# Scene Magazine > Scene Magazine shares LGBTQ+ news, culture and politics from Brighton & beyond, amplifying voices and celebrating queer community Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### About Scene URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/about/ Last updated: 2025-05-28T15:47:37.000Z Scene has always been more than a magazine. It started life in 1993 as a small four-page insert called *The Queer Guide*. Just two years later, it became *Gscene*, reflecting the evolving identity of our community and city. Today, we continue that legacy as *Scene*—a fresh name for a publication rooted in history, purpose, and pride. ## ****Brighton’s LGBTQ+ Voice since 1993** ### **A History of Impact** From the very beginning, Scene has championed LGBTQ+ life in Brighton & Hove. In the 1990s, we fought for improved HIV services and supported Project Zorro, a community-led review that helped transform how HIV prevention was funded in the city. This helped to ignite Brighton’s LGBTQ+ voluntary sector, which had been overlooked for far too long. Over the years, we’ve played a central role in major campaigns. In 2002, we supported the Anti Victimisation Initiative, which brought together local authorities and community groups to tackle hate crime, racism, and domestic abuse. In 2006, we helped secure the city’s first dedicated LGBT Police Liaison Officer, a milestone that helped rebuild trust with Sussex Police. ### **Pride with Purpose** We believe Pride should be a force for good. Scene has been a consistent supporter of Brighton Pride’s journey into a major fundraising event for frontline LGBTQ+ services. In 2009, we helped launch the campaign to build Brighton’s AIDS Memorial, TAY, working alongside councillors and activists to bring it to life. That same campaign laid the groundwork for the Rainbow Fund, which Scene helped to establish. Managed independently by the Sussex Community Foundation, the fund has since distributed more than £75,000 to grassroots LGBTQ+ groups across Brighton and Hove. ### **Our Mission** Scene is dedicated to telling the stories that matter. Through powerful journalism, community connection, and cultural celebration, we amplify LGBTQ+ voices and share them with honesty and heart. Whether we’re covering local news or lifting up queer artists, we remain committed to being a trusted voice at the centre of LGBTQ+ life. ### Privacy Policy URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/privacy-policy/ Last updated: 2025-08-31T21:47:15.000Z _No content available._ ### Terms and Conditions URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/ Last updated: 2026-01-28T13:23:48.000Z Scene Magazine Media CIC (www.scenemag.co.uk, the ‘Website’, us, or we) is operated from the United from the registered office at The Ledward Centre, 14a Jubilee Street, BRIGHTON BN1 1GE By using and/or submitting an order through www.scenemag.co.uk you signify your understanding of the following Terms and Conditions and of the Scene Magazine Media CIC [Privacy Policy](https://www.magazine.co.uk/privacy-notice?ref=scenemag.co.uk). If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions or to the [Privacy Policy](https://www.magazine.co.uk/privacy-notice?ref=scenemag.co.uk), please discontinue using www.scenemag.co.uk immediately. **1a. Subscribing to Scene Magazine through www.scenemag.co.uk** By creating a subscription to Scene Magazine through [www.scenemag.co.uk](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/) you are making an offer to subscribe to the magazine. Confirmation of receipt of your order will be done by or payment partners Stripe by email within 24 hours of purchase, but is not confirmation that your offer to subscribe or buy has been accepted by the Publisher. If you do not receive confirmation from either Stripe or from Scene Magazine directly please contact us through our [Contact us form](https://www.magazine.co.uk/contact?ref=scenemag.co.uk). On the website **1b. Your contract with the Publisher** No contractual obligations will arise until your offer to subscribe to you by Stripe or Scene Magazine. **1c. Your order with magazine.co.uk** By submitting an order through magazine.co.uk you are making an offer to order or buy the selected products. Confirmation of receipt of your order will be done by magazine.co.uk via email, within 24 hours of purchase. No contractual obligations will arise until your offer is confirmed to you by magazine.co.uk. If you do not receive confirmation of your order, please contact us through our [Contact us form](https://www.magazine.co.uk/contact?ref=scenemag.co.uk). 1. **Use of your data by Stripe and Scene Magazine Media CIC** Any data Scene Magazine Media CIC or Stripe may collect about you while using the Website shall be dealt with in accordance with our [Privacy Policy](https://www.magazine.co.uk/privacy-notice?ref=scenemag.co.uk). For Subscriptions Stripe will securely collect your name, delivery address, billing address, email address and payment card details, Scene Magazine Media CIC will use the data you provide when submitting your order through the Website to process and set up your subscription, and for delivery. 2. **Prices** The pricerices quoted on the Website includes delivery charges). If there has been a mistake in the price offered on the Website, magazine.co.uk or the Publisher may contact you to confirm whether or not you wish to subscribe or buy at the correct price. When you receive confirmation of acceptance of your order from the Publisher, you should check that the price quoted is the price you were expecting to pay. 3. **Credit Card andDebit Card payments** If you select to pay by credit card, debit card, payment will be taken securely through the Stripe payment portal. Any credit or debit card information you provide is encrypted using the latest Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology ensuring your credit or debit card details are safe and secure. The Website also meets the requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI) which was created to ensure organisations that process card payments prevent fraud. 4. **Delivery of Scene Magazine** After your subscription order has been accepted and set up Scene Magazine Media CIC will arrange for delivery of your magazine, directly from the printer and will usually arrive in the first five days of every calendar month Any delivery problems or questions should be directed to Scene Magazine using the contact form on the website www.scenemag.co.uk 5. **External links** The Website may contain links to other websites operated by third parties (‘Linked sites’). Scene Magazine Media CIC does not endorse any Linked site and is not responsible for the content of any Linked site or any link contained in a Linked site, or any changes or updates to such sites. Nothing contained in this Website is intended to be advice on any particular matter. 6. **Endorsements** Reference to, or inclusion on this Website of, any third party’s, product or service does not constitute endorsement by Scene Magazine Media CIC of such third party or the quality or content of its product. 7. **Intellectual property** All content included on the Website (including all text, graphics, logos, and images) is the exclusive property of Scene Magazine Media CIC or its licensors and is protected by applicable legislation. Any commercial use, including the reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission, republication, display or performance, of any content on the Website is strictly prohibited without the consent of Scene Magazine Media CIC 8. **Notification of changes to Terms and Conditions** From time to time, these Terms and Conditions may be changed to keep them up-to-date with either new or current products or services, or appropriate legislation. Any access or use of magazine.co.uk subsequent to such an update will signify your assent to be bound by such changes. 9. **English law** The laws of England and Wales shall govern your use of this Website and your relations with Scene Magazine Media CIC. 10. **International users and usage** www.scenemag.co.uk is controlled, operated and administered by Scene Magazine Media CIC from its offices within the United Kingdom. If you access [www.scenemag.co.uk](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/) from a location outside the United Kingdom, you are responsible for compliance with any appropriate local laws that may apply. Terms and Conditions last updated: 3rd December 2021 ### Contact URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/contact/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T22:50:07.000Z Scene Magazine is the LGBTQ+ lifestyle and community magazine, proudly based in Brighton & Hove. We always welcome feedback, suggestions and ideas for stories. Whatever you want to tell us or discuss, please get in touch. ![Leslie Clarke](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/680f9fd4a9fa91630e73d0d5/680fb4e6814716bdae009fd9_B1_08749.webp) Leslie Clarke Publisher & podcast host [ leslie@scenemag.co.uk ](mailto:leslie@scenemag.co.uk) ![Graham Robson](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/680f9fd4a9fa91630e73d0d5/68adaea3949e9460e4b42516_graham.png) Graham Robson Online editor [ graham@scenemag.co.uk ](mailto:graham@scenemag.co.uk) ![Chris Jepson](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/680f9fd4a9fa91630e73d0d5/6977a65030b5e58926608259_OIP.webp) Chris Jepson Print editor [ chris@scenemag.co.uk ](mailto:chris@scenemag.co.uk) Name Email Message Attachment (optional) Prefer emailing us? Just click the button! [Email us ](mailto:team@scenemag.co.uk) ### Advertise with Scene - where the LGBTQ+ community connects, clicks, and cares. URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/advertise/ Last updated: 2026-01-27T16:20:17.000Z ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/eleni-afiontzi-gLU8GZpHtRA-unsplash-1.jpg) # Ready to connect with our audience? Scene is Brighton & Hove’s leading LGBTQ+ media platform — trusted by over **684,684 readers this year alone**. From culture to politics, community to nightlife, Scene tells the stories that matter, and our audiences actively seek us out. Alongside our high-performing digital platform, **Scene is now back in print**, returning to its roots with a premium, collectible magazine distributed across key UK cities including **Brighton, London, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Belfast**. When you advertise with Scene, you’re not just buying visibility. You’re aligning your brand with one of the UK’s most trusted LGBTQ+ voices, reaching engaged audiences online and in real-world community spaces. ## Print & Digital: One Connected Audience Scene operates a joined-up print and digital editorial strategy. Our digital platform delivers timely journalism and community reporting year-round, while our seasonal print edition offers long-form features, interviews, investigations and culture coverage in a high-quality, tangible format. The print magazine is distributed through LGBTQ+ venues and community spaces, as well as via direct postal delivery, extending the life of each issue and placing your brand directly into the hands of readers in trusted environments. Advertising with Scene allows brands to appear alongside independent, not-for-profit journalism in a context that values credibility, inclusion and community impact. ## Why Brands choose Scene Scene reaches people who care about their communities, their politics, their culture and the brands they support. Our readers are socially aware, values-led and actively engaged with LGBTQ+ life across the UK. Brands choose Scene because we offer more than impressions. We offer trust, longevity and relevance — whether your campaign lives online, in print, or across both. - Display advertising across high-traffic editorial content - SEO-optimised advertorials and sponsored features - Print advertising in a premium, collectible magazine - Sponsored social posts with strong organic reach - Event partnerships and community-focused coverage - Interviews, video coverage and bespoke editorial collaborations ****Let’s create something meaningful together.** Our advertising packages are flexible and tailored to your goals — whether you’re promoting an event, launching a campaign, or building long-term brand trust within LGBTQ+ communities. Send us an [email](mailto:team@scenemag.co.uk) to request or media kit or book a call with our team. [Talk to our team ](https://calendly.com/leslie-pridecommunityfoundation/scene-magazine-ads?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Cookie Policy URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/cookie-policy/ Last updated: 2025-08-31T21:27:26.000Z _No content available._ ### Scene Spots URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/scene-spots/ Last updated: 2026-04-24T19:36:16.000Z **Scene Spots** are the places where you can find Scene Magazine out in the real world. From LGBTQ+ bars and pubs to cafés, community hubs and cultural spaces, Scene Spots are venues that either offer *Scene* for customers to read on site or sell copies directly. They help keep independent LGBTQ+ journalism visible, accessible and rooted in local communities. Alongside magazine locations, Scene Spots also highlights [**Pride City Angels**](https://www.pridecommunityfoundation.org/pride-city-angels?ref=scenemag.co.uk) members – venues and organisations that have made a commitment to creating safer, more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people. --- Do you run a venue and want to stock Scene for your customers? Get in touch with our team. [Email us ](mailto:team@scenemag.co.uk) ### Political by Design URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/political-by-design/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T08:49:50.000Z 🎙 Political by Design // with [Leslie Clarke](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/author/leslie/) From campaign slogans to leadership styles, this podcast explores how design, messaging, and strategy shape political success. Join Leslie as he speaks with experts across branding, politics, and media to unpack the strategies behind the most effective (and not-so-effective) campaigns. Political by Design is available on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/political-by-design/id1809196956?ref=scenemag.co.uk), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0cOO0OriRHelX1D0QUQIj8?ref=scenemag.co.uk) and [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@PoliticalbyDesign?ref=scenemag.co.uk). Political by Design is a Scene Magazine production. ### Still Here URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/still-here/ Last updated: 2026-05-14T17:25:39.000Z *Still Here* is a podcast from Scene Magazine about queer life, resilience and presence — past, present and unfolding. Each episode takes a closer look at the people, stories and forces shaping LGBTQ+ communities today, from culture and politics to memory, protest and everyday survival. Some conversations are rooted in history, others in the news cycle, but all start from the same truth: queer lives are not a trend, a phase or a footnote. Measured, reflective and community-centred, *Still Here* creates space for context over commentary, and depth over noise. It’s a podcast about what it means to remain, to persist, adapt and be visible. Still Here is available on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/still-here/id1876182433?ref=scenemag.co.uk), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/4YB6P5Sm34nDsC6dxf8a83?ref=scenemag.co.uk) and [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@scenemagazineuk?ref=scenemag.co.uk). Still Here is a Scene Magazine production. ### Welcome aboard 🩷 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/welcome-aboard/ Last updated: 2026-01-29T19:48:21.000Z ## Thank you for joining the Scene community. 🩷 As a Marsha member, you will receive a free copy of each magazine we publish. When it's time to order, we'll send you a unique discount code that you can use in our online shop to get your copy. [Back to homepage](https://scene-magazine.ghost.io/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Print Issues URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/print-issues-bonus-content/ Last updated: 2026-10-08T12:11:04.000Z You can purchase the latest issue and back issues in our [online shop](https://shop.scenemag.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), or [become a Scene+ member](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/#/portal) to receive the latest issue free of charge, access bonus online content and support independent LGBTQ+ journalism. ![Scene Magazine Autumn Edition 2026 cover](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/untitled.jpg) Latest issue Autumn 2026 Autumn Edition 2026 The autumn issue of Scene is all about them, as we explore different perspectives on ageing, sex, disabilities and body types that dominate Grindr, among other topics, across 52 fabulous pages. 52 pages [ Browse archive ](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/tag/autumn-2026-issue/) [ Buy a copy ](https://shop.scenemag.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![Scene Magazine Pride Edition 2026 cover](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/05/Magazine-Cover-Presentation---Ghost-4.png) Summer 2026 Summer 2026 Pride Edition 2026 Our biggest issue yet. 52 pages of journalism, history, politics and culture. Jonathan Blake on solidarity, the history of Dyke Pride, Trans Pride's journey, Siân Berry MP on LGBTQ+ rights, and reporting from San Francisco and Hungary. 52 pages [ Browse archive ](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/tag/summer-2026-issue/) [ Buy a copy ](https://shop.scenemag.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![Scene Magazine Spring Edition 2026 cover](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/05/Magazine-Cover-Presentation---Ghost-2.png) Spring 2026 Spring 2026 LGBTQ+ History Month Edition Scene's print relaunch edition. Sue Sanders on 20+ years of UK LGBT+ History Month, Fighting With Pride's Craig Jones on the Armed Forces Gay Ban, veterans' reparations, trans data erasure and queer wellness. Cover: Wildblood & Queenie. Back issue [ Browse archive ](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/tag/spring-2026-issue/) [ Buy a copy ](https://shop.scenemag.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### The Vault URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-vault/ Last updated: 2026-10-17T11:52:35.000Z The Vault is where Marsha Tier members can grab their goodies. Come on in! 👀 _This page is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### Scene+ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/scene-plus/ Last updated: 2026-10-17T12:58:56.000Z 💡 Scene Magazine is part of the not-for-profit organisation Pride Community Foundation CIC, and ****Scene+** members actively help us keep our LGBTQ+ journalism independent and continue our work to keep queer communities informed. ## Posts ### Hunter Schafer calls UK trans bathroom guidance ‘stupid’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/hunter-schafer-calls-uk-trans-bathroom-guidance-stupid/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T11:57:34.000Z **Hunter Schafer** has criticised UK guidance on single-sex spaces, calling laws restricting trans people’s access to facilities such as public toilets “stupid” and questioning how they could be enforced. The 27-year-old actor and model made the comments in an interview with *Elle*, in which she also spoke publicly for the first time about undergoing gender-affirming bottom surgery in December. Asked about UK guidance on single-sex spaces, including toilets and changing rooms, Schafer compared the situation to North Carolina’s controversial **HB2** legislation, known as the “bathroom bill”. “That’s why these laws are so f\*\*\*\*\*\* stupid,” she said. “It was the same thing with HB2 in North Carolina. You can make it the law, but are you deploying a little gender policeman to stand outside the bathrooms?” The UK guidance followed an April 2025 Supreme Court ruling that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the **Equality Act 2010** refer to a biological woman and biological sex. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Hunter_Schafer-64188.jpg) Wikimedia The guidance states that people should use single-sex facilities, including public toilets and changing rooms, in accordance with their sex as assigned at birth. Schafer has direct experience of legal challenges over trans people’s access to facilities. In 2016, she became the youngest plaintiff, aged 17, in a legal challenge to North Carolina’s HB2\. The law was fully repealed in December 2020. In the same interview, Schafer spoke about her experience of gender-affirming surgery, describing the procedure as a positive one. “I just had bottom surgery in December, which was amazing, and I love it so much,” she said. The actor also reflected on her understanding of her gender identity, describing it as “flatter” and explaining how she sees herself as a woman while embracing the possibilities of queerness. “I’m a woman. I’m a girl,” she said. “I feel like that’s the magical thing about queerness. On an ideological level, it’s about possibility and expansion and growth, and being on that journey and finding yourself.” Schafer also described the intensity of her recovery, revealing that she was limited to around 150 steps a day. She rented a large apartment where friends and family could visit and support her as she healed. Schafer is best known for playing Jules Vaughn in HBO’s *Euphoria*. She has also become a prominent voice in discussions around trans rights, drawing on her own experiences to challenge policies affecting transgender people. ### Hi-De-Hi! icon Su Pollard says gay ex-husband had to be ‘true to himself’ after marriage ended URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/hi-de-hi-icon-su-pollard-says-gay-ex-husband-had-to-be-true-to-himself-after-marriage-ended/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T10:43:11.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Original Evil Lesbian: Why 'Regiment of Women' deserves her comeback URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-original-evil-lesbian-why-regiment-of-women-deserves-her-comeback/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T10:31:21.000Z Rediscovering Clare Hartill now, over a century on, feels less like unearthing a curiosity and more like finally getting the context for every glamorous, terrifying queer woman who came after her. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### REVIEW: The Haunting of Hill House @ Theatre Royal Brighton URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-the-haunting-of-hill-house-theatre-royal-brighton/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T12:24:22.000Z **Shirley Jackson**’s Eleanor Vance has long been something of a patron saint for [queer readers: ](https://therumpus.net/2025/12/04/books-that-made-me-gay-the-haunting-of-hill-house-by-shirley-jackson/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)a lonely woman desperate to be chosen, and the magnetic, bohemian Theodora who becomes the object of her fixation. In the novel that bond is the emotional core, with Eleanor’s lukewarm interest in Luke fading beside her devotion to Theo. Jackson was sly about it, too. When Theodora is introduced, she shares a flat with an unnamed friend of unspecified gender, a mid-century wink that readers understood perfectly. So I took my seat at the **Theatre Royal** last night hoping this stage version would honour all of that. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/224_HOHH_Pamela-Raith-Photography.jpg) Photo Credit Pamela Raith Let me start with what works, because plenty does. This is a properly theatrical evening, and the technical design is the star. Projection, lighting, sound and illusion combine to make the house seem alive, with walls that shift, curtains becomes narrow corridors and doorways that disappear or transform. The opening blackout and sudden bang had the stalls laughing nervously, and the bursting bulbs, drifting blankets, scrawls on the walls and a riderless rocking horse kept the tricks coming. The low creaks and rumbling hush underneath are quietly effective. It’s cinematic in feel, and it’s a feat to achieve it live. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/020_HOHH_Pamela-Raith-Photography.jpg) Photo Credit Pamela Raith **Clancy Ryan,** as Eleanor, gives a fragile and absorbing performance, and she makes the character’s slow psychological unravelling believable. **Sian Howard’**s Mrs Dudley, the housekeeper who guards the house’s past, is unnerving through sheer economy of movement. These are the performances that hold the evening together. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/208_HOHH_Pamela-Raith-Photography.jpg) Photo Credit Pamela Raith The trouble is what the spectacle is standing in for. Jackson’s horror is a creeping dread, rooted in Eleanor’s mind: her sense that the house is both her mother’s domain and the home she has always craved, and her despair as the others suspect her of staging the disturbances. **Stef Smith’s** adaptation tries to get at this, but without the novel’s access to Eleanor’s inner thoughts, it’s a tall order, and here it mostly stays on the surface. The production leans on jump scares and effects rather than slow-burn dread, and the ferocious climax of the first act is barely acknowledged at the start of the second. The reworked ending is startling, yet less frightening than it might have been. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/116_HOHH_Pamela-Raith-Photography.jpg) Photo Credit Pamela Raith Then there’s Theodora. This was the thread where I was most disappointed. The suggestiveness is played for laughs, and the audience duly giggled at her cheek. But that’s as far as it goes. The hint is raised, enjoyed and then dropped, with no follow-through and no real exploration of what Eleanor and Theo mean to each other. Honey, the scariest spirits aren’t the ones doing laps of the landing, they’re the ones holding court inside your own skull. Eleanor and Hill House are a besotted, doomed double act. She’s aching for home and love, flinching from both, and the house, a predator with impeccable taste, feasts on her chilly childhood and her half-built grown-up self. In a story where the house is a trap and a refuge for a woman who can’t find a place in a world that demands conventional roles, the queer subtext is surely the richest vein available. Here it feels like a token gesture, a nod to the audience rather than a part of the story. LGBTQ+ theatregoers have spent decades reading between the lines, being handed a wink and nothing more is a familiar frustration. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/228_HOHH_Pamela-Raith-Photography.jpg) Photo Credit Pamela Raith *“And whatever walked there, walked alone.”* I don’t want to be unfair. It’s an entertaining night out, and the set alone justifies the ticket price for anyone who loves stagecraft. Go for the illusions, go for Ryan, and go with friends who enjoy a good shriek. Just don’t expect the emotional depth, or the long-overdue queer storytelling, that the source material has always promised. Hill House is certainly haunted here. It just seems to have forgotten who it’s haunting. Until Saturday, 24 October at Theatre Royal Brighton, [full details or to book tickets via this link ](https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-haunting-of-hill-house/theatre-royal-brighton/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### #DALEYPOP X October 2026 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/daleypop-x-october-2026/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T21:34:43.000Z Music has been embedded in my life ever since I was in the womb, my mum and dad basically raised me on music, especially POP music! I grew up listening to **Madonna**, **Mariah Carey**, **Kylie Minogue**, **Spice Girls**, **Britney Spears** and even **AQUA** and I’ve always been obsessed with pop culture and **Eurovison**! I love yapping about my favourite songs and album of the month every month with the world from **Scene HQ**! ### Steps - Scared of the Dark - Shadows & Secrets Halloween Mix It's my favourite time of year so there was no way I was leaving this one buried in the crypt! Thanks to **Steps**, their delightfully camp *Shadows & Secrets Halloween Mix* breathes new undead life into their 2021 hit *Scared of the Dark*, transforming it into a spine tingling pop treat....not a trick! ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/image-1-1.png) Ray Burmiston It's gloriously fangtastic, packed with pumpkin spiced drama and guaranteed to haunt your ears in the best possible way. ### CHVRCHES - Roses Scottish trio **CHVRCHES** have risen from their musical graveyard with a track that's anything but a zombie retread of their past successes. *Roses* ditches some of the glossy synth pop sparkle that first put them on the map and instead wanders into a fog filled haunted house of industrial beats, political tension and eerie "Ring-a-ring o' roses" imagery. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/1000074967.jpg) 📸 Jody Evans **Lauren Mayberry** sounds less like a pop star and more like the stylish host of a very unsettling séance, calmly delivering society's obituary while the world burns behind her. What makes *Roses* such a wicked treat is that beneath all the cobwebs, paranoia and creeping dread, CHVRCHES haven't lost their gift for monstrously catchy hooks. It's dark, punchy and deliciously unghostly in its ambition, proving that after all these years they're still carving out new paths through the moonlit forest rather than shambling around dressed as their former selves. ### Sugababes - Ghost THE ALBUM IS FINALLY CRAWLING OUT OF THE GRAVE! If you're an original **Sugababes** fan from the start like me, then the album announcement is the musical equivalent of spotting a full moon on Halloween. The girls self titled album marks their first full length project together in 26 years since their 2000 debut, *One Touch* (if you don't include *The Lost Tapes*) and it'll be out in February 2027....not long now witches! ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/1000074952.jpg) 📸 [Liz Collins](https://www.instagram.com/lizcollins%5Fstudio?ref=scenemag.co.uk) *Ghost* isn't technically the first single from the album, as previous singles *Jungle*, *Weeds* and *Shook* all made the tracklist too which I'm so glad about because I love them all. I don't know why I feel like *Ghost* is the lead single though?! *Ghost* takes the messy remains of a relationship, buries them six feet under, then spends three deliciously bitter minutes conducting a pop exorcism for the ex who just won't stay dead. Complete with funeral imagery, haunted memories and a chorus aimed squarely at someone still being chased by the ghost of a past romance. Add in the trio's effortlessly chilled energy and those instantly recognisable harmonies that first put them on the map and you've got a track that's less trick and more treat. ### Go-Jo, Sheppard - Halloween Movie This song knows exactly what costume it's wearing and absolutely commits to the character. Teaming up with **Marty Zambotto** aka **Go-Jo** and indie pop hitmakers **Sheppard**, *Halloween Movie* is a fangtastically fun track that feels like a haunted house party somehow crashed into the charts and emerged with a radio hit. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/1000074969.gif) Yesssss this is the very same *Milkshake Man* who represented Australia at Eurovision 2025 by the way, and as if that wasn't enough spooky synergy, he also co-wrote both *Milkshake Man* and *Halloween Movie* with Sheppard. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dd5SSKRyrcM/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The result is a wickedly catchy slice of pop full of campy charm, cheeky humour and enough seasonal spirit to raise the dead. Underneath all the cobwebs, pumpkins and spooky movie references lurks an irresistibly infectious chorus that clings to your brain like a friendly ghost long after the song has vanished into the night. It's silly and erm boo-tiful....consider this one a Halloween treat that's absolutely worth getting hexed by! ### Patrik Jean - Fatal Eyes Swedish pop favourite **Patrik Jean** is back with *Fatal Eyes* and while the title sounds like the villain in a particularly glamorous Halloween film, the song is actually a euphoric dance pop rush about falling so hard for someone that you completely lose your footing. Following his return to **Melodifestivalen** earlier this year with *Dusk Till Dawn*, his first appearance in the competition since *Tears Run Dry* in 2021, Patrik takes that momentum straight from the Eurovision universe onto the dancefloor. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd1VQTOgJl2/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Patrik Jean (@patrikjean)](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd1VQTOgJl2/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) *Fatal Eyes* captures the delicious thrill of letting someone cast a spell over you even when every instinct is screaming that you might be wandering straight into a haunted house. With its pulsing production and irresistible hooks, *Fatal Eyes* feels like being lured into the fog by a beautiful vampire and happily following anyway. Fittingly, the song was originally called *Quicksand* and that feeling remains at its heart. The deeper you fall, the harder it is to escape. Patrik once again proves he's mastered the art of blending emotional vulnerability with dancefloor ready bangers. If you've not heard it yet, enjoy witches! ### Mariah Carey, Channel Tres - All My Life - Channel Tres Remix If you ever needed proof that a classic R&B favourite can rise from the grave without losing an ounce of its soul, the *Channel Tres Remix* of *All My Life* is proof, surely?! > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DeNN31nJDpz/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Originally haunting the tracklist of **Mariah Carey**'s *Glitter* era, this 2026 remix sees **Channel Tres** work his magic without turning the song into a generic club monster. Instead, he dusts off the original, polishes the cobwebs away and wraps Mariah's silky vocals in a groove that's effortlessly cool rather than frighteningly trendy. Don't worry, Mariah's vocals remain the undisputed queen of the haunted mansion, bringing all the warmth, romance and charm that made the original so beloved, while Channel Tres injects just enough swagger to give the track a fresh pulse. As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations for *Glitter*, it's a reminder that some songs don't need a mad scientist's makeover, just the right collaborator to help reveal a new supernatural side. ### Rogue Traders and Dannii Minogue - Dirty Dirty Disco If ever there was a song designed to soundtrack a disco, *Dirty Dirty Disco* is it. The collaboration between **Rogue Traders** and **Dannii Minogue** sees two Australian dance pop icons conjure up a glitter covered monster of a tune. At just two and a half minutes, the track doesn't linger in the haunted house for too long, instead swooping in like a perfectly timed jump scare before disappearing into the night. It's camp, dazzling and packed with more sparkle than a vampire's wardrobe. I'm crossing my broomsticks that this is the beginning of a full return to the studio for Dannii. ### Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio - pikito pikito **Ricky Martin** has spent decades making the world dance, but *Pikito Pikito* proves he's still got enough musical magic in his cauldron to conjure up a monstrous and.... vibrant hit! > [@nfl](https://www.tiktok.com/@nfl?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "@nfl") rio is ROCKING [#rickymartin](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/rickymartin?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "rickymartin") [#pedrosampaio](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/pedrosampaio?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "pedrosampaio") [#nfl](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/nfl?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "nfl") [#rio](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/rio?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "rio") [♬ original sound - NFL](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7690344722520247053?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "♬ original sound - NFL") Teaming up with Brazilian DJ and producer **Pedro Sampaio**, Ricky stirs together a bubbling potion of pop, funk, samba, reggaeton, mambo and salsa that's so infectious it had me ready to abandon all responsibility and book a holiday before the first chorus had finished. By the way, *pikito pikito* translates as quick kiss oh and caution: this song latches onto you like a particularly persistent Halloween spirit and refuses to leave. The gloriously repetitive hook haunts your brain after a single listen, rattling around like a skeleton in a cupboard. Oh and the boys performed pikito pikito at the **NFL Rio Halftime Show** last month at the **Maracanã Stadium** in **Rio de Janeiro** which was epic! ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/1000074968.jpg) 📸 Mauro Pimentel / AFP Ricky brings his legendary charisma and Latin pop star power, while Pedro throws in enough high energy Brazilian production to raise the dead and keep the party shambling long into the night. At around three minutes, it doesn't overstay its welcome either, arriving like a perfectly timed jump scare before disappearing into the darkness, leaving behind a colourful whirlwind of joy that's impossible not to dance to. Consider this one a certified Halloween party banger even if it's more vampire beach holiday than haunted house. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/1_a4d42283-8ecd-4628-95cd-f81d2cc4ba72-1.webp) ## AOTM: Tove Lo - Estrus ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Leave it to **Tove Lo** to make emotional chaos sound this much fun. Tove Lo is one of my favourite artists of all time and I remember when I first discovered her music back in 2015 and being so excited to dive into her music catalogue. I don't often get that feeling with an artist. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/image-10.png) 📸 [Charlie Denis](https://www.instagram.com/charliedenis?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Even **Kylie Minogue** is a fan and said "She has that amazing Swedish pop sensibility but her very own style." which is so true! ESTRUS had to be my album of the month. I'm constantly listening to it and I've got my vinyl. This album feels like the darker, messier cousin *Lady Wood* and *Blue Lips* revisiting her favourite themes of lust, heartbreak and self destruction but with a sharper focus on the anxiety and vulnerability lurking underneath the hedonism. If *Dirt Femme* was the glitter covered night out, *ESTRUS* is the walk home through the fog wondering what just happened. Every track on *ESTRUS* feels haunted by a different emotional demon. *I'm Your Girl, Right?* casts an immediate pop spell with its hypnotic house pulse and possessive lyrics. *A Lot of Feelings, No Solutions* arrives like a ghostly apparition disappearing almost as quickly as it appears. It's too short! *DNH* and *FAMT* revisit Tove's classic territory of booze fuelled bad decisions and emotional avoidance, feeling like familiar skeletons emerging from the closets of her earlier albums. They're fun, but longtime fans maybeeeeee might recognise a few of the tricks. Maybe. The real treats IMPO come when Tove embraces the uglier emotions. *Idiot* buzzes with nervous energy, capturing the relatable and terrifying spiral of self doubt that follows a relationship wobble. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/image-7.png) 📸 [Charlie Denis](https://www.instagram.com/charliedenis?ref=scenemag.co.uk) *I'm The Cake* is hilariously petty in the best way, turning jealousy into a campy revenge fantasy that feels like handing out cursed Halloween treats. I can't get over "Open my legs and I'll show you Sweden"....I actually laughed out loud! Meanwhile, *Are We On A Break* might be one of the strongest songs she's ever recorded, transforming a simple moment of relationship uncertainty into a full blown haunted house panic attack, complete with euphoric synths. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DefGTg-PTUd/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) *roomie* is one my favourite tracks on the album. (Don't make me choose only one). It's one of Tove's most tender and songs, pairing dreamy production with lyrics that capture the blurred line between loneliness and longing. Its intimate storytelling and understated vulnerability make it a standout track that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable, right?! Oh and fun fact: that's a voice clip from her husband on there! Towards the end of *ESTRUS*, *Source of Life* changes the mood entirely. Rather than another late night disaster, it finds Tove reflecting on adulthood, purpose and motherhood with surprising tenderness. It's a reminder that beneath the vampire fangs, messy eyeliner and dancefloor escapism, she's always been one of pop's most honest and refreshing songwriters and that's why I'm a huge fan! I need to mention *des fleurs x stromae* because it finds Tove at her most reflective, blending French lyrics, delicate melodies and a haunting sense of longing into one of her most intimate recordings. The track’s understated beauty and emotional vulnerability make it a captivating departure from her more provocative pop moments. I was definitely surprised when I first heard this one but in a good way! Not every track on the album lands like a perfectly timed jump scare though and like I mentioned earlier, occasionally *ESTRUS* wanders familiar territory explored on *Queen of the Clouds*, *Lady Wood*, *Blue Lips*, *Sunshine Kitty* and *Dirt Femme* although I'm not mad about that tbh huns because I love all of Tove Lo's albums and often revisit them. When *ESTRUS* fully gives itself over to the tension between desire and dread it's absolutely spellbinding. Like one of the best Halloween parties you've been to, it's chaotic, sexy, slightly unhinged and impossible to leave before the lights come on. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/image-9.png) 📸 [Charlie Denis](https://www.instagram.com/charliedenis?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Stream the #DALEYPOP X October 2026 playlist [HERE](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02TpzCLzkxlEE53Ia3XDDQ?si=AQchlCD8T4qvaZ0HTme5WQ&utm%5Fsource=copy-link&pi=0Met72S8T22zl) and follow the official Scene Spotify [HERE](https://open.spotify.com/user/31yhhvqrnncziyslp6w3lcq5haym?ref=scenemag.co.uk).🎧✨ ### Human rights groups urge UK action to free Moroccan activist jailed over ‘Allah is Lesbian’ T-shirt URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/human-rights-groups-urge-uk-action-to-free-moroccan-activist-jailed-over-allah-is-lesbian-t-shirt/ Last updated: 2026-10-20T15:40:22.000Z A coalition of secularist, interfaith and human rights organisations has called on the UK government to intervene in the case of Moroccan activist **Ibtissame “Betty” Lachgar**, who has spent more than a year in prison after sharing a photograph of herself wearing a T-shirt bearing the slogan “Allah is Lesbian”. The **National Secular Society** (NSS) and the **Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain** (CEMB) have coordinated an open letter to Foreign Secretary **Ed Miliband** urging what they describe as “urgent and decisive UK intervention” to secure Lachgar’s release. Signed by 15 organisations including **Index on Censorship, Humanists International** and the **All Faiths Network**, the letter argues that Lachgar’s imprisonment represents a “grave violation of international human rights law” and creates a “dangerous extraterritorial precedent” that could have implications for people living in the UK. Lachgar, a prominent human rights activist, was arrested in August 2025 and later sentenced to 30 months in prison under **Article 267-5** of Morocco’s **Penal Code**, which criminalises insults against Islam. The conviction stemmed from a photograph posted online showing her wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Allah is Lesbian” while in London. According to the campaigners, the T-shirt was originally worn in solidarity with two lesbians sentenced to death in Iran and was intended as a protest against persecution based on sexual orientation. The joint letter warns that Morocco’s decision to prosecute Lachgar for conduct that took place outside the country effectively extends its blasphemy laws beyond its borders. The signatories argue this could leave British citizens and residents vulnerable to arrest upon entering Morocco for expressions that are lawful in the UK. Campaigners have also raised concerns about Lachgar’s health while in prison. A survivor of bone cancer, she relies on a prosthesis in her arm, which supporters say has become completely loosened during her incarceration. An independent medical report cited by the groups warns that, without specialist treatment, Lachgar faces worsening chronic pain, total loss of function in the affected arm and potentially life-threatening complications, including sepsis, amputation or death. The letter argues that the medical care available to Lachgar falls well below international standards for the treatment of prisoners and raises serious concerns about inhuman and degrading treatment. The organisations are calling on the UK government to press for Lachgar’s immediate and unconditional release, ensure she receives specialised medical care and urge Morocco to repeal its blasphemy laws. The appeal follows a presentation on Lachgar’s case by the NSS and CEMB at the **UK Freedom of Religion** **or Belief Forum** in Parliament last month. Meanwhile, an Avaaz petition urging Moroccan authorities to grant Lachgar a royal pardon has attracted nearly 390,000 signatures. In a joint statement, NSS chief executive **Stephen Evans** and CEMB spokesperson **Maryam Namazie** said: “Betty Lachgar’s imprisonment is unjust, life-threatening and incompatible with Morocco’s international obligations. “It also places people in the United Kingdom at risk by establishing the precedent that lawful expression here may lead to prosecution abroad. “We urge the UK Government to act without delay, and for an end to blasphemy laws worldwide.” ### Munya Chawawa says racism, xenophobia and homophobia during Chichester theatre run was ‘abysmal’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/munya-chawawa-says-racism-xenophobia-and-homophobia-during-chichester-theatre-run-was-abysmal/ Last updated: 2026-10-20T12:49:03.000Z Comedian and actor **Munya Chawawa** has spoken out about what he described as “abysmal” levels of racism, xenophobia and homophobia experienced by cast members during the run of *A Midsummer Night’s Dream* at **Chichester Festival Theatre**. The social media star, who made his stage acting debut as Bottom in the production, said an alleged homophobic attack on a cast member that forced the cancellation of a performance earlier this month was “just the tip of the iceberg”. In a video shared on social media following the show's closure, Chawawa reflected on his six weeks in Chichester, saying the experience off-stage had been deeply troubling for some members of the company. “For some of us, Chichester was a real struggle,” he said. “I don't know if I have witnessed and or experienced as much racism, xenophobia and homophobia as I saw in those six weeks. I think I saw more in those six weeks than I have actually seen across my entire lifetime.” The comments come days after a performance of *A Midsummer Night’s Dream* was cancelled after a cast member was allegedly subjected to homophobic abuse and pursued through Chichester city centre**. Sussex Police** said it was treating the incident as a hate crime. According to Chawawa, the incident was one of several examples of prejudice experienced by cast members and visitors connected to the production. He alleged that students visiting from the **BRIT School** were subjected to racist abuse, while friends attending the show were allegedly followed and targeted with hostile comments. [Chichester theatre cancels performance after actor targeted in alleged homophobic hate crimePolice are investigating an alleged homophobic hate crime after a cast member at Chichester Festival Theatre was reportedly subjected to abuse before a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream, forcing the cancellation of a show. The theatre halted Tuesday evening's performance after what it described as an "appallingly![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-811c11c8-57ac-4784-9a04-e80f49cd4676.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/Chichester_Festival_Theatre_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7356973-1-53a75d95-9146-4a60-b7f7-dacbb73b3f36.jpg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/chichester-theatre-cancels-performance-after-actor-targeted-in-alleged-homophobic-hate-crime/) The performer also described an incident during a night out in Brighton, where, he said, a mixed-race group of friends were confronted by people calling them “migrants”. “It was just utterly abysmal,” he said. Reflecting on the experiences, Chawawa argued that increasingly hostile rhetoric towards minority communities was having a real-world impact. “My first thought was, it's worked,” he said. “This 24-7 pipeline of hatred into people's eyes and ears has actually changed people in the street.” Earlier this month, Chichester Festival Theatre said it was “deeply shocked” by the alleged attack on a company member and described the incident as an “appallingly abusive attack”. The venue said the actor had been “aggressively hounded and physically pursued through the centre of Chichester”. **Sussex Police** later confirmed that a teenage boy had been arrested as part of its investigation. The incident prompted condemnation from local LGBTQ+ organisations, with **Chichester Pride** saying there was “no place for homophobia or any other form of discrimination or hate in Chichester”. ### Netherlands’ first openly gay prime minister Rob Jetten expecting first child through surrogacy URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/netherlands-first-openly-gay-prime-minister-rob-jetten-expecting-first-child-through-surrogacy/ Last updated: 2026-10-20T10:46:14.000Z Dutch Prime Minister **Rob Jetten** has announced that he and his fiancé, Argentine hockey player **Nicolás Keenan**, are expecting their first child through surrogacy next year. The 39-year-old, who became the Netherlands’ first openly gay prime minister and the youngest person to hold the office, shared the news on Instagram alongside an ultrasound image. “Someone very special is on the way. See you in 2027, little one,” Jetten wrote, thanking the egg donor, surrogate mother and their families for helping make the pregnancy possible. Jetten and Keenan, who became engaged in 2024, had originally planned to marry this year before postponing their wedding following Jetten's rise to the country's highest political office. Details released by Jetten's liberal **D66** party said both the surrogate mother and egg donor are Dutch friends of the couple who already have children of their own. The party stressed that the arrangement is not commercial and complies with Dutch law, under which paying a surrogate is prohibited. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DerLIXrDbGh/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Nicolás S. Keenan (@nicokeenan)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DerLIXrDbGh/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) “This is not a case of commercial surrogacy,” the party said, adding that both women offered their support to help the couple fulfil their dream of becoming parents. The pregnancy was made possible through IVF treatment carried out in the Netherlands, according to D66\. Dutch media reported that Jetten is expected to become the first post-war Dutch prime minister to welcome a child while serving in office. He is also believed to be the first openly gay Dutch premier to become a parent through surrogacy while in government. Jetten's office said he plans to take a few days away from official duties when the baby is born but is not expected to take an extended period of parental leave. The announcement has been widely welcomed by LGBTQ+ campaigners and supporters, with the couple's journey to parenthood shining a spotlight on family-building options available to same-sex couples in the Netherlands. ### BBC to launch ‘gender-fluid’ dating show after axing Drag Race UK URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/bbc-to-launch-gender-fluid-dating-show-after-axing-drag-race-uk/ Last updated: 2026-10-20T10:22:33.000Z The **BBC** is reportedly developing a new dating series open to people of all genders and sexualities, just months after cancelling several of its highest-profile LGBTQ+ programmes. According to reports, the broadcaster is casting 18 to 26-year-olds for a new dating format described as being open to “all genders and sexualities”. The programme is expected to be filmed in London and is reportedly being produced for the BBC’s YouTube platform rather than a traditional television channel. A casting notice seen by media outlets states: “A new dating show is looking for outgoing people who are open, looking for love and have great chat.” It adds: “Could you be the best of the bunch and get a second date? Open to all genders and sexualities.” The reported launch comes amid growing concern about the future of queer programming on mainstream British television. Earlier this year, the BBC confirmed there were “no current plans” for LGBTQ+ dating series *I Kissed A Boy* and *I Kissed A Girl* to return, citing funding challenges. Hosted by **Dannii Minogue**, the programmes were widely praised for bringing queer relationships and LGBTQ+ stories to primetime audiences. The broadcaster also recently announced that *RuPaul’s Drag Race UK* would leave the BBC as part of wider cost-cutting measures. The corporation said it had been forced to make “very difficult choices” while working to deliver significant savings. The drag competition is now expected to continue on streaming platform **WOW Presents Plus**. The new series has yet to receive an official title or release date, but reports suggest filming could begin in London next month. ### Born to Be Free: Omega Nebula's message of peace, love and bass URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/born-to-be-free-omega-nebulas-message-of-peace-love-and-bass/ Last updated: 2026-10-20T10:14:41.000Z There are gigs you enjoy, gigs you remember, and then there are gigs that make you wonder why you hadn't discovered the band sooner. Friday night's performance by **Omega Nebula** at **The Joiners** in Southampton was firmly in the latter category. The venue was packed, the atmosphere was buzzing, and the crowd seemed determined to dance every last minute away. Husband-and-wife duo **Adjua** and **Dean Forrest** have a sound that isn't particularly easy to pigeonhole. Imagine the punchy electronic grooves of Groove Armada combined with the confident vocal delivery and charisma of someone like Alesha Dixon, then throw in reggae, dub and some seriously heavyweight basslines. It's an unusual comparison, perhaps, but it gives you an idea of their appeal. The band describe their music as *future dub*, a fitting name for a sound that makes standing still something of a challenge. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Unknown-8.jpeg) PHOTO CREDIT: Studio DJC Creative Adjua, in particular, was a revelation. Her powerful vocals, rhythmic delivery and commanding stage presence had the audience jumping, dancing and chanting along throughout the performance. At one point, she announced her intention to leave all her energy on the floor, and she certainly seemed determined to keep that promise. The music barely let up, although there were a few surprises, including an unexpected interpolation of the *Doctor Who* theme. Not something I'd anticipated hearing, but somehow it worked brilliantly. Perhaps the most poignant moment came when Adjua unfurled a black flag bearing three words in gold: **Peace. Love. Equality.** She encouraged the audience to chant them back, and hearing those words echoed around the room was genuinely moving. For the LGBTQ+ community, where acceptance and the freedom to be yourself remain so important, the message carries particular significance. It was a wonderful reminder of how music can bring people together. The connection between Omega Nebula and their audience was equally impressive. Adjua asked who had attended their Southampton performances three years ago, then two years ago, before welcoming those experiencing the band for the first time. My hand went straight up. Earlier, I'd been chatting with a few people who assured me I was going to love them. They weren't wrong. By the end of the evening, I understood exactly why so many fans kept coming back. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Unknown-6.jpeg) PHOTO CREDIT: Studio DJC Creative Dean's driving electronic production and Adjua's engaging vocals make for a formidable combination, but it's their chemistry and genuine enthusiasm that really bring the music to life. Omega Nebula are incredibly talented, deserve a much wider audience and are certainly ones to watch. For those yet to discover Omega Nebula, their album *Let It Glow* offers a wonderful introduction to their distinctive sound, alongside their collaboration *Born to Be Free* with **An Dannsa Dub**. Yet it is on stage that their distinctive sound truly comes into its own. The chemistry between Adjua and Dean, combined with their ability to connect with an audience, makes them a band well worth experiencing. I arrived knowing very little about Omega Nebula and left with a new musical discovery, some wonderful memories and a strong urge to see them again. Their music gets you dancing, but it is the connection they create with their audience that leaves the lasting impression. 💡 Discover more about Omega Nebula and their music [HERE](https://www.omeganebuladub.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). *All photos courtesy of Studio DJC Creative* ### Tom Cullen says playing queer roles is a ‘privilege’ as dark Welsh thriller premieres at Iris Prize URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/tom-cullen-says-playing-queer-roles-is-a-privilege-as-dark-welsh-thriller-premieres-at-iris-prize/ Last updated: 2026-10-20T10:06:19.000Z *House of the Dragon* and *Downton Abbey* star **Tom Cullen** has said he does not take the “privilege” of playing LGBTQ+ characters lightly, as he promoted new mystery-thriller *Black Church Bay* at the **Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival** in **Cardiff**. The Aberystwyth-born actor, who stars opposite *Heartstopper*'s **Joe Locke** in the Welsh-Irish feature, plays Barry, a closeted man whose life begins to unravel after an intimate encounter with a younger man. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Anglesey, the film explores the pressures of secrecy, identity and small-community expectations. Speaking at a screening during the festival's 20th anniversary celebrations, Cullen reflected on portraying queer characters throughout his career, having made his screen debut in Andrew Haigh's acclaimed 2011 film *Weekend*. “I don't take the privilege of playing a queer character lightly, and I hold it with the utmost importance, and I hope that translates in the work,” he said. Cullen argued that queer cinema cannot be confined to a single genre or style, pointing to the contrast between the romantic realism of *Weekend* and the psychological darkness of *Black Church Bay*. “What is wonderful is I feel like people can often pigeonhole queer cinema, and those two films show the spectrum and diversity that can be found,” he said. The actor added that he approaches LGBTQ+ roles no differently from any other character, saying empathy remains at the heart of his work. “They are characters that you have to empathise with and understand. And fundamentally my job is empathy,” he said. Cullen described *Black Church Bay* as an unusual project for British cinema and said the screenplay's bleak and unsettling tone was what first drew him to the role. “The script was extraordinary and something that isn't usually made in the UK. It's so dark,” he said. Written and directed by Welsh-Irish filmmaker **Rhys Marc Jones**, the film was conceived with Anglesey's landscape in mind. Jones described the story as “a fantasy that becomes a nightmare” and said he wanted a location capable of shifting from idyllic beauty to something far more threatening. “Anglesey fitted the brief,” he said. “It can be absolutely stunning but has a foreboding quality.” The film also stars Joe Locke, who said filming on Anglesey reminded him of his home on the Isle of Man. “The landscape is very similar, the small-town aspect is very similar, so it kind of felt like being at home,” he said. Cullen praised Locke's performance and said the pair developed a strong working relationship during production. “Joe and I had each other's backs,” he said, calling the Heartstopper star “an absolute joy to work with”. The comments came as Iris Prize, one of the world's leading LGBTQ+ film festivals, marked its 20th anniversary in Cardiff. The week-long event showcases queer stories from around the world and partners with **BAFTA Cymru** to support emerging filmmakers. The festival's top prize this year went to filmmaker **Luís Hindman** for *Magid/Zafar*, a drama set in a busy Pakistani takeaway exploring tensions around identity and belonging. Hindman received £40,000 to produce a new LGBTQ+ themed film in the UK. Speaking after the win, he said he hoped the film would offer “a chance to display my mosaic of what British Asianness can look like”. ### NHS Wales admits 'family concerns' were considered in decision to pause gender-affirming surgeries URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/nhs-wales-admits-family-concerns-were-considered-in-decision-to-pause-gender-affirming-surgeries/ Last updated: 2026-10-19T14:44:54.000Z Freedom of Information documents obtained by Welsh LGBTQ+ campaign group **Cwiar Cymru** have revealed that concerns raised by family members of trans people were considered as part of the evidence used by **NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee** (NWJCC) when it decided to pause gender-affirming surgeries in Wales. The disclosure has prompted criticism from campaigners, who argue that involving relatives in decisions relating to trans healthcare risks undermining patient autonomy and fails to recognise that many trans people experience rejection or abuse from their families. In response to a Freedom of Information request, the NWJCC confirmed that concerns raised by patients' relatives formed part of the wider evidence base considered when assessing the safety and quality of Wales' gender surgery referral pathway. "Concerns raised by patients' family members contributed to the wider evidence base considered by the NWJCC," the committee said in its response. It stressed that the decision was not based solely on family concerns, adding that these were considered alongside referral data supplied by the Gender Dysphoria National Referral Support Service, concerns raised by clinicians and concerns submitted by some patients. The committee said: "Family concerns were not the sole basis for the decision." The NWJCC also stated that it had not formally consulted family members as representatives of adult patients capable of giving consent. Instead, it said concerns submitted by relatives were received and considered as part of wider information relating to quality, safety and clinical governance. When asked whether it had verified the identities of those submitting concerns, the committee said it was satisfied that the individuals involved had familial relationships with patients, and that their submissions were considered "in good faith" alongside information from other sources. The documents were obtained by Cwiar Cymru, which has accused NHS Wales of a lack of transparency over the suspension of gender-affirming surgeries. A spokesperson for the organisation said: "Trans healthcare should strictly be a matter between the patient and their clinician. "Involving external family members is an inappropriate measure that disregards the reality faced by many trans people whose families do not accept them. "The NWJCC's decision-making process has been opaque and unaccountable. It is clear that this review has never been about patient safety." The group is now calling for greater transparency over NHS Wales commissioning decisions and an urgent review into how non-clinical input from third parties is considered when decisions affecting patient care are made. The NWJCC is a formal committee made up of Wales' seven local health boards and is responsible for commissioning a range of national specialist services across the country. The committee's response comes amid continuing scrutiny of access to gender-affirming healthcare in Wales and the wider UK, with campaigners and patients seeking greater clarity over how decisions affecting transgender healthcare pathways are being made. ### Angel's Bone @ ENO URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/angels-bone-eno/ Last updated: 2026-10-20T13:27:17.000Z Du Yun’s Pulitzer-winning Angel’s Bone at ENO is a relentless, interval-free fable of trafficking, voyeurism and fame. Revolving sets, live video and a fearless score implicate us all. Flawed in places, but brave, unsettling and unforgettable. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Judge praises trans man who spoke out after months of transphobic abuse URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/judge-praises-trans-man-who-spoke-out-after-months-of-transphobic-abuse/ Last updated: 2026-10-19T10:24:41.000Z ***Contains language some might find upsetting*** A judge has praised the courage of a trans man who delivered an emotional victim statement after being subjected to months of transphobic harassment by a neighbour in **Carlisle**. The victim told **Carlisle Magistrates' Court** he had been left feeling unsafe in his own home after enduring a campaign of abuse from 40-year-old **Mark Proudfoot**, which included transphobic slurs, threats of violence and being outed to members of his local community. Proudfoot admitted eleven offences, including the harassment of the trans man over a three-month period in 2025\. The court heard the abuse began when Proudfoot shouted insults across a communal garden and made remarks about the victim's transition. On one occasion, he reportedly told the man: "You're nothing but a woman and I'll kick your head in." During another incident, he mocked the victim's gender identity by making gestures and repeatedly shouting transphobic taunts. The victim said the abuse left him feeling exposed and vulnerable after his trans status was disclosed to neighbours without his consent. "My home should be somewhere I feel safe," he told the court in a powerful personal statement. "Instead, I have increasingly felt afraid and unwelcome there. I believe I was targeted because I am a trans man." He described the public nature of the harassment as particularly distressing, saying it effectively outed him to people in the neighbourhood he had never met before. "The combination of the transphobic abuse and the threat of physical violence was particularly frightening," he said. "I was being targeted because of my identity while simultaneously being threatened with physical harm." The victim said the abuse had continued to affect almost every aspect of his life, damaging his confidence, independence and wellbeing. "Going out has become difficult," he said. "I find large public spaces overwhelming because I constantly scan my surroundings in case I see them." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/0e2b0ad70b45fbe37b781faaa17db306.webp) ****Mark Proudfoot** He added that hate crimes can leave lasting scars long after the incidents themselves have ended. "They can create a lasting sense that you are not safe or that you do not belong. That feeling has followed me beyond my garden, into the street, public spaces, my relationships and everyday parts of my life." Despite the impact of the abuse, the victim said he was not motivated by revenge but by a desire for accountability. "I want the court to understand that the comments directed at me were not simply insults. They were intended to demean, humiliate and undermine my identity," he said. "Being a trans man does not make me less deserving of dignity, safety or respect." He concluded with a defiant message to his abuser: "Regardless of what Mark thinks I am, I know who I am. And I also know what kind of man I am. "I was raised to treat people with respect and kindness. I judge others by their character, not their identity. I measure strength by compassion. I measure character by integrity. "By that measure, I am more of a man than he will ever be." After the statement was read, District Judge **Philip Holden** thanked the victim for speaking publicly about his experience. "Thank you very much for the courage you have shown in reading that statement out," he told him. Sentencing Proudfoot, Judge Holden said the defendant had deliberately targeted the victim and made his life "absolute abject misery". "You set about deliberately abusing him," the judge said. "It had a traumatic effect on him." Proudfoot, of Newtown Road, Carlisle, was handed a 50-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months. He was also made subject to a restraining order prohibiting any contact with the victim for five years. The victim had considered asking for the case to be heard in private but ultimately chose not to, hoping to highlight the real-world impact of transphobic abuse and hate crime. ### Lumo becomes Pride Radio weather sponsor following year of Pride support URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lumo-becomes-pride-radio-weather-sponsor-following-year-of-pride-support/ Last updated: 2026-10-19T09:55:56.000Z Rail operator **Lumo** has strengthened its support for the LGBTQ+ community by becoming the new weather sponsor of North East-based community broadcaster **Pride Radio**. The partnership will see Lumo sponsor the station's weather bulletins, helping listeners across the UK stay up to date with forecasts throughout the day while further cementing the train operator's relationship with the LGBTQ+ media outlet. The announcement follows a busy year of Pride-related activity for Lumo, which has backed a record number of Pride events across its network. Earlier this year, the operator donated £1,000 to help Pride Radio broadcast live from **Newcastle Pride**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Pride-Train---3.jpg) Submitted Lumo also unveiled a redesigned Pride train in 2026, celebrating the LGBTQ+ organisations it supports along its routes. The train features the logos of Pride Radio, **OUT North East**, **Edinburgh Pride** and **Glasgow's Pride**, highlighting the operator's commitment to inclusion beyond the annual Pride season. Commenting on the new sponsorship, **Richard Salkeld**, Director of Communications and Partnerships at Lumo, said the company remained committed to supporting LGBTQ+ communities throughout the year. "While we can't promise sunshine every day, we can promise that we will always continue to champion inclusivity and the LGBTQ+ community," he said. "We're very excited to be onboard with Pride Radio as their new weather sponsor as we further develop our partnership with the station and their dedicated team. "2026 has been a landmark year for Lumo's support for Pride, with the launch of a new Pride train and support for more organisations than ever. Being a proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community is incredibly important to us and something we'll continue to do throughout 2027." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Pride-Weather---3.jpeg) ****2: Ben and Danielle celebrate the new partnership in Newcastle**. Submitted Lumo operates fully electric services on the **East Coast Main Line**, connecting **London King's Cross** with **Newcastle**, **Edinburgh** and **Glasgow**. The company also expanded this year with the launch of a new West Coast route serving communities including **Stirling**, **Carlisle** and **Preston**. Pride Radio, which broadcasts on FM, DAB, online and via the **Pride World Media** app, reaches audiences around the world and says it is listened to in 127 countries. The station has previously highlighted that it attracts listeners in dozens of countries where LGBTQ+ people continue to face criminalisation. **Ben Lloyd**, Commercial Manager at Pride Radio, welcomed the announcement and praised Lumo's ongoing support. "This is yet another example of the special relationship we've developed with Lumo, a company that truly understands what Pride is all about and how to support the work we do," he said. "I can't wait to hear Lumo shine on our weather bulletins every hour. It's the perfect way for their customers to check whether it's shorts weather or time for a big coat before they head off to catch their train." ### Celebrity Traitors star Sebastian Croft reveals he was outed at school after years of bullying URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/celebrity-traitors-star-sebastian-croft-reveals-he-was-outed-at-school-after-years-of-bullying/ Last updated: 2026-10-19T09:34:34.000Z **Sebastian Croft** has spoken about the "lonely" experience of being outed as a teenager, revealing years of bullying and isolation ultimately led him to leave school at the age of 16\. The 24-year-old actor and singer, currently appearing in *Celebrity Traitors*, said he struggled throughout his time at a private boarding school in Oxfordshire, where he was subjected to bullying before a fellow pupil revealed his sexuality to others. Sebastian, who rose to international fame as Ben Hope in Netflix hit *Heartstopper*, said he had endured what he described as a "weirdly old-school experience" during his years in education. According to a recent interview with *The i Paper*, the actor was involved in a secret relationship with another boy at school before being outed. Reflecting on the experience, the actor said he did not blame the classmate involved. "I had a really difficult few years," he said. "I don't blame the other boy who did it, because he was obviously just also trying to navigate the fact that he was getting chipped for being gay." He described a stark contrast between his experiences as a young performer and life back at school. "It was a really lonely and difficult time in my life," he said. "I would leave school and be an actor and be doing the thing I loved the most, and be with other like-minded people, and feel so liberated in myself, and then I'd go back to school and be bullied and ostracised." Sebastian began acting at a young age, appearing on stage before making his television debut as young Ned Stark in *Game of Thrones*. He has since built a successful screen career with roles in *Heartstopper*, *Horrible Histories: The Movie* and *How to Date Billy Walsh*. The actor has also become an outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate. Earlier this month, profiles published around his appearance on *Celebrity Traitors* highlighted his work as a queer activist and his involvement in the **Queer Was Always Here** initiative, which celebrates LGBTQ+ history and supports displaced queer people. Sebastian is one of several LGBTQ+ contestants appearing in the current series of Celebrity Traitors, alongside stars including **Bella Ramsey**, **Joe Lycett** and **Myha'la**. ### Review: Natural Behaviour by Thick & Tight URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-natural-behaviour-by-thick-tight/ Last updated: 2026-10-18T11:06:19.000Z Part variety night, part biology lecture sprung to life, part clarion call of UK biodiversity loss, [Thick & Tight’s](https://www.thickandtight.com/projects/natural-behaviour?ref=scenemag.co.uk) award-winning Natural Behaviour is a gallery of performed portraits of human and non-human creatures. At the Corn Exchange it asked a deceptively simple question, what counts as natural, and answered it by celebrating the diversity that all life depends on. Its queer perspective is focused, 360° and 20/20. The menu of subjects is gloriously odd: a pair of moths, a pantomime horse, the dust drifting through [**Quentin Crisp**’](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jnlecGDlqI&ref=scenemag.co.uk)s room, flies on a space ship wall, a mourning songbird, a single blade of grass and lesbian seagulls. The seagulls get the briefest slot, a short comic interlude with animatronics, but they carry real weight. Referencing a 1970s study that found female gull pairs nesting together in California, the sketch makes a point close to the show’s heart: research matters as much as visibility when challenging prejudice and data and evidence shattering the the god-given natural order. For anyone who has heard “unnatural” thrown as an insult, watching the word dismantled with such tenderness and mischief is deeply satisfying. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Scene's new literature newsletter: The Book Scene URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/scenes-new-literature-newsletter-the-book-scene/ Last updated: 2026-10-17T16:14:42.000Z At Scene Magazine, we are fortunate to have a diverse team of writers and editors with a wide range of interests and areas of expertise. While we enjoy bringing you news from your community and around the world, our mission is to connect with you even more. Earlier this year, we launched our first regular newsletter, *The Saturday Scene*, which looks at political events through an LGBTQ+ lens. However, the world isn't just politics. So we're excited to introduce our newest newsletter, *The Book Scene*, which will be available to our **Scene+** subscribers. *The Book Scene* will take a weekly deep dive into the world of LGBTQ+ literature, featuring interviews with authors, book reviews, and much more besides, all written by the fabulous [Poppy Morgan](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/author/poppy/). "I’m so excited to get stuck into this project. The importance of literature is more prevalent than ever; whether it’s to enjoy, to educate or to escape into, and the role that queer authors play in that is huge," said Poppy about taking on *The Book Scene.* ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-15.50.52-1-1.jpg) Poppy Morgan The first edition will be released on Friday, 30 October 2026\. Make sure you're signed up and have selected *The Book Scene* as one of the newsletters you'd like to receive. If you're already signed up, please check your newsletter preferences in your account settings. ## Sign up for Scene Magazine From the Heart of LGBTQ+ Living Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### The Saturday Scene: The upcoming US elections offer hope to America and the rest of the world URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-the-upcoming-us-elections-offer-hope-to-america-and-the-rest-of-the-world/ Last updated: 2026-10-17T07:30:00.000Z #### Although elections form the foundation of democracies around the world and should be celebrated and treasured much more than they are these days, the upcoming midterm elections in the United States are important not only to Americans, but also to the rest of the world – and, dare I say it, to our hope and happiness. I am American and I vote in every election. I never miss one. Since I became politically active at the age of 14, I always viewed voting as my civic duty. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/imago0869234918h.jpg) October 11, 2026, Huntsville, Alabama, USA: Former Alabama Senator DOUG JONES (D) holds a rally as he seeks to become Alabama s first Democratic governor since 2003\. | IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire As an American living abroad, I vote in my dad's home state of Alabama. You don't need to be an expert to be aware of how deeply Republican Alabama has been for decades. Even before the significant shift in dominance from the Democrats to the Republicans, which, to be fair, was less about voters changing their minds and more about the two parties moving to opposite ends of the political spectrum, this state had a long-standing conservative tradition. Unless you live in the Black Belt, Birmingham or Montgomery, there is no chance of ever seeing a Democrat elected. My family and I are registered to vote in Elmore County, just outside Montgomery. And yes, it's very conservative. My blue vote won't change a thing. Nevertheless, I have always felt strongly about making my voice heard. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### A rare chance to stand before the quilt URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/a-rare-chance-to-stand-before-the-quilt/ Last updated: 2026-10-17T12:09:20.000Z **Five blocks of the UK AIDS Quilt will be on display to the public until Sunday 18 October at the Meeting House on the University of Sussex campus, as part of the Coast is Queer literary festival.** There are exhibitions you visit and exhibitions that visit you. The [UK AIDS Quilt ](https://www.aidsquiltuk.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)belongs firmly to the second kind. This weekend, Brighton audiences are offered a rare chance to view selected panels of this extraordinary work in the incredible atmosphere of one of the city’s best buildings, and it is hard to imagine a more fitting pairing of object and place. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.20-PM.jpg) the Meeting House at night Photo Credit Scene Mag [Sir Basil Spence’s Meeting House,](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/campus/chaplaincy/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) completed in 1966, is a quietly astonishing building. Its low brick drum, ringed by a moat of water and capped with a gently sloping roof, feels part sanctuary, part rainbow glazed bunker, part Byzantine dream. Inside, the light is soft and the pure acoustics hush even the chattiest visitor. Conceived as a room for contemplation, it asks you to slow down before you have even looked at anything. Seeing the Quilt inside it is profound: a space built for reflection meeting a work that is reflection made tangible. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.23-PM-1.jpeg) For those who need the background, the Quilt grew from the grief and fury of the 1980s and 90s, when the AIDS crisis was taking a generation of gay men, along with women, trans people, drug users, haemophiliacs and children, often to a chorus of official silence and tabloid cruelty. Families were frequently shut out of funerals, and memorials were denied or sanitised. The response was beautifully, defiantly domestic. Friends, lovers and relatives began stitching panels, each roughly the size of a grave, to say who someone was and that they had been loved. The idea began in San Francisco with the NAMES Project, and the UK took up the practice, with panels made across the country and gathered into the collection that survives today. The panels have been brought to the city by [**Harry Hillery**](https://www.queerheritagesouth.co.uk/s/queer-heritage-south/item/2162?ref=scenemag.co.uk)**,** founder of the Brighton AIDS Memorial project, ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.27-PM.jpeg) Harry Hillery, **founder of the Brighton AIDS Memorial project* Photo Credit Scene magazine Standing before a block, is how little these panels resemble solemn public monuments. They are gloriously, stubbornly personal. There are sequins and satin, denim and leather, photographs, favourite records, a lover’s shirt cut up and sewn into place. A drag queen’s feathers sit beside a child’s handprint. Names are spelled out with tender, wonky care. These are the textures of actual lives, camp and funny and ordinary as well as cut short, and the humour on show is as moving as the sorrow. Anyone who has ever been told that queer grief is something to hide will find the Quilt’s refusal to whisper bracing and cathartic. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.21-PM--1-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.21-PM.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.22-PM.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.24-PM--1-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.24-PM.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.25-PM--1-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.25-PM--2-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.26-PM--1-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.26-PM--2-.jpeg) With panels remembering people who lived in Brighton and Hove, older visitors may find names they knew, faces from the clubs and campaigns and kitchen tables of their youth. Younger visitors, who have grown up with effective treatment, PrEP and the reality of undetectable meaning untransmittable, will encounter the human cost of a history too often left out of the classroom. The Quilt makes no demands, but it quietly insists that we know where we come from, and that the freedoms and medical advances we now take for granted were bought dearly, and fought for by people who deserved so much more time. Its place in Coast is Queer feels exactly right. A literary festival is, at heart, about stories and who gets to tell them, and the Quilt is among the most democratic storytelling projects ever attempted: thousands of authors, none of them professionals, every one of them essential. Practicalities are simple. Entry is open to the public, but give yourself time. Five blocks is a manageable number to take in, and the Meeting House rewards lingering. Bring a friend, or bring nobody, and let the room do its work. This is not a show, it is a gathering, a remembrance, and for many a reunion. Go on Saturday, but go before Sunday 18 October ends. You are unlikely to get this close to so much love again for a long while. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-16-at-3.13.20-PM--1-.jpeg) Sussex Meeting House inside detail ### Review: Carrie (2013) URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-carrie-2013/ Last updated: 2026-10-16T18:00:00.000Z Dir Kimberly Peirce: 99 mins Hello, cinema lovers. *Carrie* has no openly gay characters, but the lead character's trauma still feels familiar. A bruised, brutal remake that understands the closet better than plenty of films that name it. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/imago0239960468h-1.jpg) Chloe Grace Moretz in **Carrie* (2013) | IMAGO / Album The movie opens with a prequel: a scream in a shabby house. Margaret White ([Julianne Moore](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000194/?ref%5F=tt%5Fov%5F3%5F2&ref=scenemag.co.uk)) gives birth painfully alone, then moves to kill her baby. She stops. She hugs her instead. Fast-forward several years: a teenage Carrie ([Chloë Grace Moretz](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1631269/?ref%5F=tt%5Fov%5F3%5F1&ref=scenemag.co.uk)) gets her first period in the school showers. She screams. She's in pain, and she needs help. The other girls laugh, throw things, scream and laugh and film her while she's vulnerable. Chris ([Portia Doubleday](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0234668/?ref%5F=tt%5Fcst%5Ft%5F4&ref=scenemag.co.uk)) is the cruel ringleader and totally revels in her cruelty. Sue ([Gabriella Wilde](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3538539/?ref%5F=tt%5Fcst%5Ft%5F3&ref=scenemag.co.uk)), one of the girls from the showers, regrets her part in the torment and convinces her boyfriend, Tommy ([Ansel Elgort](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5052065/?ref%5F=tt%5Fcst%5Ft%5F9&ref=scenemag.co.uk)), to take Carrie to prom. Judy Greer plays Rita, the teacher who tries to help Carrie and is one of the few people in her life to show her kindness. Then comes the carnage and lots of pig blood. Moretz plays a girl taught that her body is a sin. Her every gesture apologises for her very existence. Watch her shoulders constantly slumped; watch her eyes nervously looking around and her body in a constant state of high alert. A really great performance worth seeing. Watch, then, as she lifts her shoulders, makes her own dress, restyles her hair, and decides that she is allowed to go to the prom and be happy. The movie's main arc, from hiding in plain sight to wanting to be seen and validated, is a coming out in everything but name. Moore is frightening because her character is so sad and tragic. Margaret both hits and loves her daughter in the same breath. There is camp value in Moore’s speeches and religious fury, but she never tips into simple parody. Her performance is laser-focused on showing how abuse and cruelty can warp a lonely person's soul, and she almost steals the movie. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Trans rights activists disrupt Harry Potter and the Cursed Child gala in protest against JK Rowling URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-rights-activists-disrupt-harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-gala-in-protest-against-jk-rowling/ Last updated: 2026-10-16T12:05:54.000Z Trans rights activists disrupted a red carpet event for *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child* in London on Thursday, in an apparent protest against author **JK Rowling** and her views on trans rights. Several protesters rushed onto the red carpet outside the **Palace Theatre** in the West End as guests arrived for a gala performance of the long-running stage show. Wearing masks and hats, the activists lay across the carpet before being removed by security. One protester wore a T-shirt bearing the slogan "Rowling money kills", apparently taking aim at the *Harry Potter* creator and the continued commercial success of the franchise. The demonstration coincided with a gala celebrating a newly reworked version of *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child*, which has been condensed into a single performance lasting almost three hours. The original production, which opened in London's West End in 2016, ran for more than five hours across two parts. 0:00 /1:17 1× Rowling has become an increasingly contentious figure over her interventions in the debate around transgender rights and gender identity. She has described biological sex as "real" and "immutable" and has criticised self-declared gender identity as "quasi-religious" and "anti-science". She denies being transphobic and has previously said she respects "every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them". Her interventions have prompted protests and boycotts around the *Harry Potter* franchise. Earlier this year, trans people and allies covered the pavement outside the Palace Theatre with hundreds of chalk messages during a performance of *The Cursed Child*. The row has also put Rowling at odds with several actors associated with the *Harry Potter* films. **Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint** and **Eddie Redmayne** have publicly distanced themselves from her views on trans issues. Thursday's protest took place as a number of television personalities arrived for the gala, including **Vanessa Feltz, Richard Arnold, Anne Hegerty** and **Angellica Bell**. ### Teenage boy arrested after alleged homophobic abuse of theatre actor in Chichester URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/teenage-boy-arrested-after-alleged-homophobic-abuse-of-theatre-actor-in-chichester/ Last updated: 2026-10-16T11:12:09.000Z A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with alleged homophobic abuse of an actor in **Chichester** which left the victim shaken and led to the cancellation of a theatre performance. **Sussex Police** said the victim, a man in his 20s, reported being followed and verbally abused by a group of young men riding bicycles in Chichester city centre. The incident happened in the Little London car park, behind East Street, at around 6pm on **Tuesday, 13 October**, and is being treated by police as a homophobic hate crime. The victim was a member of the cast of *A Midsummer Night's Dream* at Chichester Festival Theatre, which subsequently cancelled that evening's performance. The theatre previously said the actor had been subjected to an "appallingly abusive attack" and was "aggressively hounded and physically pursued through the centre of Chichester". Police have now confirmed that a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on suspicion of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was also arrested on suspicion of shop theft. The teenager was issued with a **Community Protection Warning** and released on bail while police enquiries continue. Officers said they visited the victim at a nearby venue following the incident to provide reassurance and take a full statement. Inspector **Dave Lyons**, from **Chichester Neighbourhood Policing Team**, said: "This was a distressing incident for the victim and we understand the concern it has caused for the wider community. "Hate has no place in our communities. We understand that reporting it can sometime be difficult, but we continue to encourage anyone impacted by hate crimes to report them to Sussex Police. "We are continuing to work with partner agencies in Chichester to further support victims of crime." The incident has also prompted condemnation from **Chichester Pride**, which said it was "appalled" by what had happened and expressed solidarity with the victim, colleagues at Chichester Festival Theatre and LGBTQ+ people affected by the incident. In a statement following the attack, the organisation said: "Nobody should have to experience intimidation, harassment or violence because of who they are, or who others perceive them to be." It added that the incident, which happened during **National Hate Crime Awareness Week**, was a "sobering reminder of the prejudice and hostility that LGBTQ+ people continue to face, including within our own communities". Chichester Pride said: "There is no place for homophobia or any other form of discrimination or hate in Chichester." Sussex Police has asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the force, quoting serial **47260238010**. ### Nancy Pelosi to receive LGBTQ+ leadership award for decades of equality advocacy URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/nancy-pelosi-to-receive-lgbtq-leadership-award-for-decades-of-equality-advocacy/ Last updated: 2026-10-16T10:51:01.000Z Former US House Speaker **Nancy Pelosi** is to be honoured by the **LGBTQ+ Victory Institute** for her longstanding support of LGBTQ+ rights during nearly four decades in public office. The veteran **Democratic** politician, who represented **San Francisco** in **Congress** and became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the US House of Representatives, will receive the **Chris Abele Impact Award** at the organisation's annual **International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference** in **Washington DC** this December. The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is a US-based organisation that works to support LGBTQ+ people seeking elected and appointed public office. The award recognises individuals who have made a significant impact on equality and LGBTQ+ representation. Pelosi has been one of the most prominent allies of the LGBTQ+ community in American politics, championing a series of landmark legislative measures during her time in Congress. Among the most significant were the repeal of the US military's controversial **"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"** policy, which barred openly gay and lesbian people from serving in the armed forces, and the passage of the **Matthew Shepard** and **James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act**, a federal law that expanded protections against hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity. She also helped steer multiple versions of the **Equality Act** through the **House of Representatives**. The proposed legislation, which has yet to become law, would introduce comprehensive federal protections against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in areas including employment, housing and public services. Throughout her congressional career, Pelosi was also a prominent advocate for funding and policies aimed at tackling HIV and AIDS, particularly during the height of the epidemic's impact on LGBTQ+ communities. Announcing the honour, the Victory Institute said Pelosi's record had made her one of the most influential champions of LGBTQ+ equality in modern American politics. Speaking earlier this year, Pelosi credited activists and campaigners outside Washington with helping to secure progress on LGBTQ+ rights. "Anything that we accomplished, whether it was fighting HIV and AIDS, ending discrimination, passing hate crimes legislation, or ending 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' would never have happened without outside mobilisation," she said. "Our inside manoeuvring was important, but we couldn't do our best job without the community." Pelosi also highlighted the importance of safeguarding marriage equality through federal legislation amid ongoing concerns that future legal challenges could threaten existing protections for same-sex couples in the United States. The award will be presented at the Victory Institute's International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference, which takes place in Washington from **3-5 December**. The annual gathering brings together LGBTQ+ elected officials, political candidates, activists and community leaders from across the US and around the world. Last year's recipient was former US President **Joe Biden**, who was recognised for his support of LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion. ### Chichester theatre cancels performance after actor targeted in alleged homophobic hate crime URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/chichester-theatre-cancels-performance-after-actor-targeted-in-alleged-homophobic-hate-crime/ Last updated: 2026-10-16T11:12:23.000Z Police are investigating an alleged homophobic hate crime after a cast member at **Chichester Festival Theatre** was reportedly subjected to abuse before a performance of *A Midsummer Night's Dream*, forcing the cancellation of a show. The theatre halted Tuesday evening's performance after what it described as an "appallingly abusive attack" on an actor. According to the theatre, the cast member was "aggressively hounded and physically pursued through the centre of Chichester" shortly before the scheduled performance. **Sussex Police** confirmed it is investigating reports of homophobic abuse and is treating the incident as a hate crime. In a statement, the force said officers were investigating reports that three young men on bicycles targeted a man walking in a car park behind **East Street** and **Little London** in Chichester at around 6pm on **13 October**. The actor was not physically injured, but the incident left the victim, fellow cast members and theatre staff shaken. A spokesperson for Chichester Festival Theatre said: "The victim, company and staff were understandably extremely shaken by the incident and as a result, we took the decision to cancel the evening performance. "We are profoundly sad and dismayed that such an atrocious thing has happened here in Chichester, and know that the vast majority of our fellow citizens will share our repugnance. "We will do everything in our power to support the actor." Performances of *A Midsummer Night's Dream* resumed on Thursday and are due to continue until Saturday. The incident has prompted a response from **Chichester Pride,** which said it was "appalled" by the attack and expressed support for the victim and the wider LGBTQ+ community. In a statement shared on social media, the organisation said: "Nobody should have to experience intimidation, harassment or violence because of who they are, or who others perceive them to be." The group added that the incident, which took place during **National Hate Crime Awareness Week**, was "a sobering reminder of the prejudice and hostility that LGBTQ+ people continue to face, including within our own communities". Chichester Pride also called on local residents to stand alongside those targeted by hate and challenge discrimination, adding: "There is no place for homophobia or any other form of discrimination or hate in Chichester." Sussex Police is appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to come forward. ### Trans groups warn NHS 'single-sex' wards guidance puts "politics before patient care" URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-groups-warn-nhs-single-sex-wards-guidance-puts-politics-before-patient-care/ Last updated: 2026-10-15T15:12:07.000Z Trans rights organisations have accused **NHS England** of "putting politics over patient care" after the publication of new guidance on accommodating trans patients in hospitals. **TransActual** and the **Trans+ Solidarity Alliance** said the updated policy risks creating confusion for healthcare staff and could deter trans people from seeking treatment, amid ongoing controversy over the use of single-sex wards across the NHS. The groups were responding to details of NHS England's new single-sex accommodation guidance, which is expected to set out how trans patients should be accommodated while receiving hospital care. Campaigners said the policy appeared to prioritise sex assigned at birth over clinical judgement in some situations, creating practical and safeguarding concerns for both patients and medical staff. In a joint statement, the organisations said: "This NHS guidance emphasises clinical judgement as the priority over blanket exclusion, but leaves individual healthcare professionals unclear on how to safely look after trans patients. "Forcing trans people into spaces based on our sex assigned at birth will never be the most clinically appropriate decision, and will push trans people away from accessing care." The groups also warned that NHS staff are being placed in an increasingly difficult position as they try to balance patient safety, limited hospital resources and evolving guidance. "Doctors and nurses need to be able to prioritise looking after the person in front of them, not juggling scarce side rooms and writing breach reports to keep trans people safe," the statement continued. The publication of the guidance comes amid wider debate over the treatment of trans people within healthcare settings, following a series of policy changes affecting single-sex spaces across public services. TransActual argued that the realities facing hospitals already struggling with bed shortages and staff pressures could make the guidance difficult to implement consistently. "This guidance will not survive contact with reality in resource-strapped hospitals and will create unworkable operational challenges," the organisations said. "The government failing to get a grip of this legal mess is sadly putting politics over patient care." > "The government failing to get a grip of this legal mess is sadly putting politics over patient care." The intervention reflects longstanding concerns among trans advocacy groups about barriers to healthcare access. According to TransActual's *Our Trans Lives 2025* survey, 43% of respondents said they had experienced transphobia while accessing healthcare services. The survey also found that negative experiences were contributing to widespread avoidance of medical treatment. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of respondents said they had avoided visiting their GP even when unwell, while 35% reported avoiding A&E departments altogether. Campaigners argue that policies perceived as exclusionary risk deepening that mistrust and could have serious consequences for health outcomes if trans people become reluctant to seek treatment. The concerns come against a backdrop of mounting pressure on NHS services, with hospitals across England continuing to grapple with high demand, bed occupancy pressures and lengthy waiting lists. Critics say requiring hospitals to find alternative accommodation for trans patients could create additional logistical challenges in already overstretched settings. Supporters of stronger single-sex accommodation policies, however, argue they are necessary to protect privacy, dignity and safety for all patients, particularly women and girls. A fuller response from TransActual is expected after NHS England publishes the complete guidance and campaigners have had an opportunity to analyse its contents in detail. The organisation said it would continue pressing NHS leaders and ministers to ensure that clinical need, patient wellbeing and practical realities remain at the forefront of healthcare policy. ### Religious charities could continue promoting homophobia under new watchdog powers, campaigners warn URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/religious-charities-could-continue-promoting-homophobia-under-new-watchdog-powers-campaigners-warn/ Last updated: 2026-10-15T13:29:08.000Z Campaigners have warned that new powers proposed for the **Charity Commission** could still leave LGBTQ+ people exposed to homophobia from religious charities. The **National Secular Society** (NSS) has welcomed plans to give the charity regulator stronger powers to tackle extremism, but says the proposals fail to address hatred directed at LGBTQ+ people and women. Under the Government's consultation, the Charity Commission for England and Wales would gain powers to disqualify trustees and senior charity figures who promote or encourage hatred based on race, religion or belief. The measures would also target those who use charity resources to host events or speakers spreading such views. However, the NSS argues the proposals do not extend the same protections to people targeted because of their sexual orientation or sex. The secularist organisation said many of the complaints it submits to the Charity Commission concern religious charities promoting anti-LGBTQ+ and misogynistic messages rather than hatred based on race or religion. NSS head of campaigns **Megan Manson** said the omission risked sending a damaging message. "Greater powers to tackle charities which promote violence, or hatred based on race or religion or belief, are of course welcome and long overdue," she said. > "We will engage with the Government to urge them to adopt more robust prohibitions on promoting misogyny, homophobia and other hateful ideologies which are too often cloaked under 'the advancement of religion'." "But the failure to protect women and LGBT people, who are too often the subject of stigmatising sermons hosted by religious charities, is unacceptable. "This omission may even send the message that women and LGBT people are fair game for hate and discrimination." The Government said hatred relating to race, religion and belief accounts for the majority of the Charity Commission's extremism-related casework. But the NSS argues this overlooks the prevalence of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric being promoted under the banner of religion. The organisation has long campaigned against what it describes as discriminatory teachings spread by some religious charities and has repeatedly called for reform of charity law. In particular, it wants the legal charitable purpose of "the advancement of religion" removed, arguing this can allow organisations promoting harmful ideologies to benefit from charitable status. While the proposed reforms would also make it easier to disqualify charity leaders who promote violence, the NSS said they would do little to address the underlying ideologies that can fuel hostility towards LGBTQ+ people. Manson said the organisation would urge ministers to strengthen the plans to explicitly include protections against homophobia, misogyny and other forms of discrimination. "We will engage with the Government to urge them to adopt more robust prohibitions on promoting misogyny, homophobia and other hateful ideologies which are too often cloaked under 'the advancement of religion'," she said. The consultation also includes measures designed to make it easier to remove extremists from charity leadership positions, including people excluded from entering the UK because of concerns over extremism. The NSS pointed to its previous campaign against Islamic preacher **Zakir Naik**, who was barred from entering the UK in 2010 and later disqualified from leading a UK charity. It said the proposed powers could make it easier for regulators to act in similar cases in future. However, campaigners insist broader reform is needed to prevent charities benefiting from public support while continuing to promote messages that stigmatise LGBTQ+ people. The Government consultation on the proposed powers is currently open, with the NSS calling for explicit protections for LGBTQ+ people to be included before any legislation is brought forward. ### Early Music, Fresh Voices: BREMF’s Emerging Artists shine at St Paul’s URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/early-music-fresh-voices-bremfs-emerging-artists-shine-at-st-pauls/ Last updated: 2026-10-15T12:34:25.000Z **BREMF**’s ***Emerging Artists Showcase***, a fixture of the festival calendar, filled **St Paul’s** on **10 October** with four young ensembles and left me buoyant. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/TheEnsemble-DSC00766-2-1.jpg) Photo credit Les Acolytes [**Les Acolytes**](https://www.instagram.com/lesacolytes.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) opened with a sweep through the French Baroque, taking in **Boismortier’s** pastoral opera *Daphnis et Chloé*, **Couperin and Leclair.** These four friends feel French repertoire is sorely neglected in concert programming, and they made a persuasive case. What delighted me most was the courtly excess: ornament heaped upon ornament, dances that sighed and preened as though all of Versailles were watching. This fresh, polished ensemble showed the French world of artifice, performance and flourish entertain rather well. Read the [full programme details with performers ](https://www.bremf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/BREMF-Showcase.pdf?ref=scenemag.co.uk)and music. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/BREMF-Vega-Consort.png) Credit Vega Consort [**Vega Consort** ](https://www.instagram.com/vega%5Fconsort/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)turned the mood inward. Countertenor **Alexander Thow,** accompanied by lutenist **Augustin Cornwall-Irving**, gave us English songs by Lawes, Dowland and Danyel, all preoccupied with sleep, sorrow and a restless mind. Thow was excellent. His scalpel sharp, mournful voice carried the yearning up into the vaulted spaces of St Paul’s and let it linger there, it was a seriously impressive performance. Longing of this kind needs no gloss. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/15062026-ph-vasco-dell-oro-11-high-1-1.webp) Themelion Ensemble photo credit Then came a change of temperature. [**Themelion Ensemble**](https://www.themelionensemble.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), a quartet formed at the Milan conservatoire, brought trio sonatas by Handel and Leclair, both composers seduced by Italian style. Handel’s lyricism glowed with theatrical warmth, while Leclair set French poise against southern fire. The playing was jaunty, tight and sprightly, and it was enormous fun. You could see these musicians enjoying one another, and the audience happily caught the mood. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Utrecht_photo.jpeg) Photo Credit: Bruegel Consort The afternoon’s refulgent end belonged to [**Bruegel Consort**](https://www.bruegelconsort.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). It was easy to forget how early in their careers these five singers are. Their Tudor programme of **Taverner** and **Fayrfax** moved between courtly longing and prayerful devotion, and they explored the tension between the sacred and the sensual with real brilliance. Queer listeners have long found themselves in devotional music, with its ritual, its ecstasy and its adoration of a beloved figure, and Fayrfax’s soaring Marian antiphon made the reason plain. The singers took me to the very edge of contemplative reverence and kept me there, thrilled. The interval cakes deserve a star, homemade with seasonal ingredients, they ere delicious, and I’d put the baker on a par with the performers. Both work with the humblest materials and hand-made care, and both trust the season and the occasion. A good cake, like a good period-instrument performance, follows old knowledge while leaving room for a personal flourish. Eating them in the architectural flamboyance of St Pauls, with Baroque dances still in the ear, and the equally traditional Kafkaesque queuing system, felt entirely apt. [**BREMF** ](https://www.bremf.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)has been [mentoring emerging artists ](https://www.bremf.org.uk/emerging-artists/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)since 2007, and has helped them take live music into Sussex schools. The Hawkwood residency and the generosity of the festival’s supporters clearly bear fruit. These ensembles are confident, curious and already distinctive. Early music offers something rare, a living conversation with centuries of longing, artifice and devotion; today performed by young artists who make it feel fresh. Full details of this years [BREMF musical programme on their website. ](https://www.bremf.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/825267962_122155440092423190_3545841126250785605_n-2-1.jpg) ### Built For Her, Home to Everyone: Brighton’s purpose-built women’s football stadium URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/built-for-her-home-to-everyone-brightons-purpose-built-womens-football-stadium/ Last updated: 2026-10-15T13:20:51.000Z This year, **Brighton & Hove Albion** has confirmed plans for the construction of the first purpose-built women’s football stadium in the UK and Europe. It will be one of only three such stadiums in the world and aims to place Brighton, and the UK and Europe, at the forefront of the global women’s game. Following the **Lionesses**' 2022 Euros victory, there was an undeniable surge in the streaming, celebration and representation of women’s football. The significance of this achievement extended far beyond the 2-1 final result against fierce competitors Germany. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/GV_new_Women-s_stadium.webp) ****Brighton & Hove Albion** The erasure of the celebration of women’s sports from the public has been historically extreme since the English **Football Association** (FA) banned women’s teams from playing on any pitches that were owned by or affiliated with its members. They claimed that the sport was ‘unsuitable for females’. Women continued to play in public parks and unaffiliated spaces until the ban was lifted an obscene 50 years later. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Polish couple win landmark battle to have same-sex marriage recognised after nine years URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/polish-couple-win-landmark-battle-to-have-same-sex-marriage-recognised-after-nine-years/ Last updated: 2026-10-15T11:25:35.000Z One of Poland's best-known same-sex couples have won a landmark legal battle to have their marriage officially recognised in their home country after nearly a decade of campaigning. **Jakub** and **Dawid Kwieciński-Mycek**, who married in Portugal in 2017, have finally secured recognition of their marriage in Poland following a June ruling by the country's **Supreme Administrative Court**. The couple's attempts to register their Portuguese marriage certificate were repeatedly rejected by Polish authorities, triggering a years-long legal fight that became one of the country's most closely watched LGBTQ+ rights cases. The breakthrough came when the court ruled that the marriage certificate could be transcribed into Poland's civil registry, paving the way for official recognition of their union. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/836512020_1874737153492867_5110950319038852388_n.png-1.jpeg) Photo Michał Wielgat / [www.michalwielgat.pl](http://www.michalwielgat.pl/?ref=scenemag.co.uk "http://www.michalwielgat.pl") Marking the milestone, Jakub and Dawid renewed their wedding vows, celebrating a victory that has taken nine years to achieve. "We got married as two boys, but our marriage is only becoming recognised in Poland now that we are men," the couple said. The pair first came to international attention almost a decade ago when a homemade music video featuring the couple went viral online and caught the attention of Roxette frontman **Per Gessle**. Since then, they have become prominent advocates for LGBTQ+ equality in Poland, using their platform to campaign for greater recognition and acceptance. Their marriage recognition battle unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing debates over LGBTQ+ rights in Poland, where same-sex marriage remains unavailable and legal protections for LGBTQ+ couples are more limited than in many other European countries. For Jakub and Dawid, the ruling is both a personal and symbolic victory. While their marriage has been legally valid in Portugal since 2017, they say official recognition in their home country carries significant emotional weight after years of legal challenges and uncertainty. The couple's story has resonated widely online, with news of the ruling attracting significant attention on social media from supporters following their campaign. Renewing their vows offered an opportunity to celebrate a milestone that had long seemed out of reach. Nearly a decade after exchanging wedding vows abroad, Jakub and Dawid can now say their marriage has finally been acknowledged in the country they call home. The ruling is also being seen by campaigners as a significant moment for LGBTQ+ visibility in Poland, highlighting the challenges faced by same-sex couples seeking equal legal recognition and the impact prolonged legal battles can have on families. After nine years of court challenges, refusals and appeals, the couple say they are looking forward to focusing on the next chapter of their lives together rather than another legal fight. ### New Vivienne merch collection launched to help create lasting Liverpool tribute to late drag star URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-vivienne-tribute-merchandise-launched-to-help-fund-permanent-state-in-liverpools-pride-quarter/ Last updated: 2026-10-15T09:29:20.000Z A new merchandise collection celebrating the life and legacy of drag icon **The Vivienne** has launched to help raise funds for a permanent statue in **Liverpool**'s **Pride Quarter**. The range, created in support of the **Bring The Vivienne Home** campaign, features original artwork by illustrator **Jaimee Andrews** and has been produced by **You Betta Merch**, the late star's official merchandise partner. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Vivienne-Social-Post-05-2.png) Submitted At the heart of the collection is a portrait of The Vivienne, the drag persona of **James Lee Williams**, surrounded by symbols reflecting the performer's connection to both Liverpool and Wales. The design features a teal liver bird, **Stanley Street**'s famous sign draped in Pride flags, Welsh daffodils and The Vivienne's signature beneath a mirrorball. All profits from sales will go towards the campaign's £120,000 target to commission a life-size bronze statue honouring Williams, who died in January 2025 following a battle with ketamine addiction. Andrews, who donated the artwork to the campaign, said it was important the design reflected "The Vivienne's life and legacy". "The statue would be an amazing addition to the city, and I hope this can help raise funds for its creation," she said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/The-Vivienne-Statue---AI-Visualisation--Front-.png) The Vivienne Statue - AI visualisation The collection includes T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, caps, beanies, mugs and tumblers, alongside a second design featuring The Vivienne's signature on its own. You Betta Merch co-founder **Elliott Barnicle** said the company was honoured to be involved in a project celebrating the performer's impact on Liverpool and the wider drag community. "We wanted this collection to be something fans could wear with pride, while helping make sure her legacy has a permanent home in the city she loved," he said. Williams moved from Colwyn Bay to Liverpool as a teenager and found fame after winning the first series of *RuPaul's Drag Race UK* before appearing on programmes including *Dancing on Ice*. Before gaining national recognition, The Vivienne became a well-known figure in Liverpool's LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, particularly within the city's Pride Quarter. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/James-Lee-Williams---Cassie-Williams--5-.jpg) Cassie with James The Bring The Vivienne Home campaign is being led by Williams' mother, **Cassie Williams**, and managed by LGBTQ+ platform **Proudly Said**. Organisers say the statue will serve not only as a memorial to Williams but also as a gathering place for Liverpool's LGBTQ+ community and a platform for raising awareness of substance misuse. **John Hyland**, founder of Proudly Said and manager of the campaign, said the merchandise offered supporters another way to contribute to the fundraising effort. "Not everyone can drop a tenner into a fundraiser, and not everyone wants to," he said. "This is another way to raise the funds we need for the campaign, where you get something you will actually wear, and the campaign gets closer to its target." He added that the artwork reflected the two places that shaped Williams' life. "James came from Wales and he became The Vivienne in Liverpool, and both of those places have a claim on him. It's a beautiful representation that we are proud to have as part of James' legacy." 💡 [The collection is available now](https://youbettamerch.co.uk/collections/the-vivienne?ref=scenemag.co.uk), with prices starting at £14.99\. Donations can also be made directly to the [Bring The Vivienne Home campaign](https://www.gofundme.com/f/bring-the-vivienne-home?ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### Chick-fil-A boss says 'everyone is welcome' when challenged on company's anti-LGBTQ+ past URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/chick-fil-a-boss-says-everyone-is-welcome-when-challenged-on-companys-anti-lgbtq-past/ Last updated: 2026-10-14T15:29:04.000Z **Chick-fil-A** chief executive **Andrew Cathy** has declined to directly address concerns about the fast-food giant's history of funding organisations opposed to LGBTQ+ equality, despite fresh scrutiny following the company's expansion into the UK. Speaking on NBC's *Today* programme, Cathy was asked about Chick-fil-A's controversial record on LGBTQ+ issues and how he would respond to critics of the brand. The US chicken chain has faced criticism for years over comments made by former chief executive **Dan Cathy** opposing same-sex marriage, as well as charitable donations to organisations accused by campaigners of opposing LGBTQ+ rights. Asked what he would say to protesters today, Cathy did not directly respond to concerns about the company's past donations or whether its position on LGBTQ+ equality had changed. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Deecm1LDlhp/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by TODAY (@todayshow)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Deecm1LDlhp/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Instead, he said Chick-fil-A was focused on hospitality and serving customers. "For anybody that hasn't tried us, we'd love for you to come try and have our great-tasting food and the hospitality that we're known for," he said. "We're focused on serving everybody that comes in to eat with us." Presenter **Craig Melvin** challenged the response, suggesting Cathy appeared unwilling to discuss that period of the company's history. However, the chief executive continued to emphasise customer service rather than addressing the concerns raised by LGBTQ+ campaigners. The interview comes months after human rights campaigner **Peter Tatchell** led a protest outside Chick-fil-A's first London restaurant in Kingston upon Thames when it opened in March. Campaigners challenged the company over its past funding of organisations that oppose LGBTQ+ equality and called on the business to provide assurances that it would not support such groups in the future. [Peter Tatchell leads protest at Chick-fil-A’s first London restaurant - “it has funded anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns.”Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell led a protest at the opening of the first London branch of the US fast food giant Chick-fil-A, in Kingston upon Thames, today, 5 March. The picket took place outside the restaurant at 90 Eden Street, as campaigners challenged the company over its![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-576b07ad-8958-4c54-ba3c-b29b41e07384.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/d6d7d544-1bdd-2587-2f4c-a32e158ab68d-1-3e5ca4b8-62e3-4862-b530-66fea2c3c927.jpg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/peter-tatchell-leads-protest-at-chick-fil-as-first-london-restaurant-it-has-funded-anti-lgbtq-campaigns/) According to the **Peter Tatchell Foundation**, repeated requests for meetings and written assurances from Chick-fil-A had gone unanswered before the protest. The organisation urged the company to publicly commit to ending any financial support for organisations that campaign against LGBTQ+ rights. At the time, Tatchell said campaigners had been unable to secure guarantees that the company would not fund organisations opposed to LGBTQ+ equality in the future, and called on consumers to boycott the chain until such commitments were made. He also cited concerns over historic donations by Chick-fil-A's charitable arm to groups including the **Fellowship of Christian Athletes**, **Focus on the Family** and the **National Christian Charitable Foundation**. Chick-fil-A announced in 2019 that it would refocus its charitable giving on organisations working in education, homelessness and hunger. However, the company's past record continues to attract scrutiny from LGBTQ+ campaigners as it expands internationally. Cathy, who became chief executive in 2021, is the third generation of the Cathy family to lead the privately owned business. During the interview he also defended the chain's long-standing practice of closing on Sundays, saying it allows staff time to rest, spend time with family and attend church if they wish. ### Brighton queer choir joins nightclub-inspired show celebrating LGBTQ+ nightlife at Brighton Dome URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-queer-choir-joins-nightclub-inspired-show-celebrating-lgbtq-nightlife-at-brighton-dome/ Last updated: 2026-10-14T10:21:42.000Z Members of Brighton's **Rainbow Chorus** are set to perform in a new theatrical music event celebrating queer nightlife and community when *Congregational* comes to **Brighton Dome** later this month. Created by artist and vocalist **Fatt Butcher** in collaboration with **Nicky Harris** and **Tobre**, the show has been described as a "choral service for the nightclub", combining live music, performance and communal celebration in response to the challenges facing LGBTQ+ nightlife venues. Presented by **Brighton Dome** and **Marlborough Productions**, *Congregational* will take audiences on what organisers describe as a journey through collectivity, song and dancefloor culture. Featuring a live choir of professional queer vocalists, a DJ and piano accompaniment, the production blends house, trance, gospel, classical and experimental music through an original score of newly composed hymns. The performance arrives amid ongoing concerns about the decline of LGBTQ+ nightlife spaces across the UK, with the production positioning itself as both a tribute to and celebration of queer club culture. Ahead of the show, Brighton's Rainbow Chorus announced that some of its members will be joining the professional choir performing in the production. In a Facebook post, the chorus said: "We're bursting with pride. Rainbow Chorus members will be performing as part of the professional queer choir in *Congregational* at the Brighton Dome on 30 October - a powerful new choral service for the nightclub from artist and vocalist Fatt Butcher." The group described the production as "a celebration of queer nightlife, collective joy, and the music that keeps our community alive". Fatt Butcher, known for their distinctive blend of music, performance and queer storytelling, will lead audiences through what is billed as part concert, part communion and part resurrection, with organisers describing the show as a ceremony for a changing nightlife landscape. 💡 **Congregational* will be performed at Brighton Dome on 30 October, with tickets starting from £10\. Tickets [HERE](https://brightondome.org/whats-on/L0h-congregational/?fbclid=IwY2xjawU8NedleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMDIzemU4U0VxME5EaldIYVJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe6grB6mTt7lRb9yITYNWzZt7AXv668O6oex%5FY22lx3k87P9bcGYoiCBsX1hI%5Faem%5FrkR2Ee18dGTC8e5FZLFLHQ&ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### May Contain Trans Fats: The Radical Act of Loving My Supersized Self URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/may-contain-trans-fats-the-radical-act-of-loving-my-supersized-self/ Last updated: 2026-10-14T10:02:58.000Z 💡 ****Words by Stephanie Lynnette, an award-winning trans+ activist, writer and commentator.** Having my testicles removed was always going to change my relationship with my body. I just didn’t expect getting fat to be one of the best bits. The post-operative pounds that followed threw everything I thought I knew about beauty, desirability and my own body out of the window, challenging every preconceived notion and socially learned expectation I had along the way. While women are often taught that gaining weight should be met with horror, something unexpected happened to me: I liked myself more. This **National Curves Day**, as a self-proclaimed supersized internet transsexual, I’m here to tell you I couldn’t feel more at home in my skin. Before gaining weight, I was tall and thin. My disordered eating saw my BMI reach new lows. My lack of breast development and sharp jawline felt like constant reminders of my masculinity. My understanding of femininity was rooted in presentation. I was engrossed in the fashion world, developing an armour of polish and heels, conforming to the polished, aspirational version of womanhood it sold me, and the world expected of me. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc3cXlECaa%5F/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Stephanie Lynnette (@supersizedsteph)](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc3cXlECaa%5F/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Then, after my gender-affirming surgery, I gained weight everywhere. Washing away the sharpness of that harsh polish and ushering in a softness I had never seen. My chest went from a 34A to a 42DD, my dress size from a UK8 to a UK22, my jaw softened and my face began to look different in photographs. Younger, somehow. Stretch marks began to warmly embrace my growing curves. My breast growth led to sudden sagging and overnight I found myself bonding with other women about the same bodily changes that had kept them awake at night too. There was something affirming in those shared imperfections that I hadn’t anticipated. For years, I had imagined womanhood as something polished and performative. Yet some of the most meaningful conversations I had with other women happened through discussions of stretch marks, sagging breasts and private insecurities. I found a deeper understanding of femininity within those supposed imperfections. I became audaciously large, taking up more space than I ever had, but instead of wanting to shrink and craving conformity, I began to find power in it. Unfortunately, the world around me wasn’t as enamoured with my new body as me. My descriptors had gone from thin and “model-esque” to huge and “hilarious”. I was no longer tall, thin and palatably pretty. I was larger than life and funny. I’d lost the “pretty privilege” I hadn’t fully appreciated possessing until it disappeared, an experience that bonds many women who have lived through rapid weight gain. I’ve always been the subject of ridicule, unreasonable expectations and objectification, but the shift was enormous. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Unknown-3-1.jpeg) Image submitted People have yelled at me from moving cars if I’ve dared to wear colour as a plus-size woman. I’ve been told certain clothes have weight limits and been reminded in my comments section that I “used to be beautiful”. Just last week, walking through the station, a stranger assessed me and announced: “Jesus Christ, look at the state of it.” *It.* There was a time when strangers used that word because they couldn’t understand my gender identity. Hearing it again, this time in response to my size, felt very familiar. Becoming bigger had once again turned my body into public property. As a transgender woman, having strangers scrutinising my body was hardly a new experience. Trans bodies are constantly discussed, debated and judged by people who will never inhabit one. Becoming plus-size introduced me to another set of expectations about my body. Nothing about abuse is affirming, and I refuse to give it that power. Yet there’s been an uncomfortable affirmation in recognising something women have always understood: the entitlement the world feels towards our bodies. Women learn early that our bodies rarely get to simply exist. They can be too big, too small, too old, too muscular, too provocative or not feminine enough. We are encouraged to alter them, then scrutinised for doing so. Our bodies become subjects for strangers, politicians and internet audiences to discuss as though the person living inside them is secondary. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Unknown-4.jpeg) Image submitted As a trans woman, my experience of that scrutiny is not identical to other women’s, but I recognise something in it. There is a bitter irony in spending years worrying whether my body looked feminine enough, only to eventually find comfort in it and discover that now it’s the wrong kind of female form. I was becoming more feminine to myself at exactly the same time I was becoming less acceptable to society. My DD breasts might satisfy one clichéd cultural expectation of femininity, but apparently the stomach beneath them was expected to occupy considerably less space. For years, I thought womanhood was something polished and performative. Something achieved through high heels, careful styling and looking “put together”. Yet some of the most affirming experiences of my womanhood arrived in forms I had been taught to fear: Stretch marks. Sagging breasts. Unsolicited opinions. Impossible standards. Weight gain was supposed to make me feel less beautiful, less desirable and less worthy. Instead, it made me feel more at home in my femininity than ever before. Right now, I am audaciously large, taking up more space than ever and feeling surprisingly powerful doing it. And for the first time in my life, that feels like enough. ### Cornwall's only LGBTQ+ football club doubles fundraising target in epic EuroGames challenge URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/cornwalls-only-lgbtq-football-club-doubles-fundraising-target-in-epic-eurogames-challenge/ Last updated: 2026-10-14T09:28:17.000Z Members of Cornwall's only LGBTQ+ football team have raised hundreds of pounds for their **EuroGames** [fundraising campaign](https://www.gofundme.com/f/stargazy-fc-road-to-eurogames-2027?attribution%5Fid=sl:6583a040-fc36-46e5-813d-2995dac62497&lang=en%5FGB&ts=1785412567&utm%5Fcampaign=man%5Fsharesheet%5Fdash&utm%5Fcontent=amp20%5Ft1&utm%5Fmedium=customer&utm%5Fsource=copy%5Flink) after smashing their target in a gruelling cycling challenge. Players and supporters from **Stargazy FC** set out to cycle 120km as part of the club's [**Road to EuroGames fundraiser**](https://www.gofundme.com/f/stargazy-fc-road-to-eurogames-2027?attribution%5Fid=sl:6583a040-fc36-46e5-813d-2995dac62497&lang=en%5FGB&ts=1785412567&utm%5Fcampaign=man%5Fsharesheet%5Fdash&utm%5Fcontent=amp20%5Ft1&utm%5Fmedium=customer&utm%5Fsource=copy%5Flink), but ultimately doubled the distance, covering the equivalent journey from the Cornish border to the football pitches in Cardiff that will host matches during **EuroGames 2027**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/842821383_18627491263058724_2698097387648330528_n.jpg) Instagram The challenge was organised to raise money for the club's participation in the major European LGBTQ+ sporting event, while also helping to raise awareness of the team and its work promoting inclusion in football. Organisers hailed the effort as an "incredible" achievement, praising everyone who took part for pushing through the physical demands of the challenge. While participants kept themselves fuelled with tea, flapjacks and even crosswords throughout the day, they said the achievement had only been possible thanks to the determination of those involved. "This is just a small group of the Stargazy squad," the club said, adding that the support it had received from the wider community had been "incredible". The team also thanked **Hall for Cornwall** and **Green Room Café** in Truro for hosting the event and supporting the fundraiser. Despite already raising hundreds of pounds, the campaign remains open, with organisers encouraging supporters to continue donating as the club prepares for its journey to EuroGames 2027. ## [DONATE HERE ](https://www.gofundme.com/f/stargazy-fc-road-to-eurogames-2027?attribution%5Fid=sl:6583a040-fc36-46e5-813d-2995dac62497&lang=en%5FGB&ts=1785412567&utm%5Fcampaign=man%5Fsharesheet%5Fdash&utm%5Fcontent=amp20%5Ft1&utm%5Fmedium=customer&utm%5Fsource=copy%5Flink) ### Warwickshire Pride accuses Reform UK of ‘censorship’ over library LGBTQ+ restrictions URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/warwickshire-pride-accuses-reform-uk-of-censorship-over-library-lgbtq-restrictions/ Last updated: 2026-10-14T09:09:38.000Z **Warwickshire Pride** has condemned plans by **Reform UK**\-run **Warwickshire County Council** to introduce new restrictions affecting LGBTQ+ visibility in libraries, despite reports that a review found no evidence to support concerns about inappropriate Pride displays or LGBTQ+ books. The LGBTQ+ organisation said the council's decision to press ahead with changes to library selection criteria, display guidance and corporate branding amounted to an attempt to limit public visibility of LGBTQ+ people and communities. The row follows concerns raised by the county council's Reform administration about Pride displays and LGBTQ+ content in libraries, which were reportedly prompted by complaints that some material was unsuitable for children. However, Warwickshire Pride said checks carried out in libraries failed to substantiate those allegations and instead demonstrated that library staff were acting professionally and appropriately. Despite this, the council is expected to continue with proposed changes, prompting criticism from campaigners who argue the measures are politically motivated. In a statement published on social media, Warwickshire Pride accused the administration of using child protection as a justification for restricting LGBTQ+ representation in public spaces. "It is censorship dressed up as child protection," the group said. "LGBTQ+ people are not inappropriate. Our identities are not inappropriate. Our relationships, our families, our history and our existence are not inappropriate for children to see." The organisation argued that age-appropriate LGBTQ+ books and displays can play an important role in helping children understand different families and communities, while also providing reassurance and visibility for LGBTQ+ young people. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/775995822_1073385901937190_243652481279135801_n.png.jpeg) Warwickshire Pride. Facebook Warwickshire Pride stressed that there is a significant difference between ensuring library materials are suitable for children and restricting content because it features LGBTQ+ identities or experiences. "Children do not need protecting from the existence of LGBTQ+ people," the statement said. "LGBTQ+ people need protecting from prejudice, discrimination and the deliberate erasure of our existence from public spaces." The group also questioned why the administration was continuing with the proposed changes if its review had failed to find evidence supporting the original concerns. Campaigners said residents deserved answers about why restrictions were being pursued and what evidence justified treating LGBTQ+ content differently from other material available in libraries. The organisation linked the controversy to what it described as a wider pattern of statements and actions that have raised concerns about the administration's attitude towards LGBTQ+ communities. Warwickshire Pride also argued that the council's focus was misplaced at a time when the county faces wider challenges, including pressures on social care, road maintenance and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. "Residents have every right to question why this is being prioritised over the public services they depend upon," the group said. The charity called on the council to abandon the proposed restrictions, publicly explain the rationale behind the changes, respect the professional judgement of library staff and stop treating LGBTQ+ identities as inherently controversial or unsuitable for children. It said public libraries should remain welcoming spaces that reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, with decisions on books and displays guided by evidence, safeguarding considerations and professional expertise rather than politics. Warwickshire Pride said it would continue campaigning against the proposals and defending LGBTQ+ visibility in public life. "We will not accept a return to a time when LGBTQ+ people were expected to remain hidden," the statement said. "We are here. We belong here. And we will not be erased." ### LGBTQ+ people still avoiding sport over discrimination fears, Stonewall finds URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-people-still-avoiding-sport-over-discrimination-fears-stonewall-finds/ Last updated: 2026-10-13T15:48:59.000Z Thousands of LGBTQ+ people are avoiding gyms, sports clubs and exercise groups because they fear discrimination, according to new research released to coincide with the first-ever **Rainbow Laces Day**, which took place on **8 October**. The findings, published by LGBTQ+ charity **Stonewall**, suggest that many LGBTQ+ people still do not feel fully welcome in sporting environments despite years of work to improve inclusion. The survey found that more than one in 10 LGBTQ+ people (11%) avoid gyms, exercise classes or sports groups because of concerns about discrimination. Among trans people, that figure rises to almost three in 10 (29%). Stonewall chief executive **Simon Blake** said the findings showed that sport remains a difficult environment for many LGBTQ+ people. "All LGBTQ+ people should feel safe to exercise and benefit from the boost to mental as well as physical health that sport provides," he said. "Sport should be one of the easiest places to belong: you turn up, you play, you cheer, you're part of a team. But for too many LGBTQ+ people, it is still somewhere you check who is around before you let yourself relax." The research also found that sport is one of the public settings where LGBTQ+ people are most likely to experience discrimination. Fifteen per cent of LGBTQ+ respondents who had attended a live sporting event or watched sport in a bar over the previous year reported experiencing anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. The figure was matched only by education settings, while places of worship recorded the highest level at 19%. Trans people reported higher levels of discrimination across every setting included in the survey. More than a quarter said they had experienced discrimination in hospitality venues, educational settings, sporting environments and exercise spaces, while more than a third reported discrimination in faith settings. Alongside the survey, Stonewall commissioned research agency Bolt Insight to hold in-depth discussions with LGBTQ+ people who play or follow sport. Participants described physical activity as playing a crucial role in their mental and physical wellbeing, but many said they felt forced to hide their identities in mainstream sporting spaces. One football fan told researchers he felt he had to conceal "a big part" of who he was in order to enjoy the sport, while another participant said joining a local men's football team had led him to adopt a more "macho" persona that left him feeling he was being dishonest with himself. Participants highlighted women's football, parkrun events and LGBTQ+ grassroots sports clubs as examples of inclusive environments. By contrast, many felt elite men's football still had significant work to do. Among the changes they said would make the biggest difference were stronger enforcement of anti-discrimination policies, easier ways to report abuse, private changing facilities and greater visibility of LGBTQ+ role models, particularly in men's professional sport. Stonewall said Rainbow Laces Day was intended as both a celebration of LGBTQ+ inclusion and a reminder that more action is needed. Blake added: "Nobody should have to hide who they are. This Rainbow Laces Day, we are asking everyone in sport to take one action to make LGBTQ+ people feel safe and included, whether that's lacing up, speaking up, or showing up." The charity said visible support campaigns such as Rainbow Laces remain important, but participants stressed that clubs, governing bodies and sporting organisations must back those messages with meaningful action throughout the year. ### Hungary votes to scrap key Orbán-era anti-LGBTQ+ measures URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/hungary-votes-to-scrap-key-orban-era-anti-lgbtq-measures/ Last updated: 2026-10-13T13:38:25.000Z Hungary's parliament has voted to repeal controversial provisions in its child protection legislation that campaigners said stigmatized LGBTQ+ people, marking one of the most significant reversals of former prime minister **Viktor Orbán**'s social policies. The amendments were approved on Tuesday by the government of Prime Minister **Péter Magyar**, which has been working to dismantle parts of Orbán's legacy since taking office earlier this year. The changes remove measures introduced under the **2021 Child Protection Law** that banned the "portrayal or promotion of homosexuality or transgenderism". Critics argued the legislation fuelled discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and restricted discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, media and public life. LGBTQ+ organisations welcomed the vote, although activists said further reforms are needed. "We are very happy that this got adopted," **Tamás Dombos** of Hungary's **Háttér Association** told the **BBC**. "We've been fighting this so-called child protection law for five years." He added that while there had been concerns about the draft legislation, "most of those problems have been fixed". The reforms form part of a broader package of laws aimed at unwinding legislation passed during Orbán's time in office. The governing **Tisza** party holds the same two-thirds parliamentary majority previously enjoyed by Orbán's **Fidesz** party, giving it the power to make sweeping legislative changes. The vote came shortly before Hungary announced that the **European Union** had agreed to release €4.2 billion (£3.5 billion) in previously frozen funds. The **European Commission** recently said the **Magyar** government had addressed a number of rule-of-law concerns and recommended that EU leaders restore access to funding programmes including **Erasmus+** and **Horizon Europe**. The child protection law became one of the defining issues of Orbán's final years in power. While the former prime minister presented the legislation as necessary to protect children, opponents argued it deliberately conflated LGBTQ+ identities with risks to young people and curtailed fundamental rights. Its unravelling follows a dramatic shift in Hungary's political landscape. In 2025, an estimated quarter of a million people took part in **Budapest Pride** despite efforts by the Orbán government to prevent the march from going ahead. Police ultimately did not intervene and proceedings against organisers were later dropped. This year's Pride event took place without restrictions. Campaigners say Hungary still has considerable ground to make up on LGBTQ+ equality. Dombos called on the government to address issues including legal recognition for transgender people, adoption rights for same-sex couples and full recognition of same-sex marriages. "We are still knocking on a closed door," he said. "But at least they are listening on the other side." Magyar has so far taken a cautious approach to LGBTQ+ rights, seeking to soften some legislation without explicitly positioning his government as socially liberal. In a recent interview with Finnish newspaper *Helsingin Sanomat*, he said: "As prime minister, it's my duty to represent all Hungarians, and we have sensitive issues, such as the situation of sexual minorities." Fidesz and its coalition partner, the **Christian Democrats**, voted against the amendments. In a statement, the Christian Democrats said there remained "no place for the promotion of LGBTQ content in schools or the media". ### Manchester Drag Ball raises record £55,000 for HIV charity URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/manchester-drag-ball-raises-record-55-000-for-hiv-charity/ Last updated: 2026-10-13T13:15:44.000Z One of the UK's biggest LGBTQ+ fundraising events has raised a record-breaking £55,172.75 for HIV charity **George House Trust**. Often described as Manchester's answer to the Met Gala, the annual **Drag Ball** returned for its 11th year in 2026, bringing hundreds of guests together at the **Kimpton Clocktower Hotel** for an evening of drag performances, fundraising and celebration. The event, which began in 2015, has grown into one of the largest LGBTQ+ events outside London, raising vital funds to support people living with HIV and helping George House Trust deliver its mission of creating a world where HIV holds no one back. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/4L1A9667.png) Submitted Guests were treated to performances from some of the North's best-known drag artists, including **Shania Pain, Sam Buttery, Rosie Zinfandel, Pam Sandwich, Mandy Ann Ket, KY Kelly** and **Tequila Thirst**, alongside dozens of other performers. The evening also featured a silent auction, with attendees contributing to the record fundraising total. George House Trust was founded in 1985 at the height of the HIV and AIDS crisis, when treatment options were limited and stigma surrounding the condition was widespread. Today, advances in testing and treatment mean that most people living with HIV who are on effective medication can achieve an undetectable viral load, meaning the virus cannot be passed on to sexual partners. However, campaigners say stigma, discrimination and unequal access to support remain significant challenges. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/4L1A9161.png) Submitted **Darren Knight**, chief executive of George House Trust, said: "At George House Trust we've got a long history of working with businesses and the people of Manchester to stand up, be heard and raise money to support people living with HIV. "Since 1985 we've stood together as a community to fight for the rights of people living with HIV and to reduce stigma and discrimination. What started here in Manchester has changed the way that HIV is understood and treated all over the world. Our work is not done. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/4L1A7944.png) Submitted "Our annual Drag Ball is a great way to get together, say thank you to our supporters and raise money, but we also take this opportunity to remind people that there is still more to do. Nationally there is a commitment to end new HIV transmissions and AIDS-related deaths by 2030, and we're here to create a world where HIV holds no one back." The charity is encouraging anyone interested in supporting its work through fundraising, volunteering or awareness-raising to get involved ahead of **World AIDS Day** on **1 December**. George House Trust will lead a programme of events and fundraising activities in the run-up to the annual awareness day as it continues its efforts to challenge HIV stigma and support people living with the virus. ### Opinion: Big Brother's Philip is the worst type of gay man URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/opinion-big-brothers-philip-is-the-worst-type-of-gay-man/ Last updated: 2026-10-13T11:51:08.000Z *\*Twinks, in this article, is a person, not the collective noun for 'twinks'* It's been an interesting series of Big Brother UK. Arguably the most entertaining in a long time, and definitely the most notable. I have been a big fan of the show for as long as I can remember. The ITV era has been mostly very dry and boring, but this latest series has been a whopper with arguments and physical altercations. But it has also shown me that gay men can be fucking awful. Philip Regan, more commonly known as internet sensation the 'Queen of Scotty Road', has hogged the limelight with his foul-mouthed rants and generally crap attitude towards people he doesn't like. He has had multiple targets including Twinks, Rob, Pauline, Yasmin and Johanne, but his brief tiff with Rochelle was very telling. In the episode which aired on the 11th of October, he and Rochelle were sat in the bedroom talking to the chronically disinterested and 'unable to commit' Gemma Collins about Twinks. Philip was bragging about how he put her in her place when she entered the Big Brother House late. In the conversation, Rochelle says that she felt as though Twinks was an "intruder" which led Philip to tell what appeared to be an overinflated story. "You've come into our house. Don't you fucking forget it," he supposedly said to her in a harsh tone. This prompted Rochelle to say: "You didn't fucking say it like that." _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Trans-founded Camden LGBTQ+ venue Zodiac Bar closes after five years URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-founded-camden-lgbtq-venue-zodiac-bar-closes-after-five-years/ Last updated: 2026-10-13T10:00:21.000Z A trans-founded LGBTQ+ venue in Camden has closed its doors after five years in business. **Zodiac Bar and Karaoke**, located on Hampstead Road, ceased trading this week, according to owner and managing director **Jade Phoenix**, who announced the closure in a statement to customers and supporters. Jade said she launched the venue with a vision of creating a welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people and their allies. “I founded Zodiac because I wanted a happy, positive family vibe place and an all inclusive space,” she said. “As a trans-founded and run venue, I wanted to bring people together from across the LGBTQ+ community and allies.” She added that the venue had been built around the belief that everyone should have somewhere to feel “safe, accepted and free to be themselves”, regardless of their background, gender or sexuality. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/703461907_1592067986260000_3799670868319128874_n-1.jpg) Facebook Over the past five years, Zodiac established itself as both a community hub and a popular karaoke destination in north London. Jade said she was particularly proud of the reputation the venue had built within the capital's nightlife scene. “At its home at 119 Hampstead Road, Zodiac has always sought to offer a warm welcome, a platform for performers and a place where friendships could grow,” she said. “I am proud of the moments of joy, creativity and connection shared within its walls.” Jade also paid tribute to the staff, performers, DJs, hosts, promoters and community partners who helped shape the venue, thanking them for their “talent and dedication”. The closure is likely to disappoint many regulars who found friendship and community through the bar's events and performances. “I recognise that this will be sad news for many who found friendship and a sense of belonging at Zodiac,” Jade said. “To everyone who made it a part of your life: thank you for sharing your nights, your celebrations, and your voices with us.” Despite the closure, Jade insisted the decision does not mark the end of her involvement in London's LGBTQ+ nightlife scene. “However, this is not the end,” she said. “The Zodiac era may be over, but I intend to return stronger and mightier than before, so watch this space.” ### Charity calendar launched to support HIV awareness and services URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/charity-calendar-launched-to-support-hiv-awareness-and-services/ Last updated: 2026-10-13T09:34:39.000Z A new charity calendar featuring a group of men is set to raise both awareness of HIV and vital funds for two leading HIV charities. The **Red Ribbon Charity Calendar** brings together a group of volunteers who have posed for a series of bold and uplifting photographs in support of **The Sussex Beacon** and **Terrence Higgins Trust**. Organisers say proceeds from calendar sales will help fund care, advocacy and community services for people living with HIV, while promoting greater awareness and solidarity. The project has been spearheaded by **Jordan Chan**, who is launching the calendar with a special event at **Bar Broadway** on **24 October**. The launch party, which begins at **9pm**, will see Jordan and the calendar's models, collectively known as the "Brit Crew", meeting supporters and signing copies. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/c688982b-b39e-47b7-a1d7-901ba37e43a6.jpg) Submitted Several well-known LGBTQ+ venues have backed the initiative, with **Bar Broadway**, **Bulldog Brighton** and **The Regency Tavern** sponsoring the project. Following the launch, the group will take the calendar on a series of appearances across the South East and London, including events at **Forbidden Fruit** on **7 November**, **La Margate** in Kent on **28 November**, and **The Admiral Duncan** and **The Village Soho** in London on **12 December**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/84d78e85-72e1-4e53-9079-3786031585c7-1.jpeg) Submitted Jordan said the aim of the project is to raise awareness around HIV while generating much-needed funds for organisations supporting people living with the condition. The Sussex Beacon provides specialist care and support for people living with HIV across Sussex, while Terrence Higgins Trust is a leading HIV and sexual health charity, offering advice, advocacy and support services nationwide. Sales of the calendar will directly support the work of both organisations as they continue to provide services to people affected by HIV and campaign to reduce stigma surrounding the condition. ## [Grab a copy HERE ](https://payhip.com/b/nTIoF?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Thousands sign petition urging Sadiq Khan to scrap Harry Potter Christmas lights over 'transphobia' URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/thousands-sign-petition-urging-sadiq-khan-to-scrap-harry-potter-christmas-lights-over-transphobia/ Last updated: 2026-10-13T08:39:56.000Z More than 3,500 people have signed a petition calling on London Mayor **Sadiq Khan** to intervene over plans for a *Harry Potter*\-themed Christmas lights display on Oxford Street, citing concerns about author **JK Rowling**'s views on trans rights. The display, which is intended to promote the forthcoming *Harry Potter* TV series, has prompted criticism from campaigners who argue that celebrating the franchise could generate further revenue for Rowling, who has become one of the most prominent supporters of gender-critical causes in recent years. The petition, launched by supporters of the **Good Law Project**, attracted thousands of signatures within its first 24 hours online. Signatories argue that the installation would undermine efforts to make London feel welcoming and inclusive for trans people during the festive season. [Sadiq Khan: Pull the plug on transphobiaTell the mayor of London to switch off JK Rowling’s Christmas lights![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/favicon-20-2--6a5762cf-26b2-4719-814b-751e3d81f82d.ico)Good Law Project![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/GettyImages-1786605427-2-291b1082-78f8-4333-bcf7-b3371b556f45.jpg)](https://action.goodlawproject.org/sadiq-khan-pull-the-plug-on-transphobia?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Campaigners say the controversy surrounding the new television adaptation has already led to opposition from within the entertainment industry. They point to comments from Canadian director **Ally Pankiw**, known for her work on *Black Mirror*, who said she had turned down an opportunity to work on the series, stating: “It is simply this easy to say no to funding transphobia.” The petition places particular pressure on Khan, who has previously described himself as an ally to the trans community and repeatedly said that trans rights are human rights. Supporters argue that allowing a *Harry Potter*\-themed display in one of London's most prominent shopping destinations would be at odds with those commitments. A spokesperson for Good Law Project said: “How can Mayor Khan tell trans Londoners that ‘this city is yours too’, whilst allowing a Christmas lights display to go ahead that will help fund anti-trans rights groups? The mayor must back up his words with action.” The campaign group says the lights would send the 'wrong message' to trans people visiting or living in the capital during the Christmas period and is urging City Hall to use its influence to seek their removal. At the time of writing, the petition had received more than 3,500 signatures, with organisers expecting that figure to rise in the coming days. ### Around the World with Dibbles: a global adventure for Photo Fringe URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/around-the-world-with-dibbles-a-global-adventure-for-photo-fringe/ Last updated: 2026-10-12T13:41:46.000Z Dibbles is a small bear and the mascot of the[**Gay Men’s Chorus**](https://www.brightongmc.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). He set sail on a world cruise with photographer [**Nick Ford** ](https://www.instagram.com/nickfordphotography/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) on the MV Aurora. Over the voyage he crossed the equator, the international date line and every time zone, hopping in and out of camera bags along the way. He visited far-flung continents, made friends wherever he went, and may well be the only bear to have travelled through both the Panama and Suez Canals. It’s a gloriously silly premise, and the show’s warmth comes from taking his adventures seriously. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/514350166_1482453716265026_451793356855538798_n-1.jpg) Nick Ford | Photo credit: Nick Ford Ford will be a familiar name to many readers. He has worked across LGBTQ communities in the city for many years, and his Oxford Street studio has long been a welcoming base for Brighton’s photographers. His work ranges from the glinting metallic landmarks of *Lustrous Brighton* to the layered urban details of *3D*, and he has often opened his space to other artists through shows like *4×8*. Alongside Dibbles’s escapades, a selection of Ford’s own travel images will be on display, so there’s real photographic substance behind the whimsy. The mascot of one of our most loved city choruses, who ventures across oceans and returns with stories to share fits [Photo Fringe’s *Feedback Loop*](https://photofringe.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) theme. After a heavy year, an exhibition that invites you to smile and look closely is a small gift. It’s the sort of show you can bring a friend, or a curious date to, and the studio has step-free access. A visit slots neatly into a lunch break, and you could pair it with a wander round the festival’s other Brighton venues. [*Around the World with Dibbles*](https://photofringe.org/festival/2026/exhibition/around-the-world-with-dibbles/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), Photo Fringe 2026\. Nick Ford Photography, [19 Oxford Street, Brighton BN1 4LA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/rm2Qr1CHYtqtXBzY7?ref=scenemag.co.uk). Open 11:00-16:00 daily until Thursday 15 October. Step-free access. This is a working studio, so if the blinds are down, just knock. ### Review: Shadows of Willow Cabin (2025) URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-shadows-of-willow-cabin-2025/ Last updated: 2026-10-12T12:47:45.000Z Dir Joe Fria: 114 mins Hello, cinema lovers! Shadows of Willow Cabin has a genuinely moving idea buried inside it. Getting there takes patience. *Blair Witch* may have been scarier, but Willow Cabin is more profound. Written and directed by debut director [Joe Fria](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1002694/?ref%5F=tt%5Fov%5F1%5F1&ref=scenemag.co.uk), the film's plot begins with cute bear Albert ([Bryan Bellomo](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2547782/?ref%5F=tt%5Fov%5F3%5F1&ref=scenemag.co.uk)) and sexy twink Devon ([John Brodsky](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3936560/?ref%5F=tt%5Fov%5F3%5F2&ref=scenemag.co.uk)) meeting at a remote family-owned cabin, built by Albert's grandfather. The men are there to explore a connection that began with a string of dating app messages. Albert is closeted and married. Catholic guilt surrounds him like a rainy day. Devon is younger, an EMT, someone who has made a bad habit of loving men who can't love him back. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/be304c_62a00c8264e24646b59c98a047a44b24-mv2.png) Image: [Shadows of Willow Cabin LLC](https://www.shadowsofwillowcabin.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) The clandestine getaway starts with flirtation, wine and a hot tub before things heat up. The two leads work hard to create a tentative, gentle connection on screen between two lost men needing comfort and peace. However, when the phone signal drops and the car won't start, the tone shifts. Turns out Albert's uncle Russell killed himself in the cabin years earlier, not long after his own son ran away. That same son who had a close bond with a teenage Albert. Those ghosts of the past linger as the weekend progresses. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Beyond the Scroll: Why queer print still plays a crucial role URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/why-queer-print-still-plays-a-crucial-role/ Last updated: 2026-10-12T12:10:19.000Z Brighton celebrated the colourful world of LGBTQ+ print and independent publishing as **Cover Story Brighton** brought its special pop-up to 'Bearly Awake' café, marking a first-of-its-kind celebration of queer magazines and the people behind them. The event brought together a curated selection of LGBTQ+ magazines and independent publications, from established titles to exciting new voices in queer publishing, creating a space for visitors to browse, discover, connect and celebrate the power of print. The evening also marked the Brighton launch of ***BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!***, the independent gay magazine, giving visitors the opportunity to meet the team behind the publication and explore the stories that bring it to life. ### Watch our full interview with Leah Bancroft 0:00 /3:53 1× Our reporter[ ****Liran Notik**](https://www.instagram.com/liran%5Fnotik?ref=scenemag.co.uk), chatting with founder ****Leah Bancroft** I met with **Leah Bancroft** of **Cover Story Brighton**, whose passion for independent magazines inspired her to bring this unique concept to the city. > “I've always been really obsessed with independent magazines” Leah told me during our conversation. After looking around Brighton and speaking to friends, she recognised a clear demand for a space dedicated to independent print - something she felt the city was missing. Her response? If nobody else was going to bring it to Brighton, why not do it herself? Leah's journey has involved visiting magazine shops across the UK, discovering different publications and carefully selecting titles that appeal to her own interests while considering what Brighton's diverse community might enjoy. The result is a vibrant collection that invites visitors to discover publications they might never have encountered otherwise. But **Cover Story** is about much more than selling magazines. Speaking with Leah, it quickly became clear that the heart of the project lies in bringing people together through a shared passion. In a world where so much of our reading happens online, the pop-up offers something refreshingly tangible: the opportunity to hold a magazine, turn its pages, appreciate its photography and design, and connect with others who share the same curiosity. As Leah put it, the project's core mission is: > “To bring people together through their passion of magazines.” It's a particularly meaningful idea within the LGBTQ+ community, where independent publications have long offered space for representation, creativity and stories that deserve to be seen. That sense of community was reflected throughout the event at Bearly Awake. Visitors could browse the selection, discover new titles and enjoy an evening celebrating queer creativity and independent voices. The ***BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!* Brighton launch** added another highlight, offering an opportunity to explore how an independent magazine is made and to meet some of the people responsible for bringing it to readers. ### Watch our interview with Alastair James, 'BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!' 0:00 /2:23 1× ****Liran Notik**, chatting with ****Alastair James**, Gallery Manager of BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! For me, covering the event for Scene Magazine was a reminder of why spaces like these play such a crucial part. Beyond the publications themselves, there is something special about creating opportunities for people to meet, exchange ideas and discover stories that connect us. **Cover Story Brighton** is helping bring that experience to the city. Through Leah's enthusiasm and determination, an idea born from a personal love of print is becoming a meeting point for independent publishing and Brighton's LGBTQ+ community. Perhaps that's the real story behind Leah's project. What if the purpose of those gorgeous magazines sitting on the shelves is to bring people together, creating space for conversation and connection? In an increasingly digital world, queer print is still very much alive and kicking - and Brighton just got another reason to celebrate it. So, put down your phone, pick up a magazine, and discover inspiring stories! Don't forget to follow them on instagram: [Bearly Awake](https://www.instagram.com/bearlyawakebrighton/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)***,*** [Cover Story Brighton](https://www.instagram.com/coverstorybrighton/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)***,*** [*BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!*](https://www.instagram.com/boysgallerycafelondon/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Review: Madfabulous (2026) URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-madfabulous-2026/ Last updated: 2026-10-11T15:17:06.000Z Dir Celyn Jones: 108 mins. Hello, cinema lovers! Henry Paget (the very sexy [Callum Scott Howells](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11142674/?ref%5F=tt%5Fcst%5Ft%5F6&ref=scenemag.co.uk) ), a real-life Victorian aristocrat in the 1890s, is called home to become the fifth Marquess of Anglesey. He steps off the boat in his late mother's dress, bedazzled with jewellery. The locals stare in disbelief. His family winces at the arrival of this strange, exotic man. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4931958/mediaviewer/rm3058276354/?ref_=ttmi_mi_4_3](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MV5BYzE4NmYyNDgtNTAzYy00NmVlLWI0ODYtNjEyZGUwOTYxNzRlXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX492_.png) Image: Screenshot Henry's butler Gelert (the wonderfully cast [Rupert Everett](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000391/?ref%5F=tt%5Fcst%5Ft%5F1&ref=scenemag.co.uk)) takes his side and remains a loyal, trusted protector. Henry befriends his wonderfully quirky cousin Lily ([Ruby Stokes](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4250763/?ref%5F=tt%5Fcst%5Ft%5F3&ref=scenemag.co.uk)) and the two marry to free each other from family expectations. The marriage is sexless but warm, but soon trouble arrives in the shape of Nick ([Tom Rhys Harries](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4151189/?ref%5F=ttfc%5Ffcr%5F3%5F23&ref=scenemag.co.uk)); he arrives, flatters Henry and leads him astray. Henry has poor health, a plotline that runs through the movie. He spends money like there's no tomorrow. In the wings, relatives led by Neville ([Louis Hynes](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7881084/?ref%5F=tt%5Fcst%5Ft%5F4&ref=scenemag.co.uk)) and the scheming Lord Penrhyn ([Paul Rhys](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0722631/?ref%5F=tt%5Fcst%5Ft%5F9&ref=scenemag.co.uk)) start to plot. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/madfabulous_dc3bb4c0-9657-4ccf-b076-edc39dbda14b.jpg) Image: [MAB FAB LTD 2026](https://www.madfabulousfilm.co.uk/movie/madfabulous/film-info?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Howells works hard, and it shows on screen in a committed but ultimately failed showing. He dances with abandon, showcasing a frankly distractingly beautiful physique. His Henry also sulks a great deal. It's a performance that shows a man slowly becoming more feeble and desperate. He is also arrogant and tragic in equal measure, a tricky balance. However, some of the acting is quite stilted despite Howell's best efforts. Weak narrative choices let him down. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Fairy Queen Purcell @ BREMF URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-fairy-queen-purcell-bremf/ Last updated: 2026-10-15T13:11:27.000Z Purcell’s fairies hold court in Kemp Town Few rooms could suit Purcell’s *The Fairy Queen* as well as St George’s Church, where **Brighton Early Music Festival** presented the 1692 semi-opera on Friday night. The high vaults and clean Georgian lines lent the music a crisp, detailed elegance, as though the building had been drawn to the score’s measure. Its Kemp Town setting, in Brighton’s queer heartland, felt apt for a work devoted to enchantment, disguise and desire. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/The-Fairy-Queen-1046750.jpg) Photo Credit Sisi Burn Purcell’s score is a string of masques rather than a continuous opera, each danced or sung entertainment, or “entry”, slotted into the story of Oberon, Titania and their quarrel over a favoured young man. It sits somewhere between opera, spectacle and revue. The **London Handel Players,** directed from the violin by **Adrian Butterfield**, honoured that structure with a lightness that gave every scene room to breathe. Tempos were sprightly without ever feeling hurried, and the intricate musical storytelling stayed clear from the first menuet to the final chaconne. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Adrian-Butterfield-c-Chris-Christodoulou-scaled.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/London-Handel-Players-scaled-1.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Mary-Collins-scaled.jpg) Adrian Butterfield (right) | Photo credit: Chris Christodoulou | London Handel Players (centre), Mary Collins (left) Period instruments did exactly what they should. Baroque strings and harpsichord, with the softer-edged tuning that accompanies them, gave **Purcell’s** harmonies a warmth modern instruments seldom find. The natural trumpets of **Neil Brough** and **Peter Mankarious** swelled gloriously to fill the acoustic. **Joel Raymond**’s oboe, **Ben Hoffnung’**s percussion and **Silas Wollston’**s harpsichord added colour and propulsion beneath. **Rachel Brown** and **Olwen Foulkes’**s recorders joined whistles in the early songs, conjuring a convincing woodland night. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Review: Plan 9 from outer space URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-plan-9-from-outer-space/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:16:16.000Z Dir. Ed Wood: 79 mins Hello, cinema lovers! Plan 9 from Outer Space is a magnificent mess, and far queerer than [Ed Wood](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000248/?ref%5F=tt%5Fov%5F1%5F1&ref=scenemag.co.uk) ever meant it to be. A so-bad-it's-good classic, perfect for people who like their spooky firmly tongue-in-cheek. The plot, if you can vaguely call it that, involves aliens led by Eros ([Dudley Manlove](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0542611/?ref%5F=tt%5Fcst%5Ft%5F8&ref=scenemag.co.uk), no, really) who want to stop humanity from building a deadly bomb that will endanger the universe or something like that. Their super clever answer is Plan 9: raise the dead, but only so they can slowly shuffle around a set. Cue a smoke machine, a cemetery and a ghoul or three, and the fun kicks off. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052077/mediaviewer/rm3094301184/?ref_=ttmi_mi_44_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/MV5BNWVlYzZkYTMtNGM2MC00YThmLWJiOWEtN2I3ODJlOWE1NGUzXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX437_-1.png) Image: screenshot The adequate cast includes blundering pilot Jeff Trent ([Gregory Walcott](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0906966/?ref%5F=tt%5Fov%5F3%5F1&ref=scenemag.co.uk)), his slightly dim wife Paula ([Mona McKinnon](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0571958/?ref%5F=tt%5Fov%5F3%5F3&ref=scenemag.co.uk)), and[ Tor Johnson](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0426363/?ref%5F=ttfc%5Ffcr%5F3%5F7&ref=scenemag.co.uk) as the barely reanimated Inspector Clay. [Maila Nurmi](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0885533/?ref%5F=ttfc%5Ffcr%5F3%5F19&ref=scenemag.co.uk) drifts through a single set as Vampira, looking like a woman on xanax that needs a burger. The legendary horror actor [Bela Lugosi](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000509/?ref%5F=ttfc%5Ffcr%5F3%5F20&ref=scenemag.co.uk), in footage shot before his death, is the grieving old man. Who Lugosi angered in heaven to have ended up here is a mystery. San Francisco icon [John “Bunny” Breckinridge](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0106559/?ref%5F=tt%5Fcst%5Ft%5F10&ref=scenemag.co.uk) plays the alien Ruler. He plays his role as a man truly in on the joke. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052077/mediaviewer/rm2349850368/?ref_=ttmi_mi_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/MV5BMjEzMTcwNTk5Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwOTIyMzUzMDE@._V1_QL75_UX425_.png) Image: screenshot Performances? Walcott is a handsome plank. Most of the cast stand still and recite overly padded nonsense. Vampira thankfully says nothing and makes the biggest impression as she wanders around the set, appearing every 7 minutes. That cinched waist, those mad wide eyes, horror glamour incarnate. Wildly out of place but like Bunny, she seems totally in on the joke. Lugosi is silent here too. But his scenes carry real sadness. When his on-screen stand-in arrives, cape raised over his face, the spell breaks. Delightfully awful. Director Wood has become a folk artist. He wrote, produced, directed and edited. Day turns to night and back again in between shots. Man-made fog lazily rolls across everything. The spaceship interiors are curtains and wooden tables. The saucers are shoddy plastic model kits, according to the documentary *Flying Saucers Over Hollywood*. Stock footage of Hollywood Boulevard was spliced in. Eros delivers his long, long speech about sunlight and gasoline and sucks the air out of the room. The "score", compiled from stock music, blares over the top. It is awful. It is also strangely impressive given the production's budget. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052077/mediaviewer/rm48867842/?ref_=ttmi_mi_12_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/MV5BOWI5OWZlNDQtYTk0OS00YzEwLTkyMmMtMzVhZjc0NjllZjE5XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX582_.png) Image: screenshot No openly LGBT characters here. Sex is a quick, tepid kiss between a married couple on a terrace. This is not *Shortbus*. Nobody wants anybody naked. Leader, Eros, is named after the god of love but spends the film threatening annihilation and being strangely bitchy to his female companion. And that's surprising when you look at who made this movie. Breckinridge was an openly gay drag and burlesque performer. He announced plans in 1954 to travel to Denmark for gender-affirming surgery so he could marry his male secretary. The trip fell through. Think about that when you see him lounging in the curtained spaceship looking all dry and unbothered, like a bougie queen holding court in a very cheap room. David De Mering, Breckinridge’s secretary and alleged lover, sits in the cockpit as Danny. An alleged couple, hiding in plain sight in a B movie. How marvellous. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052077/mediaviewer/rm1206495746/?ref_=ttmi_mi_8_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/MV5BNmRkMmU2YzUtOGRjMy00NDMzLThiZWItOWFiMTE1ZjE0N2IyXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX582_.png) Image: screenshot Then there is Wood himself. He enjoyed wearing women's clothes and definitely sat on the wider gender spectrum. The withering comments in this article suggest a little contempt, but that's not true; there's real love here for all the low-budget, bonkers decisions made that translate to high camp. Everyone plays their role with such ridiculous sincerity. It feels a little *Rocky Horror*, a little John Waters. Was Wood winking? Hard to say. Plan 9 from Outer Space is coming to Blu-ray featuring a new 35mm print from the BFI National Archive, with audio commentaries, documentaries, and an illustrated booklet. The bomb talk runs long, and the middle sags. But I laughed from first fog to last explosion. Gather your chosen family. Pour something. Watch it loud. Plan 9 from Outer Space is released on Blu-ray in the UK on October 19, 2026\. ### Coast is Queer: Some highlights to look forward to URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/coast-is-queer-some-highlights-to-look-forward-to/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:06:09.000Z Forget the seafront: this year’s **Coast is Queer** docks a short hop up the [25 bus ](https://www.buses.co.uk/services/BH/25?ref=scenemag.co.uk)at **ACCA**, on the **University of Sussex** campus. From 16 to 18 October, writers, thinkers and delightful troublemakers sail in to talk bodies, history, family and fame. Hoist your tote bag, because here are some highlights to look forward to. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Queer-Body--3--1.png) Image credit Coast is Queer ### [Pleasure, Power and Pride in Our Bodies ](https://coastisqueer.com/event/pleasure-power-pride-in-our-bodies/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)| Friday 16 October Friday 16 October opens with a conversation about the question many of us have muttered at a changing-room mirror: what if our bodies were a joy rather than a project? **Megan Jayne Crabbe**, whose books made body positivity a manifesto, joins **Daniel O’Shaughnessy,** a queer health practitioner writing tenderly about shame and healing, and **Max Hovey,** who authored *No Fats, No Fems*. **Jamie Windust**, writer, model and chronicler of non-binary life, steers the ship from the chair. Expect honest talk about beauty standards, social media currents and the ache of never feeling shipshape in a community that can be fiercely image-conscious. But expect pleasure too, because this panel cares as much about liberation as critique. Come for the permission to like what you see. You will go home lighter, taller and with a long reading list. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Queer-MAsculinities-1.png) Image credit Coast is Queer ### [Queer Masculinities ](https://coastisqueer.com/event/queer-masculinities/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)| Friday 16 October Later that Friday, the festival charts a course through the many ways of being masculine without being boring about it. **Finn Mackay,** a sociologist who has written about female masculinities and the so-called gender wars, joins **Avi Ben-Zeev,** a psychologist and prize-winning storyteller whose memoir chases the feeling of home, and **Kenya Sterling**, a playwright and performer who bends class, race and transness through a surrealist lens. Chairing is **Nick McGlynn,** who literally wrote the book on Bear spaces, making him the festival’s foremost authority on beards, bodies and belonging. The panel asks what masculinity looks like when it refuses to sit still, and how butch lesbians, trans men and gay men quietly rewrite old rules just by living. It is smart, plural and allergic to stereotype. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Big-Debuts-Niamh-and-Rozie-1.png) Image credit Coast is Queer ### [Big Debuts: Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin and Rozie Kell](https://coastisqueer.com/event/big-debuts-niamh-ni-mhaoileoin-and-rozie-kelly/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)y | Saturday 17 October Saturday 17 October launches with a treat for anyone who loves discovering a new favourite author before everyone else. **Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin** and **Rozie Kelly**, two of the most talked-about first novelists afloat, sit down with writer and editor **Billy Lindon,** whose credits include joyful queer romcoms, the Queer Joy podcast and publishing **Lou Sullivan’s** diaries. Niamh’s *Ordinary Saints* navigates faith, grief, love and chosen family, and reached the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize shortlist. Rozie’s *Kingfisher*, a bold, unvarnished tale of queer love and friendship, won the NorthBound Book Award and made the Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlist. Two debuts, two distinct voices, not a dull moment on the horizon. Expect candid chat about the craft of literary fiction, the nerve-shredding thrill of a first publication, and how queerness, religion and nature seep into the pages. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Queer-Disability-History-1.png) Image credit Coast is Queer ### [Queer Disability History ](https://coastisqueer.com/event/queer-disability-history/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)| Saturday 17 October Who gets written into the history books, and who gets quietly lost at sea? That is the sharp question behind Queer Disability History, also on Saturday 17 October. **Daisy Holder,** the archivist behind *Queer Disability Through History*, has spent years salvaging disabled lives from obscurity and handing them back to the community. **Jamie Hale,** author of *Shield* and artistic director of disabled-led company CRIPtic Arts, brings a theatre-maker’s eye for story. **Tom Ryalls**, whose *This Book is Short* is written for fellow ADHDers, earned a place on the Shaw Trust’s list of influential figures in theatre and broadcasting. Playwright and activist **Julie McNamara** chairs, drawing on a career putting disabled stories on stage. Together they follow the threads linking queer and disabled experience, from archive finds to personal tales, and chart more generous futures. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Juno-Dawson--2--1.png) Image credit Coast is Queer ### [Juno Dawson’s Lovely Trans Sofa](https://coastisqueer.com/event/juno-dawsons-lovely-trans-sofa/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) | Saturday 17 October Saturday evening closes with the weekend’s glitziest ticket, as Brighton’s own **Juno Dawson** welcomes friends aboard the very first Lovely Trans Sofa. Think cosy, chatty and gloriously unpredictable: readings, conversation and performance from a crew of thrilling TNBI talents. Juno, whose books range from the iconic *This Book is Gay* to the witchy *Her Majesty’s Royal Coven*, is the host a bookish crowd deserves. **Jordan Gray,** the comedian behind the ITV sitcom *Transaction*, brings fearless stand-up and the distinction of being the first trans performer to take a solo show to the London Palladium. **Nicola Dinan,** whose debut *Bellies* won the Polari First Book Prize, adds literary sparkle, while actor and comedian **Fizz Sinclair** promises wit, warmth and queer flair. It is a living room for readers who like literature with a side of laughter and a flourish of cabaret. ### [Mum’s the Word ](https://coastisqueer.com/event/mums-the-word/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)| Sunday 18 October Sunday 18 October brings a warm, wry and surprisingly practical morning with Mum’s the Word, celebrating queer family life in all its glorious chaos. The programme cheerfully tackles the questions every would-be queer parent gets asked, from the logistics of pregnancy to who counts as which parent. Brighton’s **Jessica** and **Claudia Kellgren-Fozard,** raising three children as a same-sex couple while managing chronic illness, bring laughter and lived expertise to their huge online following. **Kirsty Loehr,** author of *A Short History of Queer Parenting*, blends humour with history. Kirsty Logan, the award-winning Scottish author of *The Gracekeepers* and *Now She is Witch*, explores how motherhood threads through her fiction. **Dr Vedrana Velickovic** of the University of Brighton chairs, and poet **Maria Jastrzębska** adds a special performance. Together they navigate visibility, community and the joyful, sleep-deprived work of building a proud family. Six conversations, three days and one excellent reason to fill your tote with books. You will leave prouder and far better read. Catch the 25, drop anchor at ACCA, and let the tide of queer literature carry you home, reading glasses at the ready. **Full festival details can be found on the** [**Coast is Queer Website on this link.** ](https://coastisqueer.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Scene Magazine's Autumn 2026 Issue is out now URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/scene-magazines-autumn-2026-issue-is-out-now/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:38:40.000Z The Scene Magazine Autumn 2026 Issue – The Body Issue – is out now. Bodies. We all have one, and we have opinions about everyone else's. The autumn issue of Scene is all about them, as we explore different perspectives on ageing, sex, disabilities and body types that dominate Grindr, among other topics, across 52 fabulous pages. [Autumn 2026 / The Body IssueBodies. We all have one, and we have opinions about everyone else’s. The autumn issue of Scene is all about them, as we explore different perspectives on ageing, sex, disabilities and body types that dominate Grindr, among other topics, across 52 fabulous pages. Inside: sex work and body agency, rugby players with plen![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S_Logo-d5edc5d9-cb47-4d10-b17b-c49d4327fa71.png)Scene MagazineScene Magazine![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/untitled-10c92541-6ce7-4de3-8855-ab21af16ea47.jpg)](https://shop.scenemag.co.uk/products/autumn-2026-the-body-issue?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Enter ****BODY2026OFFER** at the checkout to get ****£3 off your order**. Inside: sex work and body agency, rugby players with plenty to say, love and intimacy beyond the usual script, ageing with HIV, and gender-affirming care without the jargon. Plus Body Language, a photographic series on tattoos, piercings and the art we choose to wear for life. Our cover stars are ParaPride, shot for the issue at the iconic Heaven London nightclub by Chris Jepson. Get more out of Scene with Scene+ ****Scene+** offers a variety of exclusive content, including free-of-charge print issues as soon as they are published. If you haven't signed up yet, now is the time. [Become a Scene+ member ](#/portal/signup) ### The Saturday Scene: Has Kemi Badenoch breathed new life into the Tories? And what's happening with the Greens? URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-has-kemi-badenoch-breathed-new-life-into-the-tories-and-whats-happening-with-the-greens/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T07:13:04.000Z #### Party conference season is over, and we certainly got our fair share of headlines out of it. These ranged from the Liberal Democrats' rebellion against Sir Ed Davey over his rejection of Andy Burnham's announcement to rethink the triple-lock, to attention-grabbing gender-critical speeches opposing trans-inclusive motions. There was also a rather tumultuous Green Party conference, which was dominated by the 'Zionism is racism' motion and its fallout after passing it. The motion caused a significant backlash from party members, other parties, and sections of the public. Some argue that the motion and the negative press coverage that followed cost Zack Polanski the Holborn & St Pancras by-election. Labour managed to [hold the seat](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/oct/09/labour-wins-holborn-st-pancras-byelection-green-party?ref=scenemag.co.uk) in what was considered a two-horse race between Andy Burnham's party and the Greens. And then there are the Tories, who made more headlines with the '[Birmingham Tapestry](https://spectator.com/article/the-tory-bayeux-tapestry-will-make-you-reconsider-the-original/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)', a satirical installation reflecting on the past two years through the lens of Tory HQ. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/imago0868566647h.jpg) Delegates look at the large Bayeux tapestry influenced Birmingham Tapestry, mocking political opponents | IMAGO / SOPA Images _This post is for subscribers only._ ### INTERVIEW: Hove based salon owner Oliver Blackaby opens up about creating a safe space, hair trends and the client story that made him cry URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/interview-hove-based-salon-owner-oliver-blackaby-opens-up-about-creating-a-safe-space-hair-trends-and-the-client-story-that-made-him-cry/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T12:00:35.000Z Ladies, gentleman, theys and thems, welcome to the **Brighton & Hove** residents' community corner series celebrating our city’s bold drag artists, boundary breaking performers and Brighton & Hove based queer-owned/LGBTQ+ businesses. When I launced this series in 2025, my goal was to go beyond the glam with our legendary, local queer performers so we can all get to know the people behind them. And now that mission has expanded to include the incredible LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs helping shape our city too. After all, like **Lady Gaga** once asked on *ARTPOP*, "Do you wanna see the girl who lives behind the aura?" Well, of course we do. This week we're joined by [**OLIVER BLACKABY**](https://www.instagram.com/oliverblackabyhair?ref=scenemag.co.uk), the friendly face behind award-winning [**The Hair Salon**](https://thehair-salon.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)on **Blatchington Road** in **Hove** (actually). As well as running a thriving salon, the queer owned business owner is a hair educator, podcast host and passionate advocate for creating spaces where people feel genuinely welcomed, respected and able to be themselves. If this is your first time stumbling across my centrestage series and you want to catch up on previous interviews, don't panic hun-catch up [**HERE**](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/tag/centrestage/). If you're looking to put your money where your queer mouth is, supporting LGBTQ+ owned businesses is one of the most powerful ways to do it. These businesses sit at the intersection of creativity, resilience and community, strengthening our local economy while helping create opportunities for future generations of queer entrepreneurs. Long after **Pride Month** ends and **LGBTQ+ History Month** comes to a close, these businesses deserve our support year-round, right?! Let's dive in head first with Ollie where we yap about confidence, creativity, hair trends and the power of helping people feel like themselves! > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZNajyhskeX/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Salon owner (@oliverblackabyhair)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZNajyhskeX/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) DALEYPOP: Ollie! Hello! For our readers who aren't familiar with you or your stunning hair salon (yet), can you introduce yourself and what do you do? OLIVER BLACKABY: Hi Dale, hi readers! My name is Oliver, or Ollie. I've been in the hair industry for over 25 years. I've mainly been Brighton based but I've also worked in **London** including for **Trevor Sorbie** and **Headmasters**. I went freelance about 10 years ago and started my own studio not long after. During lockdown I had the chance to step back and really think about the future and that's when I decided to open a salon. Coming out of the last lockdown, I opened The Hair Salon and it was a big leap because I never planned to have a salon. I wanted to create a freelance space but also a safe space for us to work. I also educate with my colleague and friend **Vanessa** **Koeb** and I have a podcast called **The So Lovely Talk Show** with my friend **Siobhán Jones** where we discuss what it's like being a creative and tackle topics such as imposter syndrome and sexism. > I have a lot of plates spinning! DALEYPOP: You really do! Did you grow up in Brighton/Hove and were you always the creative type growing up? OLIVER BLACKABY: I was born in **Shoreham**, went to school in **Steyning** and lived in **Poynings**. I was a country boy and loved running around the fields. I was always creative. Art was my passion and I loved sewing. I remember making replicas of **Sarah Ferguson**'s wedding dress for my **Barbie**! As soon as I could drive I was in Brighton working in clubs in the early '90s. I went to art school in **Horsham** and originally wanted to be a fashion designer. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVVgW4DAkcP/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Salon owner (@oliverblackabyhair)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVVgW4DAkcP/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) DALEYPOP: I can definitely picture you as a fashion designer. You absolutely give off fashion designer energy. As well as being an award-winning salon owner and **Davroe** brand ambassador, you run **The Hair Salon Academy** too, right? What do you enjoy most about helping the next generation of hair professionals develop their skills? OLIVER BLACKABY: I've always loved teaching and what's amazing about our industry is that there are so many avenues you can go down. But there is something really special about teaching. There is an exchange that happens. It doesn't matter how many years of experience you have; it's a space where you can be vulnerable and expose yourself to learning. Hair is a language. It's about identity, and sharing my experience and knowledge with the younger generation is so important. Seeing that light bulb moment is priceless. It's also important to share art, culture and history too. I could go on and on... > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWTWyo1IQMF/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by The Hair Salon Academy (@thehairsalonacademy)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWTWyo1IQMF/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) DALEYPOP: Hair trends come and go but your courses also explore the history and inspiration behind them. Why do you think understanding fashion, culture and history just as important as learning the technical skills? OLIVER BLACKABY: Hair is about identity and whether you're a fashion lover or not, your hair is a statement about you. Understanding people's references, what era a cut was born in, what clothes were being worn and the politics of that time all shape who we are. > Take the mod, for example. It's very Brighton. You have to understand the history and it's relatable from the '60s, through the '90s and into the present day. The bob, for example, was a rebellion. It represented a time when women wanted to gain control. **Vidal Sassoon** released women from rollers and embraced their natural hair. DALEYPOP: You mentioned it earlier and I promise was going to ask you, but I can't get over that alongside running your own salon, being a Davroe ambassador and educating stylists, you've somehow found time to launch a podcast too! What inspired you to launch The So Lovely Talk Show and do you love it? I love the staff room chit chat concept. OLIVER BLACKABY: Well, the podcast came from lockdown with my friend Siobhán. We went from 100 to zero and we didn't know what to do with ourselves. Siobhán and I had always wanted to do something that was about our industry, so lockdown was the perfect time to start. It was very basic and all done over **Zoom** but everyone was sitting at home so we got some great guests straight away. I loved the editing and creating the artwork. Our first season was 10 episodes. But as soon as we came out of lockdown we had to go back to work and earn money, so it was a couple of years later that we brought it back. We love doing it. It's a real passion project and we get to meet and speak to so many inspiring people. It's also not just for hairdressers, as we cover all sorts of topics that relate to being a creative. DALEYPOP: How did becoming an ambassador for Davroe come about and what is it about the brand that resonated with you? OLIVER BLACKABY: Davroe is the OG Australian brand. The reason it resonates with me is because it's cruelty-free, vegan and has strong ethical foundations. > The Hair Salon is all about the environment. We recycle and work hard to do what we can to protect the planet. Our industry has a huge carbon footprint so I'm passionate about the environmental impact we have. Working with Davroe is important to me because those values align with my own. DALEYPOP: Are Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X asking for completely different looks at the moment or are the generations becoming more alike when it comes to hair trends? OLIVER BLACKABY: That's a multi-layered question! It's not necessarily the generations; it's modern culture and how quickly trends move in the world of social media and the internet. Before **Instagram** and **Pinterest** trends came from the catwalk, through hair magazines and then to us. We gave our clients the trends. Now, trends are so different. They move faster but they also come more from the client finding their own identity. It's very much informed by how the client wants to look. > This is why I love Brighton and *Hove. Our community is a melting pot of culture, queerness and creativity.* I know when I teach in more rural areas, this can be different. So as a hairdresser, it's more about collaborating with clients to identify the ultimate look rather than simply following a "trend". DALEYPOP: From mullets and moustaches to perms and longer styles, men's hair feels more adventurous than ever, right? Are men becoming more confident experimenting with their look? OLIVER BLACKABY: Without a doubt! And I'm here for it! We actually deep dive into men's image and how it has evolved on one of our masterclasses ([HERE](https://thehair-salon.co.uk/academy-hair-education-courses/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)) through The Hair Salon Academy. This also ties in with the rise of the barbershop. I guess with social media and the selfie culture, everyone wants to look the best version of themselves. > It's no longer taboo for a man, gay, straight or however we identify, to have the ability to explore what that looks like. DALEYPOP: If you could ban one hair trend forever and bring back another, what would they be? OLIVER BLACKABY: I wouldn't ban anything. My aesthetic isn't the same as someone else's but I can appreciate things that aren't my aesthetic when they work for that person. That's my role as a stylist. What is my bad taste is someone else's identity! DALEYPOP: I can only imagine that running a business must be incredibly rewarding but also knackering at times. How do you look after your own wellbeing while juggling so many different projects? OLIVER BLACKABY: I have the best support system around me. I have a life coach, **Jo Irving**, who helps me see my vision but also grounds me. She's amazing. > As a neurodivergent business owner, I have to have lots of plates spinning. It's how I function. So, without her, it would be much harder. I also have business coaching with **Kin Connect** which really supports me in the tougher areas, like numbers. They help me understand cash flow, where my business is performing well and where it may be lacking. Plus, I have a great team within the salon that allows all these things to flow well. It's about creating a community that lifts you up and supports you when you're feeling vulnerable. I also do a lot of mindfulness. I love a sauna; it really helps me get my nervous system back on track. I also have regular massage, acupuncture and visits to my osteopath. I also have lots of therapy! Not to mention my amazing husband, who is also called Ollie! > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYTyGu4DLrb/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Ollie (@olllieblackaby)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYTyGu4DLrb/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) We have a camper van and being in nature and getting away from it all is the best therapy. Being grounded is THE most important thing! DALEYPOP: Pride is often associated with visibility and being your authentic self. Do you think hair plays a role in helping people express who they are and what does Pride personally mean to you? OLIVER BLACKABY: Hair says everything about who you are. Hair is a statement, a protest and a way to show unity. I know for a fact that I can sometimes tell if someone is an ally simply by their hair. As queer people, we've had to send messages through dress codes and appearance, particularly when it was illegal to be gay. Even from my early 20s, I could tell if someone was queer because of their hair. > Pride has meant many different things to me over the past three decades. It was a place that made me feel okay when I first came out. Watching the parade made me feel safe and it was also the first time I experienced a sexual awakening. Living by **Preston Park** for the best part of 20 years, I've watched Pride grow from a free event into a paid festival. We used to have massive Pride parties at ours and it was also right between my husband's birthday and mine, so it was HUGE! We would PARTY. But now I really am back to watching the parade and seeing it more as a protest than a party. In fact, I had to leave Brighton this year as the noise and volume of people overwhelmed me last year. It has grown into something that's more of a festival and I'm not sure how I feel about that...The Hair Salon really wants to be involved in the parade though and if that happens, then I will be happy! DALEYPOP: Many people, including LGBTQIA+ people, trans and non-binary people, people of colour, those from different cultural or religious backgrounds and even neurodivergent people, can feel anxious walking into a salon....why do you think that is and what practical changes can salons make to help everyone feel truly welcome? OLIVER BLACKABY: This is so loaded.... A salon is full of mirrors and lights that put the focus directly on you. It can be very exposing and harsh. Regardless of your gender, religion or culture, you're facing yourself and exposing who you are to another person. I've worked in places where you have to wear a black uniform and the salon was white, with huge windows that made it feel like a goldfish bowl. Even as a stylist, this can feel exposing and conforming. Ultimately, we need mirrors and light to be able to do a great job. It's about the atmosphere you create, the team you work with, the spaces you create, the language you speak and the visuals you use. Ask your clients what they want to make it a safe space. And that's what we do. I've learnt so much since becoming a salon owner, and as a queer business owner, I wanted to make a space that worked for me and the team. I want to feel safe, so the people who come through that door, no matter their culture, how they are wired or how they identify, are seen and respected. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZX2vgcjp0U/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Inclusive & Sustainable Hair Salon 🌱 (@the.hairsalon)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZX2vgcjp0U/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) DALEYPOP: You must have seen first hand how transformative it can be when someone finds a space where they feel comfortable being themselves. Are there any moments from your career that really highlight the importance of that and what does a genuinely safe and welcoming salon environment look like to you? OLIVER BLACKABY: Yes, all the time. There are too many examples to go through but one really sticks out. I had a young guy come in, beautiful, with long hair, who wanted to have a fringe. They were very introverted and barely said a word, but we worked together. Very soon after, they started their transition. She has since modelled for our collections and become much more open. When she told me that The Hair Salon had been a huge part of her transition and making her feel like she belonged, it really affected me. The first time I met her was the first day she had started taking hormones. It made me cry and gave me goosebumps. > I think it's just instinctive for me to create a safe space. When you hear all the trans hate out there and really understand how terrifying the current politics and hate can be, and the effect that has on 1% of the population simply trying to step out of the front door, it shows how important it is to create a space that allows people to feel like they can be themselves. To be seen by people who truly see them. DALEYPOP: The conversation around gender neutral pricing has definitely grown in recent years. What's your view on pricing services based on the work involved rather than a client's gender? OLIVER BLACKABY: Well, this is about more than just gender identity. Yes, there needs to be equality when it comes to services, but it's also about hairdressers knowing their own worth. As an industry, we've undersold our services for decades and we work bloody hard. But since COVID we've all had a life check, purely due to burnout and realising that we don't want to work that way anymore. As creatives, we're always wanting to please people and give them good hair. So, as a salon owner and someone who coaches freelance team members, it's more about making sure people are charging correctly for the time and tools they use while also making enough money to be able to afford to live. Then you have to think about pricing and being gender fluid. That's the final part of it. It's about pricing for the service, which then flows into your sex or identity. DALEYPOP: If somebody reading this has never felt fully comfortable in a salon before, what would you want them to know? OLIVER BLACKABY: It's okay to ask questions and do your research. There are safe spaces out there. We have an online questionnaire that allows someone to get in touch so we can communicate with them before they've even stepped over the threshold. We can then navigate them towards the perfect fit within the salon and if they want a private room, that's available too. Speak to your community and see if anyone has had a good experience that has made them feel safe. That's the best recommendation anyone can have. DALEYPOP: So true! I've got some quick fire questions for you now, just say the first thing that pops in your head! So....blondes or brunettes? OLIVER BLACKABY: All of them! DALEYPOP: Curtain bangs or a fringe? OLIVER BLACKABY: All of them! DALEYPOP: The slick back bun: chic or boring?! OLIVER BLACKABY: Chic when it's done right. Terrible when it's done with a doughnut. DALEYPOP: Early appointment or late appointment? OLIVER BLACKABY: The earlier, the better. DALEYPOP: Bold transformation or subtle refresh? OLIVER BLACKABY: Depends on the individual! But I love a change...every time. DALEYPOP: Favourite hair product of all time? OLIVER BLACKABY: Too hard to answer! DALEYPOP: Most underrated hair product? OLIVER BLACKABY: Heat protector. DALEYPOP: Hair trend you'd happily ban forever? OLIVER BLACKABY: None! They're all relevant in their time and place. DALEYPOP: One hair trend you're predicting for next year? OLIVER BLACKABY: All of them! There's a new trend for every style and colour these days. DALEYPOP: Celebrity with the best hair right now? ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/1000073946-1.jpg) 📸 [Lexie Moreland](https://www.instagram.com/lexieblacklock?ref=scenemag.co.uk) OLIVER BLACKABY: AAAHHHH, SO HARD...I adore **Pamela Anderson** and she's also doing so much for visibility and breaking the norms of society's view of women. DALEYPOP: Celebrity whose hair you'd love to get your hands on? OLIVER BLACKABY: I LOVE **Jake Shears**. I'd be so happy to do his hair! DALEYPOP: OMG wait has anyone ever told you that you look a bit like Jake Shears?!...big hair transformation or colour refresh? OLIVER BLACKABY: Both. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/1000073944.png) 📸 Getty Images DALEYPOP: Most iconic hairstyle of all time? OLIVER BLACKABY: All of **Linda Evangelista**'s in the '90s. Bleach blonde, red and brunette. DALEYPOP: Crush of the day? ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/1000073947.gif) OLIVER BLACKABY: **Jonathan Bailey**...make my husband jealous! > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVIk98djJMN/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Salon owner (@oliverblackabyhair)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVIk98djJMN/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) To find out more about The Hair Salon, to book an appointment or explore The Hair Salon Academy, visit the website [****HERE**](https://thehair-salon.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) or call the salon on 01273 202073. If you’re a local queer performer or a Brighton & Hove based queer/LGBTQ+ business owner and would love to be featured in this community corner series, follow and DM me on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/itsdalemelitabitch?ref=scenemag.co.uk) or email ****dale@scenemag.co.uk** ### Big Brother’s Zelah Glasson announces engagement after lakeside proposal in Canada URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/big-brothers-zelah-glasson-announces-engagement-after-lakeside-proposal-in-canada/ Last updated: 2026-10-08T10:56:38.000Z Don't we all love a good love story? Trans Big Brother star Zelah Glasson has got engaged to his partner of five years, Francesca, after proposing to her at Barrier Lake in Alberta, Canada. Glasson shared a series of photographs from the moment on Instagram, allowing us a glimpse into their very special moment and the incredible location he chose to propose. Scrolling through the comments, his caption made many people tear up. In his post, he reflected on how he and his fiancée first met at a rugby social event, where he was dressed as a laundry basket. He said that he knew almost immediately that she would be in his life forever. Within a month of getting together, he wrote a note in his phone saying he was going to marry her. Writing directly to Francesca, he said she had loved him through every major chapter of his life including his transition, the loss of his father, surgery, hormones and numerous career changes. 'Francesca, you have loved me as a woman; you have loved me through losing my dad; through surgery, hormones, multiple career changes and ridiculous side quests,' he wrote. 'We have travelled the world together, we have grown together and we have laughed so many times that I never need to train abs again.' Scene readers may well remember Zelah from his appearance on Big Brother in 2025, where he was one of the series’ most talked-about housemates. We had the pleasure of meeting him ourselves at the Pride in the Square Mile event at Mansion House back in June, where he spoke warmly about visibility and community. It is wonderful to see him celebrating such a joyful milestone. Congratulations to Zelah and Francesca. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DeM8-7IGSQS/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ### Let there be dykes: how the dancefloors of Brighton made a DJ pioneer URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/let-there-be-dykes-how-the-dancefloors-of-brighton-made-a-dj-pioneer/ Last updated: 2026-10-08T08:25:25.000Z Michelle Manetti. A clubber raised on ‘90s rave, a DJ nurtured by the decks of Brighton at Koochy, Candy Bar, Wet Pussy party, and many more. A legend changing the way queers go clubbing today. In the words of Kate Wildblood, “I have a claim to DJ fame that always brings the grin. [Michelle Manetti](https://www.facebook.com/Michelle.Manetti.DJ) was once my go-go dancer. It was a long time ago. The music was different. The dance moves different. The hairdos were very different. As was Michelle. The determination in the soul of our Michelle was declared. There for all to see. Now as then, focused on making the dancefloor a better place. A DJ who brought something different to the decks, a producer who shone in the studio and a promoter who soon earned the title of mother because of the love she brought to creating her Fèmmme Fraîche community. A friend I’ve always watched out for, proudly admiring the grit it took to take that early Brighton promise and turn it into the worldwide queer FLINTA championing force she is today. “Since I took on the role of Lesbian Community Champion with [Queer in Brighton / Queer Heritage South](https://www.facebook.com/QIBrighton) there was a determination in my archivist’s heart to tell Michelle Manetti’s tale, to share the connection between that seaside Koochy debut, the promoters and DJs who helped make her the force she is today, and the queer wmxn fuelled dancefloors we grew up in. To celebrate the nightlife community we were creating in Brighton back in the 2000’s and the FLINTA-focused community she went on to nurture on the global stage. “I’ve always believed it takes a village to make a decent DJ, to build roots and appreciation for genres, for people, for our LGBTQI+ nightlife history, creating space, bringing queer clubbers together, campaigning for dancefloor equality, and making a disco family for life. Join me this October in Brighton as we celebrate the DJ roots of Michelle Manetti, for tales of go-go dancing, vocal joy, Candy Bar adventures, lessons learnt, flyers graced, mother’s mullets, and more, much more.” **Let there be dykes: how the dancefloors of Brighton made a DJ pioneer.** Michelle Manetti in conversation with Kate Wildblood. Tuesday 13th October 19:00-21:00 Ironworks Studios Brighton Free Tickets [https://www.ticketsource.com/marlborough-theatre-productions-ltd/let-there-be-dykes-how-the-dancefloors-of-brighton-made-a-dj-pioneer/e-vgxrev](https://www.ticketsource.com/marlborough-theatre-productions-ltd/let-there-be-dykes-how-the-dancefloors-of-brighton-made-a-dj-pioneer/e-vgxrev?ref=scenemag.co.uk) A Queer Heritage South project powered by Marlborough Productions Made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. ### Hear'Say and Liberty X reunite for a massive UK tour and Brighton is on the list URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/hearsay-and-liberty-x-reunite-for-a-massive-uk-tour-and-brighton-is-on-the-list/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T11:59:19.000Z 2000s pop fans, assemble! I genuinely can't believe I'm writing this but 25 years after the TV show **Popstars** (before **X-Factor**, before **The Voice**, before any of those shows) changed British pop culture forever, **Hear'Say** and **Liberty X** are reuniting for a huge joint UK arena tour. Best. News. Ever! The two groups who famously emerged as the winners and runners-up of the groundbreaking **ITV** talent show will hit the road together for the **Popstars: The Originals** tourcelebrating the 25th anniversary of their formation and the legacy of a television phenomenon that paved the way for acts including **One Direction**, **Little Mix**, **Girls Aloud** and **JLS**. For the first time ever, we'll get to see both bands performing on the same stage, bringing together some of the biggest pop hits of the early 2000s in what promises to be one of the most nostalgic tours of 2027. Hear'Say will reunite with four original members, **Kym Marsh, Suzanne Shaw, Noel Sullivan and Danny Foster**. Sadly **Myleene Klass** won't be taking part but the reunion is a major moment for fans who never thought they'd see the group back together. I definitley didn't have a Hear'Say reunion on my bingo card! Oh and if that wasn't exciting enough, Liberty X are returning with their full original line up! **Michelle Heaton**, **Jessica Taylor**, **Kelli Young**, **Kevin Simm** and **Tony Lundon** will reunite for the first time in years after the girls spent over a decade performing as a trio at Pride festivals and nostalgia events. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DeM8FEiouiL/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Liberty X (@libertyxofficial)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DeM8FEiouiL/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) For lifelong Liberty X fans (guilty), having the boys back makes this reunion feel even more special. I've always wanted to see Libery X live but I was too young the first time round! Hear'Say became overnight sensations after winning *Popstars* in 2001, scoring chart topping success with the iconic *Pure and Simple* before following it up with another UK number one, *The Way To Your Love* (a bop). Their debut album *Popstars* went triple platinum and cemented their place in British pop history. Meanwhile, Liberty X transformed losing into one of pop's greatest success stories. Their massive hit *Just A Little* became one of the defining songs of the decade and if I ever get married I'm definitley having it on my reception playlist! Other tracks including *Thinking It Over*, *Got To Have Your Love* and *Being Nobody* helped establish them as one of the UK's most successful pop groups of the era. Justice for Doin' It by the way, such a slept on track! Speaking about the reunion, Hear'Say said: "Coming back together after 25 years is something that's incredibly special to all of us. It's a chance to celebrate an unforgettable chapter in our lives, reconnect with each other and relive so many amazing memories." > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DeM9CLvj35m/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by HEAR’SAY (@hearsayuk)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DeM9CLvj35m/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Liberty X added: "It's hard to believe it's been 25 years since Popstars changed all of our lives. We're thrilled to be heading out on tour with Hear'Say to celebrate where it all began." Twenty five years on, the music, the memories and the pure Y2K pop magic are back and I am absolutely here for it. I was 13 when Popstars first took over our TV screens and I remember watching it with my mum and dad and my brother as if it was yesterday but it feels like another lifetime ago too. Where did those 25 years go?! Get reunion tour ready with my Hear'Say and Liberty X playlist below featuring all the hits, fan faves and forgotten gems! Follow Scene's official Spotify page [HERE](https://open.spotify.com/user/31yhhvqrnncziyslp6w3lcq5haym?ref=scenemag.co.uk) for more. xoxo Popstars: The Originals hits the road in April 2027, kicking off in Dublin before stopping in Belfast, Bournemouth, Nottingham, Brighton, Cardiff, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow, London and Manchester before the tour wraps up in Liverpool on 9th May 2027\. Register [HERE](http://www.popstarstheoriginals.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) to receive access to a ticket pre-sale that opens at 9.00AM BST next Wednesday! (14th October). Remaining tickets will then go on general sale [****HERE**](https://myticket.co.uk/artists/hear-say-liberty-x?ref=scenemag.co.uk) from 9.00AM BST on Friday, October 16th. Set your alarms now! ### Museums Galleries Scotland recognised for LGBTQ+ inclusion with Silver Charter accreditation URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/museums-galleries-scotland-recognised-for-lgbtq-inclusion-with-silver-charter-accreditation/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:34:39.000Z **Museums Galleries Scotland** (MGS) has been awarded a **Silver LGBT Charter** Award in recognition of its efforts to become a more inclusive organisation for LGBTQ+ staff, stakeholders and community partners. The accreditation was presented by **LGBT Youth Scotland**, the national charity for LGBTQ+ young people, and recognises the work MGS has undertaken to embed inclusion across the organisation. To achieve the award, MGS completed a range of measures set out by LGBT Youth Scotland, including staff training, a review of policies and resources, and the development of a dedicated LGBTQ+ action plan. Praising the achievement, LGBT Youth Scotland said MGS had approached the process in a way that was “meaningful, intersectional, and connected to their wider work as the national development body for the museum sector”. The organisation added: “Their support for queer heritage and collections demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that LGBTQ+ histories are not only recognised but actively preserved, explored, and shared.” MGS chief executive Lucy Casot said the award marked an important milestone in the organisation’s wider commitment to equality and inclusion. “I’m proud of the progress that Museums Galleries Scotland is making towards becoming an anti-oppressive organisation,” she said. “The Silver LGBT Charter Award marks a milestone in our efforts to develop a more inclusive museum sector. I’m thankful to LGBT Youth Scotland for their role in supporting this necessary work.” MGS is only the third heritage organisation to receive an LGBT Youth Scotland Charter Award, following Historic Environment Scotland in 2024 and V&A Dundee in 2025. The organisation said it would continue delivering on its LGBTQ+ action plan, which includes developing new resources for museums and galleries and running a sector-wide awareness campaign. The work forms part of a broader programme aimed at embedding anti-oppressive practices across all areas of its activity. As Scotland’s national development body for museums and galleries, MGS supports hundreds of institutions through investment, workforce development, advocacy and professional guidance. ### ‘It Gets Bitter’: Bianca Del Rio announces Brighton show to celebrate 30 years in drag URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/it-gets-bitter-bianca-del-rio-announces-brighton-show-to-celebrate-30-years-in-drag/ Last updated: 2026-10-06T15:46:02.000Z *RuPaul’s Drag Race* winner **Bianca Del Rio** is heading to Brighton next spring with a brand new stand-up show celebrating 30 years in drag. The comedy icon will bring **It Gets Bitter** to the **Brighton Dome** on **31 March 2027**, the opening night of a 13-date UK and Ireland tour. Tickets go on sale on **Friday, 9 October**. Known offstage as **Roy Haylock**, Bianca has become one of the most successful stars to emerge from the *Drag Race* franchise. The season six winner has built a global following thanks to her no-holds-barred comedy, razor-sharp insults and quick-fire audience interactions. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/IGB_Look1.2.jpg) Submitted The new tour marks Bianca’s seventh solo stand-up show and celebrates three decades in drag. According to the comic, audiences can expect an uncompromising take on everything from current affairs and pop culture to the everyday frustrations that make modern life ripe for ridicule. “There’s a lot going on in the world today, and I have a lot to say about it,” Bianca said. “I’m looking forward to finally getting back on the road and venting to anyone who will listen. The old saying is ‘It gets better’, but I’m proof that after 30 years in drag ‘It Gets Bitter’.” Promoters promise a mix of tightly crafted stand-up, spontaneous crowd work and the acerbic wit that has earned Bianca the nickname “the Joan Rivers of the drag world”. Those sitting near the front have been warned they may find themselves directly in the line of fire. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/IGB_Look2.4.jpg) Submitted Away from stand-up, Bianca has starred in the films *Hurricane Bianca* and *Hurricane Bianca 2: From Russia with Hate*, released several television comedy specials and made a West End appearance in *Everybody’s Talking About Jamie*. The performer is also set to appear in the upcoming sixth season of *The Traitors US*. Following the Brighton date, the *It Gets Bitter* tour will visit Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Southend, Bristol, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dublin, London and Cardiff before concluding in mid-April. ### Queer Britain to revive landmark 1972 gay liberation song in immersive new exhibition URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queer-britain-to-revive-landmark-1972-gay-liberation-song-in-immersive-new-exhibition/ Last updated: 2026-10-06T14:47:40.000Z A song from the early days of Britain's gay liberation movement is set to be brought back to life at **Queer Britain** this autumn, as artist **Ian Giles** reunites the original musicians behind the 1972 recording *A Gay Song* for a major new exhibition. **Everyone Involved**, which runs at the museum from **23 October - 21 November**, centres on a new film documenting the reunion and re-recording of the song more than 50 years after it was first made. The project forms Queer Britain's first immersive installation, combining a four-channel film, textiles and sound to explore how queer history can be brought into the present rather than simply preserved. Written by **Alan Wakeman** and **Michael Klein**, *A Gay Song* was recorded just five years after the partial decriminalisation of sex between men in England and Wales in 1967\. Celebrating gay identity and echoing the gay liberation movement's rallying cry that "Gay is Good", the song became part of the album *Everyone Involved*, of which 1,000 copies were distributed free of charge. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Everyone-Involved---Ian-Giles--Ian-Giles-Studio--1.jpg) Everyone Involved - Ian Giles (Ian Giles Studio) "When I first encountered *A Gay Song*, I was struck by how direct and joyful it was," said Ian Giles. "It was made at a moment when gay people were beginning to organise publicly and challenge the idea that being gay was something to be ashamed of. More than 50 years later, bringing the original musicians back together gave us a chance to hear that history in their voices again, and to think about what has changed and what hasn't." The exhibition premiered at **Southampton City Art Gallery** before transferring to London. Giles said the project became an act of intergenerational exchange, bringing together people involved in Britain's early gay liberation movement with contemporary audiences through music, testimony and film. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Everyone-Involved-for-Queer-Britain_01.jpg) Everyone Involved for Queer Britain **Andrew Given**, chief executive of Queer Britain, said: "Queer Britain Museum is delighted to host this exhibition from the incredible artist, Ian Giles. Bringing together music, queer activism and storytelling through art into a singular experience will give visitors something unique and special to experience at the national LGBTQ+ museum." Alongside the exhibition, Queer Britain will host a **Songwriting as Activism** workshop on **24 October** and a **Queer Desert Island Discs** event on **7 November**. The museum will also stage a late opening on **19 November**. ### Spiritato's The Planets: A baroque voyage through the heavens URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/spiritatos-the-planets-a-baroque-voyage-through-the-heavens/ Last updated: 2026-10-06T14:39:14.000Z Some concerts quietly rearrange the furniture of your imagination. [Spiritato's *The Planets*, ](https://www.bremf.org.uk/event/the-planets/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) heard at St Martin's Church on 3 October did that. Led by violinist **Kinga Ujszászi,** the ensemble asks what a planetary suite might have sounded like had it appeared two centuries before Holst, and answers by stitching one together from 17th- and 18th-century gems. The outcome is inventive, sparkling and wonderfully joyful, an evening that sends you back into the Brighton night humming. If you're new to all this: the [Brighton Early Music Festival, ](https://www.bremf.org.uk/whats-on/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)or BREMF, is the city's annual celebration of music from the medieval era through the baroque and into the classical age, played on period instruments such as harpsichords, theorbos and gut-strung violins. It mixes celebrated names with the stars of tomorrow, in venues across the city, and it has a gift for making centuries-old music feel immediate and welcoming. Across the 1600s and 1700s, Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo overturned Europe's picture of the cosmos, yet opera houses kept filling up with gods and heroes from antiquity. Rather than illustrating those deities literally, [Spiritato ](https://www.spiritato.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)borrows Holst's trick of tuning in to each planet's astrological character, and lets the old music supply the moods. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/E8-031026-Spiritato.jpg) Image Credit Spiritato The first half belongs to **Jean-Féry Rebel's** *Les Élémens*, and what an opening it has. Composed in 1737 as a ballet, it paints earth, water, air and fire in musical shorthand that eighteenth-century listeners could read instantly. The "Chaos" that begins the piece is startlingly modern: a slam of noise, with the music audibly struggling to find a way out of the din. It is a thrilling shock, and the gradual emergence of order from it is hugely satisfying. The dances that follow are pure delight. Woodwind duets, lifted by a lively tambourine, were excellent, while the Rossignols and the Tambourins arrived with birdcalls and whistles that filled the church with atmosphere and sheer fun. The lighting may even have been nodding to the four elements, though I forgot to check. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Moliere-29.png) ****Catriona McDermid** credit © Matthew Johnson [**Catriona McDermid's** ](https://www.catrionamcdermid.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)bassoon was rich, agile and full of character, it was excellent throughout, grounding the ensemble while repeatedly stepping forward to charm. A superb reminder of how winning this often-overlooked instrument can be. [**Louis Moisan's** ](https://www.englishconcert.co.uk/musician/louis-moisan/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)theorbo with it towering long neck and deep, burnished plucked sound give the continuo a warmth and shimmer that bowed strings cannot supply. Moisan's playing was elegantly supple, shaping the harmony beneath the ensemble and lending the whole voyage a quiet, glowing pulse. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/636560587_1479856990810370_845295507292546282_n.jpg) ****Kinga Ujszászi** (right) Credit Spiritato After the interval, the planets arrive, and here the programming is cleverly judged. Rather than a string of separate pieces, the journey from Mars to Neptune is presented as one continuous sweep, as though a single work were tracing the orbits in turn. Each planet's traditional personality shines through: **Kerll's** battle music for Mars, **Blow's** tender tunes from *Venus and Adonis* for Venus, and so on out to **Rameau's** otherworldly Neptune. Threading it all together is [**Merula's** lullaby,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a%5FtSUhC5CrA&ref=scenemag.co.uk) which returns in different guises so subtly that it works almost subliminally, a gentle gravity holding the system together. Two moments stood out above the rest. **Handel's** overture to *Acis and Galatea*, racing along in scales, made a flash of quicksilver Mercury, and **Herschel's** Presto for Uranus was a joy, all the sweeter because its composer went on to discover that very planet. (A migrant musician who looked sideways at the sky and found a whole new world: the queer reader may feel a flicker of kinship.) Blow's early English opera, with its goddess besotted by a beautiful young man, and **Handel's** pastoral lovers lend the evening a romantic glow, too; early music has always been *a broad church*. Rameau's Neptune brought the voyage to a suitably otherworldly close. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/833325159_1523567459816860_3015453420619950706_n.png) Photo Credit BREMF [Kinga Ujszászi ](https://www.kingaujszaszi.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)was the beating heart of the evening: passionate, precise and lyrical, with solos that flooded St Martin's with joy. Their energy is astonishing and the pulses of power and direction kept the whole voyage moving with purpose and affection, never once feeling like a lecture. Warm congratulations, too, to BREMF Emerging Artists **Andrew Taheny** (violin) and **Billy Hui** (flute), both of whom showed real poise and delivered with impressive confidence alongside seasoned colleagues. The future of early music looks bright. [Spiritato ](https://www.instagram.com/spiritato/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)are an ensemble worth following. They specialise in research-led projects and neglected composers, and the programme proves it: **Castrucci's** jolly Spiritoso for Jupiter, by a pupil of **Corelli** who led Handel's opera orchestra, sits beside **Fischer's** sombre Lamento for Saturn, a string arrangement of a Lutheran chorale about mortality. They make their London Handel Festival debut in November. If you have never been to BREMF, make this the year you go. The festival is one of the jewels of Brighton's cultural calendar, and indeed of the UK's, and the standard of playing is reliably superb. The atmosphere: relaxed, curious and friendly, with audiences of every age and background, and no need to know a thing about baroque style beforehand. So book a ticket, bring a friend (or a date, or the whole chosen family), and let the festival do the rest. [Browse the full programme at bremf.org.uk, ](https://www.bremf.org.uk/whats-on/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)look out for the many other concerts running through the festival. Go for the planets; stay for the bassoon, the birdsong and the sheer, shining joy. ### Olly Alexander and jasmine.4.t announced for trans-led songwriting camp Transpose London 2026 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/olly-alexander-and-jasmine-4-t-announced-for-trans-led-songwriting-camp-transpose-london-2026/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:37:19.000Z **Olly Alexander** and **jasmine.4.t** have been confirmed among the first artists taking part in **Transpose London 2026**, a songwriting and production camp designed to support trans+ creatives in the music industry. The three-day event, organised by **SongTeller**, will take place at a secret London location from **12 - 14 October** and will pair nine artists with trans+ songwriters and producers. Also announced for this year's edition are Canadian rapper and producer **Haviah Mighty**, **Ivor Novello Award**\-winning singer-songwriter **Sans Soucis** and Manchester indie-electronic act **Porij**. Transpose was launched to address barriers faced by trans+ musicians and songwriters. According to research from the **UK Musicians' Union**, more than half of trans+ musicians have experienced discrimination related to their gender identity, while only 15% earn all of their income from music, compared with around a third of LGBTQ+ musicians overall. The songwriting camp is being delivered in partnership with **The Ivors Academy**, **Sound Royalties**, **QUBE** and the **Institute of Contemporary Music Performance** (ICMP). The London event follows previous editions in the capital, at **The Great Escape** festival and, most recently, in Toronto this summer. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/SATCH.jpeg) SATCH Songwriter **SATCH**, who founded Transpose and co-chairs The Ivors Academy's LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Group, said the initiative was created to "equalise opportunities" for trans+ songwriters and producers. "Every trans+ creative we work with already has a track record of success, they just face more barriers than their cisgender peers," SATCH said. "Transpose lets them be the majority in the room, for a change." The songwriter also pointed to growing hostility towards trans people and concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on music creators as reasons why the project remains important. **Olly Alexander**, who took part in last year's camp, said he was looking forward to returning. "I'm really excited to be taking part in Transpose," he said. "It's initiatives like these that promote the incredible trans talent we have in an industry that still has a lot of systemic barriers." Meanwhile, **jasmine.4.t**, the first UK artist signed to **Phoebe Bridgers**' **Saddest Factory Records**, described songwriting as "an important outlet in a world that is so violent towards our community". "That is why a space like Transpose, a songwriting camp for trans+ artists, means so much," she said. The organisers say further artists, songwriters and producers will be announced in the coming days. Transpose comes amid increasing recognition for trans+ songwriters in the UK. Kae Tempest won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song in both 2024 and 2026, while Sans Soucis received the prize in 2025\. Earlier this year, MNEK was also honoured by The Ivors Academy for songwriting achievements and advocacy work supporting LGBTQ+ talent. ### ‘It’s rooted in toxic masculinity’: Thomas Hitzlsperger on why football players still fear coming out URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/its-rooted-in-toxic-masculinity-thomas-hitzlsperger-on-why-players-still-fear-coming-out/ Last updated: 2026-10-06T10:29:14.000Z Former Germany and Aston Villa midfielder **Thomas Hitzlsperger** has said the lack of openly gay male footballers remains rooted in "toxic masculinity", while warning that wider societal attitudes continue to discourage players from coming out. Hitzlsperger, who publicly came out as gay in 2014 shortly after retiring from professional football, said the sport has made significant progress on LGBTQ+ inclusion but remains affected by the same prejudices seen across society. Speaking about homophobia in football, the former midfielder argued that the game's biggest challenge is not football itself but the wider world around it. "In terms of homophobia, society is the biggest challenge," he said. "The world has become a tougher place and, in relation to discrimination, it's quite sad. Racism, like homophobia, is also a big issue in society and of course football." The 44-year-old said football has a responsibility to engage with social issues because of its influence, rejecting suggestions that the sport should remain separate from debates around discrimination and inclusion. He pointed to campaigns and initiatives aimed at tackling homophobia, including widespread support for rainbow armbands in the Premier League, arguing that progress is often overlooked. "There have been great initiatives – clubs and federations have all participated," Hitzlsperger said. "Unfortunately, in this debate people often say there's no development because hardly any men's player has come out. I'd disagree in the sense that the game has got involved in initiatives, such as rainbow armbands." Hitzlsperger said too much attention is often paid to a small number of dissenting voices, rather than the growing number of players and clubs who publicly support LGBTQ+ inclusion. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Pride_in_London_2016_-_KTC_-237-.jpg) Pride in London. Wikimedia "There's sometimes this media obsession with focusing on a couple who step out of line and cause friction, but I'd argue we've come a long way," he said. The former Stuttgart midfielder also expressed concern that equality and diversity work within football has lost momentum, claiming some initiatives had been scaled back as inclusion efforts become less politically popular in some quarters. Despite that, he said many people within football remain committed to creating a more welcoming environment for supporters and players from all backgrounds. However, Hitzlsperger acknowledged that the number of openly gay male footballers remains extremely low. "The reality is that there are very few openly gay male footballers," he said. "It's rooted in toxic masculinity, but life is toxic and that's the sad thing." He added that fears about public reaction extend beyond players' careers, with some former footballers also choosing not to come out after retirement. "We talk about players not wanting to come out during their playing days because the environment might be toxic but after their playing career has finished, some players don't come out either, because they're scared of society." ### Queer, Loud and Proud: Brighton Dome's autumn season Is unmissable URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queer-loud-and-proud-brighton-domes-autumn-season-is-unmissable/ Last updated: 2026-10-06T09:41:50.000Z Kicking things off in the Corn Exchange, **Thick & Tight** bring their acclaimed [*Natural Behaviour* ](https://brightondome.org/whats-on/L02-natural-behaviour-by-thick-tight/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)to Brighton on 13 October, gloriously unclassifiable work. Part dance piece, part theatrical lecture, part fever dream, the show flings itself between species and genres, asking pointed, funny questions about what "natural" even means. If you've followed Thick & Tight's trajectory, you'll know they've built a reputation on refusing to sit still in one artistic lane; this is them at their most gleefully genre-fluid. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/10464867cad5f4cbf5df549d41310a08.webp) Thick and Tight Photo Credit Rosie Powell Then, on 30 October, cabaret powerhouse **Fatt Butcher** takes over the Corn Exchange for *Congregational;* this is the one to circle in red pen. Reworking the choral service into something entirely new, Fatt Butcher fuses house, trance, gospel and classical influences into a live performance built around a choir of professional LGBTQ+ singers. Our own **Rainbow Chorus** joins them onstage, turning this touring production into something rooted firmly in Brighton. The piece began life during a residency at the Dome's Anita's Room back in 2025, and now returns as part of a limited UK tour, backed by DJ and piano. Expect euphoria, expect volume, expect something that feels less like a gig and more like Queer communion. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/25241f5c35d66dcb88a12be5270630f2.webp) Congregational with Fatt Butcher Photo Credit Emma Jones This year's Brighton Dome Comedy Festival marks a first-time partnership with Komedia, and the queer talent on the bill is impressive. **Simon Amstell** brings *I Love It Here* to the Concert Hall on 22 October, his typically candid, self-lacerating hour digs into first loves, queer awakenings and the messy business of starting again. Amstell has spent two decades perfecting this kind of exposed, disarming honesty, serving up the laughter with the truths. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/CATHERINE-BOHART-BY-RAPHAEL-NEAL-01.jpg) ****Catherine Bohart** Photo credit - Raphael Neal Two nights earlier, **Catherine Bohart** lands in the Corn Exchange with brand-new material, [*Borrowing Trouble* (16 October),](https://brightondome.org/whats-on/L7X-catherine-bohart-borrowing-trouble/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) turning her attention to mental health, lesbian break-ups and the particular chaos of family dynamics; all filtered through the sharp, self-aware wit that's made her a festival favourite. And over in the more intimate Studio Theatre, BBC New Comedy Award winner **Dan Tiernan** presents *Quartz and All* (23 October), a show about coming out as gay, and, delightfully, as a devoted crystal enthusiast. It's a smaller room, but expect Dan to punch well above his carat. Come December, SNL UK's **Larry Dean** returns with *Hellbent* (13 December, Corn Exchange), taking aim at queer marriage and the pressure to "grow up," Australian comic **Josh Thomas** beloved for *Please Like Me* and his Netflix specials, brings the joyfully daft *Jiggle Jiggle* to the Studio Theatre on 6 December. Two very different comic sensibilities. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/f13a47a8d6e37240091aa5cfe15bb48d.webp) If autumn is about reinvention, December is about homecoming. On 10 December, Brighton's [**Big Drag Pageant** ](https://brightondome.org/whats-on/L1N-brightons-big-drag-pageant/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)returns to the Concert Hall for a winter edition, bringing together a cast of the city's finest underground and alternative drag talent, hosted by Brighton favourite **Alfie Ordinary.** If you've caught previous pageants, you already know the energy in that room is unlike anywhere else in the city. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/8bd031a6b7c1a9ecdfae3e290deeed3d.webp) Ida Bar ORGANOKE photo credit Brighton Dome [**Brighton Gay Men's Chorus** ](https://brightondome.org/whats-on/LXp-brighton-gay-mens-chorus-presents-a-merry-murder-mystery/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)take the Concert Hall stage on 12 December with a new festive show built around a camp murder-mystery narrative, told through a string of Christmas classics which promises to be heatrical as well as tuneful. And rounding out the month, Brighton's own rapping pensioner **Ida Barr** returns on 18 December with [*ORGANOKE*,](https://brightondome.org/whats-on/LGD-organoke/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) an evening of organ-backed Christmas karaoke that promises exactly the kind of chaotic, inclusive, communal fun the festive season demands and Ida is norotious for. The Domes LGBTQ+ programming is a wide offer, the formal ambition of Thick & Tight and Fatt Butcher, reworking classical forms into something distinctly queer. There's heavyweight comedy of Amstell, Bohart and Tiernan, each mining personal history for laughs without ever flattening it. And unapologetically local, communal joy of the drag pageant, the chorus and Ida Barr's karaoke chaos, shows that exist because Brighton's queer scene is deep enough, and confident enough, to fill a room on its own terms. These are just highlights, check out the full programe as Brighton Dome has built a programme that moves from serious artistic statement to unfiltered community celebration and back again.. Tickets for all shows are available now, get in early for *Congregational* and the Big Drag Pageant especially, as both are likely to sell out fast. See you there. More info or to book tickets from the [Dome website](https://brightondome.org/whats-on/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Elliot Page calls on New York hospitals to restore trans youth healthcare URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/elliot-page-calls-on-new-york-hospitals-to-restore-trans-youth-healthcare/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:37:31.000Z Actor and LGBTQ+ campaigner **Elliot Page** has called on several New York hospital systems to resume gender-affirming care for trans young people, accusing them of bowing to political pressure from the Trump administration. The *Umbrella Academy* star joined protesters outside **NYU Langone Health** in New York City on 23 September, where campaigners gathered to oppose the hospital's decision to discontinue gender-affirming care for minors. The demonstration was organised alongside the **Gender Liberation Movement**, with Page later appearing in a video shared on Instagram urging healthcare providers to reverse course. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dd9GpXFRghx/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by @elliotpage](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dd9GpXFRghx/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) In the video, Page described the changes as part of a "coordinated assault on health care", arguing that transgender young people and their families have been disproportionately affected by recent policy decisions. He linked the issue to broader healthcare cuts in the United States and criticised efforts to restrict access to trans-specific medical care. Page said hospitals including **NYU Langone**, **Mount Sinai** and **New York Presbyterian** had provided care for transgender young people for many years before ending or scaling back services amid pressure from federal authorities. He argued that healthcare providers had "caved" to threats from the US Department of Justice despite support for gender-affirming care from New York state and city officials. The actor also defended gender-affirming treatment as evidence-based healthcare supported by major medical organisations. "One day, many will look back on all of this and say, 'We should have known better'," Page said in the video. "But we do know better, right now, that denying this care hurts children and leads to increased depression and worse." Page further warned that restricting access to healthcare could have serious consequences for trans young people, citing research showing that anti-trans legislation is associated with worsening mental health outcomes. The intervention comes after several major US hospitals faced scrutiny from the Trump administration over the provision of gender-affirming care to minors. In January 2025, President **Donald Trump** signed an executive order directing federal agencies to prioritise action against providers offering such care, leading to investigations and funding threats against some healthcare institutions. Page has joined campaigners in urging hospitals to restore services, meet with affected families and reaffirm their support for transgender young people seeking medical care. ### Big Brother housemates criticised after ‘uncomfortable’ trans rights debate airs on ITV URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/big-brother-contes-criticised-after-uncomfortable-trans-rights-debate-airs-on-itv/ Last updated: 2026-10-06T08:57:41.000Z Former *Big Brother* housemates and viewers have criticised several contestants after a heated discussion about pronouns, trans rights and single-sex spaces aired during Sunday night's episode. The conversation began when late arrival **Twinks** discussed LGBTQ+ rights with fellow housemates, including **Philip**, who questioned changing attitudes towards gender identity and pronouns. Speaking about pronoun use, Philip said his generation had grown up with "him and her", adding that "everything is different" now. When asked whether his concerns related to gender expression, he replied: "Just not that, everything. You can't talk about nothing." Twinks pushed back on the comments, arguing that people should be free to define themselves without judgment. "Fundamentally, we all know who we are, what we identify as, how we define ourselves, and it is no one else's business to tell you who you are," she said. > Have ITV entirely scrapped the diversity and inclusion training this year? No idea what a microaggression is, being a gay ally is “a mad ting”, “I wouldn’t be happy with a transgender in the toilet with me.” Yikes. #BBUK > > — Big Brother Superfan (@BB\_Superfan) [October 4, 2026](https://x.com/BB%5FSuperfan/status/2106846524412133650?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) The discussion later turned to trans people and single-sex spaces, with housemate **Omar** asking how venues should respond if women feel uncomfortable sharing facilities with a trans woman. Twinks criticised what she described as an excessive focus on gender and anatomy in political debates, while suggesting businesses could provide gender-neutral facilities. She also voiced support for trans women being able to compete in women's sport. "That's my belief, because you are a trans woman. You are a woman, and I believe that you should be able to compete alongside your gender," she said. **Rochelle** also weighed in during the exchange, saying she would not feel comfortable sharing a toilet with a trans person, a view that Philip suggested was understandable. The episode comes amid continuing debate following the **UK Supreme Court**'s April 2025 ruling that the terms "woman" and "sex" in the **Equality Act 2010** refer to biological sex. Subsequent guidance from the **Equality and Human Rights Commission** outlined how organisations should approach single-sex services following the judgment. The conversation prompted a backlash from some LGBTQ+ viewers and former contestants, many of whom described the exchange as uncomfortable to watch. Former *Big Brother* housemate **Sam Ashby**, who uses they/them pronouns, criticised Philip on social media over his comments about non-binary identities. Meanwhile, former contestant **Zelah Glasson**, who is trans, challenged Rochelle's remarks, arguing that such views often fail to recognise how transgender people would be affected by restrictions on access to single-sex facilities. *Big Brother* continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. ### Drag Race UK stars to host Brighton screening of HIV The Naked Truth for World AIDS Day URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/drag-race-uk-stars-to-host-brighton-screening-of-hiv-the-naked-truth-for-world-aids-day/ Last updated: 2026-10-06T08:09:55.000Z An independent performance film featuring artists from around the world will be screened in **Brighton** ahead of **World AIDS Day** as part of celebrations marking the sixth anniversary of HIV awareness organisation **HIV The Naked Truth**. The film, ***HIV The Naked Truth***, will be shown at the **Duke of York’s Picturehouse** on **Saturday, 28 November**, bringing together members of the HIV community, allies and creatives for an event hosted by *RuPaul’s Drag Race UK* stars **Asttina Mandella** and **Mimi Chanel**. Shot during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the production was filmed across London, San Francisco, Italy and Oman. It features a line-up of internationally recognised performers including former Royal Ballet principal **Mara Galeazzi**, ballerina **Sasha Mukhamedov**, dancer **Danilo Palmieri** and musical theatre performer **Arun Blair-Mangat**. According to HIV The Naked Truth, the film was created to explore the realities of living with HIV through art, with performers using dance, music and movement to convey messages of resilience, hope and connection during a period of global uncertainty. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdJCI35tZvW/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The screening forms part of the organisation’s World AIDS Day commemorations and revisits one of its earliest creative projects six years after the charity was founded. Funds raised through ticket sales and donations on the day will support two HIV charities, London-based **Positive East** and Brighton’s **Lunch Positive**. Both organisations provide practical and emotional support for people living with HIV, including testing services, counselling and peer-led programmes. **Joshua Royal**, founder of HIV The Naked Truth, said: “It is incredibly special to look back at this film now. We created it during a time when international travel and collaboration had been brought to an almost complete standstill, yet artists from across the world still found a way to come together and create something meaningful. “I feel incredibly proud of what we achieved then, and even prouder to be able to share it with our community in Brighton for World AIDS Day.” ## [Tickets are available through Outsavvy.](https://www.outsavvy.com/event/37569/hiv-the-naked-truth-6th-year-anniversary-film-premiere-brighton-2026?ref=scenemag.co.uk) 💡 The screening takes place at the ****Duke of York’s Picturehouse** in Preston Circus, Brighton, from ****11am - 1pm** on ****Saturday. 28 November**. ****World AIDS Day** is observed annually on ****1 December**. ### "From diver to diva": Olympic hero Tom Daley stuns fans with glam drag transformation URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/from-diver-to-diva-olympic-hero-tom-daley-stuns-fans-with-glam-drag-transformation/ Last updated: 2026-10-05T12:23:08.000Z Olympic diving champion **Tom Daley** has surprised fans after unveiling a dramatic drag queen transformation on social media. Th gold medallist shared photos of his makeover on Instagram, revealing what he described as a journey from “diver to diva”. The 32-year-old worked with drag artist and make-up specialist **Plastique Beauty** to create the striking new look, which left many followers struggling to recognise him. In the images, Daley sports a full face of make-up, including foundation, blusher and lipstick, alongside an ash-blonde wig styled in long plaits. He captioned the post: “I can’t believe this is me.” Plastique Beauty, which collaborated on the makeover, shared the images alongside the message: “From Diver to Diva. Tom Daley in a custom look + Alba from the Phantasy collection.” The photos show Daley posing with drag performer **Tiara** before taking a full-length mirror selfie showcasing the completed transformation. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DeFSO%5FQjyf9/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Plastique Tiara (@plastiquetiara)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DeFSO%5FQjyf9/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Fans quickly flooded the comments with praise, with many admitting they initially failed to recognise the former diver. One follower wrote: “I saw the Tom Daley tag and was wondering where he was.” Another added: “I had to triple check the user name!” A third commented: “Goodness gracious... had you not mentioned it is impossible to recognise you. You look gorgeous anyway, any day, in any look.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/833093754_18636512386044765_3248194153733792694_n.jpg) Instagram While some were surprised by the makeover, Daley’s enthusiasm for drag is well documented. The retired Olympian is a long-time fan of *RuPaul’s Drag Race* and appeared as a guest judge on the second series of *RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World* in 2024, describing the opportunity as a “long time coming”. Since stepping back from competitive diving, Daley has increasingly embraced new creative projects and public appearances, while continuing to be a prominent LGBTQ+ figure. Away from the spotlight, he lives with his husband, Oscar-winning screenwriter **Dustin Lance Black**, and their two children. The couple married in 2017 and welcomed their first child the following year. Speaking previously about life after elite sport, Daley said becoming a father changed his outlook. “I used to define myself by diving,” he said. “If I dived well it reflected on me as a person. Now I’m first and foremost a father and husband.” ### Jennifer Lopez 'in talks to headline Brighton Pride' URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/jennifer-lopez-in-talks-to-headline-brighton-pride/ Last updated: 2026-10-05T12:02:06.000Z **Brighton & Hove Pride** organisers are reportedly in talks to bring **Jennifer Lopez** to the city next summer for what would be the global superstar’s first full UK concert in more than 15 years. According to reports, the singer and actor has been approached to headline the annual festival, which is one of the UK's biggest LGBTQ+ events and raises money for local community groups and charities. A source quoted by *The Sun* claimed discussions are underway between Pride organisers and Lopez's team, although no booking has been confirmed. "The event gets bigger and bigger every year and organisers are in the planning stages of booking talent and have reached out to JLo's team," the source said. "Everyone is really excited to pull it off. "She'd be a perfect headliner, they're just working out schedules." If an agreement is reached, it would mark Lopez's first full-length UK performance since her *Dance Again World Tour*, which visited London's **O2 Arena** in 2012. The singer headlined WorldPride in Washington DC in 2025 and has previously spoken about her close connection with LGBTQ+ fans. Speaking after that appearance, Lopez said: "The LGBTQ+ community, for me, has always been a loyal and big part of my fanbase." Brighton & Hove Pride has built a reputation for attracting some of the world's biggest pop stars to Preston Park. Recent headliners have included **Diana Ross**, **Mariah Carey**, **Christina Aguilera**, **Kylie Minogue**, **Britney Spears** and **Raye**. Earlier this year, Diana Ross and Raye topped the bill at Pride in the Park, while **Girls Aloud** made their only UK festival appearance of their 2024 reunion tour at the event two years earlier. The 2027 festival is expected to take place next August, with organisers yet to announce any acts for the main Pride in the Park line-up. ### LGBTQ+ influencer and makeup artist Mad Sandhu shot dead in India URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-influencer-and-makeup-artist-mad-sandhu-shot-dead-in-india/ Last updated: 2026-10-05T11:36:02.000Z Openly queer makeup artist, entrepreneur and social media influencer **Mad Sandhu** has died after being shot in the northern Indian city of **Amritsar**. Sandhu, whose real name was **Madhusudan Sandhu**, was found seriously injured on **Loharka Road** following the attack. They were taken to a private hospital for treatment but later died from their injuries. Police have launched an investigation into the killing and are examining CCTV footage from the area. No arrests have been announced and the motive for the shooting remains unclear. A video said to have been recorded shortly after the attack has circulated widely on social media, showing Sandhu lying injured on the roadside as members of the public attempted to help them. Known for their beauty and lifestyle content, Sandhu had built a substantial online following across Instagram and YouTube, where they shared makeup tutorials, fashion content and personal reflections on identity and social issues. They also used their platform to speak openly about LGBTQ+ issues in India. Sandhu described themself online as a makeup artist, entrepreneur and artist, and was the founder of **Mane Lane Unisex Salon** in Amritsar. Before establishing themself in the beauty industry, they worked as a stylist and assistant costume designer on projects in Punjab and Mumbai, later branching out into modelling, acting and digital content creation. They also appeared in Punjabi entertainment productions, including the film *Oye Bhole Oye*. As one of a relatively small number of openly queer influencers with a significant following in the region, Sandhu's visibility frequently attracted attention online. Friends and followers have paid tribute to their creativity and confidence, while many social media users have highlighted the homophobic abuse they regularly faced because of their sexuality and gender expression. In recent months, Sandhu had been the subject of controversy after Sikh religious leader **Nihang jathedar Manpreet Singh Khalsa** publicly criticised some of their social media content and clothing choices, arguing they were at odds with Punjabi cultural values. Investigators are examining whether any previous tensions may be linked to the shooting, although police have stressed that no motive has yet been established. The killing has prompted an outpouring of grief from followers and members of India's LGBTQ+ community, many of whom remembered Sandhu as a prominent voice for self-expression and queer visibility. Authorities have formed multiple police teams to trace those responsible as the investigation continues. ### Green LGBTQ+ activists protest conference event featuring gender-critical campaigner URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/green-lgbtq-activists-protest-conference-event-featuring-gender-critical-campaigner/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:37:47.000Z LGBTQ+ members of the **Green Party** have criticised the decision to platform a gender-critical campaigner at a women's health event during the party's autumn conference, arguing it undermines the Greens' long-standing commitment to trans inclusion. The row erupted at the party's conference in Brighton after **Green Party Women** hosted a fringe meeting on women's pelvic health featuring physiotherapist **Elaine Miller**, a prominent critic of gender recognition reform who has previously campaigned against trans rights measures in Scotland. Ahead of the event, the Green Party's LGBTQ+ wing published a statement expressing concern that Miller had been invited to speak. In posts shared on social media, **LGBTIQA+ Greens** said they had written to the party alongside the **Trans Greens** and **Trans Young Greens**, arguing that platforming a figure they described as "a notorious campaigner against trans rights" would create a safeguarding concern for trans, non-binary, intersex and gender non-conforming members attending conference. The group said they believed Miller's presence would be incompatible with the Green Party's policies on trans inclusion and warned that it could discourage trans members from participating in party democracy. The dispute comes just days after the Green Party blocked another gender-critical organisation, the **Green Women's Declaration**, from having a stall at conference. Party officials reportedly said the group's presence could make trans members feel unsafe, a decision which has since become the subject of legal action. Tensions escalated during Sunday's pelvic health event when a group of around 15 Green Party activists from organisations including the LGBTQ+ Greens and Greens Organise entered the meeting carrying a banner in support of trans rights. According to Left Foot Forward, the protest was intended to oppose the decision to platform Miller rather than the discussion of pelvic health itself. Other Green Party members also questioned the decision. **Dylan Lewis-Creser**, a member of the party's executive, said women's pelvic health was an important issue but argued that the party should not be platforming figures associated with anti-trans campaigning. In a statement shared on social media, the **LGBTIQA+ Greens** said they welcomed the later decision for Miller to appear remotely rather than in person, but maintained that they could not support the platforming of someone they view as hostile to trans rights. ### Green leader Zack Polanski banned from entering Israel after party backs 'Zionism is racism' motion URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/green-leader-zack-polanski-banned-from-entering-israel-after-party-backs-zionism-is-racism-motion/ Last updated: 2026-10-05T10:13:44.000Z **Green Party** leader **Zack Polanski** has been barred from entering Israel after party members voted to adopt a controversial motion declaring Zionism a form of racism. The decision was announced by Israel's foreign ministry after delegates at the Green Party's autumn conference in Brighton voted **1,022 to 813** in favour of the motion, despite opposition from several prominent figures within the party. According to Israel's foreign ministry, the resolution "constitutes a clear antisemitic text" and denies "the Jewish people's right to self-determination". Israeli Foreign Minister **Gideon Sa'ar** subsequently announced that [Polanski](https://www.office.com/search?q=Polanski&EntityRepresentationId=214b2df6-d96c-82c4-aebb-ab98789e43e2&ref=scenemag.co.uk) would be barred from entering the country. The motion, brought forward by the **Greens 4 Palestine** group, defines Zionism as a political ideology advocating an ethnonationalist Jewish state and calls for a single democratic Palestinian state with equal rights for all citizens. Supporters argue the proposal is aimed at challenging systems of oppression faced by Palestinians, while opponents say it risks alienating Jewish members and communities. Polanski, who did not take part in the vote because he had left the conference to campaign in the **Holborn and St Pancras** by-election, responded by insisting there is "no conflict between supporting the rights of Palestinians and the rights of Jewish people". The dispute has exposed growing tensions within the Green Party between grassroots activists and some senior elected representatives. Former party leaders and MPs were among those who spoke out against the motion, warning it could have unintended consequences for Jewish members. For many LGBTQ+ members, the row is particularly striking because the Greens have traditionally been viewed as one of the UK's most LGBTQ+-inclusive parties, with Polanski himself having built a political profile around support for trans rights and broader LGBTQ+ equality. However, the conference has also been overshadowed by a separate controversy involving comments about trans rights. According to *The Telegraph*, leaked messages from a Green activist WhatsApp group included claims that Iran was "far more liberal" on trans identity than parts of the West, and suggestions that transphobia is worse in Britain than in some Muslim-majority countries. Those remarks prompted criticism from LGBTQ+ campaigners, who pointed out that while Iran legally recognises trans people who transition, same-sex relationships remain criminalised and can be punished by imprisonment, flogging and, in some cases, death. ### London LGBTQ+ music groups mark milestone anniversaries with autumn concerts URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/london-lgbtq-music-groups-mark-milestone-anniversaries-with-autumn-concerts/ Last updated: 2026-10-05T09:39:37.000Z Two of London’s longest-running LGBTQ+ music ensembles are set to celebrate major anniversaries this October, with a pair of concerts showcasing decades of queer music-making in the capital. The **London Gay Symphony Orchestra** (LGSO) and the **London Gay Symphonic Winds** (LGSW) will mark their 30th and 20th anniversaries respectively with performances taking place a week apart. The celebrations will begin on **18 October** when the LGSO performs its 30th anniversary concert at **Cadogan Hall** under the baton of newly appointed Musical Director **Sonia Ben-Santamaria**. [Tickets HERE ](https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/london-gay-symphony-orchestra-30th-anniversary-concert/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/LGSO-2022.JPG) ****London Gay Symphony Orchestra**. Submitted The programme will revisit the orchestra’s origins, featuring works by **Tchaikovsky** and **Liszt** that were performed during its first season in 1996\. Audiences will also hear the world premiere of *Restless Host* by composer **Mark Bowden**, alongside **Rachmaninov**’s *Symphony No. 3*. A week later, on **24 October**, the **London Gay Symphonic Winds** will celebrate its 20th anniversary at **St John’s Waterloo**. Conducted by Musical Director **John Brown** and hosted by **Reece Connolly** of **The Gallifrey Cabaret**, the concert will blend classical arrangements with wind band favourites, musical theatre, film scores and pop classics. The evening will conclude with an encore featuring former members of the ensemble. [Tickets HERE ](https://www.outsavvy.com/event/37220/london-gay-symphonic-winds-20th-anniversary-concert-?ref=scenemag.co.uk) In a joint statement, LGSO co-chairs **Gary Clarke** and **Josh Sturges**, alongside LGSW chair **Ricky Holtz**, said the concerts would celebrate the shared heritage of the two organisations and the generations of LGBT+ musicians who have helped them thrive. “We are beyond excited and honoured to be celebrating our groups’ shared history of queer and inclusive music-making through these two concerts,” they said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/LGSW-2010--First-Solo-Concert-.jpg) ****London Gay Symphonic Winds**. Submitted “These concerts celebrate our ensembles’ diverse yet shared history, with the LGSW being founded by members of the LGSO 20 years ago, as well as the generations of LGBTQ+ musicians, conductors, audiences and supporters who have made them possible. We warmly look forward to welcoming audiences, both old and new, to join us in our anniversary celebrations.” The concerts highlight the breadth of LGBTQ+ musical culture in London, spanning symphonic repertoire, new compositions, film music, musical theatre and popular music. The anniversary year will continue in December when the **London Gay Big Band** celebrates its own 15th anniversary, bringing the combined total of LGBTQ+ music-making represented by the three groups to 65 years in 2026. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/LGSO-2016.jpeg) ****London Gay Symphony Orchestra. Submitted** Founded in 1996, the LGSO was established by a group of friends led by conductor **Robin Gordon-Powell** to create a welcoming environment where queer people could make music together free from prejudice. Today, the orchestra performs five concerts each year and is known for tackling ambitious repertoire. The LGSW was launched in 2006 as an offshoot of the orchestra, providing another inclusive space for LGBTQ+ musicians. Alongside its annual concert programme, the ensemble regularly performs at events across London and is a longstanding presence at the capital’s Pride celebrations. Organisers said audiences are welcome to attend either concert or both as part of a month-long celebration of the contribution LGBTQ+ musicians have made to London’s cultural life over the past three decades. ### Thames Valley Positive Support secures £105,000 Macmillan grant to improve cancer care for LGBTQ+ people URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/thames-valley-positive-support-secures-105-000-macmillan-grant-to-improve-cancer-care-for-lgbtq-people/ Last updated: 2026-10-05T09:18:53.000Z **Thames Valley Positive Support** (TVPS) has been awarded more than £105,000 by **Macmillan Cancer Support** to launch a new project aimed at improving cancer care and support for LGBTQ+ people across **Berkshire** and **Hampshire**. The charity has received a £105,110 CARE grant as part of a £7.4 million investment by Macmillan in 65 community organisations across the UK. The funding is intended to help tackle inequalities in cancer care and ensure support services better meet the needs of people who are often underserved by the healthcare system. TVPS will use the two-year grant to deliver its new **Pride in Cancer Care** project, which aims to bridge the gap between LGBTQ+ communities and local cancer services. The initiative will build on the organisation’s existing HIV and LGBTQIA+ support work, including its **BeYou** service, by introducing specialist cancer support through a dedicated LGBTQ+ Cancer Navigator. It will also create a lived experience library and carry out a co-produced inclusivity audit of local cancer pathways to identify and address barriers faced by LGBTQ+ people affected by cancer. Macmillan said the funding comes at a time when the number of people living with cancer is continuing to rise. The charity estimates that 5.4 million people could be living with cancer in the UK by 2045, a 58% increase on current levels. The charity has also warned of a “hidden” cancer crisis, with more than 1.7 million people across the UK struggling with the impact of cancer on their day-to-day lives. Research suggests two-thirds of people with cancer who are facing difficulties with everyday needs urgently require more support. **Chantelle Kingsbury**, Cancer Navigator at TVPS, said the project would help ensure LGBTQ+ people receive support that recognises and respects their identities and relationships. “Being diagnosed with cancer can be overwhelming enough without also having to worry about whether you will be understood, whether assumptions will be made about you, or whether the people who matter to you will be recognised and included,” she said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Chantelle-Kingsbury-Cancer-Navigator.jpg) ****Chantelle Kingsbury**. Image submitted “Pride in Cancer Care is about making sure LGBTQ+ people feel seen, heard and supported throughout their cancer journey. My role will be to help people navigate services, advocate for what matters to them and make sure their experiences help shape better cancer care for the future.” **Sarah Macadam**, chief executive of TVPS, said the project was focused on creating long-term improvements as well as supporting people currently receiving treatment. “Pride in Cancer Care is about much more than supporting individuals through cancer services, it is about creating lasting change,” she said. “LGBTQ+ people will be at the heart of this project, helping us understand where barriers exist and what genuinely inclusive cancer care should look like. By taking that lived experience and working collaboratively with cancer services, we have a real opportunity to improve care for people accessing services today and for those who will need them in the future.” Macmillan said the CARE grant programme is designed to support organisations working in communities that can experience poorer cancer outcomes, including LGBTQ+ people, people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, disabled people and those living in economically disadvantaged areas. **Heather McLean**, Director of Communities and System Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support, said community organisations were vital to improving cancer care. “Cancer isn’t fair, but at Macmillan, we believe cancer care and support should be,” she said. “Real change in cancer care starts with those who know the challenges they face the best, and that is communities themselves. That is why every local project we are supporting has been shaped by the views of people living with cancer and their loved ones. “We are so excited to be working with TVPS, and community organisations right across the UK, to address some of the gaps we know exist, to deliver lasting change in local cancer care and to help make things just that little bit better for everyone affected by cancer.” TVPS, which provides HIV and LGBTQ+ support services across Berkshire and Hampshire, said anyone from the LGBTQ+ community affected by cancer can contact the Pride in Cancer Care team for information and support. ### Desire Has No Access Requirement URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/desire-has-no-access-requirement/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:46:05.000Z ***By Daniele Lul (he/him), Community Engagement Director, ParaPride.*** **Mainstream media loves talking about dating, bodies, desire, relationships, kink and sexual identity. But somehow disability is often left outside the room. And when disabled people do enter the conversation, we are often presented as either completely desexualised or fetishised.** **There doesn’t seem to be much space in between for us simply to be people.** ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Scene-Oct2026-cover-by-Chris-Jepson.jpg) Autumn issue Cover: Some of the ParaPride Team, **photo Chris Jepson* I have spent a lot of time talking about disability, sex and sexuality. Probably more than I ever imagined I would. Through ParaPride, we held panel discussions asking questions that can make people uncomfortable: **Why does society still consider sex so incompatible with disability? Why are disabled people often missing from conversations about desire, dating, intimacy and pleasure?** Mainstream media loves talking about dating, bodies, desire, relationships, kink and sexual identity. But somehow disability is often left outside the room. And when disabled people do enter the conversation, we are often presented as either completely desexualised or fetishised. There doesn’t seem to be much space in between for us simply to be people. _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### Bums, Scrums and Bruises URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/bums-scrums-and-bruises/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:46:31.000Z ***By Sam Johnson, Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents.*** **When you think about it, there’s actually something really exposing about playing rugby.** We head out onto the pitch in our tight little shorts. We run into each other, we get knocked over, we throw each other in the air, and then we find ourselves at the bottom of a pile on with body parts in our faces with no idea who they belong to. For people who have grown up playing sports, none of these things are very remarkable. But for some members of our team, getting to the point where this feels normal has been a journey, rethinking our relationship with sports, confidence, and our own bodies. Funny that so many of us who now willingly give up our evenings to run around a field, used to spend our school years finding ways to avoid doing exactly that. _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### Rainbow Laces – move with pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/rainbow-laces-move-with-pride/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:47:06.000Z ***By Phoebe Scholefield, Senior Communications and Campaigns Manager at Stonewall.*** **What does it actually take for a sport or fitness setting to feel genuinely safe for an LGBTQ+ person? How different does it feel to inhabit an LGBTQ+ body in these settings?** We know there is a difference. You probably know it yourself. That moment’s pause before you walk into a gym changing room or line up at the start of a running club event. It’s not always fear, exactly. Sometimes it’s just a quiet calculation – can I be openly myself here? Will I have to shrink? That calculation is the reality of living in a queer body right now. It’s 2026, and the conversation about our bodies, trans+ bodies especially, but LGBTQ+ bodies more broadly — has become louder, more politicised, and more exhausting than ever. Legislation, media commentary and everyday assumptions all still treat our physical selves as something to be debated rather than simply lived in. Queer bodies have become contested sites, not instruments of strength and freedom – as they should be. Disproportionally high numbers of LGBTQ+ people, and trans+ people in particular, report avoiding sport and exercise altogether rather than risk hostility or exclusion, a loss that isn’t just social but physical and mental. Movement is medicine. Community is protective. _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### Body Language: modification as identity URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/body-language-modification-as-identity/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:47:31.000Z Marking the body is one of the oldest acts of self-expression there is. Some of the earliest confirmed tattoos are around five thousand years old, found on the skin of Ötzi, the mummified man discovered in the Alps, though the practice likely predates that by far longer than the archaeological record can show us. Scarification and piercing carry similarly old and serious histories, particularly across parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, ancient Egypt, South Asia and Mesoamerica, where they are tied to status, faith or rite of passage rather than fashion. The Western relationship with tattooing took a very different, more tangled route. Sailors picked it up through contact with Pacific and Asian ports from the eighteenth century onwards, bringing tattooing home as a mark of travel and toughness. By the twentieth century, tattooing in Britain and America had settled into working-class and outsider territory: circus performers, servicemen, bikers, prisoners. Piercing beyond the earlobe followed a similar arc, pushed into visibility by punk in the 1970s and the body modification scenes that grew out of it. It’s in that outsider lineage that LGBTQ+ communities found something useful. Tattoos and piercings became a way to signal identity to people who might recognise it, and to claim a body that mainstream culture too often tried to police or erase. Gay leather and BDSM subcultures, particularly from the 1970s onwards, developed their own codes through ink and steel, drawing heavily on a hypermasculine visual language, an influence Tom of Finland’s work both reflected and helped shape. During the AIDS crisis, tattoos became a way to mark grief, survival and remembrance at a time when so much loss went otherwise unrecorded. For the people in this project, a tattoo or piercing is rarely just aesthetic. It can mark a transition, stand in for a body part or a person no longer there, or reclaim skin that once felt like it belonged to someone else’s expectations rather than their own. Each of the pieces shown carries a specific story rather than a general one, told directly by the person wearing it. Modification as identity is not a new idea. LGBTQ+ communities didn’t invent the practice of marking the body with meaning, but they have made it their own, folding it into decades of finding one another, protecting one another and telling the truth about a life on the skin where words alone sometimes fall short. **See more at:** [**Body-Language.co.uk**](https://body-language.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Terri-BodyLanguage-byChrisJepson-_CJP8355.jpg) ****Terri**, **photo by Chris Jepson* Terri’s body has been a work in progress for thirty-six years. It started small, ears pierced at five, decisions made by someone else about a body that was, in every sense, still theirs. At fourteen they began making those decisions for themselves, and by their early twenties had turned that curiosity into a craft, working as a body piercer specialising in bespoke work, suspension, scarification and the more extreme end of genital piercing. Piercing other people taught them something about piercing themselves: modification isn’t decoration, it’s a way of saying something the body couldn’t say before, marking a change, standing in for what’s been lost, or simply taking ownership of a form that wasn’t always theirs to shape. Terri is non-binary and heavily tattooed, with more skin still to cover before they’d call themselves finished. Every piece marks a point along the way, and this project is a chance to talk about that history honestly, not as fashion or subculture, but as the long, ongoing process of making a body that actually belongs to them. Terri’s featured piece runs from a chest tattoo upward, taking in a stretched septum and a split tongue. The chest piece is a blast-over: the original was done in black and grey, but it stopped matching who Terri actually is, so they went bigger and brighter until it did. The flowers on their shoulders came from simply loving their artist’s flash rather than any deeper meaning, but that piece set the direction for everything since, including an iris thigh piece currently in progress. The stretched septum and split tongue trace back to reading Modern Primitives as a young person, a book on body modification traditions adapted for modern life, credited with helping ignite the tattoo and piercing renaissance of the 1990s. It gave Terri a language for something they already felt, part of the same ongoing project: shaping a body that is genuinely theirs. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Josetta-BodyLanguage-byChrisJepson-_CJP8263.jpg) ****Josetta**, **photo by Chris Jepson* Josetta, who is queer, trans and nonbinary, chose three tattoos from a collection of seven for the portrait that trace a circular story from first to most recent. The oldest is a set of spirals on their left upper arm, representing their own face and body in a style that draws on ancient art and practice. Josetta designed it themselves and had it done around the age of twenty by a friend and fellow queer person of colour from Greenham Common peace camp who was self-taught and learning the craft at the time. They were one of a group of “Greenham dykes” who got tattooed together during a holiday in the wilds of Cornwall. An outline of Jamaica above their heart marks their connection to heritage via their father, who was from the island, and the most recent is a nonbinary symbol on their neck. All Josetta’s tattoos represent deeply meaningful connections to communities, culture and spiritual practices. Josetta’s background is in yoga, mindfulness, wellbeing, mental health advocacy, and social justice, working with people of colour (POC), LGBTQIA+, trans and nonbinary, and neurodivergent/disabled people. They are currently focused on doctoral research, training and consultancy in equity, diversity and inclusion for these communities. They love being Black, queer, nonbinary, intersex, autistic and having ADHD, and working with marginalised communities. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Mike-BodyLanguage-byChrisJepson-_CJP0034.jpg) ****Mike**, **photo by Chris Jepson* They don’t tell you this about exhibitionism, but having comfort in exposing yourself doesn’t mean you have comfort in yourself. I spent many years exploring all sorts of kinks and fetishes and general faggotry, yet I struggled so much to like my body, and myself. I often transformed myself into roles that others would define for me, because becoming what they wanted meant I was desired and accepted. Towards the end of my 30s I hit a wall. Many people saw me as a Daddy; wanting me to dominant and fuck, and I hated it. I’ve been a submissive little pig for as long as I can remember, but I had lost my identify by trying to fit in. That’s when I started my collection of queer tattoos. They are an approval; an acceptance by myself of myself. They serve as a reminder of exactly who I am, who I want to be, and grant me permission to focus on having the type of connections that I want. They don’t teach you this in school, but life isn’t best lived by fitting in. It’s best lived by making space for yourself and inviting others in to share the things that make you whole. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Elliot-BodyLanguage-byChrisJepson-_CJP8499.jpg) ****Elliot**, **photo by Chris Jepson* Elliot is a 38-year-old queer man, born in Jersey, who moved to Brighton for university in 2007\. He’s now a body piercer and manager of Punktured Body Piercing in Brighton’s North Laine. Growing up on a small island and coming out in his early teens wasn’t easy. Intense bullying and rejection led him to internalise the idea that his queerness made him weak, worth less than other men, and that everyone now expected him to fit a stereotype. He found piercing at sixteen, and it began as an outright rejection of what people told him a gay man should be. He wanted to show he was hard, that he could do what other men could, that his queerness didn’t mean mental or physical weakness, proof to himself that he was strong, and armour against the negativity around him. It was only as his relationship with body piercing developed, to the point where he took it on as a career, that he realised modification wasn’t a rejection of his queerness but an extension of it. He wanted to stand out rather than blend in, to be looked at rather than ignored, to have his differences, sexual and physical, celebrated as something worn proudly on the outside. He wanted his body to be as queer as he was within, without shame. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Emma-BodyLanguage-byChrisJepson-_CJP8607.jpg) ****Emma**, **photo by Chris Jepson* Emma made history as one of the first women to deploy at sea with the Royal Navy. Arrested and discharged in 1993 because of her sexual orientation, she challenged her dismissal at the European Court of Human Rights, contributing to a pivotal change in UK law in 2000\. She joined the Royal Navy at eighteen, when being gay in the military was illegal. About three and a half years later, she told a friend she thought she was gay. The next morning she was arrested, interrogated, had her belongings searched, and was later discharged, her career and identity dismantled for no reason beyond her sexuality. She describes having to rewrite her entire map of the world. Five years on, she found the strength to challenge the ban, taking her case to court and eventually the ECHR, contributing to the ban being lifted in January 2000. Emma got her tattoo as a fiftieth birthday present to herself. At its simplest it represents her sexuality, her wife and her hobby, singing a cappella, shown through treble and bass clefs together, coloured in pride. More deeply, it marks her arrest, her case at the European Court of Human Rights, and her decision to live as a visible lesbian rather than hide, as she was once forced to. The design was drawn by her wife, Fran, which makes it especially meaningful to her. She placed it on her forearm deliberately, visible to herself and not hidden from the world, a reminder of resilience and of the strength to do the right thing. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Andrea-BodyLanguage-byChrisJepson-_CJP8419.jpg) ****Andrea**, **photo by Chris Jepson* Andrea Walker is a Brighton-based choreographer, director and the founder and Artistic Director of 201 Dance Company. He directed and choreographed SKIN, named “Stand-Out Dance of the Summer” by The Guardian, and SMOTHER, that the four-star Times review called “the new generation of street dance.” His work blends contemporary dance, physical theatre and cinematic storytelling around identity, queerness and human connection. Originally from Rome, Andrea trained at The Broadway Dance Center in New York and holds a BA in Film and Television Production from the University of Westminster. His work spans Ebony Bones’ European tour, a world premiere for the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, and SAD BOOK, adapted from Michael Rosen’s book, an Edinburgh Fringe “Top Stage Pick” that toured the UK in 2025\. He is currently creating The Last Day, exploring his relationship with his mother and the grief of losing her to cancer, touring in 2027. As an openly queer artist, Andrea’s work is rooted in visibility and community. He also directs the official Brighton Pride dance video ever year, working with headline artists including Kylie Minogue and Girls Aloud. Andrea’s back piece marks a turning point that followed his mother’s death after a difficult battle with cancer. It’s tied to a new relationship with death, one he describes as beautiful, and to a way of approaching life that’s shifted completely from where he stood three years ago. The tattoo marks a transition and something reclaimed, a reminder to himself to be brave and outrageous. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Connor-BodyLanguage-byChrisJepson-_CJP8315-EDIT.jpg) ****Connor**, **photo by Chris Jepson* Connor is twenty-five, an actor based between London and Brighton. He is a bisexual trans man who has been transitioning over the past four years. On the side of his calf, Connor has a tattoo of a topless cowboy bearing top surgery scars, a piece he got to celebrate his own top surgery. Cowboys have long represented a kind of masculinity Connor was drawn to, and giving the figure top surgery scars turned that image into something specifically his: a trans cowboy marking his transition into his own version of that masculinity. The tattoo commemorates his top surgery and the wider transition it’s part of. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Enor-BodyLanguage-byChrisJepson-_CJP8725-EDIT.jpg) ****Enor**, **photo by Chris Jepson* Enor is a 45-year-old Black masc gay woman, born and raised in London and now living in Hove. Her identity, heritage and life experiences are all important parts of who she is, and as she has grown older, she’s developed an even deeper appreciation for where she comes from and the different influences that have shaped the woman she is today. Her father was Nigerian and her mother is Gambian, but she and her siblings weren’t taught their parents’ languages, and as an adult she’s felt a growing desire to reconnect with parts of her African heritage that weren’t passed down through language. She wanted her skin to tell a story that felt entirely her own, one reflecting her roots and heritage while celebrating strength, resilience and the generations who came before her. For Enor, Africa represents ancestry, belonging and pride, and the sleeve is a way of carrying that connection visibly. African masks and art were part of Enor’s childhood home, and as a young adult her mother would return from visits to The Gambia with wooden carvings for her, including a mask of her own. The finished sleeve brings together Enor’s Nigerian and Gambian heritage, her family, her memories, and her identity as a Black masc gay woman. To her, it’s more than body art. It is a celebration of identity, ancestry and belonging – a way of honouring and reconnecting with her heritage, and a personal story permanently written on her skin that she wears with pride. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Harry-BodyLanguage-byChrisJepson-_CJP8504.jpg) ****Harry**, **photo by Chris Jepson* For Harry, “Disobey” is less about breaking rules and more about refusing to keep making himself smaller for other people. Growing up, he became very good at editing himself – knowing what to say, what not to say, how loud to be, how much of himself was safe to show. The tattoo came from reaching a point where he simply didn’t want to do that anymore. There’s a long history of queer people being told how to behave, who to love, how to dress and when to stay quiet. A lot of the progress queer people have made came from those who were considered difficult, disruptive or simply unwilling to obey. Having “disobey” permanently written across his face feels like a small nod to that history. And then there’s the rest of him. His tattoos aren’t a carefully curated collection — they’re more like a physical map of an ADHD brain: impulsive decisions, strange ideas, things he loves, things that make him laugh and things that mean something only to him. His appearance is constantly evolving, and he likes it that way. It’s messy, excessive and probably a little bit inappropriate. Which feels pretty fucking appropriate. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/18-19-BL-banner-1.jpg) **See more at:** [**Body-Language.co.uk**](https://body-language.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### The Politics of a Bald Head and Braces URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-politics-of-a-bald-head-and-braces/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:47:52.000Z Anybody who takes the time to get to know me will learn very quickly that I am political through and through. Sometimes though, my political beliefs aren’t obvious. I have found myself sat in taxis where the driver spends the journey talking to me about ‘dirty immigrants’. I don’t know what it is about me that almost gives people permission to disclose their deeply held discriminatory beliefs. Is it my appearance? Do I look as though I welcome racism? I believe I am fairly ‘normal’ looking (whatever the fuck that means). There are some however who wear their politics on their body. One such group is Skinheads. I remember when I was younger, I was almost taught to be afraid of the bald head, the braces, the jeans and the polo shirt. Skinheads weren’t really people you would randomly bump into on a Tuesday afternoon, but there was a fear of them. And I think there still is. _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### Hidden Disabilities: My Place in the Queer Community URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/hidden-disabilities-my-place-in-the-queer-community/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:48:05.000Z I have always hated the term ‘hidden disability’. My disability isn’t hidden. If you take the time to listen, to ask how I access the world, or simply to recognise that not every disability is immediately visible, it becomes clear enough. I don’t mean we should be going around asking strangers, “What disability do you have?” I mean asking something much more useful: “How can I make this space accessible for you?” For the purposes of this article, I am going to reluctantly use the term ‘hidden disability’ because it is one that many people recognise. I also want to acknowledge that the language around disability is often complicated, controversial, and individual. Personally, I prefer to be called ‘disabled’. Others prefer the term ‘differently abled’. Some prefer other terms. There is no single label that everyone feels comfortable with. _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### There Is Joy in the Journey URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/there-is-joy-in-the-journey/ Last updated: 2026-10-05T09:13:20.000Z ***By Laura-Rose Thorogood, LGBT Mummies.*** The path to parenthood should be one of joy, exhilaration and happiness. But the path to parenthood for the queer community is not for the faint-hearted. It can be marred by assumptions, discrimination, bias and erasure, that can at best be described as debilitating. A ‘Russian roulette’ of attempting to seek out safe and inclusive care, whilst navigating the usual barriers and implications any intended parent comes across. My Wife at the time and I soon found out that equal and equitable access to the pathway of our choosing was not within reach. NHS fertility funding provision for ‘people like us’ was non-existent, and so the pathway to self-funding was our only option. We opted for fertility treatment with a UK clinic (CRGH) using a US sperm bank (XYTEX) which ultimately left us financially bankrupt, in tens of thousands of pounds worth of debt, which we were actively willing to surrender to- bereft with the fact the system excluded us, but desperate to create the family we dreamt of. Physically and psychologically it was exhausting. Coupled with the financial burden, failed IUI and IVF cycles, miscarriage, PCOS, secondary infertility, post natal depression and obstetric violence marred experiences that as stated should have been joyful. We were incredibly fortunate to complete our family and have four miracle children- but they came at a cost, one that we were willing to pay, accompanied by long term implications. When it came to pregnancy and the changes to my body, as someone who used to be a performer, I struggled with body dysmorphia, constantly trying to acquire the perfect ballerina figure, and the thought of pregnancy, whilst exciting terrified me. Putting on weight and being larger was not a connotation I warmed to. Once pregnant, I loved the feeling of growing a tiny human, and became accustomed to acceptance of my body changing form-but it was a struggle for some time, and thereafter was also difficult to address with a long period of struggling to lose the weight post-birth. As a queer woman who spent years of self-loathing my identity and struggling to come to terms with my sexuality, I wanted to still be the petite femme that I was prior. I had to address my body shifts and how that was a necessity to be healthy in pregnancy for my babies I carried. _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### It’s Your Body URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/its-your-body/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:48:47.000Z ***By August Reid (they/he), Services Manager,*** [***The Clare Project***](https://clareproject.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) As trans people, we often have complicated relationships with our bodies. Many of us experience extreme lows of gender dysphoria at times in our lives. Realising that there’s some aspect of our physical body which isn’t right and needs to change is what helps many of us to realise that we’re trans. Growing up, few of us will have been aware that what we were experiencing had a name: dysphoria, and that it didn’t have to last forever. A lot of trans people figure out ways to cope, before they discover that medical transition is an option. Some people become immersed in intellectual or creative pursuits, finding that focusing on their mind rather than their body gives them a break from the discomfort. Others might bury themselves in work. And for some people, seeking distraction, substances can become part of that picture as well, and for some of those people, substance misuse can end up contributing to the problem, even if it started as a way to seek a solution. There are also lots of trans people who attempt to change their body, for example, through exercise and diet, which isn’t always problematic, but it can contribute to the higher levels of disordered eating and body image problems in the trans community. Eventually, most of us come to discover that there are options for changing our bodies, maybe not as soon as we would like, maybe not as affordable as we would like, maybe not as painless as we would like, but there are options. And it’s at that point that at **The Clare Project**, we often come across people who know that there are some options, but they need help navigating them, choosing between them, working out what is possible for them. _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### What Is Your Body to You? URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/what-is-your-body-to-you/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:49:07.000Z **We asked four queer people, from four different decades of life What Is Your Body to You?** **Samson**, 20’s. Gay, Trans guy, doctor of dirty drawings **Ade**, 30’s Gay, feeling like my life just started **Billie**, 40’s Gay, neuroatypical, living with chronic physical and neurological conditions, still showing up **Finola**, 70’s Irish, lesbian, mother, grandmother, disabled woman **When did you first notice your body was being watched** **Finola**: “Age 5, at RC school, taught by Sisters of Mercy. I’d lost my two front teeth so was made to stand on stage and sing ‘All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.’” **Samson**: “Being bullied at school for looking like a lesbian; early puberty when femininity clung to me like a soggy tshirt.” **Ade**: “Comments from relatives. I had a smaller head as a child which made my ears look big, and family members commented on this, usually in a teasing way.” **Billie**: “Growing up gay in a small world, before I even understood why, my body seemed to invite comment long before I had language for any of it.” _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### No fems, no blacks, no asians: we need to talk about the bios URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/no-fems-no-blacks-no-asians-we-need-to-talk-about-the-bios/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:49:25.000Z **Being gay and mixed race in the LGBTQ+ community has been, to put it politely, an interesting experience. Leslie Clarke on dating app bios, fetishisation, the spaces he grew up in, and why who we choose to put on the page is hugely influential.** Open any dating app and give it five minutes. Somewhere between the torso shots and the blank profiles, you will find it. “No fems, no fats, no blacks, no asians.” Sometimes it is packaged up as “just a preference”. Sometimes it comes with an emoji, as if that softens anything. Sometimes it does not bother with the dressing at all. It is 2026\. We have marched, lobbied, fundraised and fought our way into rooms that once had absolutely no space and time for us. And still, in the most private corners of our community, there are men who feel perfectly comfortable writing a list of the kinds of people they would rather not see. [This issue of Scene](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/tag/autumn-2026-issue/) is about bodies: how we see them, how we judge them, and how we are taught to judge our own. For me, as a gay, mixed-race man, the conversation about bodies has never been only about weight, muscle, age or height, although age and weight play a ridiculously prominent role. It has always been about skin, too. _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### Sex work and disability: reclaiming my body URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/sex-work-and-disability-reclaiming-my-body/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:50:03.000Z ***By Etta Magdalene (they/them)*** *Content note for brief mention of physical, sexual and emotional abuse with no details. Sources of support and advice at the end.* Sex work is both my kink and my superpower. I know the dangers, risks and the justifiable concerns around violence, coercion and sex trafficking, so I don’t want to glorify it, but escorting has helped me survive financially and reclaim ownership and autonomy over my body. It’s taken decades of fitness, eating disorder management, therapy, self-compassion and spiritual growth to achieve a body I love and to love my body. Although now I have aging and degenerative health conditions! So, my body work, by which I mean both working on getting a fitter, healthier, stronger body as well as using the body to earn a living, is a lifelong physical, mental and spiritual practice. I can’t separate myself out into a body versus a mind; we know they are interconnected, and body care is part of my self-care, self-compassion and spiritual practices. Sex work is not just about commodifying my body; I think about the ethics, and have care and compassion for clients, even when I am sometimes grossed out, or horrified by what they say and think. I want to give a voice to sex work, but these are my personal experiences; a snap shot of my current reflections on the complex highs and lows, and how it makes me feel about my body. For anyone unfamiliar, an independent escort like me works for themselves, and offers anything from phone chat, cam work or dinner dates to full sexual services. I specialise in the full ‘girlfriend experience’ (GFE) where I treat the client like I’m really into them, listen, and get as intimate or sexual as they want. Why do it? Like many sex workers, I have limited employment options, and I struggle in offices and the 9-5 because of disability: neurodivergence and other energy-limiting health conditions. Sex work is hard physical and emotional work, but it can also be a lot of fun and a real buzz. I love sex with all genders so don’t judge me, for my current fetish for sleeping with straight (ish) cis men for money. _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### DRAW and The Body URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/draw-and-the-body/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:50:21.000Z ***Chris Jepson chats to ego andaluz in Zurich*** *DRAW is a three-part linocut series comprising *Break*, *Contested* and *Reach*. It looks back at the period before *ego andaluz* came out at 30, after spending three years hiding a relationship with a man from his family. Rather than focusing on the outcome, the series remains inside the uncertainty that came before it: the pressure of hiding, the internal conflict and the first cautious movement towards a new sense of self.* ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/DRAW-1.jpg) ego andaluz **DRAW is built around your own coming out. Why express it in the body rather than telling it as a story a different way?** Before I came out, the conflict never felt abstract. It organised my body: who I stood next to, whether I touched my partner, what I could say, even how visible I allowed myself to be in a room. For three years I was constantly editing myself in space. That is why *DRAW* is not an illustration of a coming-out story. It treats coming out as a bodily negotiation between protection and visibility. *Break*, *Contested* and *Reach* are physical states: pressure, internal collision, and the first uncertain movement towards a new sense of self. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/DRAW-IMG_2221_bearb02-1.jpg) ****Break** by [**ego andaluz*](https://www.instagram.com/egoandaluz?ref=scenemag.co.uk) **Break shows a man pushed against a wall that isn’t really there. What is the wall?** It is expectation made physical: family, masculinity and the heterosexual future I had learned to regard as normal. What interests me, also because of my background in sociology, is that a social norm does not need to be tangible to act on a body. It enters posture, hesitation, movement. In *Break*, the viewer cannot see the wall, but the body behaves as if it is solid. That contradiction is exactly what I wanted. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/DRAW-IMG_2221_bearb03.jpg) ****Contested** by [**ego andaluz*](https://www.instagram.com/egoandaluz?ref=scenemag.co.uk) **Contested is two men fighting to a standstill. Who are they?** Both represent me. But I resist reading them as a ‘true’ self fighting a ‘false’ one. The version of me who hid the relationship was not fake. He was protecting a life he was afraid to lose. Identity is negotiated under social conditions, and sometimes self-protection and self-revelation are equally powerful impulses. The two figures are evenly matched because neither is irrational. The conflict comes from the fact that they cannot coexist indefinitely. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/DRAW-IMG_2221_bearb01.jpg) ****Reach** by [**ego andaluz*](https://www.instagram.com/egoandaluz?ref=scenemag.co.uk) **And Reach, the final image, doesn’t resolve into an embrace.** Deliberately. I did not want hindsight to rewrite uncertainty as inevitable liberation. I made *DRAW* knowing that my family ultimately accepted me, but the person I was before coming out did not have that knowledge. So *Reach* stops at fingertips. The wall has given way and the fight has quietened, but there is no fully formed new self waiting on the other side. For me, that almost-touch is more truthful than an embrace: possibility without closure. **Throughout Scene’s Body issue, I’m asking how bodies get read. What drew you to that question specifically?** It is probably the central question of my practice. We rarely read a body innocently. We read gender, masculinity, power, shame, desirability. Western art has long legitimised the male nude through mythology, religion, heroism or athleticism. But if it’s unmistakable that one male body desires another, the the same anatomy can suddenly be read as provocative or ‘too sexual’. The body has not changed. The cultural code has. I am interested in that moment of reclassification, because it reveals how much of what we call natural is actually learned. **Your figures are noticeably unguarded; nothing about them reads as softened for the viewer.** That is very deliberate. I am not interested in softening queer bodies or queer desire to make the work easier to consume. The moment I adjust an image until nobody could possibly be uncomfortable with it, I am allowing the viewer’s expectations to dictate the work. My figures can be erotic, vain, frightened, tender, muscular, exposed or powerful. I do not think queer desire needs to be translated into a more palatable language before it can be taken seriously. I would rather take these bodies and their desires as a given and ask why certain bodies, gestures or desires still trigger such different readings. **You work in linocut rather than photography or paint. Does the medium carry meaning here too?** Completely. Linocut is not simply the technique I use to arrive at an image. The physical process is part of the meaning of the work. I carve with my hands and arms, work against the resistance of the lino, and print the large pieces by hand using pressure, body weight and muscle. There is force, repetition, sweat and imperfection in the process. My own body is involved from the first cut to the final impression, and it leaves its trace in the print. I am also drawn to the fact that relief printing creates an image through removal: I cut material away in order for something to become visible. And every cut is irreversible. For a series about hiding, visibility and coming out, those are not just technical characteristics. They are part of the concept. **What did you learn about your family’s fear, rather than your own, while making this work?** That fear was circulating between all of us, and much of it was built around a reaction that never actually happened. I had spent years imagining my family mainly as the source of risk. My mother was frightened of getting things wrong because she had never had to think about having a gay son in such a personal way. I was terrified of telling my father, and my mother was anxious about how he would react too. When I finally told him, he said that whatever happened in my life, I was his son and nothing could change his feelings for me. Afterwards I realised that I have been carrying fear around an imagined event, and while that does not make the fear insignificant, it did show me how powerfully anticipation can shape us, even when what we fear never comes to pass. **Where does DRAW sit against your earlier work?** Earlier work often turns the sociological lens outward: towards self-presentation, desirability, masculinity, visibility and the pressures that can exist even inside sexual freedom. *DRAW* is the first time I have turned that same lens on myself and placed my own biography ront and centre. It is more personal, but I do not see it as a retreat into autobiography. My own body is the site of questions I was already asking which made the distance between observer and subject much smaller. *DRAW comprises Break, Contested and Reach, each a two-colour linocut on paper, 70 x 100cm, in editions of ten, signed and numbered. These and ego’s other works can be seen online at* [***egoandaluz.com***](https://www.egoandaluz.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)[***@egoandaluz***](https://www.instagram.com/egoandaluz?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### 64 years old and F***ing Fabulous URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/64-years-old-and-f-ing-fabulous/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:50:41.000Z ***By Oskar Nery,*** [***@dis\_gracefullyfit***](https://www.instagram.com/dis%5Fgracefullyfit?ref=scenemag.co.uk) **I never thought I would reach such an age. Time goes by fast when you have the privilege of looking back. You feel you have all the time in the universe when young and looking towards the future, and 30 seemed old.** **I transitioned medically in my late twenties. For years I had been fighting something inside. A self-destructive, snarling, poison-drooling, ugly beast of a demon... that tried to consume me...** **This is a piece not about that time.** Ageing is a journey that we are not prepared for. It teaches that change is all we can be certain of. We constantly evolve and change over the years. In some ways trans folk understand this on a deeper level. Transition embraces change. Physically, mentally, emotionally and internally. As a trans person, I have been constantly aware of ever-evolving processes, getting to be a closer expression of my physical self as a man. Becoming comfortable with how the world sees me despite being socialised as female. Do I take on the codes and behaviours that are expected of men in a heteronormative world? Can I be myself? What does that look like? What does it feel like? _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### HIV, ageing and our bodies URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/hiv-ageing-and-our-bodies/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:50:58.000Z ***As told by Jen, Niamh and Alan. Written by Rory Finn.*** There are more people living with HIV now then there ever has been. Thanks to amazing advances in HIV treatment, people have a normal life expectancy and are living well for longer. Since 2020 over 50% of people receiving HIV healthcare in the UK are over 50 years old. We now having an ageing demographic and these are the first generation of people are living and growing old with HIV. We explore what this mean for them. We spoke to several people living with HIV, asking them about their relationships with their body. **Jen**, a bi/pan woman living in Bristol was diagnosed with HIV seven years ago. She started treatment a month later, on her 36th birthday. The sooner people start treatment, the better the outcomes for their long-term health, with the goal to supress the virus to an undetectable level. Jen said, *“Learning about U=U empowered me to be open about my diagnosis and share it with everyone in my life”*. Prior to her HIV diagnosis she struggled with depression and anxiety, until she received an ADHD diagnosis when she was 39\. Learning this helped her mental health massively. _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### Thirty Years On, A New Chapter URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/thirty-years-on-a-new-chapter/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:51:25.000Z ***By Tracey Buckingham, Clinical Services Manager,*** [***The Sussex Beacon***](https://sussexbeacon.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) **The Sussex Beacon** officially opened as a registered hospice in 1994, built by the LGBTQ+ community in response to the AIDS crisis that had profoundly affected Sussex. In those early years, an HIV diagnosis carried fear, uncertainty and huge stigma and, for many, the expectation of an early death. Serious illness and the end of life were shaped not only by illness itself, but by discrimination, isolation and the loss of family connections. Partners, friends and chosen family often became the people who stayed, providing care, love and support when others could not. In the absence of family, staff from The Sussex Beacon also stepped in. Over the past three decades, our specialist care model has evolved alongside the incredible changes in HIV treatment and care. HIV is now a manageable long-term condition and, with effective treatment, people living with HIV can expect to live long and healthy lives. For some people, our relationship with them has extended over many years. That continuity brings something important: an understanding of the person beyond their diagnosis, and of the experiences, relationships and circumstances that have shaped their life. It means that when someone becomes unwell, we are not meeting them for the first time; we often know what matters to them, who matters to them and how they want to be cared for. Palliative care is at the heart of this approach and has been central to the care and support we have offered for more than 30 years. As people living with HIV now move into older age, their needs are changing too. Many are navigating the effects of long-term treatment alongside other complex age-related health conditions, changes in independence, isolation and mental health. Our approach to palliative care is not about waiting until someone is approaching the end of their life, and it is not the same as end-of-life care. Palliative care can begin at the point of diagnosis, or because of a serious or complex illness, and can sit alongside treatment at any stage. It is about helping people to live as well as possible, while addressing the physical, psychological, social and emotional impact of illness. _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### Chosen Family, to the End URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/chosen-family-to-the-end/ Last updated: 2026-10-04T10:51:41.000Z ***By Alan Spink, Community Services Manager,*** [***The Sussex Beacon***](https://sussexbeacon.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) As a gay man who has lived in Brighton for most of my adult life, I have experienced a profound amount of death and grief, balanced by immense joy, colour, excitement, and passion. Recently, however, the focus seems to have shifted back towards how it felt in the 1980s and early 1990s: a world once again centred on loss, and one that reminds us of the vital importance of our chosen families when our biological families are unable, or unwilling, to support us. Later in my own life, I acquired HIV and had to navigate that reality myself. For me, and for many others diagnosed at that time, there was a wealth of support, care, and community. Some of that support still exists today. But there is another group, largely forgotten and consisting mainly of gay men, whose experiences are rarely acknowledged. They shared the same grief and witnessed the same losses as those of us who became HIV-positive. They visited the same hospital wards, attended the same funerals, and stood at the same gravesides. They too believed they had no future because, for many of us, life felt like a waiting game: waiting to become positive and then waiting to die. The difference was that there was little support for them then, and there is very little if any support for them now. _This post is for subscribers on the Marsha tier only._ ### The Saturday Scene: Labour are bold again URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-labour-are-bold-again/ Last updated: 2026-10-03T07:40:27.000Z #### When I travelled to Liverpool last Saturday, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Labour's landslide victory in the 2024 election was undoubtedly historic, causing expectations to be high but leaving the then new Prime Minister struggling to meet the public's thirst for change. In a different, more stable and more predictable time, Keir Starmer would have made a good Prime Minister. Being British Prime Minister in 2026 must feel like riding a bull. The 2023 conference felt ecstatic, while the 2024 conference felt very optimistic. I skipped the 2025 event, but I heard from many people that the mood was rather timid and depressed. At the same time, the 2025 conference was where Andy Burnham rallied from the sidelines. He talked about a different direction for the country at fringe events, positioning himself as a potential new leader. That feels like a lifetime ago now. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Russell T Davies warns ‘online anger is stepping out into the real world’ for LGBTQ+ people URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/russell-t-davies-warns-online-anger-is-stepping-out-into-the-real-world-for-lgbtq-people/ Last updated: 2026-10-02T12:03:17.000Z *It’s A Sin* creator **Russell T Davies** has said growing hostility towards LGBTQ+ people and the return of homophobic tropes in mainstream politics inspired his television drama *Tip Toe*. The acclaimed writer, whose work has helped shape LGBTQ+ representation on British television for more than three decades, said he never expected to be writing a series set in 2026 that explored a worsening climate for queer people. Speaking ahead of the US release of the **Channel 4** drama, Davies reflected on how attitudes have changed since the breakthrough success of *Queer as Folk* in 1999. "I'm kind of sad that having done *Queer as Folk* in 1999, that then you would have imagined 2026 would be a lot happier with equal gay rights everywhere, instead of seeing it going wrong," he said. "There is such hatred. There is such fear. There is such venom being whipped up by very powerful voices and very knowing voices." The five-part drama stars **Alan Cumming** as Leo, a gay bar owner in Manchester whose increasingly hostile relationship with a neighbour becomes fuelled by online misinformation and fears about LGBTQ+ people. Davies said he was driven to write the series after witnessing the renewed popularity of claims that queer people pose a threat to children, a trope historically used to undermine LGBTQ+ rights movements. "The impossibility of this is advancing on us rapidly, tumultuously," he said. "My God, I had to write about it." The drama examines themes including online radicalisation, misinformation, political rhetoric and the impact they can have on LGBTQ+ communities. One character remarks that language directed at queer people today echoes the hostility many experienced during the 1990s. Davies suggested that anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric has increasingly moved from online spaces into real-world consequences. He cited abuse he received after casting transgender actor Yasmin Finney in *Doctor Who*, saying critics had accused him of being a "groomer" and a "paedophile". "It reaches the point where you think, 'How much am I in danger from this?'" Davies said. "For 10 years, I've sat there not caring about it, but now I think we are seeing a world in which online anger is stepping out into the real world." The writer also pointed to wider political developments, including policies affecting transgender people in the United States, arguing that public figures can legitimise hostility towards minority groups. In *Tip Toe*, Davies explores whether increased LGBTQ+ visibility in popular culture has produced an unintended backlash. The drama raises questions about whether representation alone is enough to change attitudes among those already resistant to social change. At one point, Leo wonders: "What if they see us, and they still don't like us?" Despite the bleak themes, Davies said he sees television as a way of documenting the experiences of LGBTQ+ people at key moments in history. From *Queer as Folk* and *A Very English Scandal* to *It's A Sin*, his work has chronicled both progress and setbacks for queer communities. Reflecting on conversations with trans people concerned about the current climate, Davies said he remained shocked by how quickly attitudes appeared to have shifted. "And that's Britain in 2026," he said. "What the f\*\*\* is going on?" ### 'You will always have a place with us': Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents reiterate support for trans players URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/you-will-always-have-a-place-with-us-brighton-hove-sea-serpents-reiterate-support-for-trans-players/ Last updated: 2026-10-02T11:25:54.000Z **Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents Rugby Club** has spoken out against new participation rules introduced by **England Touch**, saying the changes will restrict some trans, non-binary and intersex people from taking part in the sport. In a statement released this week, the LGBTQ+ inclusive club said it was "disappointed" by the decision and pledged its continued support for trans, non-binary and intersex members of the rugby community. The statement follows England Touch's announcement of changes to its inclusion policy, which the Sea Serpents say will limit access to touch rugby for some players in categories that align with their gender. Condemning the move, the club said: "Touch rugby has always been a welcoming space, and we are disappointed to see this being taken away from members of our community." The Brighton-based club also backed calls from **Pride in Touch** and the **International Gay Rugby** (IGR) network for greater transparency around the decision, questioning why such a significant change had been made without consultation with those directly affected. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/682126338_18389169289091809_8500275622741154775_n.jpg) The Sea Serpents said the club was founded on the belief that everyone should be able to participate in rugby as themselves and feel part of a team. "The Sea Serpents were created on the belief that everyone deserves to find a place in rugby, where they can show up as themselves and be part of a team," the statement said. "We will continue to stand up for that." The club also made clear that trans, non-binary and intersex players would remain welcome within the organisation. "Players who wish to play in a category that aligns with their gender will be welcomed by the Sea Serpents," it said. "We do not feel that it is our place to ask anyone to justify their identity." Addressing members of the community affected by the changes, the club added: "To our trans, non-binary and intersex players, friends and wider community: we stand with you, and you will always have a place with us." The statement is the latest intervention from LGBTQ+ sporting organisations following England Touch's policy announcement, with campaigners and inclusive rugby groups calling for further clarity over how the new rules were developed and what impact they will have on players. ### “If you’re going to fund the arts, that includes us.” Two LGBTQ+ arts organisations, including a gay men's chorus, denied state funding URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/if-youre-going-to-fund-the-arts-that-includes-us-two-lgbtq-arts-organisations-including-a-gay-mens-chorus-denied-state-funding/ Last updated: 2026-10-02T11:12:42.000Z Two LGBTQ+ arts organisations in South Carolina have been denied state funding after a contentious vote by the **South Carolina Arts Commission**, prompting accusations of discrimination and concerns over freedom of expression. The **Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus** and **Proud Mary Theatre Company** were both refused operational grants following a 5-3 vote by the commission’s board on Thursday. No public explanation was given before or after the decision. The move comes after months of uncertainty over arts funding in the state. While the commission released millions of dollars in grants to most organisations earlier this year, funding for the two LGBTQ+ groups was put on hold pending further scrutiny. **Mary Adam**, executive director of the Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus, said the decision was particularly disappointing given the chorus’ role in the community. The 36-member group performs across the region and uses music to explore both universal themes and LGBTQ+ experiences. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/692799757_1514075003839011_5644740410778892147_n.jpg) ****Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus**. Facebook “It’s usually a family event,” Adam said, describing the chorus’ concerts. “Many times, you see people in the audience being brought to tears at connecting to whatever the message of that song might be.” The chorus had expected to receive around $13,000, accounting for roughly 13% of its annual budget. The funding would have helped cover costs including venue hire, a pianist, administrative support and insurance. Proud Mary Theatre Company had anticipated receiving approximately $3,800 through a combination of grant and bridge funding. The company said the money would have supported upcoming productions, including a parody musical and a Broadway-themed revue. “We rely on grants and donations to literally keep the lights on,” grants coordinator **Sally McClellan** said. “When our funding is delayed or jeopardised, harm is done. And in this case, not just to Proud Mary Theatre Company, but to the arts in South Carolina in general.” Documents obtained by the **American Civil Liberties Union** (ACLU) of South Carolina suggest some board members raised concerns about funding organisations focused on LGBTQ+ communities. In one email, board member **Rip Parks** reportedly argued that the groups were inconsistent with the values the commission should promote and expressed concern that state legislators could withdraw funding from the wider arts programme. At an August meeting, Parks also questioned the “artistic merit” of the organisations and asked both groups to provide further justification for their work. However, grant reviewers had already scored the Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus highly. According to documents shared by the organisation, the chorus received 87 out of 100 points in an independent assessment covering artistic merit, excellence and public engagement. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/485299969_1189112716553093_8667746267374148928_n.jpg) ****Proud Mary Theatre Company**. Facebook Another board member, **Jessica Rourke**, reportedly cited a Trump administration executive order regarding “gender ideology” in explaining her opposition to funding the organisations. The ACLU has challenged that reasoning, arguing the executive order relates only to federal funding and that relevant sections have already been found unlawful. The civil rights organisation has warned that denying funding based on disagreement with an organisation’s viewpoint could breach First Amendment protections. **Allen Chaney**, legal director of the ACLU of South Carolina, urged the commission to judge LGBTQ+ organisations using the same standards applied to all other applicants. “Rather than turning from its values, we merely ask that the Commission continue to evaluate LGBTQ-focused affinity groups and arts organisations on the same artistic-merit criteria it applies to every other applicant,” he wrote. The controversy has also reignited debate over political influence on arts funding in the state. Earlier this year, South Carolina Senate Majority Leader **Shane Massey** encouraged commissioners to ensure funded projects reflected what he described as taxpayers’ values, warning that controversial grants could place the commission’s own funding at risk. Despite the setback, Adam said donations received during the dispute mean the chorus will continue performing. However, she fears the decision could set a precedent for future funding decisions affecting LGBTQ+ artists and organisations. “If you’re going to fund the arts, that includes us,” she said. ### LGBTQ+ youth crisis hotline restored in US after backlash over closure URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-youth-crisis-hotline-restored-in-us-after-backlash-over-closure/ Last updated: 2026-10-01T15:03:15.000Z A specialist crisis support service for LGBTQ+ young people in the **United States** is being restored after it was previously shut down, following pressure from lawmakers and mental health advocates. The service, known as the **"Press 3" option** within the national **988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline**, allows callers to be connected with counsellors trained to support LGBTQ+ young people experiencing mental health crises or suicidal thoughts. The US government has confirmed that work is underway to bring the programme back following a directive from Congress. The specialised service was discontinued last year after funding was removed, a move that sparked widespread criticism from LGBTQ+ organisations and Democratic lawmakers. At the time, advocates warned that LGBTQ+ young people were losing access to counsellors specifically trained to understand the challenges they face. According to reports, the service handled around 1.6 million contacts during its years of operation, with LGBTQ+ suicide prevention charity **The Trevor Project** answering roughly half of those calls and messages. The restoration follows congressional approval of more than $33 million in funding for LGBTQ+ youth crisis interventions, with the **Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration** (SAMHSA) stating that it is working with 988 network administrator **Vibrant Emotional Health** to resume the specialised service. However, concerns remain about how the restored service will operate and whether it will provide the same level of support as before. Several outlets have reported that The Trevor Project, which helped establish the original programme, may not be included in the new system after its application to participate was reportedly rejected. The Trevor Project has expressed disappointment at the decision, arguing that excluding an organisation with decades of experience supporting LGBTQ+ young people could undermine the quality of the service. Advocates have also raised concerns about the impact of policies affecting trans and non-binary young people on the future operation of the hotline. The decision to reinstate the service has nevertheless been welcomed by many LGBTQ+ campaigners, who view it as a recognition of the unique mental health challenges faced by queer and trans young people. Research cited by lawmakers has consistently found that LGBTQ+ young people experience significantly higher rates of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. ### Will Young says he felt unable to be himself despite being openly gay URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/will-young-says-he-felt-unable-to-be-himself-despite-being-openly-gay/ Last updated: 2026-10-01T14:59:34.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Queer Screams: 10 essential LGBTQ+ horror films to watch this spooky season URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queer-screams-10-essential-lgbtq-horror-films-to-watch-this-spooky-season/ Last updated: 2026-10-01T11:53:00.000Z October has arrived, the nights are drawing in, and spooky season is officially upon us. Few genres have such a fascinating relationship with LGBTQ+ audiences as horror. Long before openly queer characters became commonplace on screen, horror films were telling stories about outsiders, hidden identities, transformation and survival. Whether consciously or not, generations of LGBTQ+ viewers saw themselves reflected in misunderstood monsters, final girls and people forced to hide who they really were. Today, queer horror is thriving. From sapphic cult classics and blood-soaked vampire romances to trans-led thrillers and psychological nightmares that explore identity, there has never been a better time to dive into the darker side of LGBTQ+ cinema. So grab the popcorn, light a pumpkin-scented candle and settle in. Here are 10 of the best queer horror films and horror-adjacent chillers to add to your October watchlist. ## **1\. I Saw The TV Glow (2024)** Arguably the defining queer horror film of the decade. Director **Jane Schoenbrun**'s surreal coming-of-age nightmare follows two teenagers bonded by their obsession with a mysterious late-night television series. As reality begins to blur with fantasy, the film becomes a devastating exploration of repression, identity and the cost of living a life that isn't truly your own. For many trans viewers, the film has become an emotional touchstone. **Why watch?** A haunting, trans-coded masterpiece that lingers long after the credits roll. ## **2\. Jennifer's Body (2009)** Once misunderstood, now rightfully recognised as a queer cult classic. **Megan Fox** delivers a career-best performance as Jennifer, a high-school queen bee possessed by a demonic force. Much of the film's emotional power comes from the complicated relationship between Jennifer and her best friend Needy, played by Amanda Seyfried. Funny, sexy and surprisingly sharp, it's one of the most beloved horror films among LGBTQ+ audiences. **Why watch?** Camp perfection with undeniable sapphic energy. ## **3\. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)** The ultimate queer midnight movie. **Tim Curry**'s unforgettable Dr Frank-N-Furter remains one of cinema's most iconic gender-bending characters, helping generations of LGBTQ+ people discover a world beyond conventional norms. Half a century later, *Rocky Horror* still feels rebellious, ridiculous and completely irresistible. **Why watch?** Because no queer Halloween is complete without it. ## **4\. Bit (2019)** One of the most underrated queer horror films ever made. Trans actress **Nicole Maines** stars as Laurel, a transgender teenager who moves to Los Angeles and finds herself recruited into an all-female vampire gang. Rather than focusing on trauma, *Bit* centres friendship, empowerment and chosen family, while still delivering plenty of vampire mayhem. **Why watch?** A rare horror film with a trans protagonist that's genuinely fun. ## **5\. Knife + Heart (2018)** A bloody love letter to queer cinema. Set against the backdrop of Paris's gay pornography industry in the late 1970s, this stylish French slasher follows a producer whose performers are being targeted by a mysterious killer. Part murder mystery, part romance and wholly mesmerising, it's one of the most visually stunning films on this list. **Why watch?** Gorgeous queer horror with genuine emotional depth. ## **6\. Fear Street Trilogy (2021)** Three films, countless murders and a queer love story at the centre of it all. Netflix's hugely successful adaptation of **R.L. Stine**'s books delivers witches, slashers, cursed towns and enough blood to satisfy any horror fan. Crucially, the emotional heart of the story is the relationship between teenage couple Deena and Sam. It remains one of the strongest examples of LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream horror. **Why watch?** Perfect for an entire weekend horror binge. ## **7\. Hellbent (2004)** The Halloween slasher queer audiences deserved. Set during a West Hollywood Halloween celebration, *Hellbent* follows a group of gay friends being stalked by a masked killer. Unlike many horror films of its era, queer characters aren't coded sidekicks or punchlines. They're simply the heroes of the story. **Why watch?** A genuinely groundbreaking piece of LGBTQ+ horror history. ## **8\. Interview with the Vampire (1994)** Before queer vampires became fashionable, there was Louis and Lestat. **Anne Rice**'s gothic classic drips with homoerotic tension as two immortal companions navigate centuries of obsession, heartbreak and desire. The recent television adaptation has made the queerness even more explicit, but the original film remains essential viewing. **Why watch?** Elegant gothic horror and beautifully tragic romance. ## **9\. Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)** A horror comedy tailor-made for the social media age. When a group of wealthy young friends gather at a remote mansion during a storm, paranoia turns deadly. Featuring queer characters, bisexual tension and razor-sharp satire, it's one of the funniest horror films of recent years. **Why watch?** Equal parts slasher and savage comedy. ## **10\. Titane (2021)** Strange, unsettling and utterly unforgettable. **Julia Ducournau**'s **Palme d'Or**\-winning body horror film defies easy categorisation. Exploring themes of gender, identity, transformation and belonging, it pushes the boundaries of what horror can be. Some viewers will love it. Others will leave deeply confused. Both reactions are entirely valid. **Why watch?** Horror at its most daring and transgressive. ### Pride in London confirms 2027 parade date - "a day of visibility, celebration and solidarity." URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/pride-in-london-confirms-2027-parade-date-a-day-of-visibility-celebration-and-solidarity/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:35:09.000Z **Pride in London** has announced that its next parade will take place on **Saturday, 3 July 2027**, bringing LGBTQ+ communities and allies back to the capital for one of the UK's largest Pride celebrations. The organisation confirmed the date this week, saying the annual event will once again showcase visibility, celebration and solidarity across central London. Further details about parade applications, volunteering opportunities, stage programming and community events are expected to be released in the coming months. In a statement shared online, Pride in London said: "We'll once again bring LGBTQIA+ communities and allies together across the capital for a day of visibility, celebration and solidarity." > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd6SSZrjAYA/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Pride in London (@prideinlondon)](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd6SSZrjAYA/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The announcement follows the success of Pride in London 2026, which organisers said attracted around 1.8 million spectators and more than 25,000 parade participants to the streets of the capital. The event was held under the theme "Many Voices. One Front", highlighting intergenerational unity across LGBTQ+ communities. The free celebration featured six stages across London, with performances and speeches reflecting different parts of the LGBTQ+ community. Artists including **MNEK**, **Beth Ditto** and **Meek** appeared as part of the programme. Pride in London remains one of the biggest Pride events in Europe and continues to combine celebration with campaigning for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion. The organisation says its work is guided by the principles of visibility, unity and equality, while supporting grassroots LGBTQ+ groups across the capital. Organisers have encouraged people to save the date, with more information about participating in next year's parade set to be announced over the coming weeks and months. ### 'Heated Rivalry’ producers launch foundation to support LGBTQ+ communities through sport and the arts URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/heated-rivalry-producers-launch-foundation-to-support-lgbtq-communities-through-sport-and-the-arts/ Last updated: 2026-10-01T10:32:06.000Z The producers behind hit queer hockey romance *Heated Rivalry* have launched a new charitable foundation inspired by the popular book and television franchise, with a mission to support LGBTQ+ people and other underserved communities through sport and the arts. Executive producers **Jacob Tierney** and **Brendan Brady** announced the creation of the **Irina Foundation** on **29 September** through their production company, **Accent Aigu Entertainment.** Named after the fictional charity established by **Shane Hollander** and **Ilya Rozanov** in Rachel Reid’s *Game Changers* novels, the real-world organisation aims to fund initiatives that help people access sports and arts programmes, build community connections and improve wellbeing. In a joint statement, Tierney and Brady said the foundation was designed to create opportunities for people to find belonging through shared experiences. “For many of us, some of life’s most meaningful moments happen on a team, in a studio or on a stage, places where we find our people, discover what lights us up and feel like we belong,” they said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/f1eb6241-3544-45bb-900e-7070ee83c771.webp) Image: HBO/Crave “We’ve been incredibly lucky to build something we love and along the way find a community that means so much to us. The Foundation is our way of giving back.” The Irina Foundation will support organisations working with LGBTQ+ communities and other underserved groups, focusing on programmes that encourage participation in sport, arts and community activities. Its mission also includes promoting mental wellbeing and resilience through those experiences. Fashion brand **Kate Spade** has been announced as the foundation’s inaugural donor, while grooming company Harry’s has signed on as an early supporter. The launch builds on fundraising efforts already generated by the *Heated Rivalry* fan community. According to Accent Aigu Entertainment, the company, its partners and supporters have raised more than $1.5 million in recent months for organisations including **You Can Play**, the **New York LGBTQ Center** and **Rainbow Railroad**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/heated-rivalry-hudson-williams-connor-storrie-gay-tv-15-2.jpg) Image: HBO/Crave For many fans, the foundation represents a real-world extension of the values explored in *Heated Rivalry*, which follows the long-running romance between rival professional ice hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Accent Aigu president **Jayme Alter Wilson** said the decision to use Irina’s name reflected the deeper themes of the story. “We chose the name Irina Foundation because, at the heart of *Heated Rivalry*, Irina represents something much bigger. She reminds us that behind every struggle is a person who deserves to be seen, loved and supported,” Wilson said. “The Foundation is our way of honouring that message. We hope to channel the love people have for the world Rachel has created, and for Shane and Ilya, into something that can make a meaningful difference in the real world.” ### REVIEW: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-teenage-sex-and-death-at-camp-miasma/ Last updated: 2026-10-01T10:21:21.000Z Hello cinema lovers. **Jane Schoenbrun**'s *Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma* is a gory yet tender slasher that dares you to love the monster. A wonderful, quirky love letter to *Friday the 13th* that lands mostly because of two believable leads, despite the complicated plot. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35298123/mediaviewer/rm2652685570/?ref_=ttmi_mi_19_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MV5BYWY5N2RhYzAtZmJjNS00NzQ5LWJiOGQtZWQ1YjUxNTdmYjczXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX582_.png) Kris Williams (**Hannah Einbinder**) is a young queer filmmaker hired to reboot Camp Miasma, a cheesy slasher franchise that began in the '80s and has since been run into the ground by cheap sequels. The movie's killer is Little Death, the ghost of a child raised as both boy and girl. Murdered by hateful campers in a terrible hate crime, they rise from the lake with a spear in hand, looking for revenge. Killing any hapless camp counsellors they meet. Think Jason Voorhees but with added gender fluidity. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35298123/mediaviewer/rm2506677250/?ref_=ttmi_mi_1_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MV5BNmE4OWYxYTQtY2ZmNC00ZDEwLWFjZmMtMDU1MDQyNDg1NmU3XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX492_.png) Kris knows the premise of the original movie is transphobic. She loves the series anyway and wants to rehabilitate and modernise the franchise. To get her reboot moving, she travels to the snowy Pacific Northwest to court Billy Presley (**Gillian Anderson**). She's the original movie's final girl, who quit acting and lives on the abandoned camp where the first film was shot. Billy is warm and perceptive, but she is also obsessed with her horror movie past. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35298123/mediaviewer/rm3376860930/?ref_=ttmi_mi_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MV5BZDUxY2IyZDctYWFlMy00NGZhLWJlNjUtOTVhNjZiN2E2ZTk3XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX582_.png) Einbinder plays her character with a sugar-fuelled anxious edge. Kris talks about Camp Misawa in terms of cinema theory and hides behind a professional edge to mask her desperation in making this project a success. She plays that desperation with great affection and never lets her character's loneliness show when she admits sex has never come easily. Anderson puts in an amazing performance too shes both droll and seductive in equal measure. A Norma Desmond homage in a snowcapped cabin that never tips into cheap pastiche. Billy sees straight through Kris and recognises a kindred spirit, and their scenes crackle with sexy energy. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35298123/mediaviewer/rm2904343810/?ref_=ttmi_mi_20_3](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MV5BZTE2YzQ4MjgtNDY5Ny00ODhkLWI4Y2UtYWFhOGIwMGRlODlmXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX630_.png) Schoenbrun writes and directs this project with a fan's love and possibly obsession. The opening credits cram in franchise merchandise and fading sequel reviews. Camp Miasma feels real here; the imagery is very directly lifted from the *Friday the 13th* franchise. The cinematography is vivid, and some backdrops deliberately resemble matte paintings. When the gore arrives, it is over the top, reminiscent of Tarantino's *Kill Bill*. The script is sharp and funny, but repeats itself a little. The meta commentary is interesting and imaginative but can be a bit dense; sometimes it feels like ideas don't quite land Slashers have a long history of making gender difference the source of the horror. Schoenbrun keeps the monster and changes its purpose. Little Death is a tragic character murdered in cold blood. The film gives that history weight, but they represent desire in a strange narrative flip, and Schoenbrun's experience as a trans person informs the characters' identity. This project shows echoes of *Wes Craven's New Nightmare,* which must be a direct inspiration for meta themes involving a long-running horror franchise. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35298123/mediaviewer/rm2464870914/?ref_=ttmi_mi_12_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MV5BZTZjZjYyODItMGU3OS00NmI1LWJlYWMtMGM0YzY1MTdjMGJjXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX606_.png) Sexual desire is everywhere here. The killer is called Little Death, *la petite mort*, and sex and dying share the frame. Kris can only enjoy sex when she imagines herself as a sexualised final girl. Billy's own story about the original movie's sex scene is dark, and the film lets it be truly bleak. Where movies like *Cruel Intentions* treat desire as danger, here the director treats it as blessed release. Kris's polyamory is named without fuss. The sex on show here is intense and sincere, presented unashamedly, and quite right too. Truly recommended. Funny, bonkers and unafraid of its own excess. Come for the '80s slashers styling and stay for Anderson's cool, crisp performance. ***Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma*** is available to stream in the UK on the MUBI Amazon Channel and Apple TV from 1 October 2026. ### Turkey blocks independent news site over alleged ‘LGBTQ propaganda’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/turkey-blocks-independent-news-site-over-alleged-lgbtq-propaganda/ Last updated: 2026-10-01T10:18:29.000Z **Turkey** has blocked access to one of the country’s leading independent news websites, claiming it published content amounting to “LGBT propaganda” amid an escalating crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights and media freedom. Authorities ordered the closure of news outlet **T24**’s website and social media accounts as part of an investigation known as “My Family is Safe”, according to a statement from the Turkish Justice Ministry. Officials claimed the outlet had published 118 pieces of content over the past year that they considered to be “LGBT propaganda”. The decision was issued by Istanbul’s **1st Criminal Court of Peace** and sent for implementation to the country’s cyber security authorities. T24 confirmed that access to its website had been blocked in Turkey and said it would challenge the ruling. The move comes just weeks after Turkish authorities launched a sweeping operation targeting LGBTQ+ organisations, activists and community spaces. Police raids were carried out at bars, nightclubs and private homes as part of a wider investigation that the government says is aimed at protecting children and family values. T24 editor **Buse Sogutlu** described the shutdown as an attack on journalism rather than a response to the outlet’s coverage of LGBTQ+ issues. Speaking to AFP, she said the publication had been subjected to a social media harassment campaign in recent days and argued the closure represented a wider assault on independent reporting. According to reports, the court justified the ban by alleging T24 had published content “aimed at weakening the Turkish family structure”. The decision has sparked condemnation from journalists’ organisations and opposition politicians. Opposition leader **Ozgur Ozel** accused the government of repression and questioned how a news outlet relied upon by millions could be shut down despite constitutional protections for press freedom. Meanwhile, a coalition of 12 Turkish journalists’ associations described the ruling as a “grave attack” on journalism and called for it to be reversed immediately. Rights groups and international observers have also criticised Turkey’s recent actions against LGBTQ+ organisations. The **European Union** has expressed concern over arrests and website blocks linked to the investigation, while **Human Rights Watch** has warned that the crackdown threatens freedom of expression and other fundamental rights. ### Chappell Roan to stage Los Angeles fundraiser for trans youth and LGBTQ+ organisations URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/chappell-roan-to-stage-los-angeles-fundraiser-for-trans-youth-and-lgbtq-organisations/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:35:31.000Z **Chappell Roan** has announced a two-night charity event in Los Angeles to raise money for trans youth and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. The singer-songwriter will headline *The Super Graphic Spectacular* at **The Shrine Auditorium** on **21 and 22 October**, with the event also featuring drag performers, comedians and special guest artists. According to organisers, the fundraiser will combine live entertainment with community engagement activities, including volunteer opportunities and resource stalls hosted by local non-profit organisations. A press release described the event as “a two-day, Los Angeles-based charity fundraiser that features live entertainment, charitable efforts, meaningful community engagement and a special Chappell Roan performance”. It added: “The event marks one full year of impact since The Midwest Princess Project’s inception, and all net proceeds will be donated to power the next chapter of the organisation’s work.” The event will celebrate the first anniversary of the **Midwest Princess Project**, the non-profit organisation Roan launched in 2025 to support LGBTQ+ communities through grants, outreach and advocacy. The organisation says it has raised more than $800,000 during its first year through public donations and proceeds from Roan’s 2025 *Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things* pop-up series. Funding has been distributed to community and advocacy organisations in California, New York and Roan’s home state of Missouri. All net proceeds from *The Super Graphic Spectacular* will go towards the Midwest Princess Project’s programmes supporting transgender young people, including advocacy work, healthcare access initiatives and community outreach. The announcement comes amid increasing concerns among LGBTQ+ organisations in the United States about political and legislative attacks on trans rights, particularly those affecting young people’s access to healthcare and support services. ### Trans Rage exhibition to showcase more than 70 works across four London venues URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-rage-exhibition-to-showcase-more-than-70-works-across-four-london-venues/ Last updated: 2026-10-02T09:55:55.000Z More than 70 works by trans and non-binary artists will go on display across four London venues this autumn as the ***Trans Rage Exhibition*** returns. Organised by activist arts collective **R.A.G.E. LP** (Real Art Generates Emotion) in collaboration with **Loud & Queer Stories**, the exhibition will take over venues in **Hackney**, **Holborn** and **New Cross** throughout November and December, with organisers promising a celebration of identity, resistance and community through art. The exhibition will be spread across **Chats Palace** in Hackney, **London Art Bar** in Holborn and **Corner Café** in New Cross, bringing together a wide range of trans-led artwork exploring themes including identity, joy, resilience, protest and collective resistance. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/IMG_6689---Noa-Avis.jpeg) Noa Avis Organisers say the exhibition aims to place trans experiences at the forefront, creating space for stories and voices that are often overlooked or spoken over. The programme begins at **London Art Bar** from **3 - 10 November**, featuring an opening-night private view with film screenings and performance pieces. The exhibition will then move to **Corner Café** in **New Cross** from **12 November - 14 December**. **Chats Palace** will host a ***Loud & Queer Stories*** takeover from **20 November** \- **11 December**, showcasing queer storytelling, history and culture through writing, film and visual art. The launch coincides with **Trans Day of Remembrance** on **20 November** and will include an evening of short film screenings. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/afon-thomas-2.png) Afon Thomas Later that evening, organisers will host a ***Righteous Rage*** protest party at **The Joiners Arms** in Hackney, featuring a DJ set and fundraising activities in support of trans charity Not A Phase. Further details about tickets and timings are expected to be announced in the coming months. Founded by **Sunny**, Creative Lead and Co-Founder, and **Lee**, Co-Founder, Artist Liaison and Head Curator, R.A.G.E. LP describes itself as a curatorial activist organisation that uses art as a catalyst for social change. The group said the exhibition aims to transform "collective rage into creativity" that challenges audiences, sparks conversation and inspires action. For 2026, the organisation has partnered with **Loud & Queer**, a project dedicated to celebrating queer stories, history and achievements through queer-led writing and art. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Copy-of-87190007.jpg) R.A.G.E founders. Photography by: MIGS (@clandestinepilot) Organisers say the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to visibility, representation and community-led storytelling while creating new opportunities for trans and non-binary artists to share their work with wider audiences. Further details, including exhibition schedules, ticket releases and event timings, will be announced via the organisers' social media channels ahead of the programme's launch. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Trans-rage-info.jpeg) ### Trans man allegedly shot dead by in-laws suffered anti-trans abuse, court records claim URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-man-allegedly-shot-dead-by-in-laws-suffered-anti-trans-abuse-court-records-claim/ Last updated: 2026-09-30T09:59:09.000Z A trans engineering director at *The New York Times* who was allegedly shot dead by his elderly in-laws in California had previously accused them and his estranged wife of anti-trans abuse, according to court documents filed as part of a bitter divorce and child custody dispute. **Jonathan McKinsey**, 40, was killed at a sports park in Dublin, California, on Saturday. Two 77-year-old suspects, understood to be his estranged wife's parents, are due to make their first court appearance on Wednesday in connection with the shooting. McKinsey, who headed engineering for the *New York Times* **Games Player Experience** team, had made a series of allegations against his wife and her parents in court filings connected to the couple's increasingly contentious separation. According to the documents, McKinsey claimed his father-in-law punched him in the chest while he was recovering from a double mastectomy, and alleged that his wife attempted to pull medical tubes from his chest shortly after the operation. In another incident, he accused her of striking him with a frying pan. The filings also contain allegations of transphobic abuse. McKinsey claimed his mother-in-law called him "a pervert" and accused him of influencing one of his children to wear dresses. The court records paint a picture of a deeply fractured family relationship, with both McKinsey and his wife seeking restraining orders against one another and making competing accusations of abuse involving both each other and their children. The case had already attracted legal attention before McKinsey's death. His wife had accused him of slapping their six-year-old son and leaving a bruise, leading prosecutors to charge him with misdemeanour child cruelty and corporal injury to a child. He had been due to appear in court on 2 October but was killed before those proceedings could take place. The shooting itself has stunned local residents, not least because it allegedly took place in broad daylight at a sports complex frequented by families and children. Former FBI profiler **Candice DeLong** described the case as "one of the strangest murders I've ever seen", after reports emerged that both suspects allegedly fired at McKinsey before remaining at the scene until police arrived. Speaking about the allegations, DeLong suggested the suspects appeared unconcerned about being caught despite the presence of numerous witnesses. Investigators are also expected to examine whether anyone else had knowledge of the alleged plot. While court documents reportedly suggest the two suspects coordinated their actions on the day of the shooting, DeLong said it remains unclear whether their daughter had any prior awareness of their intentions. The suspects have not yet been publicly identified because they have not been arraigned. McKinsey had reportedly attended parenting and anger management classes during the legal dispute. One instructor cited in court records said they believed the programmes had the potential to improve child safety outcomes. The investigation into the killing remains ongoing. ### Serbian politician Ana Brnabić becomes first openly gay head of state in the Balkans URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ana-brnabic-becomes-first-openly-gay-head-of-state-in-the-balkans/ Last updated: 2026-09-30T09:04:17.000Z **Ana Brnabić** has made LGBTQ+ political history for a second time after becoming acting president of Serbia, making her the first openly gay person to serve as head of state in a Balkan country. Brnabić, who became Serbia’s first female and first openly lesbian prime minister in 2017, assumed the presidential role on **28 September** following the resignation of President **Aleksandar Vučić**. Under Serbia’s constitution, the speaker of parliament takes over presidential duties until a new election can be held. The 51-year-old politician is expected to serve in the role on an interim basis, with Serbia required to hold a presidential election within three months. Brnabić’s elevation has been hailed as a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ visibility in a region where queer people continue to face legal and social challenges. It marks the first time an openly LGBTQ+ politician has served as a head of state in the Balkans. However, her legacy within Serbia’s LGBTQ+ community remains complicated. Although Brnabić became the first Serbian prime minister to attend **Belgrade Pride** and has long been open about her relationship with partner Milica Đurđić, activists have criticised her for failing to secure major advances in LGBTQ+ rights during her time in government. Serbia still does not recognise same-sex marriage or civil partnerships, and same-sex couples cannot jointly adopt children. LGBTQ+ campaigners have argued that Brnabić’s historic presence in office did not translate into the legal reforms many had hoped for. When she first became prime minister, Brnabić said she did not want to be defined solely by her sexuality, insisting she wanted to be judged on her competence and leadership rather than as “Serbia’s gay PM”. ### “Farewell to Britain’s standing on LGBTQ+ rights”: Trans rights groups bring message to Labour conference ahead of PM Andy Burnham's speech URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/farewell-to-britains-standing-on-lgbtq-rights-trans-rights-groups-bring-message-to-labour-conference-ahead-of-pm-andy-burnhams-speech/ Last updated: 2026-09-29T13:13:38.000Z Three leading UK trans rights organisations have staged a protest outside the **Labour Party** conference, displaying messages addressed to Prime Minister **Andy Burnham** and warning of a decline in the UK's standing on LGBTQ+ rights. **TransActual**, **Trans+ Solidarity Alliance** and **Scottish Trans** unveiled a large billboard carrying the message “Farewell to Britain’s standing on LGBTQ+ rights” ahead of Burnham’s conference speech on Tuesday (**29 September**). The display features messages written by supporters during a mass parliamentary lobby for trans equality earlier this month, alongside a graph charting the UK's fall in the **ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map** rankings. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Conference-5.jpeg) Submitted Campaigners say the action is intended to highlight what they describe as a worsening climate for trans people in the UK and to urge the Labour government to take action to reverse recent setbacks in trans rights. The groups argue that the UK’s declining position in international LGBTQ+ equality rankings has accelerated following last year’s Supreme Court judgment and subsequent guidance from the **Equality and Human Rights Commission** (EHRC). They are calling on ministers to reform legislation and provide greater protections for trans people. Among the messages displayed on the billboard is one reading: “Dear Andy, Under Labour, there has been the biggest rollback in trans rights in recent history. Don’t let that be your legacy as PM.” Another states: “Dear Andy, I am the mother of a teenage trans son. I am worried about his safety, his dignity, and his future. Please help. Bonnie.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Conference-3.jpeg) Submitted Conference attendees were also handed postcards bearing the slogan “Farewell to Britain’s standing on LGBTQ+ rights”, urging the government to act to halt what activists describe as a decline in LGBTQ+ equality. **Nora Padilla**, policy manager at TransActual, said: “Last year’s Supreme Court ruling turned trans people’s lives upside down. But the stress, fear and harm that trans people are facing as a result is a political choice that the UK Government has the power to change. “We’re at the Labour Conference to send a message to the Prime Minister and the Government: that they should restore our international standing on LGBTQ+ rights, by fixing our broken laws.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Original-card-9-Sept-26.jpg) Original card, September 2026 According to ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Index, the UK now ranks 22nd in Europe for LGBTQ+ equality laws, having topped the rankings as recently as 2015\. Campaigners also point to the UK’s position on legal gender recognition, where they say it now ranks 44th out of 49 European countries. The protest comes as the UK prepares to host the international IDAHOT+ Forum in 2027, a major European gathering focused on LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. The government announced plans to stage the event earlier this year, with organisers expected to bring together ministers, officials and equality advocates from across Europe. Activists said the contrast between the UK hosting the forum and its recent fall in international rankings underlined the need for action to improve protections for LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans communities. ### Galop urges action for trans abuse victims after Bridget Phillipson says she would not allow trans access to women's refuges URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/galop-urges-action-for-trans-abuse-survivors-after-bridget-phillipson-says-she-would-not-allow-trans-access-to-womens-refuges/ Last updated: 2026-09-29T10:47:46.000Z LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity **Galop** has called on the UK Government to take urgent action to ensure trans people fleeing violence and abuse have access to safe accommodation, following comments by Minister for Women and Equalities **Bridget Phillipson** about access to women's refuges. In a statement issued this week, Galop's co-chief executives **Ben Kernighan** and **Jasmine O'Connor** said trans victims and survivors had been left in a "dangerous state of limbo" following recent developments around equality law and guidance. The intervention comes after **Bridget Phillipson** said in a media interview on Sunday that she would not allow trans women into women's refuges. Responding to the comments, Kernighan and O'Connor said: "If the UK Government's position is, as the Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson, said on Sunday, that trans women should not be allowed in women's refuges, then it's their job to ensure trans+ people have accommodation they can access." The pair stressed that all victims of abuse should be able to access safe accommodation, regardless of their gender identity. "Anyone who is escaping abuse and violence deserves a safe place to go," they said. Galop argued that the recent Supreme Court ruling on the definition of sex in the Equality Act, alongside the **Equality and Human Rights Commission**'s updated Code of Practice, had created uncertainty for trans people seeking support services. "The Supreme Court ruling and the EHRC's updated Code of Practice has put trans+ victims and survivors in a dangerous state of limbo with no clear guidance on what services they can turn to," the statement said. The charity, which supports LGBTQ+ victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime and other forms of abuse, said the lack of clarity is already having real-world consequences. "Over the last year, it has been virtually impossible for our frontline services to find anywhere safe for trans+ victims and survivors to go," Kernighan and O'Connor said. They added that this was particularly concerning given the heightened risk of violence and abuse faced by trans people. "Despite the fact that trans+ people are at particularly high risk of experiencing abuse and violence." Galop is now calling on ministers to provide clear solutions and support for trans survivors seeking emergency accommodation. "We need direct action now from the UK Government to support trans+ people to find safe accommodation," the statement concluded. ### London's iconic LGBTQ+ venue Heaven granted Asset of Community Value status URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/londons-iconic-lgbtq-venue-heaven-granted-asset-of-community-value-status/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:35:46.000Z London's iconic LGBTQ+ venue **Heaven** has been recognised as an **Asset of Community Value** (ACV), in a move campaigners hope will help safeguard the future of one of the capital's most important queer nightlife institutions. The announcement was made by **G-A-Y**, which thanked the **Night Time Industries Association** (NTIA) and its chief executive **Michael Kill** for nominating the venue for the designation. In a statement, G-A-Y said it was "proud to announce" that Heaven had been listed as an Asset of Community Value, while also thanking the **City of Westminster** for recognising the nightclub's significance as both a cultural venue and a community space. The organisation said the designation recognises Heaven's role as "an established and valued LGBTQ+ community asset & cultural venue". Located beneath **Charing Cross** railway station, Heaven first opened its doors in 1979 and has become one of the UK's best-known LGBTQ+ venues, hosting generations of club-goers, performers, activists and community events. G-A-Y noted that the club has played "an important part in London's LGBTQ+ community & nightlife for over 46 years". Reflecting on the recognition, the organisation said: "To have Heaven recognised in this way is something I'm incredibly proud of. It recognises not only Heaven's history & cultural significance, but also the important role it continues to play in the LGBTQ+ community." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/825292585_1369806718245266_7018034743638329498_n.png.jpeg) The group added that it hopes the new status will help secure the venue's future as plans progress to place the club under charity ownership. "Hopefully, this recognition will help protect Heaven for the future as G-A-Y moves forward with its plans to transform Heaven into a charity-run venue," the statement said. Asset of Community Value status is intended to recognise buildings and spaces that are important to local communities, giving additional weight to their social and cultural value. The announcement comes amid ongoing concerns about the loss of LGBTQ+ venues across the UK. Campaigners have warned that rising operating costs, changing nightlife habits and redevelopment pressures are making it increasingly difficult for dedicated queer spaces to survive. Those concerns have been particularly acute in Brighton, often described as the UK's LGBTQ+ capital, where the community has seen a number of venue closures in recent years. Popular seafront venue **R-Bar** closed earlier this year, while long-running LGBTQ+ bar **Charles Street Tap** also shut its doors, prompting fears about the continuing loss of dedicated queer nightlife spaces. ### QueerArts reveals location of new LGBTQ+ hub in York - "a queer, creative and inclusive space" URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queerarts-reveals-location-of-new-lgbtq-creative-hub-in-york-a-queer-creative-and-inclusive-space/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:36:32.000Z **York** arts organisation **QueerArts** has announced the location of its new permanent community space, describing it as a place where LGBTQ+ people can be creative, connect with others and "truly be you". The group revealed that its new home will be at **32 Walmgate**, marking a significant step forward for the organisation as it continues to expand its presence in the city. Announcing the news on social media, QueerArts said: "Your new QueerArts space will be at 32 Walmgate, York." The organisation described its vision for the venue as "a queer, creative and inclusive space" and said it "can't wait to start turning it into somewhere you can truly be you". While plans for the building are still in development, QueerArts is inviting the community to help shape its future. The group has launched a creative challenge asking supporters to produce their own artistic impressions of what the venue could become, using a photograph of the space as inspiration. "Fancy creating an alternative artist's impression?" the organisation asked. "Use the viewpoint shown in our photo as your starting point and show us what you imagine this space could become." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/829196606_1744513501014454_7372671519104896500_n-2.jpg) Facebook In a light-hearted nod to the rise of artificial intelligence-generated artwork, QueerArts added: "And please, no AI, we want to see your imagination!" The organisation is also looking for people who would like to play a role in developing the new LGBTQ+ hub. "Whether you'd like to volunteer, contribute an idea, help develop the space or get involved in some other way, get in touch," the group said. Artwork submissions and offers of support can be sent to **hello@queerarts.co.uk**. Describing the announcement as "just the beginning", QueerArts promised more updates as work begins to transform the Walmgate venue into a dedicated queer arts and community space. "We've got the space. We've got some ideas," the organisation said. "This is just the beginning. Keep following the excitement." ### Japanese volleyball star Rui Takahashi comes out as gay amid pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ rights in Japan URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/japanese-volleyball-star-rui-takahashi-comes-out-as-gay-amid-pivotal-moment-for-lgbtq-rights-in-japan/ Last updated: 2026-09-29T09:26:59.000Z Japanese professional volleyball player **Rui Takahashi** has publicly come out as gay, becoming one of the few openly LGBTQ+ athletes in the country's professional sports system amid a pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ rights in Japan. The 26-year-old, who plays for **Suntory Sunbirds Osaka** in Japan's top-flight volleyball league, shared the announcement in an emotional social media post on Tuesday (29 September), saying he hoped speaking openly about his sexuality would help others struggling with self-acceptance. "I struggled with it and ended up denying who I was," Takahashi wrote. "That is the fact that I am gay and that I am one of the sexual minorities." Takahashi revealed he had spent years grappling with his identity, saying he had been "afraid to face a certain side" of himself since childhood. He credited conversations with his younger brother, Japanese volleyball star **Ran Takahashi**, with helping him finally come to accept himself. "Talking with Ran became the trigger that finally allowed me to accept myself for the first time," he said. "By putting my feelings into words, I was able to sort out my thoughts, and little by little I started to feel that it was OK to be just the way I am." The outside hitter said he decided to speak publicly because he wanted his experience to resonate with others facing similar struggles. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd2bCgcD3p6/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by 髙橋 塁(Takahashi Rui) (@rui\_takahashi\_)](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd2bCgcD3p6/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) "I would be happy if my decision to face myself and speak in my own words could, even in a small way, become a catalyst for them," he wrote. Takahashi's announcement comes at a significant time for LGBTQ+ equality in Japan, with campaigners awaiting a landmark judicial ruling on the country's lack of legal recognition for same-sex marriage. Several courts have already found the ban unconstitutional, increasing pressure on the government to introduce marriage equality. Openly LGBTQ+ athletes remain relatively rare in Japan. Women's footballer **Shiho Shimoyamada** became one of the country's first high-profile athletes to come out as gay in 2019, while former Japan international **Kumi Yokoyama** later came out as a transgender man. Takahashi's decision has been widely praised by LGBTQ+ advocates and volleyball fans, who described the move as an important moment for visibility in Japanese sport. The athlete said he was deeply grateful to his family, teammates, coaching staff and supporters for helping him reach the point where he felt able to speak openly about who he is. "As we welcome a new season, I wanted to take this opportunity to express my own words to all the fans who have always supported me," he wrote, adding that he would continue striving for success both on and off the court. ### REVIEW: Carol URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-carol/ Last updated: 2026-09-29T08:48:15.000Z Hello cinema lovers. **Carol** is the film against which every other lesbian period drama should be measured; its quality is above reproach. *Gentleman Jack* was done with more joyful abandon, but Carol gives us icy sapphic magnificence. A top cast in fine form delivers the goods, and **Cate Blanchett** has never looked better. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2402927/mediaviewer/rm2941777664/?ref_=ttmi_mi_4_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BMjM0MDI5NjE4OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNTY3MTQ2NTE@._V1_QL75_UX492_-1.jpg) Carol Aird (Blanchett) is an elegant, striking, unhappily married woman drifting through a New York divorce; think of an older, gay, more sophisticated Betty Draper from *Mad Men*. Therese Belivet (**Rooney Mara**) is a young department store clerk who wants to be a photographer, but her life hasn't quite kicked into second gear yet. They meet across a toy counter at Christmas in a wonderfully filmed scene. Carol leaves her gloves behind. Therese mails them back. An invite out for lunch leads to romance. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2402927/mediaviewer/rm3489753088/?ref_=ttmi_mi_24_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BMGM1OGE2ZGEtNjRlMS00ZjE4LWFkN2UtOWY3MDE0OTUxNjI3XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX612_-1.jpg) That's the main plot really. Two women falling for each other against a backdrop of a private detective, a messy custody battle, and an entire culture of American intolerance trying to stop them. **Sarah Paulson** turns up as Abby, Carol's ex-lover and close ally. **Kyle Chandler** is Harge, the handsome, idealised 1950s husband, all wounded entitlement and straight privilege in a great suit. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2402927/mediaviewer/rm2925000448/?ref_=ttmi_mi_3_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BMTU2NDY1MjgzNF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNjY3MTQ2NTE@._V1_QL75_UX492_-1.jpg) Blanchett is doing some fantastically controlled acting here. Her Carol talks in an affected way, always slightly adjusting herself for whoever's in front of her, codeswitching to fit in. It's an effective portrait of a woman managing her own image in 1950s America. Mara has the tougher character to portray; she barely speaks in the first act. She watches; she emotes through her big eyes. Mara lets interior struggles show up in her face before the character has the words to express herself. Watch her hands; great physical acting. Director **Todd Haynes** uses silence more than dialogue in this production to great effect. Haynes is an exceptionally talented director who cares about the lives of gay people from decades gone by. His previous work on *Far from Heaven* shows an interest and a deft hand highlighting American attitudes towards gay people in the 1950s. Carol is better than that movie but only just. This movie is really filmed in a grounded, textured atmosphere. All rain on glass and cigarette smoke. Adapted from **Patricia Highsmith**'s *The Price of Salt*, this film refuses to moralise the marriage breakup storyline. There's no breakdown. No self-loathing speeches. This is not an "issue movie". This is a drama about a love story between two women, and its considerable fallout. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2402927/mediaviewer/rm3724634112/?ref_=ttmi_mi_24_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BOWExMzViM2YtZDk0My00MGU1LWE2MTktYjIwNzY5NDM3ZDMzXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX612_-1.jpg) Carol and Therese don't agonise over being gay. The desire between them is shot straightforwardly. The New Year's Eve scene shows an intimacy between two adults coming together, no tasteful fade to black standing in for something some films would be too coy to show. And the ending is a subtle triumph. There's a reason *Carol* sits differently than *Brokeback Mountain* on the queer cinema shelf. Brokeback was set a decade later but dwelled in what can't be had. *Carol* asks what it costs to be truly happy. Carol trades her rights as a mother for the cost of living honestly. Framing the film as a stark account of what gay mothers of the time were forced to sacrifice ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2402927/mediaviewer/rm1113547008/?ref_=ttmi_mi_20_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BYzRhY2E5MmUtYzhlNi00MGQxLTgwODQtMDY4ZmY3ODk1NGNkXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX492_-1.jpg) If there's a criticism, it's that the film's overwhelmingly controlled atmosphere can come across as glacial, almost aloof in its tone. This is a film about repression and formal restraint, but sometimes you want it to be more emotional than it allows itself to. And it's a movie that requires patience, and the plot is a little slow in parts. However, it compares well to *Desert Hearts* from 1985 as a positive representation of a lesbian romance. A high-quality, stylish drama with an amazing cast. *Carol* is an excellent film. recommended. ***Carol*** is available to stream now on Amazon Prime, Sky Store or Apple TV. ### Groundbreaking LGBTQ+ nature documentary narrated by Elliot Page to be screened during Banned Books Week URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/groundbreaking-lgbtq-nature-documentary-narrated-by-elliot-page-to-be-screened-during-banned-books-week/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:36:21.000Z Actor and LGBTQ+ advocate **Elliot Page** will take part in a special screening and discussion of the documentary *Second Nature* next month as part of a campaign challenging censorship of LGBTQ+ voices and supporting queer young people. The virtual event, taking place on **10 October** during **Banned Books Week**, will feature a screening of the film followed by a live Q&A with **Elliot Page**, director **Drew Denny**, evolutionary biologist Dr **Joan Roughgarden** and the authors of *And Tango Makes Three*, the frequently challenged children's book about two male penguins raising a chick that is featured in the documentary. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/ElliotPage-DrewDenny_sarahgoodell_-3338.jpg) Drew Denny and Elliot Page. Image submitted Presented by free expression organisation **PEN America**, the event will raise funds for the *Second Nature* impact campaign, which tours the film as a suicide prevention resource for LGBTQ+ youth, particularly in parts of the United States where inclusive education and LGBTQ+ curriculum have been restricted or banned. Elliot, who narrates the documentary, previously praised the film for challenging misconceptions about sexuality and gender in nature. "I just absolutely loved it," he said. "I loved what I learned, and how much it expanded my thinking, and also how affirming it was as a trans person." The actor said learning about the prevalence of same-sex behaviour and gender diversity throughout the animal kingdom helped challenge persistent claims that LGBTQ+ identities are "unnatural", adding: "These are facts. This is science." Elliot has also spoken about the impact such knowledge can have on young LGBTQ+ people, saying: "I think it can make people feel less alone." All proceeds from the **Banned Books Week** event will support free screenings and educational initiatives designed to reach young people and communities affected by censorship. 0:00 /0:37 1× The event follows another high-profile screening of *Second Nature* scheduled for **1 October** at the **US Capitol** in **Washington DC**.[ Tickets for event HERE ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-screening-second-nature-tickets-2001401819719?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Organised by **PEN America** in partnership with the **LGBTQ+ Congressional Staffers Association**, the screening will bring together lawmakers, activists and advocates to discuss growing efforts to censor LGBTQ+ stories, books and educational materials. A panel discussion following the Capitol screening will feature **Drew Denny** alongside scientists Dr **Joan Roughgarden**, a trans evolutionary biologist, Dr **Joseph Graves** and Dr **Marcela Benítez**, a lesbian evolutionary biologist whose work is featured in the film. [Film Screening: Second NatureA special Capitol Hill screening of Second Nature, followed by Q&A with the director.![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/favicon-194x194-ac652ec8-b834-4f1a-8790-be75367c9aa6.png)Eventbrite![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/image-eee2d439-1061-418e-87bf-ecf1db6e0768.jpg)](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-screening-second-nature-tickets-2001401819719?ref=scenemag.co.uk) According to organisers, the Capitol event comes as debates over book bans, LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools and access to information continue to intensify across the United States. Drew said the film's grassroots impact campaign is focused on ensuring queer young people have access to information, representation and community support, particularly in places where LGBTQ+ topics have been removed from classrooms. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/DC-PEN-screening.webp) Image submitted The filmmaker has also said the project has attracted hostility, including death threats linked to the film's subject matter, ahead of its screening for lawmakers and activists in Washington. Described as a "100% grassroots" initiative, the *Second Nature* campaign aims to use the documentary as a tool for education, visibility and mental health support. Organisers are also planning a series of virtual screenings throughout December aimed at LGBTQ+ young people who wish to share the film with family members as a way of opening conversations around sexuality and gender identity. *Second Nature* explores diversity throughout the natural world, highlighting species that engage in same-sex parenting, same-sex sexual behaviour and sex-changing characteristics while examining what science can teach us about the complexity of life. 💡 Tickets for the ****Banned Books Week** screening [are on sale now](https://www.secondnaturedoc.com/virtual-screening?ref=scenemag.co.uk), with the event beginning at ****3pm** ET on ****10 October**. ### STRONG: Meet Brighton’s newest fitness space URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/strong-fitness-space-brighton/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:36:08.000Z At **Scene Magazine**, we love supporting Brighton’s local businesses, especially those that are LGBTQ+ owned and helping to make our city what it is. So when a brand-new fitness space opens its doors, founded by a member of the LGBTQ+ community, we wanted to be there. That’s how I found myself meeting **Mike Brehaut** on opening day at **STRONG Brighton** \- a new fitness space bringing together strength training, cardio, a sauna, cold plunge and, hopefully, plenty of good vibes. 0:00 /3:52 1× Our reporter ****Liran Notik**, Chatting with founder ****Mike Brehaut** Opening a new business is never just about unlocking the doors for the first time. Behind that moment are months of planning, hard work, uncertainty and, eventually, the feeling of standing back and thinking: *I actually did it.* For Mike, that moment had finally arrived. But STRONG is about more than fitness. Mike wants to create a space where people feel comfortable regardless of their body, appearance or experience. > *"I just want everyone to feel welcome within the space"* ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/6.jpg) A safe space for all, STRONG Brighton As a gay business owner, Mike also sees an opportunity to create something particularly meaningful for Brighton's LGBTQ+ community. One of his ambitions is to introduce inclusive sessions and develop a safe space for members of the trans and non-binary community. > *"It's been really important to me over the last year"* For Mike, building STRONG has also been a personal journey. His partner Liam was by his side throughout the opening, helping behind the scenes and supporting the launch. "Liam is my biggest supporter. He's like my rock," Mike says, before adding with a smile: "He's a good catch and I'm very lucky to have him." Mike is honest about the challenges of getting the business from an idea to opening day. > *"It's not been easy. It's been a hard, hard, hard drive."* But standing inside the finished space, his pride was clear. > *"Look, it's something I feel really proud of creating."* There was a warm atmosphere throughout the opening, with people exploring the new space and celebrating the occasion. For Mike, the bigger goal is to become part of Brighton's community. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/2.jpg) A community space in the heart of Brighton When I ask what advice he would give to someone from the LGBTQ+ community thinking about starting their own business, his answer is simple: > *"Persevere."* And when I ask what he hopes for STRONG over the coming year, he talks about "positivity, good vibes" and creating "a community for everybody". There are plenty of places to work out in Brighton. Mike's ambition is to create somewhere people can sweat, relax and feel part of the community. For a business on its very first day, that's a pretty STRONG start. ### Fears for LGBTQ+ rights in Colombia after government withdraws from Equal Rights Coalition URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/fears-for-lgbtq-rights-in-colombia-after-government-withdraws-from-equal-rights-coalition/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T18:36:44.000Z Concerns have been raised about the future of LGBTQ+ rights in **Colombia** after the government of President **Abelardo de la Espriella** withdrew the country from the **Equal Rights Coalition** (ERC), one of the world's largest international alliances promoting LGBTQ+ equality. Founded in 2016, the ERC brings together more than 40 governments and civil society organisations to develop strategies aimed at strengthening LGBTQ+ rights around the world. Britain and Ireland are among its members. The coalition's priorities include tackling violence against LGBTQ+ people, ending discrimination and promoting social inclusion. On **17 September,** Colombia's foreign ministry announced the country's immediate withdrawal from the coalition, despite Colombia having been selected to serve as the ERC's co-chair alongside Spain for the 2025-27 period. No official explanation was given for the decision. However, observers have suggested the move may reflect the new government's desire to distance itself from policies associated with the previous administration of **Gustavo Petro**. Given the conservative and far-right character of De la Espriella's government, campaigners have also questioned whether ideological opposition to LGBTQ+ rights played a role. Among those criticising the decision was **Caribe Afirmativo**, a leading Colombian LGBTQ+ rights organisation that currently serves as one of the ERC's civil society co-chairs. The group called on the government to explain its withdrawal and set out how it intends to protect equality and human rights for LGBTQ+ people going forward. The announcement has heightened concerns at a time when activists warn that anti-LGBTQ+ violence remains a serious issue in Colombia. On the same day the withdrawal was confirmed, human rights defender **Roxxy Vanessa Astaiza** was murdered in the city of Popayán. Astaiza, a trans woman and prominent activist, was a member of the **Mariposas Negras** (Black Butterflies) collective, which campaigns for LGBTQ+ rights. She was also standing in elections for the **Cauca Departmental Advisory Council for Women**. Her killing prompted renewed calls for stronger action to tackle violence against LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender people, amid reports of rising levels of homophobic and transphobic attacks in recent years. For campaigners, Colombia's decision to abandon a key international forum dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ equality raises fresh questions about whether the government is committed to confronting discrimination and violence during the next four years. ### Delta Goodrem dazzles on Strictly debut as judges hail singer as ‘one to watch’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/delta-goodrem-dazzles-on-strictly-debut-as-judges-hail-singer-as-one-to-watch/ Last updated: 2026-09-28T11:25:39.000Z Australian singer and *Eurovision* star **Delta Goodrem** has been hailed as “one to watch” after delivering a standout performance on her first live episode of *Strictly Come Dancing*. The 41-year-old singer impressed both the judges and viewers with a high-energy samba alongside professional partner **Kai Widdrington** during Saturday night's opening live show. Performing to *Baiana* by **Barbatuques**, the pair scored 29 points, finishing second on the leaderboard and firmly establishing themselves as early contenders for the Glitterball Trophy. Judge **Anton Du Beke** was particularly enthusiastic, telling Goodrem that her routine was the strongest samba of the evening. "We've had a few sambas tonight and that was the best of the night," he said. Meanwhile, **Craig Revel Horwood** declared: "Wow darling. You are one to watch. End of." Goodrem, who represented Australia at the *Eurovision Song Contest* earlier this year, joined the BBC dance competition after admitting she had never previously attempted ballroom dancing despite decades spent performing on stages around the world. > Delta Goodrem is the one to watch 💃❤️👀[#Strictly](https://x.com/hashtag/Strictly?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) [@bbcstrictly](https://x.com/bbcstrictly?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) [pic.twitter.com/ABc83qlP2H](https://t.co/ABc83qlP2H?ref=scenemag.co.uk) > > — Chris 🌞 (@Chris\_Alex) [September 26, 2026](https://x.com/Chris%5FAlex/status/2103936240764723339?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) Announcing her participation in the series, the singer said she had performed in television, theatre and on global tours but had never stepped onto a ballroom floor before. The former *Neighbours* star has long enjoyed a loyal LGBTQ+ fanbase, particularly through her music career and her appearance at Eurovision 2026, where she introduced herself to a new generation of queer fans across Europe. Fans took to social media to celebrate Goodrem's debut, with many predicting she could become one of the competition's strongest performers after just one dance. Only social media star **John Nellis** finished above her on the week one leaderboard, scoring 31 points for his foxtrot. Goodrem's 29-point tally placed her ahead of many of the show's other celebrity contestants and immediately marked her out as one of the series favourites. ### Drag queen Krystal Queer to climb Ireland’s tallest mountain in full drag for displaced families in Gaza URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/drag-queen-krystal-queer-to-climb-irelands-tallest-mountain-in-full-drag-for-displaced-families-in-gaza/ Last updated: 2026-09-28T10:44:53.000Z An Irish drag performer is preparing to scale Ireland’s tallest mountain in full drag to[ raise money](https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/krystalqueeer1?utm%5Fsource=ig&utm%5Fmedium=social&utm%5Fcontent=link%5Fin%5Fbio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAaevuUQK0gT3T5O5leG9TSB%5F1ReR5AFCUTGM9%5FlTfQKyYammogzSIpmSuDQmYA%5Faem%5FGAeNZJvEOJOpZjFeWVXbrQ) for displaced families in Gaza. **Krystal Queer** from Cork will tackle **Carrauntoohil**, County Kerry's highest peak at more than 3,400ft, at the end of October in support of **Gaza Go Bragh**, a humanitarian charity providing aid to people displaced by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The ambitious challenge will see the drag artist take on the demanding climb wearing a dress, wig and full make-up, bringing a touch of glamour to one of Ireland's most difficult charity hikes. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/779001219_18617140228035898_1356337266389211368_n-2-1.jpg) Krystal Queer Instagram Announcing the [fundraiser](https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/krystalqueeer1?utm%5Fsource=ig&utm%5Fmedium=social&utm%5Fcontent=link%5Fin%5Fbio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAaevuUQK0gT3T5O5leG9TSB%5F1ReR5AFCUTGM9%5FlTfQKyYammogzSIpmSuDQmYA%5Faem%5FGAeNZJvEOJOpZjFeWVXbrQ) on social media, Krystal said: “I just wanted to pop on and let you know that at the end of October, I'm going to be climbing Carrauntoohil in full drag to raise funds for Gaza Go Bragh.” It is not the first time the performer has combined drag with endurance fundraising. Krystal previously completed a 10km run in full drag to raise money for the same cause. The challenge is expected to take several hours and includes the famous "Devil's Ladder" route, one of the best-known sections of the mountain. Thousands of walkers climb **Carrauntoohil** every year, but few attempt the ascent in heels and a glamorous wig. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdyqRf3tune/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by K R Y S T A L Q U E E R (@krystalqueer)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdyqRf3tune/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Krystal's climb aims to support the work of Gaza Go Bragh, which provides food, water and shelter to displaced people living in refugee camps across Gaza. The charity says its focus is on delivering essential aid as quickly as possible to families most in need. According to the organisation, around 1.9 million people in Gaza, representing the vast majority of the population, have been displaced from their homes. Supporters have already begun rallying behind the fundraiser, with many praising the creative challenge and the determination required to take on Ireland's highest mountain in full drag. ## [Donate HERE ](https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/krystalqueeer1?utm%5Fsource=ig&utm%5Fmedium=social&utm%5Fcontent=link%5Fin%5Fbio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAaevuUQK0gT3T5O5leG9TSB%5F1ReR5AFCUTGM9%5FlTfQKyYammogzSIpmSuDQmYA%5Faem%5FGAeNZJvEOJOpZjFeWVXbrQ) ### A stage for the trans imaginary URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/a-stage-for-the-trans-imaginary/ Last updated: 2026-10-03T16:33:16.000Z **by Max Colbourne, Community Storyteller, Out There Together CIC.** **“I think there is a special power in performance to create spaces and dream new realities so that they can then exist in the real world. Unfortunately at this moment, trans people rarely get to be rock stars.”** Emma Frankland, *No Apologies* As trans folk, we’re used to being imaginative. From envisioning the life we desire, to manifesting who we are through art and creative expression, we use our brain power to make real what society denies us. As a transgender, non-binary member of the team for Out There Fringe Fest, the South West’s only queer fringe festival taking place later this month in Exeter, Devon, I am excited yet conscious of the work it takes to platform trans storytelling in an authentic and meaningful way. In 2026, it is still difficult to find trans representation in mainstream media that does not centre stories of pain, erasure and ostracisation. This, we are told again and again, is what transness *is*. Of course, these are facets of our reality that we can’t ignore - but such focal points overlook everything else the transgender experience is and can be. Two staple shows in Out There Fringe Fest’s programme, *No Apologies* and *Untamed Burlesque*, unleash the potential of the trans imagination. Both shows directly embody trans lived experience, while disobeying the rules of performance in a way that captures the limitless potential of being trans and gender-nonconforming. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/OUTTHTEREFEST-Copy-of-Violent-May.jpg) Mx Violent May, **Untamed Burlesque*. Spearheading *Untamed Burlesque* is Mx Violent May, a non-binary, trans drag artist who notoriously founded the show in a cafe basement in Plymouth. *Untamed* is an alternative burlesque and cabaret show, raw and punchy, with the aim of reimagining burlesque to an audience unaware of what the medium *can* be: *“I’ve found that people like to be subverted, so I’m hoping to do just that: break down misconceptions about what burlesque really is, and have a jolly old time doing it,”* says Mx Violent. *“There are not enough people who know about what alternative cabaret looks like, and so, for us, traditional burlesque is very much the exception to the rule.”* It is telling that even such a subversive performance medium as burlesque has standards around the types of bodies we see onstage, and what makes an ‘acceptable’ burlesque act. With *Untamed*, *“you’re not just going to see skinny people onstage,”* says Mx Violent. *“If you’re good enough, I’ll book you. The cast is almost always queer and we have different bodies.”* Audiences are always surprised by what they see; *“they come to our shows expecting very glitzy glamoury burlesque - feathers and fans, sequins and boas - and then they watch someone staple their face during an act, or perform as Mr Bean.”* ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/OutThereFest-No_Apologies_Credit-Matt-Crockett-1.jpg) Emma Frankland, **No Apologies*. Photo Matt Crockett *No Apologies*, an acclaimed theatre show by award-winning writer and performer Emma Frankland, is another feature in Out There’s programme that rewrites the rules of performance by conjuring a radical misremembering of Nirvana’s iconic MTV Unplugged 1992 concert. In the show, Emma celebrates Kurt Cobain, whose memory and cultural legacy has often been reinterpreted by queer and trans communities, sometimes suggesting that Kurt could have been a trans woman; as Emma says, *“to imagine different narratives for Kurt’s personal identity is not unusual - we actually don’t know how Kurt identified so to imagine him as a cis man is as speculative as to imagine her as a trans woman!”* Such a concept speaks to the magic of the show, the potential to reimagine, to ask ‘what if?’, and thus expand the cultural identity, and legacy, of one of rock’s biggest icons. I asked Emma if her intention with *No Apologies* was to convey how liberating it can be to cast a trans light on cultural history - how can the power of the trans imaginary help us to better understand our own pasts, presents and futures, the ways in which certain stories have been manipulated and erased? Emma responded: *“centering a transfeminine body in such a recognisable and beloved setting as the Unplugged gig helps us to rewrite the past as a place where trans people have always existed, even if they weren’t always visible.”* I can’t help but think of all the younger transfemmes who would have been empowered to be who they are, by seeing themselves represented not just on a culturally iconic stage, but as one of rock’s biggest legends. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/OutThereFest-mxcyanide.jpg) Mx Cyanide, **Untamed Burlesque*. There is also the realm of theatre itself as a tool for identity exploration. Mx Violent reminisces on their own experience: *“not long after Covid, I started performing at drag shows, and that actually gave me a space to explore my gender in a public environment. Since coming out, my acts have developed a lot: they are a lot more character-based. And by putting your character out there, you are showing yourself.”* Theatre has always been a celebrated medium by trans folk, because it allows you to be whoever you want to be. Such daringness can result in the most transformative self-empowerment. As Mx Violent says, *“the stage gives me the choice of wearing what I want to, of the music I dance to and how I’m going to move my body. There is something so incredibly powerful in that.”* Emma rightfully adds that *“when we are seeing the rise of censorship across the media - film, television and commercial theatre - the performance art, punk rock and cabaret stages remain places of radical resistance for queer and trans people. My hope is that the myths of the future are inclusive of trans people.”* --- **No Apologies will be performed at Barnfield Theatre in Exeter on Fri 2nd October 2026.** Follow Emma Frankland: @[notyetarobot](https://www.instagram.com/notyetarobot?ref=scenemag.co.uk) / [emmafrankland.co.uk](https://emmafrankland.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) No Apologies is commissioned by Marlborough Productions. Supported by Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, The Old Electric, Northumbria University and Arts Council England. **Untamed Burlesque are performing as part of EXTRAVAGANZA Club Night on Sat 17th October 2026.** Follow Untamed Burlesque: @[violentmay](https://www.instagram.com/violentmay/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) / @[untamedburlesque](https://www.instagram.com/untamedburlesque?ref=scenemag.co.uk) --- **Out There Fringe Fest’26** is a queer arts and culture festival taking place across Exeter from the 18th September - 17th October, 2026\. View the Out There Fringe Fest’26 programme, consisting of theatre, drag, cabaret, workshops, and much more at [**outthere.org.uk**](https://outthere.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Naomi Watts supports trans daughter Kai Schreiber at Milan Fashion Week URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/naomi-watts-supports-trans-daughter-kai-schreiber-at-milan-fashion-week/ Last updated: 2026-09-28T10:11:36.000Z Actor **Naomi Watts** has once again shown her support for her trans daughter, **Kai Schreiber**, after the pair made a high-profile appearance during **Milan Fashion Week**. Schreiber, 17, has quickly emerged as one of fashion's rising stars, with the daughter of Watts and actor **Liev Schreiber** attracting growing attention from major designers and fashion houses as her modelling career continues to flourish. Recent runway appearances and fashion week invitations have cemented her status as one of the most prominent young trans models in the industry. The pair were photographed together during fashion week festivities, with fans praising the close bond between mother and daughter and Watts' continued public support of Kai as she builds a career in the fashion world. Kai has become an increasingly visible figure for transgender representation in fashion. Earlier this year, her father Liev Schreiber spoke about her transition, describing the family's support and explaining that embracing his daughter's identity felt natural because "Kai was always who Kai is". The teenager has also spoken openly about her ambitions, previously revealing that she dreamed of becoming a supermodel and looked up to trans fashion trailblazers including **Hunter Schafer**, **Hari Nef** and **Alex Consani**. Her growing prominence comes at a significant moment for LGBTQ+ visibility in fashion. While trans models have often faced barriers to entering the industry, a new generation of talent has helped challenge those limitations, with major brands increasingly showcasing trans and non-binary talent on runways and in advertising campaigns. Earlier this month, Kai was recognised with a Breakthrough Model award and told the audience she was the first trans girl to receive the honour. In an emotional speech, she paid tribute to the trans women who had "paved the way" before her and thanked her family for their unconditional support. ### ‘Queer people have always been here’: Totnes Pride 'captures' historic Norman castle URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queer-people-have-always-been-here-totnes-pride-captures-historic-norman-castle/ Last updated: 2026-09-28T09:51:35.000Z A Devon Pride group has transformed a 1,000-year-old Norman castle with a giant rainbow flag, creating a striking celebration of LGBTQ+ history, visibility and community. Around 400 people gathered at **Totnes Castle** on **Saturday** to watch a 150-metre rainbow flag unfurled across the historic landmark as part of this year's **Totnes Pride** festival. The event, dubbed **"Capture the Castle"**, saw around 30 local LGBTQ+ people help display the huge flag at the **English Heritage** site, which dates back to the 11th century. Organisers said the spectacle was designed as a celebration of LGBTQ+ arts, culture and community, while also highlighting the long-standing presence of queer people throughout British history. **Ceri Goddard**, from Totnes Pride, said covering the town's most recognisable landmark with the rainbow flag was intended to send a powerful message of inclusion. "The iconic castle will show that queer people have always been here and we always will be," Goddard told the BBC. She praised English Heritage for supporting the project and helping organisers navigate the logistical challenges involved in draping the medieval castle with the enormous flag. Goddard described Totnes as "a very diverse community" experiencing a cultural renaissance and said organisers hope the success of this year's event will inspire even more people to get involved in future Pride celebrations. "We are looking for new ideas and new people to get involved so I suspect it will be bigger next year because everybody's heard about it," she said. The installation formed part of a four-day Pride programme featuring more than 40 events celebrating the town's LGBTQ+ community alongside local arts, music and culture. A spokesperson for Totnes Pride said: "Capture the Castle is the image that will define this year's festival, but what we've built around it is a genuinely ambitious arts and culture programme. "We've worked hard to create a four-day programme that reflects what makes this town special." While the display attracted criticism from some conservative commentators and activists, Liberal Democrat MP **Caroline Voaden** praised the "scale, diversity and quality" of the festival, saying it sent "a clear message of equality and inclusion". Totnes Castle was built around 1087, just two decades after the Norman Conquest, and remains one of the country's best-preserved motte-and-bailey castles. Nearly a millennium later, it provided the backdrop for a different kind of history, as hundreds gathered to celebrate LGBTQ+ visibility and community in the heart of Devon. ### Ellie Goulding shuts down anti-trans fan: ‘We don’t tolerate any anti LGBTQ+ in the fandom’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ellie-goulding-shuts-down-anti-trans-fan-we-dont-tolerate-any-anti-lgbtq-in-the-fandom/ Last updated: 2026-09-28T09:37:10.000Z Pop star **Ellie Goulding** has been praised by LGBTQ+ fans after publicly calling out an anti-trans comment from one of her followers on social media. The singer responded after a fan account tagged her in a post praising her recent fashion choices, claiming they preferred her current “feminine” looks over “those ‘trans’ looks aimed at a specific community”. Goulding swiftly rejected the sentiment, replying: “Girl, no thank you. We don’t tolerate any anti LGBTQ+ in the fandom. I know you are better than this.” The response was widely shared online, with many fans applauding the star for making clear that transphobic comments were not welcome among her supporters. The original post suggested Goulding’s recent outfits were more appealing because they highlighted her femininity, while drawing an unfavourable comparison with trans people. Rather than ignoring the comment, Goulding responded directly and reaffirmed her support for the LGBTQ+ community. > Girl, no thank you. We don’t tolerate any anti LGBTQ+ in the fandom. I know you are better than this. > > — Ellie Goulding (@elliegoulding) [September 26, 2026](https://x.com/elliegoulding/status/2103910597696127405?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) The singer has long enjoyed a strong LGBTQ+ fanbase and has previously spoken out in support of equality and inclusion. Like many major pop artists, Goulding's music has found a particularly enthusiastic audience within LGBTQ+ communities, with fans praising her advocacy and allyship over the years. Her intervention comes at a time when transgender people continue to face increasing hostility online, with anti-trans rhetoric frequently debated across social media platforms. Many fans praised Goulding's response as a simple but powerful show of support, particularly at a moment when many public figures have remained silent on trans issues. One supporter called the response “the perfect answer”, while others thanked the singer for challenging prejudice and making clear that anti-LGBTQ+ views would not be tolerated within her fan community. ### The Saturday Scene: Thousands of Labour members descended upon Liverpool URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-thousands-of-labour-members-descended-upon-liverpool/ Last updated: 2026-09-26T07:30:40.000Z #### I am writing to you en route to Liverpool, where Labour's annual conference is taking place. I’m not attending in my capacity as publisher of Scene Magazine, but as CEO of Pride Community Foundation. Party conferences provide a valuable opportunity to engage with policymakers and leaders from across the country. Next weekend, I will also be attending the Green Party conference in Brighton. This is the first Labour conference since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, and the first since the Equalities and Human Rights Commission’s Code of Practice came into effect for service providers, employers and other institutions, impacting the trans, non-binary and wider LGBTQ+ communities. The day before the annual conference, Labour traditionally holds the women’s conference. This year, it excluded trans women in order to ‘comply’ with the law. This has [caused fury](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpq8nwxdvzyo?ref=scenemag.co.uk) among trade unions and transgender members of the party. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Greens gain Queen's Park council seat from Labour in Brighton by-election URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/greens-retain-queens-park-seat-as-mark-strong-wins-by-election/ Last updated: 2026-09-25T13:34:52.000Z The **Green Party** has gained a council seat from **Labour** in **Queen's Park** after candidate **Mark Strong** won a by-election on **Thursday 24 September**. Strong won 1,139 votes in Thursday’s poll, comfortably ahead of **Labour** candidate **Steve Gladwin**, who received 802 votes. **Reform UK** candidate **John Shepherd** received 160 votes, while **Conservative** candidate **Stefan Sönke Speckesser** secured 97 votes and **Liberal Democrat** candidate **Rudi Dikty-Daudiyan** received 74. The turnout in the Queen’s Park by-election was 33.36%. The by-election was called following the resignation of former Labour councillor **Milla Gauge**. Before the election, Strong told **Scene Magazine** he was standing because of concerns about the climate crisis, local democracy and social issues affecting residents. Having lived in Queen's Park for 20 years, he said he had spent years campaigning on issues including public transport, healthcare, safer streets and protecting local green spaces. In an interview with *Scene Magazine*, Strong also pledged to continue supporting Brighton & Hove's LGBTQ+ community, describing the current climate facing LGBTQ+ people as "an attack like Section 28 all those years ago". "The Green Party has always strongly supported the LGBTQ+ community in the city and we will continue to do so," he told **Scene Magazine**. Addressing trans and non-binary residents, Strong said he was "proud" to share Brighton & Hove with trans and gender-non-conforming people and said he would remain "a firm ally for trans people and the wider LGBTQ+ community". Asked by *Scene Magazine* what he would do to improve LGBTQ+ safety if elected, Strong said he wanted to be "a listening councillor" and would seek feedback from local LGBTQ+ residents on issues affecting them in the ward. He said concerns such as lighting in Queen's Park and safety on buses had already been raised and pledged to continue acting as an ally to the community. **Queen's Park by-election results** - Mark Strong (Green Party) – 1,139 - Steve Gladwin (Labour) – 802 - John Shepherd (Reform UK) – 160 - Stefan Sönke Speckesser (Conservative) – 97 - Rudi Dikty-Daudiyan (Liberal Democrats) – 74 ### Brighton's Ironworks Studios expands LGBTQ+ club programme URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brightons-ironworks-studios-expands-lgbtq-club-programme/ Last updated: 2026-09-25T11:11:06.000Z Award-winning Brighton venue **Ironworks Studios** has announced an expanded programme of LGBTQ+ club nights and community events following recent upgrades to its sound and lighting systems. The venue, which won Best Large Venue at the **Brighton Fringe Awards 2026**, is launching a new season of immersive late-night events aimed at strengthening Brighton's queer nightlife at a time when LGBTQ+ venues across the UK continue to face significant challenges. Originally established during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, Ironworks Studios first gained attention by live-streaming **Brighton Pride** and **Trans Pride** events. It has since grown into a multi-room arts and entertainment hub, hosting drag performances, live music, theatre productions and stand-up comedy through its resident **Forge Comedy Club**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Ironworks-Studio-A-club-image-1---photography-by-Jim-Carey.jpg) Photo by Jim Carey The autumn programme begins on **Saturday, 3 October** with the return of ***Monkey***, the long-running queer club night created by the team behind Brighton LGBTQ+ nightlife institution **Wild Fruit**. The event will take over three spaces within the venue, with DJs **Paul Heron**, **Jon Byrne** and **Dulcie Danger** appearing in the main room, while **Princess** **Julia** and **Affy** will perform in the lounge. Interactive entertainment will also feature in the venue's back-room bar. Further events planned for the autumn include a Halloween edition of Wild Fruit, titled ***Hell's Kitchen***, on **31 October**, the launch of a new queer club night called ***Feral*** on **7 November**, and ***The Red Party*** on **29 November**, which will raise funds for Brighton HIV charity **Lunch Positive**. 0:00 /1:03 1× The longer-term programme is also expected to include the return of popular LGBTQ+ events including lesbian club night Crushed, bear party **Brüt** and **Traumfrau**. Alongside its evening entertainment, the venue is also preparing to launch **Queer Edge Brighton**, a daytime coworking and creative space operated in partnership with the East London-based **Queer Edge** collective. **Bertie Clarke**, Ironworks' Events and Development Coordinator and co-founder of queer dance party **Polyglamorous**, said the venue wanted to work alongside existing businesses to strengthen Brighton's LGBTQ+ scene. "Brighton has some iconic venues, and we really want to complement them and be a positive addition to the scene," they said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Ironworks-Studio-B-club---photography-by-Jim-Carey-1.jpg) Photo by Jim Carey "At a time when queer venues are closing down, it's important to uplift our spaces and support each other. "Ironworks will work with promoters and venues across Brighton and the UK to promote the city as the premier LGBTQ+ destination. Brighton was recently ranked as one of the top ten cities in the world for nightlife. We need to live up to that." The expanded programme comes as venue operators and campaigners continue to voice concerns about the decline of LGBTQ+ nightlife spaces nationwide. Organisers say the new initiative aims not only to provide more opportunities for queer people to socialise and celebrate, but also to support local artists, performers and community groups. ### Trans priest, who believes God is trans, responds to transphobic backlash with message of love URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-priest-who-believes-jesus-transitioned-responds-to-transphobic-backlash-with-message-of-love/ Last updated: 2026-09-25T10:53:03.000Z A sermon by trans Episcopal priest **Flourish Klink** has sparked a global conversation about faith, gender and inclusion after clips from a service delivered earlier this year resurfaced online and went viral this week. The sermon, originally preached in March during a celebration of trans joy and resilience at New York’s **Cathedral Church of St John the Divine**, gained renewed attention after extracts were shared by conservative media outlets and social media accounts. In the sermon, Klink, a non-binary and trans priest serving at **Christ & St Stephen’s Episcopal Church** in Manhattan, reflected on God as existing beyond human concepts of gender and offered a personal theological interpretation of Jesus’ resurrection. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-25-at-11.45.39.png) X “I think Jesus was not only transfigured. I think Jesus transitioned,” they said, describing the idea as their own understanding of scripture and faith. The remarks prompted criticism from some conservative commentators, with social media users accusing the priest of departing from traditional Christian teaching. Clips of the sermon amassed millions of views as debate spread across X and other platforms. But rather than responding angrily to the backlash, Klink has taken a markedly different approach. In an Instagram post this week, the priest wrote: “One thing social media is really good for is the opportunity to send love to all your haters.” They continued: “What a blessing to get to see folks at their worst and know that God loves them anyway!” The post struck a conciliatory tone, with Klink expressing a willingness to engage in respectful discussion while rejecting online abuse. “As always, I’m very happy to discuss my opinions and beliefs with anyone who cares to have a serious, non-abusive conversation,” they wrote. “I’m sure I’m not right about everything; how can any of us know the mind of God?” > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DdrPkBqkZlq/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Flourish Klink (@fatherflourish)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DdrPkBqkZlq/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The priest also encouraged followers to turn to biblical teachings when navigating disagreements over theology and doctrine, citing passages from **Matthew’s Gospel** and the letters of St Paul. For many LGBTQ+ Christians, the reaction to the sermon has highlighted the growing visibility of trans people within religious spaces and the continuing debate over inclusion in modern Christianity. Supporters argue that Klink’s reflections are part of a long tradition of Christians wrestling with questions of identity, embodiment and transformation. They have also praised the priest’s response to criticism, noting that the message focused on compassion rather than confrontation. The Episcopal Church is among the most LGBTQ+-affirming Christian denominations in the United States and has supported LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage for many years. Klink is also involved in trans advocacy within the church and has worked on projects promoting more inclusive language in worship. ### Brighton residents invited to have their say on Pride Street Party URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-residents-invited-to-have-their-say-on-pride-street-party/ Last updated: 2026-09-25T09:12:07.000Z **Brighton & Hove City Council** is inviting residents, businesses and visitors to share their views on this year’s **Pride Street Party** at a community feedback session next month. The meeting will give people an opportunity to reflect on the event, discuss what worked well and suggest improvements for future celebrations. Council officers are keen to hear from a wide range of people, including those who attended the Street Party, were involved in organising it, work in the area or were affected by the event. The feedback session will take place on **Monday 5 October** from **5pm - 6.30pm** at **St Mary's Church Hall**, 61 St James's Street, Brighton. Organisers say the event is intended to help gather feedback from the local community and inform planning for future Pride-related events in the city. The annual Pride Street Party, held in the heart of Kemptown during Brighton & Hove Pride weekend, attracts thousands of revellers each year and has long been a focal point of the city's LGBTQ+ celebrations. However, it also has a significant impact on local residents and businesses, making community feedback an important part of the review process. Anyone with thoughts, experiences or suggestions relating to this year's Street Party is encouraged to attend and contribute to the discussion. ### “I am not remotely ashamed." Gay Labour councillor laughs off Grindr profile leak URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/i-am-not-remotely-ashamed-gay-labour-councillor-laughs-off-grindr-profile-leak/ Last updated: 2026-09-25T08:57:08.000Z A Labour councillor has responded with humour and defiance after screenshots of his **Grindr** profile were shared on social media alongside calls for him to resign. **Paul John O’Neill**, who represents **North Heywood**, a ward within the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, hit back after images and details from his profile on the gay dating app were circulated online by critics who claimed that a “public figure should be more discrete with his personal life”. Rather than retreating from the spotlight, O’Neill addressed the incident in a Facebook post on 23 September, sharing a photograph of himself enjoying a pint of Murphy’s and joking: “Like the Murphy’s, I’m not bitter.” The councillor said it had been brought to his attention that two individuals had created accounts on the app, located his profile and then shared screenshots of it on social media along with what he described as “rather unpleasant comments”. However, O’Neill made clear that he had no intention of apologising for having a dating life. “I am not remotely ashamed to have a social and dating life, and it obviously affects not a jot of my work as a proud ward councillor for the brilliant people of North Heywood,” he wrote. The openly gay councillor also took the opportunity to poke fun at the situation, adding: “And for the record, I’m single. Worst thing that can happen is I might get a date or two out of this, right?” Continuing the light-hearted tone, O’Neill joked that he was pleased the images used were up to date. “I’m glad that my photos were recent, as I’ve lost three stone since February,” he said, noting that most of the pictures had been taken at **Manchester Pride** earlier this year. Despite the attempted shaming campaign, O’Neill’s response attracted an outpouring of support from residents, activists and fellow councillors. Councillor **Tom Besford** praised the handling of the situation, writing: “Great and classy response! Standing in solidarity with you in the face of a growing tide of bile.” Others questioned why an openly gay man using a dating app should be considered newsworthy at all. One commented: “Shame people have nothing better to do with their time than to out an openly gay man. How embarrassing for them.” O’Neill, meanwhile, appeared determined not to let the episode distract him from his duties, using the same Facebook post to remind residents about his next ward surgery at Recovery Republic on York Street on 3 October. ### Brighton & Hove Rainbow Run donates more that £7,800 to local charities including LGBTQ+ mental health charity MindOut URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-hove-rainbow-run-donates-more-that-7-800-to-local-charities-including-lgbtq-mental-health-charity-mindout/ Last updated: 2026-09-25T08:37:06.000Z The **Brighton & Hove Rainbow Run** has donated £7,834.65 to local good causes this year, taking the event’s total charitable contributions over five years to more than £26,000. Organised by **Brighton & Hove Frontrunners**, the annual event has become a significant fundraiser for organisations supporting LGBTQ+ people and the wider community across Sussex. The largest share of this year’s donations, £7,034.65, has been awarded to LGBTQ+ mental health charity **MindOut**. A further £500 will go to **Pride Community Foundation**, while £300 has been donated to **Sussex Heart Foundation**, which provides equipment used during the event. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/RBOWrunBTN1202-2-1.JPG) PIC BY LOUISE PATMORE The latest fundraising effort brings the total amount donated since the Rainbow Run launched five years ago to £26,174.65. As well as raising money, organisers distributed 7,000 Pride-themed toothbrushes to local charities thanks to support from sponsor **Ambour House**. The toothbrushes will be included in emergency packs for people in need and have been shared with MindOut, **Allsorts Youth Project**, **Brighton Trans Pride**, **Lunch Positive**, **Off The Fence**, **Switchboard** and **BHT Sussex**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/RBOWrunBTN1182-2-1.JPG) PIC BY LOUISE PATMORE Brighton & Hove Frontrunners thanked everyone involved in making the event a success, including runners, volunteers, sponsors and supporters. In a statement, organisers said they were “incredibly proud” of the impact the Rainbow Run has had on the local community, highlighting the collective effort behind five years of fundraising and community support. The group added that reaching more than £26,000 in donations was a testament to the strength of Brighton and Hove’s LGBTQ+ community and those who continue to support the event each year. ### Mayor of Brighton & Hove visits Trans Pride Centre URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/mayor-of-brighton-hove-visits-trans-pride-centre/ Last updated: 2026-09-24T12:12:58.000Z The **Mayor of Brighton & Hove** paid a visit to the city’s **Trans Pride Centre** this week, meeting with organisers to discuss community building and the centre’s role in supporting trans and non-binary people. Councillor **Theresa Fowler**, the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, visited the Trans Pride Centre on Wednesday, where she met representatives from **Trans Pride Brighton** and heard about the work being carried out to support the local community. Sharing news of the visit, Trans Pride Brighton said it was “very happy” to welcome the Mayor to the centre and described the meeting as an opportunity to discuss the importance of community connections and Brighton’s reputation as a welcoming city for trans and non-binary people. “We were very happy to have a visit from the Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Theresa Fowler,” the organisation said. “Thanks for the chat about community building and how special a place Brighton is for trans and non-binary people.” The visit comes as Brighton continues to be recognised as one of the UK's most visible and active centres for LGBTQ+ life, with the city hosting a wide range of community organisations, support services and events throughout the year. The Trans Pride Centre serves as a hub for the local trans and non-binary community, providing a space for meetings, events and support initiatives. Its work is closely linked to that of Trans Pride Brighton, which organises one of the largest trans-focused Pride events in the world. ### Alyssa Edwards hits back after ultraconservative Ken Paxton uses drag star in attack ad against Senate rival URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/alyssa-edwards-hits-back-after-ultraconservative-ken-paxton-uses-drag-star-in-attack-ad-against-senate-rival/ Last updated: 2026-09-24T10:51:59.000Z *RuPaul’s Drag Race* star **Alyssa Edwards** has publicly rebuked Texas Attorney General **Ken Paxton** after he used the performer in a campaign advert attacking Democratic Senate candidate **James Talarico**. The row erupted after Talarico was asked in an interview to name his favourite drag queen and replied: “Probably Alyssa Edwards.” Since then, Paxton has repeatedly referenced the exchange on social media as he campaigns for the US Senate. This week, Paxton shared an advert featuring clips of Edwards from television appearances, social media content and her work as a dance instructor. The video labelled the drag performer as “sick and twisted” and concluded with the slogan: “James Talarico: Too Weird, Too Radical for Texas.” In response, Edwards, published an open letter questioning why she had become a target in the increasingly heated Senate race. “I’m not sure I fully understand your motive or intention in attempting to disparage my name, my character, or my reputation,” she wrote. “But I do know this: the way we choose to speak about others often says far more about our own character than it ever will about theirs.” The drag star, who was born and raised in Mesquite, Texas, used the letter to highlight her long career as an educator, choreographer and mentor. She said she had spent around 30 years teaching young people and building opportunities through her dance studio, **Beyond Belief Dance Company**. Edwards also stressed her Christian faith, noting that she grew up in the Baptist church and remains proud of both her beliefs and her work. “My life may look different from yours, but difference does not diminish character, faith, service, or a person’s ability to positively contribute to their community,” she wrote. “Texas is big enough for all of us.” The performer had previously responded warmly after being named by Talarico as his favourite drag queen. In a social media video, she thanked the Democrat for celebrating “a fellow Texan” and said the fact they lived very different lives was “exactly the point”. Edwards' publicist, **Waylon Tate**, also criticised Paxton’s tactics, accusing the Republican politician of using the drag star as “political ammunition” in a race in which she is not a candidate. Describing the strategy as “desperate”, he suggested Paxton had become unusually focused on Edwards. The controversy comes as recent polling suggests Talarico has opened up a lead over Paxton in the closely watched Senate contest. According to a new poll cited by US media, Talarico holds a six-point advantage among registered voters statewide. Paxton remains a divisive figure in Texas politics. He was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 over allegations of abuse of office before later being acquitted by the state Senate. ### Wales Green Party leader says surgery ordeal helped him understand impact of "ill-thought-out and callous" trans healthcare delays URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/wales-green-party-leader-says-surgery-ordeal-helped-him-understand-impact-of-ill-thought-out-and-callous-trans-healthcare-delays/ Last updated: 2026-09-24T09:57:21.000Z The leader of the **Wales Green Party** has revealed how undergoing major surgery himself helped him better understand the distress experienced by trans patients whose gender-affirming operations were abruptly cancelled following a controversial **NHS** review. **Anthony Slaughter**, the Wales Green Party leader and Senedd Member for **Caerdydd Penarth**, spoke about the issue during a debate on the **Welsh Gender Service**, where he criticised the decision to pause gender-affirming surgeries and highlighted the impact on patients left in limbo. In August, NHS officials announced that all surgeries commissioned through the Welsh Gender Service would be temporarily suspended while an urgent review was carried out. The move followed concerns about referral rates and whether all cases met the required standards. Addressing the Senedd, Slaughter said his inbox had been flooded with messages from trans people, along with their friends and families, who were struggling to understand why operations and assessments had been halted. “Over the past few weeks, my emails, like others, have been flooded with messages from people, distraught and disorientated,” he said. “People who had surgeries cancelled at the eleventh hour with no explanation or option to reschedule. Patients, friends and family members desperate for answers as to why this had happened, what went wrong and how they could move forward.” According to Slaughter, hundreds of patients had surgery or surgical assessments paused on **28 August**, with some only learning of the decision after arriving at hospital. > “The decision to pause these surgeries was ill-thought-out and callous." He said many had spent years preparing physically and psychologically for procedures that were suddenly withdrawn without warning. “I listened to people who explained that they were left feeling abandoned, alone and confused, having had the rug pulled from under them at the very last second by the system that is supposed to care for them,” he told members. Slaughter then revealed he had undergone serious surgery himself during the summer recess, describing the fear and uncertainty he felt in the hours before entering the operating theatre. “Over the summer, I experienced the reality of what prepping for surgery entailed, the physical and mental stress,” he said. “When I walked onto that silent ward at 05:00 in the morning, the wave of emotion I felt is difficult to put into words, the silence of the sleeping ward, the uncertainty, the fear.” The Green Party leader said a key difference was that he had confidence in the healthcare professionals treating him and trusted that the system was working in his best interests. “Now, for some, that trust has been broken,” he said. “To think that, today, right here in Wales, we have a system that, for a certain group of people, is felt to be actively working in opposition to their well-being is a terrifying thought." He added that if he had been forced to question whether the healthcare system was acting in his interests while facing surgery, it would have made the experience “exponentially so much more traumatic”. While acknowledging his personal experience, Slaughter stressed that the focus should remain on trans people directly affected by the suspension. “One of the key principles on which our NHS is based is equal access to healthcare for all, regardless of age, gender or background,” he said. [Welsh government urged to reinstate access to trans surgeries after NHS Wales suspensionTrans rights charity TransActual has called on the Welsh Government to urgently restore access to gender-affirming surgeries after NHS Wales paused surgical referrals for trans adults through the Welsh Gender Service. The move has sparked concern among campaigners, who say the decision has left hundreds of patients facing uncertainty,![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-cda969df-d86b-4e66-87af-f0520308c6f3.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/Cardiff_trans_rights_protest_2026-05-25_140911-1-efc1ad69-7ed1-486f-b004-ec6f76b2ad99.jpg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/welsh-government-urged-to-reinstate-access-to-trans-surgeries-after-nhs-wales-suspension/) He argued that gender-affirming surgery is a recognised area of medical care and criticised both the decision to pause treatments and the way the move was communicated to patients. “The decision to pause these surgeries was ill-thought-out and callous,” he said. “For patients to be told, just hours away from surgery, vulnerable but prepared, that their operation would not be going ahead, with no explanation, no indication of a rescheduled date and with no communication in the days following demonstrates a failure of the duty of care that patients are entitled to during one of the most significant events of their lives.” Slaughter also questioned why Welsh services were being scrutinised after referring proportionately more patients for surgery than elsewhere in the UK. He warned that the suspension risked setting a troubling precedent for trans healthcare and wider equality protections. “The Welsh Greens are shouting loudly about this, because there’s a dangerous precedent that this decision sets for human rights,” he said. The pause in surgeries has prompted growing concern among LGBTQ+ organisations and campaigners, who argue the uncertainty has compounded the distress already experienced by trans people facing long waits for gender-affirming healthcare. ### "This is for you." Sugababes announce long-awaited comeback album and unveil new single Ghost URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/sugababes-announce-long-awaited-comeback-album-and-unveil-new-single-ghost/ Last updated: 2026-09-24T09:26:53.000Z Sugababes have officially launched a new chapter in their career, announcing a self-titled album due for release on 12 February 2027 and sharing its latest single, *Ghost*. The album marks the first full studio record from the reunited original line-up of Sugababes members **Keisha Buchanan**, **Mutya Buena** and **Siobhán Donaghy** since reclaiming the group's name and rebuilding their career over the past decade. The 12-track collection follows a run of recent releases including *Jungle*, *Shook* and *Weeds*. Leading the announcement is new single *Ghost*, a soulful pop track inspired by a painful experience from Donaghy's youth. Speaking to *British Vogue*, she revealed the song was rooted in her first serious romance. “He essentially ghosted me before we even had the terminology for it,” Donaghy said. “I remember joking at the time that in some ways it would have been easier if he’d died, which is obviously incredibly dramatic, but there’s something strange about grieving someone who’s still out there.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/SB_04.11.26.jpg.webp) Donaghy also reflected on the band's distinctive sound, telling the magazine: “We weren’t consciously trying to make something that sounded like an old Sugababes record, but once the three voices are on something with that slightly raw, soulful quality, I think it naturally starts to feel like us.” The announcement comes after years of anticipation from fans. The original trio reunited in 2011, initially performing under the name MKS because of a lengthy legal battle over the Sugababes trademark. The group successfully regained the name in 2019 and have since enjoyed a remarkable resurgence, including acclaimed festival appearances and major arena shows. In the same interview, Buchanan reflected on the challenges involved in reclaiming the group's identity, telling *British Vogue*: “I had to take on a few giants.” She said the battle centred on rights contained within previous contracts and was neither straightforward nor cheap. According to album details released alongside the announcement, the record explores “new emotional and sonic territory” while retaining the honesty and chemistry that have defined the trio since their debut. The songs were written by Buchanan, Buena and Donaghy alongside a hand-picked team of songwriters and producers. The Babes also used the album announcement to thank fans who have supported them throughout the highs and lows of their career. In a message accompanying the announcement, Buchanan, Buena and Donaghy hinted that more surprises are still to come. “There’s so much more we’ve been keeping from you, and over the next few months we finally get to start sharing it all,” they wrote. “We can’t wait for you to hear more and to show you everything that’s gone into making this record.” The group also paid tribute to the loyal fanbase that has followed them through line-up changes, legal battles and their eventual return as the original trio. “And to everyone who has stayed with us, supported us, come to the shows and played the records, thank you for allowing us to keep doing this. “This is for you.” ### Pride group defiant after vandals target community signs URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/pride-group-defiant-after-vandals-target-community-signs-in-canada/ Last updated: 2026-09-24T08:59:41.000Z A Pride organisation in **Lakefield**, Ontario, Canada has vowed to replace a series of vandalised signs after more than a third of its display boards were damaged within days of being installed. **Lakefield Pride** said at least five of the 12 signs it erected around the community for a week-long awareness campaign had been vandalised. The group, which organises the annual **Lakefield Pride Picnic** and works to promote visibility and inclusion for LGBTQ+ people in the town, said the incident was about more than damaged property. In a statement, organisers said Pride signs serve as a visible reminder that LGBTQ+ people are part of the local community and help reassure young people, families and residents that they are welcome. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/794484952_1086142273782360_3902634209735781800_n-1.jpg) Facebook “Pride signs are a visible reminder that 2SLGBTQ+ people are part of this community,” the group said. “They tell a young person questioning who they are that they are not alone. They tell families that they are welcome.” Lakefield Pride argued that the deliberate destruction of the signs also targeted the message of belonging and acceptance they represent. “When Pride signage is deliberately damaged, that message is being targeted too,” the statement continued. Founded in 2021, Lakefield Pride has become a fixture of the community calendar through its annual Pride Picnic, which brings together local residents, performers, community organisations and supporters for a day of celebration and visibility. Despite the vandalism, organisers said they would not be deterred. “While whoever did this may have thought they were tearing something down, they have reminded us exactly why Pride is still necessary,” they said. The group plans to replace the damaged signs and continue its outreach efforts. “We’ll put the signs back up. We’ll keep showing up, keep standing together, and keep making our presence visible.” Lakefield Pride ended its message with a defiant response to those responsible. “You can tear down a sign but you cannot tear down the community behind it. We will not be intimidated, and we will not be silenced. 2SLGBTQ+ people belong here, Pride belongs here, and we are not going anywhere.” The incident prompted messages of support on social media, with many community members backing the group's commitment to maintaining a visible LGBTQ+ presence in Lakefield. ### Brighton & Hove: What Queen's Park by-election candidates have to say about LGBTQ+ rights URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-hove-what-queens-park-by-election-candidates-have-to-say-about-lgbtq-rights/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T17:39:48.000Z #### Local by-elections rarely generate excitement beyond the boundaries of the ward faced with said by-election. There are two reasons why we are reporting on this particular by-election: Firstly, Brighton & Hove is Scene Magazine's home turf. Secondly, Queen's Park ward has one of the highest percentages of LGBQT+ residents in the country and borders Brighton & Hove's LGBQT+ neighbourhood, Kemptown. According to the 2021 Census data, 18.51% of those aged 16 and over identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Other. Queen's Park elected two Labour councillors in 2023, but has since struggled to retain its council representatives. This is the third by-election in the ward since the 2023 local elections, caused by councillors resigning. [Milla Gauge](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/labour-councillor-milla-gauge-quits-brighton-hove-council-after-feeling-ignored/)'s resignation caused tomorrow's by-election. The candidates for the Queen's Park by-election are: - [Rudi Dikty-Daudiyan](https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/26562471.meet-brighton-queens-park-by-election-lib-dem-candidate/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) (Liberal Democrats) - [Steve Gladwin](https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/26557637.labour-candidate-standing-brighton-queens-park-by-election/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) (Labour Party) - [John Shepherd](https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/26561481.brighton-reform-candidate-standing-queens-park-by-election/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) (Reform UK) - [Stefan Sönke Speckesser](https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/26562655.meet-conservative-candidate-queens-park/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) (Conservative and Unionist Party) - [Mark Strong](https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/26559494.queens-park-green-candidate-brighton-councillor/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) (Green Party) Yesterday, we approached all parties with the same set of questions for a quick-fire round on how the candidates position themselves on LGBTQ+ rights, particularly those of the TNBI community. We will update this article as soon as we receive new responses. Happy eve of polls! ## Rudi Dikty-Daudiyan – Liberal Democrats ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Rudi-Dikty-1.jpeg) Image: supplied **What motivated you to put your name forward in this Queen's Park by-election?** Queen's Park deserves a councillor who is genuinely embedded in the community and committed to reliable public services, rather than one caught up in constant political churn. As a director representing residential leaseholders at 37 Edward Street, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to have a strong advocate who simply wants to get things working. Voters are exhausted by political infighting and the recent turnover on the council. I want to offer a reset—focusing on competence, fixing our deteriorating pavements, sorting out refuse and recycling failures, and tackling anti-social behaviour. When I'm out walking my pug mix Emma or playing in the local parks' tennis league, residents tell me they just want consistent, stable representation that delivers on the basics. **Brighton & Hove is home to one of the highest percentages of LGBTQ+ people nationwide. What political offers do you have for the LGBTQ+ community in Queen's Park?** The Liberal Democrats offer common sense and practical solutions over exhausting culture wars. For the LGBTQ+ community in Queen's Park, that means ensuring our local public services are genuinely inclusive and responsive to specific health, housing, and safety needs. We are focused on outcomes, not on inflammatory rhetoric. Whether it’s supporting local LGBTQ+ businesses, ensuring local care services understand the unique needs of older LGBTQ+ residents, or funding community spaces, our offer is rooted in everyday dignity and results-driven local governance. **The increasingly polarised debate surrounding the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Code of Practice and the rights of transgender people in the UK is causing real harm and anxiety within the transgender and non-binary community. What message would you like to give to trans people, and what steps would you take to champion the dignity and rights of trans people in your ward?** My message to the trans and non-binary community is clear: you deserve to live in safety and with dignity, and your rights are human rights. The Liberal Democrats fundamentally reject the premise that protecting women and protecting our trans community are mutually exclusive; both are essential to a fair society. The updated EHRC Code of Practice has created unacceptable confusion, fear, and legal risk, leaving trans people without access to safe facilities and risking the policing of women who do not look "female enough" at toilet doors. Nationally, the Liberal Democrats have just passed a commitment this September to demand a new, workable Code of Practice and a cross-party parliamentary review. Locally, I will ensure Brighton & Hove council policies provide safe, dignified access to public facilities for everyone, shielding our residents from the harmful fallout of these manufactured political battles. **If elected, what are your first steps and initiatives to enhance the safety of LGBTQ+ people locally?** Enhancing safety requires practical, immediate action. First, I will work to tackle the basics of neighbourhood safety—advocating for better street lighting around Queen's Park and improving local reporting mechanisms for hate crimes, which have sadly been on the rise. Second, I want to foster closer collaboration between the council, local community policing teams, and LGBTQ+ venues to ensure anti-social behaviour is addressed swiftly and effectively. We need to create an environment where everyone feels secure walking home at night, built on tangible neighbourhood improvements rather than just political posturing. ## Mark Strong – Green Party ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Untitled-design--9-.png) Image: supplied **What motivated you to put your name forward in this Queen's Park by-election?** I’ve lived in Queen's Park for 20 years, and before that 10 years in Hanover. I've brought up my two sons here. I work and shop here, volunteer with Friends of Queens Park and I’ve walked pretty much every street. I haven't just been campaigning for a few weeks during this election. For years I've been fighting for our buses, our healthcare, for safer streets, for our park, to stop bad developments and above all for our people. The impact of the climate crisis, the failure to listen to local residents, the need to take action on social issues – this is why I’m standing. But I’m also the descendant of Jewish migrants and refugees, and my mother fled with her family from the Nazis. That history has profoundly shaped my belief in a community where people are safe, treated with dignity, and difference is welcomed not feared. I want Queen’s Park to remain a community where everyone feels they belong, whatever their race, faith, gender or sexuality. **Brighton & Hove is home to one of the highest percentages of LGBTQ+ people nationwide. What political offers do you have for the LGBTQ+ community in Queen's Park?** The current climate is an attack like Section 28 all those years ago.It was hatemongering then and it is now. I will do all I can to help counter the attacks on LBGTQ+ people and support the right to be live in peace as part of a diverse community. The Green Party has always strongly supported the LGBTQ+ community in the city and we will continue to do so. **The increasingly polarised debate surrounding the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Code of Practice and the rights of transgender people in the UK is causing real harm and anxiety within the transgender and non-binary community. What message would you like to give to trans people, and what steps would you take to champion the dignity and rights of trans people in your ward?** I’m proud that I share this city with so many trans and gender-non-conforming people - I’ll never turn my back on fighting for my LBGTQ+ friends, family & colleagues to not just exist in peace but thrive. I regularly join the Trans Pride march and I’ve spoken at public events meetings about the need to ensure the main Pride event is safe and inclusive. I may be a cis, straight man – but I hope my actions show I’m a firm ally for trans people and the wider LBGTQ+ community **If elected, what are your first steps and initiatives to enhance the safety of LGBTQ+ people locally?** I want to be a listening councillor. I have already been attending meetings where the future of Pride was discussed. I want to hear more from local LBTQ+ people about the specific issues in the Queen’s Park that matter to you. While I’m already aware of the broader safety issues, like lighting in Queen’s Park itself and feeling safe on buses, it’s important to hear from people with first hand experience. So the first thing I would do it set up a meeting to get that feedback. But the main thing will be to continue as an ally wherever and whenever I can. Publication does not imply endorsement. The views expressed are solely those of the candidates. [Learn more ](https://help.scenemag.co.uk/en/articles/6705346?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### "Nobody Asked Us" URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/nobody-asked-us/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T16:43:53.000Z The increasingly polarised debate about trans kids in schools rarely resembles the reality of those young people. It also rarely includes them. Headlines are frequently simplified, often with an agenda behind them. Many of the claims made go unchecked. You could easily conclude that this is a manufactured 'controversy' that serves a wider culture war. Meanwhile, the families navigating that febrile atmosphere, trying to keep their kids safe, confident and in education, are almost never the ones asked what's actually helped. We spoke to S, a young trans person, and their parent F, about what gender-affirming support in Brighton & Hove schools has meant in practice: the progress, the gaps, and what they wish the people arguing about them from a distance understood. **What difference did being recognised and affirmed as who you are make to your school experience ; friendships, confidence, mental wellbeing?** ***S:*** It made me feel seen, improving my sense of identity and self-confidence, which had a knock-on effect on my studies, as I felt more comfortable within the school environment. I had previously experienced bullying, but as I became more confident and my mental health improved, I built up a solid network of friends who accepted me for me. **As a parent, what did affirming support from teachers and school staff actually mean for your family day to day?** ***F:*** It was a long process for my eldest to explore and feel comfortable in their gender identity. There was a lot of resistance from their wider family, and they had struggled to feel comfortable in their own skin. Feeling validated and seen by school staff, therefore, was vital in feeling affirmed that this is who they were. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Three charged after stabbing outside Liverpool LGBTQ+ venue URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/three-charged-after-stabbing-outside-liverpool-lgbtq-venue/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T15:04:55.000Z Three men have been charged following a stabbing incident that left three people injured outside a prominent LGBTQ+ venue in **Liverpool** city centre. **Merseyside Police** were called to **Tithebarn Street** shortly after 6.30am on **Sunday 20 September** after reports that three men had been stabbed. All three victims were taken to hospital, with one remaining in a stable condition. Detectives believe the violence occurred after an altercation between two groups inside **GBar**, one of Liverpool's longest-running LGBTQ+ venues, before spilling out onto nearby streets. Following what police described as a "relentless" investigation involving CCTV footage, forensic evidence and witness statements, three suspects were arrested and later charged. **Patrick Morgan**, 31, and **Jonny Gee**, 18, have each been charged with two counts of Section 18 wounding with intent, violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. **Stephen Gee**, 22, has been charged with one count of Section 18 wounding, violent disorder and possession of a Class B controlled drug. All three appeared before **Wirral Magistrates' Court** on **Wednesday, 23 September**. The incident sparked concern within Liverpool's LGBTQ+ community, given its proximity to GBar, a well-known venue in the city's Pride Quarter. However, police have stressed there is currently no evidence to suggest the attack was motivated by hate. Detective Chief Inspector **Lisa McNaughton** previously said investigators had found "no suggestion" that the stabbing had a hate crime element, despite taking place outside a recognised LGBTQ+ venue. Liverpool BCU Chief Superintendent **Natalie Perischine** said officers had worked around the clock to identify those responsible and reiterated Merseyside Police's "zero-tolerance" approach to knife crime in the city centre. According to reports, GBar's licence has since been suspended and the venue has been closed pending further proceedings. Police enquiries remain ongoing, and officers are continuing to appeal for anyone with information about the incident to come forward. ### ‘It’s been tough’: Darts star Beau Greaves opens up about "vulgar" homophobic abuse URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/its-been-tough-darts-star-beau-greaves-opens-up-about-vulgar-homophobic-abuse/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T13:09:09.000Z Darts sensation **Beau Greaves** has spoken candidly about the homophobic abuse she faced after publicly sharing details of her relationship with girlfriend **Shan Reeves**. The 22-year-old from Doncaster said she received a wave of "vulgar" comments online after she and Reeves began posting more openly about their relationship on social media earlier this year. Speaking to *The Observer*, Greaves explained that she had never formally come out, as those closest to her were already aware of her sexuality. "It’s been tough for me," she said. "I never really came out, as such. People who knew me, knew, but when we did post about it, there were quite a few vulgar comments from a lot of men." Despite the abuse, Greaves said the support she received from her family helped her put the negativity into perspective. "When I told my mum and dad, they just said, 'And?'" she recalled. "At the end of the day, she's my biggest supporter. Why not embrace it for what it is, and not be bothered about what people say?" Greaves and Reeves first met on the England youth darts circuit and have been together for four years. The couple now live together and have become increasingly comfortable sharing their relationship with fans. The world number 74 has enjoyed a groundbreaking season. In April, she became the first woman to win a PDC ranking title when she defeated former world champion **Michael Smith** in a **Players Championship** final, cementing her place as one of the sport's brightest talents. Greaves' comments come as LGBTQ+ visibility in darts continues to increase. Dutch trans player **Noa-Lynn van Leuven** has become one of the most prominent figures in the sport in recent years, while also facing intense scrutiny and abuse from critics because of her gender identity. Her experiences have sparked wider conversations about inclusion and discrimination within darts. For many LGBTQ+ players, visibility has brought both support and hostility, highlighting the challenges that can come with being open about their identities in the public eye. Despite the setbacks, Greaves appears determined not to let the abuse define her. "Why not embrace it for what it is," she said, "and not be bothered about what people say?" ### Welsh Government's LGBTQ+ equality commitments welcomed but concerns raised over trans healthcare URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/welsh-governments-lgbtq-equality-commitments-welcomed-but-concerns-raised-over-trans-healthcare/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T12:17:24.000Z LGBTQ+ rights charity **Stonewall** has welcomed the **Welsh Government**'s renewed commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ equality, while urging ministers to strengthen protections and improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ people across Wales. Responding to the Welsh Government's new Programme for Government, Stonewall said the need for clear leadership on equality issues had become increasingly urgent amid what it described as growing challenges to LGBTQ+ rights around the world. In a statement, the charity said: "Around the world we are seeing regressive laws, curtailing freedoms and the rise of populist movements. For many LGBTQ+ people in Wales, there is fear and anxiety about what the future holds. The need for strong, principled leadership on equalities issues has rarely felt more urgent." Stonewall welcomed the Welsh Government's pledge to advance LGBTQ+ equality and called for a renewed and strengthened LGBTQ+ Action Plan aimed at improving equality outcomes for LGBTQ+ communities across the country. The charity also praised the Welsh Government's commitment to supporting a fully inclusive UK-wide ban on conversion practices, stressing that the experiences of survivors should play a central role in shaping future legislation. "We are pleased to hear the Welsh Government's commitment to supporting the UK Government to take forward a fully-inclusive ban on conversion practices," Stonewall said. "It is vital that voices from survivors across Wales are heard throughout the legislative process." However, the organisation also highlighted concerns about healthcare access for trans people following a recent decision by the **NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee** to pause referrals for gender-affirming surgery from the Welsh Gender Service while an independent clinical review is carried out. Stonewall said trans people's healthcare should not become a political battleground, arguing that those seeking treatment deserve timely, evidence-based care that supports their wellbeing and safety. "For too long trans+ people's lives and the services that support them have been used as a political football," the charity said. "Trans+ people deserve access to high quality, evidence-based, and timely healthcare that protects and supports their wellbeing and safety." The statement concluded by reaffirming Stonewall's commitment to securing equality under the law for all LGBTQ+ people, including trans communities, and pledged to continue working with devolved governments to deliver progress. The Welsh Government's updated **Programme for Government** comes at a time of heightened debate around LGBTQ+ rights across the UK, with campaigners calling on ministers to ensure equality commitments are backed by concrete action. ### Barents Pride, held on the Norway-Russia border, cancelled over concerns for safety of Russian LGBTQ+ participants URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/barents-pride-held-on-the-norway-russia-border-cancelled-over-concerns-for-safety-of-russian-lgbtq-participants/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T11:30:32.000Z One of the Arctic region's most significant LGBTQ+ events has been cancelled amid growing concerns for the safety of Russian attendees. Organisers of **Barents Pride**, which has been held annually in the Norwegian border town of **Kirkenes** since 2017, announced that this year's event will not go ahead in its traditional format. The decision was made by **Kjetil Cornelius Kviteberg** and the team at **Arctic Pride Tromsø,** who cited fears that participation could put Russian LGBTQ+ people at risk. Barents Pride has become a rare safe space for LGBTQ+ people from Russia, many of whom have travelled long distances via third countries to attend the festival just a short distance from the Russian border. Over the years, the event has combined Pride celebrations, cultural activities and political solidarity with a focus on queer communities across the Barents region. In a statement announcing the cancellation, organisers said they remained committed to supporting LGBTQ+ people in Russia but could no longer justify holding the event in a way that might compromise participants' safety. "We will continue to stand up for those who are increasingly less able to stand up for themselves, but we must do so in a way that does not put at risk the people we want to support," said Kjetil Cornelius Kviteberg. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/555447465_1199278392245481_5624376104226640697_n.jpg) PRJ/FRI While organisers suggested that some form of LGBTQ+ event may still take place in the **Sør-Varanger** municipality, it would not resemble the cross-border gathering that has defined Barents Pride for nearly a decade. The decision has been met with disappointment from members of the Russian LGBTQ+ community, who described the event as a rare opportunity to live openly and connect with others without fear of persecution. One Moscow-based attendee, identified only as Ivan, told *The Barents Observer* that previous visits to Kirkenes had offered "a breath of fresh air" compared with life in Russia, where many LGBTQ+ people feel unable to be open about their identities. Reflecting on the cancellation, he said the loss of Barents Pride felt like another blow at a time when many freedoms had already been stripped away from LGBTQ+ people in Russia. ### Sarah Huckabee Sanders faces backlash over anti-trans sports campaign advert URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/sarah-huckabee-sanders-faces-backlash-over-anti-trans-sports-campaign-advert/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T09:43:24.000Z Arkansas Governor **Sarah Huckabee Sanders** has come under fire after releasing a campaign advert that critics say relies on harmful stereotypes about trans athletes. The advert, titled **"Not Comply"**, was unveiled as part of Sanders' 2026 re-election campaign and focuses on her opposition to trans inclusion in women's and girls' sport. It depicts a group of teenage female athletes being told they must accept a new teammate, who is portrayed by an adult man, before cutting to Sanders defending her record on the issue. In the advert, Sanders claims that the Biden administration threatened to withhold federal funding from Arkansas unless the state allowed "men" to compete in women's sports. She goes on to say she "won the fight to keep men out of women's sports, locker rooms and restrooms" and pledged to continue standing against what she described as the "out-of-control left". The campaign video quickly sparked a backlash on social media, with LGBTQ+ advocates and political commentators accusing Sanders of misrepresenting trans people and using fear-based messaging for political gain. Critics argued that the advert portrays trans athletes as a threat and reduces a complex issue to a caricature. Others questioned the governor's account of federal policy. Reports noted that proposed Biden-era Title IX guidance sought to allow trans students to participate in sport in line with their gender identity while also considering factors such as age, level of competition and whether a sport involved physical contact, rather than imposing a blanket requirement on schools. One widely shared response described the advert as "wildly offensive", while others urged Sanders to focus on issues such as education, healthcare and poverty rather than transgender participation in sport. Sanders, who previously signed legislation affecting transgender people in Arkansas, has made opposition to trans inclusion a recurring theme of her political platform. The controversy comes as debates over trans rights and sporting participation continue to play a prominent role in American politics ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. ### Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten warns LGBTQ+ rights are under pressure during Stonewall Inn visit URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/dutch-prime-minister-rob-jetten-warns-lgbtq-rights-are-under-pressure-during-stonewall-inn-visit/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T09:29:05.000Z Dutch Prime Minister **Rob Jetten** has warned that LGBTQ+ rights are coming under increasing pressure around the world after visiting the historic **Stonewall Inn** in **New York City**. Jetten, who is in the United States for the **United Nations General Assembly**, visited the landmark site widely regarded as the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. The **Stonewall** uprising of 1969 became a defining moment in the fight for equality for LGBTQ+ people and inspired liberation movements worldwide. Speaking to Dutch reporters during the visit, Jetten said he was concerned by what he sees as a decline in acceptance of LGBTQ+ people both internationally and in the Netherlands. "The rights of the entire queer community are under pressure all around the world," he said. "I also feel a genuine personal commitment to doing what is necessary to show the younger generation once again: you are allowed to be yourself, even in the Netherlands." The Prime Minister's comments came just hours after US President **Donald Trump** used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to criticise trans healthcare for young people and attack UN human rights officials over the issue. Jetten said he had raised LGBTQ+ equality directly during a conversation with Trump before the speech, stressing the importance of ensuring people are free to live as themselves regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Facebook-Template-5.png) Standing outside the Stonewall Inn, Jetten drew links between attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and broader threats to minority communities. "You can see that in countries where LGBTI rights are attacked first, many other rights of other minorities often follow," he said. Later this week, Jetten is due to join New York City Mayor **Zohran Mamdani** on visits to community centres focused on promoting inclusion and social cohesion across different communities. His remarks come amid growing concern about attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people in the Netherlands. A new report by the **Trimbos Institute** and **Utrecht University** found that acceptance of homosexuality among young people has fallen significantly in recent years. According to the research, the proportion of secondary school boys expressing positive views about homosexuality has dropped from 40% to 22% over the past four years. Among girls, the figure fell from 78% to 51%. The findings have prompted calls for action from the Dutch government. Education and Emancipation State Secretary **Judith Tielen** said ministers are considering further measures and additional research to better understand the trend and develop a targeted response. For Jetten, the visit to Stonewall served as both a reminder of the progress made by LGBTQ+ communities and a warning that those gains cannot be taken for granted. "As acceptance declines, it becomes even more important to show young people that they belong and that they can be themselves," he said. ### Neil Patrick Harris says childhood WWE fandom was an early sign he was gay URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/neil-patrick-harris-says-childhood-wwe-fandom-was-an-early-sign-he-was-gay/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T08:41:43.000Z **Neil Patrick Harris** has joked that his childhood love of **WWE** wrestling should have been an early clue about his sexuality. The *How I Met Your Mother* star made the remark during an appearance on **SiriusXM**'s *The Sam Roberts Show* on 15 September, where he spoke about his upcoming film *Sunny Dancer* and reflected on some of his childhood interests. Asked whether he had always been a fan of professional wrestling, Harris replied: "Who doesn't love WWE?" before revealing that he had kept his enthusiasm for the sport largely to himself when he was younger. "I secretly liked the WWE when I was younger," he said. "It was kind of a tell for knowing I was gonna be gay." Host **Sam Roberts** responded with a joke about whether his own interest in wrestling warranted some self-reflection. Harris laughed off the suggestion before explaining what he found appealing about the spectacle. "You know, like tight shorts; they're oiled up... grappling," he said. "It's like, 'I'm not supposed to be liking this as much as I am'." Harris also shared his fondness for *He-Man and the Masters of the Universe*, the popular 1980s animated series centred on the famously muscular hero. The actor revealed he collected the action figures as a child, adding another entry to the list of pop culture favourites he now views through a different lens. Roberts noted that Harris was enjoying WWE during his years starring in *Doogie Howser, M.D.*, prompting the actor to laugh along with the observation. While Harris's comments were made in jest, they touched on a wider conversation within LGBTQ+ communities about childhood interests and the moments that, in retrospect, may have hinted at a person's sexuality before they fully understood it themselves. The intersection between wrestling and LGBTQ+ culture has also become increasingly visible in recent years. In March 2026, wrestler **Aaron Rourke** became the first openly gay wrestler to win a WWE title, while former WWE performer Gabbi Tuft returned to the wrestling world after publicly transitioning. ### Only a third of LGBTQ+ Britons are openly out when travelling, new study finds URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/only-a-third-of-lgbtq-britons-are-openly-out-when-travelling-new-study-finds/ Last updated: 2026-09-22T15:17:02.000Z More than one in three LGBTQ+ people in Britain would be willing to conceal their identity in order to visit a bucket-list destination, according to new research highlighting the challenges many still face when travelling abroad. The study, commissioned by travel platform **Booking.com**, found that only 34% of LGBTQ+ British travellers describe themselves as being "out" while travelling, despite 76% saying they are out to close friends. Researchers found that 36% would hide their LGBTQ+ identity if it meant being able to visit a dream destination, while more than a third (37%) say they now take more precautions when travelling than they did a few years ago. The findings suggest concerns around safety and acceptance continue to shape travel decisions for many LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender travellers. According to the research, trans respondents were the only group more likely to say their anxiety about travel had increased rather than decreased in recent years. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/robin-worrall-jd0TaY2xpCg-unsplash.jpg) Unsplash Many LGBTQ+ travellers reported changing their behaviour while abroad, with 46% saying they scan their surroundings before showing affection towards a partner in public. The research also found growing reliance on artificial intelligence as travellers seek information about LGBTQ+ safety and inclusivity. More than a third (36%) said they felt more comfortable asking AI sensitive questions about the local LGBTQ+ scene than speaking to another person, while almost half (48%) had used AI to help plan a trip within the past year. Meanwhile, 42% said they trusted AI to provide impartial and non-judgemental travel advice. Despite the concerns highlighted by the survey, the findings also point to signs of progress. Three quarters (75%) of LGBTQ+ travellers reported at least one positive experience related to their identity while travelling, and 47% said they believe attitudes and acceptance have improved in recent years. Among the positive indicators cited were hospitality staff using correct pronouns, visible Pride symbols, gender-neutral facilities and the presence of LGBTQ+ employees. **Ryan Pearson**, UK Regional Manager at Booking.com, said the findings demonstrated that many LGBTQ+ travellers still do not feel completely comfortable being themselves when travelling. "This year's research reminds us that feeling safe to be yourself while travelling is still not a given for many LGBTQ+ travellers," he said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/kiros-amin-jITJghUv-pU-unsplash-1.jpg) Unsplash "Despite these challenges, nearly two-thirds continue to prioritise trips where they can be completely themselves." The report comes as Booking.com expands its **Travel Proud** programme, which helps users identify accommodation that has undertaken LGBTQ+ inclusivity training. More than 142,000 properties worldwide have now completed the programme, allowing travellers to search for LGBTQ+-friendly accommodation in more than 20,000 cities and destinations. The findings echo wider concerns raised by LGBTQ+ rights groups, which have warned that rising hostility towards LGBTQ+ people in some parts of the world is influencing where people choose to travel and how openly they express their identities while abroad. For many LGBTQ+ travellers, the study suggests, the desire to explore the world is increasingly being balanced against concerns about safety, acceptance and the freedom to be themselves. ### INTERVIEW: Gay couple speak out against the adoption gap URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/interview-lgbtq-couple-speak-out-against-the-adoption-gap/ Last updated: 2026-09-22T11:52:22.000Z There are more children than there are parents who can adopt them, according to **Adoption England** and **Coram**. To get more insight on why this might be and what the adoption process is really like, I talked to **Mark** and **Ben**, a couple who adopted their child **Ava** just over a year ago. The interview was held online and began, like all online interviews do, with some technical difficulties. It was not a great start and did not help with anyone's nerves. I presume we were nervous for the same reason. Mark and Ben are not celebrities or politicians, they are just a regular couple who decided to adopt a child and succeeded. They welcomed Ava into their lives just over a year ago. Amid the rising gap between adopters and children who need adopting,with new projections warning that there may only be enough families to meet 13% of demand by 2030 (according to Adoption England and Coram report,) Mark and Ben hope to demystify the adoption process. Mark tells me that “For us, the only two options are really surrogacy and adoption. We have very strong feelings that there are plenty of children out there that deserve love that are living in the care system and they deserve options. it was very much our preference to go with adoption, and it felt very much like the right thing.” _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Eastbourne LGBTQ+ venue The Hart to close after nearly 24 years URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/eastbourne-lgbtq-venue-the-hart-to-close-after-nearly-24-years/ Last updated: 2026-09-22T10:24:14.000Z **The Hart**, a cornerstone of **Eastbourne**'s LGBTQ+ scene for almost a quarter of a century, has announced it will close permanently next month, in the latest blow to queer venues on the Sussex coast. The venue revealed that it will shut its doors for the final time on **4 October**, citing rising energy costs, declining footfall and the ongoing challenges facing the hospitality sector. In a statement shared on social media, management said it was making the decision "with a heavy heart". "With the hospitality industry being as difficult as it is recently with increasing energy bills, lack of help from local and national government and a decreasing footfall everywhere, running The Hart is no longer enjoyable," the statement said. The Hart has been a fixture of Eastbourne's nightlife since the early 2000s, hosting drag shows, cabaret, comedy nights and community events that have attracted LGBTQ+ customers from across East Sussex and beyond. [Brighton LGBTQ+ venue R-Bar closes for good as owners warn of “crisis” facing queer nightlifeOne of Brighton’s best-known LGBTQ+ venues has closed its doors for the final time, with its owners warning that queer spaces are disappearing at an “alarming rate” and calling on the community to help protect the city’s nightlife. R-Bar, the sister venue to iconic Brighton nightclub![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-00722cc1-38eb-4ae2-a592-44d2f2c237b4.