LGBTQI+ advocacy group Rightify Ghana stated that anti-LGBTQ+ violence has broken out in northern and northwestern Ghana, according to Erasing 76 Crimes. LGBTQ+ individuals are allegedly being subjected to physical attacks, eviction and death threats as well as media-led defamation and economic sabotage. Tamale and Wa have reportedly become the most dangerous places for LGBTQI+-rights defenders in the African country. Among other developments, Prince Abayema, a journalist from Wa-based Tungsung Radio, led a campaign of hate speech and media incitement against the LGBTQ+ community. Rightify Ghana is urging for the amplification of stories as well as relocation, legal aid and trauma care.
Groups are challenging a police investigation into an LGBTQ+ sexual-health workshop in Malaysia, refuting claims that it could offend Islam or threaten public order, The South China Morning Post reported. In Malaysia, Islam is the state religion, with Islamic authorities empowered to regulate Muslim affairs and enforce religious mores through the sharia court system. Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said the closed-door workshop—slated for mid-June but now indefinitely postponed—was being investigated under the Penal Code for causing “disharmony or ill will” on religious grounds; it was also been analyzed through the prism of the Communications and Multimedia Act, a law commonly used to restrict online expression. Critics called the police action another example of overreach by authorities.
Donations from readers of Erasing 76 Crimes freed a lesbian couple who had been imprisoned in Cameroon on homosexuality charges for almost eight months. The women are two of 12 innocent victims of African homophobia that the media outlet’s Project Not Alone seeks to set free this year. Fleur and Wanda (pseudonyms) were convicted last fall and sentenced to six months in prison; they were eligible for release March 30, but remained in Cameroon’s Bertoua Prison because they could not pay fines totaling about $1,000. The couple walked free on May 26.
A trans theater company is staging the gender-bending Shakespearean production Twelfth Night this summer in London—and the play will receive an introduction from none other than LGBTQ+ actor Sir Ian McKellen, according to Them. Trans What You Will—which is dedicated to staging Shakespeare plays with trans and nonbinary performers—will produce the staged reading at The Space in London on July 25. In a statement posted to Trans What You Will’s Instagram, McKellen called Twelfth Night “perhaps the funniest and most moving of Shakespeare’s plays.” Additionally, Trans What You Will is crowdfunding for production costs, and any profit generated will be donated to the UK-based organization Not a Phase.
Conservative historian Karol Nawrocki—who has been inspired by from U.S. President Donald Trump—won Poland’s presidential election. According to Sky News, Nawrocki secured 50.89% of votes while his opponent, Liberal pro-EU candidate Rafal Trzaskowski, garnered 49.11%. Trzaskowski had promised to ease abortion restrictions, introduce civil partnerships for LGBTQ+ couples and promote constructive ties with European partners; however, Nawrocki positioned himself as a defender of traditional values. This runoff followed a tightly contested first round of voting in May that saw Trzaskowski win just more than 31% and Nawrocki nearly 30%, eliminating 11 other candidates.
According to PinkNews, 20 EU countries have called for a response to Hungary’s law banning LGBTQ+ Pride marches. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán signed the measure in March after it was submitted to parliament by his ruling Fidesz party. In a joint statement, the EU governments said they were “deeply concerned by recent legislative and constitutional amendments infringing on the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ+ persons which were adopted by the Hungarian parliament.” Signatories included representatives of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) criticized a statement published on May 18 by Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the Northern Region of the National Citizens Party (NCP) of Bangladesh, on his verified Facebook page, per Erasing 76 Crimes. Alam referred to the LGBTQ+ community as “mentally ill” and “cancer to society.” The NCP—formed from the anti-discrimination student movement and currently backed by Bangladesh’s interim government under Chief Advisor and Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus—has increasingly issued hate speech through its leadership.
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) announced a new organizational partnership with Signature Travel Network®, via a press release. As an IGLTA organizational partner, members of the Signature Travel Network will receive a 15% discount on IGLTA membership, expanding their access to the association’s international community of LGBTQ+ welcoming businesses and travelers. “This partnership is a natural step forward in bringing more inclusive experiences to LGBTQ+ travelers around the world,” said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella. “Signature’s strong advisor network and commitment to responsible, personalized travel align with IGLTA’s mission to connect the LGBTQ+ community with businesses that genuinely welcome and support them. We’re excited to grow this relationship in the year ahead.”
The Pew Research Center released an update on marriage equality around the world. Since the first same-sex marriages were legally recognized in the Netherlands in 2001, nearly 40 other jurisdictions—mostly in Europe and the Americas—have approved marriage equality. This year, Thailand and Liechtenstein joined the list. The update also includes facts about each country/district: For example, about half of Brazil’s 27 jurisdictions had allowed same-sex marriage until a court ruling made it legal nationwide; and that legislation in Germany passed after then-Chancellor Angela Merkel said members of her ruling Christian Democratic Union should vote their conscience even though the party formally opposed same-sex marriage.
GayCities noted that a gay man crafted the most famous church in the world: the Sistine Chapel—or at least the artwork decorating its walls and ceilings. That (reportedly) gay man was no less than the iconic artist Michelangelo, and there are many conspiracy theory threads on the internet about the artist, most notably that he was a closeted atheist. Michelangelo discussed his same-sex feelings in poetry and even used Tommaso de’ Cavalieri—for whom he reportedly had feelings—as subject matter. The British Museum has shown an exhibition of Michelangelo’s later graphic works, and The Guardian described them as a sublime demonstration of gay love in art.
