Francília Costa and Luiza Silvério, known online as ‘Double Wow’ (Dupla Oxiuai), first met in a convent in Brazil back in 2019.

Costa had been raised by deeply religious grandparents and was encouraged to join the convent, while Silvério joined as a teenager while searching for purpose, according to the Daily Star.

The pair initially didn’t like each other, with Silvério admitting that she thought Costa was “an unbearable and stuck-up little nun.” Costa shared that she also didn’t like Silvério, but for no particular reason.

Proximity made the heart grow fonder in this case, and the pair gradually became close friends. However, they each struggled with their mental health while living in the convent.

Costa experienced panic attacks throughout the pandemic and began to question whether life in the convent was good for her wellbeing, while Silvério suffered from anxiety and depression following the death of her grandmother.

“Religious life is very beautiful, but you need physical and mental health. It is not enough only to pray or to have a vocation,” Costa said.

Together, Costa and Silvério made the decision to leave the convent in 2020 for their mental health. Adjusting to their new lives, neither could afford to live alone and so continued to live together outside of the cloister.

Then, one night in 2023, Costa and Silvério watched ‘Love In The Villa’, a rom-com that follows a pair of enemies who fall in love while sharing a villa, and Costa realised her true feelings for her friend.

She admitted her feelings to Silvério, who kissed her in return.

The couple are now married, and posed with an image of Our Lady Aparecida, the patron saint of Brazil, at their wedding in 2025.

“Maybe we do not have a photo at the altar of a church, but we have one with Our Lady Aparecida,” said Silvério. “For us, she represents gratitude, intercession and the consecration of our family to God.”

Costa and Silverio use their social media account to share their experiences with faith, sexuality, and life after the convent.

“Our sexuality and our faith should not be separated, because they are part of us,” said Costa. “We are a couple that has faith. There is no way to separate that.”

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The Sunday (7 June) decision prevents the Federal Bureau of Prisons from enforcing part of President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order requiring incarcerated people to be housed according to their sex assigned at birth.

In a sharply worded ruling, US District Judge Royce C. Lamberth found that each of the 14 plaintiffs had demonstrated a substantial risk of serious harm if transferred to men’s facilities.

The court cited evidence that the women, many of whom have undergone gender-affirming medical treatment and have histories of sexual assault, self-harm, or other vulnerabilities, could face heightened risks of violence, sexual assault, and psychological trauma if moved.

Lamberth rejected government arguments that low assault rates at the proposed facilities resolved those concerns, writing that the key issue was whether the women faced unique dangers because of their specific circumstances.

Lamberth also criticised the administration’s position that any resulting harm could simply be treated after the fact: “It is fundamentally unreasonable for prison officials to respond to serious risks such as mental health deterioration, self-harm, and suicide by intentionally creating those risks and offering to treat them after they predictably occur,” he wrote.

The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by 16 states and Washington, DC, challenging federal efforts to restrict protections for transgender people. While the injunction applies only to the 14 women involved in this case, LGBTQ+ advocates hailed the decision as a significant victory.

Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, said in a statement that the ruling reinforces a fundamental constitutional principle: “This decision reaffirms a bedrock constitutional principle: the government cannot knowingly place people in grave danger and simply look the other way.”

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The new report from the travel booking site surveyed 13,300 LGBTQ+ travellers across 19 different countries, and found that only 31 percent of respondents globally said they were “out” while travelling.

Forty per cent of LGBTQ+ travellers said they are willing to hide their queer identities in order to experience a bucket list destination.

Meanwhile, more than half of all closeted LGBTQ+ travellers surveyed said they don’t feel anxious while travelling, compared to just 30 percent of all LGBTQ+ travellers and 20 percent of polyamorous travellers.

The figures also indicate that going back in the closet is safer for LGBTQ+ travellers, with just 34 percent of closeted travellers saying they have had negative experiences relating to their queer identities when travelling. This number is compared to 62 percent of LGBTQ+ travellers globally, and 73 percent of trans travellers.

The survey also recorded more positive experiences. Overall, 82 percent of LGBTQ+ travellers said that they had experienced at least one identity-specific positive experience while vacationing in the last year. However, 58 percent said they faced negative treatment.

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The British actor’s star has continued to rise over the past few years year, following his huge role as closeted gay British royal Prince Henry in Red, White & Royal Blue, as King James VI and I’s gay lover, George Villiers, in Sky Atlantic’s limited series Mary & George, and now as He-Man in Masters of the Universe.

Following the release of Mary & George in 2024, Galitzine addressed why he has chosen to play gay and bisexual characters.

“I think with all of these characters the thing that I find really intriguing as an actor is that underbelly of vulnerability and having to hide oneself. I’m very interested in identity; George is very different in a way because his sex and his sexuality is his power,” he said.

In Mary & George, Galitzine had more than his fair share of steamy gay sex scenes, with critics calling the historical psychosexual drama a “horny romp”.

“I think they’ve all just been really rich characters in of themselves,” Galitzine added, reflecting on his LGBTQ+ roles.

“You know, you read that in the script it just becomes a bit of a no-brainer.”

Here’s a rundown of all the times that Nicholas Galitzine has played gay or bisexual characters in movies or TV to date.

Angelo in Legends (2015)

Nicholas Galitzine’s first TV role came with a brief guest appearance in season two of TNT crime drama series Legends in 2015.

Episode five, “The Legend of Terrence Graves”, explored the secretive personal history of former MI6 handler Terrence Graves (played Ralph Brown, and in flashbacks by Rod Hallett), who it’s revealed has spent years being blackmailed over a past gay relationship with a young man named Angelo, played by Galitzine).

Conor Masters in Handsome Devil (2016)

One of Nicholas Galitzone’s earliest film roles came as closeted gay rugby player Conor Masters in John Butler’s 2016 LGBTQ+ comedy-drama Handsome Devil.

Co-starring Sherlock Andrew Scott, the movie centres on Irish teenager Ned (Fionn O’Shea) after he is sent to an elite all-boys boarding school, where he strikes up a friendship with Conor, his roommate and the school’s star rugby player.

The film went on to win three awards at the FilmOut San Diego LGBT Film Festival in 2017.

Handsome Devil is currently available to stream on Prime Video and Disney+ in the UK.

Timmy Andrews in The Craft: Legacy (2020)

In 2020, Nicholas Galitzine starred in Zoe Lister-Jones’ The Craft: Legacy, a reboot and sequel-of-sorts to 1996 teen horror classic The Craft, starring Neve Campbell: another of the movies he has been in.

Galitzine plays high school bully and the film’s early antagonist Timmy Andrews, who later comes out as bisexual in a scene that provides a rare moment of bi male visibility on screen.

“It’s just… it’s felt good when it’s been with girls as well, so. It’s just hard for dudes”, Timmy tells Lily (Cailee Spaeny) during an unexpectedly heartfelt coming out scene.

