NOTE: This week’s column contains graphic details of a crime.
The UK publication The Independent released its list of Pride changemakers. Topping this year’s list was Dr. Victoria McCloud, Britain’s first trans judge who plans to take the UK government to the European Court of Human Rights for violating Article 6 of her human rights. Some of the others on the list included advocate Dr. Phyll Opoku-Gyimah (also fondly known as Lady Phyll); trans activist Juno Dawson; actors Bella Ramsey, Ncuti Gatwa, Jonathan Bailey and Emma Corrin; multi-hypenate Cynthia Erivo; controversial Health Secretary Wes Stressing (who has expressed anti-trans views); the late RuPaul’s Drag Race UK alum The Vivienne; and swimmer Tom Daley; and activist Ubaid-ul Rehman. Previous Pride lists have included individuals such as presenter Graham Norton and fashion editor Edward Enninful.
Air Canada (Canada’s largest airline) launched its first-ever flight staffed by all-2SLGBTQIA+ staff in order to celebrate Pride Month, PinkNews noted. A video of the voyage was posted to Air Canada’s social media, with the caption: “Our first all-2SLGBTQIA+ flight was a heartfelt celebration reflecting our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equality, in the air and on the ground.” The flight kicked off with the pilot telling the passengers: “Shantay, you all stay” —a reference to RuPaul’s classic catchphrase.
To celebrate Pride Month, Billboard Latin compiled a list of LGBTQ+ Latinx artists “we’re obsessed with,” according to the publication. Just some of the individuals include Chilean artist Alex Anwandter; Brazilian superstar Anitta; Venezuelan-born trans woman EMMA; Javiera Mena, who has released songs such as “La Isla de Lesbos”); Ecuadorian pop artist Johann Vera; Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Kany García; Brazilian queer icon Ludmilla; Cuban act Musteerifa; Peruvian singer-songwriter Nicole Zignago; Mexican-American singer-songwriter-actor Omar Apollo; Spanish singer Pablo Alborán; Mexican electrocumbia singer Remix; and hip-hop artist Snow Tha Product.
Toronto is now home to Canada’s first Rainbow Registered residential rental—a new complex from Hazelview Properties, Toronto Life noted. Created by Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, Rainbow accreditation is given to organizations that meet high standards of inclusion and safety for queer and trans people. Among other things, as part of its registration, Hazelview’s future residence will train every on-site worker about issues such as unconscious bias, pronoun usage and inclusive language. The complex includes two buildings: a new 38-story tower and a revitalized 10-story mid-rise—together offering 336 units and more than 15,000 square feet of shared amenities.
Also regarding Toronto, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) announced that Destination Toronto has joined as the association’s newest global partner, a press release noted. Toronto is home to a thriving queer community, diverse cultural programming and neighborhoods, and iconic events such as Pride Toronto—the second largest Pride festival in the world. “Partnerships like this remind us that the values of inclusion and human connection transcend borders,” said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella (he/him). “Destination Toronto’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion reinforces the power of travel to build bridges and celebrate diversity on a global scale.” Destination Toronto is also the proud sponsor of the IGLTA Foundation Impact Award, which will be presented at the 2025 IGLTA Global Convention in Palm Springs.
Canada Post released a lineup of stamps called “Places of Pride,” per the Daily Hive Vancouver. One of the sites honored is Calgary’s first gay bar, Club Carousel, which opened its doors on March 20, 1970; during a time where it was deeply unsafe to be queer, the club provided a vital source of community for Calgary’s 2SLGBTQ+ population. Another honoree is the 3rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering; taking place in Manitoba in 1990, the term “two-spirit” was introduced there. Other “Places of Pride” include Toronto’s Hanlan’s Point Beach, which hosted the 1971 Gay Day Picnic, considered the first major gathering of queer people in Canada; and the Montreal gay bar Truxx, which was the site of a 1977 police raid that led to the adoption of the first law in Canada prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Openly gay ex-TV presenter and former MEP David Bull has been named Reform UK’s new chairman, replacing Zia Yusuf, who resigned, according to PinkNews. Speaking at a press conference in Westminster, party leader Nigel Farage said Bull would bring “terrific verve, energy, enthusiasm” to the right-wing party, and “give leadership to that volunteer army out there.” Bull said he was honored to take on the job, telling Radio 5 Live, “Part of my role will be to go around and make sure I can keep morale high.” Yusuf resigned days after newly elected Reform MP Sarah Pochin called on prime minister Keir Starmer to ban the burka, the full-body garment worn by some Muslim women, “in the interests of public safety.” Yusuf called the ban “dumb.”
