While Barbie and Cheyenne Jackson’s thirst trap took up everyone’s entire social media feeds this week, the power players over in Washington, D.C. were busy doing all sorts of things while you weren’t looking. Here’s just a few of the political stories that you need to know about it.
CRAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH: Ron “Don’t Say Gay” DeSantis took a break from his imploding 2024 campaign to suffer a humiliating rebuke at the hands of Disney. [Read all about it on Queerty]
BIG BUTTI: Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced a new rule that will make airplane bathrooms much more appealing and accessible to all. [Read all about it on LGBTQNation]
NURSE!: 81-year-old GOP Senator Mitch McConnell appeared to suffer some sort of medical episode as he completely froze midsentence and stared off into space for several seconds during a press conference.
DADDY ISSUES: Anti-vaxx Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. trotted out his shirtless, muscled son to try & shamelessly court the gay voter demographic. [See the photo & read all about it on Queerty]
GET HER: Homophobic right-wing loon Marjorie Taylor Green is facing being censured for close to 40 grievances, including showing nude pics of Hunter Biden, by out lesbian Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT). [Read all about it on LGBTQNation]
RIGHT-WING QUEEN: Fabian Basabe, a reality star-turned-problematic state rep from Florida who courted the LGBTQ+ community and then voted for the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, gets called out in a hilarious video set to the tune of ABBA’s ’70s hit “Dancing Queen.”
TRUMP EFFECT: The one-term, twice-impeached, twice-indicted (and counting) ex-president got a heaping scoop of bad news that has him seeing red. [Read all about it on Queerty]
WERK THE POLLS: Key West drag queen Erika Rose is running to unseat a two-term Republican in the Florida state legislature. [Read all about it on LGBTQNation]
BITING COMMENTARY: Biden’s Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the reason the president’s dog has bitten seven people in the last four months is because life in the White House can be “very stressful.”
Related:
decrans
Oh yes, because nipples are so important. I used to be trans before realizing it was a ruse. There are so many things happening in the T part of the equation. But of course, the gays are focused on nipples. Not that I care anymore. By all means, continue to lose.
PapaBearPgh
Please don’t make fun of Conor’s nipples. He was born with the Kennedy genes. The males are all athletic and active, but they have a metabolism that will not quit. They can eat like elephants and not gain an ounce.
Kangol2
It was a “ruse” for you. You were misguided and should have had better mental health support. This comes through in everything you post on here. You mistakes and misdiagnosis, however, should not obscure or diminish the experiences of trans people out there, including readers of this site.
decrans
Uh huh. And again Kangol, I ask: What are you doing to rectify people suffering from identity crises shoehorned into trans medicalization? That’s great you just talk about it. What do you say to the person filing a one-million-dollar lawsuit with deformed breasts? You say words. What are your actions? Step IT UP or Shut up.
decrans
And you know what, Kang? It is a ruse to that woman with her deformed nipples falling off her body. You certainly don’t tell that to children. What are you doing about it besides running off that mouth?
decrans
And I’ll tell you what I’m doing besides Queerty comments. I’m working with the conservatives on this. It’s time for liberals (like yourself) to come up with solutions if you don’t want the experiences of trans people to be further diminished. The way I see it and saw it as a former trans person? Liberals talk, but they don’t act. And the conservatives are winning, babe.
Kangol2
DeKlans, you basically admit what I wrote about your mental health needs and that you are working with “conservatives,” whose aim is not to help trans people or people (children and adults) dealing with gender issues, but to harm them. As one Republican said, the goal is to “eliminate trans people from public life.” Do you agree with that? Do you denounce it? For someone who supposedly suffered the effects of misdiagnosis and a lack of mental health support, your response comes off as both dangerous and nihilistic. WORK with organizations trying to truly help trans people, instead of working with the people aiming to harm them. Certainly you must have some empathy with and sympathy for what they are going through.
decrans
You offered a non-response yourself. And until the people on the left can have a SOLID CONCRETE plan for the thousands of de-trans cases, I will work with the conservatives. You offer nothing, Kangol. You just want people to continue to suffer yourself. And so, from where I sit, conservatives have the right idea to shut it down completely. YOU OFFER NOTHING.
