Arts First blurred film to raise awareness of nation’s worsening eyesight Focus on Life, the first completely blurred short film shot entirely out of focus, hopes to bring attention to the worsening eyesight of the UK population. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
Community Trans and gender non-conforming Americans facing barriers to voting A new study by the UCLA School of Law has found that out of 965,000 eligible trans voters in the US, 42% don’t have the correct identification which may prevent them from voting in the upcoming elections. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Survey shows LGBTQ+ care home residents unlikely to disclose sexuality A new survey, conducted by researchers at both the University of Nottingham and Manchester, found care home residents were unlikely to disclose their sexuality to staff. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News TikTok bans conversion therapy content Social media app TikTok has updated its UK guidelines to ban content which promotes LGBTQ+ conversion therapy, leading many to encourage prime minister Boris Johnson to speed up the ban of the practise. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News Indonesian military vows to remove LGBTQ+ soldiers from ranks Major general Burhan Dahlan has started a campaign to have LGBTQ+ people removed from Indonesia’s military. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Pope Francis supports same-sex civil unions Pope Francis has openly backed same-sex civil unions for the first time after interview in a documentary film, Francesco, premiered at the Rome film festival on Wednesday 21 October. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News Footballer Matt Morton comes out as gay Thetford Town FC player and manager Matt Morton spoke candidly about his sexuality for the first time in an interview with Sky Sports on National Coming Day. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Update: Tokyo politician apologises for LGBTQ+ remarks 78-year-old Masateru Shiraishi, an 11th term politician in Tokyo’s Adachi Ward, has publicly apologised for saying the LGBTQ+ community were responsible for falling birth rates. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
New Zealand Pride General News New Zealand now has most LGBTQ+ inclusive parliament in the world Following the New Zealand elections on Saturday 17 October, the country now has a greater proportion of LGBTQ+ parliament members than any other country in the world. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
The serious and organised crime police office in Basingstoke, Hampshire General News Hampshire police face misconduct review after using anti-LGBTQ+ slurs Six police officers based in Basingstoke, Hampshire underwent a disciplinary hearing after they were recorded using homophobic and transphobic slurs. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News Trans woman commits suicide after not receiving mental health care The parents of a trans woman who committed suicide last year have publicly said their daughter felt “marginalised and fobbed off” by mental health services and was not given the proper care that could have prevented her death. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
Arts Ann Widdecombe criticises Strictly star Nicola Adams Former politician Ann Widdecombe has faced backlash after telling The Sunday Times that the inclusion of the first same-sex couple on BBC show Strictly Come Dancing isn’t family friendly television. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
