Rev Lawrence T. Richardson Set To Make History As Next Linden Hills UCC Senior Pastor

"My message to every trans and gender non-conforming person is this: God is love and you were made in the image of perfect Love.  There is space for you in this world.  There is space at your church, in your desired career, in your family, on sports teams...and it is time to take your space.  Show up!  In large number or in small...your presence is valued and necessary.  So what, they stare or ask questions, answer them.   Look them in the eyes proudly with your beautiful, handsome, artsy, brilliant, capable, transgender self.  Claim your space. Rearrange the seating to make room at the table.  Correct people when they use the wrong pronouns.  Hang up your own sign on the bathroom door.  Tell them who you are and who you are not. Be bold.  No one is going to understand what they cannot see, cannot hear or cannot know. "  -Rev Lawrence T, Richardson, 2013 

One of the best things about being a advocate over 20 years is that you get to meet some amazing people along the way.

I met Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson during a BTAC conference back in 2013, and saw him again during my recent April trip to Minneapolis and on the University of Minnesota campus.

For the last five years he has been the associate pastor at Linden Hills United Church of Christ in Minneapolis under the Rev Eliot Howard, who has been the senior pastor at Linden Hills UCC for the last 26 years. 

Rev Howard, along with everyone else Rev. Lawrence has encountered, has recognized that he is an amazing leader who is well respected not only in the local and national faith communities, but in the trans one as well.

Rev. Howard has decided to retire, and in an overwhelming affirmative vote by the membership of Linden Hills on October 27, chose Rev Richardson to be their next leader.  It makes him the first out Black trans cleric in his home state of Minnesota

Rev Richardson is excited about the new opportunity, and one of his his missions will be to have Linden Hills UCC continue to be a welcoming church community, just as it was when he encountered it.

Congratulations Rev. Richardson!  I'm extremely proud of you and the history you're making!   I hope that I'll get a chance to visit Linden Hills the next time my travels bring me to the Twin Cities.     

It Is Not Godly To Oppress Trans People

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.   Proverbs 17:15

One of the things that bothers me as a Christian is when our right wing pseudo faith based opposition tries to hide behind Scripture and use it to justify their bigotry and hatred.

It is a centuries old tactic for conservatives to try to use the Bible as a shield in their attempts to other and demonize people, and now they are attempting to do so against transgender people.

The Southern Baptist denomination made it the official policy of their church in 2014 to hate trans people, following the Roman Catholic Church in doing so.

One of the basic commandments of our faith is to love thy neighbor as you love yourself.  It's obvious these faux faith based so called 'christians' hate themselves since they are so busy spending their time and hate orgs money bearing false witness against transgender people.

And the most odious part of their transphobic hate rants is that they are aiming them at transgender kids and their parents

I have a major problem with that.   My pissivity about it is heightened even further when you try to claim that God is on your side when you spout your loud and wrong facts free anti trans comments

God hates injustice and the people who push it.  It's even more odious when you pastors are getting paid to push anti-trans hatred for your personal and political gain at trans kids and their parents who unconditionally love them.

Hate is not a Texas value, much less a value in our Christian faith tradition.  Love is.

It is not godly to oppress trans people, and if you pseudo faith bathed oppressors keep pushing that bald faced lie, you will reap what you sow, and the trans folks you are trying to oppress will be standing tall as your efforts to oppress them continue to fail.

Bishop Yvette Flunder's Post-Election Message

I had the honor and pleasure of finally meeting a few months ago the amazing Bishop Yvette Flunder when she came to Houston to speak at the PODCC.

She is an unapologetic part of the radically inclusive wing of Christianity that needs to be the rule and not the exception in our world instead of the radicalized hatemongering Pharisees and Sadducees that claim they are.

Love this message that was on her Facebook page that she asked to be shared.

Done, Bishop.

***

As I am receiving clarity about the recent political events in our nation, I am ready to fight for the soul of Christianity...not against other faiths, that I also respect and revere, but to take back what was been hijacked from Christianity by those who call themselves 'conservatives' . Jesus was not a conservative...by any means! Everything he taught flew in the face of the conservative religion of His time.

I am clear that a strong, fearful and controlling Christian conservative vote showed up in the recent election galvanized around the issues of abortion and marriage equality.This was the battle cry, but abortion rates were already declining.  "The overall rate of unintended pregnancies dropped 18 percent between 2008 and 2011—its lowest in 30 years,"according to the Guttmacher Institute, March 2, 2016.