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/470137793_122100735182662368_1529607923229754162_n-2491dd55-4a2c-4b3f-a67e-ecfeb92c973d.jpg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-lgbtq-venue-r-bar-closes-for-good-as-owners-warn-of-crisis-facing-queer-nightlife/) Its closure comes amid growing concern about the future of queer venues across Sussex. In Brighton, the LGBTQ+ community has recently seen the loss of both **R-Bar** and **Charles Street Tap**, prompting wider discussions about the pressures facing LGBTQ+ hospitality businesses. Venue owners have increasingly pointed to rising operating costs, changing nightlife habits and the broader cost-of-living crisis as factors threatening the survival of dedicated queer spaces. Before closing, The Hart will host a series of farewell events, including the final **Harty Laughs Comedy Club** on **25 September** and the last **Sunday Sins** show, hosted by **Fonda Cox**, on **27 September**. The venue also thanked customers, staff and suppliers who have supported the business over the past 24 years. "We would like to thank our customers, staff past and present and suppliers for the great laughs we've all had over the years," the statement said. News of the closure has prompted an outpouring of tributes online from customers recalling friendships, performances and memories made at the venue over the decades. For many in the local LGBTQ+ community, The Hart's closure represents more than the loss of a bar. Like the recent closures of R-Bar and Charles Street Tap in Brighton, it raises fresh questions about how queer venues can continue to survive amid increasing financial pressures. ### Joe Lycett says Celebrity Traitors viewers will see the ‘real’ him: ‘Everyone thinks I’m gay’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/joe-lycett-says-celebrity-traitors-viewers-will-see-the-real-him-everyone-thinks-im-gay/ Last updated: 2026-09-22T09:37:40.000Z **Joe Lycett** has said viewers of the new series of *Celebrity Traitors* are about to see a very different side to him, admitting his off-stage personality is far removed from the flamboyant persona many associate with the comedian. The 38-year-old star, who has previously spoken publicly about being bisexual, said he is often perceived as "the gay comedian off the telly" but regularly finds himself correcting assumptions about his personal life. Speaking ahead of the launch of the BBC's second *Celebrity Traitors* series, Lycett revealed that he has a female partner and a son, and described himself as "quite a tranquil individual" away from the spotlight. The comedian will join 20 other celebrities when they enter Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands for the latest instalment of the hit reality competition, hosted by **Claudia Winkleman**. Reflecting on how fellow contestants might react to his quieter nature, Lycett said the contrast between his public and private selves could potentially raise suspicions in a game built on deception. "When I started doing stand-up, my on and off-stage persona were quite similar," he explained. "I showed off at parties because I wanted attention and then, gradually, as I got that attention through doing stand-up, I could calm down in real life. "When I'm not out on stage I'm very calm, thoughtful and peaceful. I think the comics know what I'm like on and off stage, but I think the others who, for the first time, will spend time with me not in 'show mode', might see that as suspicious." Lycett added: "I definitely come across assumptions of, 'Oh, he's the gay comedian off the telly', and I explain I've got a female partner and a son with said female partner. "I'm really quite a tranquil individual when not in performance mode, which may surprise some." The comic also revealed he would prefer to begin the competition as one of the Faithfuls rather than a Traitor, although he would welcome the chance to be recruited later in the series. "I want to start as a Faithful and then be converted," he said. "I think I'd find it very stressful being a Traitor, but I think you only get one chance to have a go at it, don't you? "Being a Faithful is probably a much nicer experience because you don't have all the cognitive load of having to lie all the time, and you get to go to bed earlier." Lycett is among a star-studded cast that includes actor **Michael Sheen**, former *EastEnders* star **Ross Kemp**, comedian and actress **Miranda Hart** and a host of other celebrity contestants hoping to outwit their rivals. The new series of *Celebrity Traitors* begins on BBC One on 1 October ### Lib Dems become first major party to reject EHRC trans guidance URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lib-dems-become-first-major-party-to-reject-ehrc-trans-guidance/ Last updated: 2026-09-22T09:04:30.000Z The **Liberal Democrats** have become the first major Westminster party to formally reject the **Equality and Human Rights Commission**'s (EHRC) guidance on the implementation of the Supreme Court's ruling on sex and gender, after members overwhelmingly backed a motion describing the code as "discriminatory and unworkable". Delegates at the party's annual conference in Brighton voted in favour of the motion on **Monday, 21 September** calling for a revised approach to implementing last year's landmark Supreme Court judgment, which held that the legal definition of a woman under the **Equality Act** is based on biological sex. The move places the Liberal Democrats at odds with the EHRC's guidance issued in May, which sets out how organisations should balance the rights of trans people with requirements for some services and facilities to remain single-sex. Critics argue that the guidance could effectively exclude many trans people from using public toilets, changing rooms and other facilities, particularly where gender-neutral alternatives are unavailable. The motion approved by conference argues that the EHRC's code places "an undue burden on service providers" and calls for it to be rewritten. It also urges the creation of a dedicated cross-party parliamentary committee to examine how legislation could better protect the rights of trans people. Proposing the motion, party member **Lucas North** warned against what they described as attempts to pit the rights of women and trans people against one another. "The rights of women and the rights of trans people do not have to be placed on opposite sides of a manufactured culture war," North told delegates, while also highlighting a rise in anti-trans hate crimes. **Rebecca Jones**, a trans woman and Liberal Democrat member speaking in support of the motion, said many trans people now felt anxious about using public spaces. "You fear anyone that looks at you too much in case they hate trans people enough that they put you at risk," she said. "All whilst your government repeats the words 'dignity' and 'respect', whilst doing everything in their power to ensure trans people do not have them." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Trans_Pride_in_London_13-2-1.jpg) Wikimedia The debate was not without opposition. Surrey councillor **Mark Johnston** urged delegates to accept the Supreme Court ruling, arguing that reopening the issue would distract the party from broader political priorities. "That realism means accepting the Supreme Court determination last year is unassailable," he said, questioning whether the party should focus on preparing for government rather than revisiting settled legal questions. The vote came after Liberal Democrat leader **Ed Davey** signalled his support for the motion earlier in the day. Speaking to the BBC, Davey said he did not believe the EHRC guidance was "fit for purpose". The result is likely to increase pressure on the government and the EHRC from LGBTQ+ campaigners, many of whom have argued that the current guidance creates uncertainty for both trans people and organisations seeking to comply with equality law. With the motion's passage, the Liberal Democrats have positioned themselves as the first of the three largest parties at Westminster to formally back a rethink of how the Supreme Court ruling is applied in practice, following a similar stance previously adopted by the **Green Party**. ### Cheryl The Queen to headline 'Bring The Vivienne Home' fundraiser in Liverpool URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/cheryl-the-queen-to-headline-bring-the-vivienne-home-fundraiser-in-liverpool/ Last updated: 2026-09-22T08:45:15.000Z *RuPaul's Drag Race UK* star **Cheryl The Queen** will headline a major fundraising event in Liverpool next month in support of the campaign to create a permanent statue honouring late drag icon **The Vivienne**. The fundraiser, titled **Bring The Vivienne Home**, will take place at **BOXPARK** **Liverpool** on **30 October** and aims to raise money towards a planned life-size bronze statue of The Vivienne at the entrance to the city's officially recognised **Pride Quarter**. Cheryl, who competed alongside The Vivienne on the first series of *RuPaul's Drag Race UK*, will lead an evening of entertainment featuring drag performances, live music, musical bingo, a Vivienne-themed quiz and a charity raffle. Hosted by Liverpool drag favourite **Debbie Darling**, the event will also feature performances from cabaret star **Brenda LaBeau**, a long-time friend of The Vivienne, and local singer **Rosa Harrison**. DJ sets will be provided by BOXPARK resident DJ **Tizzle** and Liverpool performer **Regina McQueen**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Debbie-Darling-2.jpg) ****Debbie Darling** Speaking ahead of the event, Cheryl paid tribute to her friend and fellow *Drag Race* pioneer. "As soon as I locked eyes on her in the Werk Room on *Drag Race UK*, I knew this queen was the brightest star in that room," she said. "Throughout every step, she was there for me and I treasure every single special memory we shared. She always knew how to make me scream with laughter. "Viv was Liverpool personified. She talked about the city constantly - the people, the places, the queens, the lot. It wasn't just where she lived, it was where Viv was allowed to be, and she carried that with her everywhere she went. "So when I was asked to come and do this show, in this city, for her, there was never a chance I would say no. Come and have a night with us, and let's bring her home." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/4-3-Screen-6.jpg) BOXPARK Liverpool general manager Joel Lee said the venue was honoured to host the fundraiser. "When this came to us, there was no hesitation at all," he said. "The Vivienne was one of this city's own, and what she gave to Liverpool's queer community over the years is the reason a night like this fills a room. "BOXPARK is a Liverpool venue and that means something to us, so being able to hand the space over for an evening that celebrates someone who mattered here, and that puts money toward something permanent for the city, is exactly the kind of thing we want to be doing." Born **James Lee Williams**, The Vivienne moved to Liverpool from North Wales as a teenager and became a central figure in the city's LGBTQ+ community before finding national fame. The drag performer won the inaugural series of *RuPaul's Drag Race UK* in 2019 and went on to compete on *Dancing on Ice* and numerous television programmes. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/The-Vivienne-Statue---AI-Visualisation--Front--2.png) The Vivienne statue - AI visualisation Williams died in January 2025 following what has been described as a 'silent struggle' with ketamine addiction. Organisers are [aiming to raise £120,000 ](https://www.gofundme.com/f/bring-the-vivienne-home?ref=scenemag.co.uk)to commission the statue, which would stand overlooking Stanley Street and Liverpool's Pride Quarter. Campaign supporters say the monument will act as a lasting tribute to The Vivienne's legacy and a symbol of pride for the city's LGBTQ+ community. The evening will also include a fundraising raffle featuring prizes donated by local businesses and entertainment organisations, including tickets for the *Hollyoaks* set tour, shows at the **M&S Bank Arena**, a royal box experience at *Funny Girls* in Blackpool and theatre tickets from venues across the region. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Event-poster--Landscape--2.jpg) **John Hyland**, of campaign organisers **Proudly Said**, said the level of support since the campaign launched had reflected the affection Liverpool still holds for The Vivienne. "What has struck me since we launched this campaign is that nobody has had to be persuaded," he said. "The money we've raised so far has come from people putting in a fiver, from performers offering their time, from businesses handing over raffle prizes without being asked twice. "That tells you everything about what The Vivienne meant here, because this city knew her long before anybody else did, and it hasn't needed reminding. "This night is that same thing in a room. Buy a ticket, do the raffle, have a drink and a dance, and know that every penny of it goes toward putting her permanently at the entrance to the Pride Quarter, where she belongs." 💡 Tickets start at £15 plus booking fees, while donation-only tickets from £5 are available for supporters unable to attend. All proceeds will go directly towards the Bring The Vivienne Home campaign. [BOOK HERE](https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Liverpool/Boxpark-Liverpool/Bring-The-Vivienne-Home-Fundraiser/42727370/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard connects with LGBTQ+ community at Lib Dem conference fringe event URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-hove-lgbt-switchboard-connects-with-lgbtq-community-at-lib-dem-conference-fringe-event/ Last updated: 2026-09-21T11:18:22.000Z **Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard** joined LGBTQ+ organisations, activists and community members at a networking event held alongside the **Liberal** **Democrats' Autumn Conference** in Brighton this weekend. Representatives from the charity attended the **LGBTQ+ Networking Brunch** at **The Birdcage**, where they spoke to conference delegates and local residents about the support services available through the organisation. Switchboard volunteers **Claudette** and **Jan** staffed the charity's information stand throughout the event, answering questions and sharing details about the range of services offered to LGBTQ+ people in Brighton & Hove. The brunch, organised by **LGBT Foundation** and **LGBT+ Liberal Democrats**, brought together a wide range of LGBTQ+ organisations and community groups, creating opportunities for networking, collaboration and discussions around issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/819068753_1553912956780061_5117333229069389455_n.jpg) Facebook In a statement following the event, Switchboard said the gathering provided a valuable opportunity to connect with people attending the conference while strengthening relationships with other organisations working across the sector. "The brunch brought together LGBTQ+ organisations, services and community members, so it was a good chance to meet people, catch up with other organisations and talk about the issues affecting our communities," the charity said. Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard is one of the UK's longest-running LGBTQ+ charities, providing a range of support services including a helpline, trans support services, dementia support, wellbeing programmes and community-led projects. The event formed part of a wider programme of LGBTQ+ fringe activity taking place alongside the Liberal Democrats' conference in Brighton, with campaigners and charities using the gathering to engage with politicians and highlight issues affecting LGBTQ+ people. Switchboard thanked everyone who visited its stall during the event and paid tribute to the organisers for bringing together so many community organisations in one place. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/818948837_1553912980113392_4956834951382239046_n.jpg) Facebook The charity's conference outreach will continue next weekend when staff and volunteers travel to Liverpool for another LGBTQ+ Networking Brunch taking place alongside the **Labour Party Conference**. The event will be held at The Bluecoat on **Sunday 27 September** and is expected to bring together LGBTQ+ groups, campaigners and delegates attending Labour's annual gathering. Those seeking support or information about Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard's services can find out more [through the charity's website.](https://www.switchboard.org.uk/hub/our-services/?v=7885444af42e&ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Brighton LGBTQ+ venue R-Bar closes for good as owners warn of "crisis" facing queer nightlife URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-lgbtq-venue-r-bar-closes-for-good-as-owners-warn-of-crisis-facing-queer-nightlife/ Last updated: 2026-09-21T11:07:55.000Z One of Brighton's best-known LGBTQ+ venues has closed its doors for the final time, with its owners warning that queer spaces are disappearing at an "alarming rate" and calling on the community to help protect the city's nightlife. **R-Bar**, the sister venue to iconic Brighton nightclub **Revenge**, welcomed customers for a final week of events before shutting permanently on Sunday. Announcing the closure, Team Revenge described the decision as "heartbreaking" and thanked the generations of staff, performers, DJs, promoters and customers who helped make the venue a fixture of Brighton's LGBTQ+ scene. "Yesterday, we closed the doors of R-Bar for the final time," the team said in a statement. "Whether you visited us once or spent half your life propping up the bar, you helped make R-Bar what it was, and we're incredibly grateful." The closure marks the latest blow to Brighton's LGBTQ+ nightlife, which has seen a number of venues struggle in recent years amid rising operating costs, changing social habits and wider pressures on the hospitality sector. In an emotional farewell message, the operators said the response from customers since announcing the closure had underlined the importance of dedicated queer spaces. "Reading the hundreds of heartfelt comments since we announced R-Bar's closure has been genuinely moving," they said. "They've also been a reminder that LGBTQ+ spaces like R-Bar really can be a sanctuary for our community. Once these spaces disappear, they are incredibly difficult to replace." Despite the loss of R-Bar, the owners said they remain committed to Brighton's LGBTQ+ nightlife and are investing their efforts into Revenge, which celebrates its 35th anniversary later this year. The team said they plan to expand the range of events hosted at Revenge while continuing to create spaces for LGBTQ+ communities to socialise, celebrate and connect. "We're now putting all of our energy into making Revenge as special as it possibly can be," the statement said. "Improving what we already do, while opening the venue up to a much bigger variety of events and experiences for our community." The operators also revealed they have begun lobbying local authorities about the challenges facing LGBTQ+ venues in Brighton, saying action is needed if the city is to retain its reputation as one of the UK's leading queer destinations. They said they hope to work with **Brighton & Hove City Council**, **Sussex Police**, licensing officials and fellow venue operators to tackle what they described as a growing crisis affecting both LGBTQ+ venues and the wider night-time economy. The statement also urged local people to support campaigns aimed at protecting nightlife and to continue spending money in LGBTQ+ venues where possible. "When you see calls for support for changes that could help Brighton's venues, please share them, sign them and make your voice heard," the team said. "Local authorities need to understand just how important these spaces are." Acknowledging the ongoing cost-of-living pressures facing many people, the operators added: "We know that times are tough. Going out is expensive, and for many people it simply isn't possible as often as it once was. But when you do have a little spare money for a few drinks, a dance, a show, or a night with friends, please consider spending it in LGBTQ+ venues whenever you can." While describing the closure as the end of an era, the team insisted they remain optimistic about the future. "So while yesterday was the end of R-Bar, we're determined that it isn't the beginning of the end for queer nightlife in Brighton." ### Black trans woman Sophie Lee remembered after fatal shooting in Baltimore URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/black-trans-woman-sophie-lee-remembered-after-fatal-shooting-in-baltimore/ Last updated: 2026-09-21T09:46:46.000Z Tributes have been paid to Black trans woman **Sophie Lee** after she was fatally shot in **Baltimore**, Maryland, with police continuing to investigate her death and no arrests made so far. Lee was found by officers in the early hours of 11 September after **Baltimore Police** responded to reports of a shooting in the city's Barclay neighbourhood. She was pronounced dead at the scene. According to local reports, detectives believe Lee may have been shot in a nearby alley before making her way into the street. Her purse was later recovered two blocks away, although investigators have not said whether robbery is being considered as a possible motive. Police have yet to identify a suspect and are appealing for information from members of the public. Lee, who was born and raised in Baltimore, was publicly identified by **Baltimore Safe Haven**, a Black and trans-led organisation that provides housing, healthcare and support services to LGBTQ+ people. The charity, which said Lee had previously accessed its services, held a vigil in her memory on 13 September. In a statement following the vigil, Baltimore Safe Haven founder and executive director **Iya Dammons** paid tribute to Lee's life. "Sophie was more than what happened to her. She was a person. She was loved. She mattered. She deserved the opportunity to live, grow, laugh, love, and simply exist safely as herself," Dammons said. [Donate to I WAS SOMEBODY’S CHILD. I DESERVED TO LIVE, organized by Baltimore Safe HavenBefore you see transgender, see someone’s baby. My name was … Baltimore Safe Haven needs your support for I WAS SOMEBODY’S CHILD. I DESERVED TO LIVE![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/favicon-b3523b78-aff1-44d2-9d0b-0d4bcd0216df.png)gofundme.comB![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/s-b0eec882-3ea8-41ac-8863-846b2c62caf8.png)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-was-somebodys-child-i-deserved-to-live/cl/s?attribution%5Fid=sl:5b8a9048-4d48-4427-9438-cf1cec2591a3&lang=en%5FUS&ts=1789524496&utm%5Fcampaign=fp%5Fsharesheet&utm%5Fcontent=amp30-treatment-8&utm%5Fmedium=customer&utm%5Fsource=copy%5Flink) The organisation has also [launched a fundraising campaign](https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-was-somebodys-child-i-deserved-to-live/cl/s?attribution%5Fid=sl:5b8a9048-4d48-4427-9438-cf1cec2591a3&lang=en%5FUS&ts=1789524496&utm%5Fcampaign=fp%5Fsharesheet&utm%5Fcontent=amp30-treatment-8&utm%5Fmedium=customer&utm%5Fsource=copy%5Flink) to help Lee's family cover funeral costs. The appeal has already exceeded its original target. Friends and community members have remembered Lee as an active participant in Baltimore's ballroom scene, where she was connected to several prominent houses, including the **Royal Houses of Gabbanna, Voltaire, Pink Lady** and **Balenciaga**. A graduate of the **Baltimore School of the Arts**, Lee described herself on social media as a Black trans woman and a lesbian. Her posts celebrated ballroom culture, Black Pride events, music and dance, while also advocating for the inclusion of trans women within lesbian communities. Her death has prompted renewed concern among LGBTQ+ campaigners about violence affecting trans people, particularly Black trans women, who continue to face disproportionately high levels of discrimination and violence. According to US LGBTQ+ media monitoring, Lee is among a growing number of trans people whose deaths have been reported in 2026\. Campaigners say the figures underline the ongoing challenges facing trans communities across the United States. Lee was killed around 10 weeks after the death of another Black trans woman, Asia Williams, who was also living in Baltimore. Baltimore Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward as investigations continue. ### Lib Dem members to debate trans-inclusive motion at party conference URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lib-dem-members-to-debate-trans-inclusive-motion-at-party-conference/ Last updated: 2026-09-21T09:25:34.000Z **Liberal Democrat** members are set to debate a motion reaffirming support for trans rights at the party's autumn conference in **Brighton**, with campaigners saying the vote could become one of the most closely watched LGBTQ+ issues of the gathering. The emergency motion, due to be debated on Monday, calls on the party to back the principle that "trans women are women" and "trans men are men", while also opposing guidance issued by the **Equality and Human Rights Commission** (EHRC) earlier this year on access to single-sex spaces. Supporters of the motion argue that the guidance, which followed the Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of "sex" in the Equality Act, risks excluding trans people from public life and creating uncertainty around access to toilets, changing facilities and other services. The motion describes the EHRC guidance as "discriminatory and unworkable" and calls for Parliament to establish a cross-party committee to examine how legislation could be updated to better protect trans people's rights. The debate has exposed divisions within the Liberal Democrats, with the party's gender-critical group, **Liberal Voice for Women**, warning that the proposals could reignite what it described as a divisive culture-war argument. **Zoe Hollowood**, chair of Liberal Voice for Women, told *The Telegraph* that members of the group feared the motion would reverse what they saw as progress in moving beyond debates around gender identity. However, trans rights campaigners and LGBTQ+ activists have argued that continued political scrutiny of trans people's access to public spaces is itself a source of uncertainty and anxiety for the community. The debate comes at a time when trans rights remain a major political issue across the UK, with campaigners warning that restrictions on access to facilities and services can have a disproportionate impact on trans people's safety, wellbeing and participation in everyday life. For many LGBTQ+ activists attending the Brighton conference, the vote is likely to be seen as a test of whether the Liberal Democrats remain committed to advancing trans equality following a series of legal and political developments over the past year. If passed, the motion would reinforce the party's support for trans-inclusive policies and increase pressure on ministers and parliamentarians to consider further reforms aimed at protecting trans people from discrimination. ### The Love Tank and Fredde Lanka launch limited-edition STI testing kits for Londoners URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-love-tank-and-fredde-lanka-launch-limited-edition-sti-testing-kits-for-londoners/ Last updated: 2026-09-21T16:12:04.000Z A new collaboration between LGBTQ+ sexual health charity **The Love Tank**, artist **Fredde Lanka** and **Sexual Health London** (SHL.UK) is aiming to make STI testing more visible and accessible through a limited-edition series of self-sampling kits. Following a successful launch at London's **Body Movements Festival,** 1,000 specially designed **SHL.UK** self-sampling kits have now been made available to order online for people living in the capital. The project marks the first creative collaboration of its kind for SHL.UK and brings together sexual health promotion, community outreach and queer art. Each kit features artwork by illustrator Fredde Lanka and includes a limited-edition sleeve, stickers and a postcard. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/TLTxFREDDE-3.jpg) Image provided The collaboration was initially unveiled at Body Movements Festival on 30 August, where The Love Tank's outreach team provided sexual health information, support and testing resources to thousands of attendees. Organisers said the response to the artwork and outreach materials prompted the decision to release a one-off run of 1,000 kits for online ordering. Fredde Lanka said the project held particular significance as someone who regularly uses sexual health services. "Sexual Health London (SHL.UK) plays an important part in the sexual health of the communities I am part of," he said. "As someone who depends on these services, it has been an honour to contribute my illustrations and help The Love Tank and SHL.UK in promoting these kits. I hope it leads to more people learning about and using them in the future." The initiative is designed to encourage conversations around testing and prevention by transforming what is often viewed as a purely clinical product into something colourful, eye-catching and community-focused. Alongside the limited-edition kits, The Love Tank has also produced temporary tattoos and postcards featuring Lanka's artwork. The materials, which include QR codes linking directly to SHL.UK's free testing service, will continue to be distributed at outreach events across London. Dr **Will Nutland**, executive director of The Love Tank, said the collaboration reflects the organisation's approach to engaging communities around sexual health. "Outreach is about meeting people where they are and finding ways to make conversations about sexual health feel relevant, approachable and human," he said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/TLTxFREDDE-1.jpg) Image provided "That's what we love about this collaboration with Fredde and SHL.UK. The designs are bold, queer, joyful and deliberately hard to ignore, because sexual health should be part of our everyday conversations. "Whether someone tested with us at an outreach event, left with a SmartKit, or orders a limited-edition kit from home, we've created another way for them to take control of their sexual health, without judgement and on their own terms." The free limited-edition kits are available to London residents while stocks last. Users must complete a short online consultation before ordering, with samples returned through a freepost service. The Love Tank said the project highlights the role creative partnerships can play in reaching LGBTQ+ communities and encouraging regular sexual health testing outside traditional healthcare settings. The free STI Kits can be ordered by Londoners [**via this lin**](http://tltfredde.shl.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)**k** ### REVIEW: Blue Film URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-blue-film/ Last updated: 2026-09-21T09:10:25.000Z Hello, cinema lovers. ***Blue Film*** is not quite the sexy and exciting movie its poster suggests or its title promises. It is, however, something bleaker and more disturbing, and that is very much to its makers' credit. This is a director who doesn't flinch or turn away. Take a walk into the depth of human depravity, presented with a gentle face. Aaron Eagle (the wonderful **Kieron Moore)** is a Los Angeles camboy who specialises in brutality, taunting his followers into emptying their wallets for a tantalising glimpse of his body. When a particular fan offers him fifty thousand dollars for a single night together, Aaron takes the deal without hesitation. The fan turns out to be Hank (**Reed Birney**), who answers the door in a balaclava with a camcorder running. As the night unravels, Hank reveals he knows Aaron's real name, and Aaron in turn recognises Hank as a man from his past. A man who is a convicted rapist and paedophile. What follows is a long, tense face-off between two men bound by past trauma. Kieron Moore is truly a standout in this movie. His Aaron is all arrogance and muscles in the opening scenes. He performs toxic masculinity so committedly that it takes a while to notice the character's more vulnerable side. That humanity surfaces in various close-ups of Aaron's face. His physical performance never wavers during the movie's runtime, alternating between humour, disgust and violence. Birney's character moves the story's plot along, and he does this job admirably, playing a complicated and despicable man. He plays Hank with an eerie stillness and restrained core that slowly progresses into horror as the true monster is revealed. He never becomes a shallow cinematic creep; this is what makes his performance a total home run. You feel almost unclean watching Aaron and Hank talk. This is dark, confrontational cinema at its best or worst. At times this film is nearly unwatchable, but it holds the line, only just. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/BlueFilm_KieronMoore.jpg) image provided Director **Elliot Tuttle** makes a spectacular directing debut here. The entire movie is set as a two-hander in a rental property. The cinematography is really solid; various scenes echo Aaron's webcam world, evoking an almost otherworldly vibe at times. The movie skips along and never really loses momentum. However, later in the movie, the plot seems to repeat its main points. How does the film handle queer identity? With a careful touch, considering the paedophilic overtones of the movie's plot. Aaron's camboy character is depicted as a queer sex worker without apology or softening for its audience. The sex between the two men is graphic but never over the top, shown to expose a power dynamic rather than be horny or exciting despite Moore's obvious physical beauty. ![https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10714819/mediaviewer/rm1745226497/?ref_=nmmi_mi_1_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/MV5BNGQ5MDMwY2MtOTY4NS00OWMyLTk3ZjEtY2Y1N2ViMTZiYjcxXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX492_.png) Some viewers will feel the film gets too close to its own taboo subject matter for comfort. They will definitely have a point; this movie is incredibly unsettling at times. But the filmmakers obviously want to present a predator in the most unvarnished way possible. Gay sex work has been successfully featured before in movies like *Greek Pete* (2008) and *Sebastian* (2024). It's a murky, complicated world, and Blue Film aims to show the possible corrosive nature of prostitution and where some of these boys come from before the cam light shines on them. Blue Film will not be for everyone and was never intended to be. But it is a seriously strong piece of queer filmmaking. A gripping drama starring two extremely capable performers. Watch out for Kieran Moore in the future, hes a talented actor with a bright future. Recommended, but be warned it's a tough film to sit through at times. *Blue Film* will be released in UK cinemas from September 11th, 2026. ### Liverpool LGBTQ+ venue at centre of police investigation after three men injured in stabbing URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/liverpool-lgbtq-venue-at-centre-of-police-investigation-after-three-men-injured-in-stabbing/ Last updated: 2026-09-21T09:15:45.000Z A well-known Liverpool LGBTQ+ venue has been linked to a serious stabbing incident that left three men injured in the city centre during the early hours of Sunday morning. **Merseyside Police** have launched an investigation after officers were called to **Tithebarn Street** at around **6.35am** on Sunday (**20 September**), where they found three men suffering from injuries consistent with a stabbing. The victims were taken to hospital for assessment. Two men remain in a stable condition, while a third sustained minor injuries. Detectives believe the incident began outside **G-Bar**, one of Liverpool's longest-running LGBTQ+ venues, on nearby Eberle Street before continuing into the surrounding area. Police cordons remain in place on Tithebarn Street, **Eberle Street** and **Temple Lane** while officers carry out forensic examinations and gather witness accounts. CCTV enquiries are also ongoing. Detective Chief Inspector **Lisa McNaughton** said officers understood the concern the incident would cause. "We understand the concern that such a serious incident will cause in the community," she said. Police said an altercation appeared to have broken out near G-Bar, leaving the three victims injured. DCI McNaughton added: "The suspected weapon has been recovered and will be forensically examined." Officers are now working to identify the person responsible and have increased patrols in the area as enquiries continue. The incident has shocked many in Liverpool's LGBTQ+ community, with G-Bar regarded as one of the city's best-known gay venues and a longstanding fixture of the local nightlife scene. Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage from the area, to come forward. Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police via social media, through the force's website, or by calling 101 and quoting reference **26000771554**. Information can also be passed anonymously to **Crimestoppers** on **0800 555 111**. ### The Saturday Scene: From Brighton to Liverpool: what the parties will decide about our rights URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-from-brighton-to-liverpool-what-the-parties-will-decide-about-our-rights/ Last updated: 2026-09-19T07:20:42.000Z #### Conference season opens in Brighton today. Over the next four days the Liberal Democrats will fill the Brighton Centre and The Grand, and by the time the Conservatives wrap up in Birmingham on 7 October, every major party in Britain will have set out its stall for the year ahead. For most people, conference season is background noise: speeches, lanyards and the odd viral fringe moment. For LGBTQ+ people, and trans people in particular, it deserves far closer attention. This is the first conference season since the Equality and Human Rights Commission's new statutory Code of Practice cleared Parliament, the first under a new Prime Minister, and it follows a year in which the rules on who counts, who gets a vote and who gets a seat have been rewritten inside the parties themselves. What gets said on these stages, and just as importantly what gets left off the agenda, will shape and steer the debate on our rights well into 2027. In April 2025, the Supreme Court ruled in *For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers* that "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 means biological sex, and that a Gender Recognition Certificate does not change that. The EHRC then spent a year rewriting its guidance. On 21 May 2026, the Minister for Women and Equalities laid the [updated Code of Practice](https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre/news/draft-services-code-practice-laid-parliament?ref=scenemag.co.uk) before Parliament. It sets out that where services are single-sex, access should be based on biological sex. More than 100 MPs signed an [early day motion](https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/ehrc-code-early-day-motion/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) tabled by Labour's Nadia Whittome calling for it to be rejected, but the motion was never debated and the 40-day scrutiny window [closed on 9 July](https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/code-practice-services-public-functions-and-associations-next-steps?ref=scenemag.co.uk). _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Juno Dawson helps raise £267 for Trans Pride Brighton at Birdcage Bar event URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/juno-dawson-helps-raise-267-for-trans-pride-brighton-at-birdcage-bar-event/ Last updated: 2026-09-18T12:19:10.000Z Author **Juno Dawson** helped raise money for **Trans Pride Brighton** this week as Brighton's **Birdcage Bar** launched a new fundraising initiative supporting LGBTQ+ and HIV charities. The bestselling author appeared at the venue on Thursday evening for an "In Conversation" event, where she discussed her life and career with interviewer **Gossip Guy** in front of a live audience. The event also marked the launch of The Birdcage's new **Community Cocktails** scheme, which will raise money for four local organisations: **Trans Pride Brighton**, **Queerwell**, **Lunch Positive** and **The Sussex Beacon**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/igexport-birdcagebarbrighton-3988452466012672834-1.jpg) Instagram As part of the evening, Juno sold signed author copies from her personal collection, with all proceeds donated directly to Trans Pride Brighton. Organisers have now confirmed that the book sale raised **£267** for the trans-led charity. Guests heard Dawson discuss a wide range of topics, from her writing process and literary career to *Doctor Who* and the fantasy elements that have become a hallmark of some of her most popular novels. The event coincided with the launch of four specially created cocktails, each inspired by one of the partner organisations. While each drink celebrates a different charity, £5 from every £10 cocktail sold will be placed into a shared community fund and distributed equally among all four groups. The collection includes **Cherry Queerwell**, inspired by the mental health charity Queerwell; **Liquid Lunch**, celebrating HIV support organisation Lunch Positive; **Beacon Blush**, a non-alcoholic cocktail supporting The Sussex Beacon; and **Trans Pride Punch**, created in honour of Trans Pride Brighton. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/SnapInsta.to_813624171_18074250842551573_6753266618397758163_n.jpg) **Sean Pettit-Scheepers**, managing director of The Birdcage, said the venue wanted to create a fundraising initiative that reflected Brighton's long tradition of LGBTQ+ community support. "We could not think of a more fitting way to launch our Community Cocktails than by bringing people together for an evening with Juno Dawson and raising additional funds for Trans Pride Brighton," he said. "The Birdcage was created to be more than somewhere to have a drink. It was built as a space where Brighton's LGBTQ+ community could feel welcome, celebrated and genuinely at home." He added that the initiative was designed to allow customers to support community organisations while enjoying a night out. "Brighton's LGBTQ+ venues have always been about more than nightlife. They are places where community is built, friendships are formed and people find a sense of belonging." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/SnapInsta.to_814584660_18074375396551573_3458312753936229625_n.jpg) Instagram The four charities supported through the scheme represent different parts of Brighton's LGBTQ+ community infrastructure. Queerwell provides mental health and wellbeing services for LGBTQ+ people, while Lunch Positive offers food, friendship and peer support for people living with HIV. The Sussex Beacon delivers specialist HIV care and support, and Trans Pride Brighton organises one of the UK's largest Trans Pride events while promoting visibility and equality for trans, non-binary and intersex communities. Juno Dawson, one of Britain's best-known trans authors, has become a leading voice in LGBTQ+ literature through books including *This Book Is Gay* and the bestselling *Her Majesty's Royal Coven* series. The Community Cocktails range will remain available at The Birdcage following the launch event, creating an ongoing source of fundraising for the four organisations. ### Brighton Bear Weekend confirms 2027 dates after grrrrreat year URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-bear-weekend-confirms-2027-dates-after-successful-year/ Last updated: 2026-09-18T11:56:41.000Z **Brighton Bear Weekend** has announced its return for 2027, with organisers promising an even bigger celebration after receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from this year's event. The popular LGBTQ+ event will take place from **Friday, 9 July - Sunday, 11 July 2027**, bringing hundreds of bears, cubs, otters and admirers back to Brighton for a weekend of socialising, entertainment and community events. Organisers confirmed the dates this week and revealed that planning is already under way for next year's festivities. The announcement follows feedback from attendees who completed a post-event survey after Brighton Bear Weekend 2026\. According to organisers, responses were overwhelmingly positive, while also providing ideas and suggestions that could help shape the event's future. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/761946900_1494535269369926_5403228406765028281_n.jpg) BBW 2026\. Facebook In a statement, the organising committee said it is currently reviewing comments from attendees and exploring ways to make the 2027 edition "even bigger and better". Brighton Bear Weekend has become a popular fixture in the city's LGBTQ+ calendar, drawing visitors from across the UK and beyond. The annual gathering celebrates bear culture, a community centred around larger, hairier men and their admirers, while also welcoming a broad range of LGBTQ+ people. As well as social events and parties, the weekend is known for fostering friendship, community connections and fundraising opportunities within Brighton's LGBTQ+ scene. Organisers have also announced an early start for those arriving ahead of the main weekend. A special Brighton Bear-themed icebreaker quiz is scheduled for **Thursday, 8 July**, giving visitors the chance to meet fellow attendees before the official programme begins. While full details of the 2027 line-up have yet to be revealed, organisers said preparations are already under way. "The dates are in. Now the fun begins," they said. Further announcements about venues, events and tickets are expected in the coming months. ### Russia's only pro-LGBTQ+, anti-war party barred from elections as LGBTQ+ rights remain under attack URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/russias-only-pro-lgbtq-anti-war-party-barred-from-elections-as-lgbtq-rights-remain-under-attack/ Last updated: 2026-09-18T11:41:07.000Z **Russia**'s only registered anti-war political party has been barred from the country's upcoming legislative elections, a move analysts say highlights the Kremlin's growing intolerance of even limited political dissent as LGBTQ+ rights continue to deteriorate. **Yabloko**, a pro-LGBTQ+ opposition party that has consistently criticised Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, was excluded from the nationwide party-list ballot on 10 August. The decision prompted protests outside the Supreme Court in Moscow, where around 500 supporters gathered as the ruling was delivered. According to analysts, more than 85 people were detained by police during a subsequent appeal hearing a week later, underscoring the increasingly restricted environment facing opposition activists in Russia. **Sasha Slobodov**, a Russia analyst with conflict monitoring organisation **ACLED**, said the exclusion of Yabloko reflects a broader crackdown on what remains of Russia's "systemic opposition". "As Russia prepares to vote in its first legislative elections since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has further narrowed the already limited space for the country's controlled opposition," Slobodov said. "Four years into the war, the government is increasingly unwilling to allow even the limited and largely inconsequential forms of dissent once permitted within Russia's systemic opposition." The move against Yabloko comes amid wider pressure on opposition figures. **Boris Nadezhdin**, who attempted to challenge **Vladimir Putin** in the 2024 presidential election on an anti-war platform, was prevented from standing and later left Russia. Even the **Communist Party**, which has traditionally been allowed to channel protest votes, has reportedly faced growing restrictions. For LGBTQ+ Russians, the shrinking political space is particularly significant. Yabloko has long been one of the few legal political parties in Russia willing to publicly defend LGBTQ+ rights. While its support for equality has sometimes generated controversy within Russia's political landscape, the party has repeatedly criticised anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and opposed state-sponsored discrimination. Its exclusion means that voters supportive of both peace and LGBTQ+ equality will have no registered national party openly representing those views on the ballot. The development comes after years of escalating restrictions on LGBTQ+ people in Russia. Since the introduction of the country's so-called "gay propaganda" law in 2013, authorities have steadily expanded measures targeting LGBTQ+ visibility and activism. In recent years, Russia has banned gender-affirming healthcare for many trans people, prohibited legal gender recognition, expanded restrictions on LGBTQ+ representation in media and culture, and designated the international LGBTQ+ movement as an "extremist organisation". Those measures have led to the closure of community groups, increased police scrutiny of LGBTQ+ venues and events, and growing concerns among human rights organisations about the safety of LGBTQ+ Russians. While Yabloko has never been a major electoral force, its continued legal existence offered one of the few remaining avenues for public opposition to both the war in Ukraine and anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Political observers say the party's exclusion sends a clear signal about the direction of Russian politics. "The significance of these cases is that the Kremlin no longer sees a need to preserve even the appearance of political choice," Slobodov said. As Russia prepares to hold its first parliamentary elections since the invasion of Ukraine, critics argue that the removal of anti-war candidates and parties further undermines the prospect of meaningful political competition. For LGBTQ+ campaigners, the vote is also a reminder of how closely political freedoms and LGBTQ+ rights are linked. With opposition voices increasingly marginalised and civil society under pressure, many fear there are now fewer opportunities than ever to challenge policies that have left Russia one of the most hostile environments for LGBTQ+ people in Europe. ### 'Pure discrimination': Texas Pride organisers hit out after permit rejection URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/pure-discrimination-texas-pride-organisers-hit-out-after-permit-rejection/ Last updated: 2026-09-18T10:46:41.000Z A **Texas** city council has been accused of discrimination after unanimously rejecting a permit for an LGBTQ+ Pride festival, despite approving the same event just a year ago. The **Southlake City Council** voted to deny a permit for this year's **Pride Kel-So** festival, which was due to take place in October, without publicly explaining its decision. The move has shocked organisers, who say the inaugural event was approved by the council in 2025 and attracted around 2,500 people to a local church without incident. According to reports from the council meeting, councillors offered no comments and asked no questions before voting against the permit application. Only two members of the public addressed the meeting, with one speaking in support of the festival and one opposing it. Pride Kel-So co-founder **April Dreyson** condemned the decision, describing it as "pure discrimination" and insisting that the event would still take place. Organisers are now exploring ways to continue with the festival without requiring city approval. Under local regulations, events with fewer than 1,000 attendees do not require the same permit, meaning the celebration could potentially go ahead in a scaled-down format. The dispute comes against a backdrop of growing tensions over LGBTQ+ rights in parts of the United States. Texas has become a major battleground in recent years, with lawmakers advancing a range of measures affecting LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans communities, while supporters argue such policies are necessary to address concerns around education, healthcare and public life. Despite those political debates, Pride events have continued to expand across much of the US, including in more conservative states. Organisers say such festivals provide vital opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and their families to celebrate community, visibility and inclusion. Southlake itself has previously been at the centre of national discussions around LGBTQ+ issues. The affluent **Dallas-Fort Worth** suburb attracted widespread attention in 2021 after disputes over diversity and inclusion policies in local schools, including debates around books featuring LGBTQ+ characters and anti-discrimination measures. For local LGBTQ+ residents and allies, the council's decision is likely to be viewed as another setback in efforts to create visible and welcoming community spaces. Organisers have vowed not to abandon the event, however. "We're still going to have Pride," Dreyson said, signalling that alternative plans are already being considered. If the festival does proceed in a smaller format, it would mirror a growing trend among LGBTQ+ groups in some parts of the United States, where organisers have adapted events in response to political opposition, funding challenges or restrictions imposed by local authorities. ### 'Humiliated': Trans man wins discrimination case after workplace outed him as trans against his will URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/humiliated-trans-man-wins-discrimination-case-after-workplace-outed-him-as-trans-against-his-will/ Last updated: 2026-09-18T10:31:08.000Z A trans social worker has been awarded A$35,000 (£17,000) in damages after a tribunal found that a recruitment process used by Australia's **New South Wales Health Service** effectively outed him as trans against his will. The **NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal** ruled that the worker, known only as **HGY**, was subjected to indirect discrimination when he was required to confirm his former name, often referred to as a deadname, as part of an internal job application process. The tribunal heard that HGY, who transitioned in 2012 and changed his first and middle names from traditionally female names to male ones, received a phone call from a colleague in June 2023 asking him to verify the names he had been given at birth. The call came while he was being considered for a temporary role within the health service. HGY said he had not been warned that colleagues involved in recruitment would be able to see his former names and was unaware that all internal applicants were subject to a "Former Name Check" requirement. The tribunal heard that when he first joined the health service in 2020, he had provided his previous names for legitimate background checks, including a police check and Working With Children clearance. However, he said he had never been told that those details could later be disclosed to colleagues during internal recruitment processes. HGY told the tribunal that only a small number of people in his life knew he was trans and that even members of his wife's family were unaware. He described feeling "humiliated" by the experience and said the prospect of being outed at work left him feeling anxious and distressed. The tribunal accepted evidence that the disclosure had a significant impact on his mental health, including panic attacks, breathing difficulties and elevated heart rates. It found that complying with the requirement created a genuine risk that he could be involuntarily outed as a transgender man to colleagues. In its judgment, the tribunal said it accepted HGY's evidence that he feared discrimination, invasive questioning, workplace gossip and potential abuse if his transgender history became known. "We accept his evidence that for him to comply with the requirement, it would infringe his dignity and sense of personal privacy," the tribunal found. The panel also concluded that the former name checks served little practical purpose for existing employees who had already undergone the necessary background screening. It found that any required verification could instead be handled confidentially through human resources without exposing an applicant's previous names to colleagues. Expert witness Dr **Robin Ladwi**g told the hearing that deadnaming can have a profound impact on trans people's wellbeing. The tribunal heard evidence that chosen names play an important role in gender affirmation and are associated with improved mental health outcomes for trans and gender-diverse people. Trans rights advocates have long argued that privacy protections are essential for transgender people in the workplace, warning that involuntary outing can expose individuals to discrimination, harassment and significant emotional distress. ### INTERVIEW: Homobloc promoter on honouring FLESH, Kim Petras and taking risks URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/interview-homobloc-organi-on-honouring-flesh-kim-petras-and-taking-risks/ Last updated: 2026-09-18T21:02:05.000Z In anticipation of this years **Homobloc Festival**, **Rod Connolly** took some time out of his jam-packed schedule to tell me what we can really expect from the iconic night. **This is the seventh year running of Homobloc and this time it will feature a new vault stage. Are there any other ways that the festival has expanded or changed that you could tell me a little bit about?** We’ve gotten much bigger over the years and have expanded the site to accommodate the increased popularity of the event. The number of artists booked each year is always increasing and that requires the growth of the behind-the-scenes operations to ensure the whole event runs smoothly. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Police appeal after reported homophobic abuse in Brighton URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/police-appeal-after-reported-homophobic-abuse-in-brighton/ Last updated: 2026-09-18T09:56:45.000Z Police are appealing for help to identify a man following a report of homophobic abuse in Brighton city centre. The incident is reported to have taken place in Bond Street at around 8pm on Saturday 12 September. According to **Sussex Police**, a man allegedly shouted homophobic abuse at a local resident before attempting to gain access to their property. Officers have released an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident as enquiries continue. Anyone who recognises the man or has information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Sussex Police online or by calling **101**, quoting reference **1340 of 12/09**. The appeal comes as police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported incident. ### Why does Britain keep flopping at Eurovision? MPs want answers URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/why-does-britain-keep-flopping-at-eurovision-mps-want-answers/ Last updated: 2026-09-18T09:26:57.000Z MPs are set to examine the UK's recent **Eurovision Song Contest** record as part of a parliamentary inquiry into the state of the nation's cultural life. The **Culture, Media and Sport Committee** has confirmed that the UK's performance at Eurovision will be considered as part of its State of Play inquiry after the issue was suggested by a member of the public. Dame **Caroline Dinenage**, chair of the committee, said the proposal had caught MPs' attention because of the UK's reputation for underperforming in the competition despite the strength of its music industry. Speaking to **BBC News**, she said: "This request from a member of the public interested us because of the UK's reputation for scoring 'nul points', coming bottom, or close to bottom in recent years at Eurovision, despite having world-class songwriters and musicians." The move follows another disappointing result for the UK at this year's contest, where electronic musician and YouTuber **Look Mum No Computer** finished last, scoring just one point. The UK has endured a mixed run of results in the contest over the past decade and a half. **Blue** finished 11th with *I Can* in 2011, while **Lucie Jones** placed 15th with *Never Give Up on You* in 2017\. However, the country's most notable recent success came in 2022, when **Sam Ryder** finished second with *Space Man*, narrowly missing out on victory to Ukraine's **Kalush Orchestra**. The Eurovision investigation will form part of the committee's wider **State of Play** inquiry, which invites members of the public, organisations and industry figures to suggest topics that Parliament should explore. Evidence will be gathered over the coming months before MPs decide whether to publish findings and make recommendations to the BBC. The inquiry could examine why the UK, home to one of the world's most successful music industries, has struggled to consistently translate that success into strong Eurovision results. Any recommendations made by the committee would not be binding, but could influence future discussions about how the BBC selects and supports the UK's Eurovision entries. The UK has won Eurovision five times, most recently in 1997 when Katrina and the Waves triumphed with *Love Shine a Light.* ### Solidarity protests planned across Europe after mass detention of LGBTQ+ activists in Turkey URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/solidarity-protests-planned-across-europe-after-mass-detention-of-lgbtq-activists-in-turkey/ Last updated: 2026-09-18T08:30:02.000Z Solidarity protests are set to take place across Europe today, **Friday, 18 September**, in support of LGBTQ+ activists and human rights defenders detained in **Turkey**, following what campaigners have described as an unprecedented crackdown on the country's LGBTQ+ civil society movement. More than 60 human rights, LGBTQ+ and civil society organisations have condemned a series of police raids carried out over the weekend of 12-13 September, which reportedly led to the detention of at least 162 people. Among those detained are an estimated 50 to 60 LGBTQ+ activists and human rights defenders, according to Turkish LGBTQ+ organisations and international media reports. In a joint statement, groups including **ILGA-Europe**, **TGEU**, **ILGA World**, **Front Line Defenders** and **EuroMed Rights** accused Turkish authorities of carrying out a "coordinated attack on organised LGBTQ+ civil society" and called for the immediate release of those detained. The operation reportedly targeted board members and auditors of several LGBTQ+ organisations across the country, including **Kaos GL** and **Pembe Hayat** in Ankara, **Muamma** and **7 Renk** in Mersin, and **SPoD**, **Hevi**, **Lambda**, **LİSTAG**, **Pozitif Yaşam** and **Pozitif-iz** in Istanbul. Campaigners said the raids came just hours after a court order blocked the websites and social media accounts of several LGBTQ+ organisations, arguing that the timing and scale of the operation point to a broader effort to dismantle organised LGBTQ+ advocacy in Turkey. Justice Minister **Akın Gürlek** said that 162 people, nine associations and 13 businesses were being investigated as part of an operation known as "My Family is Safe". He said the investigation concerned organisations that allegedly "promote LGBT and immorality" and confirmed that authorities were examining funding received from public institutions and international organisations. Human rights groups warned that the arrests mark a significant escalation in a years-long campaign against LGBTQ+ communities in Turkey, which has included Pride bans, arrests at demonstrations, restrictions on LGBTQ+ content and political rhetoric portraying LGBTQ+ people as threats to families and children. "The combination of morality-based allegations, raids, detention of governing body members, digital censorship, equipment seizures and scrutiny of foreign funding are taking the attack to a new level," the organisations said. Particular concern has been raised over the seizure of digital devices and records belonging to LGBTQ+ organisations. Campaigners warned that the data could contain sensitive information relating to activists, people living with HIV, survivors of violence and discrimination, journalists, lawyers and donors. The coalition has called on Turkish authorities to release all those detained for their human rights work, guarantee access to legal representation, protect confidential data, restore access to blocked websites and ensure that financial investigations are not used to criminalise legitimate international support for civil society organisations. The groups are also urging the **European Union**, **Council of Europe**, **United Nations** and diplomatic missions in Turkey to intervene, monitor legal proceedings and provide protection and support to those affected. "We stand in full solidarity with all those detained, and everyone affected," the statement said. "Human rights work is not a crime, and we will never stand aside in the fight for democracy and democratic values." Protests are expected to take place in a number of European cities on Friday as activists seek to increase pressure on Turkish authorities and draw international attention to what they describe as one of the most serious attacks on LGBTQ+ organising in the country's recent history. ### Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrats back plan to protect Brighton’s LGBTQ+ nightlife URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-hove-liberal-democrats-back-plan-to-protect-brightons-lgbtq-nightlife/ Last updated: 2026-09-17T16:21:46.000Z **Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrats** have backed a new five-point plan from the city’s LGBTQ+ venues to protect Brighton’s world-renowned queer nightlife. The plan, unveiled by the **Brighton LGBTQ+ Business Group**, calls for greater investment in the LGBTQ+ Quarter: improved safety, stronger support for venues, better year-round promotion and a long-term strategy for the city’s night-time economy. The group’s proposals follow the loss of seven LGBTQ+ venues in recent years and calls for action to protect the city’s cultural and visitor economy. **Robert Brown**, Liberal Democrats spokesperson for Kemptown, where these businesses are located, said: “Brighton’s LGBTQ+ venues are part of the fabric of our city. They are businesses and employers, but they are also community spaces, safe spaces and a vital part of Brighton’s identity. “We fully support this five-point plan. The loss of LGBTQ+ venues cannot simply be accepted as inevitable. We need practical action to make the Quarter safer, support responsible businesses and ensure Brighton’s queer scene can thrive throughout the year - not just during Pride weekend. “The Liberal Democrats will continue to work with venue operators, residents, the council and Sussex Police to make sure Brighton remains a welcoming, vibrant and safe home for its LGBTQ+ community.” Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrats have previously called for urgent action to support the city’s struggling nightlife sector, including reform of business rates and recognition of the cumulative pressures facing pubs, clubs and LGBTQ+ venues. ### Ireland to boycott Eurovision 2027 over Israel's participation URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ireland-to-boycott-eurovision-2027-over-israels-participation/ Last updated: 2026-09-17T12:07:41.000Z **Ireland**'s national broadcaster has confirmed that the country will boycott the **2027 Eurovision Song Contest**, citing **Israel**'s continued participation in the competition amid the ongoing war in **Gaza**. **RTÉ** announced on Thursday that it will neither send an Irish act to next year's contest nor broadcast the event, which is due to take place in the Bulgarian coastal city of **Burgas** in May 2027\. In a statement, the broadcaster said it believed Ireland's participation could not be justified because of the "appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza" and the humanitarian crisis in the territory. RTÉ also expressed concern about restrictions on independent international media access to Gaza. The decision means Ireland will miss Eurovision for a second consecutive year. RTÉ was among five broadcasters, alongside those in **Spain**, the **Netherlands**, **Iceland** and **Slovenia**, that declined to participate in the 2026 contest in protest at Israel's inclusion. Ireland's move is likely to intensify pressure on the **European Broadcasting Union** (EBU), which organises Eurovision and has faced mounting criticism over its decision to allow Israel to remain in the competition while Russia continues to be excluded following its invasion of Ukraine. Although the EBU has maintained that Eurovision is a non-political event, critics have argued that the contest can no longer claim neutrality while the conflict in Gaza continues. The Netherlands has already confirmed it will also boycott the 2027 contest. Dutch broadcaster **AVROTROS** said last month that Eurovision had become a "platform for division" and could no longer be considered politically neutral while a participating country remained involved in a major military conflict. The Eurovision Song Contest has become an increasingly contentious issue within LGBTQ+ communities across Europe. The competition has long enjoyed a large LGBTQ+ fanbase and has frequently been celebrated as a showcase for queer artists, performers and audiences. However, debates over Israel's participation have prompted calls for boycotts from some activists, artists and former contestants in recent years. Ireland is one of Eurovision's most successful nations, having won the contest a record-equalling seven times. Its withdrawal from a second consecutive competition represents one of the most significant breaks in the country's Eurovision history. The EBU has not yet publicly responded to RTÉ's latest announcement. ### Trans rights activists protest Haringey debate on single-sex spaces petition URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-rights-activists-protest-haringey-debate-on-single-sex-spaces-petition/ Last updated: 2026-09-17T10:27:56.000Z Trans rights activists staged a protest outside a **Haringey Council** meeting as councillors debated a petition calling for greater provision of single-sex spaces for survivors of domestic abuse. The demonstration took place on Tuesday evening outside **George Meehan House** in north London, where former Labour councillor **Emina Ibrahim** was due to present a petition urging the Green-run council to reflect the Supreme Court's ruling on single-sex spaces in its services for victims of violence against women and girls. According to Ibrahim, a group of trans rights supporters gathered outside the meeting and shouted as petitioners entered the building. She later told media outlets that she heard chants and the term "TERF" being used during the protest. Council officials subsequently escorted Ibrahim and two fellow petitioners from the building via a rear exit after concerns were raised about tensions surrounding the meeting. The protest highlighted continuing divisions over how public bodies should respond to debates around single-sex services and trans inclusion following recent legal and political developments. Ibrahim, who served as a Labour councillor in Haringey for 12 years, used her speech to draw on her own experiences of domestic abuse as a child. She told councillors that she, her mother and sister had once relied on temporary accommodation after fleeing an abusive household and argued that dedicated services for women remain important for many survivors. However, trans rights campaigners have warned that debates about single-sex spaces are increasingly being used to justify restrictions on transgender people's access to public services and support. Many LGBTQ+ organisations argue that trans people, who experience disproportionately high levels of violence, discrimination and homelessness, should not be excluded from services that match their gender identity. The demonstration was welcomed by some local trans rights supporters, who said they wanted to show solidarity with trans residents at a time when many feel under increasing political and media scrutiny. The incident comes amid ongoing national debate over the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling and its impact on trans people's access to public spaces and services. LGBTQ+ groups have repeatedly called on councils and service providers to ensure that any policy changes do not undermine the dignity, safety or inclusion of trans people. ### Met confirms drag star Heklina's cause of death after years of pressure from drag community  URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/met-confirms-drag-star-heklinas-cause-of-death-after-years-of-pressure-from-drag-community/ Last updated: 2026-09-17T10:16:36.000Z The **Metropolitan Police** has confirmed that legendary San Francisco drag performer **Heklina** died as a result of acute mixed drug toxicity, bringing an end to a more than three-year investigation into her death. Heklina, whose real name was Steven Grygelko, was found dead at a flat in Soho, central London, on 3 April 2023 while in the UK to perform the drag parody show *Mommie Queerest* alongside longtime friend and collaborator **Peaches Christ**. She was 55 years old. At a hearing in London this week, police concluded that the performer died from acute mixed drug toxicity. Investigators said cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, GHB and ketamine were found in her system and determined that the substances had been consumed consensually over a 48-hour period. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/heklina-san-francisco-drag-performer-dead-040423-2-18c2dc5e5d544d1da44470b2fe6f3d8a-2.jpg) Heklina The Met said it had "found no evidence to suggest third-party involvement or that the death was suspicious", despite longstanding questions surrounding the circumstances of her death. The case attracted significant attention within the LGBTQ+ community after it emerged that three men had been present at the flat on the night before Heklina's death. CCTV footage showing the men leaving the property was released nearly two years later, prompting criticism from friends and supporters who argued that the investigation had not been handled with sufficient urgency. No charges have been brought and the men have not been publicly identified. Friends of the performer, including Peaches Christ, repeatedly called for greater transparency from the Metropolitan Police and questioned whether homophobic bias had contributed to delays in the investigation. In 2025, more than 100 people took part in a protest outside New Scotland Yard demanding answers about the handling of the case. [Metropolitan Police apologises over investigation into the death of American drag artist HeklinaThe Metropolitan Police has apologised over its investigation into the death of American drag artist Steven Grygelko, aka Heklina, who was found dead at a flat in Soho, London, by their friend Josh…![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-2015e760-06fa-4132-b201-8081fa56fe8c.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/795c67ca5af08a8fc311a0c7516b5455a9-heklina-1x-rsquare-w1400-e1738767532225-70345eb6-9fe3-45e6-92b7-ec9c4dfab4b0.webp)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/metropolitan-police-apologises-over-investigation-into-the-death-of-american-drag-artist-heklina-in-april-2023/) The force has since acknowledged failings in the investigation. According to reports, an internal review found that aspects of the case had been mishandled and that the investigation had passed through multiple teams of detectives during the three-and-a-half-year inquiry. A pioneering figure in American drag culture, Heklina was widely credited with helping to shape San Francisco's modern drag scene. She founded the influential drag club night Trannyshack, later rebranded as Mother, and co-founded Oasis, one of the city's best-known LGBTQ+ venues. She was also a regular performer, producer and community activist. News of her death in 2023 prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the international drag community, with fellow performers praising her role in supporting generations of LGBTQ+ artists and helping to build queer cultural spaces. ### Divina de Campo to star in new musical exploring one trans woman's journey to gender-affirming surgery URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/divina-de-campo-to-star-in-new-musical-exploring-one-womans-journey-to-gender-affirming-surgery/ Last updated: 2026-09-17T12:00:41.000Z Drag Race UK star **Divina de Campo** is set to take centre stage in a new musical exploring identity, transition and self-discovery at London's **Bridge House Theatre**. ***Amanda – The Night Before Me***, based on the truestory **of Sophie Giller**,will run from 22 September to 10 October, with De Campo playing 14 different characters in what producers describe as an intimate yet ambitious musical monologue. Set in the hours before a life-changing operation, the show follows Amanda as she prepares for gender-affirming surgery and reflects on the experiences, relationships and inner voices that have shaped her journey. Through a series of characters including mothers, lovers, friends and manifestations of Amanda's inner thoughts, the production explores themes of authenticity, resilience and the pursuit of happiness. The musical features an original score by Belgian composer **Rory Six**, with English lyrics by **Charles Hart**, best known for his work on *The Phantom of the Opera* and *Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical*. De Campo, who rose to prominence on *RuPaul's Drag Race UK* and has since earned acclaim for stage roles including *Hedwig and the Angry Inch*, will carry the production as its sole performer. According to the show's producers, *Amanda - The Night Before Me* examines "the cost of silence, the power of hidden dreams and the radiant joy of finally claiming your truth" through a blend of humour, honesty and music. 💡 The show opens at the Bridge House Theatre on 22 September and continues until 10 October. Tickets [HERE](https://thebridgehousetheatre.co.uk/shows/amanda-the-night-before-me/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Zack Snyder calls 300 'one of the gayest movies ever made' URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/zack-snyder-calls-300-one-of-the-gayest-movies-ever-made/ Last updated: 2026-09-17T08:49:14.000Z Director **Zack Snyder** has reignited debate around his blockbuster film *300* after describing the sword-and-sandals epic as "one of the gayest movies ever made" during a recent interview. The filmmaker made the remarks while discussing criticism of his latest film, *The Last Photograph*, and reflecting on accusations that some of his work has been interpreted as promoting right-wing or authoritar ian ideas. Snyder rejected those claims, insisting he is "obviously" pro-gay and pointing to *300* as evidence. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Zack_Snyder_by_Gage_Skidmore_2-1.jpg) Zack Snyder "But obviously I'm pro-gay. I made the gayest movie ever made," Snyder told *Variety*, before clarifying that he considers *300* to be "one of the gayest movies ever made". Released in 2007 and based on **Frank Miller**'s graphic novel, *300* tells the story of King Leonidas, played by **Gerard Butler**, and his Spartan warriors as they face the invading Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae. The film became a global hit, grossing hundreds of millions of dollars and helping establish Snyder's distinctive visual style. The film's stylised portrayal of near-naked, heavily muscled warriors has long prompted discussion about its homoerotic undertones. Snyder has previously embraced that interpretation, reportedly describing the film as "male-centric" and "male-obsessed" and arguing that its focus on the male form was far from accidental. In the latest interview, Snyder recalled the hostile reception *300* received when it screened at the **Berlin International Film Festival** before its release. He said some audience members booed the film and accused it of being fascist, leading to pointed questions about his political views during a press conference. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/p163191_p_v8_al-2.jpg) Rotten Tomatoes According to Snyder, one journalist asked whether he was "pro-gay or pro-NRA", prompting the response that has since resurfaced online. His comments have sparked fresh discussion on social media, with some fans embracing the director's tongue-in-cheek characterisation of the film and others questioning whether *300* can genuinely be viewed as a queer text. While *300* contains no openly LGBTQ+ characters or storylines, its celebration of male bodies, warrior brotherhood and exaggerated masculinity has long attracted queer readings from critics and audiences alike. ### LGBTQ+ activists step up push for same-sex marriage in Mauritius URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-activists-step-up-push-for-same-sex-marriage-in-mauritius/ Last updated: 2026-09-17T08:50:02.000Z LGBTQ+ campaigners in **Mauritius** are renewing calls for marriage equality after the country's **National Human Rights Commission** (NHRC) concluded that there is no explicit legal ban on marriage between two people of the same sex. The **Peter Tatchell Foundation** has joined Mauritian LGBTQ+ organisations, including **OUT Moris**, the **Young Queer Alliance** and **Collectif Arc-en-Ciel**, in urging the government to introduce equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. The campaign gained momentum after the NHRC said last month that Mauritian law does not explicitly prohibit same-sex marriage and suggested that the Civil Status Office's refusal to allow same-sex couples to marry could amount to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Campaigners say the finding represents a significant opportunity for the government to address what they describe as a longstanding inequality. "The Mauritian Government must now address this inequality facing same-sex couples," the Peter Tatchell Foundation said in a statement. "LGBTQ+ people in Mauritius are entitled to the same rights, freedoms and legal recognition as everyone else, including the right to marry the person they love." **Pliny Soocoormanee**, Executive Officer of the Peter Tatchell Foundation and a Mauritian national, said marriage equality was a matter of equal treatment under the law. "LGBTQ+ people are not asking for any special rights. We are simply asking for equal rights," he said. "Why should one couple have fewer rights than another simply because they are of the same sex?" [Gay Mauritian couple celebrates UK civil partnership and calls for full equality at homeMauritian nationals Pliny Soocoormanee, who works for Peter Tatchell Foundation, and Jay Raj have officially registered their civil partnership in Birmingham - a personal milestone they describe as both a celebration of love and a statement of visibility. Their union comes just two years after the Supreme Court of Mauritius struck![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-a228037a-b804-4ff1-a31c-bd7d241ac360.png)Scene MagazineContributor![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/536283010_2908746865994409_2571256853911825762_n-c0083fe8-4612-4677-a42a-6194b78cea97.jpg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/gay-mauritian-couple-celebrates-uk-civil-partnership-and-calls-for-full-equality-at-home) The issue is also a personal one for Soocoormanee, who entered into a civil union with his partner, **Jayraj Juggessur**, in the UK last year. "My relationship is legally recognised in the United Kingdom, but it is currently not recognised in Mauritius," he said. "That is why this issue matters to me personally." He stressed that campaigners were not seeking to force religious institutions to conduct same-sex weddings. "I fully understand that Mauritius is a multi-religious and multicultural society, and we respect the right of every faith to determine its own religious practices," he said. "We are not asking religious institutions to officiate same-sex weddings or to change their beliefs. We are asking the State to treat its citizens equally." Campaigners argue that religious freedom and marriage equality are compatible, saying no faith group should be compelled to perform ceremonies that conflict with its beliefs, while civil marriage should be available to all couples regardless of sexual orientation. The Peter Tatchell Foundation has called on the Mauritian Government to engage with LGBTQ+ organisations and civil society groups following the NHRC's findings and to take steps towards introducing equal marriage rights. The latest push comes amid a period of significant change for LGBTQ+ rights in Mauritius. In 2023, the country's Supreme Court struck down colonial-era laws criminalising consensual same-sex relations, a landmark victory celebrated by LGBTQ+ activists. Campaigners now hope marriage equality will be the next major step in advancing legal recognition for LGBTQ+ people on the island. "Equality before the law should mean equality for everyone," the Foundation said. ### ICE deports gay Arizona man, Pietro Graza, to Equatorial Guinea despite concerns over LGBTQ+ rights URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ice-deports-gay-arizona-man-pietro-graza-to-equatorial-guinea-despite-concerns-over-lgbtq-rights/ Last updated: 2026-09-17T08:32:23.000Z A gay man from **Arizona** has been deported by **US Immigration and Customs Enforcement** (ICE) to **Equatorial Guinea**, prompting alarm among LGBTQ+ rights advocates who warn he could face discrimination and isolation in the central African nation. **Pietro Graza** was removed from the United States after an immigration ruling cleared the way for his deportation. Reports indicate that Graza, who is openly gay, was sent to Equatorial Guinea despite concerns about the treatment of LGBTQ+ people in the country. Campaigners and immigration advocates have criticised the decision, arguing that deporting an openly gay man to a country with limited protections for LGBTQ+ people could place him at significant risk. While homosexuality is not illegal in Equatorial Guinea, LGBTQ+ people have few legal protections. The country does not recognise same-sex relationships or marriage, and there are no laws prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. Human rights organisations have reported that LGBTQ+ people face widespread social stigma, with many choosing not to be open about their identities for fear of discrimination, harassment or exclusion. International rights groups have also raised concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression and civil society in Equatorial Guinea, arguing that these conditions can make it difficult for LGBTQ+ people to organise openly or campaign for greater equality. Activists say the lack of visible LGBTQ+ organisations and support networks leaves many queer people isolated and vulnerable. Supporters of Graza said they were devastated by the outcome and accused US authorities of failing to adequately consider the dangers he could face if returned. Advocates have questioned whether sufficient weight was given to his personal circumstances and the potential impact of deportation on his safety and wellbeing. The case has reignited debate over the treatment of LGBTQ+ migrants and asylum seekers in the United States. Rights groups have long argued that people who could face persecution, discrimination or serious hardship because of their sexual orientation or gender identity should receive stronger protections under immigration law. Graza's deportation has also renewed scrutiny of ICE's deportation practices, with campaigners calling for reforms to ensure LGBTQ+ people are not removed to countries where they may face hostility, discrimination or a lack of basic legal protections. The US government has not publicly indicated whether any further legal avenues remain available to Graza following his removal. ### Man convicted over racist and homophobic graffiti near Sheffield United ground URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/man-convicted-over-racist-and-homophobic-graffiti-near-sheffield-united-ground/ Last updated: 2026-09-16T15:22:38.000Z A man has been convicted after spraying racist and homophobic graffiti in several locations around **Sheffield United**'s **Bramall Lane** stadium. **Peter Aird**, 57, was found guilty at **Sheffield Magistrates' Court** after offensive messages appeared close to the football ground in September last year. The court heard that Aird used stencils to spray the graffiti at a number of sites around the stadium. He was identified through CCTV footage and later linked to the offences after police searched his home. Officers discovered stencils, paint and paint-stained gloves at the property. A stencil featuring the Nazi SS insignia was also found in his possession. Aird denied responsibility for the graffiti but was convicted following the prosecution. **Matthew Rose**, Senior Crown Prosecutor for **CPS Yorkshire and Humberside**, said the case demonstrated a commitment to tackling hate crime. "This conviction demonstrates the CPS's commitment to working with partners to tackle racism and homophobia and to holding offenders like Aird to account," he said. "Football is for everyone, and we remain committed to prosecuting those who seek to spread hatred and division wherever the evidence supports a prosecution. "We are grateful to South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield United FC for their cooperation." The offensive messages were discovered near Bramall Lane in September 2025, prompting an investigation by **South Yorkshire Police**. Aird will be sentenced on 30 October 2026 and the CPS will apply for a hate crime sentencing uplift. ### Good Law Project warns schools must not discriminate against trans pupils URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/good-law-project-warns-schools-must-not-discriminate-against-trans-pupils/ Last updated: 2026-09-16T11:30:28.000Z **Good Law Project** has warned that schools remain legally obliged to protect trans pupils from discrimination, despite new government guidance that came into force at the start of the academic year. The campaign group says it is concerned that some schools could wrongly interpret the guidance, introduced on 1 September, as a requirement to restrict the rights of transgender children. In a statement published this week, Good Law Project argued that the **Equality Act 2010** continues to provide legal protections for trans pupils and that schools could face legal challenges if new policies result in unlawful discrimination. The organisation said both direct and indirect discrimination against trans children remain unlawful under equality legislation. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/nikolas-gannon-1gK_3UZzKbg-unsplash-2.jpg) Unsplash Direct discrimination occurs when a pupil is treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic, such as gender reassignment. Good Law Project said this could include situations where schools allow non-trans pupils to use preferred names while imposing additional barriers on trans children seeking similar recognition. The group also highlighted concerns about indirect discrimination, where a policy applied to all pupils could disproportionately affect trans children. It cited examples including toilet access, changing facilities and gender-specific uniform rules. Good Law Project is currently involved in legal action against a school over a uniform policy that requires girls to wear skirts and boys to wear trousers. The organisation argues that requiring a trans boy to provide medical evidence before being allowed to wear trousers may amount to unlawful discrimination. The campaign group said schools must be able to demonstrate that any policies which disadvantage trans pupils are a "proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim", a legal test required under the Equality Act when assessing potential indirect discrimination. It also warned schools against policies that could inadvertently "out" transgender pupils to their peers or wider school communities. "Schools do still have many choices," the organisation said. "They also have legal obligations not to discriminate against the trans children in their care." [It’s still unlawful to discriminate against trans kids | Good Law ProjectBack at school, some trans kids and their families are being threatened with discrimination. But trans kids still have rights – and schools must protect them![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/cropped-favicon-270x270-8ef775d0-6a31-4a1a-a5f2-9677a6dfb2f7.png)Good Law Project![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/GettyImages-2239765546-b2e49d1d-e24f-4fc2-9fcb-80b056e1f1b2.jpg)](https://goodlawproject.org/its-still-unlawful-to-discriminate-against-trans-kids/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Good Law Project is also supporting a school facing legal action over its trans-inclusive approach, arguing that schools should be able to make "sensitive and flexible decisions" that ensure trans pupils can access appropriate facilities while complying with equality law. The intervention comes amid ongoing debate over how schools should implement the government's guidance on gender-questioning children and transgender pupils. Good Law Project said many trans young people and their families are feeling anxious about the changes, but stressed that schools remain subject to the Equality Act and must continue to consider the impact of their policies on trans pupils. The organisation is encouraging families to ask schools how they have assessed the potential impact of new policies on transgender children and what steps they are taking to ensure pupils are protected from discrimination. ### Queeriosities, the "UK's largest queer art fair", returns to Peckham URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queeriosities-the-uks-largest-queer-art-fair-returns-to-peckham/ Last updated: 2026-09-17T08:26:14.000Z More than 50 LGBTQ+ artists, designers and makers will showcase their work in south London next month as **Queeriosities**, billed as the UK's largest queer art and makers fair, returns for its fifth edition. The three-day event will take place at **Copeland Gallery** in Peckham from **2 - 4 October**, bringing together creatives from across the UK and beyond for a weekend celebrating queer art, craft and design. Founded by curator **Davy Pittoors**, Queeriosities has grown into one of the UK's most significant platforms for LGBTQ+ artists. Organisers say last year's fair attracted almost 3,000 visitors and generated tens of thousands of pounds in direct revenue for participating artists. Alongside stalls featuring original artwork, ceramics, jewellery, clothing, books and queer ephemera, visitors will also be able to explore a curated fine art exhibition and take part in a programme of community-focused events. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Mark-Ho-001.jpg) Mark Ho Pittoors said the fair was created to strengthen connections between queer artists and audiences while creating new opportunities for financial support within the community. "I founded the annual Queeriosities Art and Makers Fair to connect queer artists and queer audiences to create new forms of financial support and togetherness within our community," they said. "Now as we head into our fifth edition, the impact shows how there are other ways of working when we shape the opportunities ourselves." Among the artists exhibiting at this year's fair are illustrator **Bee**, painter **Adam Baker**, ceramicist **Fredde Lanka** and artist **RTiiiKA**, alongside returning exhibitors including **Richard Kilroy**, **Lily Deason**, **happybellyman**, **Oli Raptor** and LGBTQ+ bookshop **The Common Press**. A major feature of this year's programme is *Here We Go Again*, a group exhibition exploring ideas of queer truth and identity at a time of growing social and political uncertainty. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Winnona-Hedgeland--Foundry-Wench--001.jpg) Winnona Hedgeland - Foundry Wench Curated by Pittoors, the exhibition brings together new work by six artists: **Winnona Hedgeland**, **Tom Hemingway**, **Sandy Kiralawella, Jingyi Li**, **Ailsa Ogden** and acclaimed Los Angeles-based artist **Joey Terrill**. The exhibition will mark the first UK presentation of a work from Terrill's multimedia *Still-Life* series, which incorporates HIV medication used during the AIDS crisis directly into the artwork. Organisers say the exhibition will showcase a wide range of artistic practices, including painting, drawing, lace-making, metalwork and mixed-media installation. Founded as a travelling platform for LGBTQ+ creatives, Queeriosities aims to champion artists and makers whose voices have historically been overlooked, while creating new opportunities for queer communities to connect through art, design and culture. ## More info [HERE](https://www.outsavvy.com/event/38435/queeriosities-art-and-makers-fair?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Cheryl and Kelly Rowland light up Manchester's Canal Street on night out with LGBTQ+ fans URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/cheryl-and-kelly-rowland-light-up-manchesters-canal-street-on-night-out-with-lgbtq-fans/ Last updated: 2026-09-16T10:09:49.000Z **Cheryl** and **Kelly Rowland** delighted fans with an impromptu singalong during a night out at one of **Manchester**'s best-known LGBTQ+ venues. The pop stars, who are currently filming the latest series of *The Voice UK* in the city, were spotted enjoying themselves at **Via** on Canal Street on Tuesday evening, where they joined revellers on the dancefloor and sang along to some of their biggest hits. Videos shared on social media showed **Girls Aloud** star Cheryl singing and dancing to her 2009 chart-topper *Fight For This Love*, while former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland joined in as her 2010 hit *Commander* played through the venue's speakers. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdUkVuYx0A1/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Shaun David Lake (@lake.shaun)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdUkVuYx0A1/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The pair appeared in high spirits as they mingled with patrons at the popular gay bar, with fans cheering as the songs blasted out across the venue. Cheryl, 43, stood out in a brightly coloured pink and green blazer paired with towering fuchsia heels and a statement "Love" necklace, while Kelly, 45, opted for a black PVC jumpsuit as she joined the celebrations. The surprise appearance comes as both singers prepare for the new series of *The Voice UK*, which is currently filming in Manchester. Cheryl has joined the ITV talent show as a coach alongside rapper **Aitch**, marking her return to primetime television after several years away from major TV roles. Kelly Rowland and **will.i.am** are also returning to the judging panel. ### Brighton LGBTQ+ venues unite behind five-point plan to safeguard city's queer nightlife URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-lgbtq-venues-unite-behind-five-point-plan-to-safeguard-citys-queer-nightlife/ Last updated: 2026-09-15T12:00:56.000Z A coalition of Brighton's LGBTQ+ businesses has unveiled a five-point action plan aimed at protecting the city's queer nightlife, warning that the future of Brighton's LGBTQ+ scene is at a "critical point" following a series of venue closures. The newly formed **Brighton LGBTQ+ Business Group**, which brings together operators from across the city's LGBTQ+ quarter, says urgent action is needed to ensure Brighton retains its reputation as the UK's LGBTQ+ capital and remains a thriving destination throughout the year. The group's proposals come after the loss of five LGBTQ+ venues in recent years, with most failing to be replaced by new LGBTQ+-focused businesses. Operators warn that without intervention, Brighton risks losing a vital part of its cultural identity and visitor economy. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/772122582_1280324854047956_8408304405980599282_n.png.jpeg) The five-point plan calls for greater recognition and investment in Brighton's LGBTQ+ Quarter, centred on **St James's Street**, **Marine Parade** and surrounding roads, alongside measures to improve safety, strengthen destination marketing, reform licensing policies and develop a long-term strategy for the city's night-time economy. Among the proposals are calls for permanent LGBTQ+ quarter signage and public art, enhanced CCTV coverage and lighting, increased **Night Safety Marshal** provision, improved hate crime reporting, and year-round promotion of Brighton as an LGBTQ+ destination rather than focusing primarily on Pride. The group also wants the council to create a more supportive licensing environment for responsible operators and to develop a broader strategy to support venues, transport, accommodation and winter tourism. The proposals were discussed at a meeting on 7 September involving venue operators, **Brighton & Hove City Council** representatives, **Sussex Police** and licensing officials. According to the group, the council has already committed to a number of immediate and longer-term measures, including restoring eight Night Safety Marshals, reviewing lighting and CCTV provision, exploring ways to make the LGBTQ+ Quarter more visible and progressing a wider night-time economy strategy. Monthly meetings have also been agreed to monitor progress. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/rbar2-1.webp) Facebook **Sean Pettit-Scheepers**, managing director of **The Birdcage**, said LGBTQ+ venues played a crucial role beyond nightlife. "At The Birdcage, we believe LGBTQ+ venues should be more than places to go out. They should be safe, welcoming spaces where our community can connect, celebrate and feel that they belong. "We fully support this five-point plan because urgent change is needed to protect these spaces, support responsible operators and ensure Brighton's queer community can thrive all year round. Working together, we can preserve what makes Brighton special while building a safer, more inclusive and sustainable future." The campaign has also received backing from Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven MP **Chris Ward**, who described LGBTQ+ venues as a fundamental part of the city's identity. "Brighton's LGBTQ+ venues are part of the fabric of our city," he said. "They are businesses and employers, but they are also safe spaces, community hubs and a huge part of what makes Brighton such a special place to live and visit. "The recent loss and threatened closure of venues should be a wake-up call. We cannot simply assume that Brighton's LGBTQ+ nightlife will always be there without doing the work needed to protect it." Ward welcomed the collaborative approach between businesses, the council and police, adding that making the LGBTQ+ Quarter safer and more visible would be key to preserving Brighton's status as a leading LGBTQ+ destination. The business group's plan highlights concerns around public safety in the area, citing rising levels of hate crime and reductions in Night Safety Marshal provision. It also argues that Brighton has become too reliant on its historic reputation and Pride celebrations, calling for dedicated investment in promoting the city's LGBTQ+ venues and culture throughout the year. The Brighton LGBTQ+ Business Group includes operators from **Bar Broadway, Brighton Cruise Bar, Camelford Arms, Charles Street Tap, Legends, Marine Tavern, R-Bar, Revenge, The Birdcage, The Brighton Sauna, The Bulldog** and **The Queens Arms**. The group says it will continue working with Brighton & Hove City Council, Sussex Police and other stakeholders to ensure the commitments translate into meaningful action, while maintaining public scrutiny of progress. ### Big Brother housemate Harry Symonds faces scrutiny over hubby's links to Restore Britain URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/big-brother-housemate-harry-symonds-faces-scrutiny-over-hubbys-links-to-restore-britain/ Last updated: 2026-09-15T10:00:29.000Z **Big Brother** contestant **Harry Symonds** has found himself at the centre of online debate after viewers discovered he is married to former **Conservative** MP **Scott Benton**, who is now linked to the right-wing political party Restore Britain. Symonds, a 30-year-old fitness coach from Croydon, entered the ITV reality show's latest series on Sunday, introducing himself as a former police officer, a gay Christian and a Crystal Palace supporter. He is the first openly gay housemate to enter this year's series. However, attention quickly shifted from Symonds' television debut to his relationship with former Blackpool South MP Scott Benton, whom reports say he married in 2021\. Benton served as the Conservative MP for Blackpool South from 2019 until his resignation in March 2024 following a lobbying scandal. A Commons investigation found he had committed what was described as an "extremely serious breach" of parliamentary rules after undercover reporters from *The Times* recorded him appearing to offer lobbying services and political influence to individuals posing as gambling industry investors. A 35-day suspension was recommended before he resigned his seat. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Official_portrait_of_Scott_Benton_MP_crop_2.jpg) ****Scott Benton** The former MP returned to frontline politics earlier this year through Restore Britain, the party founded by former Reform UK MP **Rupert Lowe**. Reports state that Benton worked as a campaign manager during the party's campaign in the Makerfield by-election. Restore Britain has attracted attention for its hard-line positions on immigration and culture-war issues. Lowe has previously faced criticism from LGBTQ+ campaigners over comments relating to gender identity and his opposition to displaying Pride flags on public buildings. The revelation has prompted discussion across social media, with some viewers questioning whether Symonds shares his husband's political views. However, there is currently no evidence that Symonds is involved with Restore Britain or that he supports the party's policies. Reports note that his relationship with Benton does not establish any political affiliation of his own. ### Chemsex users are three times more likely to say their drug use is harming them, new London survey finds URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/chemsex-users-are-three-times-more-likely-to-say-their-drug-use-is-harming-them-new-london-survey-finds/ Last updated: 2026-09-15T09:22:42.000Z A major new survey of LGBTQ+ people in London has found that those using drugs commonly associated with chemsex are almost three times more likely to view their drug use as harmful than people using other recreational substances. The report, *Drug Use, Chemsex and Harm in London's LGBTQ+ Community: A Community-Led Evidence Report (2026)*, surveyed 1,156 LGBTQ+ people and found that nearly half of respondents using crystal meth, GHB/GBL or mephedrone reported concerns about their drug use. Produced by **You Are Loved CIC**, the study found that 46% of people using one or more of the three substances described their use as concerning to some degree. Of those, 21% said it was slightly concerning, 13% described it as problematic and 12% said it was a major problem. By comparison, just 17% of respondents using other recreational drugs reported similar concerns. Researchers also found that only 19% of people using the three drugs viewed their drug use as generally positive. The findings come nine months after the **Office for National Statistics** reported that LGB+ people in England and Wales are 2.8 times more likely to die from drug poisoning than their heterosexual counterparts, although no breakdown by substance was provided. **Different drugs, different risks** The report argues that crystal meth, GHB/GBL and mephedrone are often grouped together under the umbrella of chemsex, despite presenting distinct patterns of use and different risks. Crystal meth was associated with the highest levels of self-reported harm. Nearly 60% of users expressed concern about their drug use, while one in five described it as a major problem. Although strongly linked to sexualised settings such as sex parties and chillouts, more than two in five users said they also consumed the drug alone at home, a pattern the report identifies as a potential warning sign of problematic use. GHB/GBL users also reported significant concerns, with half saying they were worried about their drug use. The report highlights overdose as the primary risk associated with the drug, noting that the difference between a recreational dose and one that causes unconsciousness can be extremely small. Mephedrone, meanwhile, was found to have the broadest social reach. While commonly used in sexualised environments, it was also frequently used in clubs, bars and social gatherings. Although it had the lowest reported harm profile of the three substances, 44% of users still expressed concerns about their use. The report concludes that public health campaigns and support services risk missing key issues if they treat all three drugs as interchangeable. **GHB/GBL overdoses becoming normalised** One of the report's most striking findings concerns GHB/GBL. Two-thirds of users said they had passed out or fallen asleep involuntarily while taking the drug. Researchers describe every such incident as an overdose and warn that repeated exposure to these episodes may be leading to their normalisation within some social circles. The report suggests that when unconsciousness becomes commonplace, it can cease to be treated as a medical emergency, increasing the risk that individuals do not receive timely assistance. **One-third reject the term 'chemsex'** The survey also found that a significant proportion of people using the three substances do not identify with the term "chemsex". While around a third of respondents said they would always use the term to describe their experiences, a further third said they would only sometimes do so. Almost 31% said they would not use the label at all despite taking one or more of the drugs most commonly associated with chemsex. Researchers found that people who identified with the term were generally more likely to report problematic or intensive drug use. Those experiencing greater levels of harm were also far more likely to describe their behaviour as chemsex than those who viewed their use as non-problematic. The report argues that the word functions not only as a description of behaviour but also as a label people increasingly adopt when they begin to recognise their drug use as harmful. As a result, researchers warn that services and awareness campaigns relying heavily on the term may fail to reach a substantial number of people whose experiences fall within conventional definitions of chemsex but who do not identify with the label. **Bereavement and the lasting impact of Covid** The survey also highlights the wider impact of drug-related harm within London's LGBTQ+ community. More than a quarter of respondents said they had lost at least one loved one to a drug-related death within the past five years. In the south London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham, that figure rose to one in three. Researchers also found evidence that the Covid-19 pandemic had a lasting impact on drug use patterns. More than a third of respondents said their drug use had increased during or since the pandemic, compared with just 11% who reported a decrease. Among users of crystal meth, GHB/GBL or mephedrone, the increase rose to 41%. The report warns that prevention strategies and commissioning decisions based on pre-pandemic assumptions may no longer reflect current levels of need. **Calls for more tailored support** Half of those surveyed said there was not enough support available for LGBTQ+ people struggling with drug use, while only 15% felt current provision was sufficient. **Marc Svensson**, founder and director of You Are Loved CIC, said the findings demonstrate the need for a more nuanced approach to support services. "The people in this survey are telling us something quite simple: these drugs aren't interchangeable, and GHB/GBL and crystal meth are hurting them most."A third of them are also telling us that chemsex isn't a word they use about themselves. We must listen to both of those things when we design support." A summary of the findings relating to Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham is expected to inform an ongoing chemsex needs assessment being carried out across the three boroughs. ### Gay porn content creator Noah Segsy dies aged 22 after drowning in Cyprus URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/gay-porn-content-creator-noah-segsy-dies-aged-22-after-drowning-in-cyprus/ Last updated: 2026-09-14T12:41:10.000Z Gay porn content creator **Noah Segsy** has died at the age of 22 after drowning in a swimming pool while in Cyprus. The performer, whose real name was **Riccardo Staudt**, was widely known through his work on OnlyFans and had built a significant following within the LGBTQ+ community. According to reports, Staudt was found unconscious in a swimming pool at an apartment complex in **Paralimni**, in the Famagusta district of Cyprus, on the evening of 24 August. Emergency services were called to the scene at around 9.20pm and he was taken to **Famagusta General Hospital**, where he was pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination later confirmed that the 22-year-old died by drowning. Toxicology tests were also carried out, although results had not been publicly released at the time of reporting. The circumstances surrounding Staudt's death remain unclear. Local reports have suggested the swimming pool was relatively shallow, and police in Paralimni are continuing to investigate exactly what happened before he entered the water and got into difficulty. Authorities have not publicly disclosed any further details. Born in Germany, Staudt became known online under the name Noah Segsy and amassed a loyal audience through adult content and social media platforms. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from followers and friends, with messages of condolence appearing across his social media accounts after news of his death emerged. A fundraising campaign was launched following his death to help cover the costs of repatriating his body to Germany and arranging his funeral. Reports said the appeal raised more than €20,000 before being paused. The fundraiser described the financial and emotional burden facing his family following the sudden loss. Staudt is survived by his mother, Katharina, and his grandmother, Anita. ### Museum of Transology shortlisted for national award after landmark year of growth URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/museum-of-transology-shortlisted-for-national-award-after-landmark-year-of-growth/ Last updated: 2026-09-14T11:43:49.000Z The **Museum of Transology** has been shortlisted for a prestigious **Museums Change Lives Award** following a year that has seen the community-led organisation expand its reach across the UK and Ireland while launching the world's first digital museum dedicated to trans histories. The museum has been named on the shortlist for the **Best Small Museum Project Award** at the Museums Change Lives Awards 2026, which celebrate museums that have made a significant difference to the lives of their audiences and communities. The recognition comes just months after the Museum's major exhibition **TRANSCESTRY** was Highly Commended at the **Museums + Heritage Awards 2026**, marking a second major accolade for the organisation this year. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MOT_2024_BATHTUB-OESTROGEN_EDINBURGH_013_HENRI-T-PHOTO.jpg) Founded in 2014, the Museum of Transology has become one of the world's largest collections of trans, non-binary and intersex material culture. Over the past three years, the project has worked with communities and cultural institutions to establish 15 permanent trans collections in museums, archives and galleries across the UK and Ireland. In total, 467 new objects have been collected as part of the initiative, helping to ensure trans stories are preserved within public collections for future generations. The museum has also launched a fully searchable online collections database, creating what it describes as the world's first trans digital museum. The archive now contains more than 3,000 objects donated by over 1,000 people, alongside personal testimonies documenting trans lives in contributors' own words. The latest milestone follows the success of **TRANSCESTRY**, staged at **Central Saint Martins** in 2025\. The exhibition brought together more than 1,000 objects and contributions from over 1,000 community curators, attracting almost 14,000 visitors during its seven-weekend run. Alongside its expanding collections, the Museum of Transology is also strengthening its role in research and advocacy. Founder and curator **E-J Scott** has recently published an article in the Museums Association's *Museums Journal* exploring the potential impact of artificial intelligence on preserving marginalised histories that are often underrepresented in traditional archives. Scott has also published two books during 2026, including *Queering Heritage*, while a podcast episode featuring the curator recently won the LGBTQ category at the **Women in Podcasting Awards**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MOT_2024_LTMLTS_L--INITIAL-GLASS_012_HENRI-T.jpg) Beyond the museum itself, Scott's work with the **Trans Pride Collective UK & Ireland** has continued to grow. The network recently secured funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to stage its third annual assembly, bringing together representatives from 44 trans organisations across the UK and Ireland in what organisers described as the largest gathering of trans organisers to date. The collective has also launched an interactive map charting trans Pride events across the UK and Ireland through the Museum of Transology's newly expanded website. Museum representatives said the combination of permanent collections, digital archiving, research projects and community organising reflects a significant new chapter for the organisation, which began as a grassroots collecting project and has since evolved into a nationally recognised cultural institution. The winners of the Museums Change Lives Awards 2026 will be announced at **Birmingham Repertory Theatre** on **3 November** during the Museums Association's annual conference. ### Cum again? Grindr reveals the gay slang causing confusion on holiday hookups URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/cu-grindr-reveals-the-gay-slang-causing-confusion-on-holiday-hookups/ Last updated: 2026-09-14T11:32:50.000Z British holidaymakers looking for romance abroad may want to brush up on their local LGBTQ+ lingo before jetting off, after new research from **Grindr** found that language barriers are creating awkward moments, mixed messages and misunderstood hookups around the world. According to a survey of more than 3,400 Grindr users, two in five (41%) have experienced confusion caused by unfamiliar gay slang while travelling overseas. Most of those misunderstandings happen before people even meet, with 36% saying they encountered problems while messaging on dating apps. Others reported confusion during face-to-face conversations (17%) or even during hookups themselves (14%). The findings suggest that while attraction may be universal, queer slang often isn't. More than three in five respondents (61%) admitted they had pretended to understand another language and hoped context would help them work things out, while 53% said misunderstandings over local terminology could completely kill the mood. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/abhijeet-gourav-o0J_hBM3OiQ-unsplash.jpg) Unsplash The survey also found that international travel is becoming an unexpected way for LGBTQ+ people to expand their vocabulary, with nearly a third (31%) saying they had learned new queer words and phrases while abroad. To help travellers avoid embarrassing misunderstandings, Grindr has compiled a list of common LGBTQ+ terms used around the world. Among the most useful are *passivo* and *activo*, used in Spanish-speaking countries to describe bottoms and tops, while *hospeda* is commonly used in Portuguese-speaking countries to indicate someone can host. Elsewhere, users in China often use the shorthand "1" and "0" to describe sexual preferences, while South Asian communities may use terms such as *panthi* and *kothi* to describe different queer identities and relationship dynamics. Other phrases can prove equally important. In Germany, for example, understanding the difference between *jetzt* ("now") and *gleich* ("in a moment") could help avoid confusion over exactly when a date is expected to arrive. The research also uncovered a series of memorable translation mishaps shared by users. One traveller said they were left baffled when someone asked whether they wanted a "dreier", believing they had misheard the word "dryer", only later discovering it is German slang for a threesome. Another thought a Spanish date was simply suggesting a shower when discussing *duchar*, before realising the conversation was actually about douching. Meanwhile, one respondent in Italy discovered that *chinotto* can refer both to a popular soft drink and, in some parts of southern Italy, a slang term for oral sex. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/kiros-amin-jITJghUv-pU-unsplash.jpg) Unsplash The study also looked at which accents users found most attractive when flirting. American English came out on top, followed by Australian, Brazilian, Spanish and English accents. **Zachary Zane**, Grindr's sex and relationship expert, said language differences can often be part of the fun of travelling. "Every culture has its own ways of flirting and talking about sex, and figuring those out, awkward misunderstandings included, is part of the experience," he said. British queer author and playwright **Clayton Littlewood** said LGBTQ+ slang has long played an important role in helping communities connect. "From Polari, which helped gay men identify one another when they often had to remain hidden, to the language used on apps today, queer slang creates a sense of belonging," he said. "Every queer community has its own linguistic fingerprints, and learning those phrases while travelling offers a glimpse into the culture that created them." ### Man charged after alleged homophobic abuse at Brighton v Leeds match URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/man-charged-after-alleged-homophobic-abuse-at-brighton-v-leeds-match/ Last updated: 2026-09-14T11:16:19.000Z A man has been charged following an alleged incident of homophobic abuse reported during **Brighton & Hove Albion**'s Premier League clash with **Leeds United**. **Sussex Police** said the incident was reported at the **American Express Community Stadium** in Falmer during the fixture on **Saturday, 5 Septembe**r. Officers arrested a man in connection with the allegation and later brought a charge. **Alexander Bishop**, 55, of Martlet Way, Brockworth, Gloucestershire, has been charged with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, saw Leeds United take the lead through **Jayden Bogle** before Brighton defender Luka Vušković levelled the scores in the second half. The charge follows a police investigation into a report of homophobic abuse made during the game. Sussex Police have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the allegation. Bishop is due to appear before **Brighton Magistrates' Court** on **3 December.** The case comes amid ongoing efforts by football authorities, clubs and campaign groups to tackle discrimination in the sport and encourage supporters to report incidents of abuse. A Sussex Police spokesperson said a man had been arrested following the report and was later charged with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. Anyone who experiences or witnesses discriminatory behaviour at football matches is encouraged to report it to stewards, club officials or police. ### Lilly Wachowski accuses J.K. Rowling of funding "trans genocide" URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lilly-wachowski-accuses-j-k-rowling-of-funding-trans-genocide/ Last updated: 2026-09-14T10:30:55.000Z Trans filmmaker **Lilly Wachowski** has criticised **Elon Musk** and **J.K. Rowling**, describing them as “literal Nazis” and arguing that support for the *Harry Potter* franchise contributes to what she characterised as “trans genocide”. Speaking in an interview with Variety, the *Matrix* co-creator accused both figures of contributing to what she sees as a growing global backlash against transgender rights. “These people are Nazis. They’re literal Nazis,” Wachowski said, before criticising Musk and Rowling for their influence on public debate surrounding trans issues. Wachowski also argued that the United States has allowed extremist rhetoric to spread unchecked, warning that the impact extends beyond its borders. She said the international community should take steps to shield itself from what she described as the proliferation of harmful political messaging. Turning to Rowling, Wachowski claimed that continued support for Harry Potter products indirectly supports anti-trans activism. “J.K. Rowling funds trans genocide, full stop. So, if you support Harry Potter, you’re supporting trans genocide,” she said. Wachowski argued that revenue generated by the franchise ultimately benefits Rowling and helps fund campaigns and legal efforts that transgender activists view as harmful to trans rights. “The money that goes into you enjoying these products, a portion of that money goes to J.K. Rowling and that money goes into her funding anti-trans legislation all over the world,” Wachowski added. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Lily_Wachowski-_London-_2018_by_Christa_Holka-2.jpg) Wikimedia During the interview, Wachowski also revisited a long-running political debate surrounding *The Matrix* and the appropriation of its “red pill” imagery by conservative commentators. She argued that political figures who invoke the phrase are not misunderstanding the film's themes but are instead repurposing its message for ideological ends. “I can’t sit in a room and explain the movie to every single person who watches it,” Wachowski said. “They’re not misunderstanding the film; they’re co-opting a message.” She went on to compare such tactics to those employed by authoritarian political movements, arguing that they use the language and symbolism of their opponents to advance their own agendas. Elsewhere in the interview, Wachowski praised director **Christopher Nolan** for casting trans actor **Elliot Page** in *The Odyssey*, describing the decision as an example of meaningful allyship. She also expressed frustration that, in her view, more filmmakers have not taken similar steps to increase opportunities for trans performers. Discussing future projects, Wachowski revealed she has been working with actor and writer Abigail Thorn on a story titled *Billionaire Killers*. She described the project as a post-apocalyptic tale centred on a world in which wealthy elites retreat to fortified bunkers, prompting others to seek them out. ### “That’s just prejudice.” Andrew Scott defends gay actors taking straight roles URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/thats-just-prejudice-andrew-scott-defends-gay-actors-taking-straight-roles/ Last updated: 2026-09-14T09:47:53.000Z **Andrew Scott** has dismissed criticism of gay actors playing straight characters as “just prejudice” while discussing his acclaimed new film *Elsinore* at the **Toronto International Film Festival** (TIFF). The Irish actor, 49, was speaking during TIFF’s *In Conversation* series on Saturday, 12 September where he reflected on his career, the changing representation of LGBTQ+ performers and the growing awards-season attention surrounding his latest role. Scott stars in *Elsinore*, directed by **Simon Stone**, as Ian Charleson, the Scottish actor who stepped into the title role in *Hamlet* at London’s **National Theatre** in 1989 while living with AIDS. The film, which premiered at Telluride before screening in Toronto, has already generated significant Oscar speculation, with many critics describing Scott’s performance as one of the strongest of his career. Speaking at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre, Scott said the project held particular personal significance. As well as starring in the film, it marks the first time he has taken on a producer role. “The film is so incredibly personal for me,” he said. “It’s set in the theatre and about the representation of gay actors in the 1990s, and it’s about family. So many things that I really relate to.” The actor also addressed long-standing assumptions within the entertainment industry that openly gay performers may struggle to be cast as heterosexual romantic leads. Scott, who won widespread acclaim for playing the priest opposite **Phoebe Waller-Bridge** in the hit BBC comedy-drama *Fleabag*, admitted there had once been concerns that his sexuality might limit the roles available to him. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Andrew_Scott-_BlueMoonBFILFF161025-72_-54875258361-_-cropped--2.jpg) Wikimedia “I guess there was a fear that I wouldn’t be able to get cast in those roles. That’s what everybody said,” he told the audience. However, he said audiences had repeatedly shown that such concerns were misplaced, pointing to the popularity of his *Fleabag* character, widely known online as the “Hot Priest”. Reflecting on attitudes towards casting, Scott argued that judging an actor’s suitability for a role based on their sexuality fundamentally misunderstands the nature of performance. “People were like, ‘The actor is gay. Whoa!’” he said. “It is like this idea that the audience is stupid. We go to see Batman and it’s like, ‘Oh my God, he is not a bat?’” Asked about objections to gay actors portraying straight characters, Scott was unequivocal. “That’s just prejudice,” he said. “And we won’t cater to those people, or I’m certainly not going to.” Elsewhere during the discussion, Scott reflected on his early career, including his film debut in the Irish drama *Korea*, which premiered at TIFF in 1995 when he was 17\. He also spoke about overcoming a childhood speech impediment, describing drama lessons as the experience that first sparked his passion for acting. The conversation eventually returned to *Elsinore* and Charleson’s determination to continue performing despite his declining health. Scott said he was deeply moved by the actor’s courage and commitment to his craft. “It’s about how we use our time,” he said. “The idea that he did *Hamlet* when he was so unwell, it always just gets me.” The actor became visibly emotional while discussing the challenges faced by gay men during the AIDS crisis and the lack of opportunities available to openly gay performers at the time. “There weren’t any gay actors, for no reason,” Scott said. “That was taken away from them.” ### Turkish police detain dozens in raids on gay bars and LGBTQ+ activists’ homes URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/turkish-police-detain-dozens-in-raids-on-gay-bars-and-lgbtq-activists-homes/ Last updated: 2026-09-14T09:38:08.000Z Turkish police have detained 47 people in a series of raids on gay bars and the homes of LGBTQ+ activists, according to prosecutors. The operations were carried out across 12 provinces over the weekend as part of a campaign known as **"My Family is Safe"**, which the Turkish government says is intended to protect family values. Among those targeted was LGBTQ+ rights organisation **Kaos GL**, which is based in Ankara. Human rights groups have accused the government of using the initiative to intensify pressure on Turkey's LGBTQ+ community. According to the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office, 26 people were detained during raids that also resulted in the seizure of drugs, digital equipment, smuggled alcohol and a firearm. In a separate statement, the Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office said a further 21 people had been detained as part of an investigation into Kaos GL. The organisation said around 50 activists had been taken into custody, including more than 10 people arrested during police raids on their homes. It also alleged that authorities had blocked several websites and social media accounts linked to LGBTQ+ groups. Kaos GL said prosecutors accused the organisation of publishing online content deemed "obscene" and accessible to children. The group added that authorities had sought to shut down its account on X, along with those of around 15 other LGBTQ+ organisations. While same-sex relationships are legal in Turkey, same-sex marriage is not recognised. LGBTQ+ campaigners say hostility towards the community has increased in recent years. President **Recep** **Tayyip Erdogan** has repeatedly criticised LGBTQ+ people, previously describing them as "perverts" and blaming them for Turkey's declining birth rate. Turkish Justice Minister **Akin Gurlek** said legal proceedings had been launched against more than 160 individuals, as well as a number of organisations and companies, under the "My Family is Safe" initiative. He did not specify how many people had been detained but said the operation formed part of the government's wider "Decade of the Family" campaign. The **Turkish Human Rights Association** condemned the raids, accusing the government of using the family-focused campaign to target LGBTQ+ people. "The real name of this operation is not 'My Family is Safe'," the organisation said in a post on X. "It is state-led discrimination, politics of fear and the dismantling of civil society." ### The Saturday Scene: The names we know, and the ones we never will URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-the-names-we-know-and-the-ones-we-never-will/ Last updated: 2026-09-12T11:09:43.000Z #### Nobody asked the 2,977 people killed on 11 September 2001 whether they were gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans. No official register recorded it, and certainly no coroner's form had a box for it. What we know about the queer people who died that day we know because someone who loved them chose to say so, usually into a hostile silence, and often at some cost. That is why the list below is not a count. It really is a record of who was spoken for. ## The names we know **Renee Barrett-Arjune**, 41, a compensation accountant at Cantor Fitzgerald in the North Tower. She escaped the building with critical burns and died in hospital in October 2001\. A member of the Metropolitan Community Church of New York, she is survived by her partner Enez Cooper and her son Eddie. **Graham Andrew Berkeley**, 37, born in England in 1964, a classical violinist and opera lover who became director of e-commerce solutions at Compuware. He had waited ten years for his green card and received it in June 2001\. He was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 175\. His name is carved in the September 11 Memorial Garden in Grosvenor Square, London. [**Mark Bingham**](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/mark-bingham-the-9-11-hero-whose-legacy-lives-on-through-gay-and-inclusive-rugby/), 31, a public relations executive who ran his own agency and played for the San Francisco Fog rugby club. He was one of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 who moved on the cockpit before the aircraft came down in a Pennsylvania field. He is survived by his partner Paul Holm and, until her death in 2020, by his mother Alice Hoagland, who spent nineteen years campaigning in his name. **Pamela Boyce**, 43, assistant vice president of accounting at Carr Futures, 92nd floor of the North Tower. Her partner was Catherine Anello. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Queer bookshop raises more than £14,000 after targeted attack URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queer-bookshop-raises-more-than-14-000-after-targeted-attack/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T12:16:05.000Z A queer bookshop in **Glasgow** has raised more than £14,000 in less than a day after launching an emergency appeal for security shutters following a targeted act of vandalism. **Category Is Books**, based in **Govanhill**, launched the fundraiser after one of its windows was smashed in an attack that specifically targeted the word “TRANS” displayed at the shop. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/107892911_1789048857608359_r.jpg) The independent LGBTQ+ bookshop said it had experienced a growing pattern of “intimidation, spitting and aggression” in recent months and felt it now needed additional protection despite operating for more than eight years without security shutters. Supporters rallied behind the appeal, helping it surpass its initial £10,000 target within just 12 hours. By Friday, the fundraiser had raised more than £14,000. In a message to supporters, the bookshop said it was “completely blown away” by the response. “We are completely blown away by the generosity and solidarity that has come our way,” the shop said. [Donate to Help Category Is Books Get Shutters!, organized by Category Is BooksFor the past eight years, Category Is Books has been able to comfortably oper… Category Is Books needs your support for Help Category Is Books Get Shutters!![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/favicon-d4684622-d13f-4ac5-b9c3-550ab69c37e3.png)gofundme.comCategory Is Books and Kai Khidir![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/107892911_1788973349841157_r-fdb5ef32-0113-4541-8dba-08f5f06bebd6.jpg)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/categoryisshutters?ref=scenemag.co.uk) “Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared the fundraiser and held us in the past week. “Over the past eight years, Category Is Books has grown beyond being just a bookshop. It has become an active site of queer organising, mutual aid and community. We genuinely appreciate knowing that this space matters to so many of you, and that we’re not alone in wanting to protect it.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/107892911_1788973349841157_r.jpg.webp) The shop said it had estimated £10,000 as the likely cost of installing roller shutters and covering associated expenses, but would keep the fundraiser open temporarily while formal quotations were obtained. Any money remaining after the work is completed will be redistributed to other fundraisers and LGBTQ+ community groups, the business said. Category Is Books has become a well-known community hub in Glasgow's LGBTQ+ scene since opening in Govanhill. Alongside selling books, it regularly hosts events, discussions and community initiatives, providing a dedicated space for queer readers, writers and activists. [The fundraiser remains open while plans for the installation of the security shutters are finalised.](https://www.gofundme.com/f/categoryisshutters?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Gillian Anderson says she is pansexual: ‘Attracted to all genders’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/gillian-anderson-says-she-is-pansexual-attracted-to-all-genders/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T12:04:13.000Z **Gillian Anderson** has publicly identified as pansexual, saying she is “attracted to all genders” in what appears to be the clearest statement yet about her sexuality. The *X-Files*, *Sex Education* and *The Crown* star made the comments during an interview with *The Australian* while promoting her new book, *More*. During the interview, Anderson said she is “pan, as in pansexual, as in attracted to all genders”. The announcement follows years of public discussion about her sexuality. In a 2024 interview with *The New Yorker*, Anderson reflected on how she identified, asking: “Am I pansexual? Am I bisexual?” as she considered which label best described her experiences. Anderson, 58, has previously spoken about having relationships with women when she was younger. She first discussed those experiences publicly in an interview with *Out* magazine in 2012 and reiterated them during her latest interview. “In my younger years I was in relationships with women,” she said. The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor has become an LGBTQ+ icon through a career spanning more than three decades. From her breakthrough role as FBI agent Dana Scully in *The X-Files* to her acclaimed performances in *The Fall*, *Sex Education* and *The Crown*, Anderson has built a devoted queer following while frequently speaking out on issues of sexuality, identity and women’s rights. Her latest comments come as she promotes *More*, a follow-up to her bestselling 2024 book *Want*. Both books explore women’s experiences of desire, intimacy and sexuality through anonymous submissions from contributors around the world. Anderson has previously credited her role as sex therapist Jean Milburn in Netflix's *Sex Education* with encouraging more open conversations about sex and inspiring the projects. Speaking about this stage of her life, Anderson said she feels increasingly comfortable discussing sexuality and identity. However, she suggested that her recent work exploring sexual themes may represent the end of a particular chapter in her career, saying: “Once this book is done and once this film is done, I feel like… it might be the end of this chapter of my life.” ### Mark Bingham: The 9/11 hero whose legacy lives on through gay and inclusive rugby URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/mark-bingham-the-9-11-hero-whose-legacy-lives-on-through-gay-and-inclusive-rugby/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T11:24:53.000Z Twenty-five years after the attacks of **11 September 2001**, the legacy of **Mark Bingham** continues to resonate far beyond the events of that tragic day. Remembered as one of the passengers who fought back against the hijackers aboard **United Airlines Flight 93**, Bingham is also celebrated as a pioneering gay rugby player whose name now adorns the world's largest LGBTQ+ and inclusive rugby tournament. With the **Bingham Cup** set to come to Leeds in 2028, his story remains as relevant as ever. When people remember 9/11, they often think first of the devastation in **New York**, **Washington DC** and **Pennsylvania**. Yet among the stories of loss emerged extraordinary acts of courage. Mark Bingham, a 31-year-old public relations executive and rugby player from California, was among the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, which had been hijacked by terrorists. After learning about the attacks unfolding elsewhere in the United States, Bingham and fellow passengers joined efforts to retake control of the aircraft. The plane ultimately crashed near **Shanksville**, Pennsylvania, preventing it from reaching its intended target, believed to have been either the **US Capitol** or the **White House.** ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/RUGBYPLAYER_AliceMark_cropped.jpg) For many in the LGBTQ+ community, Bingham's significance extends beyond his heroism on that day. He was openly gay at a time when visibility in men's sport remained limited. A talented rugby player, he represented the University of California, Berkeley, on championship-winning teams before helping establish the **San Francisco Fog,** one of the world's first gay-inclusive rugby clubs. At the time of his death, there were only a handful of gay and inclusive rugby clubs worldwide. His bravery challenged stereotypes that persisted about gay men in the early 2000s. In the weeks following the attacks, media coverage frequently highlighted the fact that one of the heroes of Flight 93 was openly gay. For many LGBTQ+ people, Bingham became a symbol of a community whose contributions and sacrifices had often been overlooked. His story helped broaden public perceptions of what LGBTQ+ people looked like and the roles they played in society. Yet perhaps Bingham's most enduring legacy can be found on rugby pitches around the world. In 2002, just a year after his death, the inaugural **Bingham Cup** was held in San Francisco in his honour. What began as a memorial tournament has grown into the world's premier LGBTQ+ and inclusive rugby competition, bringing together thousands of players from dozens of countries every two years. The tournament celebrates not only sporting excellence but also the values Bingham embodied: courage, inclusion, authenticity and community. The growth of the tournament mirrors the growth of inclusive rugby itself. When Bingham played, gay rugby clubs were a rarity. Today, **International Gay Rugby**'s network spans more than 100 clubs worldwide, creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and allies to participate in the sport free from discrimination. Many players credit the Bingham Cup with helping them find both a sporting home and a sense of belonging. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot_20221107-151037.png.webp) ****Leeds Hunters Rugby Club** The tournament's arrival in **Leeds** in 2028 will mark a significant moment for both the city and the UK LGBTQ+ sporting community. **Leeds Hunters Rugby Club** secured the right to host the event, bringing the competition to Yorkshire for the first time and returning it to Britain for the first time since Manchester hosted in 2012\. Organisers expect thousands of players, supporters and visitors from around the globe to travel to the city for what is regarded as one of the biggest events in international inclusive sport. The scale of the tournament reflects just how far Bingham's legacy has travelled. Leeds Hunters' successful bid envisions matches taking place across the city, with the final planned for **Headingley Stadium**. International Gay Rugby describes the Bingham Cup as the world's largest amateur rugby tournament, attracting up to 4,000 players. For many competitors, however, the tournament is about more than rugby. Every Bingham Cup serves as a reminder of the man whose name it bears. Players gather not only to compete but also to celebrate inclusion and remember a figure whose life bridged sport, LGBTQ+ visibility and extraordinary courage. Bingham's influence is also visible in the continued success of clubs such as the San Francisco Fog, which he helped found. The club remains a leading force in inclusive rugby and continues to share his story with new generations of players. His words about creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ people in sport still resonate today. In one message to teammates shortly before his death, Bingham reflected on how rugby had helped reconcile his love of the game with his identity as a gay man, and how inclusive clubs could become role models for others. A quarter of a century after 9/11, Mark Bingham is remembered as both a national hero and a sporting pioneer. His actions aboard Flight 93 helped save lives. His example helped challenge stereotypes. And through the Bingham Cup, his name continues to inspire thousands of LGBTQ+ athletes around the world. ### The Coast is Queer announces star-studded 2026 line-up featuring Shon Faye, Sarah Waters and Susan Stryker URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-coast-is-queer-announces-star-studded-2026-line-up-featuring-shon-faye-sarah-waters-and-susan-stryker/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T11:17:59.000Z Brighton’s acclaimed LGBTQ+ literature festival, The Coast is Queer, has unveiled its programme for 2026, bringing together some of the biggest names in queer writing for four days of talks, performances, workshops and community events. Returning to the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts at the University of Sussex from **15 to 18 October**, the festival will welcome leading writers from across the UK and beyond, including **Shon Faye, Susan Stryker, Thomas Glave, Sarah Waters, Julia Armfield, Juno Dawson, Patrick Gale and Kirsty Logan**. Now in its seventh year, The Coast is Queer has established itself as one of the UK’s largest celebrations of LGBTQ+ literature, creating a space for readers, writers and allies to come together and explore the breadth and diversity of queer storytelling. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Full-2.png) The festival opens on Thursday, 15 October, with a special event celebrating two acclaimed Brighton and Sussex alumni. Audiences will be treated to a screening of **Dean Atta’s BAFTA-winning short film *Two Black Boys***, followed by a conversation with celebrated writer and performer **Neil Bartlett**. The evening will also spotlight emerging queer voices **Ray Filar**, author of *Choke*, and **Remi Graves**, whose debut novel *coal* has received widespread acclaim. A major focus of this year’s programme is supporting the next generation of LGBTQ+ writers. Friday’s **Queer Publishing Day** will feature literary agents, publishers and authors offering practical advice on navigating the publishing industry. Events include a “Meet the Agent” panel, discussions on writing for children and young adults, and conversations about radical queer publishing. Students from the Universities of Sussex and Brighton have also helped curate panels exploring self-publishing and queer history, while a series of workshops will offer aspiring writers guidance on everything from preparing a novel for agent submission to developing non-fiction proposals. Among the festival’s literary highlights are conversations exploring queer body image, masculinity, crime fiction, bookshops, queer history and contemporary LGBTQ+ life. Friday evening concludes with **Poetry Paradise**, curated by Dean Atta and featuring performances from **Nikita Gill** and **myndstate**. Saturday’s programme includes discussions on addiction, family relationships, queer disability history, gardening and environmental writing, as well as a screening of **Melanie Chait’s 1983 film *Breaking The Silence***, which examines lesbian custody battles during the 1980s. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/In-convos-and-poets-logo.png) One of the most anticipated events of the weekend will see bestselling author **Juno Dawson** present a new version of her popular literary salon. **Juno Dawson’s Lovely Trans Sofa** promises an evening of conversation, readings and performances, including an appearance from comedian and performer **Jordan Gray**. Creative workshops will continue throughout the weekend, including **Keep it Creepy: Writing Horror with Kirsty Logan**, **Crime Writing with Louise Welsh**, and **Resonating Ground**, a creative writing workshop for Global Majority writers led by **Olumide Popoola**. The festival concludes on Sunday with discussions on queer parenting, rural and suburban LGBTQ+ experiences, and sapphic spaces. Audiences will also be able to attend a series of headline in-conversation events featuring **Susan Stryker and Shon Faye**, **Thomas Glave and Jason Okundaye**, and **Patrick Gale and Curtis Garner**. The closing event will bring together two of the most celebrated names in contemporary queer literature, **Sarah Waters** and **Julia Armfield**, for what organisers promise will be a fitting finale to the four-day festival. Alongside the literary programme, **40 panels of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt** will be displayed throughout the festival and available to visit free of charge. The quilt commemorates more than 550 people lost to HIV and AIDS across the UK and forms part of the world’s largest community arts memorial project. The Coast is Queer is also continuing its partnership with **Queer Heritage South**, with Brighton-based poet **Erin James** leading workshops using rarely seen material from the Mass Observation Archive and the University of Sussex Heritage Collection. Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to contribute to the creation of new archive material through a live podcast recording. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Panels-logo.png) Festival director and New Writing South chief executive **Lesley Wood** said: “We’re thrilled to be back for The Coast is Queer 2026 with a stellar line-up of captivating writers, artists and poets. The Coast is Queer embraces and celebrates our stories, our writers, our lives and our community. “Queer creativity is resistance and our words have power. We need creativity and community now more than ever.” More than 9,000 people have attended The Coast is Queer events since 2019, with over 300 writers appearing at the festival. Books will be available throughout the weekend from independent bookseller **City Books**, with signing sessions taking place after every event. Tickets, including £2 student tickets, [are on sale now.](https://www.coastisqueer.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### REVIEW: Steel Magnolias URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-steel-magnolias/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T10:12:08.000Z Hello, cinema lovers. With the very sad passing of LGBTQ+ icon **Dolly Parton**. It's the right time to look back on one of her most beloved movies. Let's shine a light on a classic that some readers may not be familiar with. Sit back and take in the full majestic glory of ***Steel Magnolias***. If you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/mediaviewer/rm1083014401/?ref_=ttmi_mi_10_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MV5BMDg3NjkzNzEtNWY4Mi00MmZiLWEyN2MtZTljMjE1YTAxNjUzXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX621_.png) The movie opens with Anelle (the criminally underrated **Daryl Hannah**) slowly walking through a small Louisiana town. She's applying for a job at Truvy's (Dolly Parton) home salon. The same day, Shelby (**Julia Roberts**) is marrying her fiancé Jackson (the very handsome **Dylan McDermott**). Orbiting around them are Shelby's anxious mother M'Lynn (**Sally Field**), the sharp-tongued Ouiser (**Shirley MacLaine**) and the gossiping widow Clairee (**Olympia Dukakis**). Shelby's type 1 diabetes and the pregnancy her doctors warn against drive the film's dramatic plot along. The movie is also littered with scenes featuring heaps of southern US charm and female-centric comedy gold. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/mediaviewer/rm2942009089/?ref_=ttmi_mi_11_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MV5BNDRiNDk4NWYtMWE1YS00NzA1LTkxZmYtZjlmMGNlNDdiYjBlXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX623_.png) This is definitely an ensemble movie. Field, however, is the quiet centre, holding back until the final scenes when she lets her rage against the world fly loose. She's a legendary actress who seems to be able to cry on demand. Another movie, 1992's *Soap Dish*, effectively parodied her performance here and is also worth checking out. MacLaine steals every scene she's in here. This is Shirley at her wackiest and most over-the-top. Parton plays the most tender character. Her Truvy is generous to a fault. She exudes a gentle, motherly energy towards several characters throughout the story. Even in a movie where Dolly shares the screen with much more experienced co-stars, her performance stands out. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/mediaviewer/rm794525441/?ref_=ttmi_mi_19_3](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MV5BNjc4NmRlYmItMDQ5OC00NTI0LTgyM2MtZGI1MDQzYWQ2MWY3XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX582_.png) Director **Herbert Ross** worked with a soft, glossy aura that suited the material's theatrical roots. The film began life as a single-set play, and the expanded version leans on meet-ups over several holidays. Pink weddings and Christmas lights show the seasons pass by. The cinematography suggests a warm, idealised small-town atmosphere throughout. The script, adapted from the play by its original writer, is packed with quotable lines. Clairee's statement, "I bet you money she's paid five hundred dollars for that dress and don't even bother to wear a girdle. Looks like two pigs fighting under a blanket" sums up the film's comedic spirit and quotable script. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/mediaviewer/rm2654055937/?ref_=ttmi_mi_23_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MV5BYzUzZmNhZDQtZGYwMy00N2M5LWIxZTEtM2JhMjE1Yjk1ZWZkXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX605_.png) There are no queer characters here, main or otherwise. The script gives a passing mention to Clairee's nephew, estranged from his father after coming out. And yet queer audiences have long loved the film, and the reasons are obvious. It shares similarities with *The First Wives Club* (1996) or *To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar* (1995). Women creating a found family stronger than blood, holding each other through crisis with dry wit. Queer audiences at the time would have clocked that. It's too prevalent in the movie to have been a happy accident. This movie is camp front and centre. Big hair, bigger speeches, and a cast of actresses playing to the back row signal a film with a distinct sensibility. However, the men who do appear on screen are mostly just set dressing. Not featuring **Sam Shepard** more is unforgivable. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/mediaviewer/rm1247510273/?ref_=ttmi_mi_13_3](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/MV5BZDZlNjQxMjEtOWM3OS00YTlmLTlmY2EtODk4ZTE4OGM1MjdjXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX605_.png) *Steel Magnolias* is a little heavy on the melodrama for such a warm comedy, but it earns it. It is not a subtle movie, nor does it need to be. Its depiction of men as either fools or clueless is a serious flaw. And its almost entirely white in cast, which has dated quite poorly and is problematic. Despite these issues, this is a film to watch and enjoy, ideally with tissues nearby. Worth seeking out if only to see Dolly Parton in what is surely the greatest role of her acting career. A fitting tribute to an amazing human being. *Steel Magnolias* is available to stream now on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. ### 90% of LGBTQ+ groups worldwide have lost funding since 2025, report finds URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/90-of-lgbtq-groups-worldwide-have-lost-funding-since-2025-report-finds/ Last updated: 2026-09-10T09:54:55.000Z Nine in ten LGBTQ+ and intersex organisations around the world have lost funding since the start of 2025, according to a new report that warns of a growing crisis for groups supporting some of the world's most vulnerable communities. The report, published by **Outright International**, surveyed 229 LGBTQ+ and intersex rights organisations across 94 countries and found that 90% had experienced funding cuts since January 2025\. Nearly half of respondents said they had lost more than half of their total budgets, while three-quarters reported losing at least a quarter of their funding. Researchers found that cuts linked to the United States government were by far the most commonly cited source of lost support. More than half of organisations surveyed said funding reductions were connected to programmes previously backed by agencies including **USAID**, **PEPFAR** and the **US State Department**. “No other funder came close,” the report stated. The findings come amid the continuing impact of foreign aid cuts introduced by the **Trump-Vance** administration after taking office in January 2025\. Funding freezes and the subsequent dismantling of USAID have had far-reaching consequences for LGBTQ+ organisations worldwide, many of which relied on American support for advocacy, healthcare programmes and emergency assistance. According to the report, “what was initially framed as a temporary freeze has become a structural disruption”, with the effects extending beyond government funding to influence corporate, institutional and philanthropic donors. “The broader environment in which LGBTIQ movements operate has continued to deteriorate,” the report said, citing democratic backsliding, anti-NGO legislation, rising violence and coordinated attacks on trans and intersex rights in a number of countries. Outright International Executive Director **Maria Sjödin** previously estimated that the global LGBTQ+ and intersex rights movement had lost more than $125 million in funding since January 2025, equivalent to around 30% of its annual resources. The report highlights the real-world impact of those cuts on community organisations across the globe. In Iraq, funding losses have forced LGBTQ+ advocacy group **IraQueer** to halt safety and security training for activists following the introduction of legislation criminalising same-sex relationships and trans people. Elsewhere, an intersex-led organisation in West Africa reported it could no longer maintain office space or pay staff, while an LGBTQ+ community centre in Ecuador that had operated for a decade was forced to close its doors in February this year. Organisations supporting LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers have also been affected. In Uganda, one group reported losing emergency relocation funding that had previously enabled people facing immediate violence to move to safer locations. In Ukraine, where the war continues to place enormous pressure on civil society, an advocacy organisation said funding cuts had forced it to reduce staff hours and scale back support services. “We used to be able to respond promptly to requests and support people throughout the entire process of resolving their issues,” the organisation said. “Now we are forced to limit ourselves to one-time consultations or refuse assistance altogether due to a lack of resources.” The report also points to concerns in the Pacific, where Tonga's national LGBTQ+ organisation said reduced funding was undermining HIV prevention efforts and limiting the number of programmes it could deliver. While the scale of the funding crisis is stark, the report stresses that LGBTQ+ organisations have continued to adapt and support their communities despite increasingly difficult circumstances. “At the same time, LGBTIQ organisations have not stood still,” the report states. “They have continued to resist, adapt, and serve their communities under extraordinary pressure.” The findings suggest the challenges facing LGBTQ+ groups may deepen further. Data cited from the **Human Rights Funders Network** projects that global rights-focused development assistance could fall by between $1.4 billion and $1.9 billion annually by 2026, with LGBTQ+ and gender equality movements among those expected to be hardest hit. For campaigners, the report paints a picture of a global movement under severe financial strain at a time when anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, restrictive legislation and attacks on trans rights are increasing in many parts of the world. Despite those challenges, Outright International said the resilience of LGBTQ+ organisations remains evident. “This report is an effort to make those costs, and that resilience, visible,” it concluded. ### End of an era as BBC axes RuPaul’s Drag Race UK amid cost-cutting drive URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/bbc-drops-rupauls-drag-race-uk/ Last updated: 2026-09-10T09:03:10.000Z The **BBC** has confirmed it is dropping *RuPaul’s Drag Race UK*, with future series of the popular competition set to move exclusively to streaming service **WOW Presents Plus**. The announcement comes just days after the eighth series of *RuPaul’s Drag Race UK* premiered on **BBC Three**. While the current series will continue to air as planned, future instalments of both the flagship series and spin-off *RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World* will be produced for WOW Presents Plus, the streaming platform owned by production company **World of Wonder.** In a statement, the BBC said the decision had been made as it seeks to make substantial savings across its services. “As the BBC continues to navigate significant financial pressures and deliver the savings required of us, we have had to make some very difficult choices, none of which have been taken lightly,” a spokesperson said. The broadcaster added that it was “incredibly proud” of the show's run and thanked RuPaul, World of Wonder and everyone involved in the production. Since launching in 2019, *RuPaul’s Drag Race UK* has become one of the BBC’s most successful entertainment formats, introducing a new generation of drag performers to mainstream audiences and helping launch the careers of stars including **The Vivienne**, **Baga Chipz**, **Tia Kofi**, **Danny Beard** and **La Voix**. The programme, fronted by **RuPaul** alongside judges **Michelle Visage**, **Graham Norton** and **Alan Carr**, has become a cultural touchstone within the LGBTQ+ community while attracting a broad audience beyond it. At its peak, the series averaged around 1.5 million viewers per episode and was widely credited with bringing British drag into the mainstream. World of Wonder signalled that the franchise will continue to expand despite leaving the BBC, describing the move as the start of a “new era” for the brand. The company has already announced *RuPaul’s Drag Race UK All Stars*, which is due to launch on WOW Presents Plus in autumn 2027\. The decision follows wider cost-cutting measures at the BBC. The corporation is attempting to make £500 million in savings over two years, with senior executives previously outlining plans to reduce commissioning spend in the coming financial years. ### Heartstopper star Yasmin Finney: ‘Elle has inspired millions of people to be themselves’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/heartstopper-star-yasmin-finney-elle-has-inspired-millions-of-people-to-be-themselves/ Last updated: 2026-09-10T08:30:43.000Z ***Heartstopper*** star **Yasmin Finney** has said landing her breakthrough role came at a time when she was at “rock bottom”, but gave her the opportunity to support the trans community in a meaningful way. Speaking at the inaugural **We Are Queer Health Summit** in London, the actor reflected on her journey to stardom and the impact of the trans characters she has portrayed, including Elle Argent in *Heartstopper* and Rose Noble in *Doctor Who*. Finney told audiences that while her career has provided a powerful platform, there remains significant work to be done to improve understanding and inclusion for trans people. “Elle has inspired millions of people to kind of be themselves,” she said. “Rose has inspired so many people to be themselves authentically and to live in the trans experience. “But there's still so much confusion when it comes to trans people. I feel like my role as Yasmin is to show people that it's possible, to show people that there is a world where you can be an actor if you are trans, where you can live authentically as yourself, truthfully.” The actor made the comments during *The Beauty of Transition* panel at the summit, organised by **Fabsolutley Creative Studios** and now available to watch on QueerAF’s YouTube channel. Finney also spoke candidly about the challenges she faced before being cast in Netflix hit *Heartstopper* at the age of 17\. “I was at rock bottom, and it was really difficult,” she said. “It came at a time in my life where I also got to give back to the community in a way that could be impactful.” She added that she has sought to use her profile to advocate for trans inclusion and visibility. “Even though I've been given this platform and this privilege, I kind of want to use my voice to advocate for what's important, which is ultimately including trans individuals, making sure they have a seat at the table, making sure that we're visible.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Queer-Health-Summit-2026_-Credit_Karen-Stanley--1-.jpg) Credit Karen Stanley During the discussion, chaired by **Not A Phase** chief executive **Danielle St James**, Finney reflected on her transition and the confidence she gained after beginning hormone treatment three years ago. “I started to see the results while I was filming *Heartstopper* and filming other things,” she said. “Hormones have changed my life, my mind, just everything. Obviously physically as well. But it really has helped me kind of come together and get confidence.” Finney said the experience of transitioning while working in the public eye brought additional pressures, particularly within what she described as the predominantly “cis straight world” of television and film. She credited her chosen family and her dog, Coco, with helping her navigate those challenges, while highlighting the barriers many trans people still face when trying to enter the entertainment industry. “I'm just a small part of that,” she said. “I know so many trans people that want to be in the industry but just don't know how. It's really about making it more inclusive for everybody.” The panel also featured trans academic **Samuel Moir-Smith** and **Injectual** co-founder **Joëlle Rotsaert**. Discussions explored trans healthcare and wider LGBTQ+ health inequalities as part of a summit that raised funds for **Not A Phase** and **LGBT Foundation**. ### Hundreds lobby Parliament urging Burnham government to protect trans rights URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/hundreds-lobby-parliament-urging-burnham-government-to-protect-trans-rights/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T17:07:15.000Z Hundreds of trans people and their allies gathered in **Parliament** today to urge the Burnham government to legislate in defence of trans equality, sharing personal accounts of the impact they say has followed the **Supreme Court** ruling on the definition of sex and subsequent guidance issued by the **Equality and Human Rights Commission** (EHRC). Organisers said almost 1,000 people signed up to take part in the mass lobby, with queues stretching along both sides of the road outside **Westminster** as attendees waited to enter Parliament. Unlike a traditional protest, a mass lobby brings constituents together inside Parliament to meet their MPs simultaneously and raise concerns on the same issue, sending what organisers describe as a powerful collective message. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Trans-Parliament-lobby-2.jpg) Credit Dave Bird The event was organised by the **Trans+ Solidarity Alliance**, which is calling on the government to introduce legislation to address what it describes as the harmful consequences of the Supreme Court judgment for trans people's everyday lives. During the lobby, constituents shared experiences of exclusion, harassment and anxiety, while many later wrote messages to the Prime Minister in a giant card bearing the message: "Farewell to Britain's standing on LGBTQ+ rights". **Alfie Bailey-Bearfield**, advocacy lead at Trans+ Solidarity Alliance, said: "Hundreds of us have turned up in Parliament today with a clear message for the Burnham government: the current situation for trans people is dangerous and unacceptable, and the government must fix it. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Trans-Parliament-lobby-3.jpg) Credit Dave Bird "Trans people are being excluded from vital aspects of everyday life and put at risk using necessary services. We have heard so many awful stories of people afraid of seeing friends or accessing essential healthcare after the EHRC's unjust and unworkable guidance. "Today's mass lobby has been a huge outpouring of support for trans equality, urging politicians to hear how bad things have become and act urgently." Labour MP **Nadia Whittome** backed the campaign, saying the current situation was preventing trans people from living with dignity and leaving them vulnerable to harassment. "It is vital that Parliamentarians listen to the experiences of their trans constituents and those who care about them, so I'm thrilled that hundreds of people have come to Parliament today to make their voices heard," she said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Trans-Parliament-lobby-5.jpg) Credit Dave Bird "I hope this will help more MPs to understand how harmful and unsustainable this situation is and put pressure on the government to legislate for trans inclusion." Green Party MP **Siân Berry** also voiced support for the lobby, highlighting concerns raised by constituents in Brighton Pavilion. "It is so important to hear from my trans constituents and the masses of inclusive organisations in Brighton Pavilion who will all suffer from the current onslaught of attacks against trans people," she said. "The harm being caused needs to be fully understood by the Government, and I have told the Chair of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission that she needs to come to Brighton and see the impacts for herself. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Trans-Parliament-lobby-4.jpg) Credit Dave Bird "There remain serious issues for Parliament to resolve, to make legal and practical gender recognition for trans people a reality again in the UK." Among those attending was **Carly**, 53, from Buckinghamshire, who described the current situation as "the biggest rollback on the rights of any minority in my lifetime". The mass lobby comes amid continuing debate over the implications of the Supreme Court ruling and the EHRC's subsequent guidance, with campaigners calling for legal protections to ensure trans people can continue to access services and participate fully in public life. ### National AIDS Trust warns UK will miss 2030 HIV target without action beyond healthcare URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/national-aids-trust-warns-uk-will-miss-2030-hiv-target-without-action-beyond-healthcare/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T12:25:28.000Z The UK risks missing its target of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 unless ministers take action across multiple areas of government, according to [a new report](https://nat.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NAT-Beyond-The-Action-Plan-Report-Web.pdf?ref=scenemag.co.uk) from the **National AIDS Trust**. The HIV rights charity is calling for a coordinated cross-government approach to tackling the social, economic and legal barriers that continue to prevent people from accessing HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care. Launched at a parliamentary event on **9 September**, [the report](https://nat.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NAT-Beyond-The-Action-Plan-Report-Web.pdf?ref=scenemag.co.uk), *Beyond the Action Plan: A Cross-Governmental Approach for Achieving Our Goals on HIV*, argues that healthcare interventions alone will not be enough to achieve the government's ambition of ending new HIV transmissions within the next five years. Instead, the charity is urging ministers to address the wider factors that shape people's health, including housing, welfare, education, immigration policy and the criminalisation of sex work. The report warns that poverty, insecure housing, discrimination and legal barriers continue to drive health inequalities and leave some communities at greater risk of HIV. National AIDS Trust says these issues must be tackled alongside existing healthcare measures if England is to remain on track to meet its 2030 goal. Among its recommendations are reforms to address health inequalities, greater investment in HIV prevention and care services, improved support for people in prisons, changes to welfare provision, and the decriminalisation of sex work. The report is built around four key principles: equity and equality, socioeconomic security, legal marginalisation and infrastructure. While acknowledging the progress made through England's **HIV Action Plan**, the charity argues that efforts to reduce new transmissions could stall if government departments continue to treat HIV as solely a healthcare issue. "The question is no longer whether England has the tools to end new HIV transmissions," the report states. "The question is whether Government is prepared to tackle the policies and structural barriers that continue to stand in people's way." National AIDS Trust warns that without a broader response, existing inequalities will continue to undermine progress and leave behind many of the communities most affected by HIV. **Oluwakemi Agunbiade**, Senior Policy and Research Officer at National AIDS Trust, said there was still time to meet the 2030 target, but only if ministers address the wider policies affecting people's lives. "The progress made by HIV activism has always been rooted in communities demanding rights to improve their health," she said. "We have five years before we reach 2030 and we can meet the goal of ending new transmissions, but the Government must reflect on what policies hold us back." Agunbiade said the report had deliberately taken a broad approach because HIV outcomes are influenced by decisions made far beyond the **Department of Health and Social Care**. "Beyond the Action Plan is wide-ranging because we need to mobilise different Government departments to prioritise HIV and access to healthcare on their agendas," she said. "When we pretend that housing policy, sex work decriminalisation or prison reform are not health-related issues, it does a disservice to both people living with and vulnerable to acquiring HIV." The report comes as HIV organisations continue to press the government to accelerate efforts to end new transmissions by 2030, warning that progress will depend not only on medical advances but also on tackling the social inequalities that continue to put some communities at greater risk. ### Channel Islands Pride launches ‘Queer Nature Trail’ celebrating LGBTQ+ diversity in the animal kingdom URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/channel-islands-pride-launches-queer-nature-trail-celebrating-lgbtq-diversity-in-the-animal-kingdom/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T12:16:03.000Z **Channel Islands Pride** is inviting islanders to discover nature's queer side with the launch of a new woodland trail highlighting same-sex relationships, gender diversity and fluidity across the natural world. The **Queer Nature Trail**, supported by **CSC**, will offer an alternative route to **Pride Village** during this year's Channel Islands Pride celebrations in **Guernsey**, giving people a quieter journey through woodland and coastal paths while exploring examples of LGBTQ+ behaviours found in nature. The trail, which opens as part of Pride on **Saturday, 12 September**, begins near the **German Cemetery War Memorial** at **Fort George** and winds through **Bluebell Woods** before descending the **Cow Horn Steps** to the Pride Village at **La Vallette Bathing Pools**. Along the route, walkers will discover information about the more than 1,500 animal species in which same-sex sexual behaviour has been documented. Examples featured include same-sex penguin couples that raise chicks together, bottlenose dolphins that form long-term same-sex partnerships, clownfish that can change sex, and butterflies born with both male and female characteristics. Organisers say the trail is designed to challenge claims that LGBTQ+ identities are somehow "unnatural" by showcasing the diversity that exists throughout the natural world. **Ellie Jones**, CEO of Liberate and director of Channel Islands Pride, said: "We spend an extraordinary amount of time hearing that LGBTQ+ people are somehow 'unnatural', when nature itself appears to have missed that memo completely. "Once you start looking, the natural world is gloriously queer. Animals have same-sex relationships, fish change sex, plants switch reproductive roles and nature generally refuses to fit into the tidy little boxes humans like to create. "The Queer Nature Trail is a fun way of exploring some of that while giving people another way to make their journey to Pride." The initiative forms part of Channel Islands Pride's "Choose Your Journey" theme, which aims to provide different ways for people to participate in the annual celebration. While thousands are expected to join the main Pride March through St Peter Port, organisers hope the trail will appeal to those who prefer a calmer experience or want to engage with Pride at their own pace. The main Pride March will assemble at Market Square from 1pm before setting off at 2pm. The procession will travel via the Rainbow Steps, Fountain Street and the seafront before arriving at La Vallette Bathing Pools. Organisers have warned that the march is expected to attract several thousand participants and have asked non-attendees to avoid travelling along the Town seafront between 2pm and 3pm where possible. "If you're coming to Pride, come and join us – we'd love to have you," Jones said. "But if you're just trying to get from one end of Town to the other at 2.30pm, we'd strongly recommend finding another route. "There will be a few thousand people, a samba band and a 50-metre rainbow flag making their way along the seafront, and they are not particularly easy to overtake." 💡 Channel Islands Pride takes place in Guernsey from 11 to 13 September, with the main celebrations taking place on Saturday, 12 September. ### ‘Christian Legal Centre’-backed evangelist acquitted after handing out ‘anti-LGBTQ+’ leaflets in Soho URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/christian-legal-centre-backed-evangelist-acquitted-after-handing-out-anti-lgbtq-leaflets-in-soho/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T11:28:39.000Z The **Christian Legal Centre** is celebrating what it has described as a major free speech victory after a Christian evangelist was acquitted of a public order offence linked to the distribution of a leaflet criticised by LGBTQ+ residents in Soho. **Richard Johnson**, 72, was cleared at **City of London Magistrates' Court** after being prosecuted over an evangelical tract titled *Doom Town*, which was handed out in Soho in April 2025. The leaflet, which draws on the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah, contains references to homosexuality, sin and divine judgement. Two complainants told the court they found the material offensive, with one describing it as "shameful" and "inflammatory". A key point of contention during the trial was Soho's status as one of London's best-known LGBTQ+ neighbourhoods. One complainant argued that Soho should be regarded as a "safe space" for LGBTQ+ people and questioned why literature condemning same-sex relationships was being distributed in an area long associated with queer culture and community. The complainant said he was angered by the leaflet's references to homosexuality and AIDS, later contacting Johnson using a phone number printed on the tract to describe the material as "disgusting" and inform him that he would be reporting the incident to police. The **Crown Prosecution Service** argued that the context of distributing such material in Soho was relevant to the case. However, magistrates ultimately ruled that prosecutors had failed to prove the offence under the Public Order Act. While the court accepted that the leaflet had caused offence and distress, it concluded that the legal threshold for criminal liability had not been met. The case was backed by the Christian Legal Centre, the legal advocacy arm of **Christian Concern**, which has frequently supported Christians involved in disputes over public preaching, workplace expression and LGBTQ+ equality issues. Following the acquittal, Christian Legal Centre chief executive **Andrea Williams** described the prosecution as deeply concerning. "The prosecution's reliance on Soho being an LGBT 'safe space' was deeply troubling," she said. "No part of London can become a censorship zone in which lawful Christian beliefs are subjected to a different standard because some people find them offensive." The leaflet at the centre of the dispute was distributed in Soho, a district widely regarded as the heart of LGBTQ+ London and home to many queer venues, organisations and community spaces. During proceedings, one complainant said the material felt directed at LGBTQ+ people and argued that its distribution in Soho was particularly upsetting given the area's significance to the community. The court heard that Johnson had specifically spoken about having previously had relationships with men before becoming a born-again Christian, and that he had handed out literature addressing homosexuality while in the area. ### HIV charity condemns NICE decision to reject twice-yearly injectable PrEP URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/hiv-charity-condemns-nice-decision-to-reject-twice-yearly-injectable-prep/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T10:14:23.000Z **Terrence Higgins Trust** has said it is “profoundly disappointed” after the **National Institute for Health and Care Excellence** (NICE) recommended against approving **lenacapavir**, a twice-yearly injectable form of HIV prevention medication, for use on the NHS. The HIV charity warned that the decision could hamper efforts to end new HIV transmissions by 2030 and widen existing inequalities in access to HIV prevention. Lenacapavir is a long-acting form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (**PrEP**), a medication that prevents HIV acquisition. Unlike existing PrEP options, which are taken as tablets or, for some people, as a two-monthly injection, lenacapavir only requires administration twice a year. Terrence Higgins Trust argues the injectable treatment could prove transformative for people who struggle to take daily medication, face barriers to attending sexual health clinics regularly, or have concerns about being seen carrying PrEP tablets. NICE announced on Wednesday (9 September) that it was not recommending lenacapavir for NHS use as PrEP at this stage. The decision will be reviewed on **3 November**. Responding to the announcement, Terrence Higgins Trust chief executive **Richard Angell** OBE described the ruling as a major setback for HIV prevention. "We are profoundly disappointed by this initial decision by NICE," he said. "Twice-a-year injectable PrEP is the most exciting innovation in HIV prevention for years. But history is repeating itself when it comes to PrEP access in England and Wales. Clearly lessons haven't been learned. "PrEP is a game-changer for HIV prevention and innovations like this must be jumped on and maximised, not kicked into the long grass and squandered." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Richard-Angell.jpg.png) ****Richard Angell** OBE Angell compared the current situation to the lengthy battle to secure access to oral PrEP a decade ago, warning that delays could undermine the government's ambition of ending new HIV cases in the UK by 2030. "Time is ticking and that target will be missed unless we throw absolutely everything at it," he said. The charity is now calling on NICE, NHS England and manufacturer **Gilead Sciences** to work together to secure access to the treatment. Angell urged all parties to "get around the table and find a solution", adding that NICE should provide greater clarity on what would be required for approval, while Gilead should review pricing and NHS England prepare for wider uptake. Terrence Higgins Trust believes injectable PrEP could play a particularly important role in reaching communities that are currently underserved by existing HIV prevention programmes. While oral PrEP has been highly effective and widely adopted among many gay and bisexual men, the charity said lenacapavir could help expand access among women and others who may find current prevention options less practical. Angell said the treatment would increase choice for people unable to take PrEP in tablet form and could be especially beneficial for those who struggle with adherence, including members of the armed forces, people experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, and those in prison. "The injectable is an important way of increasing choice," he said. "It will also benefit those who struggle with adherence. "NICE has assessed the current numbers for lenacapavir provision and said no based on its criteria. But the reality is that we need this innovation to end new HIV cases by 2030 and ensure nobody and no community is left behind." The charity has pledged to continue campaigning for access to the treatment ahead of NICE's review in November, arguing that long-acting injectable PrEP could become a key tool in the UK's efforts to eliminate new HIV transmissions. ### Gay adult performer Hunter Hardin, known as LuLu LoveBottom, dies aged 30 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/gay-adult-performer-hunter-hardin-known-as-lulu-lovebottom-dies-aged-30/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T09:30:43.000Z **Hunter Hardin**, the gay adult performer and burlesque artist known professionally as **LuLu LoveBottom**, has died aged 30, prompting an outpouring of tributes from friends, fans and fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community. Hardin's death was confirmed by friends on social media after a farewell message was posted to his Instagram account on **7 September**. According to reports, friends later shared details of his death in the comments beneath the post. In the message, Hardin wrote: "I love you and I'm sorry I was unable to make it to the end. GOODBYE FOREVER. Love, Lulu." The accompanying caption read: "Been hurt for the last time by someone I shared my heart with." A close friend, identified online as **Asuras**, confirmed the news in the comments section, writing that Hardin's flatmates had called emergency services after finding him at home, but he could not be revived. Known to fans as LuLu LoveBottom, Hardin built a following through his work in adult entertainment, burlesque performance and social media. He was also a prominent figure within queer nightlife circles, where he became known for blending athleticism, dance and gender expression in his performances. Before entering the world of burlesque and adult entertainment, Hardin was involved in competitive sport, having played American football and taken part in rowing during his younger years. He later discovered burlesque after attending a ballroom event in Arizona, an experience that inspired him to develop the LuLu LoveBottom persona. In a 2025 interview with *Outsports*, Hardin spoke about how performing allowed him to embrace different aspects of his identity. "It allows me to identify my femininity with my masculinity," he said. "There's a lot of musculature to what I do. I'm oiled up, but I let myself express my femininity as well. It feels authentic and reflects the journey I saw for myself when I was younger." Friends and fellow performers have since paid tribute, remembering Hardin as a warm and supportive presence. One friend, **Johani Montero**, described him as "one of the happiest and sweetest people I've ever met" while encouraging people to check in on loved ones who may be struggling. Hardin's family has reportedly asked for privacy as they come to terms with their loss. He was 30 years old. **If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support is available from Samaritans on 116 123 or at samaritans.org, 24 hours a day.** ### Love Island warned against ‘token’ LGBTQ+ inclusion by Brighton queer model URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/love-island-warned-against-token-lgbtq-inclusion-by-brighton-queer-model/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T08:34:23.000Z A Brighton-based **Babestation** model has warned that *Love Island* could do “more harm than good” if it introduces LGBTQ+ contestants without making significant changes to the show's format. **Sabrina Jade**, 27, who works with Babestation, one of the world's largest adult television and webcam platforms, said viewers are ready to see bisexual contestants and same-sex couples on the hit **ITV** dating show. However, she believes simply adding queer Islanders to the existing format risks creating poor representation. The warning comes after **Richard Cowles**, chief executive of *Love Island* production company **Lifted Entertainment**, revealed that an LGBTQ+ spin-off is something producers have discussed over the years. Speaking to *Radio Times*, Cowles said: "We already have *Love Island* and *Love Island All Stars* across the year, so quite a full quota of *Love Island*, but never say never in the future." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Jam_Press_JMP903665.jpg) Sabrina Jade Sabrina, who has more than 13,000 followers on Instagram at [**@sxbrinajade**,](https://www.instagram.com/sxbrinajade/?hl=en&ref=scenemag.co.uk) welcomed discussions around greater LGBTQ+ inclusion but said the community should not be used as a ratings tool. "A shake-up might help the mainstream show, but LGBTQ+ people should not be used as a token, or for shock value, to get higher ratings," she said. "The community will detect if it is false and pull away. It needs to be handled really well and in a way that is safe for the people taking part. "Harmful representation of the community can go a long way towards damaging public perception. "I think I, and a lot of queer people, would rather Love Island stick to its format than put forward a harmful representation of our community." The debate around LGBTQ+ representation on the show dates back several years. In 2021, ITV commissioner **Amanda Stavri** told *Radio Times* that including gay contestants in the main programme posed a "logistical difficulty". But Sabrina argues that the problem is not queer relationships themselves, but the structure of Love Island. "It's more that the format of the show does not allow space for LGBTQ+ relationships," she said. "*Love Island* is a very gender-dominant show. The men tend to stay together and behave in one way, and the women stay together and behave in another. "If you were going to create a queer version, you would have to mix that up and create the dynamic in a different way." She believes producers would need to rethink how contestants are introduced to the villa, rather than relying on the traditional balance of men and women. "At the moment it is easy to say, 'We have enough girls, so let's bring in a boy,' or, 'We have too many boys, so let's bring in a girl,'" she said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Jam_Press_JMP903677.jpg) Sabrina Jade "Instead, you might need to say, 'A lot of people here like tattoos, so our bombshell will have tattoos,' or look at the other qualities contestants are drawn to. "That might feel difficult logistically, but the question is whether producers are willing to take that plunge. "With queer influence behind the scenes, I don't think it would be impossible." Several former *Love Island* contestants have publicly discussed their sexuality after leaving the villa, despite only pursuing heterosexual relationships during their time on the show. Among them are **Megan Barton Hanson** and **Amber Gill**, who both came out as bisexual after appearing on the programme, while **Curtis Pritchard** recently described himself as sexually fluid. Sabrina suggested that one possible solution could be a queer edition of *Love Island All Stars*, featuring former contestants who may have felt unable to fully express their sexuality during their original appearances. "LGBTQ+ people have been on *Love Island* before and some have felt pushed into the category of straight," she said. "For those six weeks, they had to be straight-presenting and could not talk at length about their bisexuality. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Jam_Press_JMP903669.jpg) "*All Stars* could bring back contestants who felt they had to erase that part of themselves the first time." Sabrina pointed to the eighth season of the US dating show *Are You The One?*, which featured a sexually fluid cast, as evidence that audiences are open to queer dating formats. However, she warned that *Love Island* should learn from mistakes made elsewhere. "Viewers are ready for bisexual contestants and same-sex couples because they have already seen them in other programmes," she said. "*Are You The One?