Republicans introduce measure banning DEI in federal government | TheHill

This blog originally appeared at THE HILL.

Republicans propose legislation to prohibit DEI initiatives in the federal government.

Congressional Republicans have proposed legislation to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and funding within the federal government.

The Dismantle DEI Act, introduced on Wednesday by Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), aims to abolish all federal DEI initiatives and cease DEI-related funding for agencies, contractors, organizations, and educational accreditation bodies that receive federal support.

“DEI is a harmful ideology that fosters hatred and racial division,” Vance stated. “It should not be present in our federal government or anywhere in our society. I am proud to introduce this bill to remove DEI from our federal system by terminating such programs and cutting off funding for DEI policies. Americans’ tax dollars should not be used to promote this radical and divisive ideology—this legislation ensures they will not be.”

In 2021, President Biden issued an executive order to “cultivate a workforce that draws from the full diversity of the Nation,” aiming to remove structural barriers faced by underserved and minority communities.

Representative Michael Cloud (R-Texas), the bill’s primary sponsor in the House, stated that DEI initiatives, while presented as promoting fairness, “have instead fostered division and racial bias within our institutions and culture.”

Cloud emphasized the necessity of the bill, framing it as a crucial measure to reinstate merit and equality, rejecting the concept of equity, within America’s government institutions. He argued that the DEI bureaucracy not only fosters division but also wastes taxpayer money. “It’s absurd to fund these divisive policies, especially using American tax dollars, and it’s time for Congress to put an end to them once and for all,” Cloud stated firmly.

Fifteen House Republicans have thrown their support behind the bill, reflecting the ongoing Republican resistance to DEI initiatives, often characterized as part of a broader “woke” agenda. This sentiment was underscored last year when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation prohibiting public universities from funding DEI programs and requiring diversity commitments in hiring statements. The law also removed majors and minors related to critical race theory and what was deemed “radical” feminist or gender theories. In a similar vein, Texas Governor Greg Abbott instructed public universities in his state to cease considering DEI statements in their hiring procedures in February.

Across the nation, legislation aimed at reducing DEI spending and altering hiring guidelines at colleges and universities has been introduced in a dozen states. The Dismantle DEI Act represents the latest attempt to ban such programs at the federal level, following the disbandment of the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion in March as part of a government spending bill.

Senator Rick Scott, who co-introduced the act with Vance, criticized the Biden administration for promoting what he sees as far-left policies that prioritize ideology over merit. “Taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to foot the bill for federal government agencies to push their woke DEI agenda,” Scott asserted, highlighting the necessity of the Dismantle DEI Act.

In addition to revoking Biden’s 2021 executive order, the act would dismantle the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility within the Office of Personnel Management as well as the Chief Diversity Officers Executive Council. Senator Eric Schmitt, a co-sponsor, labeled DEI rhetoric and programs as “poisonous ideology,” expressing his commitment to eradicating DEI programs from federal institutions.

June 13, 2024 0

CBS News: Texas man details wife’s miscarriage amid state’s abortion laws | Khou

This blog originally appeared at CBS NEWS.

A Texas father told CBS News that he and his wife are living a nightmare after she suffered a miscarriage following multiple unsuccessful attempts to receive medical treatment.

DALLAS — Some families are experiencing medical challenges due to Texas’ abortion law, as highlighted in a CBS News report that featured one family’s struggles.

A Texas father shared with CBS News that he and his wife are enduring a nightmare after she suffered a miscarriage following numerous attempts to obtain medical treatment.

Ryan Hamilton, a 43-year-old radio host, garnered significant attention on social media after sharing about his wife’s miscarriage.

CBS News did not reveal his wife’s name in their report, and she remains not ready to discuss the incident publicly.

“When you find out your baby doesn’t have a heartbeat, that’s only the beginning,” Hamilton told CBS News. “So, the conversation becomes, what do we do?”

On May 16, Hamilton’s wife, over three months pregnant with their second child, learned that the baby no longer had a heartbeat.

Medical records obtained by CBS News indicate that Hamilton’s wife was treated at a North Texas emergency room, where doctors informed her that the baby had no heartbeat.