Why? Contraceptive education, much of which was provided by Planned Parenthood. Babies that are not conceived will not be aborted!  Heterosexual marriage is on the increase according to Pew Research. 'The new data show that 4.32 million adults (ages 18 or older) were newlywed in 2012, a 3% percent increase over the 4.21 million adults newly married in 2011 and the numbers are climbing (The data does not include same-sex couples.) 

So what is the real issue? Too much public boldness for those who were at one time at least closeted about women's rights, LGBT rights and racial equality...the race issue was exacerbated by a Black President. These fears when added to the 'lie' that the 'coloreds' were taking jobs away justified the one real issue I want to lift up...the conservative Christian church got in bed with evil, under the guise of doing God's work and it's soul is in jeopardy.

Without a message of welcome, inclusion, resisting empire, love and peace, what is the purpose of the Church? God does not have to dance with the devil, to benefit the Church. None of the politicians were/are perfect, but how can "God's Champion" have to pay 25 million dollars because he is guilty of defrauding people? 
There are two distinct Christianity's in our atmosphere...I choose to be the disciple of the Radically Inclusive Jesus of Nazareth. 

Fellowship Of Affirming Ministries Trans Support Resolution

During the Friday City Hall vigil for Shante and Willie, a resolution was read by Pastor Freedom K.D. Gulley of Progressive Open Door Christian Center at the event expressing support for the Houston trans community.

Here is the full text of the April 15 resolution that was signed by Pastor Gulley and Rev Alex D. Byrd, the Southern Regional Bishop for the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries.

***

Resolution of Support and Action
April 15, 2016

Whereas, a double murder occurred on Sunday, April 10, 2016 in the midtown area of the city of Houston involving a young transgender woman, Shante Thompson and a young man Willie Sims.

Whereas, The fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM) has been committed to providing pastoral care to transgender men and women, and protecting their civil rights since its inception in 1999, as evidenced by the TransSaints ministry,

Whereas. the South Region of TFAM includes the city of Houston, Texas and two churches which provides direct pastoral care to transgender men and women in their congregations and within the communities they serve,

Whereas, we are concerned about the negative perceptions, biases and discrimination of the public in regards to transgender men and women and how such attitudes may impact the way these murders will be perceived in the public, governmental and law enforcement arenas,

Whereas, we are compelled by a Christian imperative to speak up for those who are perceived to be the least among us and fight for the causes of justice,

Whereas, we are also compelled by our call to minister to the spiritual needs whom God entrusts in our care, especially those who are respected and marginalized by society,

Be it resolved that the South Region of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries lends our support to the family of Ms. Shante Thompson and Mr. Willie Sims.  We offer our prayers, our actions and our ear to you--- weeping as you weep and fighting as you fight the good fight.  We stand  with our arms open without judgment or shame representing the love of our God which is eternal and without respect of person.

Be it further resolved that we stand in solidarity with those who call for justice to be done in this unjust situation. Regardless of the circumstances that may surround it, Shante Thompson and Willie Sims were murdered.  Such acts deserve an unbiased commitment to justice.

Therefore, we are calling for the Houston Police Department and any other law enforcement agency that shall undertake the investigation of these murders to do so without regard to and prejudice or bias against the transgender experience.  We ask that they would treat this case with the same fervor and dignity as they would any other investigation.

We implore the city, the law enforcement agencies, and the news media to respect the lives of the transgender individuals in this case by calling them by the name and gender by which each of them have been known to self-identify.

We further pray that justice be served against the perpetrators of this crime.  We wholly expect that a fair trial and due process be given to anyone indicted in this matter.

This is our calling and our service to Christ and to the people we serve.  To this call we hereto put our hand and faith.

Done this 15th day of April Two Thousand Sixteen,

Rev. Alex D. Byrd
Regional Bishop for the South

Pastor Freedom K.D. Gulley, D. Min.
Member of the Executive Council for the South Region            .

SBC Trans Hatefest Happening In Louisville October 5

When I lived in Louisville, the house I lived in with my roomies was across the street from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and one of my bedroom windows faced that cesspool of anti-LGBT bigotry.

In June 2011 the Southern Baptist Church voted to officially make hatred of trans people their church doctrine, and now Satan's Helpers are convening a three day trans hate confab on the SBTS campus starting on October 5.

Did the SBC invite Keith Ablow and Dr. Paul McHugh to attend this anti-trans hatefest too?

Looks like they'll be plotting their next steps in how to attack the trans community at this event now that they have lost on marriage equality and need somebody else to organize, attack and rally their flocks around.

There's a reason SBC church membership and attendance has dropped over the last 20 years, and this is just another example of the Southern Baptists century and a half history of being on the wrong side of human rights issues.
   
Too bad I'm not still living across the street from it, I'd be protesting it when it happens.

