NOTE: This week’s column details of a sexual assault.
Hong Kong legislators rejected a measure that would have granted limited rights to same-sex couples, the BBC reported.
The law—which would have recognized some rights for couples who were married overseas—was opposed by 71 of the city’s 89-member Legislative Council. Amnesty International condemned the rejection of the bill, saying that it showed an “alarming disdain” for LGBTQ+ rights.
Erasing 76 Crimes reported on an act of alleged same-sex rape that occurred in the Nsimalen neighborhood of Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. Reportedly, a 26-year-old man sexually abused a 16-year-old minor in a private home. An investigation was opened by the Territorial Gendarmerie Brigade; the LGBTQ+-rights organization One Advocacy Africa reacted strongly, denouncing both the alleged rape and Cameroonian medical facilities’ widespread lack of preparation for such cases.
Talking with the Christian newspaper Crux, Pope Leo said that “the church’s teaching will continue as it is” regarding marriage equality, The Advocate reported. “I’ve already spoken about marriage, as did Pope Francis when he was pope, about a family being a man and a woman in solemn commitment, blessed in the sacrament of marriage,” the pontiff said. “But even to say that, I understand some people will take that badly.” He added, “In Northern Europe they are already publishing rituals of blessing ‘people who love one another,’ [as] the way they express it, which goes specifically against the document that Pope Francis approved, Fiducia Supplicans.”
A Moscow court sentenced five members of the exiled feminist protest art movement Pussy Riot to eight-to-13-year prison terms in absentia, the independent and Pussy Riot-founded media outlet Mediazona reported. The verdict, delivered by Moscow’s Basmanny District Court, found the activists guilty on charges related to anti-war performances criticizing Russia’s military actions. Those sentenced included Maria Alyokhina, Diana Burkot, Taso Pletner, Olga Borisova and Alina Petrova.
Gay former pro soccer athlete Phuti Lekoloane won a big award at the South African Sports Awards—a decade after he came out publicly as one of the very few out gay men in his country’s sports league, per MSN. For his work on the African Pride Games, Lekoloane was awarded Volunteer of the Year. During his speech, he urged the national sports minister in South Africa, Gayton McKenzie, to recognize queer sports programs and to help provide broader funding for these efforts.
In pro women’s tennis, Jasmine Paolini edged Jessica Pegula as defending champion Italy won the Billie Jean King Cup with a comprehensive victory over the United States, ESPN noted. The BJK Cup was formerly known as the Fed Cup before being named after the LGBTQ+ icon. The United States is the most successful team (an 18-time winner) but has not held the title since 2017.
In the UK, soccer team Manchester United (MU) warned fans over their behavior when Chelsea visited Old Trafford on Sept. 20 amid fears that former MU player Alejandro Garnacho’s return to the club could prompt offensive chanting—including songs with anti-gay slurs, ESPN noted. A United club statement read, “We are aware of the use of the ‘rent boy’ chant that has been heard at fixtures involving Chelsea in recent years. We want to be absolutely clear: This chant is offensive, inappropriate and has no place at our stadium or within our game.” The Football Association and the Crown Prosecution Service both consider the chant to be a hate crime. MU defeated Chelsea 2-1.
The Duke of Sussex (sometimes referred to as Prince Harry) is featured in a short film calling for investments to help end AIDS, per The Independent. The film, produced by Oscar-nominated Ron Nyswaner, debuted at the UN General Assembly in New York on Sept. 22, showing “world leaders the devastating impact of recent funding cuts” and urging “them to recommit to ending AIDS by 2030,” UNAIDS said. NBA icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron and South African actress Thuso Mbedu also appear in the short.
Equality Australia welcomed a court ruling that found that Kirralie Smith (described as an “anti-trans campaigner”) and Binary Australia “unlawfully vilified two trans women in a series of social-media posts,” a media release noted. The decision marked the first time someone had been found to have unlawfully vilified an individual for being transgender under New South Wales law. “These women were subjected to horrendous harassment online, including being publicly identified, outed and misgendered,” said Equality Australia Legal Director Heather Corkhill.
In the UK, Jonathan Carl was sentenced to 17 years in prison after being convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court of rape and grievous bodily harm for reckless transmission of a sexually transmitted disease, The Telegraph noted. The charges relate to two victims but, during their investigation, police discovered Carl—who may have transmitted HIV to hundreds of men—was a prolific user of dating apps like Grindr and SCRUFF, sometimes meeting up to three or four men a day. The Metropolitan Police believe that Carl, who did not disclose his HIV status to his victims, had sexual contact with up to 400 men over four years between 2019 and 2023.
All Things Go Festival revealed the set times for the inaugural 2025 Toronto edition that will take place Oct. 4-5, per a press release. Headliners include lesbian artist Reneé Rapp, Kacey Musgraves, Remi Wolf and Role Model. The festival features 16 artists, including special guest Charlotte Cardin, Noah Cyrus, Ravyn Lenae, Chelsea Cutler, Blondshell, Valley, queer musician Joy Oladokun and more. Tickets start at $156 Canadian dollars.
British singer Morrissey’s official Facebook page stated that he cancelled two shows in the United States over a “credible threat on his life,” per The Guardian. The former Smiths singer was slated to appear at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut; and at MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston. Recently, a 26-year-old man from Ottawa, Canada, was released on bail after allegedly threatening to kill Morrissey at his performance in the city.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, had planned to present scientific evidence in court that Brigitte is a cisgender woman, The Advocate noted. The evidence will come in a defamation suit the Macrons filed against far-right U.S. influencer Candace Owens, who has baselessly claimed that Brigitte Macron was born with male sex characteristics and is, therefore, transgender. They filed suit in July in Superior Court in Delaware over allegations that Owens has made since last year.
Transfeminine, nonbinary actor Alex Thomas-Smith wedded their partner, Ciaran Thomas-Smith, at a registry office at Hackney Town Hall, London, Queerty noted. On Instagram, Alex posted (alongside wedding photos), “Today I married my best friend. Day 1 of our wedding weekend. I wouldn’t have become the person I am today without the love from you, my darling C.” Alex appeared in the recent BBC series, What It Feels Like for a Girl, based on the coming-of-age memoir of trans campaigner Paris Lees.
Eight defendants were found guilty of crimes linked to the 2016 robbery of Kim Kardashian in a Paris hotel, per ABC News. (The other two were acquitted.) The sentences—ranging from three years to a maximum of eight years in prison—were less than what was requested by the prosecution; counting time already served and with the sentences mostly or entirely suspended, none of the defendants will return to prison. Kardashian (who will not appeal the ruling) was robbed of jewelry totaling about $6 million.
British singer/songwriter and former One Direction member Harry Styles ran the Berlin Marathon in under three hours, per CNN. He was among approximately 55,000 runners taking part in the race on what is widely regarded as the fastest marathon track in the world. Styles—using the pseudonym Sted Sarandos and wearing a headband and shades—completed the route in two hours, 59 minutes and 13 seconds.
Jaden Smith is reportedly the new men’s creative director at Christian Louboutin and is moving to Paris, the AP noted. The son of actor Will Smith will be in charge regarding the creative side of shoes, leather goods and accessories, along with developing campaigns, events and immersive experiences. Smith will present his first designs in Paris in January during men’s fashion week and will oversee four collections annually.