antiLGBTQ candidates in 2020, the group

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If there’s anything that the Trump presidency and the rise of hate mongers has taught me is that our branches of government have failed to have the foresight to prevent these atrocities from happening. Years ago, Congress should have updated the law and codified expectations and regulations that candidates and elected officials must abide by. If they don’t, then there should be direct consequences. One of those consequences should be

With no shame, adults are not the only targets. The protection of LGBTQI+ students continues to be in grave danger while politicians cherry pick appointees to boards across states that reflect their desires, not based on those who are qualified to hold such positions.

In July, Virginia Gov. Youngkin appointed five new members to the State Board of Education, giving him a conservative majority, reported LGBTQ Nation (https://bit.ly/3CxR3I1). With the Board’s support guaranteed, Youngkin came out recently with his most “explicit endorsement of a policy transgender rights supporters in Virginia have long feared: informing parents of their kids’ sexual orientation

As a result of a massive onslaught of attacks against the rights of LGBTQI+ students, the Biden Administration recently released updated guidance strongly outlining Title IX protections for LGBTQI+ students against gender discrimination, which includes "outing," within federally-funded schools, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (https://bit.ly/3QPXZ7R). “Students have a constitutionally protected right to privacy — including the right to not be outed by their school.”

The Queer Community Members that Join the Cult Anyone can be conned, including members of the queer community as we’ve seen with the Log Cabin Republicans repeatedly throughout the years. Just earlier this month, the queer Republicans released a statement on Twitter (https://bit.ly/3R9aU4v) comparing the FBI search of Trump’s home at Mar-A-Lago for classified documents stolen from the White House to the police raids of Stonewall

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MassEquality PAC endorses Maura Healey

WORCESTER, Mass.—MassEquality PAC, the political arm of the leading grassroots advocacy organization for the LGBTQ+ community in Massachusetts, announced today its endorsement for Maura Healey in her bid to become the state’s next Governor.

“Maura Healey’s executive experience, coupled with her commitment to civil rights make her the best choice to be our next Governor,” said Tanya Neslusan, Executive Director of MassEquality. “We are as proud to stand behind her today, as we were in 2014, during her first bid for attorney general”

She is a nationally known leader, best known for her commitment to civil rights and community engagement. She understands the issues and she understands what it means to govern.

Gov. Baker signs bill protecting access to abortion care and lifesaving healthcare for Transgender people, others too Organizations Applaud legislators’ passage too

BOSTON — Late last month, Gov. Charlie Baker, signed legislation to further protect access to reproductive health care services in Massachusetts following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The bill provides critical protections for access to abortion care and essential healthcare for women and transgender people in the Commonwealth.

The legislation codifies several measures that were first included in an

“We cannot underestimate the importance of LGBTQ voices in government, especially at this moment in history when we are seeing so many attacks on our community,” continued Neslusan. “We feel that having someone in the executive branch who truly understands the importance of the issues that face our community at both the state and federal levels is critical in order for Massachusetts to remain a national leader.”

LGBTQ+ Defender

Healey’s extensive record as a leader for the entire LGBTQ community includes leading the Commonwealth’s landmark challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act and leading the winning argument of the nation’s first lawsuit striking it down. She was also instrumental in securing statewide non-discrimination protections for transgender people in public accomodations, employment, housing, education, credit

Executive Order (https://bit.ly/3PJXMBN) issued by Governor Baker in the hours following the Supreme Court’s decision last month. H.5090, an Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and GenderAffirming Care, provides key protections for access to reproductive health care, including abortion care, and essential healthcare for transgender people, including for individuals who may travel from out-of-state to seek care in the Commonwealth. The law also adopts several new or expanded measures to protect access to reproductive health services in the Commonwealth. All the protections in the bill apply equally to reproductive and gender-affirming health care services provided or accessed in the Commonwealth.

“Massachusetts remains steadfast in its commitment to protect access to reproductive health care services, especially in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Court’s decision has major consequences for women across the country who live in states with limited and hate crimes. Beyond that she’s led a series of multistate briefs defending the constitutionality of state anti-discrimation laws in cases involving businesses that discriminate against LGBTQ+ couples,and led a coalition of states in blocking the Trump administration’s discriminatory ban on transgender military service.

"I'm proud to receive the endorsement of MassEquality. They have been a strong partner over the years in our work to make sure that everyone can be their authentic self and live free from discrimination in Massachusetts.” said Healey. “I look forward to continuing to build on this progress to support our LGBTQ+ community and ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader on equality” access to these services, and our administration took quick action in the hours following that decision by issuing an Executive Order to protect access here in the Commonwealth. This new legislation signed today builds on that action by protecting patients and providers from legal interference from more restrictive laws in other states. We are grateful for the compromise and dedication to the issue that our legislative colleagues demonstrated to make this important, bipartisan law a reality.”

If elected, Maura Healey will serve as not just the first woman governor, but also the first lesbian governor of the Commonwealth.

“In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, it’s critical that we in Massachusetts affirm that our state will continue to ensure access to reproductive health care services,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The new protections in this law build on the steps our administration took last month and our shared bipartisan work to protect access to these services. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Legislature to provide these important safeguards.”

“Like so many others, I was devastated by this extremist Supreme

See Gov. Baker On Page 7