“We were told she could take medication to start the process to finish… to finish what had already started at home,” Hamilton explained to CBS News.

Doctors prescribed misoprostol, a labor-inducing drug used for miscarriages and abortions. She was instructed to take the medication at home and return if it did not work within two days.

Hamilton told CBS News that the medication didn’t work, and when they returned to the hospital, the doctor said they couldn’t prescribe the medicine.

Confused, Hamilton and his wife sought other options and went to another hospital, only to be denied treatment once again.

“You want to panic, but you can’t,” Hamilton told CBS News. “At this point, you’re just thinking, ‘Get my wife safe.'”

While waiting for answers at the second hospital, Hamilton sensed that the doctors were uncertain about what they were permitted to do.

“That’s what it feels like. They feel scared. The doctors feel scared,” he said in the interview.

Texas law prohibits abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, except in medical emergencies. Hamilton explained that the doctors told them it wasn’t a significant enough emergency to perform the procedure.

The procedure they were denied is called “dilation and curettage,” but the law does not require a medical emergency for it to be performed if there is no cardiac activity.

In a statement to CBS News, the hospital said they follow Texas and federal laws in accordance with national standards of care.

Hamilton and his wife still didn’t know what to do. Doctors gave her stronger medication and sent her home. In the following days, Hamilton found his wife unconscious on the bathroom floor, surrounded by blood. He rushed her to the hospital, where doctors confirmed the medication had worked.

Hamilton told CBS News they are not planning to sue any of the hospitals involved, but he hopes his story will help others in the future. He said his wife is focused on healing and therapy.

June 13, 2024 0

Texas Education Agency will take control of Houston ISD | The Texas Tribune

Millard House II, superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, delivers the HISD State of the Schools Address in Houston on March 3, 2023. The Texas Education Agency will replace House and the district's school board as part of a state takeover. Credit: Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribune

This blog originally appeared at THE TEXAS TRIBUNE.

The announcement comes almost four years after the agency first moved to take over the district.

Millard House II, superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, delivers the HISD State of the Schools Address in Houston on March 3, 2023. The Texas Education Agency will replace House and the district’s school board as part of a state takeover. Credit: Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribune.

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After a prolonged legal battle and weeks of speculation, the Texas Education Agency on Wednesday confirmed it’s removing Houston Independent School District’s democratically elected school board and superintendent, effectively putting the state in charge of its largest school district.

Houston ISD, with 276 schools and an enrollment of nearly 200,000 students, will now be the largest district the agency has taken over since 2000, when it first intervened in a struggling school district.

Superintendent Millard House II and the current school board will finish out the school year, but the TEA will replace them after June 1 with “a board of managers.”

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The TEA commissioner decides how long the board is in place. Usually, this sort of takeover has lasted two to six years.

The agency will host community meetings in the coming weeks to explain how the takeover will take place.

The move is in response to years of poor academic outcomes at a single campus in the district, Phillis Wheatley High School, and allegations of misconduct from school board members. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said state law requires his agency to either close that campus or appoint a new board to oversee the district.

Texas passed a law in 2015 mandating a state takeover if a school district or one of its campuses receives failing grades from the TEA for five consecutive years. Phillis Wheatley reached that threshold in 2019.

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Morath and the agency moved to force out the district’s school board that same year. The district pushed back and sued, but the Texas Supreme Court ruled in January that the agency could move forward with its plan to take over the district.

“Even with a delay of three full years caused by legal proceedings, systemic problems in Houston ISD continue to impact students most in need of our collective support,” Morath wrote in a letter to district leaders Wednesday.

June 7, 2024 0

Texas Supreme Court rejects challenge to abortion law over medical exceptions | AP News

This blog originally appeared at AP NEWS.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Supreme Court on Friday rejected a closely watched challenge to the state’s restrictive abortion ban, ruling against a group of women who had serious pregnancy complications and became the first in the U.S. to testify in court about being denied abortions since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

In a unanimous ruling, the all-Republican court upheld the Texas law that opponents say is too vague when it comes to when medically necessary exceptions are allowed. The same issue was at the center of a separate lawsuit brought last year by Kate Cox, a mother of two from Dallas, who sought court permission to obtain an abortion after her fetus developed a fatal condition during a pregnancy that resulted in multiple trips to an emergency room.

