This is what terrifies the fundamentalists and right wing. The acceptance and normalizing of kids / people who are not straight and not cis. Schools have long taught kids to get along with each other and to not bully those who are different. But republicans in red states want to change that teaching of acceptance and tolerance so they pass don’t say gay bills and anti-woke bills which simply mean get all representation of LGBTQ+ kids out of schools, libraries, and keep kids off social media. It means stopping positive representations of LGBTQ+ people and stopping anti-bullying programs. It means making LGBTQ+ kids targets of hate, anger, and labeling them as not normal. It is othering them so they can be mistreated. This is what it was like in the regressive past these older legislatures and fundamentalist religious leaders desperately want back. These people want a straight cis Christian world only, no one else will be allowed. Since these laws passed attacks on LGBTQ+ kids in schools and people in general have risen quickly. It is a green light to thug gang rule. Luckily the old kids won’t accept the intolerance and hate, but sadly it is working on the younger new students in schools. They are being taught to hate and not accept the ones who feel different. We have to stop these laws and reverse them. Please help get the word out. Please keep speaking up in support. The haters and religious people on the other side are driven, they won’t stop, they will fight hard. We have to also fight back as hard, and be louder than they are. Hugs. Scottie
Wichita East high schoolers used their first amendment rights and walked out of class Tuesday to stand up for transgender youth rights.
Dozens of Wichita East students made their voices heard at a walkout in protest of a piece of anti-trans legislation that bans minors from receiving gender affirming care. That piece of legislation is Senate Bill 233, and has already received approval from the Kansas House and Senate.
“This will cause suffering that cannot be overstated. This will cause suffering,” said sophomore Juan Carlos Garcia.
Garcia spoke up at the protest, to tell his peers about the importance of gender affirming care.
“I have hope that those I love and those that need it will get their treatment. I hope that they will feel comfortable and I know if this bill is passed then they won’t be able to,” said Garcia.
Miles Wilson organized the protest, and he shared his experience as a person in the transgender community.
“I thought I would not make it past 14, but I am 17 now,” said Miles Wilson, junior at East.
The students discussed how validating gender affirming care was, and in a world without gender affirming care, many believe that would lead to an increase of youth trans suicide.
“I hope that people learn that the students of East High are not going to stand for discrimination and oppression and we support the trans community and the cis kids here stand in solidarity with the trans community and the trans community here will not sit back and let people oppress us,” said Wilson.
The bill that started the protest is currently sitting on Governor Kelly’s desk awaiting approval or veto.
After chanting, holding signs, and having a great discussion, the students said the walk out was a success.
“We deserve to feel safe in our bodies, we deserve autonomy. We deserve happiness, we deserve to grow up,” said Wilson.
For legal purposes the title of this video is a question and not to be construed as a statement of fact. The Nex Benedict story has been tied to Libs of TikTok and its founder Chaya Raichik. Is she to blame? Why does the first amendment protect Libs of TikTok?
I want to thank Barry for sending me the link to this video. Best wishes friend. Scottie.
The video is about the politically driven fight to end trans care in Texas for minors and adults. And how it is affecting four trans families and others. In it you will hear false claims made about chopping off little boys penises which is not happening, but no mention of breast augmentation and nose jobs for teenage girls. You will hear claims made that are misinformation, lies, and myths. The goal is to create a straight cis fundamentalist Christian republican society ruled by men, and to do this they use the claims of saving the children to rile up the base and muddy the water to get more votes. They don’t care who they hurt in the process, they wouldn’t even allow current minors on puberty blockers and hormones to be weaned off or to continue treatment. This is not about the health of children as Texas did not accept summer food assistance for poor people, they did not do anything about school shootings and gun control, they did not increase child health care at all they only removed the medically accepted best practices for gender nonconforming kids. Hugs. Scottie
When Texas lawmakers introduce a record number of anti-trans bills, transgender kids and their families from across the state converge on the Capitol to fight back.
