Latest news with #LGBQT
The Mainichi
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Around 100,000 march in Budapest Pride in open defiance of Hungary's ban
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) -- Around 100,000 people defied a government ban and police orders Saturday to march in what organizers called the largest LGBTQ+ Pride event in Hungary's history in an open rebuke of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government. Marchers gambled with potential police intervention and heavy fines to participate in the 30th annual Budapest Pride, which was outlawed in March by Orban's right-wing populist governing party. The march began at Budapest City Hall and wound through the city center before crossing the capital's Erzsebet Bridge over the Danube River. Police diverted the crowd from its planned route to keep it separated from a small group of far-right counterprotesters, while members of Hungary's LGBTQ+ community and masses of supporters danced to music and waved rainbow and anti-government flags. One marcher, Blanka Molnar, said it was "a fantastic feeling" that more people had attended the Pride march than ever before despite it being outlawed. She said it was "increasingly important" for Hungarians, "even those who have never been to Pride before," to push back against the government's policies. "This isn't just about LGBQT+ rights, it's also about the right to assemble and about standing up for each other and not allowing (the government) to oppress us," she said. The massive size of the march, which the government for months had insisted would no longer be permitted in Hungary, was seen as a major blow to Orban's prestige, as the European Union's longest-serving leader's popularity slumps in the polls where a new opposition force has taken the lead. Orban and his party have insisted that Pride, a celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility and struggle for equal rights, was a violation of children's rights to moral and spiritual development -- rights that a recent constitutional amendment declared took precedence over other fundamental protections including the right to peacefully assemble. The law fast-tracked through parliament in March made it an offense to hold or attend events that "depict or promote" homosexuality to minors underage 18. Orban earlier made clear that Budapest Pride was the explicit target of the law. Authorities installed additional cameras throughout the city center before the march, and were expected to use facial recognition tools to identify individuals who attend the banned event. According to the new law, being caught attending Pride could result in fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($586). Marcher Andras Faludy said the "hysteria" that has emerged in Hungary over the Pride march in recent months was "damn pathetic. It's nonsense." "I could use an uglier word because I'm extremely angry, but I won't," he added. The ban was the latest crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights by Orban's government, which has already effectively banned both same-sex adoption and same-sex marriage and disallowed transgender individuals from changing their sex in official documents. Police rejected several requests by organizers in recent weeks to register the Pride march, citing the recent law. But Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony joined with organizers and declared it would be held as a separate municipal event -- something he said doesn't require police approval. But Hungary's government remained firm, insisting that holding the Pride march, even if it's sponsored by the city, would be unlawful. Hungary's justice minister this week warned Karacsony that organizing Pride or encouraging people to attend would be punishable by up to a year in prison. Many marchers expressed their belief that the Pride march represented a struggle not just for the protections of the rights of sexual minorities, but for the democratic future of their country. Participant Zsofia Szeker said the number of attendees showed that a major part of society desired a new direction for Hungary. "I think we can only achieve change if so many people take to the streets," she said.
Boston Globe
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Around 100,000 march in Budapest Pride in open defiance of Hungary's ban
One marcher, Blanka Molnár, said it was 'a fantastic feeling' that more people had attended the Pride march than ever before despite it being outlawed. She said it was 'increasingly important' for Hungarians, 'even those who have never been to Pride before,' to push back against the government's policies. 'This isn't just about LGBQT+ rights, it's also about the right to assemble and about standing up for each other and not allowing (the government) to oppress us,' she said. Advertisement The massive size of the march, which the government for months had insisted would no longer be permitted in Hungary, was seen as a major blow to Orbán's prestige, as the European Union's longest-serving leader's popularity slumps in the polls where a new opposition force has taken the lead. Orbán and his party have insisted that Pride, a celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility and struggle for equal rights, was a violation of children's rights to moral and spiritual development — rights that a recent constitutional amendment declared took precedence over other fundamental protections including the right to peacefully assemble. Advertisement The law fast-tracked through parliament in March made it an offense to hold or attend events that 'depict or promote' homosexuality to minors underage 18. Orbán earlier made clear that Budapest Pride was the explicit target of the law. Authorities installed additional cameras throughout the city center before the march, and were expected to use facial recognition tools to identify individuals who attend the banned event. According to the new law, being caught attending Pride could result in fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($586). Marcher András Faludy said the 'hysteria' that has emerged in Hungary over the Pride march in recent months was 'damn pathetic. It's nonsense.' 