Arizona’s Bigot Brigade...

At it again...

What a week, Secular Fam. And it’s only Wednesday. 

I hope that everyone had a fabulous Ostara/Easter/Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) on Sunday. As most of you know, evangelical extremists lost their damn minds over the fact that TDOV fell on the same day as Easter (though none of them mentioned Ostara for some reason 🤔). 

It seems that maybe a lot of Christian nationalists don’t really know how the date of Easter is determined, because of course they don't even attempt to learn things.

Easter is determined by the cycles of the moon and the spring equinox. TDOV has been occurring on March 31st, every year since 2009. But since many of these fundamentalists only get their news from sources like Fox, Breitbart, or Epoch Times, their ignorance isn’t surprising. In fact, it seems like the latest craze amongst evangelical extremists is to reject and demonize media literacy because it may lead kids to being woke having compassion and a deeper understanding of the world around them or something?

I wish I could say I was shocked that media literacy is the newest boogeyman with these Book Ban Barbies, but nothing really surprises me with these folks anymore. I mean, I never thought I’d hear people speak out against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives or Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs, but here we are. Many of today’s fundamentalist “Christians” seem to want to homogenize, treat unfairly, and exclude folks more and more, and any type of attention paid to mental health and wellbeing is seen as coddling. This makes sense since many of these evangelicals believe that mental health issues, physical health issues, and neurodivergent issues are related to a lack of faith, and even demonic possession. 

Not to be outdone by the national hate and idiocy amongst “Christians” across the United States, Arizona’s elected evangelical extremists needed to make their transphobia and lack of understanding known on their social media platforms as well. These folks wear their bigotry like a badge of honor, and pounce on any opportunity to show it off and punch down. 

The cruelty is the point, amirite, Rach? 

And of course, Arizona’s own J6 Insurrectionist, CD8 Congressional Hopeful, Fake Elector, Arizona’s Biggest Manbaby AND Mama Fratelli Look Alike, Senator Anthony Kern (R-LD27)…

needed to share his jackassery opinion by posting a transphobic and racist image and message on his Xitter. Since most of Arizona seems to be blocked by Kern, here it is (but be warned, it’s repugnant, racist, and transphobic): 

That wasn’t nearly enough hate and bigotry for these ghouls, however, so on April 1, in the Arizona House of Representatives, a group of fundamentalists stood behind Rep Lupe Diaz (R-LD14) while he gave the invocation sermon for that day. 

Also, did you know that EVERY DAMN DAY the Arizona legislature in both the House and the Senate kick off their workday with invocations? 

It’s WILD! And almost ALWAYS explicitly Christian in nature. You can see our Youtube videos here, but better yet! Let your elected officials know that you think this is a terrible practice, and that people should praise their gods on their own time, and not on the government dime. 

Diaz is the pastor of a chapel in Benson, Arizona, and he used his time for a super-gross invocation sermon devoid of any of the teachings of Christ (I look forward to a time where there will be ZERO invocations in ANY government buildings). During this invocation sermon, he essentially damned all non-Christians to eternal condemnation and asserted that folks who are trans or trans allies are essentially “unrighteous” people. 

I, and I’m sure countless others, were shocked and angered by his invocation sermon. How silly is it that these folks openly announce on a daily basis that they will NOT govern for ALL of their constituents?

It’s insulting, unprofessional, and displays yet again how deeply unserious they are about their role in elected office. 

Thankfully, Rep Lorena Austin (D-LD9), who happens to identify as non-binary gave a response about how inappropriate it is to use the House floor as a church. 

She also said that prayers are not sermons (and let’s be real, have no place in our government). It was inspiring to say the least, and I don’t know how Austin can muster the strength to go to a workplace every day where her colleagues clearly think so little of her. She also pointed out that next year, Easter Sunday will be on 4/20/2025, so get ready for all of the pearl-clutching over that coincidence. 

(Fun fact, in five years Easter will be on 4.1.2029).

Rep Austin also pointed out a recent study that shows that more and more people are leaving the church. One reason that many people cite is religious leaders’ handling of abuse cases (!!!!!). And another reason given is many church leaders’ negative depiction and even demonization of members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

There seems to be a nationwide smear campaign on trans people and trans allies, and just one look at Erin Reed’s Substack will show you just how far these legislators have gone to attack and demonize trans adults and children. 

Vice News recently released a piece about how these bills affect the everyday lives of trans kids and their families. I don’t know how anyone can watch these families and still advocate to discriminate against them. And remember, it’s not like a kid wakes up one day and says they identify as trans, and then parents and doctors are scheduling gender reassignment surgeries. That’s not how this works. 

Recently, I went to the Rainbows Fest in Central Phoenix, and spoke with a healthcare professional who provides gender-affirming care to patients. I shared with her some of the things that have been said at school board meetings, in legislative committee hearings, and on the floor of the House and Senate here in Arizona. Thankfully, she’s agreed to be a guest on one of our upcoming speaker series events to dispel some myths that these zealots perpetuate. 

Also, have you ever noticed that the anti-trans crap that’s happening all around us like, didn’t used to be a thing?

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre pointed out that as recently as 2021, Fox News was wishing everyone a happy TDOV. They of course edited that part of her speech out of their newscast yesterday because well…that’s what they do. 

Y’all, these folks are making off-color, racist, and transphobic XTweets. They’re giving hateful invocations sermons on the floor of both chambers. They’re using their interpretation of the bible to attempt to demonize and eradicate an entire group of people. I’m exhausted by it, but imagine being a trans person or parent to a trans kid. 

I know many of these kids and parents, and guess what? It freaking sucks for them. I’ll be the first person to admit that ten or so years ago, I was wildly ignorant about trans people and gender-affirming care. I KNOW that I asked insensitive questions of the only trans person I knew at the time, and I still cringe at the things I asked them. I’m happy to report that this person is not just surviving, they’re thriving. But depending on how this next election goes, they, like countless others, may be forced to consider moving. 

Also, moving is not really a possibility for most people, so what will end up happening for most of these folks is that they just won’t be able to access healthcare anymore.  

(More)

Ah, America, “your machinery is too much for me.”

I do not recommend being a completely intrusive jackass like I was ten years ago, but I do encourage you to learn as much from you can about trans people. Take a look at the WPATH guidelines. Subscribe to Erin Reed’s Substack and/or LOOKOUT Phoenix to better understand trans people and the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. 

Also, I’ve got a call to action for you. Apparently, some arseholes with casseroles are planning on showing up to further demonize the non-binary teacher in Peoria (PUSD) at the April 11th board meeting. You may recall, this teacher has filed a lawsuit against the district and one former and one sitting board member. If you’re sick and tired of these “Christians” using their faith to hurt and harass, please sign up to pledge your show of support here. 

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