A series of brutal attacks and arbitrary arrests of dozens of members of the hijra (transgender, intersex and eunuch) community in Bangladesh have led the LGBTQ+-rights group JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) to call for the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the perpetrators, Erasing 76 Crimes noted. The group has also asked for the unconditional release of the arrested hijras and the withdrawal of all false cases filed against them. Members of the hijra community in Chattogram were reportedly assaulted for filing a complaint with the police after refusing to pay extortion money.
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) Foundation’s Gender Diverse Travel Advisory Group (GTAG) has published the Trans & Gender Diverse Travel Guide: A Roadmap for Safe and Enjoyable Travel, in collaboration with IGLTA and made possible through the support of AWAY and the Arcus Foundation. According to a press release, the guide was first presented during the 2025 IGLTA Global Convention in Palm Springs; it includes practical tips on researching local laws, customs and safety considerations as well as traveling with hormones, prosthetics and other medical necessities, among other topics.
And speaking of IGLTA, the 2025 Global Convention in Palm Springs, California, was the largest meeting in the organization’s history, a media release noted. There were approximately 750 delegates and 465 businesses representing 30 countries and territories at the event. The IGLTA Foundation’s most successful Voyage fundraiser to date was held at the iconic Dinah Shore Estate, raising more than $120,000 to support inclusive travel initiatives.
Global Black Pride—described as a cultural, political, artistic and festive event—will take place in Paris next year, per Erasing 76 Crimes. Founded by Nigerian activist/Global Black Gay Men Connect Executive Director Micheal Ighodaro, who sought refuge in the United States in 2015 after Nigeria enacted the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act in 2014, Global Black Pride decided to take place in Paris in 2026, because “Paris remains the city of love,” said Jean-Luc Romero-Michel, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of the fight against discrimination. The 2022 and 2024 events were held in Toronto and Atlanta, respectively.
King Charles revealed the first memorial to LGBTQ+ individuals who served in the UK’s armed forces, PinkNews reported. “An Opened Letter” was unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, on Oct. 27. The ruler—who has never publicly commented on LGBTQ+ rights—laid a bouquet of flowers next to the memorial during the dedication ceremony. LGBTQ+ veterans organization Fighting With Pride was awarded a government grant of £350,000 ($466,000) to create the memorial.
Trans Ghanaian musician/activist Angel Maxine has released a protest song and short film titled “Coward,” according to Erasing 76 Crimes, citing Rightify Ghana. “Coward” opens thusly: “Since the introduction of the Ghanaian Anti-LGBTQ Bill, fear has forced many into hiding. Behind closed doors, DL (down low) men and women exploit and betray the very queer people they desire. Blackmail. Attacks. Betrayal. This is our reality and this is our protest. It is a protest against shame, secrecy, and fear. It is an affirmation that love deserves the light.” (Note: Viewer discretion is advised when watching the video.)
In Australia, a ban on puberty blockers for trans people under the age of 18 in the state of Queensland was reinstated—mere hours after a Supreme Court judge overturned it, according to PinkNews. On Oct. 28, judge Peter Callaghan said Queensland government officials had failed to properly consult relevant officials about the original directive prior to its announcement in January; however, Health Minister Tim Nicholls quickly issued a new directive to reinstate the restriction. “I am satisfied it is appropriate and in the public interest that I issue a written ministerial direction,” he said in a statement to Parliament, according to The Guardian. The new directive’s provisions reportedly match those announced in January.
Japan’s first-ever female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, made her thoughts known about marriage equality, according to Them. Takaichi—a member of Japan’s conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)—has said that despite publicly stating that “there should be no prejudice against sexual orientation or gender identity,” there’s no support for same-sex marriage. In a campaign debate last month, she told the audience that she was against marriage equality although she said that having a same-sex partner was “fine,” according to a translation.
Almost 150,000 people endured blustery rain in a celebration of LGBTQ+ equality in Taiwan at east Asia’s largest Pride march, in Taipei, Reuters noted. President Lai Ching-te—who, in 2023, marched in Pride during his campaign—posted a message of support on his Facebook page. Taiwan’s openness on LGBTQ+ issues is in marked contrast with China, which claims the democratically governed island as its own territory over the strong objections of the government in Taipei.
LGBTQ+ U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn and U.S. counterpart Alysa Liu finished first and second at the Cup of China in each’s first top-level competition of the Olympic season, NBC News noted. Glenn, last year’s Grand Prix Final champion, overcame a 1.57-point deficit from the short program to Liu, last season’s world champion. Glenn and Liu gave the country its second women’s one-two in a full-fledged Grand Prix in the last nine years.
Travel giant TUI released its third annual LGBTQ+ Travel Ranking, spotlighting Europe’s most inclusive and welcoming cities for queer travellers, according to SceneMag. Barcelona topped the list, with Berlin; Ibiza; Porto, Portugal; and Cologne, Germany and Madrid following, in order. The ranking weighs several factors, including hate-crime legislation, legal recognition of nonbinary individuals, Pride event scale and more.
Dozens of men were arrested in Indonesia after allegedly holding a gay sex party at a hotel, per The Daily Mail. Police detained 34 men in Surabaya, the country’s second largest city, and later paraded them publicly. The police then took all the men (who were named) to police headquarters for further questioning. Evidence including contraceptives, cellphones and several electronic devices was taken from the scene.
Recently, the BFI London Film Festival hosted the London premiere of 100 Nights of Hero, the latest feature from director Julia Jackman, a press release noted. The evening brought together the cast and creative team, including queer actor Emma Corrin, Maika Monroe, Felicity Jones, Amir El-Masry and Richard E. Grant, who all attended to celebrate the film’s first public screening. The movie’s plot is described thusly: “When her neglectful husband departs after placing a secret wager to test her fidelity, Cherry (Monroe) and her sharp-witted maid, Hero (Corrin), must fend off a dangerously seductive visitor: Manfred (played by Nicholas Galitzine).” The film will hit theaters Dec. 5.
LGBTQ+ UK actor Kit Connor (Heartstopper) is reuniting with D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, his co-star in A24’s Warfare, on A Long Winter, the new drama from queer four-time BAFTA nominee Andrew Haigh (All of Us Strangers), Deadline noted. Connor’s star is definitely on the rise. Upcoming, he’ll also be seen in his Warfare director Alex Garland’s live-action adaptation of the video game Elden Ring for A24 as well as the zombie horror film Rapture, and the YA franchise-extending TV movie Heartstopper: Forever, among other productions.
World of Wonder announced the group of Canadian queens set to compete in the sixth season of Canada’s Drag Race, a press release noted. Premiering Thursday, Nov. 20 on WOW Presents Plus, the nine-episode season will feature 12 new drag artists vying for the coveted title of Canada’s Next Drag Superstar. The competitors include Dulce, Eboni La’Belle, Hazel, Karamilk, Mya Foxx, Paolo Perfección, PM, Saltina Shaker, Sami Landri, Star Doll, Van Goth,and Velma Jones.