'I could use an uglier word because I'm extremely angry, but I won't,' he added. The ban was the latest crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights by Orbán's government, which has already effectively banned both same-sex adoption and same-sex marriage and disallowed transgender individuals from changing their sex in official documents. Police rejected several requests by organizers in recent weeks to register the Pride march, citing the recent law. But Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony joined with organizers and declared it would be held as a separate municipal event — something he said doesn't require police approval. But Hungary's government remained firm, insisting that holding the Pride march, even if it's sponsored by the city, would be unlawful. Hungary's justice minister this week warned Karácsony that organizing Pride or encouraging people to attend would be punishable by up to a year in prison. Advertisement Many marchers expressed their belief that the Pride march represented a struggle not just for the protections of the rights of sexual minorities, but for the democratic future of their country. Participant Zsófia Szekér said the number of attendees showed that a major part of society desired a new direction for Hungary. 'I think we can only achieve change if so many people take to the streets,' she said.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Michigan law protects rights of LGBTQ+ community
LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) — When state Sen. Jeremy Moss introduced legislation to add protections for LGBTQ+ to the Michigan's civil rights law, it was personal. Moss, D-Southfield, is the first openly gay member of the Michigan Senate. The expanded protections were passed and signed into law in March 2023. 'Today, if a person is fired because they're gay or kicked out of a restaurant because they're trans(gender), they have a path to seek justice. They don't have to just deal with the discrimination and live in this shame and bigotry that the community has lived under for too long,' Moss said. GR Pride Center celebrates added LGBTQ protections Moss said the changes to the state's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act were a long time coming. 'This was a fight from the very beginning of drafting our civil rights law in the early 1970s,' Moss said. 'Advocates and activists then knew that we had to put protections for LGBTQ Michiganders in the law, but we were excluded from the process.' He pointed out that the expanded protections was supported by many in the business community. 'When we put forward this proposal, I believed the moral reason was enough: We shouldn't discriminate against people. But the business community came out and said, 'This is something we support.' The Michigan Chamber of Commerce supported this. They have a conservative bent on how they see the economy, but on this issue, they said, 'We are being left behind by excluding people, by making people not feel welcome to do business in this state.' So the business community made the economic case that this is helpful for all Michiganders to ensure that everybody is protected by our civil rights law,' he said. With uncertainty about diversity, equality and inclusion programs under the Trump administration, Moss worries that not all voices will be heard — something he has experienced in his own life. 'For years and years and years, other people were talking about us (people in the LGBTQ community). Other people were making decisions about us and our futures and our prosperity and there were not LGBQT people at the table to have this conversation for a community that's impacted by these decisions,' he said. 'When other people make decisions about you and you're not a voice at the table, it impacts you disproportionately.' Despite what he called 'chaos coming from Washington,' Moss said there is an overarching layer of protection in Michigan. 'Elliott-Larsen is the law of our state,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘It's a safe place': Central Florida sports leagues embrace LGBTQ+ community
The cheers echoed through the halls of Dover Shores Community Center in Orlando on Thursday. It was the final game of the season for the players at the OUT Sports League. 'I just wanted to have a place where I could play with some of my friends some kickball and to have a safe place with the LGBTQ+ community,' said John Teixeira, who founded OUT in 2018. 'Now that it's grown, it's extraordinary. We have, in any given season, 1500 players. We're running 10 different sports.' Advertisement Practicing sports or attending sporting events is one of the easiest ways people can connect and socialize. For members of the LGBTQ+ community, that's even more important. Over the years, LGBQT+ sports groups have been offering a safe space for hundreds of people across Central Florida, and they have had great impact on the community. 'It usually puts a tear in my eye. Honestly, it really means a lot that it means so much to them, especially given the political landscape in Florida. A lot of players feel like they need connections. They need to make friends,' Teixeira said. As much as 80% of spectators and athletes have witnessed anti-LGBT+ attitudes during sporting events, according to the Human Rights Campaign – but that does not seem to be a problem among members and spectators of the OUT games. Advertisement 'Community-centered environment. I would say there's a lot of mutual support, not only like on your team but from a lot of different teams. And it's really a really, really cool experience to be part of,' said Ryan Chabot, who plays on the volleyball team. OUT Sports is not the only league in town, however. Central Florida Softball League has been around for almost 30 years. 'I never felt fully included in a sports space. And then when I found the Central Florida Softball League,' said Bobby Agagnina, the Commissioner for Central Florida Softball League. 'Then I came out here to the fields and saw people having a great time being themselves.' The softball league is a nonprofit – so the money they raise from memberships goes back to the community. Advertisement 'Not only are we having a welcoming, safe space here with like great softball on the field, but we also want to make sure that we're keeping everybody safe and supported here at home,' said Agagnina. Together, both leagues have thousands of players showing their pride on and off the courts. 'Pride, to me, is just being unembarrassed and unashamed about who you are, living your true life and your true self, and being able to be around other people that generally care about you, regardless of your creed, your background or who you love,' said Teixeira. 'I think the most proud of being in the Central Florida softball league is that we offer a safe, welcoming, family, fun experience,' said Agagnina. Anyone can join the leagues, regardless of skill level. Advertisement Click here for the team's official website. Click here to join the Central Florida Softball League. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gabriela Hearst, Willy Chavarria and Padma Lakshmi Turn Up for ACLU Event
