The new rules from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) state that winning countries will not be able to host if the country is involved in “an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation”, or if “any other situation materially affects the security, safety or stability of their state or immediate region”.

A statement continues: “Where deemed necessary, the EBU may commission an independent security assessment of the winner’s region. Following that assessment, the EBU will consult the Reference Group to determine whether the winning Member is able to safely host the Contest.”

If it is found that that county is not suitable to host, the EBU say they will identify an alternative host country and broadcaster.

“The appointed Host Broadcaster will assume all rights, obligations and liabilities associated with hosting the Contest, including responsibility for the organisation, production and staging of the event,” the statement adds.

“The Host Broadcaster will organise the Contest in its own right and will not be required to stage the event on behalf of another Member.”

This means countries such as Israel or Ukraine may be blocked from hosting in 2028, if they were to win in Bulgaria in 2027.

The United Kingdom hosted the 2023 contest after Ukraine won in 2022 due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Other updates rules include upping the minimum age of performers to 18 from 16, and technical audio requirements.

Martin Green, the director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said: “The Eurovision Song Contest is constantly evolving, and our annual review of the Rules is an important part of making sure the Contest remains fair, transparent and consistent for all those who participate, including the millions who engage with the event globally.

“Guided, as always, by feedback from our Members, we have clarified and strengthened several areas for 2027. These changes are about giving everyone involved greater clarity, protecting artists and ensuring the Contest continues to provide a safe and welcoming environment, while preserving the spirit and integrity that make the Eurovision Song Contest so special.”

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In April, Lawrence Barton told BirminghamLive of his intention to make the event free to coincide with the 30th anniversary. The parade is free to attend, however a two-day event – which this year included performances from the likes of Katy B and Sigala – is ticketed.

Barton said: “In 1997 I attended the first Birmingham Pride, 2027 will be the 30th anniversary. I’d love to bring it full circle. In my own mind, I’d love for it to be a free festival.”

While the event was previously free to attend, rising costs from security, cleaning and talent booking meant organisers were forced to charge for tickets.

Tickets were recently released for the 2027 event, with standard access starting at £29.51 for single day tickets or £50.79 for the full weekend, while more costly VIP packages are also available for around twice as much.

The announcement has led to backlash from the community, with many appearing to believe that it was confirmed that the event would be free.

“So free festival in 2027 lasted about five minutes,” one person said under Birmingham Pride’s Facebook post. Another said: “Thought Pride was going to be free next year.” A third echoed: “I thought it was supposed to be free in 2027 they lied.”

Birmingham Pride’s response

Birmingham Pride responded in the comments, saying: “We have previously spoken about our aspiration to explore a free Pride, and we completely understand why people may have been looking forward to that.

“As we have developed our plans for our 30th anniversary, we have carefully considered what is needed to deliver a Pride that is safe, accessible, diverse, affordable and sustainable, while retaining the elements that make Birmingham Pride so special.

“For 2027, we’ve decided that the best way to achieve that is through our full festival programme, alongside our Big Free Community Event on Friday, affordable loyalty tickets and our Low-Income Ticket Scheme, which will offer eligible people tickets at 50% of face value.

“We know affordability matters, and it’s something we remain absolutely committed to.”

PinkNews has contacted Birmingham Pride for further comment.

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The argument that transgender women retain an inherent physical advantage over cisgender women after undergoing hormone therapy is being challenged by researchers in Brazil who pooled the results of 52 studies involving thousands of participants to compare the physical characteristics and fitness of transgender women and cisgender women following hormone therapy in a study published this year.

The researchers found that transgender women generally had greater lean muscle mass, but that difference did not translate into a clear advantage in physical performance. Across the studies examined, there were no meaningful differences between transgender and cisgender women in upper-body strength, lower-body strength or aerobic fitness after hormone therapy.

The study’s authors concluded that while transgender women exhibited higher lean mass, their overall physical fitness was comparable with that of cisgender women. They also noted that the available evidence is largely of low certainty and varies in quality.

Bruno Gualano, a physician and researcher at the University of São Paulo and a co-author of the study, said the findings challenge the reasoning behind blanket restrictions on transgender women in sport.

“This refutes the logic behind blanket bans on transgender women in sports,” Gualano said in a 15 June interview with The Brighter Side. He argued that many such policies are based on the assumption that transgender women retain inherent physical advantages that would allow them to dominate women’s competitions, adding: “The data does not support this idea.”

The research comes amid an increasingly contentious political debate over transgender participation in sport in the United States. A growing number of states have introduced restrictions on transgender athletes, while professional sporting bodies have also adopted policies limiting participation. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February targeting transgender participation in women’s sports and directing the federal government to prioritise Title IX enforcement against schools that allow transgender women and girls to compete.

The study does not establish that every transgender athlete has identical physical characteristics or that questions around eligibility in sport have a single scientific answer. The researchers themselves emphasised the limitations and varying quality of the existing evidence.

However, the study’s findings challenge the broad claim that transgender women who undergo hormone therapy necessarily retain a significant physical advantage over cisgender women.

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Council Member Mike Cope made the comments in a Facebook post following Lebanon Pride’s 2026 festival. The organisation had shared a screenshot of a video on 25 July showing Cope standing at the edge of the festival grounds and recording a drag performance, thanking him for attending and encouraging other council members to experience Pride firsthand.

Cope responded that the post was “laughable” and criticised the event as celebrating a “lifestyle that does not represent the majority of Lebanon”.

He then suggested that if “one action” at the festival violated existing indecency laws, Lebanon Pride might no longer consider him a welcome guest.

“The problem is that one or two people cannot monitor an entire day, so let this be a call for help in the future,” Cope wrote in his Facebook post.

Cope also called on Ohio lawmakers and Gov. Mike DeWine to pass HB 249, legislation that would restrict drag performances to venues classified as adult cabarets. He described drag performances at Pride as potentially “lewd” and argued they should be kept away from minors and public family settings.

However, Ohio’s existing indecency laws already address lewd performances, and Cope did not provide evidence of a specific performance at Lebanon Pride that violated those laws.

In a response to questions from The Buckeye Flame, Cope said he “love[s] and respect[s] everyone”, while adding that he does not have to agree with everyone about everything. Cope also did not answer any of The Buckeye Flame’s questions regarding why he was at Lebanon Pride in the first place.

Lebanon Pride organisers, meanwhile, say the councilman’s comments could have consequences beyond political disagreement.

Organiser James Reynolds told the Buckeye Flame that the festival has deliberately worked with the city to create an event that is appropriate for the local community, including making changes around tipping drag performers. Organisers say the city has generally been supportive of the festival.

Leslie Nahigyan, who oversees the event’s safety plan, also said Cope’s post could make attendees feel less secure and potentially embolden people looking to disrupt or harm the LGBTQ+ community.

The organisers say they welcome people who disagree with Pride and provide a designated space for protesters, but argue that encouraging residents to actively monitor the festival is different from simply exercising the right to protest.

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Calling themselves the “KS SB244 Compliance Crew“, the men staged a recent protest at the Long Branch Lagoon Water Park in Kansas’ Dodge City on 8 August.

SB 244 requires trans people to use sex-separated municipal facilities like bathrooms and changing rooms that align with the sex they were assigned at birth as opposed to their gender identity.

The bearded men took to the women’s bathroom – in compliance with the law – while wearing bright yellow t-shirts reading ‘Compliance Crew’.

The manager of the water park reportedly screamed upon seeing the trans men in the bathroom before ushering out nearby children, reported Erin in the Morning.

The men kept their clothes on and didn’t make any crass comments, and police were called. They then had to provide “uncomfortable descriptions of their bodies” to the manager and police to avoid arrest.

“Supporters of SB 244, including Attorney General Kris Kobach and Senate Majority Leader Ty Masterson, billed it as a way to keep men out of women’s spaces; it clearly requires some men to enter women’s spaces,” the group said in a press release.

“Segregating people by suspected genitalia does nothing to improve public safety; it does quite the opposite by opening Kansans up to sexual harassment and discrimination. At no point should anyone be asking anyone else what genitals they have in public.”