Abortion rights activists have struggled to stem the tide of restrictions that have taken effect in most Republican-led states since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe vs Wade, which for nearly 50 years had affirmed the constitutional right to an abortion.

The court said the law’s exceptions, as written, are broad enough and that doctors would be misinterpreting the law if they declined to perform an abortion when the mother’s life is in danger.

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FILE - Daniel Perry enters the courtroom at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center, May 10, 2023, in Austin, Texas. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Thursday, May 16, 2024, recommended a full pardon for Perry, a former U.S. Army sergeant convicted of murder for fatally shooting an armed demonstrator in 2020 during nationwide protests against police violence and racial injustice. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP, Pool, File)

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“Texas law permits a life-saving abortion,” the court wrote in the order signed by Justice Jane Bland.

The decision appeared to close, at least for now, another pathway for opponents who have sought to force the state to provide more clarity about when exceptions are allowed. Last year, plaintiffs in the lawsuit gave emotional accounts in an Austin courtroom over how they carried babies they knew would not survive and continued pregnancies that put their health in worsening danger.

“Now we know the courthouse doors are closed to them,” said Molly Duane, a staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, which represented the Texas women. “It seems Texans have nowhere to go but the voting booth, in terms of what comes next.”

June 6, 2024 0

Bar Runs ‘Heterosexual Awesomeness Month’ Promo | DallasExpress

This blog originally appeared at DALLAS EXPRESS.

Local Bar Introduces Special Promotion in Celebration of ‘Heterosexual Awesomeness Month’

The Old State Saloon, nestled in Eagle, Idaho, has ignited a buzz by proclaiming June as “Heterosexual Awesomeness Month.” The establishment took to social media to announce its plans, promising special offers including discounts, complimentary brews, and even hosting a “straight male clothing” competition.

“Join us throughout the month to honor heterosexuals, whose existence is fundamental to us all!” proclaimed the bar in a Facebook post. “Every Monday, dubbed Hetero Male Monday, any heterosexual gentleman dressed in attire befitting his heterosexuality will be treated to a complimentary draft beer. Wednesdays are reserved for Heterosexual Couples Day, with all couples enjoying a 15% discount on their tab.”

Further, Thursdays were designated for all-day happy hour pricing exclusively for heterosexual women.

However, the event triggered a wave of criticism online, with many expressing disapproval of the bar’s stance. Among the dissenting voices was an op-ed published by the Idaho Statesman, condemning the event as a veiled promotion of intolerance.

Responding defiantly, the Old State Saloon stood firm in its position. “1) We cherish our LGBTQ+ patrons! 2) We stand resolute and will not yield to those responding with hostility. 3) ALL are welcome to commemorate heterosexuality with us in June!” declared the establishment.

Despite the backlash, the bar refused to retract its declaration, citing its right to celebrate heterosexuality. The controversy coincided with Pride Month, established in 1970 to celebrate and honor the LGBTQ+ community.

While criticism abounded, there was also notable support for the promotion. The original post garnered over 2,500 comments, with subsequent discussions generating up to 1,000 additional comments.

“Since announcing Hetero Awesomeness Month, we’ve faced significant backlash: theft, vendors refusing service, wedding catering cancellations, and even baseless accusations against the owner,” lamented the bar. “Yet, amidst the chaos, we’ve also received overwhelming support from individuals who appreciate our celebration of ‘Heterosexual Awesomeness Month’ as an expression of freedom and personal values.”

June 5, 2024 0

Florida cities fly Pride flags after the GOP’s failed attempt to ban them | LGBTQNation

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ NATION.

“I hope it stands as a beacon for the rest of the state and the entire country.”

After Florida Republicans tried unsuccessfully to pass a law banning government buildings from flying Pride flags earlier this year, several cities around the state hoisted the rainbow stripes over the weekend to mark the start of Pride Month.