decrans
And I’m upfront about what happened to me. Multiple rape survivor who was rubberstamped into trans medicalization with no questions asked. Hell, I tried talking about my sexual trauma, only to be diverted back into the trans-medicalization path. And this went on for years and years. Why? Because it’s politically correct and to challenge the trans narrative in any form is viewed to be a new frontier of conversion therapy among the radical left. And then, enter a host of de-trans issues stage left. Your non-answer tells most rational people everything they need to know. You want to allow this to continue for thousands of people just to suit your political agenda with trans rights. And that’s sick. Do better, my friend.
decrans
Basically, we’re the same, Kangol. You want people to suffer, too. Where’s the answer? Until then, I will keep cashing my paychecks and talking openly about my experience to anyone who will listen. (Shrugs)
Kangol2
First, I don’t know you but I do know what you write on here is tinged with tremendous hurt and pain and you clearly are taking out your suffering on others by helping people who want to harm trans people. That to me is a sign that you are not getting the help and support you need. Second, I do not want people to suffer. The trans people I know are not suffering; they are receiving love and support and affirmation of all kinds, and own their experiences. It would be offensive for me, a non-trans person, to proscribe or prescribe how trans people should live their lives to offer “solutions” that were not based in THEIR voices and needs. But it is even more offensive to align with people who are actively trying to harm trans people and destroy their lives, as you are. I get that your experiences were horrible. But to go from that to actively working with people to harm trans people is unconscionable. Really.
decrans
In all of your comments, you have not offered one iota of a solution to the detrans person with her nipples falling off and how to reform the healthcare industry in America. You just keep blathering on and on. Your comments are just a repeat of the same talking points. You DO NOT CARE ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUFFERED AND ARE DE-TRANS. Point blank. Admit that your party and you offer no solutions. You do not care about the 13-year-old who is autistic and socially awkward. Then when they’re 20 and are horrified about their deformed body, the insurance industry doesn’t even have proper coding to rectify the situation. That is straight-up cruelty and you should be ashamed of yourself.
decrans
You are taking your political ideology out on the autistic kid, Kangol. It’s sick AF and you should be ashamed. And you are. I know you are because you keep blabbering about the same sh-t.
decrans
Offer a SOLUTION. That is my recommendation to you. I am aligning myself with conservatives because YOU HAVE NO SOLUTIONS. They have somewhat of a solution for de-trans individuals. That includes better mental health testing for the underlying cause and stricter regulations for nurse practitioners. Now if you do not want conservatives to run ramshod over the trans agenda, I suggest to you to start to finding solutions for thousands of de-trans individuals. The same comment I made 12 comments ago. Same thing. OFFER SOLUTIONS. Enough grandstanding.
decrans
The fact of the matter? The raft of lawsuits coming down the pike are the chickens coming home to roost. And you just want to continue to lib out in the corner and pretend that everything’s fine like that Facebook meme with the dog sitting at the kitchen table while the house burns to the ground. Your inaction will have unintended consequences. Because guess what? As I mentioned previously to another commenter, these lawsuits will have chilling effects on the trans medicalization industrial complex. So in the end, the trans people won’t be getting adequate help either while you sit there like a bump on a log. (Golf claps)
decrans
And I’ll also say this: The conservatives are smart to weaponize de-trans people like a cudgel with payments. Why? Because THE LEFT OFFERS NOTHING. Offer us something and then maybe we’ll have different results. That’s how the adult world works in late-stage capitalism. You continue to offer jacksh-t and all these de-trans people are bolstering the right-wing talking points including Chloe Cole’s recent congressional testimony. That’s not bright. You are basically Rover looking around at the flames. But whatever. Your side is going to continue to lose until you break the matrix.
Bosch
“I used to be trans before realizing it was a ruse.”
This means you’re either stupid or a lair, and neither of those things are bragging points.
If any of your story is even remotely true, then the mistake that your “trans doctors” made was letting you manipulate them into thinking you were trans.
What a mediocre troll.
decrans
Not a particularly smart argument, Bosch. It shows how easily doctors can be manipulated with non-trans children. I’d like a new troll and not this dumb idiot from another country, please. He says trans children are worthy of lawsuits and they can be easily manipulated in the same breath. Pure idiocy.
decrans
And no mention of the walking dead Sen. Feinstein.
inbama
Be fair, now.
