A retired Slovakian archbishop spoke out against a proposed change to the nation’s civil code that would automatically end the marriages of people who legally change their gender, per New Ways Ministry. Archbishop Emeritus of Trnava Róbert Bezák commented on the proposal, saying, “We do not live in a religious country. Those in parliament should know this and separate it from themselves.” According toThe Tablet, the Slovakian government drafted a proposal to add a clause to the Civil Code that states, in part, that “Marriage shall end with the change of sex of one of the spouses.”
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony—a member of the green political party Párbeszéd: A Zöldek Pártja (Dialogue: The Greens’ Party)—is facing charges after helping to organize a Pride march in protest of the government’s ban on public LGBTQ+ events, per The Advocate.
Karácsony asked in a Facebook video, “What is freedom for the people of Budapest? Is it a mayor’s imprisonment?” Hungarian Parliament passed a constitutional amendment in April that makes it an offense to hold or attend events that violate Hungary’s so-called “child protection” law; enacted in 2021, the law, among other things, bars the “depiction or promotion” of homosexuality to minors.
On Dec. 15, the Ministry of Justice, in Moscow’s Tverskoy Court, officially classified the collective Pussy Riot as an extremist organization, per a media release. The judge who presided was Judge Maria Moskalenko, who has a history with Pussy Riot; in 2011, she imprisoned Ilya Yashin, Alexei Navalny and Peter Verzilov. From their cell, the prisoners held a sign saying “JUDGE MOSKALENKO SERVES SATAN.”
Perth, Australia, was named the presumptive host city for the 2030 Gay Games XIII, the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) announced, per 9News. In doing so, Perth edged Denver, the only U.S. finalist, after nearly two years of competition. A 20-month bid process that saw both cities submit extensive proposals, known as “bid books,” outlining everything from venues to community engagement. Each finalist also underwent site inspections and detailed Q&A sessions with the FGG’s site selection committee.
The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute inducted Spanish Sen. Carla Antonelli into its LGBTQ+ Political Hall of Fame, per The Washington Blade. In 2011, Antonelli became the first openly transgender woman elected to a regional legislative office in Spain when she won a seat in the Madrid Assembly. In 2023, Antonelli became the first openly trans woman in the Spanish Senate when Más Madrid, a progressive regional party, named her Pablo Gómez Perpinyà’s successor in the chamber. The Hall of Fame induction took place during the Victory Institute’s annual International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference at the JW Marriott Hotel in D.C.
In the UK, a cycling influencer nominated for a list of top 100 women cyclists said she has declined the honor due to the decision not to include trans women, the BBC noted. Cycling UK decided to only include biological women this year following the recent unanimous UK Supreme Court ruling backing the biological definition of a woman under equalities law. In response, Claire Sharpe, a cycling guide and coach from Bristol, said, “If they don’t want to ride with all women, then it’s not the kind of ride I want to be part of.”
People should follow the rules when guidance is finally issued on single-sex spaces, the chair of the UK equalities watchdog has said, The Guardian noted. Mary-Ann Stephenson said that “generally speaking, we expect people to follow the rules and make sure that there is adequate provision.” The Equality and Human Rights Commission is waiting for ministers to approve its official guidelines on how business and public bodies should respond to a court ruling in April that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
In Chile, far-right leader José Antonio Kast won the second round of the country’s presidential election, The Washington Blade noted. Kast leads the Republican Party and was a member of the country’s House of Deputies during 2002-2018. He defeated Jeannette Jara, a member of the Communist Party of Chile who was former labor and social welfare minister in outgoing President Gabriel Boric’s government. The Washington Blade has previously reported that Kast has opposed gender-specific policies, comprehensive sex education and reforms to Chile’s anti-discrimination laws; the president-elect has also publicly opposed the country’s marriage equality law that took effect in 2022.
To celebrate its continued impact and influence, George Michael Entertainment and Sony Music have announced that on Feb. 20, 2026, multiple limited-edition Faith vinyl variants will be available on Red + Black Marble vinyl and Picture Disc as well as 1LP and 2LP black vinyl plus audio Blu-Ray, a press release noted. Written, arranged, produced and performed almost entirely by George Michael, Faith catapulted the then-24-year-old artist to global superstardom and a record-breaking run of four U.S. No. 1 singles, including “Faith,” “Father Figure,” “One More Try” and “Monkey.”
Canadian streamer Crave okayed a second season of the LGBTQ+ ice-hockey drama Heated Rivalry, with HBO Max again boarding for rights in the U.S. and Australia, Deadline noted. In addition, HBO Max is reportedly striking deals with program distributor Sphere Abacus for more territories. Heated Rivalry—about a pair of top professional hockey players who secretly develop a romantic relationship that lasts years—established itself as a flagship show for Crave, and it has been widely praised. Based on Rachel Reid best-selling book series Game Changers, the six-episode, one-hour romantic drama tells the story of rival hockey players Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie).
Best-selling British author Joanna Trollope, who wrote the lesbian novel A Village Affair, has died at age 82, per PinkNews. Trollope’s daughters, Louise and Antonia, described her as a “beloved and inspirational mother” who passed away “peacefully at her Oxfordshire home” on Dec. 11. One of Trollope’s best-known novels is 1989’s A Village Affair, which was adapted into a made-for-television film by ITV and released in 1995 and which starred Sophie Ward and Kerry Fox.
Wicked co-stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey are planning to reunite in a revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Sunday in the Park With George, Deadline noted. The production will be directed by multiple Tony Award and Olivier Award winner Marianne Elliott in London in 2027. Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters played the original roles of George and Dot, respectively, at the Booth Theatre on Broadway.
World of Wonder announced Lolita Banana and Taiga Brava have been named the co-hosts of Drag Race Mexico: Latina Royale, a press release noted. Following the twist on thevs the World format esxtablished with Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale, Drag Race Mexico: Latina Royale will see Latina queens from across the international Drag Race universe in a battle for the crown. This news follows the recent announcement of Drag Race México: El Recuento, which is on WOW Presents Plus, and which highlights fan-favorite moments from the Drag Race Mexico franchise. The Rolling Stones canceled plans to head out on a UK and European stadium tour in 2026, due to band member Keith Richards being unable to “commit” to it, NME noted. If they came to fruition, the gigs would have been the first tour dates from the rock legends since they went out on their “Hackney Diamonds” tour in the United States in 2024. The reports were first shared by The Sun, which reported that a U.S. music critic claimed the 82-year-old guitarist didn’t feel up to another run of shows.