Latest news with #WomensRights
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iranian-American leader of North Texas non-profit recalls imprisonment in home country
The Brief As conflict continues between Israel and Iran, a North Texas Iranian-American leader shared her past imprisonment for discussing women's rights. The non-profit leader highlighted the fears of family and friends in Iran due to the ongoing conflict and government actions. A key concern for the U.S. is Iran's alleged potential to produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months. DALLAS - As the conflict continues between Israel and Iran, all eyes are on how President Donald Trump will respond. Meanwhile, the leader of an Iranian-American community in North Texas describes what led her to the U.S. One week into the war between Iran and Israel, one Iranian-American in North Texas thinks back to the country she left behind in the 1980s. Homeira Hesami says she was arrested at 16-years-old for having books discussing women's rights and resistance. She says she and some of her friends were imprisoned for having the contraband. Eventually, Hesami planted roots in the U.S. to further her education. She now leads the independent non-profit "Iranian-American Community of North Texas." It's been around since 1979. The non-profit estimates there are 30,000 Iranian-Americans in North Texas. Many members of the North Texas non-profit, like Hesami, still have loved ones in Iran. We know airspace is closed in Iran, and Hesami says she knows some are trying to leave who cannot. Big picture view In Iran, a country of roughly 90 million people, an overwhelming majority of more than 80 percent reject the current regime, according to surveying by Netherlands-based Gamaan Institute. A regime change is at the forefront of political conversations surrounding Iran's nuclear capabilities. A major question is whether the U.S. will be involved in forcing that change. Can it be done solely by Iran's resistance population? Will it be done? Only time will tell. What they're saying Hesami described her experience after being arrested in her home country. "It was just like, when I walked in prison, I was really surprised. When they arrested me, I said, 'I haven't done anything. I'm not even active. I'm just reading some books and researching,'" Hesami said. She says she's worried about the people remaining in Iran. "People don't know what's going to happen the next day," Hesami said. "The Iranian people want regime change, and they want to do it on their own," Hesami continued. On Friday, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard posted to X: "America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalize the assembly. President Trump has been clear that can't happen, and I agree." Meanwhile, Hesami says it's difficult to even maintain contact with some loved ones whose internet is cut down. "And that's a sign that the regime is afraid of an uprising, because anytime that the internet is cut down, the regime is doing something malicious, and they don't want any news to get out," Hesami said. The Source Information in this article came from Homeira Hesami and previous FOX 4 coverage.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Teenage girl footballer banned by FA for asking transgender opponent 'are you a man?' demands apology after sport's bosses dropped the case
A teenage footballer who received a match ban from the FA for asking a transgender opponent 'are you a man?' has demanded an apology after the case was dropped. Last year Cerys Vaughan, then 17, was sanctioned by a disciplinary panel for improper conduct after she made the comment while playing a friendly game in Lancashire. Having been told the player was transgender Vaughan says she then raised the matter with the referee over concerns she had about fairness and safety. According to The Telegraph, Vaughan admitted to asking a player who reportedly had a beard if they were a man. Following a complaint she was charged for breaching the FA Code of Conduct, Improper Conduct and for Improper Conduct aggravated by Gender Reassignment. The complaint was made via Kick It Out, an England-based anti-discrimination watchdog, and included a statement from the trans player and the opposing team's captain, who accused her of transphobia. Vaughan denied the charges but was found guilty by a National Serious Case Panel and banned for six games – four of which were suspended for 12 months. The ruling sparked fury from women's rights campaigners who protested against the Football Association's transgender inclusion policy outside Wembley in November 2024. Vaughan appealed the verdict and in February an FA appeal board found that she had received an 'unfair' hearing, quashed the original ruling, and ordered a new process to take place. The case has since been dropped after the complainant withdrew from the process. Vaughan, now 18, has chosen to reveal her identity and in her first broadcast interview told BBC Sport: 'It was stressful. It's definitely impacted my normal life a lot. 'In the end it was pointless, and there was no reason for the FA to put me through all this. 'They said I wasn't guilty anymore and they dropped my charges and cleared my record.' In a statement, the FA said: 'We can confirm that this disciplinary case has now been closed, as the complainant has chosen to withdraw from the process due to personal reasons. 'All relevant parties have been informed of this outcome and no further action will be taken. 'To protect the players involved, and to respect the confidential details included, we are not in a position to publish further details about this case.' Vaughan has denied being transphobic. She is currently on the assessment pathway for autism, and it is common for autistic people to struggle to express their feelings regarding gender. After her case began, in July 2024, she said in a written statement: 'The moment the player clarified they were transgender (which I previously hadn't considered), I respected their answer fully, dropped the situation and immediately shifted my focus back to the game before seeking guidance from the referee. 'At no point was my question meant to be hurtful or malicious as I only intended to seek clarity in an unfamiliar situation. 'Knowing now that the player was transgender, I understand that there were better ways to approach this question.'
