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Amanda from The Traitors visits Sussex Beacon ahead of Brighton Half Marathon

Amanda from The Traitors visits Sussex Beacon ahead of Brighton Half Marathon

The Sussex Beacon was “delighted” to welcome The Traitors star Amanda and her wife Caroline for a visit this week, as excitement builds ahead of the Brighton Half Marathon on 1 March. The couple - who will both be running as part of #TeamBeacon - toured the charity’s Brighton

Army Benevolent Fund to support LGBTQ+ veterans’ charity Fighting With Pride with £40,000 grant

Army Benevolent Fund to support LGBTQ+ veterans’ charity Fighting With Pride with £40,000 grant

RuPaul’s Drag Race favourite Eureka O’Hara withdraws from Drag Fest in Tel Aviv following criticism from fans and pro‑Palestine activists

RuPaul’s Drag Race favourite Eureka O’Hara withdraws from Drag Fest in Tel Aviv following criticism from fans and pro‑Palestine activists

Rev Jesse Jackson remembered as a pioneering ally in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights

Rev Jesse Jackson remembered as a pioneering ally in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights

Government tables amendment to equalise hate‑crime protections for LGBTQ+ people

Government tables amendment to equalise hate‑crime protections for LGBTQ+ people

BBC unveils Look Mum No Computer as UK’s Eurovision 2026 act

BBC unveils Look Mum No Computer as UK’s Eurovision 2026 act

Sussex councils back on the ballot after government u-turn's on local elections

Sussex councils back on the ballot after government u-turn's on local elections

Features & Longread

Rev Jesse Jackson remembered as a pioneering ally in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights

Rev Jesse Jackson remembered as a pioneering ally in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights

Rev Jesse Jackson, the celebrated civil‑rights leader, long-time activist and two‑time Democratic presidential candidate, is being remembered not only for his transformative impact on racial justice but also for his enduring advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Jackson, who died on Tuesday at the age of 84, consistently championed equality

Portrait of Helmut Metzner, Chair of the Federal Magnus Hirschfeld Foundation, wearing a blue suit, white shirt and patterned bow tie, standing against a plain light background.

Helmut Metzner on memory, visibility and the fragility of progress

Opinion: Even Trump couldn't resist watching Bad Bunny's powerful halftime show

Opinion: Even Trump couldn't resist watching Bad Bunny's powerful halftime show

Craig Jones on service, silence and the fight for justice

Craig Jones on service, silence and the fight for justice

My coming out story is boring, but defined me as a person

My coming out story is boring, but defined me as a person

It's LGBTQ+ History Month

It's LGBTQ+ History Month

Darlington tribunal case highlights need for stronger protections and dignity for trans NHS staff

Darlington tribunal case highlights need for stronger protections and dignity for trans NHS staff

News

RuPaul’s Drag Race favourite Eureka O’Hara withdraws from Drag Fest in Tel Aviv following criticism from fans and pro‑Palestine activists

RuPaul’s Drag Race favourite Eureka O’Hara withdraws from Drag Fest in Tel Aviv following criticism from fans and pro‑Palestine activists

RuPaul’s Drag Race favourite Eureka O’Hara has withdrawn from a scheduled appearance at Drag Fest in Tel Aviv following a wave of criticism from fans and pro‑Palestine activists. The queen announced the decision in a candid Instagram video posted on 15 February, apologising to supporters and acknowledging

Destanee Aiava condemns tennis’ ‘racist, misogynistic, homophobic’ culture in explosive farewell

Destanee Aiava condemns tennis’ ‘racist, misogynistic, homophobic’ culture in explosive farewell

Stage stormed at Auckland’s Big Gay Out amid accusations of “right‑wing, transphobic, racist and genocide enabling” politics

Stage stormed at Auckland’s Big Gay Out amid accusations of “right‑wing, transphobic, racist and genocide enabling” politics

UK’s first dedicated support programme for LGBTQ+ people affected by gambling harms

UK’s first dedicated support programme for LGBTQ+ people affected by gambling harms

Peter Tatchell: “I hope I’m still shaking a protest placard in my nineties”

Peter Tatchell: “I hope I’m still shaking a protest placard in my nineties”

LGBT Foundation launches LGBTQ+ ‘Village Angels’ scheme in Liverpool

LGBT Foundation launches LGBTQ+ ‘Village Angels’ scheme in Liverpool

Brandi Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation expands global LGBTQ+ support through new Procter & Gamble partnership

Brandi Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation expands global LGBTQ+ support through new Procter & Gamble partnership

LIVE

YouTube thumbnail for the Still Here podcast showing Helmut Metzner in a blue suit and bow tie beside host Leslie Clarke wearing headphones. Bold text reads “Progress Is Never Permanent”.

