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Transcript/ScriptUS Pride Month TV
HEADLINE: Biden Celebrates Pride Month Amid Attacks on LGBTQI+ Communities
TEASER:
PUBLISHED: 06/15/2022 at 11:53 pm
BYLINE: Patsy Widakuswara
CONTRIBUTOR: Anita Powell
DATELINE: White House
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Bowman, Mia Bush, DJones
CONTRIBUTOR:
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AP, AFP, Skype
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:50
VID APPROVED BY: wpm
TYPE: TV
EDITOR NOTES: Radio track included. ))
((INTRO: ))
[[U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday aimed at combating controversial LGBTQI+ bills that have been introduced in state legislatures across the country. Biden’s order comes as the administration celebrated Pride Month. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report. ]]
NATSOUND: “Gay, gay, gay” chant.
((NARRATOR))
June is Pride Month in the United States, when LGBTQI+ people celebrate their communities and press for full equality.
(( radio track: activist Javier Gomez))
((Javier Gomez, activist))
“My presence here is a testament that we are fighting back. ((applause)) Because our lives are glorious, beautiful and worthy. We deserve respect and love. And until we have that, we will fight.”
((NARRATOR))
The White House celebrated Pride on Wednesday. Through executive action, officials say, they are taking additional steps to advance equality and addressing discrimination, including preventing so-called “conversion therapy” that seeks to change the sexual or gender identities of LGBTQI+ youth.
((President Joe Biden))
“This is the first time the federal government is aiming a coordinated response against this dangerous, discredited practice.”
((NARRATOR))
President Joe Biden condemned a recent slew of bills affecting LGBTQI+ rights pushed by Republican state legislatures nationwide.
In Florida, legislation to go into effect July 1 would prohibit classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity for children in kindergarten through third grade. And Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently directed family services to investigate as child abuse parents who provide gender-affirming care for their children.
((Radio track: Dr. Dwayne Kwaysee Wright is an assistant professor focusing on diversity at the George Washington University))
((Dwayne Kwaysee Wright, George Washington University))
“I think the administration sees this and they're going to do all they can hopefully to try to prevent, mitigate and roll back this attack on LGBT citizens here.”
((NARRATOR))
The LGBTQI+ community also faces growing threats from far-right extremist groups. On Saturday, 31 members of a white supremacist group called the Patriot Front were arrested in Idaho for allegedly planning a riot to disrupt a Pride event.
Amid these threats, the administration has been keen to underscore a message of inclusivity. Karine Jean-Pierre, the first Black woman and openly gay person was appointed as
White House press secretary in May.
((Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary))
“We work around the globe to protect LGBTQI+ persons from violence and abuse, criminalization, discrimination and stigma and empower local LGBTQI+ movements and persons. We do this through bilateral and multilateral channels.”
((NARRATOR))
She did not say whether Biden would deliver that message when he meets King Salman in Saudi Arabia next month. The Kingdom’s officials recently seized rainbow-colored toys and clothing from shops in the capital Riyadh as part of a crackdown on homosexuality.
((Patsy Widakuswara, VOA News, at the White House))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)the White House
Embargo DateJune 16, 2022 01:21 EDT
Byline
((Patsy Widakuswara, VOA News, at the White House))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
