Protesters have taken to the streets in the LA suburb of Burbank, demonstrating against a new Disney LGBTQ public service announcement
With tensions between entertainment giant The Walt Disney Company and lawmakers in Florida, Disney – along with three other well-known media companies are gearing up to air a new public service announcement from GLAAD featuring a transgender teen which calls for nationwide support of LGBTQ youth.
The public service announcement, available on YouTube, focuses on a Texas mom, Amber Briggle and her son Max.
Watch the PSA video below:
“They have the same hopes and dreams and deserve the same equality as yours does.” Briggle says in the video, urging Americans to support LGBTQ+ youth stating “they are just kids.”
Police called in as “hateful” anti-gay protest turns ugly
But anti-LGBTQ+ protesters have taken their protest to the gates of Disney, to express their anger at the companies decision to air the PSA on its network.
I’m in Burbank in front of Disney studios where followers of Sean Feucht and other right wingers are protesting what they view as the studio being too friendly to gay rights pic.twitter.com/qKe7cyYfut
Video posted to social media highlighted the chaos at the front gates of the entertainment company, with those in attendance vowing “Disney must not interfere with children”
BREAKING: Protesters gather in front of the Disney HQ in Burbank CA chanting “BOYCOTT DISNEY!” pic.twitter.com/hKVp2ufGBQ
In a seperate video shared on Twitter, a protester, claiming to be an employee of Disney says that she often finds herself shamed for being a “conservative” – stating it has become hard to work for Disney with her beliefs.
“It’s gotten very political”
the protester says.
BREAKING: A conservative Disney Employee says “it’s gotten very hard to be someone with conservative values” working for Disney in front of the Disney HQ in Burbank CA
Gay rights groups have since condemned the “homophobic” actions of protesters – stating the company is simply showing its support for the gay community and sharing the community’s concerns about a current anti-gay bill presented to lawmakers in Florida.
LGBT support groups rally against new Florida bill.
Florida’s new bill would ban discussing these issues to students in primary schools and restrict how they are discussed in other grades if they are deemed “not age-appropriate.”
The bill has however been criticised for not specifying what would be considered age-appropriate, or who decides.
According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), any parent could sue their child’s school for compensation for alleged harm if they believe those discussions have occurred.
The likely outcome of the bill would be to deter teachers from addressing these issues and to chill open discussions and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students.
Marchers wave flags as they walk at the St. Pete Pier during a rally and march to protest against a bill dubbed by opponents as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill Saturday, March 12, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Florida lawmakers have passed the bill, which forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. It now moves to the desk of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it into law.
(Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
HRW on its website, goes on to state that the bill would also require school personnel to notify parents of changes in a student’s physical, mental, or emotional health, as well as significantly limiting the ability of councillors and teachers to be a “confidential resource for students, including LGBT students who may not feel safe or comfortable asking questions about sexual orientation or gender identity to family members.”
HRW has also documented how curricular restrictions harm LGBT youth in US schools, stating that “these restrictions not only prevent students from accessing information that’s essential to their health and well-being, but send a discriminatory message that being LGBT is inappropriate or wrong.”
“That message not only stigmatizes LGBT children but can tacitly encourage intolerance and bullying from peers from a young age.”
In recent years, states like Alabama, Arizona, South Carolina, and Utah all repealed laws that limited discussions of gay rights issues within schools.
Similar laws however do remain in the U.S. states of Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Texas. HRW says that five other states allow parents to opt their children out of schools where LGBT issues are openly being discussed.
Trump and Putin’s call yielded no cease-fire agreement on Ukraine, with both sides urged to continue negotiations.
In Short:
Trump and Putin discussed Ukraine’s conflict for two hours, but Putin refused a cease-fire, complicating U.S. mediation efforts. Despite Zelensky urging Trump for tougher sanctions and commitment, progress in negotiations remains limited.
President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a two-hour phone call on Monday regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Putin declined to agree to an immediate cease-fire, despite pressure from Ukraine and European leaders for the U.S. to remain involved in negotiations.
After the call, Trump suggested that the U.S. might reconsider its role in the peace process, emphasising that a deal must be reached directly between Moscow and Kyiv.
Putin’s refusal to accept a proposed 30-day cease-fire presents ongoing challenges to Trump’s attempts to mediate. Trump expressed hope for productive discussions but did not publicly advocate for tougher sanctions against Russia.
Firm commitment
Ukrainian President Zelensky briefed Trump prior to the call, urging him to secure a firm commitment from Putin. Following the discussion, Zelensky reiterated the need for increased sanctions and continued U.S. involvement to ensure that the situation does not favour Russia.
Putin indicated a willingness to work on a memorandum outlining terms for a potential peace agreement but reiterated demands for significant concessions from Ukraine, including military reductions and NATO policies.
Trump stated that both parties would initiate negotiations aimed at establishing a cease-fire and ending the war. Despite a recent meeting between mid-level officials from both countries, progress remains limited.
Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer
Joe Biden, 82, diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, confirmed by his team after health scrutiny led to his presidential race withdrawal.
Joe Biden, 82, diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, confirmed by his team after health scrutiny led to his presidential race withdrawal.
Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. The 82-year-old former U.S. President is now battling cancer that has spread to his bones. Following a medical evaluation, Biden’s team confirmed the high-grade, hormone-sensitive cancer.
This comes after a year of mounting scrutiny over his health, ultimately leading him to withdraw from the presidential race.
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Trump to speak with Putin after failed peace talks in Istanbul, highlighting Russia’s resistance to cease-fire demands.
In Short:
Peace in Ukraine is still uncertain as Russia shows little interest in serious negotiations, intensifying military actions instead. President Trump plans to call Putin to mediate, while European leaders rally support for Ukraine and push for stronger sanctions against Russia.
Peace in Ukraine remains elusive as recent talks in Istanbul revealed Russia’s reluctance to engage in a meaningful deal. President Trump plans a phone call with Putin on Monday, following discussions with Ukrainian President Zelensky and NATO leaders. These conversations come after Ukraine’s leaders showcased their willingness to negotiate, while European allies advised Zelensky on his engagement with Trump.
Putin’s absence from the talks and the choice of low-level representatives suggested a lack of serious intent to negotiate, particularly after rejecting Trump’s cease-fire proposal. As negotiations stalled, Russian military actions intensified, including a drone attack that killed nine civilians in Ukraine.
Putin’s demands for territorial concessions and military restrictions on Ukraine persisted, framing any cease-fire as advantageous only to Ukrainian forces. However, intelligence reports indicate Russia is regrouping for a potential renewed offensive.
European leaders united to support Ukraine, bolstered by a new German leadership willing to impose stricter sanctions on Russia. Their coordinated efforts aimed to showcase Putin’s refusal to engage, putting pressure on Trump to act.
Ultimately, the future of peace talks hinges on Putin’s response to Trump’s mediation efforts and the increasing pressure from European nations advocating for a firmer stance against Russian aggression, especially regarding energy exports. As diplomatic tensions rise, the international community watches closely.