Let’s look at what is driving this push to end of diversity, equality, and inclusion. Seem that most people would want those things. Why would anyone want a large segment of the population to be treated as lessor, denied jobs, denied housing, denied loans, face unrestrained bigotry. It can only come down to bigotry and the fragility of white males, the need for fundamentalist to return to a time of strict gender roles, and a push by religious people to put their religious bigotry before the rights of LGBTQ+ people to just be themselves in society and at work. It is OK for black kids at the youngest ages to suffer discrimination, be made to feel bad about their skin color or have to feel fear of harm. But it is illegal to make white kids feel uncomfortable that 150 years ago white people kept black / brown people as property doing horrible things to them as slaves. WTF. The only reason any white kids would feel uncomfortable or hate themselves for hearing this is if their come from a white supremacist family. It they themselves have been taught that black people are inferior or lesser. But what it can do is teach empathy for those who are different from you. It simply is some people thinking they are superior to others and should have privilege. And it is needed because systemic racism in the country still exists. Don’t think so, look at large company corporate structures. Most management is white males, most workers are mixed, and white males get promoted faster. Look at congress, mostly white males despite them not being such a large majority in the population. Look at loan rates, higher in black neighborhoods, yet home sales prices lower than a white home comparable in a white neighborhood. The Steven Millers of the US feel that if any white straight cis male loses a job offer, promotion, or school placement for anyone else it is wrong and a crime. No matter if the other person was more qualified, mo matter the situation, in their minds whites straight cis males always come first. Hugs. Scottie
A new Alabama law banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices, programming and training in public colleges and other state agencies will go into effect this fall.
Gov. Kay Ivey signed SB129, known as the “divisive concepts” bill, into law Wednesday. The law will become effective Oct. 1, 2024.
“My Administration has and will continue to value Alabama’s rich diversity, however, I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses – or wherever else for that matter – to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe,” Ivey said in a statement Wednesday.
“We have already taken action to prevent this in our K-12 classrooms, and I am pleased to sign SB129 to protect our college campuses. Supporting academic freedom, embracing diversity of cultures and backgrounds and treating people fairly are all key components of what we believe in Alabama, and I am more than confident that will continue.”
Alabama joins Florida and Texas in enacting the wide-ranging legislation, which asks for sweeping changes or cancellations to state agencies and public colleges that currently fund DEI offices and programming. It is not clear yet whether the law will force some state colleges, which support a combined $16 million in diversity spending, to lay off staff.
The law bans any program that “advocates for a divisive concept.” It also would prohibit higher education institutions from allowing individuals to use a restroom that is different from their sex as assigned at birth.
Ban supporters said the legislation would prevent “indoctrination” and “far-left ideology” in classrooms, and gave some examples of where they believed white students were made to feel uncomfortable on college campuses.
Opponents of the ban credited DEI programs for providing access and financial support, improving their campus experience, and in some cases, saving their lives. Others also worried that a ban would deter businesses and athletes from coming to the state.
“This unjust and inhumane bill ignores the will of the people and threatens years of progress toward racial and social justice and LGBTQ+ rights for generations to come,” said Jerome Dees, Alabama policy director for the SPLC Action Fund. “Students and workers value diversity, equity and inclusion in their schools and workplaces because it makes us all more safe.”
In a message to students and faculty Tuesday evening, University of Alabama System Chancellor Finis St. John IV and presidents of the System’s three campuses said leadership and legal counsel are working to determine what actions the colleges will need to take to ensure their programs are in compliance with the law.
“It is important to note that SB 129 defines divisive concepts and DEI programs in specific terms, and it offers several exceptions for accreditation requirements, academic freedom, medical and mental health care, research, recruiting and outreach, and a host of other areas. Please look to official university communications for guidance as we continue to assess the legislation,” the statement read.
“We recognize differences strengthen our campuses and help us successfully prepare students to live and work in a global society. We remain committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding students, faculty and staff from all backgrounds, providing open and equal access to resources and opportunities, and equipping all campus community members for success at our universities and beyond.”
What would the law do?
The law lists eight so-called “divisive concepts,” with most covering topics related to race, ethnicity, sex, religion and national origin.
Its sponsor, Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, said nothing in the legislation prevents the accurate teaching of history. Educators who knowingly “compel” students to believe certain banned ideas, however, could be terminated or disciplined at the discretion of college and school board leaders.
After debate on the Senate floor last month, the law will no longer prohibit college staff from discussing whether slavery and racism are aligned with the founding principles of the United States.
