Latest news with #Dwarfism
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Pictured: Dwarves, scantily-clad women and football superstars arrive at Lamine Yamal's 'exploitative' 18th birthday party - New images emerge as Spain's government demand investigation
New images of the people with Dwarfism and scantily-clad women paid to attend Yamal Lama's 18th birthday have surfaced as the Spanish government demands an investigation into the event. The Barcelona youngster has been widely criticised for the celebratory bash which allegedly 'exploited dwarves' and women with 'specific breast measurements paid to attend'. On Tuesday, new images of the individuals arriving at the private event were obtained and showed a group of five men with Achondroplasia as they appeared to be getting registered for the party. Another image shows a few women after passing through that checkpoint as they appear to be headed to the main venue. Elsewhere, in pictures that were taken later in the night, a multitude of guests can be seen arriving for the spectacle. The notable attendees include Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski. It follows the claims of a model named Claudio Calvo that Yamal paid for 12 women with a 'certain breast size' to attend the bash and now the government are seeking a huge fine and probe into the mafia-themed bash following the outcry over paid attendees with Dwarfism. Attendees arrived in droves for the celebratory bash on a private estate that could be the subject of a government investigation Yamal had celebrated his birthday this weekend with around 200 people attending the event, including friends, family and team-mates. But after Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) threatened to take legal action, the Spanish government joined those condemning Yamal and demanded a probe into the party. According to Marca, Yamal could be hit with a fine of up to £867,000 and the General Director of Disability in the government, Jesús Martín, wants ministers to approve an investigation. He said: 'We are concerned that people with money, people with power, believe themselves to be unpunished. The law is for everyone, for the humble and for the powerful.' Martin also expressed his fear that this kind of party could impact impressionable young fans who look up to Yamal and copy his behaviour. The specifics around what exactly was asked of those with dwarfism in attendance remains murky but the group representing those with disabilities roundly condemned Yamal. 'The ADEE, a member organization of the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE), condemns and publicly denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment at the recent 18th birthday party of soccer player Lamine Yamal,' their statement read. 'The Association announces that it will take legal and social action to safeguard the dignity of people with disabilities, considering that these actions violate not only current legislation but also the fundamental ethical values of a society that seeks to be egalitarian and respectful.' In the face of the criticism, the Barcelona star has simply shared a one-minute clip to fans on social media of his party, writing 'Just 1 minute, enjoy it'. The clip revealed the party took place at a private estate and had a mafia style theme. Spanish model Claudio Calvo has claimed organisers had tried to hire 12 blonde women with specific breast sizes to attend the event Yamal had been dressed in a white suit with a red rose in his lapel, while his look included sunglasses and a cane. The teenager was also seen wearing a £300,000 necklace featuring his initials "LY', which had been gifted to him by Dominican rapper El Alfa. Despite being a private event, where guests were not permitted to take mobile phones and take photos, parts of the teenager's celebration have drawn criticism. Spanish model, Calvo, who was Miss Teenager Spain 2021 and Miss Teenager Europe 2022, claimed she was asked to attend the event. Speaking on Spanish television show Tardear TV, alleged that organisers were seeking to hire 12 blonde women with specific breast sizes to attend the celebration. She claimed the women would have been paid up to 20,000 euros, but would need to be available for 24 hours, with the location of the event not disclosed to them. Calvo claimed she had backed out of the event after receiving the list of demands 'I have screenshots of everything, the conversations, they told me that the fee would be a certain amount between 10,000 and 20,000 euros,' Calvo told Tardear TV. 'But the truth is that you don't really know what you're getting into, because they don't tell you what they really expect from you beyond "having a good time" at the party. 