@edgemedianetwork

In addition to targeting the LGBTQ+ community, Guatemalan lawmakers have increased prison sentences for women who have abortions, bucking a recent trend in Latin America toward expanding access to the procedures. As some of Latin America's largest countries — Mexico, Argentina, Colombia — have expanded abortion access in the past two years, there remain countries where conservative religious trends continue to hold sway. Late Tuesday — International Women's Day — Guatemala's Congress passed a "Protection of Life and Family" law that also targeted the LGBTQ community. On Wednesday, which Guatemala's Congress declared "Life and Family Day," President Alejandro Giammattei said in a speech at the National Palace, "This event is an invitation to unite as Guatemalans to protect life from conception until natural death." The Guatemala legislation also explicitly prohibited same-sex marriage — which was already effectively illegal — and banned schools from teaching anything that could "deviate (a child's) identity according to their birth gender." Lawmaker Armando Castillo, an ally of Giammattei's administration, defended the legislation, saying that the only thing it does is protect "heterosexual people who have no interest in diversity." But opposition lawmaker Lucrecia Hernández warned her colleagues that the "the law stigmatizes people, discriminates and foments intolerance and hate speech and crimes."⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ????️‍?⁠ ?: Getty

In addition to targeting the LGBTQ+ community, Guatemalan lawmakers have increased prison sentences for women who have abortions, bucking a recent trend in Latin America toward expanding access to the procedures. As some of Latin America's largest countries — Mexico, Argentina, Colombia — have expanded abortion access in the past two years, there remain countries where conservative religious trends continue to hold sway. Late Tuesday — International Women's Day — Guatemala's Congress passed a "Protection of Life and Family" law that also targeted the LGBTQ community. On Wednesday, which Guatemala's Congress declared "Life and Family Day," President Alejandro Giammattei said in a speech at the National Palace, "This event is an invitation to unite as Guatemalans to protect life from conception until natural death." The Guatemala legislation also explicitly prohibited same-sex marriage — which was already effectively illegal — and banned schools from teaching anything that could "deviate (a child's) identity according to their birth gender." Lawmaker Armando Castillo, an ally of Giammattei's administration, defended the legislation, saying that the only thing it does is protect "heterosexual people who have no interest in diversity." But opposition lawmaker Lucrecia Hernández warned her colleagues that the "the law stigmatizes people, discriminates and foments intolerance and hate speech and crimes."⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ????️‍?⁠ ?: Getty

@edgemedianetwork Mar 10

A Florida state senator GOP-splained what LGBT is during the debate over the "Don't Say Gay" bill before it passed on Tuesday (She left the Q out of the acronym). According to website AlterNet.com, Sen. Ileana Garcia (R) expressed her support for a so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill this week by arguing that "LGBT is not a permanent thing," then misgendered a trans "friend" repeatedly to make her point. During her 15-minute speech on the Senate floor, Garcia argued in favor of the bill that would prevent teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with younger students. She also said she would never exploit her LGBTQ+ friends and colleagues before proceeding to misgender a trans friend, whom she used as a justification for her queer-phobic words. "A friend of mine went through the whole transition as an older man, 58-years-old, became a woman and guess what? He still likes women!" Garcia said. In her speech she says that she would not "pander" to her LGBTQ+ friends after naming one, Carla. "When I introduce my friends, I don't say 'this is my best gay friend;' 'this is my best friend.' Or 'this is my lesbian aunt;' No, 'this is my aunt.' You know, people are people because of their qualities not because of their identity and their sexuality"⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ????️‍?⁠ ?: Ileana Garcia

