Major publishing houses sue Florida over the LGTBQ-books ban law of Rep. Gov. DeSantis

 

A federal complaint was filed in Orlando, Florida by five major publishing houses and several authors, over a law pushed by Republican Gov. DeSantis that makes it easier to ban books.

It claims that a Florida law, HB 1069, which makes it easier to challenge books that contain sexual conduct or are “pornagraphic”, violates the First Amendment rights of publishers, authors, teachers, and students.

The complaint was filed by Hachette, Harper Collins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuester, along with SourceBooks, and several authors.

The lawsuit argues that the books that have been removed from schools and libraries using the Florida law are “not remotely obscene” and that the wording of the law is too broad and could be used to encompass a wide range of books depending on interpretation.

Each attempt to ban a book represents a direct attack on every person’s right to freely choose what books to read and what ideas to explore, and to suppress the voices of LGBTQ community.

Ron DeSantis, Let Us Live in Florida!!!

Over 52% of LGBT people in UK report being bullied or harrassed at work

A survey published by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) suggested more than half (52%) of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people in UK report being bullied or harassed at work, in the last five years.

The new poll found: 

• Around one in five (19%) LGBT people had been exposed to verbal abuse at work in the last five years. 
• More than a quarter (28%) said they had homophobic, biphobic or transphobic remarks directed at them or made in their presence. 
• And one in 20 (5%) told that they had experienced physical violence, threats or intimidation at work because of their sexual orientation. 

As a result, it is not surprising that nearly three in 10 (29%) of LGBT people keep their sexual orientation a secret at work.  

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:  

“This new report shines a light on the extent of discrimination LGBT workers face in our workplaces. LGBT+ people should be safe and supported at work. But instead, they’re experiencing shockingly high levels of bulling and harassment – including assault.   

“Workplace culture clearly needs to change. No one should think that a colleague being LGBT means it’s ok to make discriminatory comments or ask them inappropriate questions – let alone carry out serious acts of assault. 

“Ministers must change the law to put the responsibility for preventing harassment on employers, not victims. We need stronger workplace rights to protect all staff from abuse at work. Good, secure jobs are essential to building a motivated, healthy workforce – and are what every worker deserves. 

“And employers must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of bullying, harassment and discrimination.” 

Check the poll here.

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A report confirms that LGBTQ+ rights are far better under the Biden-Harris Administration than Trump's policies

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is out with a new report that lays bare the dramatic differences in how federal agencies approached LGBTQ+ rights under the administrations of Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. 

The comprehensive analysis provides a critical look at the policies that have shaped the lives of LGBTQ+ people over the past several years. It reveals that under Biden the LGBTQ+ community is faring much better than under Trump.

“The analysis makes clear what we have seen across the country,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson in a statement. “Actions have consequences. Time and again, the Trump Administration ushered in policies and positions that did damage to LGBTQ+ lives. Meanwhile, in their first term, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken steps to make our lives better. Federal agencies take actions that impact nearly every aspect of our lives. And Americans deserve a government that steps up to defend freedom and equality for all.”

Under Trump, the rollback of LGBTQ+ rights was relentless, according to the report. Agencies systematically rescinded rules and guidance that had previously affirmed legal protections for LGBTQ+ people. In stark contrast, the President Biden administration has worked diligently to restore and expand protections for LGBTQ+ people, HRC reports.

President Joe Biden made history by selecting Kamala Harris as the first woman of color as a vice president (VP), and a rising political star who has demonstrated a commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. Kamala Harris has a strong record of support for LGBTQ+ causes.

The full report is available here.

#YesWeKam

Over 100,000 attendees in Prague Pride Festival 2024!

 

Prague Pride Festival 2024 is seven days of celebrating LGBTQ+ equality, with a particular focus on the theme of family and love this year, reflecting the ongoing struggle for equal rights for LGBTQ+ people in the Czech Republic. More than 100,000 visit the festival this year.

The highlight of Prague Pride is the annual parade, with tens of thousands walking through the center of the Czech capital. Among the participants were politicians, representatives of various companies and organizations, ambassadors, celebrities, and families with children. 

Over 60,000 of attendees walked through the streets of central Prague this year to celebrate LGBTQ+ inclusion, many attended workshops and other events. Despite increased security measures, police reported no major incidents at the annual event.

