The Times We Live In.

When I transitioned… everything was rosy. We were passing laws to protect us, public acceptance was at an all-time high. The swamp creatures were being forced back into the swamp. But they were festering there, until a champion of the swamp creatures came forward, threw open the gates, and led them out of the swamp, calling themselves MAGA!

Yesterday I wrote about a trans woman who has been arrested and could face up to fifteen years in jail! Why? Because when three men were attacking her, she pulled a gun on them. A licensed gun in a “Stand Your Ground” state.

Then over in Louisiana…

A mob viciously beat a trans couple. Now the alleged victims could get sent to prison.

Police criminally charged Shae Sanders and Aurora Rush, who were both injured in the cruel attack.

LGBTQ Nation

Daniel Villarreal (he/him)

August 5, 2026

A mob of people beat a transgender couple on May 31 after one of the partners used a public restroom in Bossier Parish, Louisiana. After the attack, police arrested one of the trans women, took her to a men’s jail, and charged the couple with offenses that could result in months of prison.

Near the end of a lakeside barbecue with friends at Cypress Black Bayou Park, Shae Sanders (a nonbinary person assigned female at birth) used the women’s restroom just as they usually do. As their partner, Aurora Rush, waited outside for them, a man approached her, used slurs against her, threatened to beat her up if she entered the women’s restroom, and tried to get her to fight, trans journalist S. Baum reported.

Did you get that? They were obeying the law using the bathroom of their “gender assigned at birth” just like the law says!

The mob then beat Sanders so badly that an ambulance later transported them to the hospital, where they received four stitches above their eye — doctors are trying to determine whether a neurostim brain implant in their shoulder may have been damaged during the attack, the result of which could kill them, Baum wrote.

Rush had a concussion, a corneal scratch that temporarily blinded her in one eye, “massive welts” (including “one knot above her knee swelled to the size of an apple”), and pre-existing disabilities. But even though she has a female gender marker on her driver’s license, police threw her in a men’s jail under a man’s name she had never heard of. (She said the name she was booked in jail under belonged to one of her male attackers.)

While this was happening… down in Florida,

A Black trans teen was shot and killed in Florida. Almost no one reported it

Police misgendered Jayla McGee, local media overlooked her homicide, and her community was left to make sure she was not erased.

The Advocate

By Jacob Ogles

Jul 30, 2026

If a Black transgender teenager gets shot and killed in Florida and no one reports it, what does that say about the value of their life? It’s a question trans activists are struggling with after the scant attention paid to the killing of Jayla McGee, a 19-year-old whose death has been barely acknowledged by the media or authorities.

McGee's relatives announced her death on social media after she died on July 5. Posts promoting a candlelight vigil held July 18 identified her as Jayla and Baby Jay, while others used her apparent assigned name. In various posts, her mother, Jameka McGee, referred to McGee while also sharing graphics bearing the name Jayla.

Nationally assault on us have been increasing! But then what do you expect when politicians stir up divisiveness between social groups.

The 2024 FBI data on anti-LGBTQ hate crimes recorded:

• 1,950 incidents motivated by sexual-orientation bias
• 463 incidents motivated by gender-identity bias
• 2,413 incidents combined involving those two categories

Detransitioners

Every time I hear about research on us, I think, “Figures don't lie, but liars can figure!” Research is in the details. There was a famous study (not in a good way) that conservatives like to wave around.

The study looked at what conservatives call “Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria” (ROGD), and the study’s author’s hypothesis suggested that social media and peer influence could cause a sudden development of gender dysphoria in adolescents.

So how would you go about organizing the study? You would probably contact youth support groups for your research subjects. Wrong. The study’s author went to conservative parent support groups... and the parents said, right out of the blue, “My child said they were of the opposite gender!” As the media pointed out at the time, the study never contacted a single trans child. But still it is a poster child for conservatives.

So now we have a new study.

New study challenges claim that trans teens later regret gender-affirming care

A new study, published this month in the Journal of Adolescent Health, shares data that suggests trans teens who receive gender-affirming care aren’t very likely to regret doing so down the line.

Pink News

Aug 05, 2026

by Siân Thompson

The study uses data gathered from 445 young people diagnosed with gender dysphoria under the care of four clinics in Canada between 2012 and 2017.

The clinics were Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Diversity Clinic, IWK Trans Health Clinic at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, BC Children’s Hospital Gender Clinic, and Alberta Children’s Hospital Metta Clinic.

Of the sample group, 331 participants were assigned female at birth, and 114 were assigned male at birth. 353 underwent gender-affirming hormone therapy. Four of them later stopped hormones, and just one ceased hormone treatment and returned to identifying as their sex assigned at birth.