So when October 5 rolls around on the calendar for this reprehensible event, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that my liberal progressive colleagues in Da Ville are giving the assembled faith based haters a proper Kentucky welcome.      

Gonna Miss You Rev. Mike!

And recognize for eternity that you are God's beloved. You are loved without condition or doubt, without pause or regret. No matter what you face today or in the days ahead, Divine Love is always with you.
--Rev. Dr Michael Diaz

The Rev. Mike in question is the Rev. Dr. Michael Diaz, who for the last five years has been at Houston's Resurrection  MCC as its Director of Connections.

And over that five years,  he has been doing a wonderful job of not only tending to the needs of the Resurrection MCC community, but making those connections between the church and the city of Houston.

I got to meet and know him during last year's fight to pass HERO. When I lived in the Heights, I enjoyed seeing and hearing him during Resurrection services which was in walking distance of my old apartment.  He also helped connect me with Ana Andrea Molina and the members of the Organizacion Latina de Trans In Texas,our new Houston based Latina trans group

While we already knew that Rev. Mike had submitted a letter of resignation from Resurrection MCC last month, it still hasn't hit us until today that we're going to lose another progressive pastoral leader  from our Houston faith community.

But after those 9 and 11 AM sermons,, he's headed to Boston to further his education and embrace some new opportunities and challenges.  And while I'm going to be sad to see Rev. Mike go, I know that he's about to embark on a new journey of discovery, and I'm happy for him.

 But still gonna miss you Rev. Mike!

55th Anniversary of JFK's Church And State Speech

On September 12, 1960 during the heat of a close presidential race between himself and Vice President Richard Nixon, and because of concerns and skepticism that as a Roman Catholic, his religion would allow him to make important national decisions independently of the Vatican,  then Senator John F Kennedy delivered a speech to a skeptical Greater Houston Ministerial Association.

Here is the transcript an the video of that speech that was one of the events that helped him win the presidency by a razor thin margin over Nixon..

Catholic Church Attacks Trans People Again

One of the things I've been more than pissed off about is the ongoing pattern since 2003 of anti-trans rhetoric coming out of the mouths of Pope Francis and his predecessor along with anti-trans policies.

Once again the Catholic Church has opened their mouth and let something transphobic come out of it.

It started in Spain back in July when 21 year old transman Alex Salinas asked his parish priest if he could be his nephew;s godfather.   The priest according to Salinas initially agreed to the request but changed his mind when Bishop Rafael Zornoza of Cadiz y Ceuta challenged the decision.

Salinas is recognized by the Spanish government as a male, but the Catholic Church refuses to do so and offered him the position of  'spiritual godfather', which is a position the Catholic Church designates for people they deem ineligible for the godparents role.

Never mind the fact that Salinas has been faithfully attending mass at his parish.

After the critical backlash that ruling generated in Spain, Bishop Zornoza quickly deferred to the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that enforces Catholic teaching to render a final verdict on the subject.

That verdict recently came from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and it reeked of transphobic bigotry.

It concluded that “transsexual behavior itself reveals, in a public manner, an attitude opposite to the moral imperative of solving the problem of sexual identity according to the truth of one’s own sexuality.” 

“It is clear that this person does not meet the requirement of carrying out a life conforming to the faith and the position of godfather,” the statement read. It later added, “Discrimination is not to be seen in this, but only recognition of an objective lack of the requisites that by their own nature are necessary to take over the ecclesial responsibility of being a godparent.”

Salinas blasted the Vatican's transphobic ruling in a Facebook post, and has left the Catholic Church on top of it,    His sister has also decided not to baptize his nephew in the wake of their rejection of her trans brother.

The poisonous anti-trans legacy of Paul McHugh is bearing bitter fruit not only for the international trans community, but will continue to cost the Catholic Church trans and cis followers that believe that trans people are just as human as any cis person .   .


   

Pastor E. Dewey Smith Calls Out Black Church TBLG Hypocrisy

One of the things I'm sick of hearing is the repeatedly debunked lie that Black people are 'more homophobic' when the reality is that since the 70's, the anti-LGBT movement has been overwhelmingly white in terms of the people who support it, lead the professional gaybaiting organizations, and the fundamentalist churches who push that anti-gay message,

You see idiots like James David Manning get air time, but won't call progressive Black ministers like Bishop Yvette Flunder and countless others around the country.that believe in radical inclusiveness.

So with that being said, i was delighted to see this video of the Rev. E. Dewey Smith of the House of Hope, Greater Travelers Rest Church in Decatur, GA.   He is an example of the ministers who aren't liking the ones who hypocritically attack LGBT people.

