A decade of colour: Wigan celebrates 10 years of Pride
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Axios
3 hours ago
- Axios
Florida orders Key West to remove rainbow crosswalks after city pushback
The Florida Department of Transportation is demanding the removal of Key West's rainbow-colored Pride crosswalks after city leaders pushed back against a new mandate banning street art. Why it matters: The state's response comes two weeks after Key West appeared to become the first Florida city to resist new state and federal guidelines targeting pavement art that transportation officials say could distract drivers. The latest: In a memo to Key West on Friday, an FDOT official demanded that the city's rainbow-colored pavement markings be removed by Sept. 3 If that doesn't happen, the state "will remove them by any appropriate method necessary without further notice," wrote FDOT District Six secretary Daniel Iglesias. Iglesias added that the state would charge the city for any removal costs unless the city removed the crosswalk itself and threatened to withhold state funds if the city commits "any additional violations." What they're saying: "We are going to fight this," Mayor Danise "Dee Dee" Henriquez told The Keys Citizen. Threat level: The state's response could have ripple effects across Florida, potentially influencing how cities like Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale — neither of which have removed its LGBTQ street markings — respond to the new policy. Catch up quick: Key West commissioners voted Aug. 6 to explore any legal recourses to maintain the Pride crosswalks on Duval and Petronia streets, which the city have declared cultural landmarks. The Delray Beach City Commission followed suit last week, deciding to keep its Pride intersection until it receives direct orders from the state relating to its June 30 mandate. What's next: The state memo to Key West says the city may request an administrative proceeding and that FDOT has reserved time on Sept. 3 at the Florida Turnpike Enterprise's offices in Orlando for a hearing.
Spectator
7 hours ago
- Spectator
Why women trust Farage more than Starmer
Labour's attack dogs have Nigel Farage firmly in their sights. A vote for Reform will leave women and girls at risk from all manner of online nasties, is their latest salvo. Apparently, only Labour can offer us women the protection we need. Well, as one such woman, I would far sooner have a pint with Farage than be looked after by Starmer. First came technology secretary Peter Kyle, who, at the end of July, accused the Reform leader of 'wilful disregard for the safety of children online' after he proposed repealing the Online Safety Act. Angela Rayner then ramped up the panic. Scrapping online safety laws would enable 'a vile, misogynistic culture on social media' by opening the floodgates on revenge porn, the Deputy Prime Minister proclaimed. This would 'fail a generation of young women,' she added for good measure. And now this week sees the launch of a Labour attack ad scurrilously linking Farage to Andrew Tate – a self-declared 'misogynist' and 'sexist' facing charges, which he denies, of rape and human trafficking in more than one country – after Farage discussed Tate's appeal to young men in a podcast. The crude message being drummed home to voters is that women and girls will not be safe with Farage in charge. That Labour needs to confuse online and real world harms, that it seeks to blur the boundary between the actions of Jimmy Savile and internet pornography, not only speaks of desperation, it is insulting to women. There isn't a woman alive who doesn't know the difference between a podcast interview and being intimidated or physically threatened in real life. Or, for that matter, between even the vilest online content and the actions of a rapist or paedophile. To suggest women don't know this – and need to be protected in the online world just like girls – is patronising in the extreme. In case Labour's PR team needs reminding, women are morally and intellectually equal to men. Of course there are things online I would not want children to see. But, as a mother, I consider it my role – not the job of government ministers – to protect my daughter. Because, let's be honest, when it comes to protecting women and girls in real life, the Labour government does not have a leg to stand on. Just this weekend, while Rayner was busy arguing Farage would fail women, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy joined Wigan's Pride march sporting a 'Protect the Dolls' T-shirt, 'doll' being slang for a man who 'passes' as a woman. Was a government minister really suggesting that males should be allowed access to women's single sex spaces – presumably including toilets, changing rooms and hospital wards – places where women really are vulnerable? So much for women's safety. And if we're discussing risks to girls, what has Labour done about the Pakistani-heritage grooming gangs that have preyed on working class girls in towns across Britain? Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, huffed with irritability when forced to listen to Conservative Katie Lam's Parliamentary plea for justice for the victims of 'racially and religiously aggravated' crimes. When the issue of grooming gangs was raised on Radio 4's Any Questions, Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell, dismissively retorted, 'Oh, we want to blow that little trumpet now do we,' and 'let's get that dog whistle out shall we'. And let's not forget that Starmer initially ruled out a national inquiry into grooming gangs, accusing those calling for one of jumping on a 'far-right bandwagon'. So much for the safety of girls. Labour has nothing to offer women and girls other than promises of censorship. Restricting free speech online might suit the current government but it is scurrilous to use women's safety as a reason for this control. In any case, patronising women while smearing Farage could backfire spectacularly. With women now leading protests against asylum seekers being housed in hotels, Reform is targeting female voters directly. Women are listening: latest polls suggest that Reform is gaining ground not just among women but among young women in particular. Even trendy women's mag Cosmopolitan has been forced to admit that 'Nigel Farage and co are winning over more female voters.' It seems I'm not the only one who would prefer a pint with Farage to being looked after by Starmer. Joanna Williams is an academic and author. Follow her on Substack here
Metro
9 hours ago
- Metro
EastEnders confirms passionate Ben and Callum reunion after death of character
Ballum fans, get ready. The brief reunion of your favourite EastEnders couple is about to begin. For those of you out of the loop, Ballum is, of course, portmanteau – or ship name – for Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) and Callum Highway (Tony Clay). The two have been estranged since early last year, but new photos show them embracing one another at a very sad occasion for the Highway clan. While the full details of his return plot haven't been revealed, we know that he will be in Walford for the funeral of Jonno, the father of Stuart (Ricky Champ) and Callum. New pictures taken from the churchyard show Callum having an intense confrontation with his husband, as Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) stands beside him. This seems to be just moments after Ben climbs out of a black car in handcuffs. The two begin to kiss, which seems to evoke jealous in Callum's new bit on the side. Another snap shows them stood side by side, almost turning their backs on one another. Things clearly get heated between the men, as Callum holds out his hand in frustration and Stuart giving a disapproving look in Johnny's direction. Ben is completely absent in another photo as Jonno's coffin is lowered into the ground. Johnny comforts Callum, who looks pained and tearful, with Ben wiping away his own tears. It's going to be a rollercoaster of emotions! Max will return alongside Ricky as Ben and Stuart for the story later in the autumn. Ben will be on day release from prison in America, while Stuart will only visit due to having a life away from Albert Square with Rainie (Tanya Franks). Jonno, portrayed by Richard Graham, appeared in just four episodes in 2019. Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) – then engaged to Callum – reached out to him, unaware that he has abused both Callum and Stuart in their childhood. Making himself out to be a changed man, his true colours soon shone through when he fought with Ben and used homophobic language, and then pinned Callum up against a wall. Jonno was subsequently thrown out of Walford, and upon his return two months later, was surprised to hear that Callum's wedding to Whit' hadn't gone ahead. Callum came out as gay, and a disgusted Jonno accused Ben of turning his son 'into one of them'. Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) dealt a menacing punch, and Jonno threatened to go to the police. The punters in the Queen Vic, including Whitney, all decided to deny seeing Phil attack him. Ben went to prison because he was arrested for stealing someone's credit card, and making a number of purchases while exploring treatment options for Lola – who had a brain tumour – in the States. Ben and Callum vowed to make their relationship work while he was behind bars, but absence certainly hasn't made the heart grow fonder. More Trending Callum and Johnny shared a surprise smooch during the Pride event at The Prine Albert, which effectively ended Johnny's romance with recently departed Felix Baker (Matthew James Morrison). Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! The guilt didn't stop Callum going back for more, but their secret affair was soon uncovered by Phil, who violently attacked Johnny. Since then, the pair have cooled things off, with Callum insisting he is committed to waiting for Ben. View More » Even though Johnny has headed off on a cruise, he's still sending risqué photos to Callum. MORE: EastEnders fans are all saying the same thing about Ben Mitchell's return MORE: Yet another EastEnders star returning to the cast three years after chaotic exit MORE: All 44 EastEnders pictures for next week as Ross makes shocking discovery