A Florida state senator GOP-splained what LGBT is during the debate over the "Don't Say Gay" bill before it passed on Tuesday (She left the Q out of the acronym). According to website AlterNet.com, Sen. Ileana Garcia (R) expressed her support for a so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill this week by arguing that "LGBT is not a permanent thing," then misgendered a trans "friend" repeatedly to make her point. During her 15-minute speech on the Senate floor, Garcia argued in favor of the bill that would prevent teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with younger students. She also said she would never exploit her LGBTQ+ friends and colleagues before proceeding to misgender a trans friend, whom she used as a justification for her queer-phobic words. "A friend of mine went through the whole transition as an older man, 58-years-old, became a woman and guess what? He still likes women!" Garcia said. In her speech she says that she would not "pander" to her LGBTQ+ friends after naming one, Carla. "When I introduce my friends, I don't say 'this is my best gay friend;' 'this is my best friend.' Or 'this is my lesbian aunt;' No, 'this is my aunt.' You know, people are people because of their qualities not because of their identity and their sexuality"⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ????️‍?⁠ ?: Ileana Garcia

@edgemedianetwork Mar 10

House Republicans in Tennessee advanced legislation on Tuesday that would ban public schools from using textbooks or materials that "promote, normalize, support or address LGBT issues or lifestyles." Critics argue the bill is similar to a measure that Florida's Republican-dominated legislature passed just hours earlier, which would forbid instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. The Tennessee version would apply to all K-12 public schools. A House panel on Tuesday approved sending it it to the full chamber for a vote. The bill has not yet made much progress in Senate. "I think most parents would like the sexuality of our children to be left to our parents in the home and not part of a curriculum," said Republican Rep. Bruce Griffey, the bill's sponsor. "And the vast number of parents also feel like materials that promote LGBTQ issues and lifestyles that should be subject to the same restrictions and limitation that there are on religious teachings that are not allowed in our schools." Since being elected to the House in 2018, Griffey has not had much political sway inside the GOP-dominated Statehouse. He has become known for introducing some of the more attention-grabbing contentious proposals each legislative session, but they rarely advance.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍???⁠ ?: Getty

House Republicans in Tennessee advanced legislation on Tuesday that would ban public schools from using textbooks or materials that "promote, normalize, support or address LGBT issues or lifestyles." Critics argue the bill is similar to a measure that Florida's Republican-dominated legislature passed just hours earlier, which would forbid instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. The Tennessee version would apply to all K-12 public schools. A House panel on Tuesday approved sending it it to the full chamber for a vote. The bill has not yet made much progress in Senate. "I think most parents would like the sexuality of our children to be left to our parents in the home and not part of a curriculum," said Republican Rep. Bruce Griffey, the bill's sponsor. "And the vast number of parents also feel like materials that promote LGBTQ issues and lifestyles that should be subject to the same restrictions and limitation that there are on religious teachings that are not allowed in our schools." Since being elected to the House in 2018, Griffey has not had much political sway inside the GOP-dominated Statehouse. He has become known for introducing some of the more attention-grabbing contentious proposals each legislative session, but they rarely advance.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍???⁠ ?: Getty

@edgemedianetwork Mar 9

Underwear maven Andrew Christian posed with a pair of briefs in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag on social media last week. He wrote: "I'm giving away a custom pair of autographed underwear I created in support of the Ukraine to 1 person randomly. All you have to do is tell me in the comments what Ukrainian charity you've donated to and why you support..." The Sword reported: "Andrew Christian has yet to issue a public statement on their controversial giveaway, but when asked for comment earlier today about the social media backlash, the underwear brand responded to The Sword with an apology for the misunderstanding of the situation." "Andrew Christian has also donated to charities that are helping Ukraine," the company told The Sword via email. "We apologize for not making that clear in the post; however, we did not want people to think we were trying to take advantage of the unfortunate humanitarian crisis and precarious political situation by touting our own donations. Since the conflict began we have donated to outrightinternational.org to a LGBTQ+ charity helping Ukraine, Razom ...a charity supporting the Ukrainians quest for democracy and the Red Cross which is helping with the humanitarian crisis." "The representative for the company then ended the email with a link to a page on the official Andrew Christian site that gives a list of the charities the company has donated to," The Sword said.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍???⁠ ?: @andrewchristianintl