If Republicans would agree to allow Democrats to appoint her replacement on the judiciary committee, she’d be gone in a minute – but they won’t.
abfab
Because you are both dumb and cluless, let me explain something to you.
This is a Gay publication with a very Gay agenda. Remember that. It does not serve either of your twisted sensibilites or shallow opinions.
We are trying to lift up and support our allies and Gay politicians in the Democratic Party. And when Queerty should mention the Honorable Sen. Feinstien, they will do it with respect, style and class. Three attributes both of you lack.
There’s not a reason in the world for YOU lousy cretins to talk about a woman whose health is failing, as she continues to work.
decrans
Abcrabs: It’s adorable that you continue to reply to my comments. I’m flattered. I realize you don’t believe in polls. However, consistent polls over the past decade have shown that a majority of Americans believe the government is a failed system. A good portion of younger voters (which you are not) believe in terms limits. If you had a shred of intellectual honesty, you’d admit it serves no one to have a doddering 90 year old woman with limited brain capacity passing legislation. It’s a waste of government resources. And I’d say the exact same thing about Mitch McConnell. But because she wears a blue jersey, like the idiot Republicans, you fall in line.
decrans
And lastly, it’s not like California is subbing an ultra-conservative in there. Your comment is typical sports team jingoism posturing, Abcrabs. Once again, it’s childish. Your social media brand. Take several seats and let the adults discuss politics.
decrans
I get inbama’s point. The Republicans keep her in there to gunk up the woodworks. Same as it ever was on both sides of the line.
frapachino
Anything on Feinstein’s brain fog the other day? Oh what about Spacey acquittal?
abfab
You are mean and you are deplorable.
Fname Optional Lname
How terribly sad that the people in Mitch McConnell’s life do not care enough about him to tell him “ENOUGH!”. He either had a mini-stroke or he took a huge dump in his Depends while those who surrounded him just smiled and nodded. What good is all that money and power when you don’t have at least one person in your life who will demand that your health comes first? Ignoring your health will eventually catch up with you. Trump should take notice. We really need term limits across the board – Supreme Court included. So funny that when this Republican goons have an embarrassing moment there only response is deflection – “What about blah-blah-blah?”
So child like
abfab
If he was a friend, one of them would have brought the wheelchair to him immediately. Awful, careless people..the republicans.
decrans
This is literally what the Democrats do with Feinstein. Self-awareness isn’t your strongest suit.
decrans
And I said the same thing about McConnell. Independent voter. Probably voting No Labels, Cornel West or not voting for the Depend-wearing con president on the Democratic side. That’s life. I’m one of Biden’s 2020 deflection votes.
Kangol2
McConnell is unwell and has repeatedly fallen. He should devote himself to a less stressful, more relaxing lifestyle after years of GQP leadership. I find his politics horrendous but he kept his party in line. By Kentucky law, his replacement must be a Republican, so his party and the US Senate will lose a leader but not a seat.
Feinstein also should retire. She is clearly suffering from dementia. She could spend her remaining years with her loving family, and have them remind her of her long record of service to SF, California and the US. California’s governor, a Democrat, has a host of excellent candidates to select from to replace her.
FreddieW
People in their 80’s from either party shouldn’t be holding office. But y’all be sure and vote for Biden again and pretend he’s fit just because of his party affiliation.
Kangol2
If I vote for Biden again, it’ll be for two reasons.
First, there is not a single Republican now running who I would trust to be US president. Nearly all have lied on behalf of the deranged psychopath Don the Con about his 2020 loss (by 7 million votes!), and many are downplaying his attempted coup. Chris Christie doesn’t do this but he was a failed governor of one of the richest states in the US, New Jersey. Also, the last three Republicans we put in office have left the country in a shambles economically (HW Bush left a mild recession, W Bush left a complete economic collapse, and the economy cratered under Don the Con), so out of fairness to Millennials, Gen Z, and the next generations, I cannot vote for a GQP economic disaster who’ll also put anti-LGBTQ and racist judges on the federal courts.