The group regularly organises “pop-up protests across Kansas to peacefully showcase the absurdity of bathroom policing,” according to its website.

“As masculine people entering ‘feminine’ facilities, we hope to draw attention from the general public and educate them about the dangers of sex-based segregation.”

They say that their goal is “to reverse SB244, shame those who voted for it, prevent further degradation of Kansans’ rights, and redirect attention to matters that concern all residents.”

“Trans feminine people face the brunt of the KS Legislature’s demonization while trans masculine folks are infantilized and characterized as non-threatening,” the Compliance Crew website continues.

“We believe it’s important to use that relative advantage to work for change.”

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The rule was finalised Tuesday (11 August) and is set to take effect on 13 October. States that currently allow Medicaid or CHIP to cover gender-affirming care for minors will no longer be able to use federal funds for those services and would have to finance the care themselves if they choose to continue covering it.

President Donald Trump celebrated the change in an 11 August Truth Social post, describing gender-affirming healthcare as “barbaric” and saying the rule would spare children from what he called potentially harmful procedures, as well as throwing a jab at politicians across the aisle, writing “the Dumocrat Party wants your kids to be able to chop off their reproductive organs before they are old enough to vote”.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. similarly characterised the treatments affected by the rule as “sex-rejecting procedures”, arguing that they carry serious risks and can cause irreversible harm in a statement.

The administration’s policy encompasses a range of healthcare, including puberty blockers and hormones. Gender-affirming healthcare can also include mental health and other medical services intended to help people align aspects of their gender expression, such as appearance or voice, with their gender identity. This care applies to not just transgender minors, but nonbinary, intersex, and cisgender patients as well.

Importantly, gender-affirming surgeries are very rare among minors, and are more common for cisgender youth as opposed to trans youth according to research published in JAMA Network Open in 2024. The new rule nevertheless covers other forms of care that are more commonly used, including puberty blockers and hormone treatment.

Medical and LGBTQ+ organisations have strongly criticised the policy. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has cited research indicating that access to gender-affirming care can improve mental health outcomes.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said that healthcare decisions should be made by young people, their families and their medical providers rather than politicians, adding that the Trump administration is “terrorising trans youth and their families,” in a statement to The Hill.

Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen of the Trevor Project similarly argued to The Hill that the federal government should not impose a “one-size-fits-all mandate” on highly personal medical decisions, noting that gender-affirming care has been provided for decades and is supported by major medical and mental health organisations.

The rule does not eliminate federal Medicaid or CHIP coverage for mental health services for children generally. Instead, it specifically targets federal funding for healthcare classified under the administration’s new restrictions.

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Lebron, 33, launched a GoFundMe over the weekend seeking $45,000 for dental surgery, explaining that her teeth had been badly damaged as a result of her past struggles with addiction, something she has spoken about openly before.

“I’m very uncomfortable making this video, because this is a video I thought I would never have to make,” she said, describing the treatment as necessary to end ongoing pain and calling the situation “embarrassing”.

After some online users questioned the fundraiser, Lebron deleted it, telling followers that everyone who had donated would be refunded. “GoFundMe has been deleted, I’m getting the work done, thank you,” she wrote in a short video.

She went on to open up about the pressures of life as a viral creator and her declining reach on the platform. “I think I have to officially let TikTok go. I think that I am fooling myself that this algorithm will ever favour me,” she wrote.

She questioned whether “chasing this dream is healthy for me”, adding: “I’m clearly having some kind of mental break and I’m clearly not in a good space.”

In a livestream, she also made remarks alluding to self-harm, indicating the criticism had taken a serious toll on her mental health.

Lebron rose to fame in 2024 with her “very demure, very mindful” catchphrase, which became one of the biggest internet trends of the year, spawning countless imitations and brand deals which helped fund her transition.

She has been open about her journey as a trans woman and about her recovery from addiction.

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According to new court documents, two heterosexual men riding an e-bike shouted anti-gay slurs at the couple, who were driving a car, before one of the cyclists shot one of the men in the head.

The shooting took place on the evening of 1 August while the couple were driving home in the Commerce City area of Denver. The men on the e-bike allegedly cut them off in traffic, according to the victim who wasn’t shot.

KDVR News reported that the driver of the car honked his horn and flashed his lights, which escalated to the cyclists following them and “calling them ‘f******‘ and other derogatory comments.”

Still being tailed by the cyclists, the couple then bypassed their own apartment complex. However, the cyclists turned into the complex’s entrance. Security footage of the incident shows the motorists then pulling up to the entrance.

The driver reported that he saw a flashlight pointed at the car before hearing a pop sound and the back windshield shattering, and realising that his husband in the passenger seat had been shot in the head.

He reported hearing him “snoring”, which police have shared was agonal breathing caused by a lack of oxygen following a traumatic injury.

The suspect was later identified as Jacob Sifuentez, who was arrested three days later and charged with two counts of attempted murder. Sifuentez initially denied being involved in the incident and pleaded the Fifth while being interviewed by police.

According to court documents, Sifuentez later admitted to carrying out the shooting and said in an interview that he deserved the consequences after hearing that the man who had been shot was in critical condition.

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Erin Lee is the founder of Protect Kids Colorado, a group seeking to put three measures on the state’s 2026 ballot. One would mandate life imprisonment without parole for child sex traffickers, while the other two would ban trans young people from gender-segregated school sports and restrict certain forms of gender-affirming care for minors.

The dispute began when Lee criticised 9NEWS reporter Kyle Clark on X, claiming he had smeared her.

“Kyle Clark has put out stories that I am a cult leader who covers children in blood. With zero evidence or chance for comment,” she wrote, adding that she chose “not to live in fear of him”. She described her initiatives as “non-partisan, common sense” and said she welcomed support from across the political spectrum, insisting she could “handle taking criticism from all sides”.

Clark denied ever having called Lee a “cult leader”, but stood by his coverage. In response, he shared a 2021 clip of Lee speaking, writing: “I’ve accurately quoted you as saying your ballot initiatives about trans kids are a ‘spiritual battle’ for children to ‘cover them in the blood of Jesus.'”

In the footage, Lee was speaking about LGBTQ+ “ideology” rather than the ballot measures specifically, using the religious phrasing Clark had attributed to her.

Clark also re-shared a segment he had previously broadcast about Lee, in which she described Colorado legislators as “actual demons”, and which featured her being interviewed by Lance Wallnau, a Christian nationalist figure who describes himself as a prophet.

Lee has not publicly provided examples of the specific “cult leader” or “covers children in blood” wording she attributed to Clark. PinkNews has approached both Lee and 9NEWS for comment.

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Meyer directed Stewart in the film, which follows to best friends living “paycheck to paycheck and bong rip to bong rip” who end up getting caught up in a chaotic case of mistaken identity.

Speaking to E! News, Stewart said she couldn’t have been more impressed with her wife.

She said: “It’s the way that she chooses the people that surround the thing that she loves so much. You have to find people that love it just as much, because as a filmmaker, it’s your first, but then it has to transfer.”

The Twilight star went on: “Dylan has this beautiful, delicate, gentle, inviting ability to be like, ‘This is yours.’ And so the crew was ready to jump into any hot or cold water for her. It was so much fun to make this movie.”

Meyer also spoke of wanting Stewart in the movie, saying: “I actually shared it with her probably seven years before we ever reconnected and started dating. When I first met her, I always wanted Kristen to be in the movie.”

She joked to her wife: “That’s not why I started dating you.”

Kristen Stewart and Dylan Meyer’s romance

Kristen Stewart came out as bisexual in 2017, and has publicly dated Robert Pattinson, Anton Yelchin and Michael Angarano.

Following her split from her Twilight co-star Pattinson in May 2013, Stewart dated Alicia Cargile, singer Soko and musician St Vincent, as well as model Stella Maxwell.

She and Meyer have been together since August 2019, revealing they were engaged in November 2021. The couple tied the knot on 20 April, 2025.

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The BBC staple returns to iPlayer and BBC One in September with presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe as the new hosts. 