Underwear maven Andrew Christian posed with a pair of briefs in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag on social media last week. He wrote: "I'm giving away a custom pair of autographed underwear I created in support of the Ukraine to 1 person randomly. All you have to do is tell me in the comments what Ukrainian charity you've donated to and why you support..." The Sword reported: "Andrew Christian has yet to issue a public statement on their controversial giveaway, but when asked for comment earlier today about the social media backlash, the underwear brand responded to The Sword with an apology for the misunderstanding of the situation." "Andrew Christian has also donated to charities that are helping Ukraine," the company told The Sword via email. "We apologize for not making that clear in the post; however, we did not want people to think we were trying to take advantage of the unfortunate humanitarian crisis and precarious political situation by touting our own donations. Since the conflict began we have donated to outrightinternational.org to a LGBTQ+ charity helping Ukraine, Razom ...a charity supporting the Ukrainians quest for democracy and the Red Cross which is helping with the humanitarian crisis." "The representative for the company then ended the email with a link to a page on the official Andrew Christian site that gives a list of the charities the company has donated to," The Sword said.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍???⁠ ?: @andrewchristianintl

@edgemedianetwork Mar 8

The hottest contest in Hollywood right now might be the one behind the scenes as hopefuls vie to play Madonna in the movie of her life, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Tinseltown news source notes that interest is high among actors looking to land the role, and would-be leading ladies for the project have come from all quarters — "from Emmy winners and Oscar nominees to singers turned actresses." Among those said to be in top contention is Florence Pugh, who starred in last year's "Black Widow," noted Comic Book. "Since the list of potential Madonnas was released, many people have taken to Twitter to back Pugh as the choice, but the former Academy Award-nominated actor has some competition," the site went on to note, saying that the "finalists also include Julia Garner ('Ozark'), Alexa Demie ('Euphoria'), Odessa Young ('Mothering Sunday'), and Emma Laird ('Mayor of Kingstown')." Those in contention may find themselves in "what can be best described as a Madonna Bootcamp," a "grueling" process that includes "choreography sessions with Madonna's choreographer, after which there are choreography sessions with Madonna, herself," THR said. Work days are long — up to eleven hours long, it's reported. And remember, this is just for the casting of the role. Whoever wins the plum part will "still [be] looking at months' worth of intense training ahead of a potential start date" for filming, THR said.⁠ ⁠ Who do you want to play Madge?⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍?????❤️⁠ ?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi⁠ ?: Madonna / @madonna

The hottest contest in Hollywood right now might be the one behind the scenes as hopefuls vie to play Madonna in the movie of her life, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Tinseltown news source notes that interest is high among actors looking to land the role, and would-be leading ladies for the project have come from all quarters — "from Emmy winners and Oscar nominees to singers turned actresses." Among those said to be in top contention is Florence Pugh, who starred in last year's "Black Widow," noted Comic Book. "Since the list of potential Madonnas was released, many people have taken to Twitter to back Pugh as the choice, but the former Academy Award-nominated actor has some competition," the site went on to note, saying that the "finalists also include Julia Garner ('Ozark'), Alexa Demie ('Euphoria'), Odessa Young ('Mothering Sunday'), and Emma Laird ('Mayor of Kingstown')." Those in contention may find themselves in "what can be best described as a Madonna Bootcamp," a "grueling" process that includes "choreography sessions with Madonna's choreographer, after which there are choreography sessions with Madonna, herself," THR said. Work days are long — up to eleven hours long, it's reported. And remember, this is just for the casting of the role. Whoever wins the plum part will "still [be] looking at months' worth of intense training ahead of a potential start date" for filming, THR said.⁠ ⁠ Who do you want to play Madge?⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍?????❤️⁠ ?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi⁠ ?: Madonna / @madonna

@edgemedianetwork Mar 7

The parents of a transgender teenager in Texas said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that the state is investigating them after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ordered officials to look into reports of gender-confirming care for kids as abuse. The parents of the 16-year-old girl are asking a judge to block the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services from investigating them and the parents of other transgender youth under a directive Abbott issued last month. "Their actions caused terror and anxiety among transgender youth and their families across the Lone Star State and singled out transgender youth and their families," the lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal, said. The lawsuit marks the first report of parents being investigated following Abbott's order and an earlier non-binding legal opinion by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton labeling certain gender-confirming treatments as "child abuse." DFPS, which last week said it did not have any open cases, said Tuesday it had received three reports since Abbott's directive and Paxton's opinion but would not say how many resulted in investigations. The agency declined to comment on the suit. The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍????⁠ ?: Getty