Still Here: Helmut Metzner reflects on memory, politics and LGBTQ+ rights

Scene’s podcast Still Here continues with a new episode featuring Helmut Metzner, Chair of the Magnus Hirschfeld Federal Foundation in Berlin. Following our launch episode with Craig Jones, this latest instalment takes the conversation to Germany. Recorded in German, the interview explores Metzner’s long political career, his life

Balls Deep… With Laughter: Brighton’s new queer comedy night finds its voice

Balls Deep… With Laughter: Brighton’s new queer comedy night finds its voice

Inside Brighton Birdcage: Where Glitter, Drag Art, and Community Meet

Inside Brighton Birdcage: Where Glitter, Drag Art, and Community Meet

Coffee, Sea Swims and Connection: Meet Tonic! Gay Sober Socials

Coffee, Sea Swims and Connection: Meet Tonic! Gay Sober Socials

Inside The Pod: How Crawley LGBT+ Is Building Community, One Conversation at a Time

Inside The Pod: How Crawley LGBT+ Is Building Community, One Conversation at a Time

Dyke Mart: Where Brighton’s creativity takes centre stage

Dyke Mart: Where Brighton’s creativity takes centre stage

A Decade of Pride, Power and Rugby: Celebrating 10 Years of the Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC

A Decade of Pride, Power and Rugby: Celebrating 10 Years of the Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC

Culture

BBC unveils Look Mum No Computer as UK’s Eurovision 2026 act

BBC unveils Look Mum No Computer as UK’s Eurovision 2026 act

The BBC has officially announced that electronic musician Look Mum No Computer - the performance moniker of British artist Sam Battle - will represent the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The reveal was made during The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, confirming weeks of

Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams’ Valentine’s reveal leaves gay hearts broken

Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams’ Valentine’s reveal leaves gay hearts broken

Silence of the Lambs creators confront film’s harmful legacy for trans viewers

Silence of the Lambs creators confront film’s harmful legacy for trans viewers

INTERVIEW: Jack Tracy on wrapping final season of queer comedy, Danny Will Die Alone

INTERVIEW: Jack Tracy on wrapping final season of queer comedy, Danny Will Die Alone

Queer Life, Queer Love 3

Queer Life, Queer Love 3

INTERVIEW: Lady Red Velvet spills the royal tea on upcoming Brighton Fringe debut, exporting panto to Spain and her almost-encounter with Jonathan Bailey

INTERVIEW: Lady Red Velvet spills the royal tea on upcoming Brighton Fringe debut, exporting panto to Spain and her almost-encounter with Jonathan Bailey

Cosi Fan Tutti: ENO

Cosi Fan Tutti: ENO

Politics

Government tables amendment to equalise hate‑crime protections for LGBTQ+ people

Government tables amendment to equalise hate‑crime protections for LGBTQ+ people

The UK Government has tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that, if passed, will finally bring anti‑LGBTQ+ hate crime in line with hate crimes motivated by race or religion. The proposal, published on 16 February 2026, would classify hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people as aggravated offences

Sussex councils back on the ballot after government u-turn's on local elections

Sussex councils back on the ballot after government u-turn's on local elections

"I just remember curling up into a ball." Green Party leader, Zack Polanski, recalls homophobic assault

"I just remember curling up into a ball." Green Party leader, Zack Polanski, recalls homophobic assault

Reform UK-led Kent County Council criticised after refusing to fly Pride flag during LGBTQ+ History Month

Reform UK-led Kent County Council criticised after refusing to fly Pride flag during LGBTQ+ History Month

Eastbourne gains first Green County Councillor after Brett Wright defects from Lib Dems

Eastbourne gains first Green County Councillor after Brett Wright defects from Lib Dems

Anas Sarwar vows to ban trans prisoners from women’s jails ‘within days’ if he becomes First Minister

Anas Sarwar vows to ban trans prisoners from women’s jails ‘within days’ if he becomes First Minister