The judging panel remains the same – Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas – to offer their expert opinions and scores of the dancing celebs and their professional partners.

There has also been a shake-up with the pro dancer line-up. Fan favourites Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Márquez have departed. Meanwhile, Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will be without a partner for this series.

Here are the confirmed celebs for this year’s Strictly:

Melanie Walters

Gavin and Stacey icon Melanie Walters, best known for playing Stacey’s mum Gwen on the BBC sitcom, was the final name to be announced on 12 August.

She said: “Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room. This year I am completely thrilled and happy to swap my fairy wand for sequinned dance shoes. I just hope I don’t follow Cinderella and leave one on the Ballroom stairs. I cannot wait to take part in this absolutely iconic show, it’s so exciting. See you in September!”

John Nellis

John Nellis, best known for his sport-related social media content with billions of views, was announced as the 14th celebrity on 11 August.

He says: “I’m still in disbelief that I’ve been selected for Strictly and, if I’m honest, I’m a little nervous as I’ve never danced before! It’s such an incredible opportunity, and I’m going to throw myself into every moment. I can’t wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!”

Tabby Stoecker

Athlete Tabby Stoecker became the 13th celebrity to be announced on 10 August.

The Olympic gold medalist, who competes for Team GB in the skeleton event, said: “I am over the moon to be joining the cast of Strictly 2026. I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!”

Lawrence Robb

The 12th celeb to join the 2026 Strictly line-up was Lawrence Robb. He’s best known for his role in Emmerdale as Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Boyd, a member of the iconic Dingle family.

Before arriving in the Dales, Lawrence’s TV and stage credits include I Hate Suzie, Legally Blonde The Musical, and Mojo in the West End.

“I don’t know who’s more excited about this, me or my Mother,” Robb said about his Strictly casting. “I can’t quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time! It’s a dream come true, and I can’t wait to bring my all to ballroom. Wish me luck, and any advice is very welcome – trust me I’ll need it!”

Graeme Hall 

Presenter Graeme Hall is best known as The Dog Father, a dog trainer, podcaster, and author. He is the host of Channel 5’s Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. The 60-year-old also hosted The Dog Hospital and was a regular contributor to ITV’s This Morning and BBC Radio. Hall is also an author. He’s written three adult books and a children’s book, The Ultimate Kid’s Guide to Dogs.

“I can’t believe I am joining the cast of Strictly for 2026,” Hall said. “I have always loved dancing, so to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the business is a dream come true.”

He also added: “I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking! I can’t wait to get started. Bring it on!”

Shaun Wright-Phillips

Former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips was announced on 30 July. His sporting career saw him play for Manchester City, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers as well as New York Red Bulls and Phoenix Rising FC in the US.

Now a television pundit, Wright-Phillips said: “Dancing is in my blood – but mainly at family events! Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!”

Bethany Antonia

House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia is swapping Westeros for Elstree, after being announced for Strictly 2026.

She has also appeared in Doctors, Get Even and Doctor Who.

Antonia said: “I can’t quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom this September! I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill. See you on the dancefloor!”

Jaime Winstone

Stage and screen actress Jaime Winstone was announced on 23 July as the eighth confirmed celebrity contestant.

During her career, she has appeared in films like Made in Dagenham and Tomb Raider, television series such as Dead Set and Poirot, and even played EastEnders legend Barbara Windsor in BBC biopic Babs, also appearing as her character Peggy Mitchell in a flashback special of the soap.

She says: “I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year. I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me. I love a challenge though, so can’t wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!! Let’s get physical – see you on the dance floor!”

Dame Sarah Storey

Paralympic legend Dame Sarah Storey was the seventh celebrity contestant to be announced, on 17 July.

After a career of 19 Paralympic gold medals, making her the most successful British Paralympian ever, Storey is swapping the podium for the dance floor.

She says: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting. I have always loved watching Strictly and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world, is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”

Will Best

Big Brother host Will Best was announced on 14 July, and looks set to be one of the main sources of eye-candy for the mums (and gay fans, obv).

Best, who also presents Hits Radio’s Breakfast Show, said: “I can’t quite believe it… I’m doing Strictly! What an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one.

“I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!”

The TV star, who has amassed a legion of gay fans thanks to his often minimal clothing on Big Brother and Instagram, added: “I have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dance floor! I’m going to try to enjoy every minute of it.”

Cach Mercer

Love Island 2025 winner Cach Mercer was confirmed for the show on 9 July, less than a year after taking the crown on the dating show alongside then-girlfriend Toni Laites.

Coming from a dancing background, Mercer is sure to be one to watch on the dance floor later this year.

He says: “I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!”

Chris Appleton 

World-renowned hair stylist Chris Appleton was the first man announced for this year’s Strictly line-up.

The 43-year-old has styled some of the biggest names in the entertainment world, including Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience,” he shared about his casting.

“I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story – and I can’t wait to get started.

Lacey Turner

EastEnders star Lacey Turner, who has played Stacey Slater on the soap since 2004, was the first contestant announced. Her performance has won her numerous accolades, including several British Soap Awards and National Television Awards. 

Now, the 38-year-old actor is swapping the film set for the dance floor.

In a statement about her appearance, Turner shared: “I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing!

“I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!

Dani Dyer

Former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer was part of the Strictly 2025 cast. However, her time on the show was just one week long before she was forced to withdraw due to an ankle fracture.

Dyer, the 29-year-old daughter of actor Danny Dyer, was originally partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, but it’s unclear whether they’ll be paired up this year. 

“I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September!” Dyer said of her second chance on Strictly.

“I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one! I’m just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!”

Delta Goodrem

Australian singer and actor Delta Goodrem will be bringing her Australian charm to the Strictly dance floor.

Goodreem represented Australia at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, finishing fourth, and previously starred on the beloved soap opera Neighbours.

The 41-year-old has also been a judge on The Voice Australia; time will tell if adding dancing will make her a triple threat.

“I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from TV, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!” she shared.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!”

The brand-new series of Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be getting underway on BBC One and iPlayer this September.

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The post Strictly Come Dancing 2026 full line-up as Gavin and Stacey icon joins appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The UK prison system is currently under severe stress as a result of overcrowding, but Burnham has used his first few months in Downing Street attempting to fix the crisis.

According to the Standard, Burnham said that the new plan includes “making greater use of the entire prison estate including using the female estate for male offenders”.

He added that he is “increasingly confident” that this will mean the number of prisoners being released early will be reduced. However, he also said that some prisoners will not need to serve their full sentences to prevent the prison system from “collapsing”.

The news comes amid restrictions on trans prisoners being housed in prisons that align with their gender identity, and just months after a Scottish court ruled that prisons in the country must remove trans women prisoners from female prisons.

In June, Judge Lady Ross ruled that prison guidance allowing some trans prisoners to be held in jails matching their gender identity, rather than their sex at birth, was unlawful. She said sex segregation in prisons must be based on biological sex.

The challenge was brought by campaign group For Women Scotland, which argued only those who were assigned female at birth should be held in the women’s estate.

In the rest of the UK, almost all trans women prisoners are housed in men’s prisons with a few exceptions.

According to the UK government website, published in February 2023, “transgender women who are sentenced to custody in the future will not be held in the general women’s estate if they retain male genitalia or have been convicted of a violent or sexual offence – unless in the most exceptional cases.”

It continues: “Exemptions will be considered for those currently held in the women’s estate who are assessed as low-risk.”

It states that more than 90 percent of trans women are housed in men’s prisons, and that there is “currently no obligation to place a transgender prisoner according to their preference, and where individuals are held is based purely on risk.”

“However, the government has decided to take this further step as an additional measure to protect women,” it continues. “Transgender women prisoners who cannot be safely housed in a men’s prison can be imprisoned in a specialist unit.”

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The First Congregational Church of Fresno, known locally as “The Big Red Church”, discovered the damage early on Sunday morning (9 August), according to local Fox affiliate KMPH. The doors, painted in Pride colours and bearing the message “God’s doors are open to all”, had been knocked over and smashed.

