Putin and Trump at War with Gays and a “Will & Grace” Note Pokes Pence

Trump’s LGBT policies don’t reflect America’s values, the Pence bunny book is headed to elementary schools throughout the Veep’s home state, and Putie clamps down on gays… again.

Out Standing in His Field

The current Oval Office occupant may be trying as hard to convince himself that his policies toward the LGBT community have traction with the public. But polling evidence suggests otherwise.

This week a joint survey conducted by a polling organization called YouGov and The Economist reveals that a mere 29 percent of respondents approve od 45’s handling of LGBT concerns, as reported by The Washington Blade. A scant 17 percent gave strong approval and only 12 percent agreed they somewhat approve.

The poll suggests that this president is well in sync, but only with his base. A substantial 44 percent stated disapproval of Trump’s handling of LGBT issues — number that incorporates 35 percent who say they “strongly disapprove” and another nine percent who feel that “somewhat disapprove” describes them best. Another 27 percent were indifferent.

In addition, the poll probed respondents’ reactions about the president’s repeated plans to ban transgender Americans from service in the Armed Forces. The pollsters discovered that a plurality of respondents disapprove. A new but no less onerous version of the ban was introduced March 23, but its enactment depends on court rulings.

All said, 48 percent of repondents disapprove of the policy and 34 percent expressed support for the policy, with the remainder having no opinion.

Asked whether trans people should be allowed to serve openly in the military, 49 percent were supportive, with 34 percent opposed. Asked whether having trans troops in the military affected overall readiness, 45 percent stated that the effect would be negligible.

The poll covered a time period of last Sunday through Tuesday, with 1,500 U.S. adults responding and is said to contain a 3.4 percentage point margin of error.

Saving Grace

Remember comedian John Oliver’s bunny book intended to poke fun at the Pence family’s tale on their pet bunny? Well,Will & Grace creator Max Mutchnick has sent a copy of the Pence parody to every elementary school in Indiana, where Pence was formerly governor. For anyone just tuning in, Pence has one of the worst records on LGBT rights of any elected official in America. In the parody, Pence’s beloved bunny falls in love with another rabbit of the same sex.

Emmy winner Mutchnick tweeted the screen cap of a memo he sent along to “Every Grammar School Library in Indiana” notifying librarians of the impending donation.

Having learned of the book last week, Mutchnick writes that he brought “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo” home “and read it to my twin daughters,” adding that “it’s a poignant story about how love and community can rise above intolerance.”

He concluded with a tender grace-note: “Thanks to libraries and librarians like you, storytelling not only became my passion — it also became my profession.”

Proceeds from each book go to charities. Pence’s “Marlon Bundo’s A Day in the Life of the Vice President,” go to Tracy’s Kids, a group providing young cancer patients with art therapy. Oliver’s book, benefits AIDS United and an LGBT-focused suicide prevention organization, the Trevor Project.

Pence’s daughter Charlotte Pence spoke out in support of Oliver’s parody, saying she is glad there are two books about bunnies supporting charities.

From Russia: No Love

A well-known gay website has been blocked by service providers after Russian officials claim the site violates laws against “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” in places where minors might be exposed to their material.

The Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor declared last week that Gay.ru had run afoul of the law and pointed to Siberian court ruling according to The Moscow Times. Roskomnadzor gave the site a single day to remove information considered “prohibited for distribution in the Russian Federation” without actually making clear what was considered in violation. Further, they gave notice that if site administrators did not comply, the site would be blocked.

As of now, Russians cannot access Gay.ru, although the sites remains up and running outside the country. Site administrators say they will first appeal the original court ruling that led to their suspension and if necessary challenge the blocking of the site in international courts.

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