Latest news with #transRights
CBC
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
It's Pride Month. Here's what drag performers in St. John's are thinking about
On the first day of Pride Month, Quidi Vidi Brewery in St. John's was filled with rainbow flags, loud pop music and dancing drag performers during its brunch hour. June is usually a time of celebration for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, but the feeling isn't all positive this year. "One of the things I'm thinking about the most is the rise in hatred towards specifically trans people, but also the greater 2SLGBTQIA+ community," said Dill March, creative producer with Dream Haus productions. U.S. President Donald Trump campaigned on false claims about trans people in 2024, which has encouraged a rise in hatred towards the community — and that's led to a different Pride this year, says March. "There's more people watching and listening because they've seen the pain and struggle that many trans people have gone through, as well as the pain and struggles that other marginalized communities have faced because of the Trump administration," said March. March, alongside his partner Dakota Blake, started Dream Haus productions a year ago to create more opportunities for drag artists in St. John's. Blake said they are thinking about love, acceptance and fun heading into Pride Month, but also the rising hate. "I get more prideful every single year because I just survived a year," said Blake. For the drag performers at Sunday's event, the political climate is also top of mind heading into Pride Month. "Especially with what's happening in the States, which we know happens to echo into our culture here in Canada," said drag performer Alexander Sproul, who performed for his first time ever as Cora Lation. Gender-bending drag artist Mal Parrott, or Madame Daddy, says they also have mixed feelings heading into Pride Month. "I'm feeling very excited, but I also know the urgency of showing up and being unapologetically queer," said Parrott. They said marginalized communities are at risk right now, making Pride celebrations more important. "Pride is more than just a party. It began as a protest," said Parrott. For Natalie Byrne, who performs as Trish Bish, June is an important time to spread awareness. "We need our allies more than ever," she said. 'No going back' Eddy St. Coeur, external co-chair of St. John's Pride, says the theme this year is "no going back." St. Coeur said he wanted to consider what the community needed to hear when choosing the theme. "It's a rally cry for the community," said St. Coeur. "In light of all of these regressive policies that are attempting to be passed across the country, in light of all this increased hate and animosity, this community isn't going backwards because we still have so much further to go," he said. St. Coeur pointed to a recent poll released by N.L.'s Justice Department, which found 38 per cent of respondents who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ say police don't engage respectfully with their community. "That's something we've been saying for a long time and it's something we've seen no action on," said St. Coeur. During June, St. Coeur says there will be Pride festivals happening across the province, and starting July 9, St. John's Pride will host 11 days of events. Otherwise, St. Coeur says to "just put up a Pride flag." "Send that symbol around your neighbourhood, even if you're not in the community. Seeing that flag up tells everybody around you that you are a safe space."
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Seattle mayor blames Christian rally for inspiring violent 'anarchists' who 'infiltrated' counter-protest
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell blamed a Christian rally and infiltrating "anarchists" for violence breaking out at a counter-protest on Saturday. The Seattle Police Department reported 23 people were arrested at Cal Anderson Park during MayDayUSA's "Don't Mess With Our Kids" rally and a pro-LGBTQ counter-protest. According to SPD, police witnessed "multiple people inside one group throw items at the opposing group" and, while arresting individuals, were assaulted by other individuals, leading to an officer requiring medical treatment. After the scuffle broke out, Harrell's office released a statement defending the LGBTQ community and criticizing the "far-right rally" for provoking the violent reaction. "Seattle is proud of our reputation as a welcoming, inclusive city for LGBTQ+ communities, and we stand with our trans neighbors when they face bigotry and injustice," the statement read. "Today's far-right rally was held here for this very reason – to provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are inherently opposed to our city's values, in the heart of Seattle's most prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood." Blue State Mayor Proposes City Ordinance To Strengthen Transgender Care Protections In The Face Of Trump Eos He continued, "Anarchists infiltrated the counter-protestors group and inspired violence, prompting SPD to make arrests and ask organizers to shut down the event early, which they did." Read On The Fox News App Harrell added his support for people who peacefully protest an "extreme right-wing national effort to attack our trans and LGBTQ+ communities." He also suggested an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the approval of MayDayUSA's initial event. "While there are broad First Amendment requirements around permitting events under free speech protections, I am directing the Parks Department to review all of the circumstances of this application to understand whether there were legal location alternatives or other adjustments that could have been pursued," the statement read. "The Police Department will complete an after-action report of this event, including understanding preparation, crowd management tactics, and review of arrests and citations." Seattle Pride Faces Budget Shortfall As Corporate Sponsorships Dwindle Amid Anti-dei Shift Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor's office for a comment. Local news outlets reported seeing counter-protesters from groups like the Seattle Democratic Socialists of America shouting at rallygoers and calling them "fascist scum" and arrests occurring as quickly as a half-hour into the event. SPD did not clarify which side of the protest had initiated violence and didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. MayDayUSA is on a five-city tour holding religious rallies to, as event co-sponsor Jenny Donnelly said, "stand for our children, restore the family unit, and proclaim the gospel of Jesus."Original article source: Seattle mayor blames Christian rally for inspiring violent 'anarchists' who 'infiltrated' counter-protest