Late last year, state Rep. David Borrero (R) introduced legislation aimed at banning flags “that represent a political viewpoint, including, but not limited to, a politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology viewpoint.” House Bill 901 would have prohibited such flags from being displayed not only at schools but also above government buildings and universities.

But the bill died during the most recent legislative session, leaving local governments free to fly Pride flags this month.

On Friday, the city of St. Petersburg got an early start to Pride Month by raising the Progress Pride flag at City Hall. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), state Reps. Lindsay Cross (D) and Michele Rayner (D), Mayor Ken Welch (D), and the St. Petersburg City Council attended the flag-raising ceremony.

“Together, by raising the Pride flag at City Hall, our city boldly and unapologetically acts on its commitment to inclusivity, the celebration of diversity, and the simple but profound idea that people should have the freedom to love who they love,” Cross said. “This is in stark contrast to attempts at the state level to stifle our celebrations and to dim the light of beautiful members of our community.”

Cross noted the proposed flag ban and her vote against it. “Gratefully, due to the loud and proud voices that opposed the bill, it did not pass,” she said. “So, this year, as we stand under this Pride flag, we celebrate this small but important victory. Because we should not live in fear of repercussions from safe self-expression.”

“This marks the beginning of a celebration for equal rights for all across St. Petersburg, and I hope it stands as a beacon for the rest of the state and the entire country,” Castor told the crowd.

On Saturday morning, nearly 100 people gathered to see the Progress Pride flag hoisted above the Gulfport Public Library in the city of Gulfport, Pinellas County. The ceremony was attended by Vice Mayor and City Council member Ian O’Hara, members of the city council, Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice, Pinellas County School Board member Caprice Edmond, Gecko Queen Robert Daunch, and candidates for Florida’s 13th Congressional District Whitney Fox and John Liccione.

The same day, the City of Miami raised the Progress Pride flag over its City Hall. “It’s important to understand that it’s a celebration because of how far the LGBTQ community has come,” Commissioner Damian Pardo said in a video posted to the City of Miami’s official X account. “It’s incredibly important to thank the city of Miami for creating a safe space for us in the LGBTQ community.”

The flag-raisings continued on Monday in Tampa and Orlando.

“During Pride Month and year-round, Orlando will continue to show that inclusion, kindness, and compassion are more powerful than divisiveness, hatred, and fear,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer wrote in an X post, along with a photo of the intersex-inclusive Progress Pride flag flying over City Hall. “As Mayor, I am proud that our city is a place that values, supports, and welcomes LGBTQ+ residents and visitors.”

“The colors of love and progress are flying high in Orlando as we raise the Progress Pride Flag at Orlando City Hall in celebration of our LGBTQ+ community and their ongoing fight for equality,” read a post on the city’s official X account.

In Tampa on Monday morning, Mayor Jane Castor (D) gave a brief history of the original rainbow Pride flag’s origins before raising the rainbow-striped flag above the city’s Old City Hall.

“It really is a wonderful definition and proclamation of our community and the pride that we have,” Castor said of the flag. Members of Tampa’s LGBTQ+ community “are our police officers, our firefighters, our paramedics, the individuals that protect our country down at MacDill Air Force Base, they are our teachers, our nurses. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our family. It is our community, and we’re very, very proud of that.”

Castor also called on those gathered to “continue to stay focused on ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity and respect” in the face of the recent rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in Florida and across the nation.

On Tuesday morning, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (D), County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, and other local leaders will raise the Pride flag about the city’s Stephen P. Clark Government Center. According to a press release, this will mark the fourth consecutive year that the Miami-Dade County government has raised the Pride flag “to reaffirm our commitment to making Miami-Dade an inclusive, welcoming County that celebrates our rich diversity.”

June 5, 2024 0

Black Trans Lives Matter | THEM

Michelle Henry, a beacon in San Francisco’s transgender community, tragically lost her life.

The San Francisco LGBTQ+ community is grieving the loss of a transgender woman who was killed on May 15th.