Before the parade began, participants gathered in the lower part of Wenceslas Square, where they could make banners, apply face paint, and listen to music from DJ Jan Witek. This year’s parade was notable for its commitment to sustainability, with no vehicles powered by internal combustion engines leading the procession.

Happy Prague Pride Festival!!!

Total medal count of Team LGBTQ in Paris Olympics, the most ever won!

 

Several out athletes won medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Team LGBTQ finished in 7th place in the total medal count, if they were their own country.

The medal count for Team LGBTQ was 42 medals: 15 gold medals, 13 silver medals and 14 bronze medals:

• 🥇 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (New Zealand), gold in Rugby Sevens 
• 🥇 Alice Bellandi (Italy), gold in Judo 
• 🥇 Lauren Scruggs (USA), gold in Fencing  
• 🥇 Frederic Wandres (Germany), gold in Equestrian
• 🥇 Amandine Buchard (France), gold in Judo 
• 🥇 Maria Perez (Spain), gold in Marathon walk relay
• 🥇 Svenja Brunckhorst (Germany), gold in 3×3 Basketball
• 🥇 Kellie Harrington (Ireland), gold in Boxing
• 🥇 Lara Vadlau (Austria), gold in Sailing
• 🥇 Anne Veenendaal & Marleen Jochems (Netherlands), gold in Field Hockey
• 🥇 Ana Patricia (Brazil), gold in Beach Volleyball
• 🥇 Sha’Carri Richardson (USA), in Track and Field
• 🥇 Tierna Davidson (USA), gold in Soccer
• 🥇 Paola Egonu (Italy), gold in Volleyball
• 🥇 Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Alyssa Thomas, Brittney Griner, Jewell Loyd, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper (USA), gold in Basketball
• 🥈 Tom Daley (UK), silver in Synchronized Diving 
• 🥈 Lauren Scruggs (USA), silver in Women's Foil 
• 🥈 Olivia Apps, Sophie de Goede, Maddy Grant (Canada), silver in Rugby Sevens 
• 🥈 Perris Benegas (USA), silver in BMX 
• 🥈 Maria Perez (Spain), silver in 20km walk 
• 🥈 Raz Hershko (Israel), silver in Judo
• 🥈 Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (Denmark), silver in Equestrian
• 🥈 Michelle Kroppen (Germany), silver in Archery
• 🥈 Sha’Carri Richardson (USA), silver in Track & Field
• 🥈 Emma Twigg (New Zealand), silver in Rowing
• 🥈 Marianne Vos (Netherlands), silver in Cycling
• 🥈 Marta, Adriana, Tarciane, Tamires, Luciana, Lorena, Taina, Lauren Leal (Brazil), silver in Soccer
• 🥈 Haleigh Washington (USA), silver in Volleyball
• 🥉 Evy Liebfarth (USA), bronze in Canoe slalom 
• 🥉 Amandine Buchard (France), bronze in Judo 
• 🥉 Lauren Doyle, Alev Kelter, Steph Rovetti, Kristi Kirshe, Nicole Heavirland, Kris Thomas (USA), bronze in Rugby Sevens 
• 🥉 Natalya Diehm (Australia), bronze in BMX 
• 🥉 Tabea Schendekehl (Germany), bronze in Rowing 
• 🥉 Beatriz Ferreira (Brazil), bronze in Boxing
• 🥉 Carl Hester (UK), bronze in Equestrian
• 🥉 Rafaela Silva (Brazil), bronze in Judo
• 🥉 Nesthy Petecio (Philippines), bronze in Boxing
• 🥉 Cindy Ngamba (Refugee team from Cameroon), bronze in Boxing
• 🥉 Laura Aarts (Netherlands), gold in Water Polo
• 🥉 Lea Schuller, Sara Doorsoun, Felicitas Rauch, Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), bronze in Soccer
• 🥉 Gabi Guimaraes, Ana Carolina Da Silva, Rosamaria Montibeller, Roberta (Brazil), bronze in Indoor Volleyball
• 🥉 Samantha Whitcomb, Amy Atwell (Australia), bronze in Basketball

In the Tokyo Olympics, the 186 out LGBTQ athletes finished 7th overall in the medal count with 32 medals. The current 195 out athletes in the Paris Olympics won 42 medals and finished 7th, the most ever won by the collective Team LGBTQ in the Olympics, congratulations!!!