A mistrial was declared regarding seven health professionals accused of negligence in the death of anti-LGBTQ+ Argentinian soccer superstar Diego Maradona, ESPN noted. The judges ruled there would be a new trial, without specifying when. The decision came after Julieta Makintach—one of the three judges overseeing the trial—stepped down over criticism surrounding her participation in a forthcoming documentary about the case, Divine Justice, which spans the aftermath of Maradona’s death to the start of the trial. The case accuses Maradona’s medical team of failing to provide adequate care for him in the weeks leading up to Nov. 25, 2020, when, at age 60, Maradona died from cardiac arrest while recovering from surgery for a blood clot in his brain. According to Marca, Maradona once said, “It is better that [gay men] exist because they leave more women free for those who are really macho.”
Queer Austrian singer JJ—who won this year’s Eurovision Song Contest—said that he wants Israel banned from the competition when it is held in his home country in 2026, according to PinkNews. “It’s very disappointing to see Israel still participating in the competition,” winner JJ told Spanish newspaper El País. “I would like Eurovision to be held in [Austria’s capital city of] Vienna next year, without Israel. But the ball is in the EBU’s [European Broadcasting Union’s] court. We, the artists, can only speak out on the matter.” While this year’s Eurovision entrants were barred from speaking negatively about other participating delegates during the contest, they are free to share their opinions now that the glass trophy has been won. More than 70 former Eurovision stars signed an open letter ahead of the 2025 contest calling for Israel to be banned from taking part, while last year’s winner for Switzerland, Nemo, said it “doesn’t make sense” for the country to still be part of the Eurovision line-up.
Ahead of the Britain’s Got Talent finals, Jasmine Rice LaBeija—a Juilliard-trained opera singer and celebrated New York City drag performer—talked about several topics with The Queer Review, according to a GLAAD press release. Among other things, LaBeija said, “I tried to keep drag and opera separate because I thought opera was something serious, something proper—and drag was this raunchy, underground artform. But I realized drag is just as valid. Opera is creative, dramatic, campy—wigs, makeup, performance. It’s not that different. And when I started to sing in drag, that’s when doors started opening. That’s when I found community. I am the result of that support.” She added about drag queens, “We’re not your problem. Most people haven’t even met a drag queen unless they’re an ally or go to drag shows. We are artists. We are here to entertain and bring joy, love, and emotion.” LaBeija placed sixth out of 11 finalists in the show’s 18th season.
In an open interview with The Times, out gay British Olympic medal-winning diver Tom Daley discussed something many queer folks will find familiar: the lifelong battle with body image, according to Instinct. Daley’s documentary 1.6 Seconds, on Discovery+, covers sport but also identity, grief, bullying, pressure and the struggle for self-acceptance in a world obsessed with perfection. “I hate the way I look,” Daley confessed. “I’ve always had such horrible body issues going through my diving career. Now I’m not an athlete that trains six hours a day, I especially hate it.”
LGBTQ+ actor Ncuti Gatwa is leaving Doctor Who, according to Variety. In the climax of the May 31 finale of the show’s 14th series, Gatwa’s Doctor regenerates into Billie Piper, who previously played companion Rose Tyler in series one (2005) and two (2006). However, it is not technically confirmed that Piper will be the next Doctor. Gatwa—who made history as the first openly queer Black actor to take on the role—led the show alongside companions Millie Gibson and Varada Sethu, with LGBTQ+ series stalwart Russell T Davies as showrunner, writer and executive producer. Rumors have been swirling about Gatwa’s potential departure since before the show’s second-season premiere in April, but intensified with ratings down from last season.
World of Wonder (WOW) announced, via a press release, the queens competing for the crown in season two of Drag Race Brasil. The series will premiere July 10 exclusively on WOW Presents Plus, and will reach audiences in 190 territories. Contestants will include Adora Black, Bhelchi, Chanel, DesiRée Beck, Melina Blley, Mellody Queen, Mercedez Vulcão, Paola Hoffmann Van Cartier, Poseidon Drag and Ruby Nox. Rio de Janeiro native Organzza won the initial season.
Koby Falks—a gay Australian adult-film star legally named Anthony Cox—reportedly died at age 42, The Advocate noted. Despite only being active for three years in the industry, Falks was credited in as many as 76 projects during that period—all of which were released through RawFuckClub or independently through his OnlyFans page. Most of the scenes featuring Falks paired him with his real-life partner, Sam Brownell, who later posted “I will love you always” on Instagram Stories. Falks’ death followed that of U.S. adult film star Colton Ford, who passed away at the age of 62 in May.
AJ Bediako—a member of the original Brit Crew on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK—has also reportedly died, per Yahoo! Life. Bediako was also a personal fitness trainer, actor and model, and played with the gay and inclusive basketball team London Knights. “Last night at training, we came together to remember AJ and hold space for each other. We send our deepest condolences to his family, his partner Gabe, our teammates, his friends and everyone who was lucky enough to know him,” the team wrote.
The cast for The Real Housewives of London has been revealed, per Variety. Juliet Angus, Amanda Cronin, Karen Loderick-Peace, Juliet Mayhew, Panthea Parker and Nessie Welschinger will make up the initial cast. The series, set to launch on Hayu later this year, is the NBCUniversal reality streamer’s first-ever original commission. The news of The Real Housewives of London casting comes after Bravo announced that it is rebooting Ladies of London, which ran on the network from 2014 to 2017.