The parents of a transgender teenager in Texas said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that the state is investigating them after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ordered officials to look into reports of gender-confirming care for kids as abuse. The parents of the 16-year-old girl are asking a judge to block the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services from investigating them and the parents of other transgender youth under a directive Abbott issued last month. "Their actions caused terror and anxiety among transgender youth and their families across the Lone Star State and singled out transgender youth and their families," the lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal, said. The lawsuit marks the first report of parents being investigated following Abbott's order and an earlier non-binding legal opinion by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton labeling certain gender-confirming treatments as "child abuse." DFPS, which last week said it did not have any open cases, said Tuesday it had received three reports since Abbott's directive and Paxton's opinion but would not say how many resulted in investigations. The agency declined to comment on the suit. The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍????⁠ ?: Getty

@edgemedianetwork Mar 2

Equality advocates in Singapore expressed disappointment with the country's highest court refusing to overturn a law criminalizing gay sex on the grounds that the law is never enforced. The advocates say the real problem isn't the colonial-era law itself, which is know as Section 377A, but the discrimination it implicitly endorses. The New York Times noted, "A similar law imposed by British colonial rulers in India — and known there as 377 — was struck down by the Indian Supreme Court in 2018, inspiring activists to challenge the law in Singapore and other former British colonies." But the Singapore Court of Appeals turned the case aside with an argument that "that three men who brought challenges did not have legal standing because the government has pledged not to enforce the colonial-era law," the Times detailed. LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Pink Dot SG said in a statement that the court's reasoning was "cold comfort," UK newspaper the Independent reported. "Section 377A's real impact lies in how it perpetuates discrimination across every aspect of life: at home, in schools, in the workplace, in our media, and even access to vital services like health care," Pink Dot SG said.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍?????⁠ ?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi ⁠ ?: Getty

Equality advocates in Singapore expressed disappointment with the country's highest court refusing to overturn a law criminalizing gay sex on the grounds that the law is never enforced. The advocates say the real problem isn't the colonial-era law itself, which is know as Section 377A, but the discrimination it implicitly endorses. The New York Times noted, "A similar law imposed by British colonial rulers in India — and known there as 377 — was struck down by the Indian Supreme Court in 2018, inspiring activists to challenge the law in Singapore and other former British colonies." But the Singapore Court of Appeals turned the case aside with an argument that "that three men who brought challenges did not have legal standing because the government has pledged not to enforce the colonial-era law," the Times detailed. LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Pink Dot SG said in a statement that the court's reasoning was "cold comfort," UK newspaper the Independent reported. "Section 377A's real impact lies in how it perpetuates discrimination across every aspect of life: at home, in schools, in the workplace, in our media, and even access to vital services like health care," Pink Dot SG said.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍?????⁠ ?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi ⁠ ?: Getty

@edgemedianetwork Mar 1

This week saw the Paramount+ release of the coming-of-age film "Three Months" starring out pop superstar Troye Sivan. In the film he plays "a Florida teen named Caleb who ponders life in 2011 — and the possibilities of love — after he hooks up with someone who has HIV," the New York Post said. "Caleb must then endure a grueling three-month wait to find out whether he himself has tested positive." "I can relate to a lot of Caleb," said Sivan, who, like his character, is both gay and Jewish. "There's a lot of experience that I think he goes through that I can really, really sympathize and empathize with." Despite its anxiety-ridden subject matter, Variety had this to say about the film: "Writer-director Jared Frieder's feature debut feels like the LGBT equivalent of 'Juno': snappy and refreshingly nonjudgmental in dealing with the consequences of a risky one-night stand." But, Sivan told IndieWire that the film nearly didn't get made. "It seemed like a massive gear shift to be trying to think about an acting project while I was so in the thick of the 'Bloom' tour," said Sivan. "When I finally did get to it, I had no idea whether the film had already been made, or where it was. I read it and hoped to god they hadn't made it yet and they hadn't. So within, I think it was three days, I had a meeting with the producers, and then I met with Jared, and we started filming maybe six weeks later."⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ????⁠ ?: Troye Sivan @troyesivan

