Community News The Sussex Beacon announces new direction Brighton-based HIV charity the Sussex Beacon has announced a restructure of its service provision, effective April 2025. According to the Sussex Beacon, care for people who live with HIV has changed immeasurably in recent decades. Earlier diagnosis and the introduction of effective anti-retroviral t By Graham Robson • 2 min read
LGBTQ+ News Campbell Johnstone, the first openly gay All Black, ties the knot with partner Ben Thomson Campbell Johnstone, the first openly gay All Black, has tied the knot with his partner Ben Thomson. In January 2023, Campbell revealed in an interview on New Zealand TV show Seven Sharp that he is gay, Speaking at the time, Campbell said: “If I can be the first All Black that comes out as gay and [… By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Film History maker! Karla Sofía Gascón becomes first openly trans woman to be nominated in Leading Actress category at the BAFTAs Karla Sofia Gascón, star of the film Emilia Pérez, has become the first openly trans woman to be nominated in the Leading Actress category at the BAFTAs. The actress has been recognised in the Leading Actress category for her role in Emilia Pérez, in which she stars as a Mexican drug kingpin who tra By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Transgender News Republicans, and two Democrats, vote to ban trans women and girls from school sports Republicans, and two Democrats, have voted to ban trans women and girls from school sports. The Bill would rewrite current legislation to define sex as “reproductive biology and genetics at birth” – effectively banning trans athletes from competing on teams matching their gender identity at any scho By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Fashion model, actor and dancer Shaun Ross attends the Los Angeles Premiere of “Equals” in Hollywood, California, on July 7, 2016. / AFP / VALERIE MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images) LGBTQ+ News Shaun Ross, one of only a few high-profile models with albinism, shares a touching story of coming out to his grandfather Shaun Ross, one of only a few high-profile models with albinism, saw a social media post go viral over the weekend when he discussed coming out to his grandfather. On Threads, Ross, who is also an actor and a DJ, said, “I remember coming out to my grandpa a year before he passed. I was […] By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Community News Brighton Half Marathon 2025, a fundraising event to raise funds for Sussex Beacon services, seeks volunteers for this year’s event Brighton Half Marathon 2025, a fundraising event to raise funds for Sussex Beacon services, seeks volunteers for this year’s event, which is taking place on Sunday, March 2 at a new location on Hove Lawns. BHM say: “As a charity-owned event, we wouldn’t be able to go ahead without the incredible sup By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Books New book from Sandra Chen Weinstein is an enduring visual testament to the strength, resilience, and joy of the queer community Sandra Chen Weinstein, an award-winning Taiwanese American photographer, has unveiled her latest photo book, a powerful and intimate collection of images that challenge assumptions about LGBTQ+ life in Taiwan, Japan, Iceland, Australia and the US. Recent years have seen an unprecedented push by stat By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Gay comedian Tony Slattery has died at the age of 65 Gay comedian Tony Slattery has died at the age of 65 following a heart attack after years fighting addiction to cocaine and alcohol as well as a battle with bipolar disorder and depression. The stand up, best known as a star of Channel 4‘s Whose Line Is It Anyway?, passed away today, his bereft part By Graham Robson • 2 min read
LGBTQ+ News Pride Bands Alliance, a group of LGBTQ+ marching bands, pulls out of Trump’s inaugural parade The Pride Bands Alliance, an American group of LGBTQ+ marching bands, has opted not to participate in the inaugural parade for President-elect Donald Trump on January 20. While, the alliance and its members usually take part in Democratic inauguration festivities, this time the alliance decided to w By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News “She had it all.” Baga Chipz remembers The Vivienne, who they starred alongside on season one of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Baga Chipz, the drag queen who starred in the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK alongside The Vivienne, thinks the best way to pay tribute to the series one winner, who died on January 5 aged just 32, is to just air clips of her going forwards. Speaking at RuPaul’s DragCon UK at ExCel […] By Graham Robson • 2 min read
LGBTQ+ News Norfolk museum pulls out of LGBTQ+ history trail following complaints A museum in Norfolk has dropped plans to create a heritage trail celebrating the area’s LGBTQ+ history following complaints from stakeholders and volunteers. True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum in King’s Lynn had been due to be involved in the Queer Stories of Lynn project, which received funding from bot By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Music Indie-rock trans songstress joy burklund & her band announce release of debut album ‘Songbouquet’ Philadelphia-based indie-rock trans songstress joy burklund & her band have announced the release of their debut album Songbouquet on March 22. Following last year’s debut release On the Line, joy’s second single Steady Heart swirls joy’s quirky anti-folk lyricism into a lush, classic rock band arra By Graham Robson • 2 min read