He gave a fiery sermon last Sunday that was posted to YouTube on Thursday in which  he slammed church leaders for judging gay people but “you change wives like we change underwear.”

Enjoy the video.

Pope Francis, Stop Attacking Trans People!

One of the things I've been more than pissed off about is the disgusting pattern since 2003 of anti-trans rhetoric and hate speech coming from first Pope Benedict, and now Pope Francis.

Since you compared trans people to nuclear weapons, time for me to drop a truth bomb on you.

Stop demonizing and attacking trans people.  Your words are leading to the deaths of trans women in Latin America and Eastern Europe, and you need to chill with that.

Trans people are part of the diverse creation of human life, and we aren't going away or into hiding.

Instead of the church you head demonizing us, you should be first and foremost in taking the lead on trans international human rights issues, and it's disappointing to trans Catholics (if their are any left) and our supportive families, friends and allies around the world that you aren't using your voice to advocate on our behalf.

So on this Sunday morning Your Holiness, I have a simple request that I and probably other trans people of faith around the globe will be echoing when we say our prayers later this morning.

Will you stop demonizing trans people and realize that we too are created in God's image?

We'll see if that prayer will be answered.

Judge Not, Homophobes

Love this quote by Laverne Cox, and it got me thinking about the on target point that she's making.

Indeed, how in the hell do you faith-based haters think that Conservagod (what I call your right-wing interpretation of God)  will judge SGL, bi and trans people for who they love, and that same God will not judge you for hating someone you'll never met?

Yeah, you anti-LGBT peeps that claim you're Christian sure do violate Mark 12:31 on a regular basis.

What's Mark 12:31 you ask?   Let's peruse that scripture together shall we?

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

It's been painfully obvious to everyone in LGBT World and our allies that those of you who this Laverne Cox quote applies to are basically hiding behind the Bible to unleash your inner homophobes and oppress people.

We ain't having it.   We have long since reached the point in which we are beyond sick and tired of being oppressed by you alleged 'Christians'

And you faux Christians with your anti-GLBT doctrines give real Christians a bad name.

If you don't like me calling you faith-based oppressors, haters, Bible thumping bigots, or whatever other creative sobriquet I can think of, then when when you stop acting like oppressors and start living up to the tenets of Christian faith that you claim to follow, them I'll think about giving you some respect.

Because I don't have to respect any person that wishes to roll back mine or my community's human rights.  And it's your unbridled several decade war on the humanity of LGBT people that causes us to not like your hypocritical behinds either.

So judge not, homophobes, lest ye be not judged.

Hate Preachers Hatin' On ABC Invite To Bishop Flunder

The predominately American Baptist College in Nashville, TN is affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, USA, the second largest African-American Christian denomination in the US behind the COGIC.

The ABC is affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, and has for the last 57 years held the Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series in which over several days invites ministers from around the country and the world to talk to ABC students on their Nashville campus to discuss social justice issues.

This year, one of the people invited to this 58th annual edition of the Garnett-Nabrit lecture series that runs from March 14-18 in addition to the Rev Dr Allan Aubrey Boesak of South Africa and Pastor Delmon Coates is Bishop Yvette Flunder of the City of Refuge UCC in San Francisco

And as you probably guessed, the hate preachers started tripping about her March 18 invitation to speak

Two Texas based hate preachers, Pastor William. Dwight McKissic, Sr. of Cornerstone Church in Arlington, TX and Pastor Randy Vaughn of Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Port Arthur, TX  started the mess that resulted in a March 5 press release from the National Baptist Fellowship of Concerned Pastors that centers around the fact that Bishop Flunder is "legally married to a woman" and asserted that because they invited her, the American Baptist College and National Baptist Convention, USA by association are endorsing same-sex marriage.   

They demanded the American Baptist College rescind her invitation to speak, which the ABC refused to do

The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists and faith leaders from across the Baptist faith traditions issued their own press release on March 9 in support of Dr. Harris, the Board of Trustees of American Baptist College,  Dr. Jerry Young and the Board members of the National Baptist Convention, USA which reads in part:

"We applaud the wisdom, prophetic courage, and commitment to intellectual honesty and academic integrity that Dr. Forrest Harris has demonstrated as President of American Baptist College by inviting Bishop Yvette Flunder of California to preach and lecture at American Baptist College later this month.  A few vocal opponents to equality for persons who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender are trying to force Dr. Harris to "dis-invite" Bishop Flunder because she is a lesbian who married her same-sex partner.  Those critics also are displeased that Dr. Harris invited Dr. Allan Aubrey Boesak of South Africa and Pastor Delmon Coates of the United States to preach and/or lecture at American Baptist College because Dr. Boesak and Pastor Coates are effective advocates for equality and are equally effective in exposing the injustice of homophobia."  

