Warning: This column mentions suicide and a mass shooting.
NATIONAL
A federal judge granted a request for a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of H.B. 752, a new Idaho law threatening transgender people with up to five years in prison for using public restrooms consistent with their gender identity, according to a Lambda Legal press release. In April, six transgender state residents filed a lawsuit in federal court, arguing the law violates their constitutional rights to due process, equal protection and privacy.
The Trump administration said it is working to restore specialized suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by the end of the year—nearly a year after shutting them down, per The Advocate. However, the Department of Health & Human Services added that any restoration would need to comply with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14168, which requires federal agencies to recognize only two genders and reject federal recognition of transgender identities.
It’s been 10 years since the deadly Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, in which an extremist killed 49 people and left 58 others injured, The Advocate noted. Since then, many of those dealing with pain and darkness in the aftermath have found their way along healing paths toward justice, reflection and positive action.
The Advocate listed seven brands that are still publicly celebrating and supporting the queer community, Out noted. They include Levi’s, REI, The Bitter Southerner, Hot Topic, American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Old Navy. As for Abercrombie & Fitch, it’s also donating $400,000 to The Trevor Project.
In California, clinicians at the Long Beach LGBTQ Center may revoke the health clinic’s medical license if the board of directors doesn’t remove embattled Executive Director Ellie Perez and launch an independent, third-party investigation, Q Voice News reported. Perez has formally been accused at least five times of verbal abuse, misconduct and the creation of a hostile work environment.
Lifelong—a community health organization providing critical access to nutritious food, life-saving medications, HIV care and stable housing—announced that its inaugural Pride Gala: An Evening for Equality raised more than $142,050 during the live auction to support Lifelong’s programs as well as Seattle Pride’s Youth Programs, per a press release. Hosted by celebrity stylist/TV personality Brad Goreski, the evening featured performances by Grammy-winning artist Macy Gray, drag icon Miz Cracker and musician/Seattle native Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters. Also, actress Laverne Cox and advocate Chris Olsen were honored.
GLAAD announced the return of its star-studded auction in honor of Pride Month supported by artists including Brandi Carlile, Hilary Duff, Jessie Ware, Jewel, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Sam Smith, Sarah McLachlan, Snoop Dogg, Zara Larsson and more, and hosted on eBay, per a press release.
Also regarding GLAAD, it released Build for Everyone: A Framework for LGBTQ Representation and Safety in AI, a comprehensive examination of how AI systems impact LGBTQ+ people as well as what companies must do to help make their products more safe, accurate and inclusive, per a press release.
Florida intersex teacher Shepard Scalf has claimed that the St. Johns County School District fired him because they perceived him as transgender, according to Them. The ACLU is arguing that the school district violated Scalf’s rights under Title VII.
One Institute announced that the exhibition Wild Wonderful Sporadic Kin will debut at West Hollywood’s One Gallery on July 9-Aug. 30, per a press release. The exhibition features six trans and gender non-conforming artists—Salvador de la Torre, Badly Licked Bear, Xelestial Moreno-Luz, Umi Hsu, Toria Maldonado and Liam Woods—curated by Jamison Edgar, and an oral history archive by artist/scholar Álvaro D. Márquez.
In Alabama, Rev. Travis Johnson of Pathway Church is pushing the city of Mobile to approve anti-trans banners after Pride banners were installed downtown, per The Advocate. Mobile resident Bryan Fuenmayor privately financed the Pride banners.
Jackson Lahmeyer—a GOP U.S. House candidate in Oklahoma and founder of “Pastors for Trump” who is married with five kids—reportedly sexted messages to former Miss Oklahoma Caitlin Simmons Key, who had worked for him as a fundraiser, according to LGBTQ Nation. Trump had endorsed Lahmeyer as a “MAGA warrior” ahead of his June 16 primary election—but later threw his support behind Lahmeyer’s primary opponent, state Rep. Mark Tedford, Politico noted.
WORLD
A collective of LGBTQ+ organizations announced that the inaugural Kréyòl Pride will take place in Guadeloupe on July 25, celebrating the queer community in the French Caribbean territory, per Erasing 76 Crimes. Groups such as Secret’s Out, Queer Super Power, Queer Gang and Trans’Actions Guadeloupe are collaborating with the new local LGBT+ center the Maison des Diversités et de l’Inclusion and the Bokantaj Inclusion French West Indies to create the event.
LGBTQ+ British artist David Hockney—whose vivid paintings and warm irreverence made him one of the most celebrated artists of his era—died in London at age 88, artnet noted. For 70 years, Hockney modeled his approach on that of his idol, Pablo Picasso, but he also was an early adopter of new technologies, including iPad drawings. In his later years, Hockney lived with longtime partner/collaborator Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima in Normandy until 2023, when he settled in London.
In Saint-Tropez, former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher married partner Étienne Bousquet-Cassagne, Instinct noted. The wedding happened nearly two years after Schumacher publicly shared his relationship with the world in a social-media post.
Swiss voters rejected a right-wing proposal to limit the country’s population to 10 million, the BBC noted. Switzerland’s population has grown rapidly since 2002, when it was 7.3 million; now it is 9.1 million, 27% of whom are not Swiss citizens.
In Canada, a 42-year-old Ontario man faces a charge of mischief under $5,000 after a Pride flag flying outside of a Thorold school was damaged, CBC reported. Also, Ontario Provincial Police were investigating after flagpoles with Pride banners were cut down and rainbow flags were stolen from multiple schools across Perth County.