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Birmingham Pride set to kick off in city with Banarama and Clean Bandit headlining
Birmingham Pride returns to the city this weekend with Clean Bandit and Bananarama headlining the main year, about 75,000 people flocked to the country's second city to celebrate at one of the UK's biggest Pride parade will assemble in Centenary Square at 11:00 BST on Saturday before making its way through the city centre at 12:00 BST and ending in the LGBTQ+ village where the main festival activities will take is one of several Pride events this year to have banned political parties in "unequivocal solidarity" with the transgender community, after the Supreme Court ruled that the term "woman" in the Equality Act was defined by biological sex. Organisers of Birmingham Pride previously said that Labour, the only party which had been booked to march at the parade, was told it could not do so, while Labour said it would "continue to protect the trans community", adding laws to protect trans people remained. Birmingham Pride entertainment The Birmingham Pride street party will be held in the heart of the Pride Village, centred around Hurst Street, Bromsgrove Street, Kent Street and Lower Essex stars to take to the Birmingham Pride stages have included The Sugarbabes, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and year, Clean Bandit is headlining the main stage on Saturday at 22:35 BST, while 80s girl group Bananarama is headlining on Sunday at 22:30 full line-up for the main stage on Saturday is:Birmingham Royal Ballet - 16:00 BSTCatty - 16:45 BSTTom Rasmussen - 17:40 BSTUna Healy - 18:35 BSTClementine Douglas - 19:25 BSTCascada - 20:30 BSTThe Wanted 2.0 - 21:30 BSTClean Bandit - 22:35 BSTThe full line-up for the main stage on Sunday is:Kitty Scott-Claus - 16:20 BSTVicky Jackson - 17:35 BSTMoonchild Sanelly - 18:40 BST Alexandra Burke - 19:25 BSTClaire Richards - 20:20 BSTVengaboys - 21:20 BSTBananarama - 22:30 BSTAs well as the main stage, performers will also take to the dance arena, cabaret stage, and community stage. What roads are closed for the parade? The Birmingham Pride parade on Saturday is free to attend, starting in Centenary Square and finishing in the LGBTQ+ said: "The Birmingham Pride Parade march is one of the most important aspects of the entire festival weekend, enjoyed by tens of thousands of participants, walking, marching or aboard creatively decorated floats, and viewed by in excess of 75,000 spectators lining the streets of Birmingham."There will be rolling road closures through the city centre while the parade takes place, affecting bus and tram following roads will be closed while the parade is held:Broad Street and Centenary SquareCarrs LaneMoor Street. Priory Queensway to St Martins QueenswaySt Martins Tunnel for when Moor Street reopens but Tunnel is closedSmallbrook Queensway. St Martins Tunnel to Hill StreetHurst StreetThe parade will leave Centenary Square, march along New Street, then up High Street before turning onto Carrs Lane, organisers will then follows St Martins Queensway, which becomes Small Brook Queensway, to Hurst Street where it will end near the entrance to the LGBTQ+ Village Street to the slow moving nature of the parade, with plenty of stops and starts, it will take about 45 minutes from start to finish, organisers 06:00 BST on Saturday to 06:00 BST on Monday, Pershore Road will also be closed between Sherlock Street and Upper Dean Street for safe access to the Smithfield Birmingham Pride will be a number of bus diversions in place throughout the day with some bus stops closed and temporary stops in Express West Midlands bus services 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 9, 12, 12A, 13, 13A, 16, 17, 23, 24, 35, 45, 47, 50, 60, 61, 63, 80, 82, 87, 97, 126, X1, X2, X8, X10, X21, X22 will be subject to will also be some bus stop changes due to the rolling road closures for the parade. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Sadiq Khan distances himself from Starmer with vow to ‘stand up for trans Londoners' after Supreme Court ruling
Sir Sadiq Khan has distanced himself from Sir Keir Starmer 's response to the Supreme Court trans ruling, vowing to 'stand up for trans Londoners'. The London mayor said trans and non-binary Londoners 'are some of the most marginalised and vulnerable in our city' and the ruling, which saw judges confirm that the term 'woman' referred to biological sex, must not lead to more stigma and discrimination. In his first public comments on the controversial ruling, Sir Sadiq said: 'I've always been proud of London's status as a beacon for openness, equality and LGBTQ+ rights and I'm determined that this remains the case. 'Over recent years, the political debate has intensified, but we must remember when we talk about these issues that trans and non-binary Londoners are some of the most marginalised and vulnerable in our city. Understandably, many trans Londoners and others in the LGBTQ community are anxious about what the Supreme Court ruling will mean.' Sir Sadiq's response is a stark contrast with the prime minister, who said in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling that he no longer believed trans women are women. Sir Keir and senior ministers, including Bridget Phillipson, also said that trans women should use male toilets, while telling trans men to use women's toilets. The government's response drew condemnation from the Labour left and pro-LGBT campaigners, with one member of the party's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) warning the PM was 'putting trans people in harm's way'. Jess Barnard told The Independent Sir Keir's response to was 'appalling', while a trans Labour councillor quit the party and said it 'does not support my fundamental rights'. Quitting the party, Plymouth City councillor Dylan Tippetts said: 'said: 'Labour nationally has thrown transgender people under the bus and has taken us backwards decades.' The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) watchdog also sparked outrage with its interim guidance on the ruling that said trans women 'should not be permitted to use the women's facilities' in workplaces or public-facing services like shops and hospitals. Sir Sadiq welcomed the EHRC's consultation on the matter but said 'my position is clear', adding: 'The result of this ruling must not mean more stigma and discrimination against trans people in London, and as mayor I will continue to stand up for trans Londoners and the rights of the most vulnerable people in our society. 