ILGA-Europe released its annual Rainbow Europe Map that ranks countries across the continent regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Among the findings were that only 10 countries ban conversion practices (with Belgium, Cyprus, Iceland, Norway and Portugal barring the practice this year), only six countries recognize trans parenthood and that 18 countries lack legal protection for same-sex partnerships. Also, 27 countries have sexual orientation and gender identity as criteria for seeking asylum—and only six countries protect intersex asylum-seekers. Malta led all countries with a score of 87.83%, with Iceland (83.01%) and Belgium (78.47%) in second and third, respectively; the bottom three were Turkey (4.75%), Azerbaijan (2.25%) and Russia (2.00%).
In an update to regulations that are being reviewed, the UK’s Conservative government has directed schools in England to prohibit discussion of gender identity in schools and restrict sex education for children younger than 9, per The Los Angeles Blade. LGBTQ+-rights activists and other critics are already comparing the guidance to the Thatcher-era Section 28, which banned discussion of homosexuality in all schools across the UK from 1988 until it was repealed in England and Wales in 2003 and in Scotland in 2000.
In Argentina, authorities arrested 10 police officers and charged them with murdering transgender woman Sofia Fernandez in 2023, The Washington Blade reported. Ignacio Fernandez, a lawyer who represents Sofia’s family, told the Blade “the lack of confidence in the initial prosecutor and the need to recuse him marked the beginning of an arduous but vital legal battle.” The legal and forensic teams faced many challenges that included coordination with culturally competent prosecutors and the analyses of thousands of pieces of data on cellphones.
In Canada, Queer Citizens United YYC—a group representing 14 Pride societies in the province of Alberta—has banned the United Conservative Party and Premier Danielle Smith from 2024 Pride events, CBC News reported. The group said the ban is a response to changes Smith promised earlier this year to the province’s gender policies for children and youth, stating, “You may not join our celebrations in June when you plan to attack us in September. Queer rights should not be a political decision. Trans rights are human rights.” Smith announced new rules that would, among other things, put minimum legal age limits on surgeries and hormone therapies for transgender youth and require parental notification—and permission, depending on the student’s age—if a student wants to change their name or pronoun at school. In a statement, the United Conservative party said it supported and celebrated all Alberta residents.
Protests took place in Peru after a government decree classified trans, non-binary and intersex people as mentally ill, PinkNews reported. Activists demonstrated in front of the country’s health ministry on May 17—the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)—to demand the government repeal the decree. The decree, which Peru President Dina Boluarte signed, sparked uproar, with OutfestPeru director Jheinser Pacaya previously posting on X/Twitter that the South American country’s transgender community will not rest until it is repealed.
Queer Canadian rapper/DJ/producer Kaytranada announced Timeless, his third full-length album set for release on June 7 via RCA Records, per a press release. The album is the follow-up to Bubba, his 2019 Grammy-winning project for Best Dance/Electronic Album that features “10%,” the single that won Best Dance Electronic Recording at the 2021 Grammys. Some of the other tracks (regular and bonus) include “Seemingly,” “Dance Dance Dance Dance,” “Witchy” (featuring Childish Gambino) and “Out of Luck” (featuring Mariah The Scientist).
New Zealand actor James Laurenson, who made LGBTQ+ history in 1970, passed away recently, according to Instinct Magazine. Homosexuality was decriminalized in the UK in 1967 and just three years later James made history by sharing the first televised gay kiss in the country’s history in Edward II—with Sir Ian McKellen. In recent years, he appeared in hit AMC series The Terror on AMC and the Netflix show The Crown. Laurenson, who identified as straight, was 84.
In Spain, coinciding with Torremolinos Pride, SUR is launching its new edition of SIX, the newspaper’s own magazine dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. However, the big milestone of this publication is that its scope has widened beyond the province to include the entire region of Andalucía as well. Although Torremolinos is the starting point for the community both in Andalucía and Spain, all the provinces of the region will be well represented in SIX.