Rev Simon Biasell-Moshrefi, the church’s pastor, said he was notified at 6am. “This is unfortunately not the first time that these doors have been vandalised. It happened earlier this summer as well,” he told KSEE/KGPE.

“By the time everybody exited church, our neighbours had reinstalled the doors and put it back up, which is one of the wonderful things about this neighbourhood, the Tower District,” Biasell-Moshrefi said.

The church, which has been part of Fresno’s Tower District for 76 years, has been an “Open & Affirming” congregation for more than 30 years.

“We are disheartened by this incident, but we want the community to know that this will not deter our congregation from opening its doors to all,” it said in a statement.

Biasell-Moshrefi added that LGBTQ+ people were welcome: “We want them to be in our church, and we want them to thrive.”

The church said its  stance had previously drawn homophobic voicemails and social media messages over the years. “Our church members unfortunately have gotten used to that kind of hate language,” Biasell-Moshrefi said. “So while this wasn’t anything new, it’s still painful to experience that kind of treatment.”

The Fresno Police Department told KMPH the incident was not being investigated as a hate crime. The church, meanwhile, struck a defiant note. “We believe that all people are sacred creations of a loving God,” it said.

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

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Police Scotland’s usual policy is for strip searches to be conducted according to the detainee’s biological sex. However, the force introduced an interim arrangement in June 2025 following the UK Supreme Court’s ruling in April 2025 in For Women Scotland, which found that “sex” in the Equality Act refers to biological sex.

Under the Scottish arrangement, a transgender detainee can request to be searched by an officer of their lived gender, provided they consent to the procedure.

As initially reported by The Herald on 11 August, Mr Justice Linden has now endorsed the underlying legal principle in a case concerning police forces in England and Wales. His ruling found that, in principle, a detainee can consent to being strip-searched by an officer of a different biological sex, provided that consent is genuine and the other legal requirements governing strip searches are met.

The advocacy group Sex Matters, which brought this case to the High Court, intends to appeal the decision. The group has argued that female police officers should not be placed in the position of strip-searching biologically male transgender detainees. The organisation maintains that strip searches should be conducted between officers and detainees of the same biological sex and that consent should not override that protection.

In Scotland, a Scottish Police Authority record said that by mid-March, only a single strip search had been carried out under the consent-based procedure rather than according to biological sex. The search took place in a custody environment, and no concerns or issues were reported.

Police Scotland’s current standing guidance is described as an interim arrangement. It is expected to be replaced when the Scottish government publishes its revised Stop and Search Code, which is due in September.

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

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Speaking in with Esquire, Ortega reflected on what she called “rookie mistakes” and the pressure she felt to be low-maintenance at work.

“I wasn’t asking for a sip of water. I would go all day without eating, drinking, whatever, because I wanted so badly to not be in the way of anybody,” she said.

Ortega added that she now sees a cost to that approach. “Maybe that was my mistake, was not actually looking after myself,” the Wednesday star said.

Pressure to be ‘easy’ on set

Ortega also described feeling like she had to show up with her “game face” on as a child performer.

“I really had it going for me as a child ‘cause I can’t think of one mistake I made,” she said. “Is that a terrible thing to say? I feel like I make mistakes now all the time, but as a child, I was so grateful and so excited to be there that my game face was on.”

Asked about stigmas surrounding child stars, Ortega added: “Is it wrong to say that a lot of them are true? And do with that what you will.”

‘I was seven years old’

Ortega said she was “seven years old” when she first told her parents she wanted to act, adding that their laughter became part of her motivation.

The actress later broke out as the lead of Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle, which debuted in 2016 when she was 13.

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

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Nicholas Hoult has been cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in season two of HBO’s Harry Potter TV series, with many of his LGBTQ+ fans left feeling disappointed.

The casting was confirmed by Deadline on 11 August.

Season one, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and based on the first book, is set to premiere on 25 December 2026 on HBO and HBO Max. Season two adapts Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and is scheduled to begin filming this autumn.

Lockhart is a major figure in the Chamber of Secrets story: Hogwarts’ new Defence Against The Dark Arts professor, who is more focused on his own fame, based on his faked acts of heroism, than teaching young witches and wizards. In the 2002 film adaptation, the role was played by Kenneth Branagh.

Nicholas Hoult fans devastated

Hoult has attracted a strong fanbase from the LGBTQ+ community due to his previous roles, including as Tony Stonem in cult classic series Skins, who appeared to be sexually fluid. Images of the star looking particularly handsome also regularly go viral on social media – including his leather daddy look at this year’s Met Gala.

However some fans have been left disappointed due to him joining the show, which is based on books by JK Rowling, who is also executive producer. Rowling is well known for her divisive views on trans rights, and regularly offers legal funding for sex-based women’s groups.

One person said of Hoult’s casting: “Massively disappointing to see an actor I liked cast in this show.” Another wrote on X: “Hey can you delete this? I just need to go back to before I saw it.”

A third said: “Oh man, men just be disappointing left and right lately.” Someone else said: “Super disappointed to hear this, I do not support anyone who still supports the Harry Potter franchise.”

Another added: “I have never in my life yelled at a girl like this, we were all rooting for you.” And one fan said: “It’s so sad to see his career come to this.”

Backlash to Harry Potter cast

Hoult, who broke out in About a Boy (2002) and later played Hank McCoy/Beast across the X-Men film series, is not the first (and likely won’t be the last) actor to get backlash due to his part in the Harry Potter reboot.

Bel Powley, who will play Aunt Petunia, recently spoke out to say she “strongly disagrees” with JK Rowling.

John Lithgow, who is playing Albus Dumbledore, has been asked a number of times about the backlash since his casting, with him saying in March that he was urged to walk away. “I do disagree with much of it,” he said on the Radio Hour podcast, “much of it I think has been twisted and misrepresented, and she has doubled down on it at her own cost.”

While Paapa Essiedu – who will play Professor Snape, something else which garnered uncalled for backlash as he is a Black man – has made it clear he stands by the trans community, despite his role.

He told The Sunday Times: “My points of view are mine and will continue to be so.”

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

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Sexual orientation and gender identity questions are included on Australia’s census for the first time, a major shift in how the country counts its population and understands LGBTQ+ communities.

The change was reported on 11 August, ahead of Australia’s next national population and housing count that same day. The inclusion means sexuality will be captured in official statistics collected at a national level.

The 2026 census in Australia is held under the country’s centre-left Labor Party.

The new questions were dropped temporarily two years ago as they were deemed “divisive”. Those aged 16 or older will be able to answer them, and they are both optional.

Those filling out the census about their orientation can answer straight, gay, bisexual, don’t knot, prefer not to answer, or write in their own term.

As for gender, those who identify with a gender that differs from their sex at birth can answer man, woman, non-binary, prefer not to answer, or another written term.

For LGBTQ+ Australians, being counted in national data can shape how need is identified across areas such as healthcare, mental health support, education and community provision. It can also influence the evidence used by governments and service providers when assessing inequality and planning programmes.

Chief statistician of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), David Gruen, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp: “For a proportion of the population … collecting this information is very important. But for other people, it’s information that they simply don’t want to share.”

The ‘divisive’ debate

Debate over whether identity information should be collected in the census has been running for years, including concerns about participation, privacy and trust.

They were almost added to the 2024 census, however Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said at the time: “We do not want to open up divisive debates in the community now.”

However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed they would be added to the next census.

Adding sexual orientation signals a move towards capturing a clearer picture of LGBTQ+ lives in Australia’s most comprehensive national dataset, even as identity questions can become politically charged.

Why census data matters

Australia’s census is run by the ABS and is used to inform government planning, electoral boundaries, and service provision. Census questions can affect how policymakers measure inequality and allocate resources across health, housing, education, and community services.

Internationally, adding sexual orientation questions is often framed as improving visibility for LGBTQ+ populations, while also raising privacy and trust considerations. Australia has had major LGBTQ+ policy milestones in recent years, including marriage equality (2017) and ongoing debates about anti-discrimination protections and religious exemptions.