“Michelle’s passing is an immense loss for our community,” said Rebecca Rolfe, executive director of the organization, in an email statement. “There are no words to express the depth of our collective grief right now. We extend our gratitude to those who cherished Michelle, and our thoughts are with everyone who had the privilege of truly knowing, loving, and caring for her.”

On Tuesday, friends and family gathered to honor Henry at a memorial vigil held at San Francisco’s bar, Mother. The LGBT Center is currently creating an altar to honor her memory.

Veronica Pritipaul, a navigation specialist at the LGBT Center, described Henry as a “beacon of light in our community” who dedicated her life to transgender liberation. “With her passing, we have not only lost a beloved sister, but also a mentor and steadfast advocate for the trans community,” Pritipaul told the Reporter.

Jackson Asher, a close friend, remembered Henry as “incredibly loving” and a constant source of support over the years. “She was there for me at my lowest points, especially during my struggles with addiction,” Asher recalled. “Her love was unwavering, and her vibrant energy drew people to her.”

Friends suspect that Henry’s death may have been a hate crime targeting a transgender person. However, the San Francisco Police Department is currently not investigating the incident as a bias-motivated killing. “At this time, we do not have evidence indicating that this incident is hate-related,” police stated in a release.

Authorities have arrested 33-year-old Raymani Yuhashi, who faces charges of murder with premeditation, according to the Reporter. As of May 21, Yuhashi’s name did not appear in the county jail’s online records.

Henry’s death has been classified as a homicide, confirmed by David Serrano Sewell, executive director of the city’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, according to the Reporter.

A spokesperson for the San Francisco District Attorney’s office stated that the investigation is ongoing. “The police had sufficient cause to make an arrest based on evidence gathered at the scene. However, further investigation is necessary to make informed decisions about criminal charges,” the representative informed the Reporter. “Once the investigation concludes, all evidence will be thoroughly evaluated. If we determine we can meet the burden of proof, appropriate charges will be filed.”

The district attorney’s office extended condolences to Henry’s family and friends, offering support through their Victim Services Division as they navigate this difficult time.

Henry is at least the 15th trans or gender nonconforming person killed this year due to violent incidents, as reported by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The HRC’s current database, which lists 14 individuals, has yet to be updated to include Henry’s death. Nearly four out of five of those killed this year have been people of color, with almost a third being Black trans women. The majority of these deaths involved firearms.

As the LGBTQ+ community grieves another tragic loss, San Francisco’s Transgender District honored Henry in an Instagram post, describing her as a “beautiful soul taken from us too soon.” “At 25, she had her whole life ahead of her,” the post reads. “She was a friend to everyone and always ready to lend a helping hand.”

Honey Mahogany, recently named director of the city’s Office of Transgender Initiatives, described Henry as a “beloved member of our community.” Mahogany emphasized that her tragic death serves as a stark reminder that, even in San Francisco, ongoing advocacy is crucial to ensure the safety and welfare of all transgender individuals.

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May 25, 2024 0

Book bans spiked at the end of the previous year.

This blog originally appeared at NPR NEWS.

Last year ended with a surge in book bans

A recent report from PEN America claims that there was a “unprecedented” spike in book bans in the second half of 2023.

According to the free expression organization, 4,349 book bans occurred in 52 public school districts and 23 states between July and December of last year. According to the research, over those six months, more books were prohibited than during the entire 2022–2023 school year.

The source of PEN America’s ban data is allegedly “publicly available data on district or school websites, news sources, public records requests, and school board minutes.”

Key lessons learned include:

With 3,135 prohibitions spread among 11 of the state’s school districts, Florida accounted for the great bulk of school book bans. An NPR representative for the Florida Department of Education declined to comment.

Book bans are frequently started by a small group of individuals. A Wisconsin school district temporarily banned 444 books after receiving challenges from a single parent.

According to the research, those who advocate for book bans frequently use to “obscenity laws and hyperbolic rhetoric about ‘porn in schools’ to justify banning books about sexual violence and LGBTQ+ topics (and in particular, trans identities).”

The research claims that there has been a comparable upsurge in opposition to the bans. Students, writers, and others are “fighting back in powerful and creative ways.”