“I feel like there’s no room to be… everyone assumes you’re just gay, and that’s fine, there’s nothing wrong with that at all, I just… I like both.”

The Craft: Legacy is currently available to rent on Prime Video in the UK.

George Villiers in Mary & George (2024)

Nicholas Galitzine stars as George Villiers, the lover and ‘favourite’ of King James VI of Scotland and I of England, in Sky Atlantic drama Mary & George.

Inspired by Benjamin Woolley’s book The King’s Assassin and written by acclaimed playwright DC Moore (Killing Eve), the new seven-part series tells the story of how George’s mother Mary Villiers (Julianne Moore) moulded her beautiful and charismatic son to seduce the King and secure influence over the royal court.

If securing influence must involve getting very intimate with the King, then George is all too happy to oblige.

Mary & George is available on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK and Ireland, and on Starz in the US.

Prince Henry in Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)

No list of Nicholas Galitzine movies is complete without mentioning the most high-profile LGBTQ+ role of his career to date. He landed the part of closeted Prince Henry in the Mathew Lopez’ film adaptation of Casey McQuiston’s best-selling 2019 romantic novel Red, White & Royal Blue.

Both book and film chart the chaos, chemistry and transatlantic trysts that ensue after the son of the President of the United States (Taylor Zakhar Perez) is forced to fake a friendship with his British rival, the closeted gay royal, Prince Henry.

“One of my great fears is being misunderstood”, Galitzine told British GQ ahead of the film’s release on Prime Video. “Henry has to live with that every day…. It just felt like a beautiful story: someone who’s largely pretended to be someone else their whole life, and then this other person completely obliterates their worldview.”

Red, White & Royal Blue director Lopez may have insisted that he doesn’t want the movie to be pigeon-holed as a ‘gay film’, but the filmmaker did recently stress to PinkNews the importance of showcasing gay intimacy on screen – a sentiment echoed by Galitzine earlier this year.

“It’s a crazy thing to be intimate in that way with your friend,” the actor told British GQ. “And we want people to fall in love with these characters, because their love has to be real.”

Red, White & Royal Blue is available to stram on Prime Video. You can purchase the book at Amazon or Bookshop.org.

This article contains affiliate links, PinkNews may earn revenue if you click through and purchase products through the links.

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The couple, who met on the set of Wicked, “quietly” ended their romantic relationship “several months” ago, a source told People.

“It’s amicable, they gave lots of time and careful consideration and decided to go their separate ways,” the source says. “They are still friends and very supportive of one another”, the source said.

Pop chart-topper Grande, 32, met former SpongeBob SquarePants musical star Slater in 2023 during production of Wicked, in which Grande played Glinda the good witch and Slater player Boq Woodsman.

The pair made their relationship public in 2024 while finalising divorces with their respective former partners, real estate agent Dalton Gomez and clinical psychologist Lilly Jay.

Grande kicked off her ‘Eternal Sunshine Tour’ in California over the weekend, with 10 dates planned at London’s O2 Arena in August and September.

Her newly-released single “Hate That I Made You Love Me” currently sits at the top of the UK charts with the singer’s eighth studio album, Petal, set for release on 31 July.

Meanwhile, Slater is set to reprise his Gen V role as Thomas Godolkin in Prime Video’s latest The Boys spin-off, Vought Rising, which is expected to premiere in 2027.

The post Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater split after nearly three years together appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

“Juniper Blessing… is remembered for her remarkable musical talent, compassionate spirit, and deep curiosity about the world. “, Memorial scholarship launched to honour slain trans student Juniper Blessing.

“A gifted vocalist with what her teacher described as a ‘magnificent’ voice, Juniper brought care, focus, and dedication to every performance, whether singing classical repertoire or contemporary songs. She approached her craft with discipline and openness, continually embracing new challenges and growing as an artist.”

Donations to the scholarship will be accepted through September 30.

Blessing, a transgender student who was studying within UW’s Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science, was found dead in a laundry room at the Nordheim Court apartment complex on 10 May after being stabbed more than 40 times, according to the medical examiner.

Prosecutors charged 31-year-old suspect Christopher Michael Leahy on Monday (18 May) with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old University of Washington student Juniper Blessing, alleging he acted with “premeditated intent”.

Leahy turned himself in to police on 13 May after surveillance images were released publicly, with his family reportedly accompanying him to surrender.

Court proceedings are currently on hold after a judge ordered Leahy to undergo a competency evaluation at Western State Hospital. The results of that evaluation will determine whether the case can move forward or whether mental health treatment will be required before trial.

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The “Brat” singer’s ‘Music, Fashion, Film’ tour will see her play 12 shows in 10 cities across the United States and Canada. Cities include Philadelphia, New York, Toronto, Boston, Washington DC, Atlanta, San Diego, Los Angeles, Glendale and Las Vegas.

“Fifty percent of proceeds from ticket sales in the first five rows of each venue will be donated to Transgender Law Center,” a post shared to a fan account, xcxnews, reads.

Transgender Law Center is a trans-led US charity “working to set all people free,” according to its official website.

The organisation champions “the right of all transgender and gender-nonconforming people to make their own choices and live freely, safely, and authentically.”

“Prioritizing BIPOC, disabled, and HIV+ communities, we advance community-driven strategies that harness trans knowledge, power, and joy to ensure that we all not only survive but thrive at all ages and phases of life,” the TLC’s mission statement reads.

The tour will also feature Underscores, a trans woman and hyperpop musician, as the opener for each show.

In addition to the TLC donations, Charli XCX has announced that each show will have a limited number of $20 “angel tickets” available later in the summer. A portion of these sales will also be donated to charity.

Fans can sign up for pre-sale now, with the first batch of tickets being released on 12 June at 9AM ET.

Charli XCX has long been known for her allyship to the LGBTQ+ community. At the 2025 Brit Awards, she paid tribute to the late trans music producer and icon SOPHIE in her acceptance speech after winning the British Dance Act award.

Taking to the stage to accept her award from fellow singer Paloma Faith, Charli XCX thanked some of the pioneers of the genre, including her long-time producer A.G. Cook, Swedish pop megastar Robyn, Daft Punk, and M.I.A. She also thanked trans dance icons Honey Dijon and Arca.

Rounding off her speech, she paid tribute to the woman who first introduced her to PC Music, and without whom, Brat wouldn’t exist.

After noting her list of dance inspirations, Charli concluded: “…And of course, someone who none of us would be up here without, SOPHIE.”

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Popov was also found guilty of second-degree menacing, second-degree aggravated harassment and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, though jurors acquitted him of the more serious charge of murder as a hate crime.

Sibley, 28, was fatally stabbed during a confrontation at a Brooklyn gas station in July 2023. Prosecutors argued that Popov and others targeted Sibley and his friends with racist and anti-gay slurs while they danced and vogued to music by Beyoncé.