Liz Allen, who is a demographer at the Australian National University, told InDaily: “This moment in time is monumental, not necessarily just for the data, but more so for the signal that it sends to individuals across Australia that we all count, we all matter.”

It’s reported that almost 28million people in Australia will take part in the census – including visitors and temporary visa holders. It is mandatory to fill it out, and those who refuse face a fine of up to A$364 (£190) for each day they are late.

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Queen of Drag RuPaul returns to host the show, which will see the queens compete across 10 weeks to win a £25,000 prize and title of “The UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar”.

Joining Ru are Michelle Visage, Alan Carr, Graham Norton and a show-stopping list of guest judges, who will be revealed soon.

Until then, it’s time to meet the queens…

Alik – 29, Brighton

“I’m Alik, I’m 29 years old and I am from outer space, and by outer space, I mean Brighton. I’ve been doing drag for eight years.”

Alik brings goth glamour to the Brighton scene, and is hoping to “smash” the curse that many of her Brighton sisters have faced.

She describes herself as a “drag journalist”, making content on social media with their partner Scaredy Kat, of Drag Race UK season one fame.

Alik says: “I don’t think anyone like me has been on the show before. Not only am I doing this for myself, but I’m also doing it for my partner Scaredy Kat as they deserve to see the crown at least once in their life, right? This is their redemption living vicariously through me. So, Ru, come on, just put the crown on me now!”

Anita Piss – 37, Birmingham

“Alright Bab, I’m Anita Piss! I’m 37 years old, and I’m from Birmingham originally, although Anita hails from the dark, subversive East London drag scene…”

Anita says being on Drag Race has been a “lifelong ambition”, having applied for the show five times. “Anita Piss is ready to piss all over the competition,” she says.

She’s been doing drag for around seven or eight years, but only recently made it her full-time job.

With a Jamaican dad and British mum, Anita has plenty of cultural references to draw from.

She says: “I deserve to be UK’s Next Drag Race superstar because I am bringing something completely different that you all ain’t ever seen before. Like I said, it’s all about being cool, calm, collected but having some poise, and having a good demeanour about you. “

Coral-Hole Mandi – 27, Belfast

“I am Coral-Hole Mandi and I’m the 27 year old Bikini Bottom Bimbo from Belfast – originally from Ballymena.”

Coral brands her drag “mer-mazing”, inspired by her love of the sea and background in marine biology. “Growing up, I was obsessed by the ocean, sea creatures and mermaids,” she says. “I always knew I wanted to be a mermaid or a creature from the deep one day.”

She’s “ready to snatch the crown by the tentacles”, saying: “I’m an all-rounder and I’m gonna be memorable. You’re all gonna love me by the end of this. Come on and dip your toes in the waters of Coral-Hole Mandi.”

The Delta Quadrant – 32, Darlington

“I am The Delta Quadrant. I am 32, and I’m the industrial doyenne from Darlington and the Deborah Meaden of drag, and in case you didn’t know, I am your new boss!“

“Powerhouse” Delta is a “businesswoman who has smashed the drag ceiling and clawed her way to the very top of Darlington’s business world”.

She loves a tailored suit, shoulder pads and her signature bob – a real power dresser.

Delta says: “There’s not a one size fits all rule to drag and I think that I should win so that I can prove that my kind of comedy character led style of drag is valid, and worthy of being on the world stage of drag.”

Flesh – 25, London

“Hello world, my name is Flesh, and I am the supermodel of Soho. I’m 25 years old and I’ve been doing drag for about seven years.”

Flesh is influenced by nineties super models and British fashion, but with an “Español flair” thanks to her Spanish dad.

She’s had plenty of sisters compete on Drag Race, including current reigning queen Bones, who is her best friend. “I’m feeling the pressure to live up to the high standards that we, Flesh and Bones, have set in the Soho drag scene,” she says.

Flesh adds: “I think I’m the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar because first of all, look at me. I want to remind people that drag is creative and powerful, but it’s more than dressing up. We can create positive change, and we can do so whilst looking amazing.”

KY Kelly – 42, Staffordshire

“Hi, I’m KY Kelly. I am the live singing comedy diva of the cabaret scene, and I am feeling fully lubricated! I’m 42 years young and I am from Rugeley in Staffordshire.”

After doing drag for almost 16 years, KY Kelly is ready to bring old school drag, with a modern twist, to Drag Race, having recently been a part of theatre show Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

She says: “I can bring it. I am the full package. I want to win this competition as a win for the older, more mature divas, and showcase the cabaret scene. I’m going to slide into this competition and make you want a little bit more KY.”

Lucky Roy Singh – 36, Manchester

“Wake up United Kingdom, your Maharani has arrived! I’m the first South Asian queen on Drag Race UK, so get into it, baby. I’m Lucky Roy Singh, your Punjabi fantasy from Manchester, the Bollywood Punjabi diva – sweet on the outside, and spicy on the inside. Yes, I am 36 but the spices keep me youthful.”

Lucky has been doing drag for more than 10 years, and brings their culture and heritage into their looks and performances.

She’s the first Sikh South Asian queen to compete on Drag Race UK, and has even won awards for her activism, which she keeps on her mantelpiece.

Lucky says: “We need some spice on Drag Race UK, it would mean so much to me and the British South Asian community. Those other girls better step their p****** up!”

ma_danni_x – 48, The Wirral

“Hello, I’m ma_danni_x, and I’m the squirrel from The Wirral with 28 years of drag experience, I’m bringing a lot of zest, a lot of energy, and lot of fire. I’m 48, and I currently live in West London.”

Having started drag at the age of 21, ma_danni_x has plenty of experience on the scene, having worked with the likes of Cliff Richard, Ruby Wax, Lily Savage, George Michael, Samantha Fox, Ant and Dec, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden, and on television shows including Project Catwalk and Britain’s Got Talent.

She says: “It’ll be the ultimate dream to go all the way – I deserve my place in this fabulous competition, I’ve worked so hard to be here, and I want to prove to the nation that I can be the ultimate winner on this massive platform. Look at her, she’s an icon! But if I have to play dirty, to win the competition, I’ll play dirty, that said I’m a true professional, and I’m a very experienced lady!”

Mocha – 26, Essex

“Hello, my name is Mocha, and just like the coffee, I’ll give you the runs. I’m 26 years old, originally from Essex, I now live, breathe, and work the London scene. I’ve been doing drag for 10 years now, which is crazy because I’m only 26, so I started super young and I feel like I’m generation Ru.”

Mocha, who has auditioned for every season, describes herself as “a little bit kooky”, and loves looking “cartoonish” with a vintage and showgirl twist. “I’m both fashionable and funny,” she says. “I’m so blessed to be both because it means I’m sickening.”

Mocha has created looks for previous Drag Race UK queens including Tayris Mongardi and Pasty.

She adds: “I feel like it’s so rare to find the full package in someone, but I have the full package. I have studied this show for many years. I have an academic degree in Drag Raceology. I know what it takes to be a winner. This is the Hunger Games of Drag, 12 queens that enter, only one leaves, and I intend to be the Katniss Everdeen of Drag Race UK!”

Naya Thorn – 24, Dudley

“Good Thorning United Kingdom, my name is Naya Thorn. I am an Aquarius, fully thorned and prickly. For the past five years I’ve travelled the country establishing myself as a queen of very high standards.  Currently, I live in Manchester, but I did start dragging in Liverpool, where I saw, I came, and I conquered.”

Naya Thorn knows how to put on a show, promising her performances will “make you feel every emotion”.

She says: “I am very in touch with my chakras, and my chakras are telling me that this season’s going to be full of talent on thorns.”

Naya adds: “I think I should be the UK’s next Drag Race Superstar because I strive to be perfection. I’m giving you everything.”

Paris Baby – 27, Hastings

“What’s poppin’ ?! It’s Paris Baby and I’m the UK’s British Bajan Barbie! I’ve been doing drag for seven years, I’m known as a fierce lip syncer, whether it’s a trick, a split, a flip, a whip, a dip, I’ve got it down, and on top of that I’m a minx.”

