Latest news with #Fram
Travel Weekly
3 days ago
- Travel Weekly
HX Expeditions' Spitsbergen is back in service after renovation
HX Expeditions' Spitsbergen has a new eatery and science center upon completion of the ship's refurbishment. The new informal dining space is called Brygga Bistro and serves snacks and light meals in the mid-morning, afternoon and late evening. It is on Deck 5 and offers table service. The science center is on Deck 6 and includes a lecture space, library, citizen science workstations and interactive screens. It also has interpreter systems for language accessibility. The Explorer Lounge and Bar received a refresh with new seating, and the bar now serves HX's 14 new cocktails. When HX Expeditions got new investors and separated from Hurtigruten, HX committed to renovating the Fram and Spitsbergen. Those renovated ships have new exterior colors. The Spitsbergen has a 220-guest capacity and is sailing the Arctic this summer.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trans troops leaving military following Trump administration ban
Bree Fram, a colonel in the U.S. Space Force and a transgender woman who was tapped to be the grand marshal at the Annapolis Parade last month before bad weather postponed it, said Monday she will retire after a Trump administration directive led to her being placed her on leave. Fram is among a wave of trans people voluntarily leaving military service following an ultimatum from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who directed transgender servicemembers to elect by last weekend whether they would go on their own, or face 'involuntary separation.' In a May memo, the Trump administration had argued that 'service by individuals with a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibiting symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria is not in the best interest of the military services and is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security.' Support for transgender troops serving in the military has declined from 71% in 2019 to 58% in 2025, according to a February Gallup poll, but the majority of Americans still believe the military should be open to transgender and gender-nonconforming servicemembers. Fram, who lives in Virginia, joined the military not long after the attacks of Sept. 11. While she said she is proud of her accomplishments, Fram also said the first 13 years of her career taxed her mentally, as she had to conceal her identity as a trans woman. That changed in 2016, when then-Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said transgender people could serve openly. Since then, Fram has been open about being transgender. 'I am proud of being a trans person who has served and who has upheld her oath to the Constitution and done everything this nation has asked of me,' Fram said. 'I know the writing that is on the wall and that my service is no longer required or requested by this nation, so I have applied for retirement.' As of Monday, Fram was on administrative leave pending retirement approval. She spoke with The Sun about her retirement and the circumstances around it but added that her views do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Defense. Nationwide, around 1,000 service members have begun the process of voluntary separation, according to a statement issued by Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell on May 8. Maryland has over 6,500 service members across the National Guard, Air Guard, Defense Force and Military Department, a 2023 study showed. Another 27,863 federal servicemembers were born in Maryland, but only 2.5% of them reside in Maryland. Some Maryland officials have voiced their disapproval of the policy, which they say is discriminatory and harmful to national security. In a statement, Gov. Wes Moore, an Army veteran, said: 'We as a nation must respect these patriots by putting a halt to attempts to minimize the military by trying to divide the military.' On May 30, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, who was supposed to walk alongside Fram during Annapolis' Pride Parade, signed onto an amicus curiae brief, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, arguing against the ban. Brown called the ban 'discriminatory' and a 'direct attack on our Constitution and the core American values of fairness and equal treatment,' in a statement Friday. 'This policy is not only unjust; it undermines our military readiness and betrays the courage and sacrifice of those who have stepped up to serve. It must be reversed immediately,' Brown said. The weekend deadline set by Hegseth, which coincided with the first week of Pride Month, follows a Supreme Court decision permitting the reinstatement of orders from the Department of Defense that called for the removal of transgender troops. The department says it does not maintain a state-by-state breakdown of how many transgender soldiers will be affected. Maryland's Military Department, which oversees the Maryland National Guard, declined to comment. June 6 was the deadline for active duty members to self-identify in order to be eligible for the voluntary separation process, which offers monetary compensation. The deadline for National Guard members is July 7. Remaining transgender and gender-nonconforming soldiers will be removed through an involuntary process, Hegseth's May memo said. 