According to prosecutors, Popov continued taunting the group before the encounter turned deadly. Popov maintained throughout the trial that he acted in self-defence.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said Sibley’s life was cut short because the defendant “couldn’t stand the sight” of him and his friends “living their lives openly as Black gay men.” He expressed hope that the verdict would bring some measure of comfort to Sibley’s family and the wider LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month.

A talented performer, Sibley danced with PHILADANCO! and studied through Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s Ailey Extension program in New York. His funeral drew hundreds of mourners, while public figures including Beyoncé and Spike Lee paid tribute following his death.

Popov is scheduled to be sentenced on 30 June and faces between eight and 25 years in prison on the manslaughter conviction.

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The organisers said in a statement that the aim of the ban is to keep the event, which will take place on 30 August, focused on “LGBTQIA+ liberation” rather than “geopolitical conflicts”.

The Hastings Pride Committee said in a statement: “Pride is, and always will be, a protest march wrapped in a celebration. It is a space dedicated entirely to championing LGBTQIA+ rights, visibility, and liberation, both locally and globally.”

The statement goes on to say that the committee wants “to see the streets flooded with the beautiful, diverse array of Pride flags, banners, and symbols that represent our community’s history, intersectionality, and ongoing fight for equality.”

“LGBTQIA+ rights and human rights transcend international boundaries, geopolitical conflicts, and national identities,” the statement continues. “The struggles we face as a community are global, yet deeply personal.”

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The film will also see the return of a handful of other stars from the original 1997 camp cult classic, including Janeane Garofalo as Heather, Tip Toe star Alan Cumming as Sandy Frink, Camryn Manheim as Toby and Julia Campbell as Christie.

The sequel’s new cast members include Keegan-Michael Key, Rob Huebel, Breckin Meyer, Patrick Warburton and Nathan Lee Graham in roles that are currently being kept under wraps.

Production began last week, with Tim Federle (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) in the director’s chair.

The film is set to stream exclusively on Hulu and Disney+.

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Speaking on The View on Monday (8 June), the actress said she had come to see her partner clearly over time.

“The political affiliation became obvious but I already had feelings for him and I wanted to see him as a human being beyond that,” she said. “And then his politics and his unexamined life became clear after the three and a half years and I was like, ‘I love him, but I love myself more,’ and staying in this relationship, I’ll betray myself.”

In June 2025, Cox received significant criticism from fans after revealing she had been in a relationship with a “blonde-haired, blue-eyed MAGA Republican voter who is a New York City police officer.” At the time, she said they had dated for five years before breaking up the year before.

Speaking on the podcast ‘Fear&’, she recalled the reaction.

“I lost followers last year when I disclosed that my ex-boyfriend was MAGA,” she said. “He was a MAGA Republican cop. Ironically I had a ‘no dating a cop’ policy before my ex, and he told me he was in commercial real estate.”

Cox said she “knew nothing about his politics” when they began dating.

“I thought the conversation would be about how two people who have totally different politics find a way to make it work or not, and the connection that actually exists beyond politics, the soul connection,” she said.

She continued: “A lot of people will never forgive me because they were like, ‘You should have taken that to your grave,’ ‘you slept with the enemy,'” she said. “I think people are complicated. We would get into political conversations and he actually liked having them with me.”

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Yes, you read that right.

Posting to their social media, HelloFresh said: “We know eating isn’t always a top priority this month. We respect that.”

“But for those of you who are.. prepping… we have an extensive lineup of high-fiber recipes available. Happy Pride.”

The comments on the post were flooded with messages from the LGBTQ+ community.

One person said: “The gays feel seen with this. Bravo.”

Drag Race favourite Plasma said: “Girl it’s THEE month for eating.”

Others said the post was “true allyship”, and that the company had “clocked the bottoms”.

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In an emotional interview with Channel Nine’s ‘100% Footy’, Evans revealed that he spent years living in denial about his sexuality while battling addiction, homelessness and suicidal thoughts, revealing: “I’ve been fighting a war within since I was about 15 years old, and it’s not sustainable.”

The former prop forward said he had achieved his childhood goals of playing in the NRL and buying his parents a house, but had long believed he would eventually take his own life because he could not accept who he was. Evans credited former player Joe Galuvao and the Rugby League Players Association with helping him seek treatment and begin rebuilding his life, saying their support made him realise that “maybe death isn’t in the plan for me yet.”

Evans also praised Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who welcomed him back to the club after rehabilitation and helped cover some of his living expenses while he focused on his mental health. The 34-year-old celebrated four months of sobriety in May and said coming out had brought him a sense of peace he had never experienced before.

“I’ve carried [hiding my sexuality] around my whole life,” Evans said. “I’m here today to show people that you don’t have to live like that. Even now I feel a bit more free, just by saying it out loud, I’ve brought it to the light. I feel peace within, and I feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders. I’m a bit proud of myself and when I look in the mirror, I’m going to smile now, not have those bad thoughts.”

Roberts, who came out in 1995, told the Daily Telegraph he was moved to tears watching the interview, “Everything he was saying… I thought ‘this poor kid’, I know exactly where he is in his head, what he is going through, the extremes of uncertainty of your own sense of self and your sense of other people,” he said.

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After fours episodes of growing tension and hostility between warring Manchester neighbours Leo (Alan Cumming) and Clive (David Morrissey), episode five has arrived on Channel 4 On Demand prior to airing on Channel 4 Tuesday night (9 June).

The shocking climax to Queer as Folk and It’s a Sin creator Davies’ latest LGBTQ+ drama brings Leo and Clive’s feud to a devastating crescendo, with Clive and a group of hooligans brutally murdering Leo and leaving his body hanging from a lamp post after he’s wrongly accused of being a paedophile.

The series ends with a series of flashcards showing what the future holds for each character. In a final chilling nod to the power of misinformation, viewers are told Leo’s story “isn’t over” and that “within 18 months a search for his name says ‘Leo Struthers, convicted paedophile’.”

Viewers quickly took to social media to share their reaction to Tip Toe‘s grim final moments, with many expressing their fear at the state of the world following Davies grim political portrait of Britain today.

“Just wow at Tip Toe. Feel very unsettled and number after that final episode”, wrote one viewer.

Another added: “The defining image, Leo hanging from a lamppost, isn’t shock for shock’s sake; it’s the thesis statement of the entire series: bigotry doesn’t simmer, it detonates.

“The horror is blunt: this could happen today.”

One viewer heaped praised on The Traitors USA host Alan Cummings “incredible” performance and Davies “amazing” script, while another admitted the violent finale had left them feeling “physically sick”.

Series creator Davies recently admitted he feels like “an idiot” for spending so many years campaigning for gay visibility, only to see homophobia and transphobia grow rapidly in recent years.

“All our lives we’ve campaigned to be more visible, and I never thought what the end result of that was,” he told i Paper. “Now I look at myself like I’m an idiot. As if I ever imagined we’d reach a harmonious society.

