The number of kidnappings linked to popular gay hookup site Grindr is increasing in South Africa, The Washington Blade noted. Queer sex workers are the ones who are particularly vulnerable to these kidnappings. They are often robbed and attacked by people who pose as potential clients, but do not report the crimes because they are afraid law enforcement will ridicule them.
Taiwan blamed “political considerations” for the cancellation of WorldPride 2025 Taiwan after it said the organizers had insisted the word “Taiwan” be removed, NBC News reported. Taiwan participates in global organizations like the Olympics as “Chinese Taipei” to avoid political problems with China. Taiwan’s southern city of Kaohsiung was slated to host WorldPride 2025 Taiwan after winning the right from global LGBTQ rights group InterPride.
Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina—who recently made news for coming out as a lesbian—won the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic tournament to San Jose, California, with a dramatic 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-2 comeback victory of U.S. player Shelby Rogers, ESPN reported. Now, her first title this year and fifth overall will propel her back into the latest top-10 rankings—and No. 10 is her previous career best. She became the first player to make consecutive finals in the event since Serena Williams in 2011-12 and earned her first title since last year’s win in St. Petersburg.
In the United Kingdom, reports of LGBT hate crimes have risen by more than 50% in the West in two years, the BBC noted. Figures from three police forces reveal a total increase from 712 reported incidents in 2019, to 1,109 in 2021. The figures were released following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request into Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire police forces.
Cameron Bailey, CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), announced that the ensemble cast of My Policeman—Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, Gina McKee, Linus Roache, David Dawson and Rupert Everett—will be honored with the TIFF Tribute Award for Performance. Now in its fourth year, the TIFF Tribute Awards presented by BVLGARI will return to an in-person gala fundraiser during the 47th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, Sept. 11, at Fairmont Royal York Hotel. As previously announced, My Policeman, by director Michael Grandage, will have its world premiere at this year’s festival.
Jonathan Danilowitz—an El Al in-flight manager who won a landmark legal battle against the national airline to recognize his same-sex partner as his common-law spouse—died in his home at Protea Hills retirement community near Jerusalem at the age of 77 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, The Jerusalem Post noted. A former chairman of The Aguda—Israel’s LGBT Task Force, the South African-born Danilowitz was awarded Tel Aviv’s Yakir Ha’ir in 2020 in recognition of his LGBTQ+-rights activism.
Issey Miyake—who built one of Japan’s biggest fashion brands and was known for his boldly sculpted pleated pieces as well as former Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ black turtlenecks—died of liver cancer at age 84, USA Today noted. Miyake’s origami-like pleats transformed usually crass polyester into chic, and he also used computer technology in weaving to create apparel that complemented all sizes.
World of Wonder announced that casting is open for three new international editions of RuPaul’s Drag Race set in Brazil, Mexico and Germany, Out Magazine noted. A Brazilian version of Drag Race has been rumored for a very, very long time. However, the series has faced several production delays over the years according to local trade publications. Interested individuals should visit http://worldofwonder.com/casting.
Queer Australian pop artist Hallie (they/she) has shared their latest single, “Do It,” a press release noted. Of the song, she said, “I wrote ‘Do it’ about trying to get into the swing of dating again and the child-like nerves of flirting. I was experiencing loneliness while simultaneously wanting to explore my sexuality and make new connections. I find that stage just as exciting as it is scary and confronting and this song is me being honest with how I was feeling and giving myself a push toward exploring those crushes.” The music video is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-fM5Xab-oA&feature=youtu.be.
Oscar-nominated, Cannes Palme d’Or-winning Danish director Lars von Trier has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, according to Deadline. Trier’s long-time producer Louise Vesth said Trier would continue to work on his upcoming series The Kingdom Exodus, the third and final installment of his rebooted 1990s cult supernatural TV show The Kingdom, which is due to have its world premiere in Venice at the end of August.