Sussex Police & Crime Panel passes vote of no confidence in PCC Katy Bourne, who attended anti-migrant rally

Sussex Police & Crime Panel passes vote of no confidence in PCC Katy Bourne, who attended anti-migrant rally

Pride

National Student Pride to bow out after 21 years

National Student Pride to bow out after 21 years

National Student Pride, the UK’s longest‑running LGBTQ+ student festival, will bow out after 21 years, organisers have confirmed - marking the end of a landmark event that has shaped queer student life since 2005. The announcement follows a dramatic and sustained fall in corporate sponsorship, with income dropping

Sydney’s LGBTQ+ community to shine in parade featuring 160 floats of Pride and protest

Sydney’s LGBTQ+ community to shine in parade featuring 160 floats of Pride and protest

Bold new mural celebrating LGBTQ+ visibility unveiled in Langa, Cape Town

Bold new mural celebrating LGBTQ+ visibility unveiled in Langa, Cape Town

Pécs Pride organiser faces prison in Hungary's latest move against LGBTQ+ rights

Pécs Pride organiser faces prison in Hungary's latest move against LGBTQ+ rights

Very first Trans Pride Kent to take place in Canterbury

Very first Trans Pride Kent to take place in Canterbury

RuPaul to make debut appearance at Brighton & Hove Pride 2026

RuPaul to make debut appearance at Brighton & Hove Pride 2026

INTERVIEW: Queer Brighton-based Breathe® founder and proud KatyKat, Matt Sparkes on HBOT, wellness, red light therapy and his dream Brighton Pride headliner

INTERVIEW: Queer Brighton-based Breathe® founder and proud KatyKat, Matt Sparkes on HBOT, wellness, red light therapy and his dream Brighton Pride headliner

Trans Rights

“It’s 2026 - do we even give a shit about gender anymore?" Paloma Faith brands those who obsess over gender “homophobic, transphobic pricks”

“It’s 2026 - do we even give a shit about gender anymore?" Paloma Faith brands those who obsess over gender “homophobic, transphobic pricks”

British pop star Paloma Faith has been applauded after posting a social media video at the weekend in which she mocked gender‑reveal culture and condemned those fixated on rigid gender norms. The singer, who is currently pregnant with her third child, shared the clip on TikTok and Instagram, holding

No bathroom ban: High Court rules service providers do not have to exclude trans women from women’s toilets

No bathroom ban: High Court rules service providers do not have to exclude trans women from women’s toilets

LGBT Foundation and Gendered Intelligence working together to create National Trans Waiting List Support Service

LGBT Foundation and Gendered Intelligence working together to create National Trans Waiting List Support Service

NBC criticised after repeatedly misgendering trans Winter Olympic skier Elis Lundholm

NBC criticised after repeatedly misgendering trans Winter Olympic skier Elis Lundholm

Trans Rage Prom to bring joyful defiance to Chats Palace on Trans Day of Visibility

Trans Rage Prom to bring joyful defiance to Chats Palace on Trans Day of Visibility

Nearly 150 LGBTQ+ and feminist groups urge MPs to act against anti‑trans “lawfare”

Nearly 150 LGBTQ+ and feminist groups urge MPs to act against anti‑trans “lawfare”

Very first Trans Pride Kent to take place in Canterbury

Very first Trans Pride Kent to take place in Canterbury

Health & Wellbeing

UK’s first dedicated support programme for LGBTQ+ people affected by gambling harms

UK’s first dedicated support programme for LGBTQ+ people affected by gambling harms

The University of Brighton has been announced as the official evaluation partner for Recover with Pride, the UK’s first dedicated support programme for LGBTQ+ people affected by gambling harms. The groundbreaking initiative brings together three leading organisations: Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard, which provides trusted, identity-affirming support to LGBTQ+

Lancaster University launches national consultation to shape future of adult gender healthcare

Lancaster University launches national consultation to shape future of adult gender healthcare

It's Time to Test! Famous faces endorse National HIV Testing Week, which begins today

It's Time to Test! Famous faces endorse National HIV Testing Week, which begins today

INTERVIEW: Queer Brighton-based Breathe® founder and proud KatyKat, Matt Sparkes on HBOT, wellness, red light therapy and his dream Brighton Pride headliner

INTERVIEW: Queer Brighton-based Breathe® founder and proud KatyKat, Matt Sparkes on HBOT, wellness, red light therapy and his dream Brighton Pride headliner