What they actually talked to trans children... what a novel idea!

In the Journal of Adolescent Health article: Why Do Adolescents and Young Adults Discontinue Gender-Affirming Medical Treatments? There Is No Simple Answer

They find that:

Gender-affirming care has been surrounded by controversies. In many places, access to GAMT [Gender-Affirming Medical Treatment], especially for AYAs [Adolescents and Young Adults], has been restricted or banned, sometimes with alleged concerns that AYAs would not stay on GAMT and that many are exposed to irreversible effects without proper consent. Although some AYAs have negative experiences with GAMT, the growing evidence is pointing to several facts: (1) continuation rates are high, including among those who started before turning 18; (2) regret is uncommon; (3) many discontinue GAMT due to barriers to access ; and (4) support plays a critical role in access and continuity of GAMT. Furthermore, it is irrefutable that a negative climate toward TGD [Transgender or Gender Diverse] AYAs and GAMT affects access to care. Thus, it is necessary to support access to high-quality gender-affirming care services, and it is important that healthcare providers assist those who want to interrupt GAMT. Specifically, a pervasive sentiment among those who discontinue GAMT is that they report feeling invalidated and are not supported or counseled when they reveal their desire to stop GAMT, despite particularly high need due to emotional demands and ambivalence that characterize these decisions. For some, discontinuation may be permanent, but for others, it may be temporary; healthcare professionals who provide GAMT should be prepared to welcome discussions when AYAs discontinue GAMT to understand the factors leading to this decision and provide adequate support for all. In other words, what AYAs may in fact need is gender-affirmation, regardless of gender identity, and regardless of continuation or discontinuation of GAMT. Finally, there is an urgent need for high-quality research, and in particular longitudinal studies, to understand the needs of AYAs who are discontinuing GAMT and provide informative directions to healthcare providers.

There are many reasons why children leave the program, but conservative studies lump them all under the “detransitioned” umbrella.

I have known many trans people who detransitioned, and not one of them did it because they were not trans. They did it because of family pressure and economic pressure. One person did it because they couldn’t find a job, so their parents said, “If you want to live in our house, you have to detransition.” Another did it because of religious pressure. And I know two who detransitioned and then retransitioned.

Conservatives want to paint a picture of how horrible we are, but the truth just doesn’t fit their narrative.

Saturday 9+

Saturday 9: Sugar, Sugar (1969)

On Saturdays I take a break from the heavy stuff and have some fun… 

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

This month Saturday 9 will be tasty, featuring songs with food in the title.

1) This week's song is credited to The Archies, a band that never actually existed. The song is performed by singer Ron Dante and studio musicians and backup singers hired on behalf of the five members of the popular Saturday morning Archie Show. Were you a fan of this animated series?

I never even saw it… I was in college at the time

2) Archie was Archibald Andrews, a character first introduced in the 1941 comic strip. Archie was the linchpin, the leader of the band, and the center of his social group. Tell us about one of the popular kids from your school days.

Now you’re talking! I used to read Archie all the time!

3) The Archies' drummer was Jughead Jones. He was smart, funny, and had a fondness for headwear. Do you often wear hats or caps?

No, in general but if it is raining… yes. Or bright on the beach… yes. Big floppy hats.

4) Reggie was the lead singer and bass player. He was a gifted athlete who liked to come in first. If he couldn't win with his natural talents, he was not above cheating. Have you ever cheated in a friendly game?

Well, it depends upon the game… some are designed to cheat. Like Monopoly.

5) Blonde Betty Cooper was on the tambourine. Her hobbies include playing baseball, caring for her cat, and helping Archie work on his car. Tell us three of your favorite pastimes.

Writing Saturday 9 (That should earn me some brownie points), my blog, and my photograph.

6) Raven-haired Veronica Lodge was the keyboardist and joined Betty for backup vocals. She was a fashion plate, known and loved by Riverdale store owners because of her willingness to spend big bucks to stay on trend. What's the latest thing you've added to your wardrobe?

A pair of shorts to wear over a bathing suit.

Bermuda Shorts for Women Cotton Linen Comfy Plus Size Elastic Waist Knee Length Travel Shorts for Summer Walking Beach (You would half to be very short to be knee length.)

7) The biggest news story of 1969 was one of the biggest stories in history. On July 21, man first stepped onto the moon. Without looking it up, do you remember the astronaut's name?

No… ops… Armstrong. Neil.

8) Also in 1969, Triple H was born and today he's in the WWE Hall of Fame. Do you follow professional wrestling?

Ha! No way! It is a joke!