Democrats also added specific protections for women’s sports, the state Office of Minority Affairs, and changes to ensure “sex” was added to the list of protected classes in places where it was omitted.
Recent changes, which were approved on Tuesday, more clearly define the role of a contractor and protect those individuals from termination if they violate the law by accident. Another amendment ensures that nothing in the law would infringe on First Amendment rights of students or employees.
The law says it will not impede academic or medical research, federal reporting requirements or support services. It also does not prohibit housing or organizations that are segregated by sex, or affect “certain circumstances relating to accreditation.”
Students or staff may host a DEI program or event, it added, but must not use state money to fund it.
I refuse to post the full story of DeathSantis beating his chest proudly denying that vaccines against measles need not be taken while a horribly dangerous disease sweeps the state keeping kids out of schools for months at a time. It is not just an itch spots disease but one that can kill, main, leave lifelong disabilities, pain, and blindness along with many other things like organ failure. Why oh why do you think parents were desperate to have their children vaccinated in the 1960s. They had seen the results of the disease. The vaccines are safe and effective. Plus nowhere in the bible does it say don’t take vaccines. This entire anti-vaccine crap was started by people conflating something with them that they did not cause, then quacks, scammers, and conspiracy nuts kept it going and growing. It has become a sign of what political party you belong to by if you accept medical science. Think about that, people walking around with modern tech all over them, want to return to a medical time when people barely washed their hands. Hugs. Scottie
The measles outbreak in Florida raises concerns about the rapid spread of this disease & potentially severe consequences. Measles is not a benign illness despite what the demented Demon Sperm surgeon general & ghoulish governor say. #FireLadapo#RemoveRonhttps://t.co/VW7rpd6WFc
— Lesley Abravanel 🪩 (@lesleyabravanel) March 9, 2024
Column: As measles spreads, 'herd stupidity' grips Florida's government https://t.co/lExM0kEQ3T
"This misinformation driven by people like Ladapo is now driving parents to say, 'I'm not going to get the measles shot for my child.' Measles is one of the riskiest types of infectious diseases in the world for children who are unprotected."
With NOT getting the MMR, it is also Rubella, “German Measles”, that, if a woman gets it while pregnant in the 1st Trimester, the child could be born with
The most common birth defects from CRS (Congenital Rubella Syndrome) can include: Deafness Cataracts Heart defects Intellectual disabilities Liver and spleen damage Low birth weight Skin rash at birth
“To date, no additional cases have occurred at Manatee Bay Elementary since Friday”
Might be because they’ve changed the rules around reporting infectious diseases? And consistently go out of their way to attribute “politically inconvenient” deaths as anything else.
Another great video destroying anti-trans propaganda, myths, and misinformation. He talks slow, is methodical, and uses sources he displays and has in his description box to make his points. Often he will go through the studies that the anti-trans people use to show they either did not say what is claimed, are way out of date, used the wrong methods, or simply were created to be used for anti-trans propaganda. He shows not only the bad studies and debunks them, but the real modern medically reviewed and approved studies showing that very few detransition and those that do mostly do so because of negative treatment from society, peers, and family. People who live all their childhood knowing and claiming they are a different gender are not suddenly going to stop saying it at 18 or 21. If they are going to suffer all that mistreatment and hate growing up, they are what they are telling you. Hugs. Scottie
Frank Turek and Sean McDowell make ridiculous pseudoscientific claims about LGBTQ people. Here I debunk them with actual scientific research.
Subscribe using my link for 30% off unlimited access or try it this month for less than $1. Claims I debunk: Abuse and trauma cause non-heterosexuality and gender non-conformity, not affirming queer people is the best way to help them, being gender nonconforming is a social media contagion, rapid onset gender dysphoria is real, gender dysphoria can and should only be treated with therapy or prayer, gender dysphoria is similar to and should be treated in the same way as anorexia, 80% of gender dysphoric youths grow out of it by age 18, medical intervention for gender dysphoria does not help mental health outcomes, and trans s rates skyrocket 10 years after transition.