In addition, Rev Robin R. Lunn, the Executive Director of AWAB, stated in rebuttal to the misguided preachers:

"To say that Baptist schools do not invite legally married same gender loving faith leaders to speak is to deny the reality that currently exists.  Many Baptist affiliated schools from across the traditions have invited LGBTQ faith leaders to participate in various programs, to lecture and preach as professionals in their fields.  I applaud Dr. Harris and the American Baptist College Board of Trustees for fostering a rich educational and religious environment that allows for a broad range of beliefs and practices." 

The hate ministers aren't giving up, and they have threatened to come to Nashville to picket Bishop Flunder's appearance.   We'll see.

Pastor Lura's Last Sunday At Grace Lutheran

Sunday morning I made sure to get up and head over to the gayborhood for a bittersweet event.

It was the last Sunday service that Pastor Lura N. Groen would preside over as the head of Grace Lutheran Church.

She's been the pastor at Grace Lutheran since 2003, but I only met her last year during the fight to pass the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.  

She knew yours truly through my writing on TransGriot and when we finally met, it was mutual admiration.

I love her as one of the progressive pastors in this city who is an unabashed drum majorette for justice, and that theme resonates in the numerous sermons she would preach during Grace's open and affirming services.

There was one humorous and touching moment during the service when Grace's choir sang a special version of 'Season Of Love' from the musical Rent

While Sunday was the last day she will preach at Grace Lutheran as their pastor, thankfully she will still be around H-town and in our progressive community lives.

She's taking a sabbatical and in addition to doing some reading and writing, will take on assorted ministry projects, doing some preaching around town along with officiating at some weddings and funerals as Grace begins the search for a new pastor to guide their church congregation.

Pastor Lura's presence will definitely be missed at Grace Lutheran, but I do wish her along with all who love and admire her nothing but success and abundant blessings as she continues her ongoing faith journey

Rev. Carol Stone Passes Away

Some sad news to report from the other side of The Pond concerning a trans pioneer.

The Rev. Carol Stone lost her battle with pancreatic cancer and passed away at age 60.

Rev. Stone was ordained under her previous name as a Church of England vicar in 1978.  After serving in several positions she announced her intention to transition in 2000.  

Although she feared at the time she wouldn't be allowed to speak from the pulpit, the Right Reverent Barry Rogerson, then Bishop of Bristol stated there was no ethical or ecclesiastical reason why she couldn't do so.    She was also supported by her parishioners and received a standing ovation when she returned to the pulpit after her surgery.

Rev. Stone was also a regular radio contributor, and in 1979 received an award from the Sandford St. Martin Trust.

The Right Rev  Lee Rayfield, the Bishop of Swindon in his remarks about Rev Stone said: "She and her colleagues really worked hard and overcame one setback after another, 

'She really was a true priest who overcame a huge amount in her life and a huge amount with other people, and I'll remember her with great affection.' 

Rest in peace Rev. Stone.

Rev. Richardson's Thoughts On The Alcorn Suicide

Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson wrote an essay for his The Salt Collective Blog entitled 'Transgender and Christian..and Crying For Leelah Alcorn'

In it Rev Richardson has this to say about the tragic events.

In response to her parents’ rejection, her own depression, and the feelings of hopelessness, Leelah ended her pain by walking in front of a tractor trailer on the highway. I cry for Leelah. I cry for Leelah because the hatred and the rejection she experienced at the hands of the very people who gave her life is what ultimately contributed to her death. I cry for Leelah because she didn’t know another way. I cry for Leelah because she represents the nearly 50% of all transgender people who attempt suicide. I cry for Leelah because her parents used their Christian faith to justify not loving and affirming their child for who she was and, like many trans folks, this hits too close to home for me… - See more at: http://thesaltcollective.org/leelahalcorn/#sthash.wLgMTtRW.dpufOn

"In response to her parents' rejection, her own depression, and the feelings of hopelessness, Leelah ended her pain by walking in front of a tractor trailer on the highway.  I cry for Leelah.  I cry for Leelah because the hatred and rejection she experienced at the hands of the very people who gave her life is what ultimately contributed to her death."
Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson

You can click on this link to read the rest of Rev. Richardson's essay.

First Annual Transgender Outreach Service At The POD

The Progressive Open Door Christian Center during this TDOR 2014  season has really stepped up under the leadership of Deaconess Dee Dee Watters its advocacy for the trans community of Houston.

Dee Dee was one of the peeps that helped push for the passage of the HERO, and the POD and Pastor Freedom Gulley was one of the progressive congregations and ministers speaking in favor of the passage of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.