Paris says she’s a “real villain”, adding that she’s “very outspoken” and “that person who says the things that everyone’s thinking”. She adds: “There’s no question about it, I am definitely the drama.” However, she says the biggest misconception about her is that she’s a “nasty, scary person”, when in reality she’s “very fun, playful”.

She takes inspiration from her mum’s side of the family, from Barbados, performing a lot of female rap and R&B – but she also draws from the 2000s, like Paris Hilton and Regina George.

Paris says: “There is nobody else in the UK that can do what I do, I can perform 60 numbers back-to-back, as long as I’ve got my wind machine, and my wig doesn’t come off, I’ll just keep going. I will definitely leave my mark, my impact, and Drag Race UK will forever be changed because of Paris Baby. Period.”

Tequila Thirst – 39, London

“The bar is open, and I’m Tequila Thirst! I’m a bubbly, bright, fun queen who is thirsty by name and thirsty by nature! I live in Chester, but I’m originally from North London.”

Host, singer and dancer Tequila Thirst loves colourful, bright dance outfits, as well as cartoons and anime.

She says her drag “is a ray of sunshine, who cannot be suppressed”.

Tequila says it would “mean so much” to win the crown, adding: “Tequila is a burst of energy and colour spreading joy and light to the world and winning would validate me and my drag. I want the whole world to know who she is. Tequila for Prime Minister, anybody?”

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

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But what does it mean?

Gym-goers are discovering that their penis can look significantly smaller after a workout.

Thankfully, it’s nothing to worry about. While it might look like you’ve shrunk post-workout, experts say it’s a completely normal bodily response.

According to Cleveland Clinic urologist Dr Raevti Bole, exercise activates the sympathetic nervous system, which can cause the muscles around the scrotum to contract and the testicles to move closer to the body.

Aesthetic nurse practitioner Chris Nustamante told the New York Post: “Many men experience some degree of temporary retraction while working out, but the amount varies dramatically. Some barely notice it. Others may feel like they are turtling, where the penis retracts closer to the body.”

And if you’ve ever noticed the same thing after getting into a cold swimming pool, there’s a similar explanation. Cold temperatures can also have a similar effect, potentially explaining why ‘gym penis’ is particularly noticeable in changing rooms and showers.

Nustamante assures: “Once your body cools down, your nervous system settles and blood flow redistributes, the penis typically returns to its usual flaccid appearance. For most men, that can happen within minutes to an hour after working out.”

When you should get it checked out

However, persistent changes to the penis or testicles should be checked by a medical professional. The NHS recommends speaking to a GP if you notice a new lump, swelling, change in appearance or persistent pain. You should also seek medical advice if you experience ongoing problems getting or maintaining an erection.

But, if you look down after a workout and notice you may have lost a centimetre or two, it’s typically nothing to worry about. It’s just your body reacting to your workout.

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

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On 24 July, Afualo shared a video of her The Comment Section podcast featuring non-binary Grey’s Anatomy star ER Fightmaster. It was originally posted on 2 April, 2025, as she explained in the description.

At one point in the episode, Fightmaster says: “My truest thought on this is I think trans women have a more beautiful understanding of what womanhood is.” The actor goes on to explain that they think cis women link their womanhood to their role or status in society, or their “ability to be sexually assaulted”.

Fightmaster brings up the trans bathroom debate, before adding: “It sounds like the problem we have is that men are going to rape, and women are fearing rape their whole lives.

“When you talk to trans women about their womanhood, they talk about it in such a beautiful, expansive way. ‘This feeling I’ve always had, this truth I’ve always known. This beautiful part of me.’ And I don’t feel that from cis women right now, because I think the propaganda is so strong. I love women, I’m obsessed with all women, and I want cis women to stop letting men be a barrier to their identity.”

Afualo agrees with Fightmaster throughout the clip, also mentioning her defence of trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney’s song “Days of Girlhood”.

The clip has caught backlash on social media after it was re-posted, which Afualo has now responded to.

In a TikTok video on 10 August, she said: “The video you guys are getting fake outraged over with my friend ER Fightmaster is over a year old. The fact you’re pretending to give a f*** now, means you guys saw one alt-right MAGA-loving creator make a video espousing TERF rhetoric, and now you wanna get clicks and likes too, which means you didn’t go and watch the episode. You didn’t do your own research, and that’s embarrassing.

“So I’ll go ahead and catch you up. The conversation being had is about how trans women most oftentimes identity with femininity and womanhood sometimes even better than cis women do. There’s an entire discussion to it, maybe you should go watch it before you pretend to get mad.

“Either way, saying it’s misogynistic to agree with a trans woman on what it means to be a woman, and then in your defence of that talking point saying things like ‘They don’t know what periods feel like’ or ‘They don’t know what childbirth feels like’ is really f****** stupid and embarrassing for multiple reasons.

“Overarching, though, it’s bigoted and transphobic. Ironically though, it’s also misogynistic. Reducing womanhood down to your uterus and what it does is quite literally a pillar in misogyny. It is quite literally a tenant of patriarchy – reducing women down to being able to have periods and create babies, is a huge misogynistic talking point. Weaponising it to invalidate trans women also makes you a transphobe.

“Believing in feminism unless trans women are included makes you a TERF. TERF stands for trans-exclusive radical feminist.”

She goes on: “All of that to say, what’s even funnier about these ridiculous videos being made mad at me is that ER is not a man. ER was assigned female at birth. ER is a non-binary, lesbian. ER knows all about periods because ER has had them before.

“You guys really need to work on taking 15 seconds and trying to go viral off of it. It’s f****** embarrassing and it’s annoying.

“My stance on supporting trans people has been consistent through the f****** years. If you followed me for real, you should f****** know that. My feminism is intersectional, unlike a lot of women who claim to be feminists when they make videos like that.

“This entire conversation is stupid, bigoted and transphobic. If you don’t like that I support trans women with my whole f****** chest, unfollow me then. It’s imperative cis women support trans women for f****** real, because I know I do.”

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Hathaway, who revealed she was expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman back in June, attended the world premiere of her upcoming film The End of Oak Street in Burbank, California, on Sunday (9 August), wearing low-waisted jeans and a flowing top that showed off her baby bump.

Photos from the event made their way online, where one X user made an unsolicited comment about her appearance the next day (10 August), asking: “Why does her belly look off?” alongside a collage of side-profile pictures of another woman’s progressing pregnancy.

Another X user was quick to reply underneath, writing: “She’s wearing a fake pregnancy stomach. She’s not pregnant nor is she a biological woman,” amongst others who wrote messages speculating on the validity of Hathaway’s pregnancy.

Later that day, Hathaway took to her Instagram to post a behind-the-scenes video showing her getting her hair and makeup done, as well as a glimpse into the premiere event itself. She cheekily wrote in the caption: “Fake hair, real bump.”

The term “transvestigating” – a mash-up of trans and investigating – refers to conspiracy theories that falsely claim individuals, typically women, are transgender and are hiding their “true” gender identity.

Celebrities, political figures and professional athletes have all been “accused” of being trans with no evidence other than the conspiracy theorists’ own warped, often misogynistic, view of femininity and gender.

Hathaway isn’t the only celebrity that’s been targeted online in this fashion lately. Earlier this year Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney was targeted by an X user who bizarrely claimed Sweeney was “actually a man” in a post sharing two photos of the actress in a black blazer.

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The proposed measure introduced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (AFT) would require trans people to list their sex assigned a birth on all paperwork when purchasing firearms, even if it conflicted with gender marker on their official ID.

Public comments about the new measure initially showed a number of citizens criticising the proposal, with some calling it “blatantly unconstitutional” and “government overreach”, according to The Advocate.

As the commenting period drew to a close towards the end of July, however, a huge spike in comments that overwhelmingly supported the measure and opposed trans rights appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

The volume of comments rose from around 1,000 per day to 1,800, and three days later more than half of the comments were in favour of the measure.

