Latest news with #InclusiveFuture
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rights group launches tour in Ohio to fight ‘anti-LGBTQ+ attacks,' announces web show
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Human Rights Campaign, the country's largest LGBTQ+ rights group, kicked off its national tour in Columbus this week and announced a new web series amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies, including Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. The 'American Dreams Tour' hosted several Columbus events on Wednesday and Thursday, as part of the campaign's months-long effort 'to elevate LGBTQ+ stories, push back against rising political attacks, and build a more inclusive future.' Running through November, the tour is traveling to Republican-led states amid a wave of 'anti-LGBTQ+' legislation, like gender-affirming care bans for transgender youth and restrictions on certain library books. HRC said the tour is beginning 'in the heartland to honor Ohio's legacy of queer and activism and highlight the ongoing threats facing LGBTQ+ people,' showcasing Columbus 'as a city with deep LGBTQ+ roots and an urgent present-fight.' Out in Ohio: Advocate leads movement to ban anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy 'It is so powerful to be here in Ohio, especially knowing the history of this state. … This is one of those states that's really emblematic of the experience of queer people in the country,' said Kelley Robinson, president of HRC, in an interview with NBC4. 'I'm excited to be here because I think in Ohio we can tell the story of the harms that people are experiencing, but also the hope that really exists in every part of the state.' HRC's Columbus events during the two-day stop included a roundtable discussion at Columbus City Hall with City Council President Shannon Hardin, who recently led the effort to create a new LGBTQ+ affairs commission. The group also took part in a community celebration with Beatty, a 'Voices for Equality' storytelling training session, and a kitchen table conversation with Stonewall Columbus, Kaleidoscope Youth Center and other Ohio LGBTQ+ advocates. The tour comes as the campaign is readying to launch 'Our American Dreams,' a coinciding YouTube series telling the stories of LGBTQ+ people nationwide and how they're living their versions of the American dream, a HRC senior advisor confirmed to NBC4. Episodes will feature advocates like David Archuleta and public officials like Beatty, alongside LGBTQ+ families, students, teachers and experts, 'all united in the belief that the American Dream is only possible when everyone gets to live their lives authentically, freely and equitably,' HRC said. Pronoun rules, discrimination ban: These 2025 bills could shape LGBTQ+ Ohio rights The episodes will follow HRC's cross-country tour, the senior advisor said, and focus on a range of topics relating to the community, including marriage equality, trans rights and gender-affirming care, HIV education, depiction of LGBTQ+ people in media, intersectionality, and the removal of diversity, equity and inclusion in education and the workforce. As many institutions withdraw their support for the LGBTQ+ community, 'this is our time to share the stories that give us hope again,' said Robinson. These stories remind us, she said, 'that even in the crisis moment that we're in, we have seen this before and we have the tools, especially as queer folks and trans folks of color, to move through this moment.' 'These aren't scripted moments, these aren't talking points. … At the end of the day, what we hope to do is share stories that inspire and ignite people,' said Robinson. 'These sorts of storytelling efforts we know can change lives, so that's why we're engaging and investing in this particular series because we think there's a real opportunity, in a moment when people are looking for hope.' 'This county is ours, our stories are ours and we're gonna claim it and we're gonna own it,' Robinson continued. 'I truly believe that pride and patriotism, they go hand-in-hand. Everything that queer folks have done for this nation, for our communities, it's palpable, it's part of the American experience and we're going to tell those stories.' Robinson emphasized that storytelling is critical as 'we're seeing a historic backslide on rights.' In Ohio, legislation deemed 'anti-LGBTQ+' includes a provision in the state budget defining gender as two sexes, a law banning certain healthcare for trans youth, and a bill to celebrate 'Natural Family Month.' The Statehouse has also approved a measure to set separate bathrooms based on students' 'biological sex,' and is considering a proposal that LGBTQ+ advocates say will outlaw drag queen shows in public. Out in Ohio: 10 years after Obergefell, advocates warn marriage equality still at risk HRC cited a recent report that said LGBTQ+ people are at 'high risk' of facing inequality in Ohio given the state is not home to law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in housing or public accommodations. In addition, the Buckeye State has failed to install a ban on anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy and has not removed antiquated HIV criminalization laws passed in the 1980s. While Ohio is home to Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court case legalizing marriage equality, the state's legislature has also been reluctant to overturn a dormant same-sex marriage ban that would be reenacted if the court ever reversed that decision. 'I truly believe that in this country, as is true in this state, a majority of people are not inherently anti-LGBTQ+, a majority of people are not against equality,' said Robinson. 'What's happening is, they're being feed a steady diet of misinformation and lies and the way to combat that is by telling our stories, connecting on our values. And we know that our stories, that don't just make people feel differently about issues, they make them act differently, too.' HRC's other tour stops include Las Vegas; Washington, D.C.; Dallas; Atlanta; and Nashville, Tennessee. Additional stops will be announced in the coming weeks. Learn more about the tour and the upcoming web series on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
National Accessibility Week underway in Sudbury
