Latest news with #Inclusion
New York Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Tim Howard says FIFA should not ‘dilute' anti-racism campaigns, players ‘have a choice' over White House visits
Tim Howard, the most-capped goalkeeper in the history of the United States men's national team, has urged FIFA not to water down its campaigns against racism after the sport's global governing body appeared to roll back its messaging during the Club World Cup in the United States. Contrary to previous tournaments, including the men's World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and the women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023, FIFA has elected not to use videos or signage within its stadiums or on social media to promote its 'no racism' or 'no discrimination' campaign, while there has also been no sign of FIFA's Unite for Inclusion campaign. Advertisement Howard, in an interview with The Athletic, said: 'When it comes to racism in the game and racism in America, unfortunately, it is alive and well. For a long time, we gained a lot of traction in (progressing), but certainly we have gone backwards and and you feel the tensions. 'As for racism and campaigns, there's never a time when we shouldn't amplify the message. If you have a campaign that's important, that should be important everywhere and always.' FIFA is instead using the slogan from its less specific 'Football Unites the World' campaign during the tournament. FIFA did show signage for its 'no racism' campaign for one day on June 18 — which it said was to mark International Day for Countering Hate Speech — but this followed The Athletic reporting on how the campaigns had been missing from the opening days of the tournament. Multiple campaign groups then criticised FIFA for the rollback. FIFA did not respond when asked if the political climate in the U.S. — where President Trump has sought to cut the government's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs — has played any part in its decision but pointed to FIFA's statutes, which say the organisation is neutral on matters of politics. FIFA insists it has a zero-tolerance position on racism and discrimination. Kick It Out, a leading UK anti-discrimination charity, said the changes were 'concerning' and called on FIFA to reverse its decision. Evan Whitfield, the chair of the Human Rights Soccer Alliance (HRSA), an American group of former players, NGOs, lawyers and grassroots soccer organisations established this year, said the campaigns 'need to be consistently underlined to the world.' He added: 'A basic message of football unites the world doesn't achieve this clearly enough. And it certainly doesn't reflect the need for messaging among those who are coming new to soccer as a sport, or seeing a global soccer tournament for the first time. If FIFA can have strong messaging in Russia, Qatar, New Zealand, and Australia, then the same should apply in the United States.' Advertisement Howard says players should take the lead if FIFA isn't. 'The power is also with the players and the players certainly have a responsibility to carry that message forward, on their own, whether FIFA's doing it or not,' he says. 'There will always be opportunities to take a stand and to do what's right, whether that is an official campaign or not. It (racism) needs to be eradicated. It's not going to happen anytime soon because of how divided this country currently is, but hopefully one day we get there.' FIFA confirmed last week that the organization's disciplinary committee had opened proceedings against CF Pachuca player Gustavo Cabral after the Argentine was accused of racially abusing the Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger during a Club World Cup group stage fixture. And last night, supporters at Monterrey's Club World Cup last-16 game against Borussia Dortmund were warned that the game could be suspended after homophobic chants were heard repeatedly during the second half. Asked whether he would like FIFA to be stronger in its proactive messaging at next year's World Cup, which will be hosted across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Howard said: 'If there is a campaign, it shouldn't be diluted. So again, it's on the players, the ones who are in the arena, and the supporters, to push back if they feel like there hasn't been enough of that campaign pushed forward. 'So next year is another opportunity to do that. Whether they do so is to be seen, but certainly we can keep across that messaging.' This month, two USMNT players, Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah, were part of a Juventus group invited to the White House on the day of the Italian team's Club World Cup match against Al Ain in Washington, D.C. It culminated in surreal scenes as the Juventus owner, executives and players stood behind President Trump as he discussed issues such as whether to strike Iran, his administration's travel bans and asked the group whether a woman could get into their team. Weah subsequently said: 'They told us that we have to go and I had no choice but to go. I was caught by surprise. It was a bit weird. When he started talking about the politics… it's kind of like, 'I just want to play football, man'.' Howard, who has visited the White House under previous presidents, says he would have gone along out of respect for the institution but also added that 'you always have a choice.' 'I've had this conversation with some athlete friends of mine,' Howard says, when asked if he would have accepted the invitation to Trump's White House. Howard has previously said he believes Trump to be racist. Advertisement 'The institution of the White House as an American is awesome,' Howard says. 