9) Random question – Would you prefer to be: a) super successful in business or b) a politician elected to an influential office or c) a champion athlete?

a) are you kidding I retired twice once in 2007 and again in 2019.

b) who wants the hassle?

c) I have problems walk from one end of the house to another.

d) make the world a better place then when you came in to it…. Yes.

BONUS #10: Mister Linky has become extremely hard to navigate and no one is home at the Help Desk. How do you feel about leaving your link in the comments?

I have no problems posting it!

Hypocrisy?… When “Stand Your Ground” Doesn't Seem to Apply to Everyone!

NRA: “Stand Your Ground” for… Trayvon Martin’s case.

NRA: “Stand Your Ground” for… crickets when it came to Marissa Alexander.

NRA: “Stand Your Ground” for… crickets when it comes to Ríhanna Kelver.

What sets the case of Mr. Martin apart from the other two cases? Race.

When a White man shot a Black man, the NRA publicly defended the Stand Your Ground principle. But when a transgender person is attacked, knocked to the ground, and the incident is captured on video, the NRA hasn't said a thing.

Crickets!

The prosecutor in this case needs to be called into question as well. They have seen the video, yet they are proceeding with the case.

Trans woman faces assault charges for self-defense despite Wyoming's 'Stand Your Ground' law

Rihanna Kelver was standing outside the Crowbar & Grill in Laramie, Wyoming, when a man began to shout homophobic and transphobic slurs at her.

The Advocate

Mathew Rodriguez

Jun 05, 2026

A trans woman in Wyoming is facing two felony charges — aggravated assault and possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent — after pulling out a gun on someone who had pushed her to the ground, per Slate.

Rihanna Kelver was standing outside the Crowbar & Grill in Laramie, Wyoming, when a man — whom local state news publication Cowboy State Daily identified as Scott Durham — began to shout homophobic and transphobic slurs at her. Durham later shoved Kelver to the ground with such force that she injured her tailbone, per court testimony and surveillance footage reviewed by Slate. In response, Kelver drew a pistol from her bag, put in a round and pointed the weapon at Durham, which caused him to flee. Kelver, per Slate, kept the safety on and never fired.

Despite Wyoming’s “Stand Your Ground” statute, which allows people to use reasonable force in moments of self defense, Kelver faces up to 15 years in prison for both charges, as well as up to $11,000 in fines, per Cowboy State Daily. Kelver faces an additional year and $1,000 fine for a charge of interference with a peace officer.

Per the statute, “A person who uses reasonable defensive force … shall not be criminally prosecuted for that use of reasonable defensive force.”

Why is she being prosecuted?

In other cases involving Wyoming's Stand Your Ground law, authorities have declined to prosecute. Wyoming's law establishes that a person lawfully present who is attacked has no duty to retreat before using reasonable defensive force.

And let's be clear: Ríhanna was already on the ground. She was surrounded by people after being knocked down, where exactly was she supposed to retreat to?

The judge's ruling also needs to be examined.

The Laramie Reporter reported:

On Tuesday, Albany County Circuit Court Judge Robert Sanford ruled the felonies can be tried in district court. He rejected a request from the defendant’s lawyer to dismiss the charges outright.

The charges can bring up to 15 years in jail plus fines! 

Then look at the media! This is the headline from the Cowboy State Daily:

Transgender Bathroom Protestor Faces Felony Assault Charge, Claims Self-Defense

The transgender Laramie resident who protested Wyoming’s cross-sex access ban for public bathrooms at the Capitol last summer is now waging a self-defense argument in a felony assault case. “I did not go looking for confrontation,” said Rihanna Kelver.

Why lead with a protest that happened months earlier when reporting on a completely separate incident?

I asked ChatGPT to look for any public statement by a gun-rights organization supporting Ríhanna Kelver. It found:

So, as of August 8, 2026, my answer remains:

NRA: no public support I've been able to find.

NRA-ILA: no.

GOA: no.

SAF: no.

FPC: no.

Wyoming gun-rights groups: no public statement I've found.

Are gun rights only Lilly White straight folks or does the Second Amendment apply to all?

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You might remember that Laramie became internationally associated with the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard. Nearly three decades later, a transgender woman in that same community is saying she was physically confronted and is now being prosecuted after displaying a firearm in self-defense.

Bad News!

Out of the courts comes more bad news! Down in Florida, the courts have upheld a drag ban for now!

Federal appeals court upholds Florida law restricting drag performances
Florida officials celebrated the decision as a defense of children, while critics said parents — not the state — should decide which performances families attend.

The Advocate

By  Desiree Guerrero

Aug 04, 2026

 

 

 A federal appeals court has ruled to uphold a Florida law that restricts minors from attending certain “adult live performances,” including drag, according to a report by the Tallahassee Democrat.