'We are all being forced out,' Fram said. 'I want to make it clear that there is no 'voluntary' or 'involuntary' separation. Neither of those things would be the choice that any of us would be making.' In a statement Friday, Annpolis Pride, which organizes the parade, said 'our nation is less safe because thousands of brave Americans have been forced to leave the armed forces — not because of any failure in duty, but because of hatred codified at the highest levels of government,' It is unclear if Fram will return for the rescheduled parade in the fall. The U.S Space Force declined to comment. According to Cathy Marcello, the Interim Executive Director of Modern Military Association of America, which works with LGBTQ+ veterans, nearly three-quarters of transgender service members have served for over 12 years. 'People are losing their homes, their livelihoods, their community, their identity — and their families are being uprooted suddenly with no backup plan or safety net,' Marcello said. Maryland's VA department is working with the University of Baltimore's Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic to 'connect transgender veterans with legal support services, especially for discharge upgrades or discrimination cases,' Ross Cohen, the acting secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families, said. Fram said that leaving her career has been a 'grieving process' because she is 'stepping away from something that [she] love[s], something that [she] care[s] about, something that [she] intended to do far into the future.' ---------------
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US military's highest ranking transgender officer says seperation process is broken
The highest-ranking transgender officer in the Department of Defense said that the military's transgender separation policy is going to leave gaps in units as skilled service members are removed from the armed forces. U.S. Space Force Col. Bree Fram said that as of June 7, she is on administrative leave from the service, pending separation, as a result of the Pentagon's ban on transgender troops. She told Task & Purpose Monday that she is at the end of her more than two-decade career in the armed forces. She spoke to Task & Purpose in her personal capacity, not in reflection of Pentagon policy Fram, an aeronautical engineer who previously served in the Air Force before moving to Space Force in 2021, was serving as director of requirements and integration for Space Force. In posts on social media, she said that her last official act was to pin medals on three people who served under her. She cried as they saluted her. The Department of Defense officials say they believe there are approximately 4,200 service members with gender dysphoria in the ranks, and that as of May 15, 1,000 had come forward to begin a so-called 'voluntary' separation process. Others who may later be identified and 'involuntarily' separated could receive smaller compensation packages, officials say. 'People are on pins and needles. We're asking each other 'what do you know? What do we all know?' It's been really difficult,' she told Task & Purpose on Monday. 'I want to stress that although this is labeled voluntarily, neither the 'voluntary' or 'involuntary' process is a choice, or what anyone wanted or would have done.' Fram joined the military after Sept. 11, 2001, and came out as transgender in 2016, the same day that the Department of Defense lifted its ban on transgender service. She spent nearly 20 years in the Air Force, then moved to the Space Force in 2021. Transgender service members, Fram said, 'have been operating in a vacuum,' and are looking for more information from military leadership. The military's involuntary separation process for transgender troops, which started on June 7, remains vague on details. Members in the reserves have until July 7 to choose to go through the voluntary separation process. The Air Force and Navy have said that troops with certain years of service are eligible for early retirement in this process. A technical but life-altering issue for troops, said Fram, is the 'separation code' under which they will leave the service. Most troops leaving the military are granted an 'honorable discharge,' a separation code that indicates they left in good standing with no serious discipline issues or professional failures. Though the Pentagon has, at times, said that transgender troops with clean records would receive honorable discharges, but Fram said that's no longer clear. A May 15 memo from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness said transgender enlisted personnel would be separated under the JFF separation code, meaning it was done by secretarial authority. Officers would be given a JDK code, which indicates on their service record that 'their continued service is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security' — a black mark for troops in the job market, as it could prevent them from getting or maintaining security clearances that are required for certain jobs. Rachel VanLandingham, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and JAG, told Task & Purpose that the JDK separation code is usually reserved for matters such as mishandling classified information. Fram said that the main concern for them has been uncertainty over what is next. 