Life expectancy slightly lower for LGB+ people, ONS figures reveal

Life expectancy slightly lower for LGB+ people, ONS figures reveal

Chemsex can’t be ignored

Chemsex can’t be ignored

‘Stark but unsurprising’: MindOut responds to ONS mortality data on LGB+ people

‘Stark but unsurprising’: MindOut responds to ONS mortality data on LGB+ people

Community Corner

More

Amanda from The Traitors visits Sussex Beacon ahead of Brighton Half Marathon

INTERVIEW: Lady Red Velvet spills the royal tea on upcoming Brighton Fringe debut, exporting panto to Spain and her almost-encounter with Jonathan Bailey

Actually Gay Men's Chorus rallies to support Brighton homelessness charity with urgent supplies drive

Jonathon Blake to help unveil UK AIDS Memorial Quilt panel in Runcorn

Brighton Gay Men's Chorus announces Valentine's fundraiser at Komedia

UK

More

Army Benevolent Fund to support LGBTQ+ veterans’ charity Fighting With Pride with £40,000 grant

Government tables amendment to equalise hate‑crime protections for LGBTQ+ people

“It’s 2026 - do we even give a shit about gender anymore?" Paloma Faith brands those who obsess over gender “homophobic, transphobic pricks”

Bedfordshire Police officer quits before being sacked for anti‑gay, anti‑trans and anti‑immigration posts

Church of England formally abandons plans for standalone gay blessing ceremonies

North America

More

Stonewall Inn: A historic struggle reignited in 2026

INTERVIEW: Jack Tracy on wrapping final season of queer comedy, Danny Will Die Alone

Sarah Jessica Parker and Andy Cohen condemn Trump’s call to remove Pride Flag from Stonewall National Monument

Trump administration removes Rainbow Flag from Stonewall National Monument

Brandi Carlile's 'America the Beautiful' at Super Bowl LX performed to represent queer community

Europe

More

INTERVIEW: Lady Red Velvet spills the royal tea on upcoming Brighton Fringe debut, exporting panto to Spain and her almost-encounter with Jonathan Bailey

NBC criticised after repeatedly misgendering trans Winter Olympic skier Elis Lundholm

Openly gay German football referee, Pascal Kaiser, attacked after viral on-field proposal to boyfriend

Spain appoints its first Ambassador for Global LGBTQ+ Rights

WAKE UP! HONEY, cult Swedish pop star Agnes has released her new album, BEAUTIFUL MADNESS

Asia

More

Chinese authorities arrest dozens of women for writing and publishing gay erotic fiction

National Museum of the Philippines lit up in rainbow colours to celebrate Pride Month

Tens of thousands gather in Seoul for South Korean Pride

LOVE WINS: Hundreds of LGBTQ+ couples marry in Thailand as country becomes first in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex unions

Queer East Festival: On The Road to bring LGBTQ+ stories from Asia to the UK, including a trip to Brighton

Scotland

More

The Cut Up: Louise Welsh

Twenty-three Prides across Scotland call on politicians to stop using LGBTQ+ community as “political pawns”

Trans equality charity calls Scottish Parliament decision to implement trans toilet ban “rushed, unworkable and exclusionary”

Nicola Sturgeon says lives of trans people are at risk of being made “almost unliveable” following Supreme Court’s anti-trans judgement

Hundreds gather outside Glasgow office of Equalities and Human Rights Commission to protest anti-trans Supreme Court ruling

Northern Ireland

More

Justice at last for LGBTQ+ police officer subjected to two years of homophobic abuse

Belfast Pride bans political parties in Northern Ireland from marching over support for ban on puberty blockers

Multiple Pride events across Northern Ireland ban political parties that support ban on puberty blockers for trans children

Gay Project, which supports gay, bi, trans and queer communities in Ireland, purchases community centre building

Northern Ireland sees homophobic attack amid wave of hate crime

Wales

More

New portrait of Terry Higgins to be unveiled ahead of what would have been his 80th birthday

Welsh Government announces £9million boost to end new HIV cases

Inquest opens into the death of a Welsh drag queen with a “heart of gold”

Pride in the Port, Newport’s community-led Pride organisation, has been chosen to host UK Pride 2026

Founder and chief executive of Welsh counselling charity dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ people awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s Honours list

Consent Preferences