In addition to hosting a well attended Wednesday TDOR service for the second consecutive year, it also hosted  it's first annual Transgender Outreach Service that featured the Rev. Carmarion Anderson and Rev. Raymond Walker III.

I was happy to be there in attendance for yesterday's  service along with other members of the local trans community and our allies, and hope it grows next year.

In addition, at this Transgender Outreach Service that featured the trans reverends speaking and the trans deacon and deaconess of the POD, a resolution  was read at the service that not only declared the POD as a safe worship space for the Houston trans community, they committed their church to being an inclusive and outspoken advocate for the Houston trans community and the trans human rights movement and deplored the acts of anti-trans violence aimed at us.. 

It also committed the POD to having this trans outreach service every year at this time.  I will post the language to the declaration when I receive it so you can do the same for your faith community.

But it is nice to know that at least one Black church in the Houston metro area has stepped up to say boldly that trans people are children of God who are part of our kente cloth community.

The POD in its message of radical inclusiveness is also boldly proclaiming they will have no problem saying it to their fellow Christians who seriously need to hear that message.

Because like many of us in the Houston trans community, I'm tired of the current status quo of either trans hate speech or silence from the pulpit on trans human rights issues that far too many congregations get from their pastors these days.

NFL Flags Muslim Player For Prayer

The NFL used to be the most PR savvy professional sports league in the country.  

But lately it has been buffeted by multiple scandals and kerfluffles, while seeming to be hellbent on liking up to the sarcastic nickname of the 'No Fun League'  

I enjoyed watching the New England Patriots get their butts kicked by the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night.  I enjoyed watching this 39 yard pick six by Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah that helped propel the Chiefs to their 41-14 win over the Patriots. 

What has people pissed off is that after the pick six, Abdullah prayed in the end zone for a moment and was flagged for a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct for 'excessive celebration'.

Okay, I have a problem with that after having to watch Tim Tebow multiple times and a long line of Christian NFL athletes proselytize their faith after scoring TD's. 

Abdullah is a devout Muslim who skipped the 2012 season so that he could take part in the Hajj to Mecca with his brother Hamza Abdullah, who played in the NFL for several seasons.   Both wanted to take part in the Hajj while they had the means to do so.   Hamza Abdullah has yet to be picked up by an NFL team since making that journey, while Husain is now in his second season with the Chiefs after playing for the Minnesota Vikings from 2008-11.  

Abdullah also practices the traditional fast that happens during Ramadan even though it falls during training camp.

The problematic penalty flag also drew the attention of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.  The organization issued a statement early Tuesday asking that the NFL take steps in response to the growing backlash citing the problematic nature of the penalty.

"To prevent the appearance of a double standard, we urge league officials to clarify the policy on prayer and recognize that the official made a mistake in this case," said CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper.

The NFL to their credit, acknowledged that Abdullah and the Chiefs shouldn't have been penalized   Even Abdullah noted that it was probably the end zone slide before the prayer that drew the flag. 

"I'm pretty sure he understands who I am, what my faith is," he said in a ESPN interview. "And again, I think the prostration is all right. It's the slide. Come to a full stop, get down, make the prostration, get up and get out."
 

Calling Out The US Conference Of Catholic Bishops Transphobia

TransGriot Note: Another guest post from Fallon Fox.  She had a lot to say about the US Conference of Catholic Bishops letting their transphobia flow while hating on President Obama's recent TBLG rights protective executive orders.


"The executive order prohibits “gender identity” discrimination, a prohibition that is previously unknown at the federal level, and that is predicated on the false idea that “gender” is nothing more than a social construct or psychological reality that can be chosen at variance from one’s biological sex.".

Thus saith the willfully ignorant (A.K.A. - stupid as hell ) United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. What they are saying is that they are butt hurt over their slipping grip on discrimination of transgender people.

"In the name of forbidding discrimination, this order implements discrimination.", they say. I could have sworn that we have a separation of church and state. A simple Wikipedia search, or fifth grade text book, could easily inform the USCCB of the contents of the US Constitution.

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.   What's messed up is that they willfully recognize that what they want is discrimination.

The USCCB says, "The executive order prohibits “gender identity” discrimination, a prohibition that is previously unknown at the federal level..." and, "With the stroke of a pen, it lends the economic power of the federal government to a deeply flawed understanding of human sexuality, to which faithful Catholics and many other people of faith will not assent. As a result, the order will exclude federal contractors precisely on the basis of their religious beliefs."

So, basically what they are saying is that they recognize their particular brand of Catholicism is discriminatory against a certain minority group. They admit that and their religion demands that discrimination.