“Our visibility is being weaponised.”

Tip Toe episode five airs on Channel 4 tonight (9 June) at 9pm and the full series is available to watch on Channel 4 On Demand now.

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The news comes following a report in the university’s online student newspaper, The Northerner, on 4 June. Foust, who was 22 years old at the time of their death, received a BFA Integrative Media and Spatial Arts degree with a focus in painting and spatial arts.

The memorial took place on campus on 3 June and welcomed friends, family and members of staff to mourn Foust’s passing and share memories of the beloved student.

Foust went missing on 27 April while walking through Covington’s Latonia neighbourhood. Friends and family had spent weeks searching for them after Foust failed to arrive at class, leaving behind their phone and car.

Authorities deployed drones, K9 units and water rescue teams as the search intensified, while loved ones shared information and updates online.

Covington Police Department confirmed on 24 May that Foust’s body was discovered by an independently organised search party near an industrial area in Wilder, Kentucky, across the Licking River from where they were last seen.

Police said there are “currently no indications of foul play,” though the official cause and manner of death have not yet been determined pending a coroner’s report. Foust was due to graduate with their cohort on 8 May.

NKU president Cady Short-Thompson spoke at the memorial service and described Foust as a “remarkable person and talented artist who embodied the true essence of an NKU student and School of the Arts creator.”

“I am deeply honored to join this community to celebrate Murry Foust, a beloved student and NKU graduate who is gone much too soon,” she continued.

“We are all heartbroken, crestfallen at this tragic loss of one of our precious students, and I know so many in this room are grieving this evening.”

Artwork created by Foust was displayed throughout the memorial’s venue. As well as creating art, Foust was also a singer and songwriter, and played both piano and guitar.

“Simply put, Murry was dedicated to sharing art with this world, and we are better for it,” said Short-Thompson.

If you’ve been affected by this story, you can reach out to Mind on 0300 123 3393, Switchboard on 0800 0119 100 or the Samaritans on 116 123.

Readers in the US can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741

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Ríhanna Kelver, a bartender and trans rights advocate in Laramie, has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent after a 13 September 2025 confrontation outside the Crowbar & Grill, whereshe worked. Kelver could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison if convicted on both charges.

Kelver says one man in a group of men across the street from her started shouting homophobic and transphobic insults at her before the man allegedly shoved her to the ground in a downtown crosswalk, as reported by The Laramie Reporter.

Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows Kelver being pushed to the ground before she drew a handgun, racked it to put a live round in the chamber, and pointed it at the man. Kelver has maintained that she never intended to fire the weapon, saying the safety remained engaged, her finger was not on the trigger, and that she drew the firearm because she feared for her safety after finding herself alone, injured from landing on her tailbone, and facing multiple people.

At a preliminary hearing on 26 May, an Albany County judge ruled that prosecutors had shown enough evidence for the case to move forward to district court. Kelver’s attorney argued that her actions were protected under Wyoming law, which permits the use of reasonable force in self-defence. Prosecutors countered that the evidence met the threshold required to pursue felony charges, with the judge noting that Kelver’s self-defence claim can still be argued at trial.

The case has drawn attention because the man who allegedly pushed Kelver to the ground has not been charged. Kelver, who has previously spoken out against anti-trans legislation in Wyoming, said she plans to continue fighting the charges and hopes the legal process will ultimately show that her actions were a response to a credible threat.

“My hope is that the truth of the situation prevails,” Kelver told The Laramie Reporter. “My hope is that I am found not guilty, and that we get to pursue genuine justice for what happened to me.”

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Videos obtained by Atlanta News First from the 6 June event showed individuals dressed in black and red carrying a large swastika flag while reportedly using homophobic, antisemitic and racist language. Witnesses said members of the group performed Nazi salutes and shouted “Heil Hitler” as they passed through the area during Athens Pride festivities.

Attendees and organisers told Atlanta News First that the demonstration appeared deliberately targeted at the LGBTQ+ event. State Representative Eric Gisler, who was attending the parade, described the display as “disgusting” and “sick” in a statement to Atlanta New First while noting that participants ultimately refused to engage with the demonstrators. Organisers reportedly responded by positioning themselves between the group and the parade, holding a sign that read: “Joy is louder than hate.”

In a statement, the Athens Pride and Queer Collective, which organised the parade, said the group’s appearance was intended to “intimidate, divide, and spread fear,” but failed to overshadow the celebration. Organisers said local police monitored the demonstrators throughout the afternoon, and while the group eventually left the area without serious violence, an organiser reported that some physical contact occurred between demonstrators and attendees.

Despite the disruption, organisers and participants said the event continued with a strong sense of community and solidarity. “People chose not to engage with these individuals and their reprehensible ideology,” Gisler said. “They were there to have a good time, show support for each other and for the community.”

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The star took to the Radio City Musical Hall stage on 7 June with the rest of the cast of Sam Pinkleton’s ‘Rocky Horror Show’ Broadway revival. 

The audience quivered in antici…pation as Evans showed off his Rocky-esque body in a corset, thigh-high boots, fishnets and, the showstopper, a festive codpiece. 

The ‘Beauty and the Beast’ actor had the audience under his thumb as he performed a sultry solo. He then sauntered off as the opening bars of ‘Time Warp’ played, exposing his bum cheeks to cheers from the crowd. 

Viewers at home were also mesmerised by Evans’ performance, with one X user writing: “Luke Evans shaking his d*ck and *ss on stage at the Tony Awards while wearing his slutty Rocky Horror Frank-N-Furter costume… This is what Pride Month is all about!”

“I know the idiots at CBS were mad as f*ck about this gay man living his best life on stage,” said another. 

A third commented: “He’s basically Welsh Hugh Jackman and gayer.”

Tom of Finland

Evans’ performance marks the second time in less than a month that he’s sent fans wild with leather and a cheeky nipple flash. 

Following this year’s Met Gala, he treated fans to a glimpse of his chiselled abs as he tried on his leather Tom of Finland hat one final time – and the fans were very grateful indeed.

The out gay star was among a handful of famous faces, including Nicholas Hoult, who wore leather looks to the annual fashion event. But it seems Evans wasn’t ready to let the moment go just yet, as he shared a series of images on Instagram with his hat on.

In the first shot, the Beauty and the Beast star wore the Palomo hat low on his head, with it covering his eyes. The black and white photo saw Evans standing strong, with his toned body doing plenty of heavy lifting.

The other shots were in colour, showing the deep burgundy of the leather hat. He threw on a pair of aviator sunglasses for the shots, though still posed in just his jeans.

He wrote in the caption: “Had to try the hat on one last time a week since I wore it on the Met Gala stone carpet, before it went into the archives! Loved it!”

The post Luke Evans and his codpiece wow the crowd as Dr. Frank N Furter at Tony Awards appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The image, which circulated over the weekend, appears to show a teenage Williams with various words and symbols drawn on his skin and clothes in marker, including what looks like a swastika on his forehead.