'They asked for blonde girls with a certain breast size,' Calvo claimed, adding organisers were looking for 'models or escorts'. Yamal's private party was attended by friends and Barcelona team-mates and reportedly had a mafia theme Images have also reportedly emerged of the people with dwarfism entering the venue, where the party was held. A number of pictures from the event have since been shared on social media, showing Yamal alongside some of his Barcelona team-mates, namely Gavi and Alejandro Balde. In one clip the pair can be seen singing together on stage. Reports from Spain claim that Yamal had earlier enjoyed a meal with close friends and family at the La Cupula restaurant south of the Catalan capital. There were plenty of glamourous women in attendance at the 18-year-old's bash Yamal's father shared a number of images from a separate get together with his 1.2million followers on Instagram. The Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE) threatened to take legal action against the Barcelona star. ADEE president Carolina Puente added 'It's unacceptable that in the 21st century, people with dwarfism continue to be used as entertainment at private parties, and even more serious when these incidents involve public figures like Lamine Yamal. 'The dignity and rights of our community are not entertainment for anyone, under any circumstances. 'Shows or recreational activities in which people with disabilities or other circumstances are used to provoke mockery, ridicule, or derision from the public in a manner contrary to the respect due to human dignity are prohibited. 'When a person with social influence participates in these types of situations, the damage is even greater, because it conveys to society—especially to young people—that discrimination is acceptable. 'We must eradicate the objectification of difference and educate people in respect and equity. 'We will not remain silent. We will defend the dignity and rights of our community in all areas, and we will demand accountability so that acts like these never happen again.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'Party dwarf' speaks out to defend Barcelona star Lamine Yamal - and reveals what he was paid for at his 18th birthday - as Spain's government plot investigation into bash where dwarves and blonde escorts 'were hired'
A person with Dwarfism who featured at Lamine Yamal 's 18th birthday party has broken his silence on how the performers were treated after it was revealed that the Spanish government has demanded an investigation into the controversial event amid claims of discrimination. The Barcelona super-starlet celebrated the milestone with a lavish 'mafia-themed' event at a private estate, alongside team-mates including Alejandro Balde and Gavi, friends, and family. But as pictures from the event began to circulate on social media, so too did a report from an Instagram model who alleged that 12 women with a 'certain breast size' had been paid to attend the party. The bash also caught the attention of the Association of People with Adondroplasia and Other Sketeal Dysplasias with Dwarfism (ADEE), who threatened legal action if the teenager was found to have violated discrimination laws. It was not immediately clear in the aftermath of the party that role that the hired entertainers with Dwarfism had played, but there was concern from the country's General Director of Disability Jesus Martin that as a role model, Yamal's alleged conduct might have an influence on others. But amid the speculation, one of those hired by Yamal has given an interview lambasting earlier claims and stressing that the Spain international had done nothing wrong. 'No one disrespected us, let us work in peace,' the entertained - who opted to remain anonymous - told RAC1, via Marca. 'I don't understand why there's so much hype about it. 'We're just normal people doing what we want in a completely normal legal manner. The entertainer insisted that the public uproar comes amid a time when there are increased limits on his ability to perform, adding: 'For a couple of years now, these people have been harming us. 'They want to prohibit a job we love, and in no case have they offered work or courses to those affected. We work as entertainers. Why can't we do it? Because of our physical conditions? The performer hit out directly at the president of ADEE too, continuing: 'There's a new president who feels inferior, and wants to screw the rest of us. 