In Malaysia, Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said five men were arrested over an alleged scheme involving fake Grindr profiles, Instinct noted. At least nine alleged robberies involving men ages 25-40 were reported between January and May in Johor Bahru.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments to an Italian media outlet about far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni started a diplomatic incident, CNN noted. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he was canceling a planned trip to the United States—where he was slated to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio—in response to Trump’s reported remarks. Trump claimed Meloni had “begged” him for a photo at the recent G7 summit in France, which she sharply denied.
Matt Bomer and Bob the Drag Queen are among those starring as King Herod during London’s West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar, running at the London Palladium through Sept. 5, with an encore at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Oct. 16, 2026-Jan. 9, 2027, per Playbill. Those two celebrities will be among those at the Drury Lane run; the Palladium roster of Herods includes Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Richard Armitage, Boy George and Julian Clary.
World of Wonder announced the 10 queens competing for the crown on season four of Drag Race France, coming July 8 to WOW Presents Plus, per a media release. The queens are Azemylia, Creatine Price, Daisy Superbitch, Fluffy Bidule, Holly White, La Harpie, Lana Cotta, Malawitte, Margarette and Sublyme. A twist this season will involve the Golden Baguette, which a competitor can use to save one of the bottom three queens the following week, or save herself if she’s in danger.
SHOWBIZ
Ariana Grande has launched The Brighter Days Ahead Foundation to “provide protection, support, and vital resources” for a range of communities, People noted. The foundation contains four distinct funds, with two of them being the Protect & Defend Fund to benefit groups that advocate for LGBTQ+, civil and reproductive rights; and the Seen & Celebrated Fund, which is meant to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and stories.
Lil Nas X posted a video to share an update on his mental health and future plans, USA Today noted. In part, the queer rapper shared that he’s been in rehab for a few months while “trying to ground myself down to earth and get out of my head. I have a therapist now, and a psychiatrist, which has been really helpful.”
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics announced its 17th Dorian TV Award nominations, per a press release. Hacks and Heated Rivalry lead the series competition while Colman Domingo, Dan Levy and Ayo Edebiri are among the actor nominees. Winners will be announced Saturday, Aug. 15.
Madonna may have dropped a film about the NYC club Danceteria, but gay synth-pop duo Soft Cell debuted the new single “Danceteria,” which is also about the nightspot, Queerty noted. “Danceteria” is the title track off the group’s sixth and final album (dropping Sept. 25) following instrumentalist Dave Ball’s death last year at age 66. Soft Cell initially gained massive success with the 1981 hit “Tainted Love.”
Writers Timothy L. Michuda and Benjamin Ward are set to release an EP for their brand-new musical, Turing, a press release announced. The EP (which will be “progressively released” on all streaming platforms) is a concept album featuring six singles that narrate the life of Alan Turing, the renowned late gay British mathematician and wartime codebreaker. The musical unfolds through three pivotal stages of Alan Turing’s life, exploring his relationships at ages 16, 28 and 40.
The Elton John Impact Awards officially launched as both a podcast series and nationally distributed audio special, per InsideRadio.com. Presented by iHeartMedia and Procter & Gamble, actor/singer Billy Porter and syndicated radio personality Elvis Duran host the series. The program honored actor Jonathan Bailey, actress/producer Laverne Cox, musician Melissa Etheridge, tennis legend Billie Jean King, country artist Orville Peck and pop star Chappell Roan for their contributions to LGBTQ+ visibility and equality.
LGBTQ+ sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson shined at the recent LA Grand Prix 2026, winning the women’s 100-meter dash in 10.99 seconds, Olympics.com noted.
Iconic singer Chaka Khan has entered into a partnership with HarbourView for a stake in her catalog, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed. Among Khan’s songs are “I’m Every Woman,” “Tell Me Something Good,” “Hollywood” and “Through the Fire.”
Songwriter Luis Adrián Cortés-Ramos’ lawsuit against Ricky Martin over the latter’s 2014 hit “Vida” has been revived on appeal in a “perpetual quest” for “copyright justice,” Digital Music News noted. Amazingly, the case has gone through three separate lawsuits and five appeals.
Non-binary singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist G Flip announced a North American headline tour for the summer, per a press release. The Bed on Fire Tour follows the viral success of their song “Bed on Fire,” which was featured in Amazon’s new hit series Off Campus and has since surpassed 20 million streams worldwide.
Multi-platinum dance-music icon Crystal Waters (“100% Pure Love”) returns with X-POSURE for “Dreams”—a house reimagining of the Fleetwood Mac classic arriving via IAH Records. The song will be released July 3 across major streaming and DJ platforms.
Amazon MGM has withdrawn from releasing Artificial—the new movie from gay Italian director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name) that features Andrew Garfield as queer OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, per Queerty. In a statement to Deadline, Amazon said, “We believe that Artificial will be better served if it were released by a different studio and are working closely with the filmmaking team to find the film a new home.” Earlier this year, Amazon announced a $50-billion investment in OpenAI, and Amazon head Jeff Bezos has praised AI.
Tyra Banks has filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix, claiming that her portrayal in the America’s Next Top Model docuseries Reality Check was edited to support a false narrative, per The Hollywood Reporter. Banks has alleged that her three-and-a-half-hour interview was cut down to just 16 minutes and then “stripped of context.”
And in other news regarding Tyra Banks, she has joined Project Runway as a recurring judge for season 22, premiering Thursday, July 9, at 9:30 p.m. on Freeform and streaming on Hulu and Disney+, TVLine noted. Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia and Law Roach return as full-time judges, with former Runway winner Christian Siriano back as mentor.