Second, Biden may be 80 but his record in 2.5 years far exceeds that of his predecessor and all of his rivals, particular the deranged, lying, treasonous psychopath Don the Con. It is thanks to Biden and the Democrats that the US has falling inflation, 3.6/3.7% unemployment, the highest Black and women’s employment on record, a rising stock market, rising home sales, a slew of new manufacturing plants and jobs, and more. We tried the cut-taxes-for-the-rich and destroy all regulations and launch trade wars against China under Don the Con, and it was a complete failure. The country lost over 1.2 million people to Covid-19 because of Don the Con’s chaos and incompetence, and millions of jobs! Meanwhile, we’re now burning to a crisp or suffering Biblical floods or both, thanks to GQP intransigence.
Are the Democrats perfect? No. Do they need to fulfill more of their promises, especially to their base, if they win all three houses of Congress in 2024? Yes.
So that’s why I’ll vote for Biden, or Kamala Harris, or whichever Democrat, except RFK Jr., is running in 2024.
decrans
Presidents do not control the economy. War is the final factor. Military buildups for the Korean and Vietnam wars boosted growth in the Truman and Johnson presidencies. Since the late 1940s, inflation-adjusted defense spending rose 5.9 percent annually under Democrats and only 0.8 percent under Republicans. The buildups accounted for about an eighth of the Democratic advantage. And here we have the Biden war machine on full-blast currently in Ukraine. It’s the new Iraq for the Biden administration. The buildups accounted for about an eighth of the Democratic advantage. Wash, rinse, repeat. That’s the two-party duopoly over the last century in a nutshell.
decrans
The best examples include the 1960s Kennedy-Johnson boom, which lowered unemployment to 3.5 percent in 1969 and raised inflation (virtually nonexistent in 1960) to almost 6 percent. This was followed by two recessions in the Nixon-Ford years. Under Carter, the economy revived — but inflation spurted to 13 percent in 1980. Carter’s inflation bred the devastating 1981-1982 recession under Reagan. It pushed unemployment to 10.8 percent in late 1982 but ended double-digit inflation.
decrans
And can we also talk about the renters market? There comes that working-class demographic to bite y’all in the a$$ again. Rents are increasing and the Republicans are picking off those working-class voters bit-by-bit.
still_onthemark
@decrans: Whoa – you think renters will vote Republican because their rent is rising? What are Republicans going to do, subsidize rents? Impose rent control? (Even most Democrats don’t want to go there again.) When many or most landlords are Republicans? Those hormones really did mess with you.
Also, the war in Ukraine has only a minor effect on the US economy, nowhere near the economic effect of the Vietnam or Korean wars. And of course you conveniently leave out the $2 trillion we wasted in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars started by a Republican president.
decrans
I don’t disagree. However, Republicans carried the nationwide working-class House vote by 13 points in 2022. That was also true in 2020 when Trump carried the working-class vote by 4 percent. According to the States for Change Project, Trump carried the working-class vote in 35 out of 50 states. As it stands, Democrats dominated the more affluent districts while Trump dominated the poorer districts. What does this say about Democratic messaging? Not much has changed since 2022. In a March Harvard Harris poll from this year, Trump is STILL carrying the working-class vote by ten percentage points.
decrans
Pretty much. Biden cured cancer this past week. He thinks we’re having a war in Iraq. But Abcrabs only votes for the best candidates. Abs can barely type cohesive sentences, so, we know that we’re dealing with the top brass.
Bosch
Every time I come to queerty, decrabs is yelling at somebody.
Meth is a hell of a drug.
decrans
Every time I come to Queerty, Bosch’s smug demeanor and lack of coherent arguments are always front and center. Go toss some word salads over your circular definitions, dummy.
dbmcvey
He lost his job with DeSantis so he has too much time on his hands.
decrans
Nope. Still employed. Blitz Canvassing is different from the official DeSantis campaign. I realize you’re too ignorant to discern the difference, Davey.
dbmcvey
DeSantis must be desperate if he lets drug addled tweekers canvas for him.
decrans
He is desperate. The same level of desperation as racist Pete Buttigeg trying desperately to garner any Black vote. Same level of desperation.
dbmcvey
Both RFK Jr. and the No Labels movement is bought and paid for by Republican millionaires. Biden’s done well by us. I will happily vote for him.