'We know what our limit is and we never cross it. We're not monkeys in a fair.' Having signed a confidentiality agreement before performing for Yamal and his guests, the entertainer was unable to share the specifics of the party, but did disclose that their role was to: 'dance, give away shots, do magic - there are all kinds of shows'. Afterwards, the performers were invited to join the party. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @lamineyamal The Spain international reportedly welcomed over 200 guests to a private estate for the party Yamal shared a one-minute clip of his birthday celebrations with fans on social media 'Everyone had a great time,' he added. 'All this fuss started because it was Lamine Yamal's party.' The statement released by ADEE read: 'The ADEE, a member organization of the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE), condemns and publicly denounces the hiring of people with dwarfism as part of the entertainment at the recent 18th birthday party of soccer player Lamine Yamal. 'The Association announces that it will take legal and social action to safeguard the dignity of people with disabilities, considering that these actions violate not only current legislation but also the fundamental ethical values of a society that seeks to be egalitarian and respectful.' ADEE president Carolina Puente added 'It's unacceptable that in the 21st century, people with dwarfism continue to be used as entertainment at private parties, and even more serious when these incidents involve public figures like Lamine Yamal. 'The dignity and rights of our community are not entertainment for anyone, under any circumstances. 'Shows or recreational activities in which people with disabilities or other circumstances are used to provoke mockery, ridicule, or derision from the public in a manner contrary to the respect due to human dignity are prohibited. 'When a person with social influence participates in these types of situations, the damage is even greater, because it conveys to society - especially to young people -that discrimination is acceptable. There were plenty of glamourous women in attendance at the 18-year-old's bash 'We must eradicate the objectification of difference and educate people in respect and equity. 'We will not remain silent. We will defend the dignity and rights of our community in all areas, and we will demand accountability so that acts like these never happen again.' 'We invite all people with achondroplasia or skeletal dysplasia to contact the Association: we are here to support, guide, and build new opportunities.' As per Spanish law, shows which seek to mock or denigrate people with disabilities are prohibited, with any breach of the law set to incur a fine of between €600,000 and €1million (£521,700 and £896,000) under incoming legislation. Although little is known about most of the events of the party, and the attendees, one suspected invitee shared pictures on social media of her outfit for the proceedings. 'Dress code: mafia', influencer Marta Diaz captioned a slew of photos taken before her arrival at the plush venue. Diaz was one of a number of names invited to the bash, including Dominican artist Chimbala, Ozuna, Ferrari star Charles Leclerc, IShowSpeed, and Barcelona team-mates including Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha. Yamal was content to show his followers on social media 'just 1 minute' from inside the venue, where guests were not permitted to take photographs with cameras or mobile phones. The LaLiga winner dressed for the occasion in a white suit, accessorised with sunglasses, a cane, and a £300,000 diamond necklace with his initials gifted to him by Dominican rapper El Alfa. Spanish model Claudio Calvo has claimed organisers had tried to hire 12 blonde women with specific breast sizes to attend the event One invitee however was quick to claim that she had been paid to attend, with Claudia Calvo - Miss Teenager Spain 2021 and Miss Teenager Europe 2022 - telling Spanish television that organisers had allegedly looked to hire women with a particular look. She claimed the women would have been paid up to 20,000 euros, but would need to be available for 24 hours, with the location of the event not disclosed to them. Calvo also alleged she had backed out of the event after receiving the list of demands 'I have screenshots of everything, the conversations, they told me that the fee would be a certain amount between 10,000 and 20,000 euros,' Calvo told Tardear TV. 'But the truth is that you don't really know what you're getting into, because they don't tell you what they really expect from you beyond "having a good time" at the party. 'They asked for blonde girls with a certain breast size,' Calvo claimed, adding organisers were looking for 'models or escorts'.