Williams has not commented about the image publicly, with the response so far coming through unnamed sources speaking to TMZ.

According to the sources, the photo dates back to Williams’s high school years, where teens took part in an annual “campout” tradition that often involved underage drinking and drawing on one another’s bodies and clothes with marker.

The sources claimed Williams was unaware of what was being drawn on him at the time, describing the symbol as the result of intoxicated teenagers scribbling offensive images on each other for shock value. They said he is “keenly aware” the behaviour is inexcusable.

A ‘friend’ told TMZ: “The markings do not and have never reflected Hudson’s beliefs, values, or character.”

The source added that Williams “deeply regrets” the photo, “understands the hurt and disappointment” it has caused, and recognises the seriousness of the symbol.

The explanation has divided opinion online. Some users pointed out that Williams appears to be posing in the image and questioned how he could have been unaware.

Others defended him, saying he was a teenager at the time and that several other people in the photos also had offensive words and symbols drawn on them.

The post Sources close to Hudson Williams respond to resurfaced swastika photo appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Stewart Head, passed away at the age of 72 last week, just months after the death of his wife Sarah Fisher. The actor’s daughters announced his death in a statement on Friday, 5 June, saying: “He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family.”

They went on to say, “It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work had on so many.”

Stewart Head who played Buffy’s watcher Giles in the cult series, reportedly reached out a young fan after he came out as trans in 2015.

He’d heard that Jay Hulme, a poet, was “having a hard time” after coming out.

Hulme was also “kind of sad” that all the photos he’d taken with the actor at fan conventions were signed to his dead name, and showed him with long hair and no chest binder.

“Anthony and his wonderful wife Sarah reached out and invited me to come to their farm for the day,” Hulme wrote in a Twitter thread.

I’m aware people are sharing the “Giles was nice to a trans guy” story again, and yes, many people who tagged me, it is me. Back in January 2015 when I came out as Trans Anthony Head and his wonderful wife Sarah reached out and invited me to come to their farm for the day.

— Jay Hulme (@JayHulmePoet) September 22, 2019

“They spent the day with me, took me to the fanciest restaurant I’d ever been to in my life, introduced me to their horses, took lovely photos, and printed and signed them, and even gave me tips for an essay I was writing on Shakespeare for school.

“Most importantly, however, they gave me what I had been lacking in my life up until that point – affirmation, compassion, and belief in my abilities.”

After their meeting, Hulme remained in touch with Stewart Head and his wife. The actor wrote the foreword for Hulme’s first self-published poetry book, who in turn paid his own tribute to the actor.

“The eagle-eyed nerds among you may have noticed that my middle name is Anthony – a reminder I gave to myself right at the beginning – a reminder to be for others what he, and Sarah, were to me. A light of hope,” he wrote.

“They laid very small foundation stones, at a very important age (18), giving me the ability to grow and change, and build the life I have now. One where I write and teach and speak and try to help everyone build a better world for the future.”

Hulme first shared his story in September 2019, but it has resurfaced in the wake of the backlash currently being levelled at J.K. Rowling.

If fantasy fans are sad that JK Rowling is a bigot, just remember that Giles (AKA Anthony Stewart Head) has the biggest heart in the world and he will always stand with trans kids. ??? pic.twitter.com/YcOFTl5M9z

— Sarah_Woolley (@Sarah_Woolley) December 19, 2019

The Harry Potter author has been accused of transphobia after she tweeted in support of Maya Forstater, who lost a test case which sought to protect “gender-critical” anti-trans views under the Equality Act 2010.

An employment tribunal heard how Fortstater’s contract at a think tank was not renewed after she tweeted remarks such as: “Men cannot change into women.”

Judge James Tayler said her position that “even if a trans woman has a Gender Recognition Certificate, she cannot honestly describe herself as a woman… is not worthy of respect in a democratic society.”

He added: “The Claimant largely ignores intersex conditions and the fact that biological opinion is increasingly moving away from a absolutist approach.”

Following the ruling, Rowling tweeted: “Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real?”

She ended with the hashtags: “#IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill.”

Fans, celebrities and LGBT+ groups have attacked Rowling’s stance. Representatives for the author have so far declined to comment when asked by PinkNews.

The post Heartwarming story about Buffy’s Anthony Stewart Head going out of his way for a young trans fan resurfaces appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The win came after Jean’s first season on Broadway, which saw her design costumes for ‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’ and ‘Liberation’. She was nominated for Tony Awards for both projects, in the ‘Best Costume Design of a Musical’ and ‘Best Costume Design of a Play’ categories, respectively. 

Jean took home the win for ‘Cats: Jellicle Ball’, a queer ballroom-style reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical. 

The designer created around 500 costumes for the show, some of which included tributes to trans revolutionaries like Marsha P Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy.  

At the Tony Awards ceremony on 7 June, Jean said that her experience working on the show has been “monumental”. 

“We are here for the legacy of queer people, trans people. We are taking up space in waves. We have to take up space, we have to shift the paradigm,” she said in her acceptance speech. 

“I want to say thank you all so much for this incredible honour. The world right now is deeply, deeply combatting so many ailments, and we know that as a society when we come together we can make real, permanent change. Thank you so much for this honour.”

“We are representatives of this legacy”

In a 7 June interview with Vulture, Jean shared that she had a “great understanding” of ballroom history when she joined the musical, saying she spent a lot of time at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the New York Picture Collection.

“I’ve always craved knowing where we have been in the past as a young Black queer person knowing about Marsha P. Johnson, Pepper LaBeija, and Ava Pendavis, and learning about the realities and the conditions of these artists,” she said. 

“This musical has allowed us to not only pay homage but to give deep gratitude. We are representatives of this legacy, and I’m deeply honored.”

She went on to say that she wants to “express the beauty and innovation” of her community through her work. 

“My community has saved me,” Jean explained. “They saw me before I saw myself. I transitioned here in front of all these people. I want my artists and my collaborators, when they put something on, to feel real. They look good. They feel good.”

The post Costume designer Qween Jean becomes first out trans person to win a Tony Award appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The Fringe is the world’s largest performance arts festival, where thousands are set to showcase their talents between the 7th and 31st of August.

For those specifically looking for queer talent, here are the acts to watch:

Adi Parmar: Sunny Boy

North Indian comedian Adi Parma is making his Fringe debut with Sunny Boy, a show about queer identity, masculinity and migration. Reflecting on family expectations, Parmar also explores what it is to build a life across cultures. 

Parmar’s show reflects on his upbringing as the “miracle child” his parents prayed for for six years. Additionally, he speaks to his current life in a loving queer relationship and co-parenting two Dutch children with his partner and a lesbian couple. 

Get tickets to Adi Parmar: Sunny Boy here.

