petition that has amassed over 21,000 signatures so far. It accuses Macy’s of attempting to expose “tens of millions of viewers at home to the liberal LGBTQ agenda.”The group primarily takes issue with including musical performances from two Broadway shows — & Juliet and Shucked — both of which feature trans or nonbinary performers.Justin David Sullivan, who is nonbinary, plays the role of May, a nonbinary friend of Juliet in & Juliet, while Alex Newell, a Tony Award winner who is also nonbinary, plays the female character Lulu in Shucked.Calling the parade a “nonbinary and transgender extravaganza,” the group laments Sullivan’s decision to decline eligibility for the Tony Awards on the grounds that the traditional gender-based acting categories are not inclusive enough for gender-nonconforming actors.
Leisure centre to be demolished despite 7,000-strong petition calling for it to be saved
29.10.2023 - 09:29 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Ashton-under-Lyne’s swimming pool is set to be demolished despite a passionate campaign by residents and a 7,000-strong petition calling for it to be saved. Three leisure centres in Tameside were closed permanently in September amid provider Active Tameside’s struggle with energy prices and the cost of products, insurance and staff.
Active Ashton has two swimming pools and a gym, Adventure Longdendale contains a trampoline park, laser zone and soft play area for children, and Active Etherow is the trust’s dedicated indoor bowling centre. Active Tameside, a registered charity, said that the huge increase in energy bills has taken the cost of utilities at its sites up to £2 million a year.
But the announcement of closures prompted a huge backlash from residents, specifically around Ashton Pool, with many saying it would adversely affect people who swim locally for their physical and mental health. A petition signed by 7,000 people was lodged with the council in August, calling on the council to keep the Active Ashton facilities on Water Street open.
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Tameside council, which owns the buildings, had insisted the state of its finances also meant it could not afford to pick up the bill and rescue the sites. And at a cabinet meeting, councillors agreed to declare both the Active Ashton and Adventure Longdendale sites ‘surplus to requirements’ by the local authority.
It means that both buildings will now be demolished, for which the authority is budgeting a pot of £2 million. Councillor Jacqueline North, first
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