John Gascot (left) and Ron Diana – Photo: FOX 13 News.
In yet another sign of the heightened emotions stirred up by the most recent presidential campaign, a gay couple in St. Petersburg, Fla., says they received a harassing, unsigned note from an anonymous person who does not like their politics or their sexuality.
John Gascot and his boyfriend, Ron Diana, received the note at their home on Saturday. The letter was addressed to “Resident Dolts” and read: “Hey Dumbass — the election is over,” before going on to disparage the couple’s political beliefs. The couple believes the note was prompted by their decision to leave a “Clinton-Kaine” campaign sign on their front lawn.
The letter celebrates the victories of Republicans in seizing control of a majority of state legislatures, governorships and the presidency, telling the couple, “Congratulations. You lost on all counts.”
“You still advertise as if you are ignorant of developments, but that’s not surprising for the community known ‘gay house,'” the letter continues. The couple believes that’s a reference to the rainbow flag they fly beside their garage door.
“That was the more upsetting part,” Gascot says. “Clearly it’s not just about the election. You’re a bigot for other reasons, and you’re targeting us. You’re using the election to target us.”
The anonymous letter writer then insulted them, writing: “You encourage us how to vote, but you can’t figure out garbage day or when to turn off the porch light. Isn’t it time to decorate for Christmas through February? Dumbass!”
The couple believes the writer of the note lives nearby, and may be trying to intimidate them. They have filed a report with the St. Petersburg Police Department.
“We’re going to just make sure that we’re vigilant for each other and let people know, this is not okay in our neighborhood. It’s not welcome,” adds Gascot.
President Donald Trump falsely claimed on Friday that American hospitals are performing "reverse surgery" on transgender people at his direction.
"ospitals now are doing reverse surgery at my order," Trump told supporters during an August 21 rally for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Darline Graham at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in South Carolina. "They're doing reverse surgery. Nobody ever heard about it."
It is unclear what Trump meant. Upon taking office last year, he issued an executive order prohibiting federal funds from being used to cover gender-affirming treatments for people under age 19.
Officially, this year’s 26th International AIDS Conference, held July 26-31 in Rio de Janeiro, advanced a clear and timely theme: “Rethink. Rebuild. Rise.” A community well-versed in resilience would respond to devastating losses in funding and political support with strategies for rising above all obstacles and ending HIV/AIDS.
Yet, over the course of the week, as thousands of scientists, researchers, healthcare providers, advocates, administrators, journalists, community leaders, and people living with HIV attended more than 150 sessions, a new rallying cry emerged around the sprawling Riocentro Convention Center: “Innovation without access is injustice.”
A federal appeals court upheld a Florida law restricting venues and performers from hosting drag shows attended by minors, overturning a lower court order that had blocked its enforcement.
In an 8-5 ruling, the full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a preliminary injunction blocking state authorities from enforcing the law, finding that Florida is likely to succeed in defending its constitutionality, reports The Hill.
The Protection of Children Act, signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023, imposes fines and criminal penalties on any venues that admit children to drag shows or other "adult live performances," even with the parent or guardian's express permission.
You must be logged in to post a comment.