The WNBA’s first franchise outside the United States will be in Toronto, with the expansion team set to begin play in 2026, the AP reported. “Growing internationally, I’ve been trying to think through next steps on a global platform,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told the AP ahead of the official announcement. The Larry Tanenbaum-led Kilmer Sports Ventures is paying $50 million for the team. Toronto will be the WNBA’s 14th team, with the San Francisco-based expansion Golden State Valkyries set to start play next year.
British TV presenter Narinder Kaur spoke out after an upskirt photograph of her was shared on conservative activist/former actor Laurence Fox’s Twitter/X account, PinkNews noted. Kaur stated that since the incident, when she posts on social media she is bombarded with new copies of the image, which she described as “like being assaulted every day, every time I tweet or go online.” Upskirting became a criminal offense in 2019 under the Voyeurism (Offences) Act; the Metropolitan Police are carrying out inquiries, according to The Independent. This latest controversy followed Fox having to pay 180,000 pounds ($229,000) to former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Crystal after he called them pedophiles on social media.
Mali international and Monaco soccer player Mohamed Camara was spotted wearing a shirt with tape covering a badge supporting the LGBTQ+ community during a match, per PinkNews. The badge on his shirt, with the word “homophobie” —French for homophobia—with a red cross through it, was obscured. Both team’s players were asked to participate in a pre-match photograph standing behind a banner supporting the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)—but Camara opted out of the picture. Monaco coach Adi Hütter told France24, “I would like to say that we, as a club, support the operation organized by the league. For his part, it was a personal initiative. There will be an internal discussion with him about this situation.”
I Am Celine Dion—an in-depth documentary about the iconic Canadian singer—will debut globally on Prime Video on June 25, a press release noted. The release stated that the film “gives us a raw and honest behind-the-scenes look at the iconic superstar’s struggle with a life-altering illness. Serving as a love letter to her fans, this inspirational documentary highlights the music that has guided her life while also showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.” The trailer is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzV4mSZPke0.
British actress/writer Michaela Coel is no longer developing a series with connections to her smash BBC/HBO hit I May Destroy You, per Deadline. I May Destroy You EP Phil Clarke said Coel had played with various ideas for what was loosely termed I May Destroy You 2 before deciding against going further. Premiering just after the pandemic began in summer 2020, I May Destroy You was a generation-defining hit. Loosely based on Coel’s experience of sexual assault and starring Coel and Paapa Essiedu, it followed a young writer in the public eye who seeks to rebuild her life after being raped. Since I May Destroy You, Coel, who identifies as aromantic, has starred in projects such as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Amazon’s Mr & Mrs. Smith remake.
World of Wonder announced the 13 queens competing for the crown in season two of Drag Race México, per a press release. The series will premiere on June 20 exclusively on WOW Presents Plus, and will reach audiences in 190 territories. The competitors will include Ava Pocket, Elektra Vandergeld, Eva Blunt, Garconne, Horacio Potasio, Ignus Ars, Jenary Bloom, Leexa Fox, Luna Lansman, Maria Bonita, Nina de la Fuente, Suculenta and Unique. Drag Race France alum Lolita Banana and Queen of the Universe season-two winner Taiga Brava will co-host.
Grammy-winning and multi-platinum Canadian artist Nelly Furtado released her new single—“Love Bites,” featuring Tove Lo and SG Lewis—via Nelstar/21 Entertainment/Casablanca Records/Republic Records, a press release noted. “I felt called back to music from the DJ community,” said Furtado. “DJs were remixing my songs at concerts, clubs, and on social media, and I realized how much people like to dance and escape to my music. It’s the healthiest vice you can have, and I love the opportunity to write music that lets people escape more than anything.” Furtado is slated to perform at several festivals this year, including Mighty Hoopla (London), Forbidden Fruit Festival (Dublin), Electric Forest (Michigan) and HARD Summer (Los Angeles), among others.