Trump Trans Military Ban, Laverne Cox, Orrin Hatch, Tinder, Grilled Cheese, Log Cabin Republicans, Joni Ernst: HOT LINKS

LAVERNE COX. On Trump’s transgender military ban: “I have met many transgender Americans over the years who have served or are currently serving our country in the military. I have heard from them humiliating stories of being misgendered and experiencing various kinds of mistreatment when they are willing to put their lives on the line in ways many of us would never do including our current President. This latest reversal of another Obama administration policy continues to send the message to trans Americans that our lives, our safety and service are less valuable and unwanted in this country, the country I love and hold so dear.”

CHELSEA MANNING. On Trump’s transgender military ban:

so, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people 😩 but funds the F-35? 😑 sounds like cowardice 😎💕🌈 #WeGotThis

— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017

JONI ERNST. Iowa GOP Senator opposes Trump on transgender troops: “She believes what is most important is making sure servicemembers can meet the physical training standards, and the willingness to defend our freedoms and way of life,” the spokeswoman said. “Americans who are qualified and can meet the standards to serve in the military should be afforded that opportunity.”

GREGORY T ANGELO. Log Cabin Republicans on Trump transgender military ban: “This smacks of politics, pure and simple. The United States military already includes transgender individuals who protect our freedom day in and day out. Excommunicating transgender soldiers only weakens our readiness; it doesn’t strengthen it. The president’s statement this morning does a disservice to transgender military personnel and reintroduces the same hurtful stereotypes conjured when openly gay men and women were barred from service during the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ era. As an organization that led the charge against that hateful policy, Log Cabin Republicans remains equally committed to standing up for transgender military personnel who put their lives on the line to keep us free.”

ORRIN HATCH. Utah Senator on the trans military ban: “I don’t think we should be discriminating against anyone. Transgender people are people, and deserve the best we can do for them. I look forward to getting much more information and clarity from our military leaders about the policy the President tweeted today.”

POLITICAL CAPITAL? Ivanka and Jared decided it should be spent on things other than LGBT issues: “The more socially liberal factions of Trump’s inner circle—including his family members and staffers Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner—have been opposed to all the anti-LGBT initiatives of this administration. However, they quickly determined that their “political capital be spent elsewhere,” as one senior White House official characterized it, given that their advice on LGBT issues has been routinely overruled, if not overlooked, by this administration and President Trump.”

FREQUENT VISITOR. Matt Drudge is at the White House “all the time” according to one official.

NEPAL. Climate change threatens Himalayan Viagra fungus. “The fungus grows on the head of the larvae of caterpillars and locals crawl on hands and knees to find it. The work is hazardous in the high altitude regions where the fungus grows, with hunters young and old regularly succumbing to exposure.”

JUSTIN BIEBER. I didn’t quit my tour for Jesus (but maybe for his shirtless pastor).

SEATTLE. LGBTQ Commission calls on Mayor Ed Murray to resign: “Four men have accused Murray of sexually abusing them when they were teenagers. One of those four, Delvonn Heckard, filed a civil suit against Murray, which he later dropped. Another, Jeff Simpson, Murray’s former foster son, first came forward with his allegations a decade ago. Recently, the Seattle Times reported on documents that show that a child welfare investigator determined in 1984 that Murray sexually abused Simpson. Murray has repeatedly denied the allegations. In that denial, he has claimed anti-gay political motivation and questioned the credibility of his accusers based on their criminal histories. ”