In Kenya, trans woman Shieys Chepkosgei’s legal victory could have wide-ranging implications for trans rights in the African country after Justice R. Nyakundi of the Eldoret High Court ruled that she suffered inhuman treatment from government authorities and directed Parliament to enact protections and recognition in law for trans Kenyans, LGBTQ Nation noted.
In 2019, Chepkosgei was detained and charged with “impersonation” even though she had official documents—including a birth certificate and passport with female sex markers—while living in another country where she had also competed in women’s sports.
Legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has passed away. Deadline noted that there was concern about the well-being of the designer, who turned 91 on July 11, after he failed to attend two shows by his fashion house during Milan Fashion Week in June—which he never missed. Known as “Re Giorgio” (“King Giorgio”) the designer was known for overseeing every detail of his collection and every aspect of his business, according to Reuters. Among his honors were the 1987 Lifetime Achievement Award for menswear by the Council of Fashion Designers of America; and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Athlete Mitch Brown has come out as bisexual—making history as the first-ever male player in the Australian Football League (AFL) to identify as an openly queer man, Out noted. According to a report from The Daily Aus, Brown contacted the outlet to share his story as someone who played in the AFL for a decade and was ready to disclose that he’s bisexual. On Instagram Stories, he said, in part, “This isn’t about me. The world needs more positive male role models, and I hope I can step up and be one.”
Andry Hernández Romero—the wrongfully deported gay hairdresser who was released from the El Salvadoran prison CECOT on July 18, having survived 125 days in the maximum-security prison—talked with Adelante about his life before, during and after the ordeal. In part, he said, “Unfortunately, I had to go through a political circumstance that affected me. But perhaps it was God’s will that it happened that way so that everyone could learn about the huge problem that currently exists there in the country.” As for his time in the prison, Hernández Romero added, “I tried to mix with the Venezuelans who became my friends, they protected me a lot since I was the only gay person in that center. When I arrived in El Salvador, those Salvadoran officials taunted me, they said things to me. I realized that I didn’t have any protection, or any rights.”
The number of countries with anti-LGBTQ+ statutes is back up to 65, thanks to the passage of a law against “homosexuality and similar practices” in the West African nation of Burkina Faso, Erasing 76 Crimes reported. The law—which calls for prison terms of two to five years—comes amid a wave of anti-queer legislation and proposed measures in West Africa and beyond, including anti-gay military regimes in Mali and Niger. Burkina Faso’s law was unanimously passed by 71 unelected members of the country’s transitional government.
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Foundation announced that Responsible Travel South America—based in Ecuador with operations in Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico—is the recipient of the 2025 Impact Award, presented in partnership with Destination Toronto, per a press release. The honor recognizes travel businesses that exhibit an exceptional commitment to responsible tourism in three key areas: environment, community, and diversity & inclusion. The official presentation will take place at IGLTA’s upcoming Global Convention in Palm Springs, California.
Graham Linehan—the Irish writer behind TV’s Father Ted— was arrested at Heathrow Airport over three social-media posts expressing his views on transgender issues, The Guardian noted. Writing on Substack, Linehan said he was taken to a cell and then questioned over the posts, published on X in April. He said the posts related to him challenging a “trans-identified male” in a “female-only space.” Separately, Linehan was due to appear before Westminster magistrates on Sept. 4, having been accused of harassing trans woman Sophia Brooks and damaging her phone; he denies the charges.
Despite lawsuits in the Caribbean and France, anti-gay online influencer and content creator Eric Damaseau (of Bordeaux, France and Guadalupe) has continued a stream of anti-LGBTQ+ online commentaries, Erasing 76 Crimes noted. His most recent target has been Ronel Coco—a popular gay online influencer/content creator who Damaseau accused of making freely accessible videos available on the internet that could corrupt the morals of Caribbean youth. Coco actually publishes content on the Me You More (MYM) platform, which is limited to adult subscribers.
In the UK, former Labour MP Adnan Hussain—who is part of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s new political party—has caused controversy within the left-wing group after making comments online about trans women, PinkNews reported. Hussain posted that trans women were “not biologically women” and there are calls for the currently nameless party to clarify where it stands on trans rights. Trans broadcaster India Willoughby stated, “I honestly think Zarah Sultana (who I have faith in) and Jeremy Corbyn need to make a statement about Adnan Hussain MP and trans rights.”
World of Wonder announced that the Aug. 13 premiere of Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale set a record for the biggest global launch in WOW Presents Plus herstory, per a press release.
The show saw a 50% increase in viewership compared to the most recent third-season premiere of Drag Race Philippines. A twist on Drag Race’s “vs The World” format, Slaysian Royale has fan-favorite queens from previous seasons of Drag Race Philippines take on Asian queens from across the global franchise in a battle for the crown.
Out U.S. runner Yared Nuguse fell short of qualifying for the world championships in Japan by not winning the 1,500-meter race in Zurich on Aug. 27-28. In an Instagram post, he stated, “Going from the high of a medal in Paris [at the last Olympics] to not even making worlds has been difficult to swallow. But I won’t let what boils down to two off races determine how I view my 2025. I did a lot that I’m proud of and that’s what matters.”
In Ukraine, Oleksandr Demenko—the new head of the public organization LGBT Soldiers for Equal Rights and defender of Azovstal (a steel plant in Mariupol that became a focal point of Ukrainian resistance during the 2022 Russian invasion)—has become engaged to his partner Arthur, Mezha noted. The couple plans to officially unite in marriage in Ukraine after the bill on registered partnerships passes. A bill on the possibility of registering civil partnerships was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada on March 7, 2023.
At the Venice Film Festival, actress Julia Roberts defended director Luca Guadagnino’s film After the Hunt (in which she stars) when questioned about the movie’s statements surrounding the #MeToo movement and cancel culture, Variety reported. In the film, Roberts stars as a college professor who finds herself at personal and professional crossroads when her mentee (queer actress Ayo Edebiri) accuses a friend and colleague (Andrew Garfield) of crossing a line. In part, Roberts denied that the film was trying to stoke controversy, adding that society is “losing the art of conversation in humanity right now.”
British musical icon Boy George is apparently not a big fan of the Culture Club hit “Karma Chameleon,” The New York Post noted. George spoke of his disdain for “Chameleon,” telling The Post that singing it is like “diarrhea through a wet sock.” He added, “People think that’s all I’ve ever done,” while noting he understands why fans still want to hear it all these years later.
Married at First Sight Australia has reportedly added a same-sex couple to the cast of the 2026 series, according to PinkNews. Producers have introduced Sydney-based personal trainer Chris Robinson and Adelaide-based model Sam Stanton to the cast, along with two other couples, halfway through filming the 13th season. None of the LGBTQ+ couples from the series have made it long after the show; for instance, in 2016, Craig Roach and Andy John, the show’s first-ever gay couple, didn’t make it through the series.