'I continue to work to stamp out transphobia, homophobia and bigotry in all its forms." Seeking to address anger at Labour's response, Ms Phillipson stressed that Labour will offer trans people the 'dignity' they were denied by the Conservatives. She said: 'We will continue our wider work with commitment, with compassion, to protect all of those who need it right across society. Because this is a government that will support the rights of women and trans people, now and always. 'This is a government that will support the rights of our most vulnerable, now and always. And, on that, there is no change to announce. Dignity and respect for all, now and always.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Labour's attempt to hide its cowardice over trans rights won't work
After years of evasion, doublethink and delay, the Labour Party crowned its tortuous journey towards acknowledging the rights of biological women by, er, cancelling its own Women's Conference. If the event had gone ahead with a ban on trans women attending it would have enraged trans-rights activists and amounted to a victory for the advocates of women's rights. So, unable to stomach the thought of either appeasing the gender-critical winners of the landmark Supreme Court ruling or facing down the irate losers from the trans lobby – amid fear of an embarrassing disruption or worse – it appears that the solution the party arrived at was: 'Let's hope the whole sorry business just goes away.' It looks both cowardly and cynical. At a meeting this week, Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) voted to limit women's officer roles and all-women shortlists to biological women in compliance with the ruling and wash their hands of the one-day Women's Conference scheduled for September. One leaked briefing document handed to NEC members about the ruling included the advice: 'To do otherwise would expose the party to significant risk of direct and indirect discrimination claims succeeding.' In other words, comply or we could get sued. The Women's Conference, it seems, is just more trouble than it's worth – and the message this sends out is pretty clear. A statement by the gender-critical rights advocacy organisation Labour Women's Declaration said: 'We are of course pleased that the party is finally aware that it must comply with the Equality Act. However, cancelling our conference for fear of protests against a women's event is not the answer… We are shocked that hundreds of women in the Labour Party might be prevented from meeting at conference because the NEC would prefer to disadvantage all women rather than to exclude the very small number of trans-identified men who may wish to attend the women's conference. The party should not act in fear of threats and demonstrations.' The Telegraph's columnist Suzanne Moore tweeted: 'So Labour can't have a Women's Conference for fear of what? Male violence. Why not say it?' It looks as though Labour knows enforcing a single-sex space at a women's conference would trigger vociferous and potentially unmanageable protests by trans-rights groups who oppose the Supreme Court ruling and, in some cases, have set out to defy it. The 'optics', as they say in Westminster, would not be good. Labour is trapped between the threat of direct action from trans activists on one side and ruinous legal action by female members on the other. This is a mess entirely of its own making and one that suggests something rather ominous beyond its historic fudges on the issue of women's and trans rights. It says that working out a coherent policy and sticking to it was beyond the Labour leadership. And by desperately seeking to avoid confrontation with either side, especially among its militant backbenchers, it has simply alienated both even further. In the past, many senior members of the Labour cabinet have endorsed gender self-ID – an illustration of the extent to which gender identity became holy writ within the party. Sir Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner, Rachel Reeves, Wes Streeting and others have all, at one time or another, publicly accepted the proposition that trans women are women, which is now untenable under the terms of the Equality Act. The ways in which a succession of then shadow ministers squirmed when asked 'What is a woman?' (some even scoffed at the temerity of the question) shows how ingrained their confusion had become. With a majority on the Left happy to accept the strictures of gender ideology for the sake of an easy life, it placed them on a collision course with the law and reality. Yet just this week, during a Commons debate, four Labour MPs still called for transgender people to be allowed to self-identify as having a different gender to their biological sex. Some Labour MPs just don't seem to have even a basic grasp of the issues, preferring instead to parrot well-worn lines about protecting the trans community. Of course trans people should be protected, but by retreating to this mantra without understanding that this can't – indeed now must – not be done at the expense of the rights of women seems to be beyond their intellectual powers. Either that or they are pretending not to understand. To govern is to choose. Treating women like collateral damage is unlikely to be forgotten. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
