Millions of LGBTQ Americans are taking part in this year's Pride celebrations against a backdrop of increasing attacks, both online and offline.
Jen Kuhn of Kaleidoscope, a queer youth organisation in Columbus, Ohio, said it felt "surreal" when neo-Nazis showed up at an April fundraiser waving swastikas and a sign reading, "there will be blood". At least three people were arrested on Tuesday when violence broke out outside a school district meeting discussing LGBTQ inclusivity in Glendale, California.
And in Florida this year, education officials extended Gov. Ron DeSantis's 2022 initiative limiting LGBTQ discussion in school through the third grade, also known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, to now cover all public school grades. The 2024 presidential candidate has put culture war issues front and centre, exemplified by this bill.
A report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate and Human Rights Campaign last year found a 406 per cent surge in "grooming" tweets in the month after the "Don't Say Gay" bill passed in March 2022. CCDH data covering May 2021 to May 2023 seen by Reuters shows the narrative was rare prior to the bill's passage.
"An event, like the 'Don't Say Gay bill,' can increase the online chatter. And the chatter can increase the likelihood of such bills."
Law Law Latest News, Law Law Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: STForeignDesk - 🏆 4. / 71 Read more »
Source: asiaonecom - 🏆 10. / 59 Read more »