An investigation carried out by Assigned Media found that 96 percent of the comments showed signs of being “machine-generated”, and part of a “co-ordinated bot campaign”.

Kate Gray, a cybersecurity engineer who spotted the pattern while completing a sentiment analysis on the comments, shared their thoughts on the campaign.

“If I wanted to screw up astroturfing, it [still] wouldn’t be this bad,” Gray told Assigned Media. “If it was an organisation sending out [a template], what would happen is a lot of people would just copy-paste what they provided, and some people will modify a little or add things.”

Gray continued: “They will not do Mad Libs, where they pick this word and that word and that phrase, but with the exact same punctuation, with the exact same spelling, and with exactly one sense. That is statistically impossible.”

Assigned Media reported that other commenters also noticed a pattern, with one calling activity “clearly fraudulent”.

In the two-month period before the spike, most of the comments had been from trans people, allies and self-declared gun-rights supporters that opposed the ATF’s new proposal.

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The post MAGA fan caught using bots to skew support for anti-trans gun measure appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

New footage shown in the BBC true-crime series Murder 24/7 shows convicted killer Matthew Jonathan laughing during a police interview about the homophobic murder of Jamie Gawler.

Jonathan, 40, was jailed for 32 years for murdering Gawler, 54, who was found dead at his Hereford home after a days-long attack in January 2025.

In the interview shown in the two-part programme, sub-titled “Natural Born Killer”, a West Mercia Police detective asks Jonathan whether he was in possession of Gawler’s phone. Jonathan replies: “No comment.” When told the phone had been recovered, he says: “So? What’s it got to do with me?”

As the questioning continues, Jonathan tells the detective: “I ain’t accounting for s***.” He then begins laughing, prompting the officer to say: “You’re laughing. Why are you laughing? It’s not a laughing matter.” Jonathan later insists: “It might be a serious investigation but it’s nothing to do with me. Nothing to do with me, leave me alone. Leave me to just live my life.”

Evidence showed Jonathan filmed the attacks on his mobile phone and directed homophobic abuse at Gawler.

What happened?

Gawler became friendly with Jonathan, who has a tattoo reading “natural born killer” on his back, after meeting him at a night shelter in Hereford in December 2024, and offered him somewhere to stay over Christmas because it was cold outside. Jonathan had reportedly known him for about a month.

Gawler’s brother became concerned when he called his brother’s phone and a police officer answered. He tragically found his brother dead at home when he went to check on him.

After the killing, Jonathan fled Hereford and was traced to Wales after police followed his financial transactions. He was arrested in Porth by South Wales Police and transferred to Hereford for interview.

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Lougher said the videos recovered during the investigation were “the worst I’ve ever seen in my 22-year career. Extreme sadistic violence.” He added: “That’s the first time I’ve had to prevent members of the investigation team viewing evidence because they were that violent.”

Tributes to Jamie Gawler

In January 2025, Gawler’s family said in a statement, via West Mercia Police: “Jamie was a true gentleman and a very much-loved son, brother, uncle and friend. The family are devastated by his passing and will remember him as the kind, generous and funny man he was.”

After Jonathan was sentenced, they said in September 2025: “We would like to thank the West Mercia Police and prosecution team for their dedication and support in bringing this case to its conclusion.

“The last eight months have been extremely traumatic for our family as we try, in our own way, to process the loss of Jamie, our son, brother, uncle and friend to many. Our lives have been changed forever and today has been another difficult day having to revisit what happened, but we are glad that some justice has been achieved.

“Jamie will be forever in our hearts and remembered as the kind, funny and gentle man that he was.”

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The House and The Night Manager actor made his thoughts known while replying to an X post by Graham Linehan that was originally shared on 9 August.

“Firstly, f*** off; secondly no, I don’t believe men should compete against women. I thought I’d made that pretty clear. If you’d looked. But obviously you must get onto your next…” Laurie wrote. Linehan’s original post has since been deleted, and its content is unknown.

Linehan then quoted the Laurie’s post, adding: “Why ‘f*** off’ then? Just say that you support Sophie Cunningham in her fight for fair sports and stop trying to be arch.”

“You started it,” Laurie replied. “‘Cowardly’ to ‘f*** off’ is the going rate of exchange around here. And yes, I support Sophie Cunningham. And you, some of the time.”

Fans were disappointed in the replies, with one saying: “You can’t spell Hugh without ugh. How pathetic.”

Another said: “Oh. It was going so well.” A third added: “How dismaying. And I thought you were a nice guy too. Oh well.”

Sophie Cunningham made headlines recently when she shared her controversial thoughts surrounding trans inclusion in women’s sports.

In a series of recent comments, Cunningham declared she wants to “protect women’s sports”. The topic has been the centre of debate with President Donald Trump’s continued effort to block trans women and girls from female sports teams.

In a recent wide-ranging interview with ESPN, Cunningham shared that she feels qualified to speak on the topic of trans athletes as she’s a professional in the world of sports.

The 29-year-old plays in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a guard for the team Indiana Fever, nicknamed “MAGA Barbie”.

“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” she told the outlet. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest.”

She continued: “I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

The next day, speaking to reporters ahead of a game against Connecticut Sun, Cunningham addressed her ESPN comments.

“I think it’s kind of common sense. I think I’ll always believe in that,” she said. “I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. And so I’ll stand on what I said, and I’ll always believe that.”

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The actor, 36, shared the story on Monday’s episode of the Armchair Expert podcast, recalling how he took the initiative during a scene with Hardy, who played both Kray twins.

Egerton played Edward ‘Mad Teddy’ Smith, the real-life lover of Ronnie Kray.

“There was a scene where he murders someone and gets back in the car and I was in the back of the car waiting for him,” Egerton said.

“I grabbed his face, and I snogged him. And it wasn’t in the script.”

He admitted he immediately felt nervous and “backed off”, unsure how his co-star would react, but looking back believes Hardy “loved it”.

“At that time, I think he quite liked my chutzpah,” he added.

Egerton said the improvisation suited his role, which was designed to cut against the film’s macho world.

“We were depicting a bunch of guys in a hyper-masculine world playing gangsters, but I was playing his lover so my job was kind of to subvert it all,” he said.

Despite the pair playing lovers, their characters never actually kissed in the final cut of the film.

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Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) until 2022, shared a post on X on 7 August declaring he was a “WNBA prospect”. He wrote: “If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in WNBA.”

His post continued: “My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility critera and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion. Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027.”

WNBA rules on participation

According to the Associated Press, the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) bargaining agreement says “only player who are women are eligible” to play in the league, but does not use more specific language in terms of whether that includes trans women as well as cisgender women.

Freedom’s post went on: “I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions. I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices. I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone – the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for.”

His post garnered backlash in the replies, with one person writing: “There are currently 0 trans WNBA players. Creating a hysteria that doesn’t exist is your attempt to stay relevant. The NBA doesn’t want you, would’ve hoped you’d have better retirement goals than mocking the WNBA.”

Another said: “Imagine being this fragile that you have to punch down on women and trans people to make yourself feel better about being a s***** basketball player.”

Royce White wades in

Former NBA player Royce White, who retired in 2018, also declared on 7 August that he was making himself eligible for the WNBA draft.

He told Fox News: “I’m transgender. I’m a woman. I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball, professional basketball, so I’ll be declaring for the WNBA draft in 2027 as well.”

White went on: “I’m a young Black, hopefully United States Senator that would like a fair chance to participate as a sometimes-identifying-as-a-transgender-woman athlete.”

White later shared a photo of himself wearing a long-hair wig, saying: “This is my feminine era glow up, did I slay? If y’all don’t ‘yassss queen’ you’re transphobic. I really don’t understand all the hatred, I just want to play some hoops with my fellow ladies.”

Someone responded: “Trans people aren’t the problem, people like you are. Thanks for proving that to the world.”

The former sportsman previously described himself on X as “extremist, cis-male, sexist, misogynist, homophobic, transphobic”, claiming those were what social media users had labelled him. He has also said the LGBTQ+ community has a “pervasive effect” on society.

