December 6, 2019

Impeachment hearings expert is a "snarky bisexual" champion for LGBTQ rights too

Pamela Karlan, the standout witness in yesterday’s impeachment hearings, is also an LGBTQ champion. Karlan, a self-described “snarky bisexual Jewish” woman, fired back at Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) for implying she is incompetent and partisan in a made-for-TV moment.

Karlan, a potential Supreme Court nominee to replace David Souter in 2009, argued in front of the court in October in a case that could shape the future of LGBTQ civil rights. She represented Gerald Bostock and the late Donald Zarda, both of whom were fired from their jobs for being gay.

A constitutional law expert and Stanford University professor, Karlan testified as to whether the allegations against President Donald Trump warranted impeachment proceedings under the constitution.

Collins, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, claimed that Karlan was a biased witness and insinuated that she hadn’t read the 300-page report and witness transcripts issued by House Democrats. In response, Karlan schooled Collins both on her competence and the facts presented in the report.

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December 2, 2019

Belgian town sheds UNESCO status over anti-Semitism row

Source: Deutsche Welle

The northern Belgian town of Aalst has decided to withdraw its annual carnival from the UN cultural heritage list, saying it is fed up with allegations of anti-Semitism.

The town was widely condemned after one of the floats at its carnival parade in March featured offensive caricature depictions of Orthodox Jews with hooked-noses and sitting atop bags of money. UNESCO, the European Union and Jewish groups called the float anti-Semitic, with the EU saying it was reminiscent of the kind of caricatures disseminated in Nazi Germany during the 1930s.

Aalst mayor Christoph D'Haese said Sunday that city officials "have had it a bit with the grotesque complaints" and no longer want the UNESCO designation.

"We are neither anti-Semitic nor racist. All those who support this are acting in bad faith. Aalst will always remain the capital of mockery and satire," he said in a statement quoted by Belga news agency.







Read more: https://www.dw.com/en/belgian-town-sheds-unesco-status-over-anti-semitism-row/a-51494071

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This sums it up: D'Haese said it was not up to him to police humor, adding that it was "unavoidable'' that there would be more Jewish ridicule at next year's carnival.

I would post a picture of the 2013 Nazi picture, but most are from StormFront. I am sure UNESCO is breathing a sigh of relief.

December 2, 2019

One fifth grader was thankful for two dads. That triggered this substitute's homophobic rant.

When a substitute teacher in a Utah County school asked a class of 5th graders what they were thankful for this Thanksgiving, one child couldn’t wait to answer. He told the class how happy he was to have finally be adopted, and live in a loving home with two caring fathers.

Unfortunately, the child’s excitement caused the substitute to subject him and his entire class to a undeserved, raging spew of homophobia, to the point that students had to leave the class against the substitute’s orders and beg the principal to remove her.

The incident took place at Deerfield Elementary in Cedar Hills, Utah – whose school theme this month, ironically, emphasizes the need for communication and respect for diversity. Josh and Louis van Amstel – the parents of the child, and the latter of whom is known for being a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars – took to social media. The child remains unnamed, due to fears that his adoption could be revoked.

As reported by The Salt Lake Tribune, the van Amstel’s child was subjected to directed bullying from the substitute after he revealed to her that he was part of a same-sex family. The 30 kid-classroom was subjected to 10 minutes of “her own views, [saying] how ‘homosexuality is wrong’ and ‘two men living together is a sin.'” She reportedly said directly to the student that being adopted by a stable, providing gay couple is “nothing to be thankful for.”

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A reminder: homophobia is real and it can even affect those who aren't gay.

See also: Three Utah Girls Stood Up To a Teacher Who Condemned a Boy For Having Two Dads Brava!

Oh, just another reminder: gay people are minorities who face discrimination, too.