Gabriela Hearst, Willy Chavarria and Padma Lakshmi helped the American Civil Liberties Union launch its 'Creatives for Freedom' initiative Wednesday night at The Standard, East Village. The organization's aim is to bring together leaders in fashion, film, television, social media, music, comedy and advocacy to draw attention to critical issues facing democracy. The crowd in the Cooper Square hotel's penthouse included designers Jameel Mohammed, Kim Shui and Kingsley Gbadegesin, actors Alan Cumming, Busy Phillips and Danai Gurira, rapper Joey Bada$$, artist Dustin Yellen, model Ella Snyder, as well as others like Glenda Bailey and Julie Gilhart. More from WWD Art Deco Turns 100: How Will You Celebrate? Banksy's Work Stops Shoppers at Brookfield Place Outside View: 'Let's Bring Back Jobs That Offer Skill, Stability and Dignity' Hearst, Chavarria and Lakshmi cohosted the event with the ACLU's deputy executive director for strategy and culture AJ Hikes, and its national legal director Cecillia Wang spoke of the group's ongoing efforts to protect and advance fundamental freedoms. As an ACLU member since 2017, Hearst said it's important to remember that it is a nonpartisan 105-year-old organization that 'is here to defend our rights and the Constitution.' The designer said that when Trump's second administration started in a 'dramatic, vicious and targeted way,' she inquired about doing more. Hearst spoke of Steven Spielberg's upcoming series on Netflix about the ACLU, and her $250,000 donation to the organization. 'Anyone who wants to match is welcome to. If you can't, come with whatever you can. Come with your work, your brain, your heart — everything is welcome,' she said. Chavarria, a Mexican American, spoke of having the good fortune of having been born and raised by a humble, good and working family in an immigrant community in California. 'I'm also of the LGBQT persuasion, which means that every ounce of blood in my body is really built to fight against the oppression that we are seeing right now that is stronger than ever,' he said. 'All of the creatives in this room can have such incredible impact and contact with people both emotionally and spiritually. Through our art and the way we communicate, we can really make people feel and think differently about what's going on. It's important that we do that especially at a time when so many brands, TV series and whatever are just ignoring what's going on.' Encouraging attendees to use messaging about the current situation through the beauty of fashion, makeup, music or other disciplines, Chavarria said, 'We are the ones who are probably best poised to get people to really see what's going on. We need to protect people, the institutions and the organizations that are under attack. Our ability to contribute to and guide unique and powerful cultural and topical conversations is more necessary now than ever before.' The author and Emmy-nominated TV host Lakshmi, who is also the ACLU artist ambassador for immigrants' and women's rights, said, 'Democracy is really being threatened at every turn whether it is bodily autonomy, LGBQT rights, equal rights, or First Amendment rights. There is no frontier of our society or culture that is not under attack.' Hikes spoke of the ACLU's 'millions of supporters around the country,' and its legal arguments in the Supreme Court with 'equal rights for all' being its guiding principles. Hikes and other supporters talked about the group's priorities that were designated more than a year ago — immigration, reproductive freedom, trans justice, and 'free speech — always free speech.' With 350 litigators nationwide, Hikes said, 'Even with that kind of force, we are still David to the government's Goliath.' During Trump's first administration, the ACLU took 434 legal actions and, thus far, into his second administration, more than 100 legal actions have been taken. Wang highlighted how the ACLU helped four theater groups take legal action in a Rhode Island federal court to challenge the National Endowment for the Arts from requiring that grantees' projects not promote gender ideology, per a Trump executive order. After the panel discussion, one of the ACLU's more seasoned supporters, Terry McDonnell, spoke of his commitment. Having supported the ACLU since he was 25, the media executive, literary editor and author said that was due to how, 'They echo that great thinking about 'I could agree with you, or disagree with you, or hate whatever you think, but I will die to protect your right to think that.' I hope they're still doing that. It's a First Amendment thing foremost. I'm totally in support of that.' Referring to 'the long and broad menu' that the ACLU presents to people, McDonnell said he would like to see that expand. As for the event's strong turnout, his wife Stacey Hadash said, 'I think people are really frustrated, sad, angry and feeling all different emotions. And they don't know what to do or how to organize. One of the messages that came out tonight was, 'Check us out. Do anything. Anything that you do with us is worthwhile, and that can make you feel better.'' Best of WWD The Definitive Timeline for Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Sean John Fashion Brand: Lawsuits, Runway Shows and Who Owns It Now What the Highest-paid CEOs at U.S. Fashion and Retail Companies Make Confidence Holds Up, But How Much Can Consumers Take?
