claim: mike huckabee created a handy guide to identifying a secret homosexual handshake.
question: did mike huckabee discover a ‘secret homosexual handshake’?
origin: on 3 february 2015, the facebook page “mrs. betty bowers, america’s best christian” posted a message reporting former arkansas governor mike huckabee had created a guide to identifying a secret homosexual handshake:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  were you just propositioned by a homosexual? you may have been and not even know it! use gov. mike huckabee’s handy guide to the secret mating ritual used by all homosexuals and be sure next time. you’re welcome!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  although the specific origins of the “secret handshake” image are unknown, it had been circulating on the internet since at least 2006. one of the earliest instances of its reproduction appeared on the naked authors blog, in an article about a writer’s struggle to get published. at that time, the image was simply described as showing a secret handshake, not a secret “homosexual” handshake:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  the image became associated with homosexuals when it was reposted by the satirical landover baptist web site  in a “gay pride action alert” that urged readers to “call a baptist pastor immediately if you’ve experienced the following secret invitation.” the image was amended yet again to include governor mike huckabee when it was posted to facebook page of mrs. betty bowers.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  the “mrs. betty bowers, america’s best christian” facebook page is not clearly identified as satire, but those familiar with the satirical landover baptist church web site will recognize betty bowers as one of that site’s fictional creations.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  we have big plans. we need your help.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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comment: reports that former arkansas governor mike huckabee created a handy guide to identifying a secret homosexual handshake are fake news.
summary: on 3 february 2015, the facebook page “mrs. betty bowers, america’s best christian” posted a message reporting former arkansas governor mike huckabee had created a guide to identifying a secret homosexual handshake. the image had been circulating on the internet since at least 2006. one of the earliest instances of its reproduction appeared on a naked authors blog, in an article about a writer's struggle to get published. it became associated with homosexuals when it was reposted by the satirical landover baptist church web site.