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pedro Pascal has savage response to JK Rowling after she reacts to court ruling on what legally defines a woman
Pedro Pascal has made his feelings about JK Rowling very clear. If you've been keeping an eye on what celebrities are wearing at the moment, you might have spotted some wearing a t-shirt with the slogan 'Protect The Dolls'. The tee was designed by Connor Ives for people to wear in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community - transgender women in particular. Since its release, famous faces like Troye Sivan, Tate McRae, and Tilda Swinton have been sporting the statement fashion piece. Pascal has also been seen wearing it on numerous occasions, most recently at a Thunderbolts screening in London earlier this week. But someone who won't be seen wearing the t-shirt is Harry Potter author Rowling, who recently celebrated the UK Supreme Court's decision on what legally defines a woman. Judges in the UK's highest court said that the 'concept of sex is binary' and that a person with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) in the female gender 'does not come within the definition of a woman', said the BBC. In simpler terms, the court ruled that only women born as such meet the legal definition of a woman. The ruling has caused a lot of controversy, but Rowling has applauded the news and said that the decision has protected 'the rights of women and girls across the UK'. Elsewhere, Rowling shared a snap on her Twitter page of her smoking a cigar with a drink. She wrote alongside the photo: "I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights." I love it when a plan comes together.#SupremeCourt #WomensRights — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 16, 2025 Writer and activist Tariq Ra'ouf later posted a video blasting Rowling for her reaction and said it was some 'Voldemort villain s**t'. And Pascal agreed and made his feelings clear in the comment section of Ra'ouf's video. The Last of Us actor said: "Awful disgusting S**T is exactly right. Heinous LOSER behavior." Other stars to have spoken out against Rowling and the Supreme Court's ruling include Bridgerton favorite Nicola Coughlan. Sharing an article titled 'This Is a New Low for J.K. Rowling', Coughlan penned on her Instagram Story: "Keep your new Harry Potter, lads. Wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole." Meanwhile Saturday Night Live's Bowen Yang shared a photo of himself flipping off the camera and wrote 'absolute f**k u to jk rowling' alongside a trans pride flag emoji. Even the original Harry Potter cast themselves have spoken out previously about Rowling's views and condemned them. In 2020, Daniel Radcliffe said in a statement: "Transgender women are women."