This week saw the Paramount+ release of the coming-of-age film "Three Months" starring out pop superstar Troye Sivan. In the film he plays "a Florida teen named Caleb who ponders life in 2011 — and the possibilities of love — after he hooks up with someone who has HIV," the New York Post said. "Caleb must then endure a grueling three-month wait to find out whether he himself has tested positive." "I can relate to a lot of Caleb," said Sivan, who, like his character, is both gay and Jewish. "There's a lot of experience that I think he goes through that I can really, really sympathize and empathize with." Despite its anxiety-ridden subject matter, Variety had this to say about the film: "Writer-director Jared Frieder's feature debut feels like the LGBT equivalent of 'Juno': snappy and refreshingly nonjudgmental in dealing with the consequences of a risky one-night stand." But, Sivan told IndieWire that the film nearly didn't get made. "It seemed like a massive gear shift to be trying to think about an acting project while I was so in the thick of the 'Bloom' tour," said Sivan. "When I finally did get to it, I had no idea whether the film had already been made, or where it was. I read it and hoped to god they hadn't made it yet and they hadn't. So within, I think it was three days, I had a meeting with the producers, and then I met with Jared, and we started filming maybe six weeks later."⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ????⁠ ?: Troye Sivan @troyesivan

@edgemedianetwork Feb 26

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the state's child welfare agency to investigate reports of gender-confirming care for kids as abuse, a directive that opponents say is a first by any governor over GOP efforts to restrict transgender rights. The immediate impact of the order, which Abbott issued Tuesday, was unclear and a spokesman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said there were no open cases based on the governor's directive. Abbott's letter to state agencies came after Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton this week released a non-binding legal opinion that labeled certain gender-confirming treatments as "child abuse." That goes against the nation's largest medical groups, including the American Medical Association, which have opposed Republican-backed restrictions filed in statehouses nationwide. Both Abbott and Paxton are up for reelection this year, and their actions came a week before they are on the ballot for Republican voters in Texas's first-in-the-nation primary of 2022. "I hereby direct your agency to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of any reported instances of these abusive procedures in the State of Texas," Abbott said in a letter to the Department of Family and Protective Services.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍???⁠ ?: Getty

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the state's child welfare agency to investigate reports of gender-confirming care for kids as abuse, a directive that opponents say is a first by any governor over GOP efforts to restrict transgender rights. The immediate impact of the order, which Abbott issued Tuesday, was unclear and a spokesman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said there were no open cases based on the governor's directive. Abbott's letter to state agencies came after Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton this week released a non-binding legal opinion that labeled certain gender-confirming treatments as "child abuse." That goes against the nation's largest medical groups, including the American Medical Association, which have opposed Republican-backed restrictions filed in statehouses nationwide. Both Abbott and Paxton are up for reelection this year, and their actions came a week before they are on the ballot for Republican voters in Texas's first-in-the-nation primary of 2022. "I hereby direct your agency to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of any reported instances of these abusive procedures in the State of Texas," Abbott said in a letter to the Department of Family and Protective Services.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍???⁠ ?: Getty

@edgemedianetwork Feb 24

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a new clash between religious rights and the rights of LGBT people. The high court said Tuesday it would hear the case of Colorado-based web designer Lorie Smith. Smith offers graphic and website design services and wants to expand to wedding website services. But Smith says her religious beliefs would lead her to decline any request from a same-sex couple to design a wedding website. She also wants to post a statement on her website about her beliefs. But that would run afoul of a Colorado anti-discrimination law. Smith argues the law violates her free speech and religious rights. The case is expected to be argued in the fall.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍??️??⁠ ?: Getty