'I would encourage anybody under any president, Republican, Democrat, or otherwise, if you have the opportunity to go to the White House, I would certainly take it. But if you choose not to, by all means, you have a choice. There are different reasons or specific moments that you should go or not go. Some of those feel tense and some of them feel exciting. You have to make your decision based on that.' Howard was talking to The Athletic as part of an initiative led by Abbott, a healthcare firm that has partnered with Real Madrid as part of the Abbott Dream Team program, which sees youngsters try out in cities across the U.S. this summer for the opportunity to then travel to Spain to train under Real Madrid coaches and learn about sports nutrition from the club's medical team. Try-outs remain in Washington, D.C., Chicago and Los Angeles. Howard was present at the tryouts in Philadelphia, which he described as 'a million miles an hour' with kids who were 'hungry and excited' to access an opportunity in sport. Access to soccer in the United States at youth level has long been a source of debate and consternation. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has criticized the 'pay-to-play' model for many young soccer players in the U.S., saying it 'must be free' for children to play. Former USMNT midfielder Clint Dempsey last week told The Athletic his family went into debt to help him make it in the game. 'We need to make it easier for people who are less fortunate to have the chance to go chase their dreams,' Dempsey said. Howard says he is an 'incredible place' to discuss the issue because of his own experiences. 'I got lucky,' Howard says. 'The pay-to-play model is broken and it needs fixing or revamping. But it is not going anywhere, so that's the other issue. Then it is, 'How do you create parameters around that and how do you create opportunities around that where we can be more inclusive?'. 'People are asking, 'When is the U.S. gonna produce a World Cup champion? When is the U.S. gonna produce more top-quality talent?'. If we keep ostracizing people on a socioeconomic level, then we're not. I went through it and I was lucky because I had people who looked the other way. 'My family didn't have the money. Clint Dempsey's parents, who are amazing, drove him hundreds and hundreds of miles and spent countless money that they didn't have to give him opportunities. In my case, people were like, 'This kid's really good, let's somehow get him on our team and we'll pay for him'.' Advertisement 'And then I raised a strong young woman in my daughter who is going off to the University of Tennessee to play soccer. She comes from a very privileged background and her parents have money but it's not a system that works for everyone and so we need to figure out a better way.' Howard says there is a risk that young people will turn away from soccer if opportunities are not made more affordable. He says: 'I think about myself growing up and other families and the communities that I know. I'm talking about spending tens of thousands of dollars. My daughter played ECNL (Elite Clubs National League). I can show you the receipt if you want. Tens of thousands of dollars for traveling, all the rest of it. When I look at some of the families, and so many of the communities across this country, and the list of priorities on what bills need to be paid, youth soccer is not one of them, so the kids are gonna miss out.'
Entrepreneur
6 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
From Setbacks to Security: A Bold Vision Redefining Protection with Purpose and Integrity
Based in California, OLDPGS provides essential protection services with a promise of reliability and professionalism—values that have earned them strong partnerships with affiliated security companies nationwide. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In today's uncertain world, safety isn't just a service, it's a necessity. And at the heart of dependable protection in California and beyond stands Hayson Tasher, the founder of Old Patrolman Guard Services (OLDPGS). With a mission rooted in integrity, prayer, and perseverance, Hayson's journey from setback to success is both inspiring and instructive. His story isn't just about building a security company, it's about never giving up on your vision, even when the odds seem stacked against you. From Setback to Startup Hayson's entrepreneurial path wasn't smooth. In fact, it was riddled with delays that could have derailed even the most determined founder. When the guard company he initially worked for refused to sign off on his hours required to get his state license, it delayed the launch of OLDPGS by nearly three years. But where some would see a closed door, Hayson saw a challenge to rise above. "I wouldn't even recognize their brand now," he reflects, a testament to how far he's come. Guided by his faith and a clear vision of doing things differently, Hayson pushed forward. He realized he wasn't just a part of someone else's security operation, he was capable of leading his own. Building OLDPGS: More Than a Company, A Calling Old Patrolman Guard Services isn't your average security firm. Based in California, OLDPGS operates with a deeply personal ethos: "Dedicated to administrating a safe and secure environment." The company provides essential protection services with a promise of reliability and professionalism—values that have earned them strong partnerships with affiliated security companies nationwide. Today, that network is expanding even further. "Nationwide capabilities are