Latest news with #WhyItMattersPrideMonth
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Gay California Lawmaker Blasts 'Inflammatory' Pride resolution
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Carl DeMaio, an openly gay Republican assemblymember representing San Diego, accused his Democratic colleagues of advancing what he called an "inflammatory" Pride Month resolution meant to "divide us," the lawmaker told Newsweek. Newsweek has reached out to Democratic leaders, including the bill's sponsor, Assemblymember Chris Ward, for comment via email on Wednesday. Why It Matters Pride Month is celebrated every June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, according to the Library of Congress. Celebrations take place across the country and world, with large parades in major U.S. cities. This June marks the 10th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. California has been at odds with the Trump administration over transgender rights, particularly regarding transgender athletes in girls' sports. What To Know On Monday, Democrats presented the resolution, put forward by Ward. The resolution emphasizes respect and the advancement of "equality for all people," highlighting California's history of supporting LGBTQ+ community members, while also recognizing the challenges faced by this community. DeMaio says he approached Ward earlier with amendments to the resolution, particularly striking out parts that relate to policy, including transgender inclusion in girls' sports. He told Newsweek the resolution is filled with inflammatory, erroneous rhetoric," adding that "more importantly, it takes policy positions." DeMaio's problem with the resolution is in part related to the section calling out various anti-LBGTQ+ bills, which reads: "The aforementioned anti-LGBTQ+ bills disproportionately target TGI people and include efforts to prohibit access to lifesaving gender-affirming health care, prevent TGI youth from playing school sports alongside their friends, erase TGI identities from vital records and state driver's licenses, ban books that include TGI people and history, prohibit TGI people from using restrooms and facilities in accordance with their gender identity, and criminalize TGI people who bravely embrace their authentic selves amid rising hostility." "TGI" stands for "transgender, gender diverse, and intersex." The Republican lawmaker, who rarely collaborates across the aisle, says his frustration lies in the potential of the resolution, stating that he believes he could have gotten his Republican colleagues to unanimously vote for his edited version of the resolution, which he said would be "historical." California Republican Carl DeMaio poses for a picture at the U.S. Capitol on June 23, 2014. California Republican Carl DeMaio poses for a picture at the U.S. Capitol on June 23, 2014. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta On Monday, he spoke against the matter on the floor. During his speech, he was interrupted several times by Democratic Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Josh Lowenthal. The interruptions were for various members' birthday announcements. The Democrats hold a majority in the California State Assembly, with 60 seats to Republicans' 19. DeMaio voted against the matter, and the resolution passed. What People Are Saying Lindsey Stetson, chair of Log Cabin Republicans of California, told Newsweek: "Partisan Democrats are only for diversity when it conforms to their political ideology. They can't handle any kind of divergence from their radical orthodoxy. Carl DeMaio has been a practical, pragmatic conservative while living openly and honorably as a gay man, consistently smeared by the gay left. It's no surprise his leadership in Sacramento presents an existential challenge they desperately try to silence while he exposes their morally -and fiscally- bankrupt policies not only for LGBT individuals, but all Californians." The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus said in a June 18 statement: "The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus released the following statement condemning U.S. v. Skrmetti Supreme Court ruling, and reaffirms support for transgender youth and their families." What Happens Next As Pride Month comes to a close, numerous large parades and celebrations will take place this weekend, including in San Francisco and New York City.
Newsweek
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Nick Offerman Tears Into Michael Flynn's Son
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Actor Nick Offerman clapped back at Michael Flynn Jr. after the son of retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn shared an edited Parks and Recreation clip that made it seem like Ron Swanson, Offerman's character on show, was throwing a pride flag into the garbage. In response to a request for comment for this article, Flynn sent three laughing emoji. Newsweek has contacted a representative for Offerman for comment via email outside regular working hours. Why It Matters Pride Month is celebrated in June—coinciding with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a series of protests for gay liberation. This year's Pride Month comes at a critical time for LGBTQIA+ people as Republican lawmakers in several states move to end same-sex marriage and the Trump administration has taken multiple steps to unravel protections for transgender Americans. The State Department has also enacted a "one flag policy," banning U.S. Embassies and overseas missions from flying pride flags. A composite image showing a "Love is Love" flag at Bangkok's pride parade on June 1 and Nick Offerman at the U.S. premiere of "Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning" at Lincoln Center Plaza in New York... A composite image showing a "Love is Love" flag at Bangkok's pride parade on June 1 and Nick Offerman at the U.S. premiere of "Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning" at Lincoln Center Plaza in New York on May 18. More/for Paramount Pictures What To Know Flynn, whose father served as U.S. national security adviser for 22 days before resigning from the first Trump administration, posted the clip on X, formerly Twitter, on June 1. He wrote in the caption, "Just wanted to post how I feel about 'pride' month." The clip, from the fourth season of Parks and Recreation, originally showed Swanson furiously throwing his computer into the trash after learning about online invasions into his privacy. The edited clip includes a rainbow flag in place of the computer. Offerman wrote in response to Flynn's post, "Ron was best man at a gay wedding you dumb f--k. #HappyPride." In "One Last Ride," the series finale, Swanson serves as the best man in a wedding between two of the show's smaller roles: Typhoon (Rodney To), who is Swanson's hairdresser, and Craig (Billy Eichner). Swanson, a committed libertarian, is known for his grumpiness and biting one-liners. However, the character, like the actor, is supportive of the queer community. Offerman's comment was met with a mixed response online, with some social media users applauding his quick comeback, while others criticized him. What People Are Saying X user @OzymandiasEsq, responding to Offerman in a post viewed 54,000 times as of press time, wrote: "I always love when a creator/writer/actor slams someone for misusing their character." User @RidgeburyCap, responding to Offerman in a post viewed 37,000 times, wrote: "No one cares what the actor thinks lol." What Happens Next Cities across the U.S. have organized events and celebrations for Pride Month, with the annual WorldPride set to take place in Washington, D.C., this year. Pride marches and parades are also expected in cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