STV News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Scotland's Dwarf Sports Association squad aiming for gold at National Games
Scotland's Dwarf Sports Association (DSA) team is hoping to take home gold at this year's national games in Birmingham. The 22-strong team – which is celebrating its 10th anniversary – will travel south at the end of the month to compete with over 200 athletes from across the country. Lewis Carson, 13, says it's an opportunity to compete on an even playing field. The badminton player from Hamilton said: 'It's so equal and inclusive because everybody's got the same condition as you. 'Instead of going to school and playing sports where it's a running race and you come last, you could come top three or something and there's a good chance you will.' STV News Lewis Carson is looking forward to going for gold in badminton at the Games. When Emma Rob, 15, first joined Scotland's Dwarf Sports Association eight years ago, it was the first time she had met another person – let alone a whole group of people – with Dwarfism. Emma said: 'I'd never really met anybody who was small, so when I first joined it was snowboarding and I walked into the room and went 'oh, oh you're all small' – but then I realised that everyone was the same. 'You just felt like you belonged because everyone tells you 'don't', and you feel like it, so when you go to these kind of things, you feel like you've finally found your people. 'I realised I'm not alone in the world, I've got people.' STV News 15-year-old Emma Rob. The team travel from all over Scotland to train and the experience has been life-changing for many of the younger athletes, particularly six-year-old Callum Holmes. His mum Roslyn said: 'He's a very, very shy boy and then we made the trip down to the National Games last year and it just totally opened up his world. 'He's a completely different boy, he loves taking part in everything. 'In the car home from the games he just said 'everybody was like me', so it's almost like he just felt he belonged.' STV News The club has been transformational for Callum Holmes. Scottish regional leader Hailey Davidson says the games are not just about the sport but the support the athletes receive. She said: 'It's one weekend where we all meet up, nobody's looking at you, nobody's staring, nobody's making comments and you're together, you're able to meet up with friends, make new friends and it's a really good community to be involved with. 'For a lot of these kids, they've not met so many people with dwarfism. I mean, this year we have 217 entries to the national games, so that's being able to compete on an even playing field. 'They know that they can try their best and they've got an opportunity, they've got a chance and whether they come home with a medal or not, they can come home proud.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois bill may end Freeburg High's mascot tradition
FREEBURG, Ill. – A long-standing mascot tradition in Freeburg, Illinois, could soon come to an end, as a new bill in the Illinois General Assembly would ban school mascots that reference disabilities. For nearly nine decades, Freeburg High School has proudly been the home of the Mighty Midgets. While some say the name is outdated and offensive, others argue it's a proud part of the town's history. 'It's a tradition that's been going on since the thirties and was not meant to be disrespectful,' said Madlynn Robbs, Freeburgh High School employee. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The bill states that schools must remove all mascots, logos and imagery related to the name and select a new mascot. The mascot's origin date backs to the '30s, when a local sportswriter coined the nickname after the basketball team—despite having no player taller than 5-foot-10—defeated a much taller, undefeated opponent. Advocacy groups, like Mascots Matter, pushed for years to remove the mascot, arguing it is offensive to people with Dwarfism. And while some Freeburg residents are outspoken, others fear backlash for supporting the change. 'I don't think it's necessary to change it after all these years. I mean, I live right across the street from the high school and we always see the sign and it doesn't offend us at all. And after all these years, I think it would be very odd to change it,' said resident Bonnie McCain. No one would know who it is.' Locals stated that a few years ago, members of Little People of America protested outside the school, urging the district to reconsider the name. Residents propose that a local election should determine the reconsideration of the name. Man arrested for threat to kill St. Louis mayor, others: Records 'If our town voted on this at the next election thing we have, then fine. If the majority agrees, we should get rid of it,' Robbs said. 'That's fine but i don't think people feel that way. People are proud of the midgets! I don't mean that to be condescending!' If passed, the legislation would not only impact Freeburg but four other schools with the same mascot by 2028. Freeburg has not yet commented on whether it will fight to keep the name or prepare for change. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
30-01-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
5 takeaways from Trump's briefing on DCA plane crash