'Anyone navigating a transition out of the military is put in a challenging position, but they have this extra burden of being labeled as dishonorable or liars,' she said. Fram also noted that the separations will cause disruptions for ongoing operations as troops who are qualified for specific roles are 'suddenly gone.' Fram's work focused on researching what capabilities and 'fight critical' systems the Space Force will need to field in the next decade. It's specialized work drawing on her years of experience, which others in Space Force don't have, she said. Fram noted that units that have open transgender personnel have tried to do some planning to fill gaps left by separation, but replacing thousands of people across the military 'is not something that happens tomorrow.' 'The impact of this is not just on today. It stretches far into the future,' she said. At her final awards ceremony, Fram said, her colleagues were stunned to learned she was leaving the service and all shook her hand as the event broke up. 'We served with our friends, our colleagues, with people who respected us, and now that's just missing,' she said. A Marine Corps reply-all email apocalypse has an incredible real-life ending Army shuts down its sole active-duty information operations command Army plans to close more than 20 base museums in major reduction Former Green Beret nominated to top Pentagon position to oversee special ops The Navy's new recruiting commercial puts the 'dirt wars' in the past
CBS News
05-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Transgender military members heartbroken, fighting to serve despite Trump ban
Thousands of transgender U.S. military members have until Friday, June 6, to identify themselves and begin a voluntary separation from the armed forces under a ban implemented by the Trump administration. WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren spoke to three decorated service members about the uncertain future ahead. Thousands of transgender U.S. military members have until Friday, June 6, to identify themselves and begin a voluntary separation from the armed forces under a ban implemented by the Trump administration. CBS News Baltimore Transgender military members share heartbreak Colonel Bree Fram joined the military after 9/11 and was determined to give back. She never thought her distinguished career of more than two decades in the Air Force – and now the Space Force – would end with an executive order from the president to purge the military of its transgender members. "I'm absolutely heartbroken because we have given everything of ourselves," Col. Fram said. "We have met every standard, every demand the military in this country has asked of us. We have risen to the challenge and in most cases exceeded that. You can look at our performance reports and see that, year after year, meets or exceeds standards despite what we're being told by this administration that we somehow don't. The evidence is not there to support any of the claims that are being made about who we are, and that hurts." Fram said many of her colleagues have expressed their support. "For me, every day walking through the hallways of the Pentagon, wearing my uniform, is such a gift, and I have people who walk up to me and say, 'You don't know me, but I know you! I support you,'" Fram said. Thousands of transgender U.S. military members have until Friday, June 6, to identify themselves and begin a voluntary separation from the armed forces under a ban implemented by the Trump administration. Courtesy of Col. Bree Fram Uncertainty after Trump's ban on transgender troops Fram's friend and colleague, Navy Chief Petty Officer Ryan Goodell, already made the difficult decision to voluntarily separate from the military. For Goodell, leaving is anything but voluntary, with the fear of having to pay back thousands of dollars in bonuses. "To me, it was a threat that I just couldn't risk, as well as trying to take a little bit of control over what feels to me like an uncontrollable situation," Goodell said. Goodell described it as painful. "To have that ripped away is devastating to me," Goodell said. "I'm supposed to be going to sea next. I'm supposed to be leading our sailors out to sea, and I feel like that has now been taken from me." Thousands of transgender U.S. military members have until Friday, June 6, to identify themselves and begin a voluntary separation from the armed forces under a ban implemented by the Trump administration. Courtesy of DVIDS Sabrina Bruce, a decorated Master Sergeant in the Space Force, also feels the uncertainty. "I've served authentically, and it has not been an issue," Bruce said. "I've been promoted multiple times, multiple medals, awards, everything. It's never been an issue that's come up. I've never been good at anything in my life except the military. I found a community and a home in the military, and so the very real thought that I may lose that, it hurts because all I want to do is serve, and I want to continue giving back and continue standing up for this nation that we all believe in." Thousands of transgender U.S. military members have until Friday, June 6, to identify themselves and begin a voluntary separation from the armed forces under a ban implemented by the Trump administration. Courtesy of Space Force Master Sergeant Sabrina Bruce Trump's position on transgender troops The president has made no secret of his plans to oust transgender service members. "Our warriors should be focused on defeating America's enemies, not figuring out their genders," Mr. Trump said on the campaign trail in North Carolina in August 2024. While in Michigan in April, he promised to get "woke lunacy and transgender insanity the hell out of our government." His administration reportedly wants commanders to "out" transgender troops or force them to get medical check-ups, where they would be identified and forced out of the military. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in April, "Expressing a false gender identity divergent from an individual's sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service." Directives given to U.S. military Although Hegseth had made formal assurances in a February memo that transgender service members would be treated with dignity, the Army's new internal directives to units instruct personnel to intentionally address transgender troops – even superior officers - in accordance with an individual's medical assignment at birth, rather than by their preferred pronoun. Hegseth also told a Special Operations Force military conference in May, "No more dudes in dresses, we're done with that s***." CBS News previously reported that under Army guidance, transgender officers will receive what's known as a "Code JDK" upon separation. The code is for the Military Personnel Security Program. It's typically applied to discharge paperwork where a service member is being separated from the U.S. military for a security reason. "You say they are the problem, but you can't identify them, and the government's response was we have to go through their medical records to figure it out," Col. Fram said. "And I think that's a pretty good indicator that we're not a problem. If you have to look for something in a file to identify someone who is a problem, they aren't the problem." Goodell said, "I'm not a weak link…I'm an addition. I'm not a subtraction." Bruce expressed hope to continue serving in some capacity, "Whether that's in uniform, outside of uniform, whatever that may mean." Maryland Attorney General fights against ban Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said he joined 20 other attorneys general in filing a brief before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals arguing that Mr. Trump's ban on transgender troops is discriminatory and harms national security. "These are courageous, skilled individuals who are willing to risk everything for their country. President Trump's unlawful ban sacrifices military readiness and basic human dignity for political gain. We must stand with all those who are ready to serve, not push them aside because of who they are," Brown said in a statement. Court battles over ban on transgender troops In the short term, hope is dimming for Bruce and other transgender troops. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the government can oust transgender military service members while multiple legal challenges wind their way through lower courts. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cheered the Supreme Court's order as a "massive victory" and said in a social media post that Mr. Trump and Hegseth "are restoring a military that is focused on readiness and lethality – not DEI or woke gender ideology." Troops react to transgender ban Col. Fram said bluntly, "What's likely going to happen is that by the time we get a ruling from the court that puts a final stamp on this, people's lives will have been disrupted. We will almost all—if not all of us—be gone from the military." Goodell said the fear is tangible. "There are times at night where I have to fend off panic attacks because I don't know what my future is going to be…like am I going to be able to learn a job outside of the military," Goodell questioned. An analysis in 2017 found that discharging transgender troops would cost $1 billion, far more than the $52 million spent on gender-affirming care. "In fact, we're taking some of them directly off the battlefield today," Fram said. "These are people who are deployed, doing their wartime mission, who are being told, 'You're not deployable. You need to come home.'" Despite the directive, Fram stressed that her colleagues have her back. "It really does make you stop and think about who you are and what you believe in," Fram said. "And what I think is so amazing about transgender service members is that they have done that look inside. They have said, 'This is who I am. This is what I believe in. I am here to fulfill my oath.' We don't swear that oath just to live by it in the easy times. We do it when it's hard, and right now is one of those hard times, but we're doing it. We are accomplishing the mission, and we will continue to do so until the last day we possibly can." Thousands of transgender U.S. military members have until Friday, June 6, to identify themselves and begin a voluntary separation from the armed forces under a ban implemented by the Trump administration. Courtesy of Colonel Bree Fram
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Music Industry Moves: Nashville Vet Leslie Fram Launches FEMco Consulting; Joshua Simons, Dave Lory and Dick Wingate Announce Worldwide Entertainment Group