On Tuesday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled in favor of the state in HM Florida-ORL, LLC v. Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

[...]

 

The lawsuit challenged Florida’s Protection of Children Act, which prohibits allowing minors to attend adult live performances, including drag shows, that have been deemed harmful to their well-being. While the statute does not specifically mention drag shows, proponents of the law focused heavily on whether or not the state should allow kids to attend drag performances after its passage in 2023.

Isn't it funny how when Republicans are crying "parents' rights" all the time, it seems like they don't include us! The Tallahassee Democrat writes,

The crux of the argument is whether the law violated the First Amendment by threatening the free speech rights of patrons and of venues who wish to host drag performances. Hamburger Mary’s further argued that the law was vague on what performances were prohibited.

Bingo! "...vague on what performances were prohibited." And who determines what is and isn't an adult performance? Will reading children's books in drag be considered "an adult performance"?

As I wrote this morning... "The devil is in the details."

PSA

It is election time once again! The buzzwords are flying in ads, you know exactly what I mean: “Common-Sense Solutions,” “Holding Corporations Accountable,” “Reining in the Utilities,” and “Fixing the Broken Tax System.” But what do they really mean?

Here are a few things to think about:

#1. When they say they are not taking any PAC money: PACs are broken down into two flavors. The first is a traditional PAC that gives directly to a candidate; these are the PACs the candidates talk about. But then there are Super PACs, which also run campaign ads but are not controlled by the candidate.

#2. When candidates say they are cutting electric rates: Ask them how. In all 50 states, candidates say they will cut electric rates, but the price is actually driven by the cost of energy. Here in Connecticut, the electric companies only convey electricity, while private, unregulated power plants generate it. So when you hear candidates saying they will cut the cost of electricity, ask them… how?

#3. When candidates say they are going to cut taxes: Taxes are like a seesaw. To keep it in balance, when you cut taxes, you also have to cut spending. So when you hear Connecticut candidates saying they will cut car taxes, they either have to cut spending... which begs the question, what are they going to cut?—or they have to raise property taxes.

As the saying goes, “The devil is in the details.” When candidates promise a pie in the sky, ask them how!

Punitive or Oversight

The Republicans got their hooks into Dr. Fauci and they smell blood! The question is why? For that, we have to go all the way back to President Reagan! Under Reagan, Dr. Fauci became director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in 1984. He remained in that position all the way up to President Biden."

But what really got the Republicans' dander up was the mask guidance and pandemic restrictions. Then he really ticked them off by shooting down the Republicans' pet theory that COVID-19 may have originated from a Chinese laboratory.

As research into the causes of COVID-19 and the government's medical response progressed, some of the early assumptions and recommendations changed as new information became available. Now Republicans are seeking to hold Dr. Fauci accountable, arguing that he may have given misleading testimony under oath.

So now we are caught up to date.

The Republicans have been combing through years of testimony looking for inconsistencies.

Dr. Anthony Fauci has testified before Congress numerous times. Why take the Fifth now?

PolitiFact

By Gracey Abernethy and Louis Jacobson,

Jul 29, 2026

Dr. Anthony Fauci sat for a contentious hearing with the Senate Homeland Security Committee about his key role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020. But most of what Fauci said July 29, regardless of the question, was identical: “On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.”

He used the phrase more than 100 times over the three-hour hearing. In a brief opening statement, Fauci said his decision to take the Fifth — the constitutional protection against self-incrimination — was driven by a concern that the panel’s chairman, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., would twist his answers into fodder for prosecuting him. 

In his opening statement, Paul reiterated his claim that on Fauci’s watch, the U.S. funded Chinese research that caused the pandemic and lied about it to Congress. (Fauci disputes this.)

“Frankly the American people deserve an apology,” Paul said.

How dare Dr. Fauci dismiss Senator Paul's pet theory!

At the hearing, Paul’s Republican colleagues spotlighted discrepancies between Fauci’s public comments and his diary entries, which Paul released in the days before the hearing. PolitFact has previously factchecked many Republican assertions about COVID-19, ivermectin and whether, as Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson falsely said, COVID-19 vaccines are gene therapy. 

In his opening remarks, Fauci said he had testified before Congress more than 200 times. But he said given Paul’s “obsession with calling for my prosecution, his repeated slanderous comments about me, and recently his publicly releasing my unredacted personal diary aimed at embarrassing and intimidating me, the only conclusion I can reach is that the sole reason he is calling me before this committee is to get me to say something that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, ‘behind bars.’”

And there you have the gist.

Trump turned against Dr. Fauci, and the Republicans jumped on the bandwagon. This is not an oversight hearing, but a witch hunt designed to 'get something' on him.

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Updated: @ 5:45PM