President Trump on Thursday addressed the deadly midair collision just outside Washington, D.C., as rescue crews pulled victims from the Potomac River and investigators worked to determine the cause of the crash. In his first appearance in the White House briefing room less than two weeks since the start of his second term, Trump described the crash between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter that killed more than 60 people as a 'tragedy of terrible proportions.' But those remarks were quickly followed by a slew of finger pointing and attacks on Democratic initiatives over the course of a roughly 30-minute briefing with reporters. Here are five takeaways. Trump quickly politicizes collision Trump opened his remarks with a moment of silence for the victims and by proclaiming tragedies like the aviation disaster bringing Americans together. But his solemn tone quickly gave way to political attacks. He knocked his Democratic predecessors, claiming they had lowered standards in aviation safety. 'I put safety first. Obama, Biden and the Democrats put policy first. And they put politics at a level that nobody's ever seen, because this was the lowest level. Their policy was horrible, and their politics was even worse,' Trump said. He said his first administration, following the Obama administration, set up 'extraordinary' standards for those who work in aviation and air traffic control, and claimed that President Biden then 'changed them back to lower than ever before.' Trump also blasted Pete Buttigieg, who served as Transportation secretary during the Biden administration. 'He's a disaster now. He's just got a good line of bullshit,' Trump said. Trump's attacks on Democratic leaders were a reminder that he typically doesn't react to disasters in traditional ways, and his remarks were a sharp contrast to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy vowing that the Trump administration would not 'pass the buck.' DEI at fault The biggest target of Trump's attacks on Thursday was diversity initiatives, which the president repeatedly claimed had lowered safety standards even as he acknowledged it was unclear who was at fault for the crash. 'Brilliant people have to be in those positions,' Trump said. He cited efforts by the FAA to hire individuals with disabilities, including Dwarfism, missing limbs and intellectual disabilities. 'A group within the FAA determined that the workforce was too white, then they had concerted efforts to get the administration to change that and to change it immediately,' Trump said. 'This was in the Obama administration.' Asked how he could come to the conclusion that diversity played a role in the deadly midair collision near Reagan National Airport, Trump said, 'Because I have common sense, OK? And unfortunately a lot of people don't.' He later defended his assertion that diversity initiatives at the FAA could have contributed to the Reagan National crash as the investigation continues. 'No, I don't think so at all,' Trump said when asked if he thinks his claims about the helicopter, air traffic control and DEI policies were getting ahead of the investigation. He quipped to the reporter that 'I think that's not a very smart question.' Points fingers at helicopter pilots Trump pointed fingers at the three pilots of the Army's Black Hawk helicopter that collided with the American Airlines jet on Wednesday night. He said that the helicopter didn't do what it was told just before it crashed into the jet, saying it was 'a confluence of bad decisions that were made.' 'We had a situation where we had a helicopter that had the ability to stop…you can stop a helicopter very quickly,' he said. 'The turn it made was not the correct turn, obviously and it did somewhat the opposite of what it was told. We don't know that would have been the difference because the timing was so tight.' The president added that the helicopter shouldn't have been flying at the same height as the jet and noted there 'was a lot of vision' on Wednesday night. 'You could have turned the helicopter substantially, you could have stopped the helicopter,' Trump said. 'For some reason it just kept going and then made a slight turn at the very end and by that time, it was too late.' He also suggested that the helicopter pilots using night vision goggles may have been part of the issue with visibility. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who joined Trump at the briefing, shared in a video earlier on Thursday that the helicopter crew was 'fairly experienced' and was 'doing a required, annual night evaluation' with night-vision goggles. 'It may change your view plan if you do have the night vision,' Trump said. 'That would be maybe a reason why you wouldn't actually see as well where on a clear night, you can sometimes see better without it.' Trump names FAA appointee Trump, during the briefing, announced he would appoint an acting Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator in the wake of the midair crash. 'I'm also immediately appointing an acting commissioner to the FAA, Christoper Rocheleau. A 22-year veteran of the agency, highly respected. Christopher, thank you very much, appreciate it,' Trump told reporters in the White House briefing room. Rocheleau, who is serving as deputy administrator, was in the room for the announcement. Former FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker resigned on Trump's Inauguration Day after he served for just more than a year. Whitaker faced pressure to step down from top Trump ally Elon Musk, who called for him to resign following Whitaker's comments that SpaceX 'launched without a permit,' in reference to two launches last year in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The FAA administrator is a Senate-confirmed position, sworn in for a five-year term. Whitaker was confirmed in October 2023. No hesitancy to fly Trump insisted that Americans should not be hesitant to fly in the wake of Wednesday night's crash. 'No, not at all. I'm not hesitant to fly,' Trump said. 'We have the safest flying anywhere in the world, and we'll keep it that way,' he added. Reagan Washington National Airport reopened for flights at 11 a.m. on Thursday in the wake of the tragedy. It closed for takeoffs and landings immediately after the collision.