He ran for the Republican nomination for the United States House of Representatives in 2022 but was beaten by Cicely Davis. Then in 2024 he announced he would be running as a Republican for the US Senate in Minnesota. After losing his bid for the Senate, he said he would run again in 2026.

What is going on in the WNBA?

The anti-trans stunts come as the WNBA has come under scrutiny recently over discussions about transgender women competing.

Sophie Cunningham, who plays for Indiana Fever, has spoke in defence of excluding trans women from the sport, saying: “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest.”

She added, after saying she “does not hate” trans people, during an interview with ESPN: “I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

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The post NBA’s Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White pull anti-trans stunt over WNBA rules appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

On 7 August, the public prosecutor’s office confirmed that 71 men had been arrested and charged with “unnatural acts” amid the crackdown on same-sex relations, while 28 more had the charges against them dropped.

According to Africa News, some local celebrities have also been arrested on suspicion of homosexual acts and, in some cases, suspicion of deliberately transmitting HIV. However, the latter charges were dropped.

The new legislation was passed in March and signed into law by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye after being approved by the National Assembly with an overwhelming majority.

It doubled the maximum penalty for same-sex acts from five to 10 years in prison. The law also introduced prison sentences of between three and seven years for the “promotion” or “financing” of homosexuality.

In April, a Senegal court handed down the first conviction under the newly toughened anti-LGBTQ+ law. The court sentenced a 24-year-old man to six years in prison and a $3,300 fine. The case was an early sign of how quickly the harsher penalties are being enforced.

On 10 April, the man was convicted in Pikine-Guédiawaye, a suburb of Dakar, for “acts against nature and public indecency”, and sentenced to six years in prison.

Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué said the law has created a climate of “constant fear” for LGBTQ+ people in Senegal.

She said arrests have intensified “because now there is backing from the state apparatus.”

At the time of the arrest, Kojoué also said: “Criminalising same‑sex conduct and arresting people for their sexual orientation or gender expression violates multiple internationally protected rights, including to equality and nondiscrimination.”

Senegal is a majority-Muslim country in West Africa where same-sex sexual activity has long been criminalised under provisions often framed as “acts against nature”. LGBTQ+ people and those perceived to be LGBTQ+ have faced periodic waves of arrests, public outing, and mob harassment, with significant stigma and safety risks.

Human rights organisations have repeatedly criticised Senegal’s criminalisation framework as incompatible with international human rights protections.

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I Kissed A Girl star Pippa Palmer is launching a new LGBTQIA+ community app, Queer Connected, designed to help people find events, create local groups and match with new friends.

As per DIVA, Queer Connected is billed as a place for LGBTQIA+ people to make friends, find events, read about queer joy and launch their own meet-ups. Palmer, who is non-binary, said the idea grew out of their own experience of queer loneliness and the anxiety of turning up to spaces alone without an existing friendship circle.

“I had always searched ‘how to make queer friends’, but I could never see an easy, clear way to do it,” Palmer said.

They also described how difficult it can be to discover events if you are not already plugged into the right social media feeds: “I’ve tried to find events and massively struggled. Unless you’re following them on Instagram or happen to have it on your TikTok feed, a lot of the time you will never find these events.”

A key feature is a UK-wide listings section promoting FLINTA* (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans, and Agender) events in one place. The app also includes a group page where users can create local meet-ups, from a yoga class to a book group, alongside a friend-matching service similar to Bumble BFF.

From loneliness to local groups

Palmer said they grew up in a predominantly straight, heteronormative area and did not have access to a queer friendship group. “I didn’t have any queer friends until a year and a half ago, when I moved to East London. I met some queer friends by hosting this dinner party. It wasn’t until I’d made those friends that I realised just how important these friendships are,” they said.

Palmer appeared on the BBC’s queer women and non-binary dating series I Kissed A Girl, and is still with their partner from the show now.

Launch date and waitlist

Palmer encouraged people to take the initiative when community feels out of reach: “Just do it. Sometimes, when finding your own queer community, you need to make that first step,” adding: “As soon as you find one or two queer friends, it’s such a snowball.”

They said early response has been strong. “Everyone who’s commented has said how needed they think the app is. There are already 1,000 people on the waitlist,” they said. People can find out more via @queerconnected_. Queer Connected launches on 15 August.

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Streeting, who is gay, was appointed to Andy Burnham’s cabinet on 20 July after Keir Starmer’s resignation in July, becoming one of three out LGBTQ+ ministers in the new government.

Speaking at an event at the Edinburgh Fringe last week, Streeting said he believes some people “cannot cope with the idea” of a gay man overseeing the Ministry of Defence.

Streeting also addressed the significance of his appointment, saying it represents a dramatic change from the treatment LGBTQ+ people once faced within Britain’s armed forces.

“I am proud of the fact that in my lifetime we’ve gone from gay people not being allowed to serve in the military to a gay defence secretary,” he said, as per ITV News.

Streeting also recalled a gay colleague at the Ministry of Defence telling him during his first week on the job that having Britain’s first out gay defence secretary meant a great deal to people who remembered those “bad old days”.

The UK’s military “gay ban”, which was introduced in the ‘50s, remained in place until 2000, meaning out LGBTQ+ people were prohibited from serving in the British armed forces. The policy had a devastating impact on generations of LGBTQ+ service personnel, many of whom faced dismissal, investigations and discrimination because of their sexuality.

The Ministry of Defence has since formally acknowledged the harm caused by the ban and established the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme for former LGBTQ+ service personnel affected by the policy.

As such, Streeting’s appointment carries a particular symbolism. Just 26 years after the ban was lifted, an out gay man is responsible for the department overseeing Britain’s armed forces, including national security policy, military operations and the country’s nuclear deterrent.

His new role comes after almost two years as health secretary under Starmer. Streeting resigned from Starmer’s government in May after saying he had lost confidence in his leadership. During his time as health secretary, he was considered by some to be a controversial figure within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly over the government’s restrictions on puberty blockers for trans under-18s.

Streeting has recently returned from his first visit to Ukraine as defence secretary, where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky and discussed the UK’s support for Ukraine and European security.

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In the episode, which aired on 5 July, guest contributor Farrow, a Catholic journalist and Manager in Campaigns Global for CitizenGO, a platform “defending life, family, and freedom”, said: “The problem is that Pride is not about gay rights. It has become about celebrating every single sexuality that isn’t heterosexuality, including some very bizarre and unhealthy kinks and quirks, you know, like furries and bestiality and even minor attracted, they call themselves, minor attracted people. Paedophiles.”

She was on with former Lib Dem councillor Mathew Hulbert, who could be heard responding: “Not at all.”

Host Armstrong, who is gay himself, added: “I went to Pride last year and filmed it for GB News. Actually, I would say the overwhelming amount of people at Pride were there for good reasons. I don’t think it was full of paedophiles and everything, I’m sure there are nefarious people.”

Since its broadcast, the moment has been hit with more than 12,000 complaints to Ofcom, setting a new record for a GB News show.

According to The Guardian, Ofcom has now launched an investigation into the episode.

At the time, GB News said in a statement: “These comments were expressed within a live debate by a contributor. They were her own views, and do not reflect the views or editorial position of GB News. Anyone watching the debate would have noted the comments were robustly and repeatedly challenged by two other contributors. GB News takes its responsibilities as a regulated broadcaster seriously and complies with all of its obligations under the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.”

PinkNews has contacted GB News for further comment.

Alex Armstrong’s response

After a social media campaign calling for people to lodge complaints with Ofcom, Alex Armstrong responded to the backlash in a later episode of his show.

He said: “Comments made by guests last weekend conflated gay pride with the celebration of paedophilia. This is an age-old gay trope that’s been used over a number of years to demonise and slander gay people. And as I said to the guest during that segment, it is a statement I fundamentally reject and have not witnessed when attending Pride myself.

“The debate we were meant to be having was around whether or not Pride was suitable for children. Those comments by guests had no place in that discussion, and in my opinion, were lazy and offensive arguments that don’t reflect my views or the views of this channel, where many LGBT people also work.”

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