no longer a vision," Hayson says with pride, "they're a reality." With more partnerships confirmed and more in the works, OLDPGS is rapidly scaling without compromising on the values that started it all. What truly sets OLDPGS apart? Hayson's hands-on leadership. Unlike many CEOs, he still works in the field and remains intimately involved with daily operations. This level of commitment ensures that clients don't just get a service, they get leadership-backed security they can trust. Resilience Through Recession and Beyond When COVID-19 disrupted industries across the globe, OLDPGS stood strong. Security personnel were classified as essential workers, and OLDPGS continued to serve when many others paused. However, when it came to politically or racially influenced funding, particularly during DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) policy shifts, Hayson stood firm. He consciously declined hundreds of millions in available funding. "We are a security company," he explains, "and racial propaganda is not on our agenda. Politics has no place in our service model." OLDPGS earns contracts the way any security vendor does: through merit, professionalism, and performance. Opportunity as the Ultimate Offering At the core of Hayson's brand is a desire to create opportunity. Whether it's hiring and training guards or expanding services across the country, OLDPGS is built to empower others. Hayson believes that time is precious, and wasting it means watching others live the dreams you set aside. "Time waits for no one," he emphasizes. "If you put off your vision for another year, you'll look up, and five years will have passed while others have built their dreams." The Future is Branded Protection With an eye on the future, Hayson is transforming OLDPGS into more than just a service provider. Plans are underway to expand the Old Patrolman brand into its own line of firearms, batons, pepper spray, and more. This expansion aims to standardize quality and safety across the board while giving clients more tools to feel secure and supported. Final Word In an industry often driven by profit, Old Patrolman Guard Services stands out as a mission-driven brand that prioritizes safety, values, and vision. From a delayed start to national growth, Hayson Tasher's story is one of perseverance, leadership, and staying true to a calling. If you're looking for security you can count on, remember the name: OLDPGS, a brand dedicated to protecting not just places, but dreams.
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Sama Achieves B Corp Recertification and Releases 2024 Impact Report
Company's B Impact score climbed 19.9 points, while its 2024 initiatives cut carbon footprint 17.1%, shifted 23% of electricity to renewables, and deepened career-building programs for East African talent SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 26, 2025 / Sama, the leader in purpose-built, responsible enterprise AI with agile data labeling for model training and performance evaluation, today announced its successful recertification as a Certified B Corporation™, marking a significant milestone in the company's commitment to balancing profit with purpose. The recertification comes alongside the release of Sama's 2024 Annual Impact Report, which details the company's progress across key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. Sama received an overall B Impact score of 118.4 from B Corp, up from 98.5 at initial certification in 2020. The new score affirms Sama's progress across governance, workforce development, community impact and environmental stewardship, exceeding the 80-point threshold required for B Corp status and more than doubling the median score of ordinary businesses. Full results of Sama's score can be found here. B Corp companies are pioneers in establishing a fair, inclusive and regenerative economy, measured according to stringent criteria by B Lab across operations, including governance, community involvement, environmental impact and more. 'We are thrilled to recertify as B Corp, which offers independent proof that responsible AI can, and must, deliver measurable benefits to both people and planet,' said Wendy Gonzalez, CEO of Sama. 'Raising our score nearly 20 points reflects the thousands of decisions our teams made in recent years to embed ethics, transparency and sustainability deep into our business model.' Sama's recently published 2024 Impact Report details a year of accelerated stakeholder value that included: Sama was recently recognized as one of the top three Inspiring Workplaces in 2025 across the Middle East and Africa, one of only two tech companies and the sole data-annotation provider on the list. The company was also recognized by Newsweek on its Greatest Workplaces for Women and Greatest Workplaces for Inclusion & Diversity lists. About B Lab Africa B Lab Africa is transforming the economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, and tools for business, and we certify companies-known as B Corps-who are leading the way. To date, our global community includes over 9,500 B Corps in 104 countries and 160 industries, and over 6,100 companies in Africa manage their impact with the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager. About Sama Sama is a global leader in data annotation solutions for computer vision, generative AI and large language models. Our solutions minimize the risk of model failure and lower the total cost of ownership through an enterprise ready ML-powered platform and SamaIQ™, actionable data insights uncovered by proprietary algorithms and a highly skilled on-staff team of over 5,000 data experts. 40% of FAANG companies and other major Fortune 50 enterprises, including GM, Ford and Microsoft, trust Sama to help deliver industry-leading ML models. Driven by a mission to expand opportunities for underserved individuals through the digital economy, Sama is a certified B-Corp and has impacted more than 69,000 people since 2008. An MIT-led Randomized Controlled Trial has validated that Sama's training and employment programs generated meaningful employment- and income-related outcomes. For more information, visit Sama Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE: Sama press release
Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
US colleges face major tax blow in Trump's proposed IRS rules on race
The Trump administration and Harvard University (above) have been engaged in a public battle over governance issues including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies. PHOTO: REUTERS The Trump administration is privately considering unleashing what advocates and critics agree would be one of its biggest cudgels yet to pressure colleges to end slews of programmes and practices benefiting students who are racial minorities. The Treasury Department is weighing a change to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) policies to allow the revocation of tax-exempt status for colleges that consider race in student admissions, scholarships and other areas. If enacted, it would take the administration's reshaping of higher education well beyond the public battles with Harvard University and Columbia University. Non-profit status is core to the finances of more than 1,500 private colleges and universities – from wealthy bastions such as Duke and Vanderbilt, to smaller schools including Vermont's Middlebury and Oregon's Willamette. Revoking that would not just threaten billions in additional taxes, it would cut off the pipeline of philanthropy that has seeded and expanded schools for decades. Even groups known to back conservative ideas were startled. 'I've never seen anything like this,' said Mr Armand Alacbay, senior vice-president of strategy at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. For many universities, 'losing their tax-exempt status would be existential, as they're highly reliant on philanthropic support'. The proposal would have to make it through an extensive rule-making process, legal experts say, and even if the measure is put in place and the IRS seeks to revoke a college's tax perks, the school would likely take the fight to court. Non-profit status frees schools from paying corporate income tax, helps them get breaks on property taxes and allows them to sell bonds that pay tax-exempt interest, reducing borrowing costs. It also boosts funding by incentivising donors, letting them deduct gifts from their own taxes. Mr Trump has threatened to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status in posts on his Truth Social platform. He has also signalled interest in challenging it elsewhere. 'Tax-exempt status, that's a privilege – it's really a privilege,' he said in the Oval Office in April. 'And it's been abused by a lot more than Harvard, too.' His threat was swiftly decried as out of his jurisdiction by Democrats and some Republicans. But the Treasury Department's proposals could bring his administration a step closer toward revoking Harvard's tax status and potentially challenging other schools if they do not abide by officials' demands to adopt race-blind policies and programmes. A Treasury Department representative declined to comment. The IRS did not respond to a request for comment. 'Very damaging' Many schools would find it far harder than Harvard to operate without tax-exempt status, leaving them virtually no choice but to bend to administration demands. 'If they revoked Harvard's tax exemption, that would be damaging to Harvard,' said Mr Adam Stern, co-head of research at Breckinridge Capital Advisors. 'That would be very damaging to schools that have less resources.' Colleges have been quietly acknowledging the growing risk to their tax exemptions. The president of Duke University called out 'threats to our non-profit status' this month in a public update on the school's effort to reduce spending. Emory and Northwestern have mentioned similar risks in their bond documents. 'Certainly, this is a new worry they have to deal with,' said Mr Robert Romashko, a lawyer specialising in taxes for Husch Blackwell LLP. It comes on top of Trump administration attempts to freeze federal funding for some institutions and rein in enrolment by international students. Congress is also considering a steep tax increase for the wealthiest schools' endowments. Without Congress The proposals under review in the Treasury's Office of Tax Policy were drawn up as IRS revenue procedures – a form of guidance for interpreting and enforcing tax laws. If enacted, they would pave the way for the IRS to bar non-profit schools from remaining tax exempt if they favour any racial groups in matters such as financial assistance, loans, use of facilities or other programmes, according to people with knowledge of the deliberations. They could take effect without congressional approval. The proposals would amount to a 'sea change' in the IRS' rules for non-profits, said Philip Hackney, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh who spent time in the agency's office of the chief counsel. Schools that have helped minority groups narrow historic gaps in wealth and education in the US could end up getting punished for those efforts. 'Charity has long included an idea of remedying discrimination,' he said. 