Who is enforcing the ban?

According to a survey published in The Washington Post, “Just 11 people were responsible for filing 60 percent” of book challenges in 2021–2022.

Advocates for free speech from across the nation who joined PEN America today to address prohibitions spoke at a news conference about the ostensibly enormous influence of a small but vociferous minority.

Quinlen Schachle, a senior in high school and the president of the Alaska Association of Student Governments, expressed his dismay at attending school board meetings, saying, “It’s, like, [the same] one adult that comes up every day and challenges a new book. It’s not a concerned group of parents coming in droves to these meetings.”

According to Texas Freedom to Read Project Co-Director Laney Hawes, books are frequently prohibited due to “a handful of lists that are being circulated to different school districts” rather than “a parent whose child finds the book and they have a problem with it.”

PEN America describes a book ban as “any action taken against a book based on its content…that leads to a previously accessible book being either completely removed from availability to students, or where access to a book is restricted or diminished.”

The American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, expressed disapproval of PEN America’s April 2022 report on banned literature. “Almost three-quarters of the books that PEN listed as banned were still available in school libraries in the same districts from which PEN claimed they had been banned,” the Education Freedom Institute (AEI) reported in a report.

May 22, 2024

Former student describes brutal culture of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying at Nex Benedict’s high school | LGBTQNation

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ NATION.

The sentiment echoed by the student resonates with the experiences of many: officials at Owasso High School turn a blind eye to bullying.

Just over two months following the tragic passing of Nex Benedict, a transgender teenager, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has unveiled a new advertisement. In it, an alum of Owasso High School recounts firsthand the culture of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying she encountered at the same school Benedict attended.

Benedict’s passing on February 8 occurred shortly after a violent altercation with three fellow students in an Owasso High School bathroom. While ruled a likely suicide by the Oklahoma state medical examiner, the incident has sparked national attention to the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ students within the Owasso school district and across Oklahoma. Benedict, described by friends as identifying as transgender and predominantly using he/him pronouns, had reported being targeted by the three students, who allegedly assaulted him because of his gender identity until he lost consciousness.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have condemned both the school and the Owasso Police Department for their handling of the altercation preceding Nex Benedict’s tragic passing, as well as the pervasive culture of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying reported by current and former students. In February, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Kelley Robinson urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to initiate a Department of Justice investigation into Benedict’s death. Robinson also reached out to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, urging the department to utilize its enforcement tools to prevent similar tragedies in the future. In March, the U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation into the Owasso Public School District.

The HRC advertisement, unveiled on Monday, features Marley H., a 2022 Owasso graduate, who sheds light on school officials’ neglect in addressing anti-LGBTQ+ bullying. Recounting an incident on a school trip, Marley describes a teacher’s refusal to intervene when another student repeatedly used derogatory language targeting her and her peers.

“It’s painful to realize that not only do your teachers fail to support you personally, but if a student bullies, harasses, or belittles you, they won’t take action,” she shares. “It fosters an environment where reporting issues feels futile.”

Addressing teachers who turn a blind eye to bullying and harassment, Marley emphasizes, “Consider the consequences faced by students like Nex Benedict. That’s the severity of the situation. That’s the result when you witness something and remain silent.”

Marley’s testimony echoes the sentiments of other current and former Owasso students who participated in a walkout in late February. Despite Owasso Public Schools’ official prohibition of bullying in its student conduct code, students told NBC News they were unaware of the district’s bullying policies and doubted the school’s willingness to address complaints.

“Even if an incident occurs, there’s no incentive to approach administrators or teachers because nothing will change,” remarked Ally, a senior at Owasso and a friend of Benedict’s. “I’ve witnessed this repeatedly with my friends.”

Marley points out a “trickle-down effect,” wherein students are exposed to anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from their parents, who, in turn, hear similar rhetoric from Oklahoma Republicans advocating anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. “These children hear their parents’ words. And these children go to school. The rhetoric passed down from elected officials to parents to children then impacts entire school districts.”