I have covered these bans before. Simply put the fundamentalist conservative right are terrified that social media is showing our kids that it is ok to be accepting and tolerant while doing things for all the public instead of just the wealthy. In other words, showing them a different way they could be than simply right wing fundamentalist religious straight cis republicans. So they revamped schools to indoctrinate the kids with right wing fundamentalist. Ah but their indoctrination was being undone by social media. Well ban that also. See that is the right wing way, they don’t like it so ban it, they are the original cancel culture creators. Their way of thinking is to force everyone to live and be just as they are, think like they do, be who they are told to be. Force everyone to worship the same way, live the same way, listen to only the same stuff, eat the same meals … in the land of the free! Their idea of freedom is the right to take freedom away from others. Hugs. Scottie
House Speaker Paul Renner said the bill addresses the ‘addictive features that are at the heart of why children stay on these platforms for hours on end.’
The measure would take effect at the beginning of 2025 – if it survives expected lawsuits from the nation’s largest tech companies.
In that case, minors under 16 would be barred from social media platforms, unless they’re 14- or 15-year-olds who get a parent’s permission.
“You can have a kid in the house safe, seemingly, and then you have predators that can get right in there into your own home,” DeSantis said at a press conference in Jacksonville. “You could be doing everything right but they know how to get and manipulate these different platforms.”
The governor was joined by local school officials and bill sponsors as well as state Attorney General Ashley Moody and Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., all of whom backed the policy.
Also there was House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, who negotiated with DeSantis on the legislation (HB 3) after the governor vetoed the original version, citing legal and parents’ rights concerns.
The legislation passed both legislative chambers by a broad bipartisan basis, with only a fraction of Democrats dissenting, claiming it was government overreach that would be overturned in the courts. First Amendment advocacy organizations have also come out against the measure, saying largely the same.
But DeSantis and Renner said they believe the measure will survive judicial scrutiny.
“What’s unique in this bill is we didn’t focus on content,” Renner said. “You will not find a line in this bill that addresses good speech or bad speech because that would violate the First Amendment.
“… But what we have addressed is the addictive features that are at the heart of why children stay on these platforms for hours and hours on end.”
The bills defines the affected social media platforms as ones with features such as push notifications and infinite scrolling, which loads content as the user scrolls down, eliminating the need to click to a next page. Those features have had an “devastating effect” on the mental health of children, Renner said.
He predicted an imminent legal challenge from NetChoice, a tech industry trade group that has filed lawsuits in other states against similar measures and has opposed Florida’s.
In a statement shared shortly after the signing, the group called the restrictions unconstitutional.
“An unconstitutional law will protect exactly zero Floridians. HB 3 is also bad policy because of the data collection on Floridians by online services it will in effect require. This will put their private data at risk of breach,” said Carl Szabo, NetChoice’s vice president and general counsel.
“HB 3 forces Floridians to hand over sensitive personal information to websites or lose their access to critical information channels,” he continued. “This infringes on Floridians’ First Amendment rights to share and access speech online.”
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA TODAY Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com.
If you are unsure of the difference between sex and gender, or if you are question many of the hate myths about trans people, or possibly thinking trans people are new and never been accepted then please watch this video.
The host is easy to listen too, shows his sources, and uses facts, yes those pesky facts that refute all the anti-trans misinformation spread desperately through the right wing media. The video covers how anti-trans groups formed fake medical groups to claim science said that trans was a sickness or such, but the video show that real professionals in medical science disagree and show that being trans and gender nonconforming is a normal difference some people have.
Finally the hosts shows how the anti-trans movement push was started around 2008 when conservatives and fundamentalist religious groups were losing the war against gay people and gay marriage. They were seeing gay people normalized on TV and moved to prevent that from happening for trans people. Plus the video shows how this is about state control over everyone’s body. He shows how the idea of strict gender roles formed when men felt marginalized and wanted to create a society that was male oriented and was based on male superiority. For men to be superior, that meant they needed females to be inferior. So strict gender roles were created and enforced. This only has been the way for the last few centuries, not forever. Hugs. Scottie
Does Gender Even Matter?
There’s a full blown panic sweeping America, and it’s all about gender, and especially people who don’t conform to traditional categories. But what is it about people’s gender choices that makes others so worried? Was this an inevitable facet of modern life, or is something more complicated going on? Let’s find out in this Wisecrack video on Gender Theory: Why Now?
Douglas Soule
USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida
Scottie's Playtime 