The World Bank is ending a ban on loans to Uganda that it issued two years ago when the country passed a harsh anti-LGBTQ+ law, the BBC noted. Since that law was passed, hundreds of people have been evicted from their homes, subjected to violence or arrested because of their sexuality, according to Uganda’s Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum. However, the World Bank said it is confident that new “mitigation measures” will allow it to roll out funding in such a way that does not harm or discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. “The World Bank cannot deliver on its mission to end poverty and boost shared prosperity on a liveable planet unless all people can participate in, and benefit from, the projects we finance, ” a spokesman told the AFP news agency.
An anonymous employee has accused online RPG RuneScape and British-based Old School RuneScape developer Jagex of “catering to American conservatism” by rolling back its annual in-game Pride Month events, according to PinkNews. In 2013, following community feedback, Jagex launched Old School RuneScape (OSRS), a version of the game based on a 2007 backup of RuneScape. RuneScape and OSRS have become important to LGBTQ+ gamers, with the games being known as queer refuges; also, Jagex has run Pride Month events. However, PinkNews saw evidence of internal conflict and division between the company’s management and many of its staff around this year’s Pride Month content. In April, shortly after new CEO Jon Bellamy was installed, he posted a message on the company’s internal message board stating that RuneScape and Old School RuneScape would not run any 2025 Pride Month content, so that developers could focus more on “what players wanted.”
The Outlook Traveller profiled five LGBTQIA+ museums around the world that are preserving queer history. The venues include The Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives (Melbourne); GLBT Historical Society & Museum (San Francisco); IHLIA LGBT Heritage (Amsterdam); The ArQuives (Toronto); and Schwules Museum (Berlin). Regarding The ArQuives—which has been nationally backed since 1973—“ is its unparalleled collection of physical artefacts. From LGBTQIA+ flags to posters and ephemera, these tangible treasures bring to life the dynamic spirit of activism and celebration. Aside from its extensive collection of relics, The ArQuives also organizes walking tours, showcase events and presentations [as well as] seasonal exhibitions.”
LGBTQ+ Russian-turned-Australian pro tennis player Daria Kasatkina and Natalia Zabiiako revealed on Instagram that they’re getting married, according to Tennis. The couple shared the big news as Coco Gauff was defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open women’s final. Since officially debuting as a couple in 2022, Kasatkina and the former Olympic figure skater have been fan favorites, both for living their truth and their behind-the-scenes vlog series (“What the Vlog?”) that chronicles life on the tennis tour. Kasatkina reached the fourth round at the French Open in her first Grand Slam appearance since she switched sporting nationalities in March.
Non-binary Australian singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist G Flip has returned with a queer new single titled “Big Ol’ Hammer,” per a press release. G Flip has also unveiled an official music video (with queer comedian/actress Fortune Feimster and some comedic outtakes) that was directed by Anne-Sophie Bine for the track. “This is probably the queerest song I’ve ever written. This song is about the feeling of putting on a tool belt with a big ol’ hammer—it’s camp, tongue-in-cheek, fun and not to be taken too seriously. When I wrote it, I immediately knew I wanted to release it during Pride,” said G Flip.
Anna Emma Haudal’s lesbian rom-com The Venus Effect (Venuseffekten)—featuring The Killing‘s Sofie Gråbøl—is now available to view on streaming platforms internationally, per a press release. The plot is described thusly: “Twenty-something Liv’s life is turned upside down when the chaotic and headstrong Andrea comes crashing into her countryside gardening store. Andrea is everything Liv isn’t, and she’s completely infatuated. As the two women grow closer, their different lifestyles begin to clash, and Liv discovers that relationships, love and family can come in many forms.” The movie is available on Peccadillo film, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada and Amazon branches in other countries as well. The trailer is here.
Spanish streaming and production giant Movistar Plus+ announced the next film from iconic gay Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar: Amarga Navidad (Bitter Christmas), according to Variety. The movie will premiere in Spanish theaters in 2026, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Spain, before being made available exclusively on Movistar Plus+’s platform. The cast includes European Film Award nominee Bárbara Lennie, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón and Victoria Luengo, among others.
Megan Skiendiel, from the K-pop girl group KATSEYE, has come out as bisexual—becoming the second member of the musical act to come out as queer this year, according to Them. Fellow band member Lara Raj came out as queer on Weverse back in March, jokingly writing, “I knew I was half a fruitcake when I was like eight. So I really was wanting everybody.”
The UK’s National Trust took down artwork celebrating women after controversial Harry Potter author JK Rowling’s name was removed by a member of the public, PinkNews noted. The National Trust spokesperson stated, “We ask people not to damage or tamper with artworks once they are finished and on public display. … We are now taking time to review the artwork and consider options for redisplay.” Rowling has gone from an almost universally beloved children’s author to one of the most divisive figures in the UK due to her anti-trans stance.