'This would be a monumental change in terms of charitable law. We've built the whole structure on that basis, and the idea of saying all of that stuff was wrong seems incoherent.' Critics split News of the proposals has stirred excitement among some conservative activists encouraging the administration's efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion programmes in higher eduction. 'The Treasury Department should absolutely enact this policy of stripping tax-exempt status from universities that discriminate on the basis of race,' Mr Christopher Rufo, one of the preeminent voices of that movement, wrote on X. 'No quarter for left-wing racialism in America's institutions.' The American Council of Trustees and Alumni has also criticised universities over Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies and hiring practices that they allege take race and other protected characteristics into account. Still, Mr Alacbay warned that using tax status as a lever could open a 'Pandora's box' with far-ranging consequences as future administrations pursue their own agendas. 'One should be very circumspect about using tax law as a lever to enforce other public policies,' he said. 'There are many other, more established ways to enforce civil rights laws. I would say let those existing enforcement mechanisms play out.' Others welcome the idea of the IRS playing a more active role, which could extend to other controversial topics. 'It's very easy to see how a policy would apply beyond race' to issues like gender and gender identity, said Mr Adam Kissel, a visiting fellow in The Heritage Foundation's Center for Education Policy. While enforcement might veer from administration to administration, he said, that is the reality of a messy democratic process 'in the absence of clear guidance and language from Congress'. 'It's alarming' For the proposal to become established as an enforceable revenue procedure, it would have to work its way through the lengthy requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, according to Ms Megan Brackney, a tax controversy attorney and partner at Kostelanetz LLP. That includes issuing a formal notice, allowing affected parties to provide feedback, then reviewing and addressing the comments before finalising the revenue procedure. 'It's alarming, but there's a lot that has to happen for this change to be made if they really decide to go through with it,' she said. 'It doesn't mean they can't do it, they just can't do it tomorrow.' The Trump administration has run into this before. In 2018, the IRS wanted to drop rules requiring some non-profits to identify major donors in their tax filings. A federal judge blocked the change, saying the agency had to obey the Administrative Procedure Act before updating the rules. If the IRS' internal guidance is changed, it still needs to follow the law to find the basis to legitimately revoke a school's tax exemption, Mr Hackney said. And despite Mr Trump's views, Congress and judges have not declared DEI efforts broadly illegal or unconstitutional, he said. Charities also lose their tax perks by violating a fundamental public policy. That standard was set in 1983 when the Supreme Court upheld the IRS' authority to revoke Bob Jones University's tax exemption, citing policies banning inter-racial dating on campus. Ms Ellen Aprill, a retired law professor and senior scholar in residence at the University of California at Los Angeles' law school, said it is hard to argue that Mr Trump's stance against DEI constitutes a fundamental public policy. 'The anti-DEI policy from the executive branch is one we've only seen in the months since Trump took office for a second time,' she said. 'Can you imagine the whipsaw if all non-profits had to adapt to the new positions of the executive branch?' It would likely take years for the IRS to ultimately revoke a school's tax benefits through a long, established process including audits and opportunities for remedy, appeals and challenges in court. Meanwhile, Ms Brackney said, the proposal may have an impact on schools, even if it never gains legal teeth. 'It has an effect to wind everybody up and make everybody nervous to change their behaviour, even before the government takes the appropriate action to make it an enforceable rule,' she said. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Guardian
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘People didn't like women in space': how Sally Ride made history and paid the price
A week before Sally – a documentary about the first American woman to fly into space – landed at the Sundance film festival in January, Nasa employees received emails informing them how Donald Trump's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) rollbacks would take effect. Contracts and offices associated with DEI programs were to be terminated. Staff were given Orwellian instruction to inform the government of any attempt to disguise inclusion efforts in 'coded or imprecise language'. In the weeks to follow, Nasa would take back its promise to send the first woman and person of color to the moon's surface. Meanwhile, employees are reported to be hiding their rainbow flags and any other expressions of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, allegedly because they were instructed to do so though Nasa denies those claims. 'The pride flag flew in space a couple years ago,' says Cristina Costantini, the director of Sally, on a Zoom call with the Guardian. 