I am in no way religious. But, if I were to feel froggy enough to dabble in a belief system that ignores the peer reviewed evidence of scientist and doctors, because I felt that I needed to hold on to something for whatever reason, I certainly wouldn't pick the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops brand of Catholicism. Because, that would be an asshole-ish thing to do to other human beings, no? Subscribe to a religious view that seeks to implement, or keep in place, hateful governmental policies in order to bolster the belief system that makes me comfortable as a navigate my way in this world? All of these restraints on fellow humans lives in minority groups, and supposed self defined 'government protections' for myself, when I would have absolutely positively not one single solitary shed of evidence for the religion I am basing all of this discrimination on.

It only took a second for the words "What kind of insanity is this?" to fly out of my mouth and for my fist to slam my desk when I read the USCCB website today.   See, there is clear scientific peer reviewed evidence that transgender women have differences in their brains than cisgender males. That is a fact. One can argue if it is a matter of nature, nurture, or a combination of the two before toddler age or such that leads to the neurological configuration of transgender women's brains. But, what they have found is that transgender women's neurology is different. There is no denying that even for the USCCB. The scientific and medical communities know this and the government knows this.

On the flip side, when science attempts to find evidence for a god, neither the scientific, medical, or governmental entities can find absolutely no concrete evidence that points to the god of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, or any other god that has been written into religious text. And if any scientist, doctor, or politician were to ever find such evidence, they would be the most popular person on planet Earth. The Vatican would love to see such hard evidence of their claims pushed to the forefront. It would be a worldwide game changer. It would most certainly cause enough of a stir to cover up the child molestation problem that is rampant within their institution. Yet, silence abounds in the halls of hard scientific evidence when questions of God are concerned.

Now, I'm not here to preach to you that there is or is not a god. That's just not my thing. I personally have no religious belief. But, as long as a religion doesn't try to harm anyone, or hinder someone else's life, it's not really an issue for me. I'll say again for those who are sensitive about the issue of religion. As long as religion doesn't seek to put roadblocks in the way of my well being and freedoms that all humans should have, then I'm pretty much live and let live in that regards. That's pretty much the mindset of most non believers. But, let's think about what's going on here in this particular situation with the USCCB and transgender rights. Because this is where a conflict can and does arise constantly when some (but not all) religions try to impose their belief system on others lives.

It's well known within medicine and science that transgender women are women in their brains regardless of surgeries or hormone replacement therapy. There is clear evidence of this fact. On the flip side, there is zero scientific evidence of the god of the USCCB. Yet, we don't hear transgender atheist complaining about sharing restrooms with members of the USCCB. We don't even hear transgender Catholics complaining about sharing restrooms with members of the USCCB. As a matter of fact, I haven't heard of any group complaining or suggesting that members of the USCCB be segregated from male restrooms. One would think that would be an issue that someone should bring up. Given the documented rapes by Catholic priests time and time again on young boys, everyone knows that Catholics have a problem in this area. Yet, transgender folks, and most rational people, realize that Catholic rape tends to happen often, you can't paint one entire group of people with one broad brush and be hyper paranoid about sharing spaces like restrooms with them.

Let's flip that coin again. You will rarely, if ever, find transgender women molesting children or raping anybody in a restroom. Not that it could not happen. There are crazies in every group I am sure. But, it's just not a reoccurring thing, and it is not pervasive by any stretch of the imagination. I've never heard of a transgender person in a restroom raping anyone ever in my life. You don't hear about repeated cases of rapes dished out by transgender women. And transgender women have been using women's restrooms since restrooms were invented. No, it's actually the opposite way round. You actually find repeated cases of transgender women raped by the hands of others. That has also been happening since the invention of the restroom.

One thing for certain is this. If transgender women, or any other group were to even hint at the possibly, if they were even to whisper the idea that Catholics should be banned from restrooms because - well, you know - some Catholics are known for raping kids, Catholics would have a fit. They would no doubt scream, "This is hateful discrimination! Not all Catholics rape kids!" from the mountain tops.   And they would have good reason to, as that would certainly be hateful discrimination based on the evil deeds of a few.

What would happen if transgender women who were not Catholic said this?  "Prohibiting 'religious discrimination', a prohibition that should be known at the federal level, and that is predicated on the false idea that the "USCCG's god" is a real being that interacts with humans on earth - is wrong. We need to have religious discrimination! Their lifestyle and desires conflict with our own. We actually feel quite uncomfortable sharing restrooms with Catholics. So, we would like 'religious discrimination' implemented in the case of Catholic restroom usage. We don't mind if Catholics use the restroom of course. We know they need to go potty when they need to. We just don't want them doing it anywhere near us. We propose a restroom separated from non-Catholics for those special Catholic needs. The restrooms we have in mind are clearly marked with a lower cased "t" so that they will be easily recognizable by Catholic restroom usage. Look how merciful we are! We even propose a place for Catholics to go number one and two! Just keep them far far way from us please."

