“Stand up,” “Be Honest, Be Brave, Protect women!” This was the message that TikTok decided was too “offensive” to remain on its platform. XX-XY Athletics founder and CEO Jennifer Sey posted a screenshot of a TikTok censorship notice in an X post. “Your [ads] account has been permanently suspended because it doesn't comply with out advertising policies.” The platform cited that the clothing brand may have violated its policies by featuring so-calledoffensive content.” Undeterred, Sey told MRC Speech America in an exclusive interview that she is applying the same resilience she learned as an elite gymnast to how she approaches her business promoting women’s sports. “I will not be quiet, sit down, be nice,” she said. “We won’t back down because a bunch of bullies call us names or tell us we are violating some unknown policy. We’ll succeed regardless of TikTok’s ban.” Although XX-XY Athletics is only banned from posting ads and not from the platform entirely, the suspension could have a serious impact on the business and its ability to market to its target customer base. “TikTok is denying my brand the ability to reach the close to 50% of people under the age of 30 who spend time on TikTok,” Sey explained. “They have thrown up a significant barrier to reaching the population of women under 30, a primary target for us. But, I’m not giving up.” The platform cited no specific policy for why it suspended the athleticwear company’s account. However, Sey is determined to uncover whether what TikTok did was an intentional act of censorship. “I am an advocate for free speech,” she said. “While public debates are waged on large platforms like TikTok, it’s important for businesses like mine to know if there was a mistake in deciding to ban the content, or if this was a conscious decision made by a human with an agenda who is threatened by viewpoint diversity.”  And here's the notification lest I be accused of lying by my "fans." pic.twitter.com/lUJ6cjuDYQ — Jennifer Sey (@JenniferSey) June 18, 2024 In recent years the inherently toxic cultural climate has made it increasingly difficult for Americans to freely express opinions that counter the leftist gender narrative.  The powerful video ad that led TikTok to suspend XX-XY Athletics’ ad account depicted women and girls encouraging the viewer to “stand up” and defend women’s sports. Sey noted that she chose to include these words in the ad precisely because of the cultural backlash and online censorship she and so many others experience for protecting women’s sports from being infiltrated by biological males.  “We know that as awareness of the issue grows, so does public support. But still, many are too afraid to stand up [and] say so for fear of being called ‘offensive,’ as did TikTok about this video.” She added, “[This] is why I wrote the words in that ad. Stand up. No one is going to do it for us. We have to do it together.” Sey additionally drew attention to the fact that when censorship impacts business it in turn impacts free markets. “If only one viewpoint is allowed, we never have the right conversations to reach truth.Rather, truth is dictated by government and corporate propaganda. And it does seem there is always one political ‘side’ that is censored these days,” she said. Sey concluded by ripping apart the dystopian trend plaguing American society: The requirement for ideological conformity is enforced by both government and corporations and that is extremely problematic in a supposed free country like the US. In the world of business, consumers should be able to find brands that align with their values. If a brand like ours is censored, that isn’t possible. That’s not democracy. That’s not free market capitalism. That’s not freedom.  TikTok did not immediately respond to MRC Free Speech America's request for comment. Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on so-called hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using CensorTrack’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable

A Portland-based group is working with state-run organizations and funds to build "affordable" housing for low-income LGBTQ+ seniors in Maine. But wait, isn’t that discrimination based on sexual orientation and thus illegal? According to the executive director of the Equality Community Center and one of the people overseeing the project, Chris O’Connor, technically, “the center will be open to the entire community.” However, listen to the developers talk about the project, and it’s clear that all marketing is framed around the LGBTQ+ community. Ed Gardener, one of the founders of the ECC and the person who donated the land where the complex will exist, said, “I wanted to be able to give back to that community that helped me grow and thrive here in Portland.” “We’re at Pride festivals all across southern Maine this month promoting specifically that this housing project is going to happen,” O’Connor said. Even the complex’s interest form targets the LGBTQ+ community. Pat Gray is disgusted (but not surprised) that “the government is involved in this discrimination.” “How is that legal?” he asks. “You’re building a government-funded complex for members of the gay community only.”The verdict: “We can discriminate based on sexuality, but it just has to be against the majority’s sexuality.” Want more from Pat Gray? To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Actor Donald Sutherland passed away at 88 years old. He would have turned 89 next month."With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived," actor Kiefer Sutherland said in posts on social media.'He was a terrific actor.'Among his many roles over the years, Donald Sutherland played the character of President Snow in "The Hunger Games" film series. In the 1970 movie "M*A*S*H" he played Hawkeye Pierce. Kiefer Sutherland starred in the TV series "Designated Survivor."Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas tweeted, "Very sad. He was a terrific actor. He always brought a calm gravitas to his many roles. He will be missed. RIP.""RIP. I think I'll punch up Kelly's Heroes to toast him," GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas said in a post.Lou Diamond Phillips wrote, "My deepest condolences and love to you and your family, my dear friend. He was a giant and I was honored to work with him and know him. Truly one of the greatest.""Today we lost one of our greatest actors, Donald Sutherland. It was my honor to work with him many years ago, and I will never forget his charisma and ability. If you want a master class in acting, watch him in “Ordinary People”. My condolences to Kiefer," actor Rob Lowe tweeted.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

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