- Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, anti-trans legislation, and bans on drag shows have fuelled fears about safety at Pride events
- Each week, we choose a picture from the news and provide questions to help you dive deeper into the topic
Police divide parents and pro-LGBTQ counter protesters as they clash outside an elementary school over a Pride Day assembly in Los Angeles, California on June 2, 2023. Photo: ReutersHave some thoughts on this issue? Send us your response (no more than 300 words) by filling out this form or emailing [email protected] by June 21 at 11.59pm. We’ll publish the best response next week.
Observe and read
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What is happening in the picture? Why are there police?
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Based on the news snippet, why are some worried about safety at Pride events?
News snippet
Millions of LGBTQ Americans are taking part in this year’s Pride celebrations against a backdrop of increasing attacks both online and offline.
Jay Ulfelder, a political and data scientist at Harvard University, has been tracking demonstrations against the LGBTQ community since 2017. The data shows a clear increase in events beginning in 2022, about 30-fold compared to 2017. Right-wing protests were almost four times more likely to include anti-LGBTQ narratives in the last year and a half than when counting began.
LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD has recorded eight instances of 2023 Pride events that had to modify their plans due to threats of violence as of June 1. Half are in Florida, where event organisers have increased security this year.
Legal moves to restrict LGBTQ rights are also on the rise, with 491 anti-LGBTQ bills in the 2023 state legislatures, a record high for the last century. Recently, there has also been a Republican-led effort to limit drag in at least 15 states.
And in the state of Florida this year, education officials extended Governor Ron DeSantis’s 2022 initiative limiting discussions about LGBTQ issues and identity in school through the third grade, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, to cover all public school grades. The 2024 presidential candidate has put culture war issues front and centre, exemplified by this bill.
Proponents of the bill argue that only parents should decide when to discuss subjects like sexuality or gender identity with children. Those who criticise the measure say it will further endanger, silence and marginalise LGBTQ students.
Reuters
Research and discuss
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What are your thoughts on the “Don’t Say Gay” bill?
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What can be done to eliminate attacks on the LGBTQ community?
Thoughts from last week
Tommy Chan, Pui Kiu College
Apple’s recently announced Vision Pro headset has garnered attention and praise for its impressive technology and features, including eye-tracking, hand-tracking, and spatial audio. However, many analysts are sceptical about the device’s potential success, citing its high price tag and limited target audience.
At US$3,499, the Vision Pro is much more expensive than other virtual and augmented reality headsets currently on the market. The high cost will likely limit its appeal to a niche market of professionals and enthusiasts who want the headset’s advanced capabilities for their work or hobbies.
Additionally, the Vision Pro’s focus on augmented reality and spatial computing may not appeal to mainstream consumers primarily interested in virtual reality gaming and entertainment. While Apple has a strong track record of creating products for the masses, it remains to be seen whether the Vision Pro will have the same level of broad appeal.
Finally, the Vision Pro’s success may also be hindered by its reliance on Apple’s ecosystem and software. As with many of the company’s products, the headset will likely be optimised for use with Apple devices and services, which could limit its compatibility with other products and platforms.
While the Vision Pro is undoubtedly an impressive piece of technology, it may struggle to find a large audience due to its high price and limited focus.