分类： society

In a historic moment of recognition and reconciliation, King Charles III unveiled Britain’s first national memorial dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) military personnel on Monday. The ceremony, held at the National Memorial Arboretum in central England, marked a significant step in acknowledging the struggles and sacrifices of LGBTQ+ troops who faced discrimination and dismissal from the armed forces for decades. The memorial, a crumpled bronze letter inscribed with poignant words from affected personnel, stands as a testament to their resilience and service. The event was attended by numerous serving troops, veterans, and dignitaries, underscoring the importance of this milestone. Between 1967 and 2000, LGBTQ+ individuals in the British military were labeled unfit to serve, stripped of their ranks, medals, and pension rights, and subjected to lifelong stigma. The ban was lifted in 2000 following a landmark ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. In 2023, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a formal apology for what he termed “an appalling failure of the British state,” and a compensation program was established, offering up to £70,000 ($93,000) to affected veterans. LGBTQ+ military charity Fighting with Pride hailed the memorial as a “powerful step forward” in honoring the contributions of these troops. Veterans like Claire Ashton, who was discharged from the Royal Artillery in 1972, shared emotional reflections on the event, describing it as a moment of long-awaited pride and healing. Brigadier Clare Phillips, a 30-year veteran of the British Army, emphasized the memorial’s significance in recognizing the courage of those who paved the way for today’s LGBTQ+ service members to serve openly and with dignity.

This week, a high-profile trial is set to commence in Paris, where ten individuals face charges of cyber-bullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The defendants are accused of disseminating baseless claims regarding her gender and sexuality, alongside making derogatory comments about the 24-year age difference between the couple. If convicted, they could face up to two years in prison. Among the accused are an elected official, a gallery owner, and a teacher, as reported by French media. Notably, two of the defendants, Natacha Rey and Amandine Roy, were previously convicted of slander for asserting that Brigitte Macron did not exist and that her brother had transitioned genders. However, an appeals court later acquitted them, ruling that their statements did not meet the legal threshold for defamation. The Macron family is appealing this decision. The conspiracy theory alleging that Brigitte Macron is transgender has been circulating since Emmanuel Macron’s first presidential term in 2017. These unfounded claims have gained traction in the United States, largely propagated by right-wing influencer Candace Owens. In July, the Macrons filed a lawsuit against Owens, accusing her of spreading false information and aligning with far-right ideologies. Their lawyer, Tom Clare, described the ordeal as deeply distressing for Brigitte Macron and a significant distraction for the president. Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the legal action was a matter of defending his honor against harmful misinformation. The couple first met when Brigitte was a teacher at Emmanuel’s secondary school, and they married in 2007.

A high-profile trial commenced in Paris on Monday, involving ten individuals accused of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The defendants, comprising eight men and two women aged between 41 and 60, are alleged to have disseminated malicious online comments questioning Brigitte Macron’s gender and sexuality, as well as making unfounded claims about her age gap with her husband, insinuating inappropriate behavior. Among the accused are a self-proclaimed medium, an advertising executive, an elected official, a teacher, and a computer scientist. Some of the defendants have significant social media followings, with posts garnering tens of thousands of views. The case highlights the persistent conspiracy theories surrounding Brigitte Macron, including baseless claims that she was born male and transitioned to female. This trial follows a defamation lawsuit filed by the Macrons in July in a Delaware court against U.S. conservative influencer Candace Owens, who has propagated similar allegations. Owens, known for her controversial views, has a substantial online presence, with her YouTube channel boasting 4.5 million subscribers. The Paris trial is part of a broader legal battle, as the Macrons continue to combat defamatory claims. In September 2024, Brigitte and her brother Jean-Michel Trogneux won a defamation case against two women, though the ruling was later overturned by a Paris appeals court. The Macrons have since appealed to France’s highest court. The couple, married since 2007, first met when Emmanuel Macron was a student and Brigitte was his teacher. Brigitte, 24 years older than her husband, has faced relentless scrutiny and misinformation, which this trial seeks to address.