Amy Matthews: Definitions of Toast

Edinburgh-based comic Amy Matthews brings a thoughtful show all about emotionally processing anger. The show explores Amy’s attempt to express her emotions when they’re delivered by carrier pigeon, queerness and being Best Supporting Actor in your own life. 

Definitions of Toast also navigates the experience of loving people on their sobriety journey. The show has been described as deeply personal yet still universally relatable. 

Get tickets to Amy Matthews: Definitions of Toast here.

Ayo Adenekan: Homeland Insecurity

Returning to Fringe for his second time, Ayo Adenekan’s new show arrives after Adenekan served as a writer on SNL UK series 1. The comedian’s Fringe debut was all about growing up Black and bisexual in Edinburgh.

Now, Adenekan returns to joke about the experience of unrequited love, summer romances, working in hospitality and starting out in stand-up comedy. With razor-sharp wit, Adenekan finds the humour and the chaos of catching feelings when you really shouldn’t. 

Get tickets to Ayo Adenekan: Homeland Insecurity here.

ChatLGBT

Swap ChatGPT for ChatLGBT, an interactive show that asks audience members to put down their phones and put their burning questions directly to a panel of expert queer comedians. Bianca Boorer, Jordan Bonner, Willow Marler, and Robert Gould are on hand with all the answers.

Though, this hilarious concept is paired with a warning: you may be roasted for comedic value and/or receive terrible advice to make the plot more exciting!

Get tickets to ChatLGBT here.

Cruising

Queer female theatre company Dreambite Collective is making their Fringe debut with the premiere of Katrina Bennett’s new play Cruising. The subversive romcom orbits topics of polyamory, protest, and passion.

The play follows the meeting of a dancer and a climate activist on a Mediterranean cruise. They quickly become friends but soon discover they are both in a relationship with the same person. Drama! As their connections morph into a fierce rivalry, the duo must navigate these dangerous waters.

Get tickets to Cruising here.

Eva Peroni: Jungled

Eva Peroni arrived at the Fringe with her debut show at just 22. Jungled is Peroni’s tale of moving to Costa Rica at 17 from Livingston as a ‘boy mad wee bam’ and returning as a bald lesbian.

Peroni’s debut hour will also see her take on classism at Edinburgh University and being queer in Latin America. The show is about coming home and coming out. Additionally, Jungled endeavours to present what made Eva who she is and the impact of expressing one’s truth.

Get tickets to Eva Peroni: Jungled here.

Hannah Platt: Cult Classic

Hannah Platt’s brand-new stand-up show explores cult thinking, queerness, neurodiversity, and self-improvement culture. With brutally honest and frank humour, Platt endeavours to pick apart therapy culture, internet rabbit holes, identity and modern anxieties.

The show explores everything from hypnotherapy and mental health to her theory that polyamory is a recession indicator. Seeing self-improvement through a new lens, Platt explores that feeling of not belonging and asks whether we should all just start a cult.

Get tickets to Hannah Platt: Cult Classic here.

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorised Musical Parody

Following a premiere Off Broadway in New York, Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorised Musical Parody will make its UK debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. If you can’t get enough of Heated Rivalry, this one is for you!

Inspired by the hit show, this musical parody recreates some of the series’ most memorable moments to a soundtrack of pop bops. There are also cameos from characters like Rose Landry and Ilya’s ass. The show is a camp celebration of the passionate community the series has created. 

Get tickets to Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorised Musical Parody here.

Jack MacGregor: Prophets

Prophets is a dark psychological thriller that is set on the rocky, remote outpost of Saint John. The show follows a Scottish researcher arriving on the island when she discovers the population is under the control of a growing religious cult. 

The researcher begins to move her studies from the land to the people as the cult’s day of paradise approaches. The two-hander drama examines the intersection between faith and cult and is also an exploration of violent belief at the edge of the world.

Get tickets to Jack MacGregor: Prophets here.

Kate Hammer: Government Approved Comedian

Canadian queer comic based in Glasgow, Kate Hammer’s show is about one mission: getting her visa and trying to stay in the UK. She’s willing to do anything, even become a court jester for Keir Starmer.

Exploring the complicated and visa process may not sound like a laughing matter, but Hammer finds the humour in it. For one, she’s realised making people laugh is literally her ticket to not facing deportation.

Get tickets to Kate Hammer: Government Approved Comedian here.

Linus Karp Was Hit With an Umbrella

Awkward Prods is bringing a new show to Fringe: Linus Karp Was Hit With an Umbrella. Best known for Gwyneth Goes Skiing and Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, the company’s latest production moves into more personal territory. Furthermore, the new show is inspired by a real-life homophobic attack against Linus Karp in Soho in 2024.

Linus and his partner Joseph were attacked with an umbrella and homophobic slurs. This is the show’s starting point. Then, Linus Karp explores the shock of the attack and the aftermath of being targeted for being visibly queer.

Get tickets to Linus Karp Was Hit With an Umbrella here.

Reuben Kaye: Hard To Swallow

International cabaret icon Reuben Kaye is returning to the stage. Combining political provocation, powerhouse vocals and explosive queer performance, Hard To Swallow is more political than ever and packed full of biting comedy. 

Hard To Swallow takes aim at politics, identity, hypocrisy and the increasingly absurd state of the world. As ever, Kay’s chaotic and unapologetic energy brings this show to life.

Get tickets to Reuben Kaye: Hard To Swallow here.

Selina Mosinski: Puss In Boots – A Real Life Fairy Tale

Selina Mosinski, who is best known as Charity Shop Sue, is heading to Edinburgh for her Fringe debut. Before Charity Shop Sue, Selina Mosinski was Randy Cain: an 18-year-old stripper from Derby with a big personality, bigger ambition and zero intention of staying small-town.

Puss In Boots – A Real Life Fairy Tale blends memoir, character comedy and surreal storytelling to tell the story of how far one person will go in the name of fame and fortune.

Get tickets to Selina Mosinski: Puss In Boots – A Real Life Fairy Tale here.

Scout Boxall: God’s Favourite

Australian non-binary comic Scout Boxall – 2025 Pinder Prize winner and Melbourne’s ‘Most Outstanding Show’ nominee – is coming to Edinburgh. With God’s Favourite, Boxall embarks on a show all about being stranded without medication for the first time in 12 years.

In one surreal night, Boxall spirals into manic withrdawls, imagines life in the Middle Ages, makes peace with their own mediocrity and momentarily surrenders to God.

Get tickets to Scout Boxall: God’s Favourite here.

Swamplesque

Returning for the third year in a row, Swamplesque is a Shrek-inspired burlesque and drag parody show. Everyone’s favourite ogre-inspired show is back and grab tickets while you can, as this is a Fringe fan favourite!

Packed with camp dances and cringe-worthy gags, Swamplesque promises a night of laughter, surprises and a touch of the risqué. Don’t wait around, grab a ticket to the swamp!

Get tickets to Swamplesque here.