At the forefront of these elected officials is Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters (R), known for his anti-LGBTQ+ stance. Even prior to Benedict’s tragic passing gaining national attention, Walters faced criticism from both Republican and Democratic state lawmakers for appointing Chaya Raichik, the figure behind the anti-LGBTQ+ platform “Libs of TikTok,” to Oklahoma’s library advisory committee in January.

Following Benedict’s death, a letter dated February 28 addressed to the Oklahoma state legislature, signed by over 350 public figures and LGBTQ+ rights groups, called for Walters’ removal. Additionally, in March, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) initiated “Walters Watch,” a campaign aimed at holding Walters accountable for what the organization perceives as his “extremist rhetoric and mismanagement of Oklahoma schools,” contributing to a climate of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying and harassment.

Kelley Robinson, in a statement, acknowledged the courage of students from Owasso and elsewhere in Oklahoma who have spoken out against bullying and harassment perpetuated by figures like Ryan Walters. Robinson emphasized Marley’s story as both heartbreaking and enraging, asserting that there is a path forward. She emphasized the importance of speaking out against injustices, making it harder for the truth to be ignored. Robinson concluded that the first step towards healing is for Ryan Walters to step down.

For those in crisis or in need of support, assistance is available. You can call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. The Trans Lifeline (1-877-565-8860) offers support staffed by transgender individuals without involving law enforcement. The Trevor Project provides a safe and judgment-free platform for youth to chat, text (678-678), or call (1-866-488-7386). Support is offered in both English and Spanish at all three resources.

April 23, 2024

Bomb Threat Interrupts Drag Story Hour Event at Arlington Gay Bar

This blog originally appeared at BLADE.

The event at Freddie’s Beach Bar resumed following a thorough search by police and a bomb-sniffing dog. After ensuring the safety of the premises, the event continued without further interruption.

During a Drag Story Hour event at Freddie’s Beach Bar, a popular gay bar and restaurant in Arlington, Virginia, attendees were unexpectedly evacuated due to a bomb threat received via email on April 6. Parents and children participating in the event were ushered into the rear outdoor seating area and parking lot while law enforcement, including a bomb-sniffing dog, conducted a thorough search of the premises. Fortunately, no explosives were found.

Freddie Lutz, the owner of Freddie’s Beach Bar situated in Crystal City, South Arlington, disclosed that the threatening email arrived during the inaugural Drag Story Hour event. This event, where drag performers read children’s stories to accompanied families, had drawn a sizable crowd of neighborhood residents, including kids, babies, and even a grandmother. Despite the disruption, attendees patiently waited until authorities gave the all-clear signal before returning inside.

During the Drag Story Hour event at Freddie’s Beach Bar, two protesters made their presence known outside the venue. Freddie Lutz revealed that prior to the event, drag performer Tara Hoot had warned him about potential disruptions, as some of her previous Drag Story Hour events had faced bomb threats and protests.

“We were somewhat prepared, mentally at least,” Lutz commented. “As anticipated, we received an unsettling email threatening both the bar and me personally at my residence, although thankfully nothing was found there,” he added, referring to his nearby South Arlington home.

Arlington police responded to the bomb threat report, conducting a thorough search of the premises and finding no evidence of criminal activity. The investigation remains ongoing.

Tara Hoot, who has been organizing Drag Story Hour events in the D.C. area for over a year, revealed that several of her past events have encountered hostile protests or bomb threats, with no actual explosives ever discovered. At the Freddie’s event, two protesters, a man and a woman, invoked religious reasons for opposing the Drag Story Hour, spreading messages of intolerance and attempting to shame parents for attending with their children.

Despite such opposition, Hoot’s performances cater to children’s interests with songs, readings from books like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” which promotes positive themes like bravery, and engaging activities like blowing bubbles and using rainbow ribbons. She describes the atmosphere as one of fun, love, and joy.

Originating in San Francisco in 2015 under the auspices of an organization named Drag Story Hour, these events have spread nationwide, occurring in various settings including libraries, bookstores, restaurants, and bars. The organization aims to create spaces where children can witness individuals defying conventional gender norms, fostering a vision of a world where everyone can express their true selves freely.

April 15, 2024