Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Disney film ‘Elemental’ featuring first nonbinary character tanks at box office
Disney appears to have another flop on its hands with "Elemental," the animated adventure billed as the first to feature a nonbinary character, which registered the weakest weekend opening for a Pixar film since 1995. Published June 19, 2023
Polled Democratic voters want to see Biden debate RFK Jr.
Most voters, including Democrats, want President Biden to debate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the president's closest competition in the bid for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. Published June 19, 2023
Thousands protest outside stadium as Dodgers honor troupe of drag-queen ‘nuns’
Catholic leaders declared victory after thousands turned out to protest the Los Angeles Dodgers for honoring a troupe of drag queens who dress like "nuns," while the award ceremony itself was sparsely attended. Published June 17, 2023
Mixed signals: MLB discourages Pride Night logos on uniforms as Dodgers honor drag queens
The Los Angeles Dodgers are ramping it up for Pride Night by honoring a troupe of drag queens dressed as "nuns" even as Major League Baseball tries to dial it back. Published June 16, 2023
Texas Gov. Abbott signs bill keeping male-born athletes out of women’s collegiate sports
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott extended the state's ban on male-born competitors in female scholastic sports by signing legislation to include collegiate athletics. Published June 15, 2023
Media whiplash: CNN’s Tapper muzzles Trump-friendly footage a month after town hall
A month after showcasing former President Donald Trump at a televised town hall, CNN doesn't want him anywhere near a camera. Published June 14, 2023
Johns Hopkins removes glossary that defines ‘lesbian’ as ‘non-man’ after uproar
Even Johns Hopkins University, home of one of the most prestigious medical schools in the nation, is having trouble deciding what a woman is. Published June 14, 2023
‘You need to flee’: California lawmaker calls for exodus as child gender-affirmation bill advances
California parents who refuse to affirm their child's gender identity could find themselves losing custody disputes under a bill advancing in the state legislature, prompting one Republican lawmaker to urge families to escape before it's too late. Published June 13, 2023
White House bans transgender activists who posed topless at Biden Pride Celebration
Transgender activists who went topless during the Biden administration's Pride Month celebration on the South Lawn are no longer welcome at the White House. Published June 13, 2023
No punishment recommended for Karine Jean-Pierre’s violations of Hatch Act
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel found that White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre violated the Hatch Act with her repeated blasts during press briefings at "MAGA Republicans," but won't pursue disciplinary action against her. Published June 13, 2023
Blame Arnold: Newsom points finger on homeless crisis at Schwarzenegger
No Republican has held statewide office in California since the departure of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2011, but that didn't stop Gov. Gavin Newsom from throwing shade at the Republican over the state's homelessness crisis. Published June 12, 2023
African officials urge Congress to ensure HIV/AIDS funding isn’t supporting abortion
African leaders are seeking assurances that U.S. funding to combat HIV/AIDS isn't being funneled to promote abortion under the Biden administration. Published June 12, 2023
Catholic bishops blast Dodgers for supporting ‘blasphemy’ by honoring drag-queen ‘nuns’
The Los Angeles Dodgers have run afoul of some of the biggest names in the U.S. Catholic hierarchy with their decision to honor a troupe of drag queens who dress up as nuns and mock Christian rituals. Published June 12, 2023
Kirk Cameron counters left’s #TeachTruth Day with crowd at Loudoun County library
Kirk Cameron brought a very different message to the left's "#TeachTruth Day of Action" with his children's book reading Saturday in Loudoun County, Virginia. Published June 11, 2023
Trump surpasses DeSantis in post-indictment Western Conservative Summit straw poll
The federal indictment on Friday against Donald Trump did not diminish his popularity this weekend at the 14th Annual Western Conservative Summit. Published June 11, 2023
CatholicVote ad blasts Dodgers for honoring drag-queen group that ‘mocks Catholic nuns’
A conservative Catholic group is airing an ad blasting the Los Angeles Dodgers for its decision to commend the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a troupe of drag queens who dress like nuns, accusing the team of celebrating an "anti-Catholic hate group." Published June 9, 2023
Letitia James sues to block pro-life ‘terrorists’ from abortion-clinic protests
New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing for an injunction to block a pro-life group from protesting within 30 feet of abortion clinics, labeling the group's activists as "terrorists." Published June 8, 2023
Muslims seek apology from Democrat for linking them to ‘White supremacists’ over LGBTQ books
Tensions between Muslim parents and Montgomery County Public Schools over the Maryland district's mandatory LGBTQ books escalated after a Democratic official compared the families to White supremacists. Published June 8, 2023
Missouri joins red states banning biological males in female sports, sex changes for minors
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed legislation Wednesday barring male-born athletes from female scholastic sports, and taking gender-transition procedures off the table for minor children as well as adult inmates. Published June 7, 2023
Human Rights Campaign accused of ‘PR stunt’ with LGBTQ ‘emergency’ declaration
The Human Rights Campaign was accused of fear-mongering and donation-hustling after declaring a "national state of emergency" for LGBTQ Americans - and that by some of its fellow LGBTQ Americans. Published June 7, 2023