The post 15 must-see LGBTQ+ acts and comedians at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2026 appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The council for Madison Heights called a special meeting on 1 June to discuss whether or not it would be appropriate to host the drag queen story time event at a local park. According to WXYZ, the meeting saw some council members call the event “vulgar” and “overtly sexual”.

The story time was originally set to be part of the town’s Arts and Pride Festival line-up at Civic Center Park on 7 June. The council ultimately voted 4-3 to cancel the event.

Jennifer Nagle, a member of the Madison Heights Arts Board and the Arts and Pride Planning Committee, said that the board had been planning the festival for five months.

She also shared that the booked drag performer had been carefully vetted, and that no one on the council raised concerns about them in the lead-up to the event.

Nagle said that every element had been pre-approved, including the book the queen was going to read and the outfit they were set to wear, which featured a dress that highlighted autism awareness.

“This was the first year we had the budget to book a drag performer and this was apparently far too much for some people,” she said.

The drag performer in question was Jadein Black, a K-12 teacher who often performs at family-friendly reading events like the story hour.

Following the news, Black took to Instagram to attempt to find a new venue so they could still help the children of Madison Heights mark this year’s Pride.

“Let me be clear: Drag performers are not groomers,” Black wrote. “We are educators, neighbors, friends, community members, and human beings. We show up to create spaces where children can learn about kindness, literacy, acceptance, and self-expression.”

Speaking to WXYZ, Black said of the last-minute cancellation: “I feel like my drag is my armour. And I feel like all of these people really don’t understand or have even been to an experience with myself or any other drag queens before, so it hurts really bad.”

Rae Stoloff, a volunteer for the Pride festival, told the outlet that they tried to push back against claims that hosting a drag queen story hour would be inappropriate.

“To me, this is no different than having a magician come in. You have a magician that performs one way for kids and one way for adults,” Stoloff said.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Drag queen story hour branded ‘vulgar’ as it’s cut from city’s Pride line-up appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Jadon MacCormack, 23, declared that “it’s American to be Anti-Pride Month” in a 2 June Facebook post, before vowing to oppose what he described as the LGBTQ+ “movement” if elected.

The post drew sharp condemnation from members of both parties. Vincent J. Candelora, the top Republican in the state House, called the remarks “immature and reckless” in a statement to the CT Mirror and argued they demonstrated that MacCormack “isn’t ready for the responsibility he’s asking voters to give him.”

Candelora later added that while policy debates can happen, the candidate’s rhetoric was “not only naive, but it is disturbing.”

Democrats were equally critical. Vanita Bhalla described MacCormack in a statement to the CT Mirror as “just another MAGA extremist,” while Matt Ritter and Jason Rojas issued a joint statement calling the comments “sickening.” MacCormack is challenging incumbent Pat Boyd, who has represented the state’s 50th House District for almost 10 years.

Rather than retract his comments, MacCormack accused fellow Republicans via text message to the CT Mirror of being “weak and complacent,” arguing that younger conservatives are bringing a more “bold” approach to politics.

Boyd, meanwhile, said in a 3 June Facebook post that he was “deeply embarrassed” that the district was receiving attention for what he characterised as divisive rhetoric, adding that one of America’s fundamental freedoms is “the right to live your life exactly the way you want.”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post GOP candidate stands by ‘Anti-Pride Month’ message despite backlash appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Many have been left asking whether Friday (5 June) performances from Addison Rae, PinkPantheress and Ethel Cain will go ahead.

Doja Cat, Massive Attack, Alex G, Bad Gyal, and Mac DeMarco were among the major names whose sets were cancelled on Thursday (4 June). After heavy rainfall, it was deemed that the main stages were unsafe.

The music festival takes place at Parc del Fòrum, Barcelona, and runs from Thursday (4 June) to Saturday (6 June). An expected 70,000 attendees arrive per day, with a large number of international fans.

On Thursday, the festival’s opening day, no headline performances went ahead. Reports forecast that 40 to 60 millimetres of rain would fall within an hour.

The festival then released a statement: “Unfortunately, adverse weather and technical conditions have made it impossible for the performances by Massive Attack, Doja Cat and Bad Gyal on the Estrella Damm and Revolut stages to take place due to safety reasons.

‘It’s just not safe enough to continue the show’

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.”

They thanked the crowd for their “understanding”, while noting that “no serious incidents” arose from the situation. However, many festival-goers were frustrated by the handling of the situation.

The festival confirmed that a refund process would get underway on June 8th for festival-goers affected by the weather chaos on the first day. 

Reacting to the news, Doja Cat appeared on Instagram live in tears to share that her show wouldn’t be going ahead. As she dabbed her tears, she explained the emotional situation.

“Barcelona, I am fully dressed and ready to go to stage but it’s just not safe enough to continue the show tonight,” she then explained on X.

“I’m so sorry that this is how this s*** has to be right now. I will think of everything I can under the sun to make it up to you.”

She also concluded: “Please stay safe and warm I will see you again I promise.”

Though some smaller stage performances went ahead, much of the crowd left the festival site due to the weather conditions. 

Has Primavera Sound 2026 been cancelled?

Despite the unfortunate cancellations on Thursday, Primavera Sound 2026 is set to go ahead.

In a new statement on Friday, the festival offered further clarification of what occurred on Thursday. Furthermore, the plans for Friday’s artists were outlined.

The statement read: “The festival will open its doors this afternoon at 3:45 pm as normal to kick off the second day of the festival, which will feature performances by The Cure, Addison Rae, PinkPantheress, Ethel Cain, Skrillex, Amarae, Ralphie Choo and Slowdive, among many others.”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Primavera Sound 2026 thrown into chaos as Doja Cat’s set cancelled appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Speaking to the i Paper on 5 June about his new show, Tip Toe, the showrunner shared that he thinks his efforts to make queer people more visible in the media, like with his iconic comedy series Queer As Folk, may have been a mistake.

“All our lives we’ve campaigned to be more visible, and I never thought what the end result of that was,” he said. “Now I look at myself like I’m an idiot. As if I ever imagined we’d reach a harmonious society. Our visibility is being weaponised.”

He also shared how Tip Toe was inspired in part by the rise of Reform UK and Nigel Farage in recent years. “They are just mouthpieces for any cause they can grab hold of. It was the online world generally really,” he said. “All Reform does is listen to what people are saying on X, whether it’s ‘we hate women’ or ‘we hate farmers’.”

He went on to say that he hates X so much that he demanded that the BBC stop advertising Doctor Who on the platform when he was the sci-fi series’ showrunner.

“It’s a public service broadcaster posting on a hate platform,” Davies said. “It’s not the town square it pretends to be. It’s a privately owned hate platform, owned by a megalomaniac [Elon Musk] who is pushing ill on many of us. The tone of voice on X is becoming our tone of voice in every single discussion ever made. I think it’s creeping into the real world – and we’re just letting it happen.”

Davis also named the current rhetoric around trans people coming from right-wing groups as a catalyst for Tip Toe.

