Arts & Entertainment
Conservative group says Disney, Apple have ‘declared public war’ with LGBT support
Texas Values fears bill veto infringes on religious rights
(Photo via Bigstock)
Following Gov. Nathan Deal’s veto of the “religious liberty” bill that would allow religion as a reason to discriminate against LGBT people, a conservative Texas group is fearing the worst for their values.
Texas Values, an affiliate of Focus on the Family, released a statement from president Jonathan Saenz slamming big businesses such as Disney and Apple for pressuring Deal to veto the bill.
“Will Disney now ban you from wearing a cross outside your shirt at their parks?” Saenz writes. “Will a Catholic priest be forced to remove his white collar when he takes a picture with Mickey Mouse? This is how extreme the attacks now are on religious freedom, it’s a zero tolerance policy for religious freedom.
“It’s striking that the day after Easter, churches in Georgia are told their freedoms are not that important to protect,” the statement continued. “It’s clear that corporate giants like Apple, Disney, NCAA, Intel have finally come out of the closet and declared public war on the religious freedom of clergy and religious schools, as was the protection in Georgia’s very modest HB 757 that they worked to bring down.”
Deal says corporation pressure wasn’t the reason for the decision.
“Georgia is a welcoming state,” Deal said after veoting the bill. “It is full of loving, kind and generous people. And that is what we should want. I intend to do my part to keep it that way.”
The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
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