With the theme of 'Breaking Barriers Together: Paving the Way for an Inclusive Future,' Sudbury marked the start of Accessibility Week at city hall Monday. It's National Accessibility Week and many events will be held across Greater Sudbury. The theme this year is 'Breaking Barriers together: paving the way for an inclusive future.' Alicia Grace Chenier, 25, has been blind since birth and said she often has to adapt to the world around her. Accessibility week It's National Accessibility Week and many events will be held across Greater Sudbury. The theme this year is 'Breaking Barriers together: paving the way for an inclusive future.' (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News) 'I'm always saying I'm a blind girl in the sighted world because I've just had to constantly adapt,' Chenier said. 'And so this week is really bringing in that accessibility awareness that we all need -- and I hope it continues because, you know, accessibility isn't just needed within one week.' She is also one of the vice chairs of the accessibility advisory panel in the city. Chenier said the group has worked hard to include people who have lived experience taking part in important conversations. Another vice chair, Gina Kennedy, said they work with the city to develop policies promoting accessibility. 'Especially our consultation policy that we're really proud of this year,' Kennedy said. Accessibility week2 It's National Accessibility Week and many events will be held across Greater Sudbury. The theme this year is 'Breaking Barriers together: paving the way for an inclusive future.' (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News) 'That triggers an awareness to look at the policies, even the older ones, to make sure that they have that inclusive language, but also that they're thinking about the future.' The panel was on hand for the proclamation Monday at Tom Davis Square. The event also featured the wheelchair challenge. The challenge is just one of several daily events taking place during the week put on by Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin (ILSM). 'Thursday we have 'Cruisin for Inclusion,'' said Brandon Jalbert, the group's marketing coordinator. 'We are walking from ILSM all the way down around City Hall, back up Larch Street, all the way to 125 Durham St.' On Friday, he said they will hold their first night market. 'We're shutting down the street from Medina Lane all the way down to the corner of Elgin,' Jalbert said. '(On) Saturday, it's the big one -- the accessibility expo. So that is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and we're getting all the organizations from Sudbury and local businesses to come together on the street to promote accessibility.' For a full list of events, click here.
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The Digital Future is Inclusive: Innovation Week Tanzania 2025 Closes Strong, Powered by the Future Ready Summit
Innovation took center stage in Tanzania as Innovation Week Tanzania 2025 (IWTz2025) anchored by the Future Ready Summit (FRS2025) wrapped up a powerful five-day journey of ideation, collaboration and solution-driven dialogue. With the theme 'Innovation for an Inclusive and Resilient Future,' the landmark platform brought together a diverse mix of policymakers, innovators, private sector leaders, development partners, academia, and youth to reimagine Tanzania's development agenda through the lens of homegrown, inclusive, and tech-driven innovation. The events, held from 12th to 16th May 2025, served as a national platform to drive forward-thinking dialogue around digital transformation, urban development, climate adaptation, AI adoption, and inclusive technologies. Satellite events and activations extended the impact across regions reaching universities and communities in Arusha, Morogoro, Zanzibar, Mwanza, Dodoma, Iringa, Mbeya, and beyond, ensuring the innovation conversation was truly nationwide. Vodacom Tanzania PLC, UNDP Tanzania through its FUNGUO Innovation program and the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) jointly spearheaded the week's activities, showcasing the strength of public-private partnerships in shaping Tanzania's innovation ecosystem. Speaking at the event, Philip Besiimire, Managing Director of Vodacom Tanzania, underscored the importance of designing human-centered innovation. 'Any technology that is not human-centered and solving real human challenges is impractical. We must ask ourselves: is the technology we're building truly usable by the average Tanzanian? Innovation must be inclusive, accessible, and transformational. That's what we are building toward.' The Future Ready Summit 2025 explored how Tanzania can accelerate its journey towards smart cities, 5G connectivity, e-governance and Artificial Intelligence, while also bridging the digital divide. It provided a space for policymakers, startups, and digital experts to engage in meaningful dialogue and unveil solutions that could propel Tanzania into a tech-enabled and inclusive future. Simultaneously, Innovation Week Tanzania 2025 provided a broader picture for innovation in action. From community-led tech innovations to startup pitch sessions, climate solutions to digital skills initiatives, the week celebrated Tanzania's innovation potential especially from youth and underrepresented communities. Tech exhibitions, roundtables, workshops, and policy forums created a dynamic environment for engagement, idea exchange, and cross-sector collaboration. Highlighting the developmental angle of the week's activities, John Rutere, Deputy Resident Representative at UNDP Tanzania said, 'At UNDP, our FUNGUO Program is designed to spark innovation among young Tanzanians. The program gives them access not only to tools, but to the environment and support networks they need to tackle real societal challenges and scale impact.' On the government's role in driving research and innovation, Dr. Amos Nungu, Director General of COSTECH, noted, 'Innovation must move beyond profit to serve people and the planet. Public-private partnerships are where innovation meets action and opportunity—and it's up to all of us to mobilize around a shared purpose.' As IWTz 2025 and FRS2025 close, the momentum generated, and partnerships formed have laid a strong foundation for future collaboration. Tanzania's journey toward a resilient, inclusive digital economy is not only underway, but also being shaped by its own people, with the support of visionary partners and a shared commitment to impact. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vodacom Tanzania Plc.