The above scenario would never happen. Every secularly minded non believer that I know of has no problem simply sharing a restroom with someone of a different belief system as themselves, or disagrees with them on an issue. It's just not a thing that is rampant among rational empathetic humans. If a non-believer were to hold such a hateful bigoted position and paint every single believer with such a broad brush they would be wrong. And this progressive atheist transgender lesbian would go to task in fighting them on that harmful suggestion. I don't have to though, because as I said, it doesn't happen. Yet, the USCCB, and some other far right religious institutions are drunk with unnecessary irrational fears of their fellow humans.

Fortunately, there are more empathetic and progressive Catholics and Christians on this planet that I can respect. And even though we may disagree on the concept of a divine creator, we realize that we can judge each individual on an individual basis. We don't have to unnecessarily fear or judge whole minority groups, or each other for the acts of a few individuals. We can respect each other, live in peace, and be friends actually.

Fortunately, the younger generation is more understanding than their elders and won't stand for their elders insensitivity in the long run and most certainly will throw the bums out in the future. And that my friends gives me much hope for humanity.

Rev. Dr Cameron Partridge Preaching At Historic National Cathedral TBLG Service Today

More trans history will be made in Washington DC today as the Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge is set to become the first out trans pastor to preach from the  National Cathedral's Canterbury Pulpit.

It will be part of a service in which the cathedral celebrates TBLG Pride Month, and it will be officiated by the Right Rev. Gene Robinson  

In addition to the historic participation of Rev. Partridge, who is the Episcopal chaplain at Boston University, the service will also include readings and prayers from members of the BTLG community. 

The Very Rev. Gary Hall, dean of the cathedral, says he hopes Partridge's appearance "will send a symbolic message in support of greater equality for the transgender community."

That message of support from a religious community is definitely needed in the wake of the Southern Baptists passing their anti-trans resolution on June 10.

Congratulations Rev. Partridge on this historic occasion, and hope you get pack the pews attendance levels for this LGBT service.

SBC Officially Hates The Trans Community

Count the Southern Baptists along with the Roman Catholic Church as a religious denomination that officially has an anti-transgender policy.  

Yesterday the faith based Southern Baptist bigots at their conference in Baltimore continued their nearly decade long history of ramping up hatred of transpeople by overwhelmingly passed the Denny Burk proposed resolution that condemns trans people.

Why am I not surprised the 5000 messengers (convention delegates) went there?  The Southern Baptists already have a long negative history of being on the wrong side of all the human rights movements of the 19th and 20th century.   By hating on transpeople, they keep their reprehensible streak of misguided white privileged hatred for people not like them going into the 21st century. 

And naw, you SBC peeps electing Ronnie Floyd as your president with the same homophobic baggage isn't going to distract us.  Neither will it change the fact this was faith-based transphobia at a scale not seen since the Catholic Church unleashed their anti-trans doctrine in 2003.

That Catholic anti-trans doctrine is a contributing factor to the off the charts anti-trans violence my Latina trans sisters experience in Latin America and my eastern European trans sisters deal with.  

SBC, you were on the wrong side of history in terms of supporting slavery, Jim Crow segregation, opposing women's suffrage, the African-American Civil Rights Movement, interracial marriage, and marriage equality.

Now you can add hatred of trans people to that list.   And the mind blowing thing about this passed resolution is that you arrogantly put yourselves on the opposite side of the words of Jesus himself in pushing this hate on trans people policy. 

For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. 
Matthew 19:12

As a matter of fact, here's some more words from the Good Book that point out just how off the rails y'all are before I even begin to drop the avalanche of scientific research done on and about transpeople you faith based fools obviously are ignoring. 

Your hatred of trans people is not going reverse the two decade old trend of declining membership at SBC affiliated churches.  Neither will it make your denomination attractive to young people and other fair minded folks who count transpeople among their friends and relatives.

But thanks SBC for doing the trans community and our allies a favor and letting us know exactly where we stand with you.  You Satan's helpers are officially an enemy to our community just like the trans exterminationalist radical feminists (TERF's) and will be treated as such from this day forward. 

Transphobic bigotry wrapped in scripture is still transphobic bigotry, and that salient fact isn't going to change no matter what y'all told yourselves after that vote.

And the only way you'll see trans people darkening the doors of your church sanctuaries is protesting outside of them.