'Now all Nasa employees are being asked to take down any representations of pride.' Costantini calls the developments sad, especially because such harmful silencing contributes to the very atmosphere that made her film's subject hide her own queer identity throughout her celebrated career. Sally Ride, who made history when she rode the space shuttle Challenger into the stars on 18 June 1983, was a lesbian. The public, and so many who knew Ride personally, only found out that part of her legacy after she died of cancer in 2012. Ride's obituary identified Tam O'Shaughnessy as her partner of 27 years. O'Shaughnessy is a key voice in Sally, a National Geographic documentary revisiting everything we thought we knew about Ride – from her astronomic accomplishments to the infuriating sexism she confronted at Nasa and in the media, with reporters questioning how she would dress, whether space travel would affect her ovaries and if she would buckle and cry in the face of daunting challenges. But now there's the extra dimension, the part of Ride kept tragically buried because of the institutionalized homophobia we see resurfacing today. 'We made this movie not thinking it was particularly controversial,' says Costantini. 'We had no idea it would be this relevant.' Costantini is speaking from her Los Angeles office in Atwater Village, a photo of a space shuttle and another of Ride on the Challenger mission hovering just behind her. The investigative reporter turned film-maker – who grew up wanting to be a scientist and made her feature debut co-directing the Sundance audience award winner Science Fair – describes Ride as a major influence on her life. She remembers researching the astronaut as a young child on an old Encarta Encyclopedia CD-Rom for a book report. In grade three, Costantini contributed to a class mural where the students in her Milwaukee school painted their heroes on a wall. Ride is drawn standing alongside Brett Favre and Michael Jordan – a small sampling of the heroes that fed childhood aspirations in the mid-90s, says Costantini. With Sally, Costantini is returning to her icon's story with a canvas bigger than either a book report or mural, but an even more challenging story to tell. 'The film is really two stories interwoven,' says Costantini. 'It's the public and the private Sally. The public Sally is so well-documented that it's a problem. We had to bring in 5,000 reels from the Nasa archive and sort through and sound sync all of them. That was a monumental task. 'And then the other task is the private story, maybe the more interesting story, which has no documentation at all. There are only five really good pictures of [Sally and her partner, Tam] together that we had. You can't build a love story out of showing people the same five pictures over and over again. For that we had to kind of invent our own cinematic romantic language.' Costantini's doc pairs narrations from O'Shaughnessy and others who were close to Ride with animation and 16mm visuals. They express the love, the excitement of first relationships, the heavy toll from keeping these feelings secret and the sting when Ride – whose noted emotional reserve is making more and more sense – would behave inexplicably. 'Sally is a very confusing central subject in some ways,' says Costantini, remarking on how Ride didn't always make for a picture-perfect feminist hero, the uneasiness going a long way to make her even more compelling. The director refers to a story recounted by fellow astronaut Kathryn Sullivan. During the race to become the first American woman to go to space, Ride sabotaged a Nasa exercise Sullivan was working on. Talking heads mull whether that was an example of Ride's prankster sense of humour, or a cutthroat competitive nature that flew in the face of female solidarity and sisterhood. 'She didn't leave tell all diaries or an audio journal of how she was feeling in every single moment. So we're left to interpret later on what her choices were, and why she did what she did.' Costantini also points to Ride's five-year marriage to fellow astronaut Steve Hawley. The union in retrospect can be seen as a betrayal of who she was, and the LGTBQ+ movement that she never publicly aligned with. But it was also a necessary and sacrificial career move to make her dream possible, deflecting any suspicions about sexual orientation while making Ride a more ideal candidate to make history and inspire young women. 'People didn't like women in space,' says Costantini. 'And they especially didn't like single women in space. Some of the male astronauts were, like: 'Well, it was a good look for her not to be single and in space.'' When Ride does climb above the atmosphere on her historic mission, there's a cathartic moment where the tense conflicts within her – or put upon her – are either resolved or abandoned, if only temporarily. 'I loved being weightless,' says Ride, while in space, her recorded words packing new mean considering all the burdens we now understand. 'It's a feeling of freedom.' 'She escaped Earth's orbit – Earth's gravity – metaphorically too,' says Costantini, on that pivotal moment in American history and Ride's personal life. 'Looking at the Earth from space, she started to, for the first time, really think about the imaginary lines that we have. She was struck by the fact that all these countries have known borders around them. These are human constructions. As Tam says in the film, the lines between genders, the lines between race, the lines between countries, who we're allowed to love, those are meaningless constructs. 'Space was transformative for her. When she came back to Earth, she finally allowed herself to be who she really is, and love who she really loved.' Sally premieres on National Geographic on 16 June and is available on Hulu and Disney+ on 17 June