Veteran Nashville music executive Leslie Fram has officially announced her new business venture, FEMco (Fram Entertainment & Music), a consulting collective offering artist development, talent booking and production, and B2B connections to Nashville's entertainment community. FEMco will capitalize on Fram's 13-year tenure in Nashville as SVP of music and talent at CMT/Paramount, as well as her many years working in radio. While at CMT, Fram executive-produced the annual CMT Music Awards, booked CMT Crossroads, Storytellers and more. Most recently, she served as Talent Producer on CBS' 'Ringo & Friends at the Ryman.' More from Variety CMT's Longtime Music Chief Leslie Fram Pens Farewell to Staff as Country Industry Wonders About Channel's Future Lainey Wilson to Be Celebrated as Top Breakout Artist for CMT's Artists of the Year Special CMT's Leslie Fram Leads the Charge to Bring Women Back Out of Country Music's Margins: Strictly Business Podcast Fram says, 'I've always wanted to start my own company, one that was intentionally designed as a purpose-driven business that aligns with my personal and professional aspirations. Through my time in radio and television I've gained a wealth of knowledge, skills and insights from various roles, industries and projects that are not just a collection of past events but a foundation for this very kind of endeavor.' FEMco will also create multiple opportunities for female artists to increase their visibility and reach via events, sponsorships and more through its music-focused production arm, FEMco Presents. Its first franchise, FEMcountry is a continuation of Fram's work in creating critically-acclaimed programs like CMT's Next Women of Country and her passion for elevating female voices in country music. + Veteran entertainment execs Joshua Simons, Dave Lory and Dick Wingate have announced the formation of Worldwide Entertainment Group, a New York-based company providing musical artists with a 'holistic management experience.' The company offers a full spectrum of services including talent management, marketing, promotion, licensing, event management and career development. The first projects include Brian Fresco, whose first single 'Bad 4 You' features Chance the Rapper and Lil Xel and drops on June 6, and singer/songwriter Hannah Wicklund, who will be recording her new album this month. Other staffers include president Jeff Riccio as president of WEG Licensed Merchandise Group, Sandy Rizzo as executive VP of WEG Talent Management, Licensed Merchandise and Live Performance Groups, Brad Mooberry as chief marketing officer, and Jenn Federici as GM of artist development. Patrick Clifford will be the company's representative in Nashville and A&R. WEG has a distribution deal in place with Jeff Brody, owner of Brody Distribution Group through the Orchard and a merchandise deal with JSR/Forward Merch for the independent artists and projects signed to WEG. WEG also has a partnership in place with Tom Linden, whose company CMMN PPL will be assisting with artist bookings as needed and sourcing touring support opportunities. + Billboard has promoted Mike Van to the role of the publication's first-ever CEO.. In this position, Van will oversee Billboard's global brand footprint in 15 countries, along with all aspects of strategy, revenue, business operations, live experiences, international licensing, and brand partnerships; he will also oversee both the business and editorial teams, with Billboard's editor-in-chief Hannah Karp now reporting to him directly, according to the announcement. Van, who was Billboard's president since 2022, will report to Jay Penske, Chairman and CEO, Penske Media Corporation. He previously held leadership roles at Pandora, Electronic Arts, and Complex. 'Mike is a one-of-a-kind leader, visionary and partner,' said Penske. 'His passion for the Billboard brand and clear vision for its future has always set him apart. Mike has fostered a collaborative environment with a team committed to building a formidable global business – innovating and trailblazing at every level. It has been inspiring to watch Billboard's seismic growth over the last several years and I look forward to seeing the brand continue to thrive under Mike's leadership.' + Splice has announced the acquisition of Spitfire Audio, a major U.K.-based developer of high-end virtual instrument libraries. The acquisition marks Splice's entry into the fast-growing plugin space, adding to the company's Splice Sounds subscriptions and rent-to-own businesses. The companies are set to start work on new products that blend Spitfire Audio's cinematic and orchestral expertise with Splice's sample catalog and AI-powered discovery engine. 'The teams at Spitfire Audio and Splice have deep respect for composers, musicians and producers and are committed to celebrating and supporting their work', said Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice. 'We're both sound-first, creator-led companies who believe great software and technology can supercharge the creative experience. Our shared vision is to develop tools that expand—not replace—human creativity.' Srivastava added. 'With Spitfire's expressive instruments and Splice's AI-powered platform, we're just beginning to explore what's possible.' Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in May 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in May 2025