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pedro Pascal slams J.K. Rowling as 'heinous loser' over anti-trans views: 'Disgusting'
Pedro Pascal is calling out J.K. Rowling for her "disgusting" anti-trans viewpoints. The "Last of Us" star, 50, slammed the "Harry Potter" author, 59, after an Instagram video posted April 17 argued that she was "reveling" in the U.K. Supreme Court's ruling against trans women. Pedro commented on the video, writing that the words "awful" and "disgusting" are the "right" way to describe the British author's views, adding that Rowling engaged in "heinous LOSER behavior." USA TODAY reached out to reps for Pascal. Rowling's rep declined to comment. J.K. Rowling celebrated UK Supreme Ciyrt ruling with a cigar. Backlash was swift. The pair are on opposite ends of the global conversation about gender and trans rights: Pascal, the brother of trans actress Lux, is a pro-trans advocate while Rowling has long espoused anti-trans views. The U.K.'s highest court ruled on April 16 that the definition of a woman under equality legislation referred to "biological sex" and that trans women with gender recognition certificates are not protected from discrimination as a woman under Britain's Equality Act. I love it when a plan comes together.#SupremeCourt #WomensRights — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 16, 2025 In several posts on X, Rowling celebrated "terfs" and referred to the ruling as "TERF VE Day," a play on V-E Day, the formal end of World War II and Nazi occupation in Europe. Since 2019, Rowling has been labeled a "terf," or trans-exclusionary radical feminist, for her anti-trans beliefs that conflate sex with gender and suggest that changing one's biological sex threatens her own gender identity. "I love it when a plan comes together," Rowling posted to X alongside "#SupremeCourt" and "#WomensRights" while beachside with a drink and a cigar. Rowling reportedly donated £70,000 (about $93,000) to For Women Scotland, the campaign group that argued the case, according to U.K. news outlet The Times. While the court said trans people would not be disadvantaged by the decision, critics worry it could lead to discrimination, especially regarding employment issues. Pascal has become a walking billboard for trans rights, pleasing fans and advocates alike. At the London premiere of his new film "Thunderbolts" on April 22, Pascal wore a white "support the dolls" shirt with black lettering. The shirt is used to express support for trans women, who are sometimes referred to as dolls. Fashion designer Conner Ives created the shirt and wore it at London Fashion Week in February. He told The New York Times that he woke up the morning after his fashion week show with a flood of emails asking where to buy it. Pedro Pascal wears 'protect the dolls' shirt at 'Thunderbolts' red carpet: See photo According to Ives' website, proceeds from the sale of the shirt are being donated to Trans Lifeline, a nonprofit that offers support to trans people in crisis. Weeks before Ives debuted the shirt, President Donald Trump announced the federal government would recognize only two sexes, male and female. In his personal life, Pascal has shown public support for his little sister. In an Esquire interview from 2023, Pascal said his sister has "always been one of the most powerful people and personalities I've ever known," adding that "my protective side is lethal, but I need her more than she needs me." Contributing: Brendan Morrow, Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pedro Pascal slams JK Rowling as 'heinous' for anti-trans views
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pedro Pascal slams J.K. Rowling over anti-trans stance
Pedro Pascal is making headlines again—not just for his acting, but for taking a bold public stance in support of the transgender community. While attending the UK premiere of Thunderbolts on April 22, 2025, Pascal wore a 'Protect the Dolls' t-shirt, a pointed show of solidarity following controversial statements from Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Rowling recently praised a U.K. Supreme Court ruling that interprets the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act to mean biological women and sex assigned at birth—legislation widely criticized as anti-trans. Sharing a photo of herself smoking a cigar, Rowling captioned the post, 'I love it when a plan comes together,' a quote from The A-Team, with hashtags #SupremeCourt and #WomensRights. Actor and activist Tariq Ra'ouf called the post 'some serious Voldemort villain s–t,' accusing Rowling of fueling hatred and misinformation about the trans community. Pascal responded directly to Ra'ouf's Instagram Reel, calling Rowling's celebration 'heinous LOSER behavior' and agreeing with the sentiment that her actions were 'awful disgusting s–t.' Pascal has long supported LGBTQ+ rights and has spoken publicly about his sister, Lux Pascal, who came out as a transgender woman in 2021. He previously condemned anti-trans rhetoric in February 2025, saying, 'I can't think of anything more vile and small and pathetic than terrorizing the smallest, most vulnerable community.' Also speaking out was Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, who dismissed Rowling's new Harry Potter projects, saying, 'Wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole.' Pascal's vocal support has further solidified his role as one of Hollywood's most outspoken allies for trans rights.