“I completely accept that there are two sides. But who’s doing any research? Who’s doing any thought? Where’s the nuance on either side of the argument?” he said. “I’m meeting trans people who live in terror.”

He went on to share an interaction he had at a book signing, in which a trans couple told him they were scared every time they left their house.

“That’s when I decided I had to go and do something,” Davies said. “Specifically trans people, but actually, it’s happening to all of us [the LGBTQ+ community].”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Russell T Davies says he feels like ‘an idiot’ for campaigning for gay visibility appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

According to the survey of more than 5,000 US adults, just 8% of voters identified transgender issues as a top concern. By comparison, 44% said inflation and the rising cost of living were their number-one priority.

The findings also showed that seven in 10 voters would rather support candidates focused on lowering everyday costs than those focused on restricting trans rights.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they would support a candidate who believes everyone deserves to live free from fear and discrimination, while 65% agreed that politicians often scapegoat transgender people as a distraction from other pressing issues facing the country.

The survey also explored attitudes toward corporate support for LGBTQ+ communities. 68% of respondents said companies should be free to support LGBTQ+ people if they choose, while 62% said they were comfortable with brands participating in Pride events.

More than three-quarters said they trust companies that stand by their values, even when doing so proves controversial.

“These results confirm what most Americans already believe: we are at our best when we treat our friends, family, and neighbours with basic dignity and respect,” GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. “Voters are tired of divisive culture wars that distract from the real issues keeping families up at night like the skyrocketing costs of housing, fuel, healthcare, and groceries.”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

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Cohen is best known as the host of The Real Housewives franchise and Watch What Happens Live!. From this, Cohen was the first openly gay host of an American late-night talk show.

Cohen is a single father to a son (born in 2019) and a daughter (born in 2022). He previously dated doctor Clifton Dassuncao back in 2016. The couple split two years later.

Who is Kevin Sobieski?

Sobieski is a Harvard Business School graduate who works in the financial industry.

Previously, Sobieski worked as a portfolio operating executive for MacAndrews & Forbes and a senior manager at Bain & Company. 

Additionally, Sobieski briefly worked as an “independent advisor to early-stage companies” with a focus on “remote work and AI-driven HR software verticals.” Currently, Sobieski is working in New York City.

Though not much is known about Sobieski, it’s reported that he previously dated Grammy-winning composer Benj Pasek. The pair are said to have been together from 2018 to 2022.

Sobieski and Pasek appeared together publicly at a Los Angeles performance of Dear Evan Hansen in 2018.

Sobieski and the La La Land composer were last seen together on the Strange Loop Broadway musical red carpet in 2022.

How old is Kevin Sobieski?

According to reports, Sobieski is believed to be 42 years old. He and Cohen have a 16 age gap, with Cohen aged 58.

How long have Andy Cohen and Kevin Sobieski been dating?

Cohen and Sobieski were spotted together in Miami back in April. Also, the pair have reportedly been dating for a few months, a source told the Daily Mail.

Then, in early June, the couple appeared together, celebrating Cohen’s 58th birthday in New York City. They were photographed holding hands as they headed to Via Carota in the West Village.

How did Andy Cohen and Kevin Sobieski meet?

While the details of how Cohen and Sobieski met are not clear, sources have claimed the pair have known each other for several years.

Notably, in 2020, the pair participated in a COVID-19 fundraiser.

Furthermore, in 2025, Cohen appeared on Call Her Daddy, where he shared an insight into his dating life.

“I’m on every app. Grindr, Scruff, Raya, Hinge… Craigslist used to be the place where we hooked up,” Cohen shared.

“Craigslist was Grindr before there was Grindr!” he also added.

“I meet two kinds of people: people that I want to sleep with and people that I want to date.”

Additionally, Cohen also clarified at the time that his dating priorities had changed since becoming a father.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Everything you need to know about Andy Cohen’s rumoured boyfriend Kevin Sobieski appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The Channel 4 telly watcher, who has appeared on the show since 2014 with best friend Jenny Newby, shared two photos of him and Steve together on Instagram – one throwback, and one more recent.

The smiling chaps looked handsome in both, though they each looked a bit more salt-and-pepper in the recent snap.

Riley wrote in the caption: “Happy anniversary to us 32 years and before you ask Steve gets the medal.”

Fans and co-stars were quick to comment. Gay Gogglebox couple Alfie Mulhall and Andrew Nicolls, who also recently celebrated their anniversary, both shared their congratulations.

Izzi Warner commented: “Congratulations both of you! Literally my whole lifetime.” Her sister Ellie said: “Happy anniversary.”

Lisa Baggs, who was on the show with her family, including gay son Joe, between 2020 and 2022, said: “Happy anniversary to you both.”

While Riley films in Hull in Newby’s caravan, he actually lives in Cyprus with Steve when the show isn’t on.

Newby and her husband Ray pop over to visit the couple from time to time too, with them sharing smiling group photos on Instagram in July 2025.

Steve occasionally makes appearances on Gogglebox on the phone to Riley. A March 2026 episode saw the duo talking about the mundane parts of a relationship – washing.

Showing the close bond between the two couples, Newby then grabbed the phone from Riley to have a chat with Steve.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

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Hungarian authorities have dropped charges against Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony over organising the city’s 2025 Pride march, citing a landmark European Court of Justice ruling against Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ laws, according to a statement from prosecutors issued on 4 June.

The event went ahead in June 2025 despite warnings of potential legal repercussions from Viktor Orbán’s government, which passed a law banning public events involving the LGBTQ+ community. Karácsony said at the march: “Neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest.”

Authorities charged Karácsony in January with organising the event despite a prohibition order. After his indictment, he said: “It seems that in this country, this is the price you pay if you stand up for your own freedom and the freedom of others.”

Prosecutors said they dropped the charges in light of the EU court decision, which came after Péter Magyar beat Orbán in the election. “Considering the ruling by the European Court… the prosecutors dropped charges against the Budapest mayor for violating the law on freedom of assembly,” they said.

How the case unfolded

Budapest Pride took place on 28 June 2025. More than 100,000 people participated, and organisers said at the time that a record 200,000 people attended.

In April, the European Court of Justice ruled that Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ laws violate EU rules and infringe EU values of equality and minority rights.

Karácsony has been Budapest’s mayor since 2019. A prominent opposition figure associated with green and centre-left politics, he has positioned Budapest as more socially liberal than Hungary’s national government, and has repeatedly clashed with the central state over governance, funding and democratic norms.

What it means for Budapest Pride

The legal threat around the 2025 march had been widely discussed in the run-up to the event.

Hungarian police announced on 29 May that they will allow Budapest Pride to take place in 2026, with the march scheduled for 27 June.

Budapest Pride is one of Central Europe’s most prominent Pride events and has repeatedly drawn international attention amid Hungary’s culture-war politics, functioning in recent years as both a celebration and a protest.

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