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a new clash between religious rights and the rights of LGBT people. The high court said Tuesday it would hear the case of Colorado-based web designer Lorie Smith. Smith offers graphic and website design services and wants to expand to wedding website services. But Smith says her religious beliefs would lead her to decline any request from a same-sex couple to design a wedding website. She also wants to post a statement on her website about her beliefs. But that would run afoul of a Colorado anti-discrimination law. Smith argues the law violates her free speech and religious rights. The case is expected to be argued in the fall.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍??️??⁠ ?: Getty

@edgemedianetwork Feb 22

Kuwait's constitutional court has struck down a contentious law long used to criminalize transgender people by forbidding the "imitation of the opposite sex." After weeks of deliberation and years of campaigning by human rights groups, the court ruled that the vague law policing people who dress and behave like the opposite sex was "inconsistent with the constitution's keenness to ensure and preserve personal freedom." The law had set the maximum penalty for cross-dressing at one-year in prison or a fine of $3,300. The decision was hailed as a liberal counterweight to the conservative politics in Kuwait, a Gulf Arab sheikhdom where homosexual relations are criminalized with up to seven years in prison. Amnesty International welcomed the overturning of the penal code's Article 198 as "a major breakthrough" for the rights of transgender people in the region. Similar laws criminalize transgender expression across the conservative Arabian Peninsula. Throughout the Arab world, gay, lesbian and transgender people face legal and social discrimination and other formidable obstacles to living their lives openly.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍????⁠ ?: Getty

Kuwait's constitutional court has struck down a contentious law long used to criminalize transgender people by forbidding the "imitation of the opposite sex." After weeks of deliberation and years of campaigning by human rights groups, the court ruled that the vague law policing people who dress and behave like the opposite sex was "inconsistent with the constitution's keenness to ensure and preserve personal freedom." The law had set the maximum penalty for cross-dressing at one-year in prison or a fine of $3,300. The decision was hailed as a liberal counterweight to the conservative politics in Kuwait, a Gulf Arab sheikhdom where homosexual relations are criminalized with up to seven years in prison. Amnesty International welcomed the overturning of the penal code's Article 198 as "a major breakthrough" for the rights of transgender people in the region. Similar laws criminalize transgender expression across the conservative Arabian Peninsula. Throughout the Arab world, gay, lesbian and transgender people face legal and social discrimination and other formidable obstacles to living their lives openly.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍????⁠ ?: Getty

@edgemedianetwork Feb 18

Jabari Banks knew he was close to getting the starring role of Will in "Bel-Air," the dramatic take of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," but his confidence started to wane when he was asked to do one more Zoom audition with show director Morgan Cooper. "I'm like, 'I don't know what he wants to see, but I'm gonna give him everything I got,' " recalled the 23-year-old in a recent interview. "I was like, 'I'm gonna put everything into this audition.' " Banks found a quiet place — a friend's closet — and logged in, only to see a very familiar face staring back at him, Will Smith. "I didn't think it was real," Banks said. "He's like, 'I want to congratulate you. You got the part of Will in 'Bel-Air.' " And then in true Smith exuberance, the superstar directed Banks to invite those with him to join the Zoom. "He was like, 'Where is everybody? Go get them,' said Banks. So a lot of my friends met Will." And that's how Banks became the (new) prince of Bel-Air. ⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ????⁠ ?: Jabari Banks @jabaribanks

Jabari Banks knew he was close to getting the starring role of Will in "Bel-Air," the dramatic take of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," but his confidence started to wane when he was asked to do one more Zoom audition with show director Morgan Cooper. "I'm like, 'I don't know what he wants to see, but I'm gonna give him everything I got,' " recalled the 23-year-old in a recent interview. "I was like, 'I'm gonna put everything into this audition.' " Banks found a quiet place — a friend's closet — and logged in, only to see a very familiar face staring back at him, Will Smith. "I didn't think it was real," Banks said. "He's like, 'I want to congratulate you. You got the part of Will in 'Bel-Air.' " And then in true Smith exuberance, the superstar directed Banks to invite those with him to join the Zoom. "He was like, 'Where is everybody? Go get them,' said Banks. So a lot of my friends met Will." And that's how Banks became the (new) prince of Bel-Air. ⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ????⁠ ?: Jabari Banks @jabaribanks

@edgemedianetwork Feb 16

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