* season eight is a cult classic in the queer community because it gave representation to pansexual and bisexual people. "But you could also see producers and matchmakers struggling to understand what each contestant wanted and what their type was. "It was sad to see people my community identified with being mishandled. "Inaccurate representation can cause more harm than carrying on with the status quo." ### Lesbian AfD leader Alice Weidel celebrates election win as concerns grow over party's LGBTQ+ policies URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lesbian-afd-leader-alice-weidel-celebrates-election-win-as-concerns-grow-over-partys-lgbtq-policies/ Last updated: 2026-09-08T12:44:58.000Z The far-right **Alternative for Germany** (AfD) has secured a historic victory in the eastern German state of **Saxony-Anhalt**, reigniting concerns among LGBTQ+ campaigners over the party's stance on queer rights despite being co-led by an openly lesbian politician. The AfD won 43.8% of the vote and 39 seats in the state parliament, marking the strongest electoral performance by a far-right party in Germany since the Second World War. The result has further cemented the national profile of **Alice Weidel**, the party's co-leader, who lives with her female partner and helps raise two children. For many LGBTQ+ observers, Weidel's prominence presents a striking contradiction. While she is one of the most high-profile lesbian politicians in Europe, the AfD has repeatedly opposed LGBTQ+ equality measures and sought to restrict rights for queer families. The party opposes same-sex marriage and has argued that civil partnerships should be recognised instead. It has also attempted to roll back marriage equality legislation and has frequently criticised LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives in schools and public life. Campaigners have long pointed to the contradiction between the party's political positions and Weidel's own family life. According to reports, Weidel lives in Switzerland with her partner, filmmaker **Sarah Bossard**, and their two sons. Yet the AfD's platform continues to advocate policies that many LGBTQ+ groups say would undermine families like her own. The election result has prompted fresh concern among LGBTQ+ organisations, particularly as the AfD continues to gain support across parts of Germany. Critics argue that the party's growing influence could pose a threat to LGBTQ+ rights, especially transgender rights and equality protections. Weidel has sought to distance herself from accusations that the AfD is hostile to LGBTQ+ people, instead focusing her political messaging on immigration, nationalism and opposition to Germany's political establishment. However, rights groups note that representation alone does not necessarily translate into support for LGBTQ+ equality. The AfD's breakthrough in Saxony-Anhalt does not automatically place the party in government, as it remains short of an outright majority and other parties have largely maintained a political "firewall" against cooperating with it. Nevertheless, the result represents a significant milestone for Germany's far right and a moment of renewed anxiety for many LGBTQ+ people watching the country's political landscape shift. ### 'Misgendering' is 'harmful and violent', says university LGBTQ+ centre URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/misgendering-is-harmful-and-violent-says-university-lgbtq-centre/ Last updated: 2026-09-08T12:08:14.000Z A United States university's guidance encouraging staff to respect trans students' names and pronouns has become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing debate over trans inclusion in higher education. **West Chester University**'s **Centre for Trans and Queer Advocacy** advises faculty that "misgendering" and "deadnaming" trans people can be harmful, and encourages staff to create more inclusive learning environments by respecting students' identities and sharing their own pronouns. According to the guidance, repeatedly referring to someone using the wrong name or gender can cause distress and negatively affect their wellbeing. The resource, *Faculty Guide to Supporting Trans & Queer Students*, forms part of a broader package of support offered by the university's LGBTQ+ centre, which also provides resources on name changes, community support and trans visibility initiatives. Advocates for trans inclusion have long argued that respecting a person's name and pronouns is a basic sign of dignity and recognition. Research has consistently linked affirming environments with improved mental health outcomes for transgender and non-binary young people, while experiences of misgendering and discrimination have been associated with increased levels of stress and isolation. The guidance has attracted criticism from some free speech organisations, which argue that public universities should not compel staff to use particular language. Groups including the **Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression** (FIRE) have raised concerns about how universities balance protections for trans students with First Amendment free speech rights. The debate comes amid a wider culture war in the United States over trans rights, with schools, colleges and universities increasingly finding themselves at the centre of disputes over pronouns, inclusive policies and LGBTQ+ equality. Supporters of trans-inclusive policies argue that recognising a student's gender identity is comparable to using a person's correct name and helps foster a respectful educational environment. They also point out that many universities have introduced pronoun-sharing initiatives as a way of normalising conversations around gender identity and reducing stigma for trans and non-binary students. West Chester University's guidance asks faculty members to consider how they can support trans and queer students both inside and outside the classroom, and suggests practical steps such as including pronouns in email signatures, on Zoom profiles and on business cards. ### Ecuador criticised after new adoption law bars LGBTQ+ people from adopting URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ecuador-criticised-after-new-adoption-law-bars-lgbtq-people-from-adopting/ Last updated: 2026-09-08T10:52:43.000Z Human rights groups and LGBTQ+ organisations have condemned a new law in **Ecuador** that explicitly prevents lesbian, gay and bisexual people from adopting children and could put some parents of trans children at risk of losing custody. The *Reform Law of Various Legal Bodies for the Streamlining of Adoption* came into force on 14 August after being approved by Ecuador's **National Assembly** by 118 votes to none, with 25 abstentions. The legislation was presented as a measure to speed up adoption processes and reduce the time children spend in institutional care. While Ecuador legalised same-sex marriage in 2019, the country's constitution already restricts adoption to different-sex couples. Campaigners say the new law goes further by explicitly requiring single adopters to be heterosexual, effectively barring lesbian, gay and bisexual people from adopting regardless of their suitability as parents. **Human Rights Watch** described the legislation as discriminatory and warned that it entrenches existing barriers faced by LGBTQ+ people seeking to build families. **Cristian González Cabrera**, senior LGBTQ+ rights researcher at **Human Rights Watch**, said: "Improving the adoption system is a legitimate legislative goal, but it should not be used as a pretext to entrench discrimination and undermine children's health." He added: "By legislating on the basis of bias and misinformation rather than evidence, Ecuadorian lawmakers are endangering children and perpetuating stereotypes based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics." The legislation has also drawn criticism for provisions relating to transgender children. Under the law, a parent's "promotion" of gender-affirming medical care for a trans child may be used as grounds for terminating parental rights. Campaigners have argued that the wording is vague and could have far-reaching consequences for families supporting trans young people. The **Ecuadorian LGBT Federation** criticised the reforms, arguing that sexual orientation should not be a factor in determining parental fitness. "Being heterosexual does not demonstrate parental fitness," the organisation said, adding that "being LGBT+ does not constitute parental incapacity either." The federation also raised concerns about how authorities would assess whether a single prospective adopter met the law's requirement to be heterosexual, warning that the provision could create further discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. Campaigners have called on Ecuador's government to amend the legislation and remove what they describe as discriminatory restrictions on LGBTQ+ families. Human Rights Watch has urged lawmakers to replace blanket exclusions based on sexual orientation with individual assessments of prospective adopters, arguing that sexual orientation has no bearing on a person's ability to provide a safe and loving home for a child. ### Grindr agrees £26million settlement in UK lawsuit over alleged sharing of users' HIV status URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/grindr-agrees-26million-settlement-in-uk-lawsuit-over-alleged-sharing-of-users-hiv-status/ Last updated: 2026-09-08T10:17:51.000Z **Grindr** has agreed to pay £26 million to settle a UK lawsuit brought by around 12,000 users who alleged the dating app shared highly sensitive personal information, including HIV status in some cases, with advertising companies. The settlement resolves a group action in the High Court of England and Wales but includes no admission of liability by the company. The legal action was launched in 2024 by law firm **Austen Hays** on behalf of thousands of UK users who claimed Grindr breached privacy laws by allowing third parties access to personal data before 2020\. The allegations included the sharing of information relating to users' HIV status, HIV testing history, **PrEP** use, ethnicity, sexual orientation and sex lives. Under the settlement, Grindr will make two payments of £13 million, with the first due by the end of 2026 and the second by the end of March 2027\. If distributed equally among the 12,000 claimants, the payout would amount to an average of around £2,167 per person, although individual payments may vary. Grindr said the claims relate to "historical data practices before 2020", when the company was owned by Chinese gaming firm **Beijing Kunlun Tech**. The LGBTQ+ dating app said the settlement "includes no findings or admission of liability" and that it continues to dispute the allegations. In a regulatory filing, the company acknowledged "the distress and loss of trust expressed by some of its UK users regarding that pre-2020 period" and said it had significantly strengthened its privacy programme since changing ownership in 2020\. Grindr added that it remains committed to transparency, user control and responsible data practices. The case follows years of scrutiny over Grindr's handling of sensitive user information. In 2018, reports emerged that the platform had shared users' HIV status and related health information with third-party analytics providers. Grindr later announced it would stop sharing that information, while the Information Commissioner's Office reprimanded the company in 2022 over privacy transparency failings. Lawyers representing claimants argued that the alleged sharing of sensitive health and sexuality data caused significant distress to users and raised serious concerns about privacy protections for LGBTQ+ people online. The settlement brings the two-year legal battle to a close without a court ruling on the merits of the allegations. ### Drag king Blü Romantic joins Great British Bake Off 2026 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/drag-king-blu-romantic-joins-great-british-bake-off-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-08T10:12:11.000Z Birmingham drag king **Blü Romantic**, known off-stage as **Gabe**, has been announced as one of the contestants in the upcoming series of *The Great British Bake Off*. The 32-year-old artist and theatre producer is among the 12 amateur bakers entering the famous *Bake Off* tent when the **Channel 4** series returns later this month. Gabe performs as drag persona Blü Romantic and describes themself as the "daddy of Birmingham drag". > Inspired by [@thekatebutch](https://x.com/thekatebutch?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) i think you should read the first letter of my last few tweets [pic.twitter.com/th2rA5VtGN](https://t.co/th2rA5VtGN?ref=scenemag.co.uk) > > — Gabe GBBO / Blü Romantic (@kingbluromantic) [September 7, 2026](https://x.com/kingbluromantic/status/2097039536572223506?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) Originally from Grimsby and now based in the West Midlands, Gabe discovered baking after watching the very first series of *Bake Off* as a teenager. Their baking style is described as "gorgeous but very homemade", with a particular love of savoury bakes and meringue. Away from the kitchen, Gabe is a familiar face on the LGBTQ+ scene, producing theatre shows, designing costumes and performing across the country as Blü Romantic. They live with partners Ellis and Tyler, alongside their two sausage dogs, Dill and Sage. Speaking about joining the show, Gabe said: "I have watched every season of *Bake Off* and walking into the tent was unreal. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/HRouVf1XEAElKpD-1.jpeg) "It felt like I was walking into a national legacy and fever dream combined. Truly such an honour. A 'pinch me' moment." Gabe also joked that "calming my nerves while doing a shot of tequila with Nigella may have happened" after meeting the programme's new judge, **Nigella Lawson**, who joins **Paul Hollywood** on the judging panel this year. The new series marks the 17th season of the baking competition and features contestants from a wide range of backgrounds, including a paediatric doctor, a law student and a retired garment technologist. ### Around 3,000 people attend Brighton's first-ever Dyke Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/around-3-000-attend-brightons-first-ever-dyke-pride/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T11:32:16.000Z An estimated 3,000 people attended Brighton's first-ever **Dyke Pride** on **Saturday, 5 September**, far exceeding organisers' initial target of 500 attendees and signalling strong demand for community-led LGBTQ+ spaces in the city. Held at **St Ann's Well Gardens**, the free event brought together dykes, friends and allies for a day of live music, speeches, arts and crafts, games, food stalls and a makers' market organised by **Dyke Mart Brighton**. Organised by a small team of volunteers without corporate sponsorship, Brighton Dyke Pride was created as an alternative to mainstream Pride events and aimed to centre community, accessibility and grassroots activism. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Azaria-Franco---Photo-credit-Eros-Pictures-2-1.png) Azaria Franco. Photo credit: Eros Pictures The packed programme featured DJs including **Kate Wildblood**, **Queenie**, **Louise Fidelia** and **FLOOSI**, alongside drag performances hosted by **Prince of Persia** and **Simply the Jest**, live music and speeches from activists, artists and community organisers. Organisers said the turnout demonstrated a growing appetite for dyke-centred spaces and opportunities for LGBTQ+ people to come together amid a challenging political climate. During the event, a small group of anti-trans protesters attempted to disrupt proceedings but left after around an hour as attendees chanted "LGB with the T". The event was supported by organisations including **Trans Pride Brighton**, **Brighton Bear Weekend**, **Brighton Gay Men's Chorus** and **Worthing Pride**, which provided resources and assistance to help make the day possible. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Co-founders-Zoe-Schulz-and-Billy-Ballantyne---Photo-credit-Jerrika-Stevenson.jpg) Co-founders Zoe Schulz and Billy Ballantyne. Photo credit: Jerrika Stevenson Speaking during the event, co-founder **Emily Payne** said: "Joy for us dykes, and other communities, really does feel so radical in the times we are living in now." She added: "That's why us coming together right now is both fun and full of joy and a political movement all in one go." Co-founder **Zoë Schulz** paid tribute to generations of LGBTQ+ activists who had fought for community spaces and rights, saying: "We are only here because of the dykes who came before us that believed they could change their world." She added: "What we have done here today proves that completely wrong. We didn't create this space thanks to politicians or corporations. We created it because we wanted a space that belonged to us." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Fox-Gunn---Photo-credit-Eros-Pictures-8.png) Fox Gunn. Photo credit: Eros Pictures Fellow co-founder **Billy Ballantyne** said the event showed the power of grassroots organising. "It has been an honour to work with so many awesome, like-minded, creative, hard-working people to make a space that feels so magic," they said. "People want spaces that feel genuinely connected to the local community and authentic in their values." **Jen Benyovits**, another co-founder, highlighted the event's commitment to trans inclusion and accessibility. "Our team is not only comprised of trans organisers, and our line-up centred and uplifted trans voices, but we also worked hard to maintain a safe space for trans attendees," she said. Benyovits also praised the event's accessibility measures, which included wheelchair viewing access, rest areas, British Sign Language interpreters and a hearing loop system. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Photo-credit-Chloe-Snell--13.jpg) Photo credit: Chloe Snell Among those speaking at the event was Brighton LGBTQ+ pioneer and DJ **Kate Wildblood**, who reflected on her involvement in organising **Brighton Pride** more than three decades ago. "In 1991, as part of the organising committee of the first Brighton Pride since 1973, I stood on North Street looking up at a Pride banner we had convinced Brighton Council to display across the street," they said. "Today I stand here with the same sense of immense pride. This is a first we will all remember for decades to come. This is us. This is Dyke Pride." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Photo-credit-Lucy-Le-Lievre-204.jpg) Photo credit: Lucy Le Lievre Co-organiser and Dyke Mart Brighton founder **Edie-Mea McCartney** described the day as "wonderful", adding that community had been at the heart of the event. "Seeing everyone come together, supporting each other, sharing their work and just enjoying being in the same space was so special," she said. Following the success of the inaugural event, organisers hope Brighton Dyke Pride will become an annual, community-owned celebration that continues to provide free and accessible spaces for the dyke community in the years ahead. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Photo-credit-Lucy-Le-Lievre-64.jpg) Photo credit: Lucy Le Lievre ### Serbian activists renew call for same-sex union law at Belgrade Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/serbian-activists-renew-call-for-same-sex-union-law-at-belgrade-pride/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T10:38:27.000Z LGBTQ+ activists in **Serbia** have renewed calls for legal recognition of same-sex couples, warning that thousands of people remain without basic legal protections despite years of campaigning. The demands were made during **Belgrade Pride**, which took place on **5 September** and marked 25 years since Serbia's first Pride march. Participants used the event to highlight the continuing absence of legislation recognising same-sex unions, as well as the lack of a legal framework for gender recognition. Marchers gathered under the slogan "There is a room for all of us", echoing the message used during Serbia's first Pride event in 2001\. The procession moved through the Serbian capital largely without incident, although there were minor confrontations with counter-protesters along the route. Among those addressing the crowd was **Matija Stefanović** of the LGBTQ+ organisation **Da se Zna** ("Let it be known"), who said the march was also for people who still feel unable to live openly. "Today we are walking for all those who are not allowed to walk freely," Stefanović said. "We also walk for those of us who have been told that something is wrong with us." Activists used the event to press the Serbian government to adopt legislation recognising same-sex partnerships and to introduce a law on gender identity. They also called for stronger action against hate speech, better protection for LGBTQ+ people and greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ communities in local government policies. Despite repeated proposals from opposition politicians and campaign groups, Serbia still offers no legal recognition for same-sex couples. Same-sex marriage is prohibited under the country's constitution and campaigners argue that the absence of a partnership law leaves couples without rights relating to inheritance, property, healthcare decisions and other aspects of family life. Earlier this year, Serbia's **National Assembly** rejected for a third time a proposal to debate legislation on same-sex unions. LGBTQ+ organisations described the decision as evidence of a continued lack of political willingness to address equality issues. The latest calls come despite growing visibility for Serbia's LGBTQ+ community. Pride events in Belgrade have expanded significantly since the violence that disrupted the country's first Pride march in 2001, and recent years have seen larger turnouts and increased public support. However, activists say legal progress has failed to keep pace with social change. International human rights organisations have also raised concerns about the situation. **Outright International** notes that Serbia does not legally recognise same-sex relationships and says LGBTQ+ people continue to face discrimination, hate speech and violence despite existing anti-discrimination protections. ### Charity fundraiser for local hospice targeted by online backlash over drag performers URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/charity-fundraiser-for-local-hospice-targeted-by-online-backlash-over-drag-performers/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T10:02:09.000Z A fundraiser for **Hospiscare** has become embroiled in a social media dispute after its organisers reported receiving a barrage of negative comments about drag performers appearing at the charity event. The **Ladies Night Out** fundraiser, due to take place in **Sidmouth** later this month, will raise money for hospice care services and feature drag artists **Roberta Calamari** and **Ginnie DaFuq** among its entertainment line-up. Organisers say the reaction to the event highlights continuing hostility towards drag performers despite the charitable nature of the evening. One of the organisers, **Dom Boull**, said he was shocked by the reaction after sharing details of the event in several local Facebook groups. In a video posted online, Boull said he woke up to a “ridiculous amount” of negative comments after promoting the fundraiser. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/461264678_18254277319248432_1860418286498243358_n.jpg) ****Ginnie DaFuq**. Facebook “This morning I woke up to a ridiculous amount of hate comments on this post about this charity ladies’ night that we’re doing,” he said. “I’ll just highlight the word charity there. It’s for charity, for hospice care. We’re raising money for hospice care.” According to Boull, some of the comments criticised men dressing in women’s clothing, described drag performers as “unnatural” and questioned what would happen if children encountered them. He responded by pointing out that the event is strictly for adults. “It’s not a children’s event. Children aren’t welcome,” he said. “If it doesn’t affect you, don’t comment. Back off. There’s no need to sit behind a keyboard and comment hate after hate and rile people up.” The fundraiser is scheduled to run from **7.30pm - midnight** and aims to raise money for Hospiscare, which provides specialist end-of-life care across Devon. Organisers later stressed on social media that they had independently chosen the charity as the beneficiary. The event poster advertises a range of attractions including a prosecco draw, tombola, cash prize draw and sweet bags, with tickets priced at £22 including a complimentary glass of prosecco on arrival. Boull said one of the Facebook groups later restricted the post and removed several comments. While he was uncertain whether that was the right approach, he said it helped curb some of the hostility. “Was it the right thing to do? I don’t know,” he said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/798478541_10245790041103925_2154323222822156862_n.jpg) “It kind of was, kind of wasn’t in a way. It’s kind of restricting freedom of speech, but it got rid of a load of riffraff that was on there.” He also made clear that people who objected to the event were under no obligation to attend. “If you are the kind of person that is jumping onto a post to comment nothing but hate and horrible, nasty comments about people’s livelihoods and what people choose to do with their lives, you are not wanted at these nights anyway,” he said. Ending his video, Boull called for greater kindness online and expressed disappointment at the reaction. “I really thought Sidmouth was better than this,” he said. Despite the controversy, organisers say they have also received messages of support and are pressing ahead with the fundraiser. In a subsequent post, they thanked supporters and encouraged people to book tickets while places remain available. The event will take place on **Friday, 25 September** at **Fizz & Feast** in **Sidmouth**, with proceeds going towards Hospiscare’s work supporting patients and families across the region. ### Local Pride "heartbroken" after trans woman assaulted in suspected hate crime URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/local-pride-heartbroken-after-trans-woman-assaulted-in-suspected-hate-crime/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T09:41:57.000Z Police are investigating an assault in **Somerset** as a suspected transphobic hate crime after a woman was allegedly targeted with anti-trans abuse before being attacked. The incident happened in **Cavalier Way**, **Wincanton**, at around 9.15pm on **29 August**. **Avon and Somerset Police** said the victim was walking along the street when she was approached by a group of four teenage boys who began making transphobic comments towards her. According to police, the woman challenged the remarks before two members of the group allegedly assaulted her, striking her in the face and kicking her in the ribs. The victim suffered bruising to her right eye, facial injuries and a cut lip, and later required hospital treatment. In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said: “The victim had been walking along the street when a group of four teenage boys started making transphobic comments towards them. “After challenging them, two of the group assaulted the victim, striking her to the face and kicking her in the ribs. She sustained bruising to her right eye, a cut lip and facial bruising.” Officers met the victim in hospital and took an initial statement. The force confirmed it is treating the incident as a suspected hate crime because of the comments allegedly made before the assault. Police are appealing for witnesses and have released descriptions of two key suspects. Both are described as white males aged between 16 and 18, around 5ft 10in tall and wearing grey tracksuits. One is said to have mid-length curly brown hair. The group was reportedly travelling in a small black hatchback car. The attack has prompted a strong response from **Sherborne Pride**, which said the victim is a member of its community. In a statement, the organisation said it was “heartbroken” by what had happened and urged anyone with information to come forward. “It’s easy to show up for Pride when there are flags flying, music playing, performances to share and glitter on our faces,” the group said. “But we are heartbroken today and this is when showing up really matters.” Sherborne Pride said the woman had attended her first Pride event alone before returning this year with her mother, describing the assault as a stark reminder of why Pride events remain important. “This is why Pride exists. Not just for the sequins and the party,” the group said. “For the night somebody is attacked. For the morning after. For the frightened parent who doesn’t know how to make people listen. “For making damn sure that hate is not allowed to happen quietly.” The organisation also urged people not to speculate about the incident on social media and instead pass any information directly to the police. Anyone who witnessed the assault or has information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101, quoting reference **5226249101**. ### Passenger restrained with duct tape after alleged racist and anti-LGBTQ+ abuse forces American Airlines diversion URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/passenger-restrained-with-duct-tape-after-alleged-racist-and-anti-lgbtq-abuse-forces-american-airlines-diversion/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T09:26:56.000Z A 67-year-old passenger was restrained with duct tape and zip ties after allegedly hurling racist and anti-LGBTQ+ slurs and assaulting fellow travellers on an **American Airlines** flight, prompting an emergency diversion. The incident took place on **American Airlines Flight 618**, which was travelling from **Dallas**, Texas, to **Newark**, New Jersey. The aircraft was diverted to Baltimore after the passenger, identified as **Arthur Lundeen**, allegedly became violent and disruptive around two hours into the journey. According to passengers on board, Lundeen began shouting abuse without warning, reportedly using racist language towards a Black flight attendant and making anti-LGBTQ+ remarks. Witnesses said he also assaulted another passenger, grabbing them by the neck and striking a laptop computer. **Juan Mejia**, one of the passengers who helped restrain Lundeen, told US media the situation escalated rapidly. "Just like a light switch, all of a sudden, it went from quiet to yelling and chaos," he said, describing how he turned around to see the passenger attacking the person seated next to him. Another passenger, **Richard Olenick**, said Lundeen used a racist slur towards a member of cabin crew, while Mejia described the atmosphere in the first-class cabin as one in which passengers were subjected to "hatred", "discrimination" and "hostility". Crew members and several passengers worked together to subdue Lundeen using zip ties and duct tape supplied on board. Videos and photographs shared on social media appeared to show the man secured to his seat while the aircraft made its diversion to Baltimore. Witnesses said Lundeen resisted attempts to restrain him, including allegedly biting some of those involved. They also reported that he suffered a self-inflicted cut during the incident. The flight landed safely in Baltimore, where law enforcement officers boarded the aircraft and removed the passenger before the journey continued to Newark. American Airlines confirmed the diversion was caused by a "disruptive customer" and said safety remained its top priority. "The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we do not tolerate violence," a spokesperson said, thanking crew members for their professionalism and passengers for their cooperation. Lundeen has been charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. He was released on bond on 4 September, according to reports. ### 'Bring The Vivienne Home': Family of The Vivienne launches search for sculptor to create permanent Liverpool memorial URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/family-of-the-vivienne-launches-search-for-sculptor-to-create-permanent-liverpool-memorial/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T09:18:07.000Z The family of **The Vivienne** have launched a nationwide search for the sculptor who will create a permanent bronze statue of the late drag superstar in **Liverpool**'s **Pride Quarter**. The life-size memorial, which will be chosen in consultation with the performer's family, is planned for the junction of **Victoria Street** and **Stanley Street**, marking the entrance to Liverpool's officially recognised Pride Quarter. Organisers say it will be one of only a small number of permanent public artworks in Britain dedicated to a contemporary LGBTQ+ performer. The project honours **James Lee Williams**, known around the world as The Vivienne, who won the first series of *RuPaul's Drag Race UK* in 2019\. Williams remains the only British contestant to have competed in the US version of the franchise and became the first drag performer to reach the final of *Dancing on Ice*. Born in North Wales, Williams moved to Liverpool at the age of 16 and became a prominent figure within the city's LGBTQ+ community long before finding national fame. Following Williams' death in January 2025 after what the family described as a silent struggle with ketamine addiction, relatives established **House of The Vivienne CIC** to help ensure others do not face similar challenges alone. The open tender, announced today, invites professional sculptors from across the UK to submit expressions of interest. Rather than standing on a plinth, the artwork is envisioned as a seated bronze figure incorporated into the existing stone benches at the site, allowing visitors to sit alongside The Vivienne while overlooking Stanley Street. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/4-3-Screen-3.jpg) Image submitted Organisers say the successful artist will be expected to capture both the performer's charisma and the warmth of James Lee Williams as a person, while working closely with the family throughout the design process. The family will have final approval over both the selected sculptor and the finished design. **Cassie Williams**, mother of James Lee Williams, said she wanted the memorial to provide a place where loved ones and admirers could feel connected to him. "I wanted somewhere anyone who loved him could come and sit with him. His family with their brother, their cousin, their nephew, their uncle. His friends with James. Everyone who admired him with Viv," she said. "It was important that this was in Liverpool, where The Vivienne made her name, where James found his people, and where the community continue to keep his legacy alive. "What I would say to any sculptor thinking of applying is this: James was The Vivienne, but he was also my boy. If you can see both of those, you are the person we are looking for." The project is aiming to raise £120,000 to cover the costs of the statue and its installation, with funding coming from a combination of community fundraising and other financial backers. Applicants have been asked to submit their own projected budgets as part of the tender process. At this stage, sculptors are not required to produce design concepts. Instead, expressions of interest should include a CV, portfolio, a statement of up to 500 words, an indication of fee expectations and a proposed timeline. Up to three artists will then be shortlisted and invited to develop detailed proposals, with each receiving a £750 development fee. **John Hyland** of **Proudly Said**, which is leading the project, said the launch of the tender marked a significant milestone. "This is the moment the statue stops being an idea and starts becoming an object," he said. "We have made this an open call because the right sculptor for The Vivienne could be anywhere. "What matters is that they understand who both The Vivienne and James were. We are also asking sculptors to tell us honestly what this takes, we want to get it right rather than get it quickly." **Expressions of interest close on 16 October 2026\. Full details of the commission are** [**available via the Bring The Vivienne Home campaign**](https://www.proudlysaid.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)**.** ### The Saturday Scene: Two men killed in Tucson, and Gloria Steinem's last word on trans rights URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-two-men-killed-in-tucson-and-gloria-steinems-last-word-on-trans-rights/ Last updated: 2026-09-05T07:40:19.000Z #### There is a kind of British political theatre in which a man educated at a fee-paying school in south London, who followed his father into City commodities broking and then drew a European Parliament salary for 20 years, stands on a stage in Birmingham and tells a hall full of people that he is here to take on the establishment. That was the scene this week, and it would have been an ordinary enough scene had Channel 4 News not chosen the days before Reform UK's annual conference to broadcast the bombshell results of a lengthy [undercover operation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXut3s90rUI&ref=scenemag.co.uk) into how the party raises its money. ### The swamp, drained into a private pool The investigation, carried out with the research group Verbatim and broadcast this week, used reporters posing as a wealthy American financier and his UK-resident son. According to Channel 4 News, senior Reform figures discussed with them how money from an impermissible foreign source could reach the party without appearing in the public record. Three opinion polls, commissioned from JL Partners and totalling £32,500, were paid for through a US company controlled by the undercover team. Two were written up by the Telegraph and one by the Times. None of the coverage disclosed Reform UK's involvement. Channel 4 News reports that discussions also covered a prospective £500,000 donation, structured so that the UK-based son would appear as the donor while the money originated with his American father. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Nearly 1,000 trans people and allies expected to descend on Westminster to call for "cruel and unworkable" EHRC guidance to be scrapped URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/nearly1-expected-at-parliament-lobby-calling-for-ehrc-guidance-to-be-scrapped/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T11:57:13.000Z Nearly 1,000 trans people and allies are expected to descend on **Westminster** next week as campaigners urge the Government to abandon what they describe as "cruel and unworkable" **Equality and Human Rights Commission** (EHRC) guidance. The mass lobby, organised by **Trans+ Solidarity Alliance**, will take place in Parliament on **Wednesday, 9 September**, with participants meeting MPs to press for stronger legal protections for trans people and changes to the controversial guidance. Organisers say the event comes amid growing opposition to the EHRC's interim guidance, which was produced following the Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of sex in the Equality Act. More than 160 MPs, including a significant number of Labour backbenchers, have previously expressed concerns about the guidance and its potential impact on trans people. Campaigners hope this year's event will build on the success of a record-breaking lobby in 2025, when more than 900 trans people and allies travelled to Westminster in what organisers described as the largest LGBTQ+ parliamentary lobby in British political history. **Alexandra Parmar-Yee**, director of Trans+ Solidarity Alliance, said campaigners were determined to keep pressure on ministers. "The Government wants this issue to go away. They want you to go away. We need to show them that neither can or will happen," she said. Parmar-Yee accused ministers of failing to provide legal clarity following the Supreme Court judgment and warned that the current situation was creating uncertainty for organisations and service providers across the country. "By running away from their duty to fix the UK's broken equality law, the Government has created a legal minefield which puts communal spaces and services all over the country at risk of being sued," she said. "More importantly, they've created an environment where trans people are less safe living our everyday lives." She added: "Trans people cannot simply evaporate, we have no choice but to navigate the dangerous environment the Government has created. This guidance is cruel and unworkable and it must be scrapped." Campaigners are expected to spend the afternoon meeting MPs in Westminster Hall to discuss the impact of the guidance and call for legislative changes to protect trans people's rights. Unlike a traditional protest, a mass lobby involves members of the public arranging meetings with their MPs inside Parliament to raise concerns directly with elected representatives. Alongside the parliamentary meetings, organisers are planning a visual stunt in Parliament Square, where participants will leave written messages in a giant farewell card symbolising what they describe as the UK's declining international reputation on LGBTQ+ rights. There will also be opportunities for journalists to speak to trans people affected by the guidance, as well as campaign organisers and participating MPs. Parmar-Yee said the event was intended to send a clear message that trans communities would continue fighting for legal recognition and protection. "They want us to go quietly," she said. "Now, more than ever, we need to show up and demand better." The lobby comes as debate over trans rights continues to divide politicians and campaigners, with LGBTQ+ organisations arguing that the EHRC guidance risks increasing exclusion and discrimination, while supporters say it provides clarity following the Supreme Court ruling. ### Church speaker suggests gay people could go to hell during school visit URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/church-speaker-suggests-gay-people-could-go-to-hell-during-school-visit/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T11:52:45.000Z Parents at a Brisbane school have expressed concern after a church worker allegedly suggested during a chapel address that people who are gay could go to hell, prompting complaints from students and a response from school leaders. The controversy centres on a speech delivered by **Jonathan Vickers**, a trainee gospel worker from **St Lucia Bible Church**, at **St Peters Lutheran College** in Brisbane's western suburbs on **24 August**. According to parents who spoke to Australian media, students reported that the address included references which they interpreted as suggesting that gay people could be condemned to hell. Mr Vickers also allegedly told students that those who delayed becoming Christians could face a similar fate. Several parents described the message as harmful, particularly for LGBTQ+ students and young people already struggling with anxiety and self-acceptance. Following concerns raised by students, the school sent a series of communications to parents distancing itself from aspects of the speech and reaffirming its commitment to inclusion. In one email, Year 7 and 8 co-ordinator **Helena Lambert** acknowledged the impact the message had on some students. "We also have many community members who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community," she wrote. "It is also important that we distinguish between the intentions of the young person who spoke in chapel and the impact of aspects of their message." Lambert said the school recognised that Mr Vickers had attended with the intention of sharing his personal faith journey, but stressed that the college had a responsibility to respond when messages caused harm. "Our concern is not about condemning a young person for expressing their faith," she said. "Rather, it is our responsibility as a college to recognise when particular messages have caused harm or do not appropriately reflect the theological and educational context in which we minister to young people, and to respond accordingly." Mr Vickers rejected suggestions that he had singled out LGBTQ+ people in his address, telling the *Courier-Mail* that his comments had been taken out of context. "I did not target any particular group or sexuality," he said. "But all students were urged to repent of their sins and put their faith in Jesus." He added: "St Peters advertises very clearly that they are a Christ-centred community, so a talk based on Jesus' words should be unremarkable." In a statement issued after the complaints emerged, St Peters Lutheran College said it regretted that some members of the community had been upset and confirmed it was reviewing its procedures for inviting external speakers. Head of college **Tim Kotzur** said: "The College recognises and regrets that some comments in the presentation caused genuine concerns for members of our community." "As a Lutheran school, we believe that every person is loved by God, and the dignity and worth of each person is not conditional upon their background, beliefs, identity, sexuality or circumstances." He added: "Nor do we believe faith should be communicated through fear or shame." ### Brighton's gay and inclusive rugby club, Sea Serpents, invite beginners to take the plunge URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brightons-lgbtq-rugby-club-sea-serpents-invite-lgbtq-beginners-to-take-the-plunge/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T15:38:10.000Z When **Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents** [launch their next **Try Rugby programme**](https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAMAAAUViHBUMDdaVTJBSFE5RjVFMDBXOVhQSFBYMEZIMS4u&route=shorturl&ref=scenemag.co.uk)on **Wednesday, 16 September**, participants will be taking far more than their first steps into one of the world's most physical sports. For many, the eight-week course will mark the beginning of a journey towards greater confidence, improved mental health and a sense of belonging within a welcoming LGBTQ+ community. Designed for complete beginners as well as those returning to the game after time away, the programme removes many of the barriers that can stop people from getting involved in sport. No previous rugby experience is required and participants do not need to arrive with a particular level of fitness. Instead, the focus is on learning the fundamentals, building confidence and enjoying the experience alongside others who are starting from a similar place. Run by one of the UK's leading gay and inclusive rugby clubs, the programme offers a judgement-free environment where LGBTQ+ people and allies can discover the sport while forming friendships and becoming part of a supportive community. That sense of belonging is something **Alex** understands all too well. "As a trans person who used to play a lot of team sports as a child and teenager, I had to stop when I could no longer play in a team that reflected my gender," he says. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/BLK02574.jpg) ****Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents. Pic by Sean Black** "Finding Try Rugby and the Sea Serpents has been incredible for both my mental and physical health. Being trans is not only accepted and celebrated, but no one bats an eyelid. On and off the pitch we're all just guys having a good time." For Alex, the programme provided a safe introduction to a sport that can often appear daunting from the outside. "Try Rugby was such a good introduction into what is quite a brutal sport, in an incredibly safe and structured way," he says. "I can't recommend it enough for any trans people who might be scared of gendered sports, but also for anyone who wants a safe place to exercise and improve their mental and physical health." His experience reflects a challenge faced by many LGBTQ+ people. Research has consistently shown that queer and trans people are less likely to participate in organised sport because of fears around discrimination, exclusion or simply not fitting in. The Sea Serpents are working to change that narrative one training session at a time. For **Danny**, joining the club proved to be about much more than learning how to pass a rugby ball or make a tackle. "Joining an LGBTQ+ team has been a transformative experience," he says. "It's not just about playing a sport I've quickly fallen in love with. It's like finding a second family." He describes the impact the team has had on his wellbeing. "The team's incredible support has helped me feel like I belong and has significantly improved my mental health. We push each other, laugh together and have a strong community. It's about connection, confidence and having fun." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/BLK06842--1-.JPG) ****Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents. Pic by Sean Black** That newfound confidence has extended beyond the rugby pitch. "I'll even be marching in my first ever Pride parade with my teammates, feeling proud and supported," he says. For some participants, the programme offers a chance to challenge long-held perceptions about sport and themselves. **Gus** admits he spent years convincing himself rugby was not for him. "I'd never played team sports. School and university teams always felt toxic, so rugby felt like a big leap," he says. Looking for something to complement his weight training and provide a sense of shared purpose, he found himself signing up for Try Rugby just days before it began. "I kept saying, 'It's not for me'. Still, I joined feeling excited with a touch of terror." Those nerves quickly began to fade. "From day one, the team's welcoming attitude and support kept me coming back," he says. "In just months, I've faced my fears, built confidence and learned to let go and enjoy the moment." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/IMG_5974.JPG) ****Pic by Sean Black** His experience highlights one of the programme's biggest successes. Participants are not expected to arrive as athletes. Instead, they are encouraged to learn at their own pace in an environment where mistakes are part of the process. For **Mika**, who had never picked up a rugby ball before joining, that supportive atmosphere was crucial. "When I joined the Try Rugby programme, I didn't just discover a new sport. I found a team where I can truly be myself," he says. "Learning the game feels comfortable and fun, surrounded by teammates and coaches who create a safe and welcoming space for everyone." He believes the programme offers something increasingly valuable in modern life. "Whether you've never picked up a ball before, like me, or you're looking for a fresh start, this is where rugby becomes more than a sport. It's a place where you find your people." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Unknown-1.jpeg) ****Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents. Pic by Sean Black** That idea of "finding your people" is one that runs throughout the Try Rugby programme. While participants spend eight weeks learning passing, tackling, positioning and game awareness, they are also building friendships and support networks that often continue long after the programme ends. The culmination of the course is a graduation match, where participants put their newly acquired skills into practice before being formally welcomed into the wider Sea Serpents family. For many, it marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. In a city renowned for its LGBTQ+ community, the Sea Serpents have created something that extends beyond rugby itself. The club offers a space where people can challenge themselves, improve their fitness, make friends and, perhaps most importantly, feel accepted exactly as they are. 💡 The Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents' next eight-week Try Rugby programme begins on ****Wednesday 16 September**. The course is open to complete beginners and anyone looking to rebuild their confidence in the sport. At the end of the programme, participants take part in a graduation match before being welcomed into the club. [SIGN UP HERE](https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAMAAAUViHBUMDdaVTJBSFE5RjVFMDBXOVhQSFBYMEZIMS4u&route=shorturl&ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Good Law Project to fund private healthcare for 24 trans young people after crowdfunder URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/good-law-project-to-fund-private-healthcare-for-24-trans-young-people-after-crowdfunder/ Last updated: 2026-09-03T11:52:35.000Z **Good Law Project** has announced it will fund private gender-affirming healthcare for 24 trans young people, including 17 former patients of Brighton's **WellBN** clinic, following a public crowdfunding campaign. The legal campaign organisation said it has combined money raised through the fundraiser with its own funds to provide up to three years of care, or support until recipients turn 18, through overseas provider **Anne Health**. The majority of those receiving support are from families affected by the closure of WellBN's trans youth healthcare service, which had been one of the few clinics in England providing gender-affirming care for young people. Announcing the scheme, Good Law Project executive director **Jo Maugham** said families had been left in an impossible position by the current state of trans healthcare in England. "Healthcare for young trans people in Britain has everything to do with politics and very little to do with their best interests," he said. The organisation said 17 young people from "the hardest up" WellBN families would receive funded care, alongside a further seven trans young people from low-income families who had not previously accessed treatment through the Brighton clinic. Good Law Project said the initiative was launched after concerns that more than 100 young people could lose access to gender-affirming healthcare following the closure of services at WellBN. "It meant something over 100 children faced being forcibly detransitioned: a truly hideous, shameful situation," Maugham said. "Their parents, knowing that gender affirming care might mean the difference between life and death for their children, were terrified. "And at Good Law Project we were too." The organisation said some families have sought private healthcare overseas following restrictions on access to gender-affirming treatment in England, while others have turned to obtaining hormones online or through peer networks. "We're going to fund 17 kids from the hardest up WellBN families to get private healthcare from a private provider, Anne Health, abroad," Maugham said. > "This was something concrete that we could do with your help." "And we're going to fund another seven kids from especially hard up families who did not benefit from WellBN's gender affirming healthcare to do the same." He added: "We will fund that healthcare for three years, or until the kids turn 18, whichever happens first." The campaign group described the funding package as a direct response to concerns raised by families and supporters following the closure of trans healthcare services. "This was something concrete that we could do with your help," Maugham said. The announcement comes amid continuing debate over access to healthcare for trans young people in the UK, with campaigners arguing that families are increasingly being pushed towards private providers and overseas services because of limited NHS options. Good Law Project also said it is seeking legal advice over what it described as attempts to involve social services in cases where families access gender-affirming care outside NHS pathways. "The latest contemptible tactic from the politicians running trans healthcare at **NHS England** is to try and scare these loving families by forcing social services to investigate them," Maugham said. "We are consulting with lawyers to see whether it might be possible to sue." The funding package will provide immediate support for 24 trans young people, while campaigners continue to call for greater access to gender-affirming healthcare through the NHS. ### Queer Britain appoints Sir Nick Partridge as new chair URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queer-britain-appoints-sir-nick-partridge-as-new-chair/ Last updated: 2026-09-03T11:16:17.000Z **Queer Britain** has announced the appointment of Sir **Nick Partridge** as the new chair of its board of trustees, succeeding co-founder **Ian Mehrtens**, who is stepping down after completing the maximum term allowed under the museum's governance framework. The leadership change will take effect in September, marking a new chapter for the UK's first national LGBTQ+ museum as it continues to expand its reach and plan for a permanent home. Sir Nick is one of the UK's best-known charity leaders and public health campaigners. He spent almost three decades at the **Terrence Higgins Trust**, including 22 years as chief executive, helping to establish the organisation as the country's leading HIV and sexual health charity. He has also served on a range of national healthcare and research bodies and was awarded an OBE in 1999 before being knighted in 2009 for services to healthcare. His appointment follows an open recruitment process overseen by a nominations sub-committee of Queer Britain's board. Mehrtens, who co-founded the museum alongside **Joseph Galliano-Doig**, has chaired the organisation since its inception and played a central role in transforming the idea of a dedicated LGBTQ+ museum into a reality. Under his leadership, Queer Britain opened its physical space in London in 2022 and has since become a prominent cultural institution preserving and celebrating LGBTQ+ history and culture. Although stepping down as chair, Mehrtens will remain involved with the museum as chair of its property sub-committee, helping to lead the search for a permanent home from 2030. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Queer_Britain.jpg) Wikimedia Reflecting on his time at the helm, Mehrtens said he was leaving the role with "enormous pride". "After eight incredible and unforgettable years as chair, it is with enormous pride that I hand over the leadership of the museum to Sir Nick Partridge," he said. "As one of the two founders of Queer Britain Museum, I have seen it grow from an idea to an award-winning institution. We set out with a simple ambition of creating Britain's first national museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ history and culture, to provide a permanent home for our stories to be preserved, celebrated and shared." He added: "It is with great pleasure that I pass the chair to Sir Nick Partridge. His distinguished leadership, lifelong commitment to equality and inclusion, and deep understanding of our community make him an outstanding successor." Partridge said he was "delighted" to be taking on the role and praised the museum's achievements in bringing LGBTQ+ stories into the mainstream. "The museum has already made an extraordinary contribution by bringing LGBTQ+ history into the mainstream and creating a space where people can learn, reflect and feel a sense of belonging," he said. "Our history is rich, diverse and deeply connected to the story of modern Britain, yet too much of it has been overlooked or forgotten. Queer Britain Museum is helping to change that." He also paid tribute to Mehrtens' leadership and said he looked forward to working with trustees, staff, volunteers and supporters to expand the museum's impact and secure its long-term future. **Andrew Given**, chief executive of Queer Britain, described Mehrtens as an "outstanding chair" whose expertise in charity governance had been invaluable to the organisation's development. "Ian Mehrtens, along with co-founder Joseph Galliano-Doig, worked tirelessly for almost five years to bring the idea of Queer Britain Museum into a physical space during 2022," he said. "Everyone at Queer Britain Museum is excited to welcome Sir Nick as our new chair, to lead the board in our mission to reclaim, preserve and celebrate British LGBTQ+ history and culture." The appointment comes as Queer Britain continues to establish itself as a leading national institution dedicated to preserving LGBTQ+ heritage, with plans to build on its growing profile while securing a permanent home for future generations. ### Gloria Steinem, pioneering feminist and outspoken trans ally, dies aged 92 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/gloria-steinem-pioneering-feminist-and-outspoken-trans-ally-dies-aged-92/ Last updated: 2026-09-03T10:43:39.000Z **Gloria Steinem**, the influential feminist campaigner, journalist and longtime advocate for trans rights, has died aged 92, according to a statement issued by her foundation. She reportedly died at her home in New York surrounded by loved ones after what supporters described as a lifetime spent fighting for equality. Steinem was widely regarded as one of the most recognisable figures of second-wave feminism, helping to found *Ms.* magazine and becoming a leading voice in campaigns for women's rights, reproductive freedom and social justice across more than six decades. Even in her later years, she remained active in political and social movements, with her foundation saying she "continued working for equality until the very end". While celebrated primarily for her role in the women's movement, Steinem also became an important ally to trans communities, particularly at a time when debates over trans inclusion were creating divisions within some feminist spaces. In 2013, she publicly rejected attempts to pit feminism against trans rights, arguing that trans people should be free to live authentically and that movements for gender equality should stand in solidarity with them. Over the following decade she repeatedly spoke out against anti-trans rhetoric and warned that efforts to restrict the rights of trans people were part of a broader backlash against bodily autonomy and gender equality. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Gloria_Steinem_by_Gage_Skidmore-2.jpg) Wikimedia Her support was especially significant because it came amid growing tensions between trans-inclusive feminists and campaigners who sought to exclude trans women from women's spaces and organisations. LGBTQ+ activists frequently pointed to Steinem as evidence that feminist and trans liberation movements shared common goals rather than conflicting interests. In one of her most widely quoted interventions on the issue, Steinem argued that trans people were living "authentic lives" and should not be subjected to discrimination because of who they are. Her comments were welcomed by LGBTQ+ organisations in both the United States and internationally, where she was increasingly seen as a bridge between generations of feminist and queer activism. On 15 June 2020, Steinem co-wrote a letter with **Mona Sinha** to the editor of *The New York Times*, in which they opposed the elimination of civil rights protections for transgender healthcare by the Trump administration. In it, they made note of precolonial American traditions of gender variance and claimed that "the health of any of us affects the health of all of us, and excluding trans people endangers us all". ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Gloria_Steinem_-29751323395-.jpg) Wikimedia Steinem's position evolved over time. Earlier remarks made in the 1970s about gender transition have been criticised in retrospect, but she later acknowledged the importance of listening to trans people's experiences and became a vocal supporter of trans inclusion. Many LGBTQ+ campaigners cited her willingness to learn and publicly affirm trans rights as an example of how feminist movements could adapt and grow. Beyond her advocacy, Steinem's influence on LGBTQ+ communities extended through her broader commitment to intersectional activism. She consistently argued that struggles against sexism, racism, homophobia and transphobia were interconnected, and frequently used her platform to highlight the experiences of marginalised groups. Tributes began pouring in following news of her death, with supporters remembering her not only as a feminist pioneer but also as a steadfast ally who defended trans people during a period of increasing political hostility towards LGBTQ+ communities. ### Cornwall councillor, who previously described trans women as "men who pretend to be women", cleared over 'anti-LGBTQ' social media post URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/cornwall-councillor-who-previously-described-trans-women-as-men-who-pretend-to-be-women-cleared-over-anti-lgbtq-social-media-post/ Last updated: 2026-09-03T10:22:17.000Z A Cornwall councillor accused of sharing an "anti-LGBTQ+" social media meme has been cleared of breaching the council's code of conduct, prompting renewed concern among LGBTQ+ campaigners about how elected representatives are held to account for their online activity. **Cornwall Council** has ruled that Cllr **Dulcie Tudor**, who represents **Truro and Chacewater**, will face no further action over a complaint relating to a social media post that critics said promoted hostility towards LGBTQ+ people. The complaint centred on a meme allegedly liked by Tudor, which reportedly depicted a stick figure kicking another figure coloured with a rainbow flag. According to the complainant, an artificial intelligence assessment of the image suggested it conveyed themes of "hostility and exclusion" towards LGBTQ+ communities. However, **Simon Mansell**, Cornwall Council's head of governance, elections and investigations, concluded there was insufficient evidence to show Tudor had acted in her capacity as a councillor when engaging with the post. In his decision, Mansell said there was "nothing" in the screenshots submitted by complainants, or on the social media profile involved, to indicate that Tudor had liked the post as a Cornwall councillor. He added that while the concerns raised by complainants were understood, the council's ethical standards process could not be applied to actions carried out in a councillor's private capacity. The ruling is the latest in a series of complaints involving Tudor and comments about trans people. Earlier investigations also found she had not breached the council's code of conduct after describing trans women as "men who pretend to be women", remarks which drew criticism from trans rights campaigners and LGBTQ+ organisations. The latest decision is likely to reignite debate over the limits of councillor conduct rules and whether elected representatives should face greater scrutiny for statements and social media activity that critics argue contribute to a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ residents. Campaigners have long argued that language portraying trans people as deceptive or illegitimate can have a harmful impact on trans communities, particularly at a time when LGBTQ+ organisations have reported rising levels of abuse and discrimination. Responding to the outcome, Tudor criticised the complaints process and suggested she had been unfairly targeted. "I'm almost disappointed not to have my day in the kangaroo court that is the council's standards committee," she said. "I would've been able to point out, once again, how using the Code of Conduct process is being used as a form of punishment in itself." ### Manchester Pride performers left out of pocket to receive £15,000 support fund after festival collapse URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/manchester-pride-performers-left-out-of-pocket-to-receive-15-000-support-fund-after-festival-collapse/ Last updated: 2026-09-03T09:34:45.000Z Performers left out of pocket by the collapse of **Manchester Pride** last year are set to receive a share of a new £15,000 support fund secured by **Equity** following months of campaigning. The funding, which comes from contributions made by businesses to a **Manchester City Council**\-backed "social action pot", is not drawn from taxpayers' money. While it falls short of the more than £70,000 owed to over 50 performers when Manchester Pride entered administration in 2025, it will cover around 20% of unpaid fees. Combined with a crowdfunding campaign organised by performer, activist and creative producer **Nathaniel Hall**, which raised £12,500, the total amount secured for affected artists now stands at £27,500, almost 40% of the money owed. Equity is now contacting the performers who came forward after Manchester Pride's collapse left professional artists unpaid for work carried out at the event. Individual losses ranged from £150 to £5,000\. The union plans to distribute the available funds proportionally among those still owed money. The announcement comes days after the successful return of **Manchester Village Pride** (MVP), which took place over the August bank holiday weekend. The community-led event was one of the first Pride festivals in the UK to operate under a formal Equity agreement, with organisers signing up to minimum terms and conditions for performers, including stronger protections around payment. Run by a new Community Interest Company rooted in Manchester's Gay Village, the smaller-scale festival featured dozens of performers and sold out ahead of opening. **Karen Lockney**, Equity's North West official, welcomed the funding package, describing it as a significant step forward for artists who feared they would never recover any of the money they were owed. "This is great news for the many performers who were left high and dry last year when Manchester Pride went bust," she said. "Lots of people thought they'd never get anything for these gigs they worked over a year ago, but it just goes to show that you should never give up. "Performers are so often the people who end up out of pocket, dismissed and treated badly, but there would literally be no Pride without performers. We're grateful to Manchester City Council, and to everyone who donated to the crowdfunder, and we're especially pleased that Manchester Village Pride went ahead this year on an Equity agreement. "We're also encouraged by the promise of discussion on worker representation at other events in the city, which we hope will lead to more union agreements and better terms and safety standards for all workers." Manchester City Council leader Cllr **Garry Bridges** said the authority had been working with Equity to find a way to support those affected without using public funds to cover the debts of a private organisation. "We've been clear throughout that we sympathised with the plight of performers left unpaid when the former organisers of Pride went bust," he said. "We've been working with Equity to find a meaningful way to help those worst affected without using public money to meet the debts of a failed business and I'm pleased that we've been able to reach this constructive solution together. "The event and its performers have a bright future under new organisers Manchester Village Pride and it's great that they have strong arrangements in place to ensure that performers can have confidence going forwards and similar issues can't happen again." **Nathaniel Hall**, who launched the crowdfunder in support of affected artists, said the latest funding boost demonstrated the value of collective action. "It's encouraging to hear that Manchester City Council have found £15,000 to help creatives out of pocket from last year's collapse of Manchester Pride," he said. "Even though this won't cover all the losses, the gesture is really welcome. "Equity members have been working for months to get this result. LGBTQ+ Equity members can be proud they have a union that has their backs when times are tough." The funding package marks the latest chapter in efforts to support performers impacted by the collapse of Manchester Pride, while the success of this year's Manchester Village Pride has been hailed as a fresh start for the city's LGBTQ+ festival scene. ### "I have a reason to come to school now": LGBTQ+ young people's charity Just Like Us shortlisted for education award recognising impact of LGBTQ+ school clubs URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lkjust-like-us-shortlisted-for-education-award-recognising-impact-of-lgbt-school-clubs/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T15:58:01.000Z LGBTQ+ young people's charity **Just Like Us** has been shortlisted for a national education award in recognition of the positive impact its **Pride Groups programme** is having on pupils' health and wellbeing. The charity has been named a finalist in the **Health and Wellbeing category** at the **Teach Secondary Awards**, part of the wider **TeachCo Awards**, which celebrate outstanding educational resources across schools and early years settings. The shortlisted resource was developed in partnership with LGBTQ+ young adult author **Anna Zoe Quirke** and forms part of Just Like Us' Pride Groups programme, a nationwide network of clubs for LGBTQ+ pupils and allies that now operates in one in four UK secondary schools. The resource centred on a creative writing competition inviting pupils to explore how they practise self-care. Entries were judged by Quirke, author of *Sad Girl Hours*, who later took part in an exclusive question-and-answer session with participating students. Just Like Us said the project not only encouraged pupils to reflect on wellbeing, but also provided valuable LGBTQ+ representation by allowing young people to engage directly with a successful queer author. The charity says Pride Groups can play a significant role in supporting young people's mental health and sense of belonging. One pupil described their school's Pride Group as something that "lifted my spirits when I was in a dark time and gave me a sense of community", while another said: "I have a reason to come to school on Thursdays now." According to Just Like Us, 96% of teachers involved in the programme say Pride Groups have improved young people's wellbeing. **Laura Mackay**, chief executive of Just Like Us, welcomed the award recognition. "We are immensely proud that our Pride Groups resources have been shortlisted for a Teach Secondary award in the Health and Wellbeing category," she said. "This affirms what the young people we work with tell us every day: LGBTQ+ inclusive education is vital for pupils' wellbeing and ability to fully participate in education. "Growing up LGBTQ+ is still unacceptably tough, with LGBTQ+ school pupils twice as likely to be bullied as their peers, and more than half feeling isolated every day. But safe spaces like our Pride Groups can make a huge difference, improving pupil wellbeing, creating a sense of belonging, increasing school attendance, and showing young people that who they are is something to be celebrated." Quirke, who previously worked in education, said they were delighted to be involved in the project. "As an educator who has used plenty of Just Like Us's resources in the past, it was such an honour to know that students across the country would be creating work based on one of my stories," they said. "I've seen first-hand the impact Pride Groups have, creating spaces for young people who may not feel safe enough elsewhere to fully express and articulate who they are, or even to begin to figure out who they may be among a group of supportive peers." Quirke added that support from organisations such as Just Like Us could have made a significant difference during their own time at school as a closeted queer young person. "Just Like Us was formed the year I left high school and I know that my experiences in education would have been very different had staff at my school had access to the resources that I now have today through organisations like Just Like Us," they said. The charity's own research has found that LGBTQ+ young people growing up in non-inclusive school and home environments are less likely to feel confident about their future careers and are four times more likely to feel ashamed of being LGBT+. Just Like Us said the award nomination highlights the growing recognition of LGBTQ+ inclusive education as an important factor in improving young people's wellbeing, confidence and educational outcomes. ### Brandi Carlile: Dolly Parton ‘took a risk’ by supporting LGBTQ+ people when she didn’t have to URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brandi-carlile-dolly-parton-took-a-risk-by-supporting-lgbtq-people-when-she-didnt-have-to/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T13:20:55.000Z **Brandi Carlile** has paid an emotional tribute to **Dolly Parton**, praising the late country music icon for supporting LGBTQ+ people at a time when, she said, she “didn’t need to say anything”. The Grammy-winning singer made the comments as she reflected on Parton’s life and legacy following a moving performance of *I Will Always Love You* during her headline show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Carlile dedicated the song to Parton, with photographs of the country legend displayed behind her as she performed. Afterwards, she shared an emotional message on Instagram describing the concert as “one of the best nights of my life”. “It’s impossible for me to cross the state line and not think of our beloved Dolly,” Carlile wrote. “I know we’re on our knees right now. But we were all together and it was one of the best nights of my life. “I hope our celebration of her made it up to heaven last night and that her family in attendance felt proud.” However, it was Carlile’s tribute to Parton’s long-standing support for LGBTQ+ people that particularly resonated with fans. Reflecting on why Parton meant so much to her, Carlile said she loved the singer “because she took a risk and accepted me (and all of us) for being gay in a time where she didn’t need to say anything”. “She has been asked to comment and speak on many things over the years, choosing only to speak on that which brings love and mercy to real people,” Carlile wrote. “She never wavered on accepting anyone for who they were and who they were meant to be.” Carlile has frequently spoken about Parton’s influence on her career and life, but said her admiration only deepened after the pair met. “She was obscenely generous, whip smart and possessed the kind of otherworldly discernment I’ll never stop chasing,” she said. “Dolly was the boss to beat all bosses. She was a musician’s musician, a bona fide rockstar, a preacher and the quickest comedian I ever took a shot from.” Carlile concluded her tribute by thanking Parton for remaining true to herself throughout her decades-long career. “Thank you Dolly. You changed the whole world and never let it change you,” she wrote. “Your faith is a light. You are the standard bearer.” Parton had long been celebrated as an ally to LGBTQ+ communities, consistently advocating acceptance and inclusion throughout her career. ### Sussex artists explore identity and LGBTQ+ life in new exhibition URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/sussex-artists-explore-identity-and-lgbtq-life-in-new-exhibition/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T13:05:23.000Z A new exhibition celebrating identity, transformation and self-expression is coming to Brighton this month, bringing together the work of Sussex-based artistic duo **Dan Flores** and **Sergio Rodriguez**. *Personae*, which opens at **Atelier by the Sea** on **11 September**, combines figurative painting and photography in a collaborative exploration of the people and personalities that shape everyday life. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Dan---Serg-Promo-Shot.JPG) ****Dan Flores** and ****Sergio Rodriguez** Named after the Latin word for the masks worn by actors in ancient theatre, *Personae* examines the identities people present to the world and the stories that lie beneath the surface. The exhibition brings together Rodriguez's portrait and street photography with Flores' atmospheric paintings, many of which are inspired by photographic observations and transformed through a more imaginative, painterly lens. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/39.JPG) The pair say the collection is united by a shared fascination with people and the different ways identity can be expressed. Among the subjects featured are tattooed bikers, strongmen, drag performers and members of Brighton's LGBTQ+ community, alongside friends, acquaintances and people encountered throughout the artists' lives. Some of the portraits are deeply personal, while others capture fleeting moments and chance encounters, turning ordinary experiences into works of art. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Rob-Makin-Painting-by-Dan.JPG) ****Rob Makin** portrait by ****Dan Flores** One of the exhibition's centrepieces is a new painted portrait of **Rob Makin**, who is known to television audiences from Channel 4's *Handcuffed*. The artwork will be displayed alongside a series of photographs taken during the sitting, offering visitors an insight into the creative process behind the finished painting. The accompanying photographic collection also includes a series of full-length nude portraits exploring themes of vulnerability, trust and body confidence. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/31.JPG) Alongside original paintings, the exhibition will feature Rodriguez's portraiture and street photography, including images captured during **Brighton Pride** celebrations. A selection of limited-edition prints and photographs will also be available to purchase, with organisers aiming to appeal to both first-time buyers and established collectors. Flores, a multidisciplinary artist whose background includes hair, make-up, styling and set design, is known for work exploring identity, performance and transformation through figurative painting. Rodriguez's photography focuses on portraiture and street scenes, often working in black and white to document moments of connection, individuality and everyday humanity. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/19.JPG) ### Trans rights charity warns new school guidance could make life harder for trans pupils URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-camermaids-warns-new-school-guidance-could-make-life-harder-for-trans-pupils/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T11:33:25.000Z Trans youth charity **Mermaids** has raised concerns about new government guidance for schools in England, warning that it could make life more difficult for trans, non-binary and gender-diverse young people. The charity has published a detailed explainer of the **Department for Education**'s updated *Keeping Children Safe in Education* guidance, which came into force on 1 September and sets out how schools and colleges should respond to issues including social transition, single-sex facilities, sports participation and record keeping. Mermaids said the guidance contains "confusing and contradictory" language around trans children and young people, which it fears could leave schools less confident about supporting pupils. The charity said it had produced the explainer to help young people, parents, carers and teachers understand what the new rules mean in practice and to support trans students in advocating for themselves. "We recognise that this guidance has caused, and will continue to cause, distress for the children and young people, and parents and carers who we support," the charity said. "It is unconscionable that on top of this, trans young people are reckoning with increasing scrutiny and relentless waves of damaging policies and legislation." Under the new guidance, schools must not allow pupils to use toilets, changing rooms or overnight accommodation designated for the opposite sex assigned at birth. However, Mermaids noted that schools are encouraged to consider providing alternative facilities, such as self-contained toilets, individual changing spaces or separate accommodation where appropriate. The charity stressed that the guidance does not amount to a blanket ban on trans inclusion. For example, while some single-sex sports may be restricted on safety grounds, Mermaids said the guidance still allows schools to consider inclusive participation where safety concerns do not arise. The organisation also highlighted provisions relating to social transition. The guidance states that schools should carefully assess requests from pupils wishing to socially transition, including factors such as wellbeing, safeguarding concerns and family circumstances. Mermaids said the guidance does not prohibit schools from supporting social transition and noted that discussions about gender identity do not automatically require schools to inform parents unless there is a safeguarding concern. The charity also pointed to protections contained within the guidance relating to the Equality Act 2010\. It noted that schools must consider whether policies place trans pupils at a disadvantage and ensure they do not unlawfully discriminate against young people with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment. "Trans children and young people have the protected characteristic of gender reassignment and are protected from discrimination," Mermaids said. The guidance also requires schools to maintain accurate records of a pupil's sex assigned at birth and ensure relevant staff are aware of that information where necessary. However, Mermaids argued this does not mean that a pupil's gender identity cannot also be recorded or that all staff and pupils should be informed. While acknowledging that schools remain legally required to tackle bullying and harassment, the charity warned that the new guidance introduces "damaging limitations" that could negatively affect attendance, wellbeing and educational outcomes for trans pupils. Despite its concerns, Mermaids emphasised that schools continue to have duties to safeguard pupils, consider equality impacts, prevent bullying and provide pastoral support. "It is vital that schools and colleges do not overlook the needs of trans children and young people in every aspect of school life," the charity said. "Schools and colleges can and must still take steps to support and include trans children and young people, and to take transphobic bullying seriously." Mermaids said it would continue working with education partners to advocate for what it described as "an accepting and supportive school environment where all students can learn and be their authentic selves". ### Jennifer Lopez condemns ‘senseless’ Tucson gay bar shooting URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/jennifer-lopez-condemns-senseless-tucson-gay-bar-shooting/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T10:58:15.000Z **Jennifer Lopez** has spoken out following the deadly shooting outside a gay bar in **Tucson**, Arizona, which is being investigated by police as a possible hate crime. The singer and actor shared a message of support for the LGBTQ+ community after two men were killed outside **Venture-N**, a long-established LGBTQ+ venue in the city. Posting on Instagram, Lopez wrote: “Heartbroken over yet another senseless act of violence against our LGBTQIA+ community. Sending love and strength to everyone in Tucson, and to the loved ones of those we lost. You are seen, you are loved.” The shooting took place shortly after midnight on 31 August in the car park of Venture-N. Tucson police say 42-year-old **Vincent Anthony Siqueiros** and 33-year-old **Cameron Davis Capara** were fatally shot. The suspected gunman, identified as 44-year-old **Ousman Ceesay**, later died in hospital after suffering gunshot wounds. Authorities are treating the incident as a possible hate crime after investigators discovered a note allegedly carried by the suspect listing several LGBTQ+ associated businesses. Police have said there is no ongoing threat to the public, but have increased patrols around LGBTQ+ venues in the area. Tucson Mayor **Regina Romero** described the attack as “a direct and devastating attack on our LGBTQ+ community”, while Police Chief **Monica Prieto** said bias-motivated crimes “have no place in our community”. Tributes have continued to pour in for the victims. Friends described Siqueiros as a “thoughtful, considerate person” who always looked for the best in others, while Capara was remembered as a photographer and community advocate who believed in “a better future” for everyone. Lopez has long been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. Her statement joins a growing chorus of condemnation from community leaders, activists and public figures in the wake of the shooting. The investigation remains ongoing. ### ‘Left for dead’: Jury hears gay man’s desperate struggle to survive after alleged homophobic Plymouth marina attack URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/left-for-dead-jury-hears-gay-mans-desperate-struggle-to-survive-after-alleged-homophobic-plymouth-marina-attack/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T10:43:46.000Z A teenager accused of murdering a young gay man allegedly lured him to a **Plymouth** marina before launching a violent assault and pushing him into freezing water, leaving him to drown, a court has heard. **Layton Randle**, 19, is on trial at **Plymouth Crown Court** over the death of 24-year-old **Drew Perham**, whose body was recovered from **King Point Marina** on 25 January. Prosecutors allege Randle befriended Perham during a night out before tricking him into travelling to the waterfront in the early hours of the morning. Once there, he allegedly punched and kicked him before pushing him into the water on what prosecutor **Dan Pawson-Pounds** KC described as a “dark, cold, wet and windy January night”. The court heard that police were alerted shortly after midnight by concerns that Perham had been assaulted and thrown into the marina. Officers found his mobile phone and watch on a pontoon during the early hours, before police divers eventually discovered his body on the seabed later that day. A post-mortem examination concluded that Perham died by drowning. Jurors were told Randle has admitted manslaughter but denies murder, claiming he did not intend to kill or cause really serious harm. The prosecution alleges that after meeting Perham at **The Depo** nightclub, Randle pretended to be friendly before persuading him to leave with him. CCTV shown to the court reportedly captured the pair together during the evening, including moments where they appeared to be interacting amicably. However, the Crown claims the encounter took a violent turn after the pair travelled to King Point Marina. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/drew-perham-1-012626-930851a8cb4048ed9fc7e22044955de1.jpg) ****Drew Perham** Witnesses in a nearby car described seeing what prosecutors called a “totally unprovoked and unexpected attack”, with Randle allegedly punching Perham repeatedly. The court heard Perham did not fight back and instead appeared to retreat while attempting to protect himself from the blows. The jury was told that after the incident, Randle allegedly boasted to numerous people about what had happened, claiming he had beaten Perham and pushed him into the water. Prosecutors said Randle later attended a party where he allegedly told people he had argued with a man called Drew before assaulting him. Witnesses described him as appearing nervous and in shock as he discussed the incident. The court also heard evidence that Randle recorded a video of himself shortly after the alleged attack. In the footage, played to jurors, he allegedly admitted pretending to befriend Perham before taking him to the marina and attacking him. According to the prosecution, Randle also sent Snapchat messages in which he allegedly referred to assaulting Perham and expressed fears that he would be arrested. The jury heard that some of those messages included references to Perham's sexuality. Prosecutors allege Randle referred to him as a “gay lad” and used homophobic language when discussing the attack. Mr Pawson-Pounds told jurors that those comments could provide “some insight” into why the two men ended up at the marina and why Perham was assaulted. The court heard Perham was openly gay. One of the most distressing aspects of the prosecution case concerns Perham’s final moments. Evidence presented to the jury suggests he was still alive after entering the water and made repeated attempts to pull himself to safety. Pathologists found bruising to his upper arms and chest that prosecutors say is consistent with someone desperately trying to haul themselves from the marina onto a pontoon. Jurors heard the water temperature was around nine degrees Celsius, cold enough to trigger cold water shock, causing an involuntary gasp that can quickly lead to drowning. By the time Perham's body was recovered, he had been in the water for more than a day. The court was also told that Randle allegedly returned to the marina around 20 minutes after the attack, not to check on Perham, but to retrieve a box of nitrous oxide canisters left near the scene. Following his arrest, Randle answered “no comment” to police questions. He later provided a prepared statement admitting he had been involved in an altercation with Perham but insisting he never intended to cause him serious harm. The trial continues. ### Andrew Garfield renews call for gay Spider-Man: ‘Anyone can be in that suit’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/andrew-garfield-renews-call-for-gay-spider-man-anyone-can-be-in-that-suit/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T10:28:06.000Z **Andrew Garfield** has reiterated his support for a gay Spider-Man more than a decade after first suggesting the iconic superhero could explore his sexuality. The actor, who played Peter Parker in *The Amazing Spider-Man* films, revisited his comments from 2013 while promoting his new film *The Uprising*, saying he still believes the character should be open to wider representation. Garfield originally sparked debate when he questioned why Spider-Man could not be attracted to men, suggesting at the time that the character’s long-standing love interest MJ could be reimagined as a male character. Reflecting on those remarks in a new interview with *Entertainment Weekly*, Garfield said: “It was an exercise in rebellion that I felt passionate about. I just still believe that anyone can be in that suit.” The Oscar-nominated actor said Spider-Man’s enduring appeal comes from the fact that audiences can see themselves in the masked superhero, regardless of their background. “That’s the point of why it’s such a universally beloved character,” Garfield said. “You don’t see skin colour, you don’t see gender, you don’t see sexuality. Anyone can project themselves into that suit.” Garfield added that he likes the idea of “a place where everyone is being honoured and everyone is being included”, describing his original comments as an attempt to ask: “Why not?” During his 2013 press tour for *The Amazing Spider-Man 2*, Garfield suggested Peter Parker could be exploring his sexuality and floated the idea of actor **Michael B. Jordan** playing a male version of MJ. While Garfield has continued to champion a more inclusive vision of the character, no live-action Spider-Man film has featured an gay version of Peter Parker. Tom Holland currently plays Spider-Man on the big screen, while Marvel’s wider Spider-Verse has introduced a number of alternative Spider-People in comics and animation. ### Pride in Education launches free guide to boost asexual and aromantic inclusion across education URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/pride-in-education-launches-free-guide-to-boost-asexual-and-aromantic-inclusion-across-education/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T10:02:26.000Z A new free resource designed to help schools, colleges and universities better support asexual and aromantic people will be launched later this month by **Pride in Education**. The organisation will unveil its new e-book, *Usualising Asexual Identities in Education*, during a free online panel discussion on **25 September**, bringing together campaigners, educators and researchers working to improve ace and aro inclusion across the education sector. According to Pride in Education, asexual and aromantic students and staff are present in every educational setting, but their identities are often overlooked in curricula, safeguarding policies, staff training and Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE). The new publication aims to move inclusion beyond occasional awareness events and into the day-to-day culture of schools, colleges and universities. The concept of "usualising", the organisation says, means treating ace and aro identities as a normal and expected part of conversations about relationships, attraction, identity and wellbeing, rather than something unusual or exceptional. **Laïla El-Métoui**, founder of Pride in Education, said the resource was created to address a significant gap in visibility and understanding. “Ace and aro young people are sitting in our classrooms right now, and are rarely visibilised or validated in their identity,” she said. “In the UK they have no legal protection. This e-book is about making sure all learners feel that they can be themselves in the classroom, especially ace and aro learners. It was co-designed with the people who have lived experience of this identity.” The launch event will feature a panel of prominent advocates and experts, including **Yasmin Benoit**, the award-winning model, writer and speaker behind the **#ThisIsWhatAsexualLooksLike** campaign and co-founder of **International Asexuality Day**. She will be joined by **Sarah Cosgriff**, science communicator, equality, diversity and inclusion specialist, co-founder of Aces in STEM and recipient of the 2026 Pride in **STEM Decadal Award**, as well as **Sara Ann Hope**, a SEND educator and **National Education Union** activist who founded and chairs the union’s aro and ace network. The discussion will explore what meaningful inclusion looks like in practice, how educators can avoid tokenistic approaches to visibility, and the challenges posed by the continued medicalisation and pathologisation of asexuality. Panellists will also discuss practical ways to embed ace and aro identities into RSHE lessons, pastoral support and staff development programmes, alongside strategies for supporting asexual and aromantic colleagues in educational settings. The session is aimed at teachers, lecturers, school leaders, equality and diversity leads, union representatives, youth workers and others involved in creating inclusive educational environments. All attendees will receive a free copy of the e-book. 💡 The online launch takes place from 4pm to 5pm on Friday 25 September and is free to attend. Free tickets are available via [OutSavvy](https://www.outsavvy.com/event/39139/usualising-asexual-identities-in-education?ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### Jonathan Bailey withdraws from West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George after Ariana Grande exit URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/jonathan-bailey-withdraws-from-west-end-revival-of-sunday-in-the-park-with-george-after-ariana-grande-exit/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T09:59:18.000Z **Jonathan Bailey** has announced he is stepping away from the upcoming West End revival of *Sunday in the Park with George*, weeks after co-star **Ariana Grande** withdrew from the production. The *Bridgerton* and *Wicked* star had been due to lead the Stephen Sondheim musical opposite Grande in a new production directed by **Marianne Elliott** at London’s Barbican. However, Bailey confirmed on social media that he has decided to leave the project, describing his support for Grande as “unwavering”. In a statement shared on Instagram Stories, Bailey wrote: “Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering. Marianne is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends. “After much consideration, I have decided to step back from *Sunday in the Park with George*.” The actor said the musical had been a “real passion project” and that he felt “incredibly lucky” to have been part of its development. He added that he was looking forward to seeing what the performers who eventually take on the lead roles would bring to the production. Grande announced her own departure from the show last month, with a representative saying the singer would be taking “a step back from visibility” after completing her *Eternal Sunshine Tour*. Reports at the time linked the decision to ongoing public scrutiny surrounding the star. Following Bailey’s announcement, producers confirmed that work on the production would continue despite the loss of both original leads. In a statement, **Empire Street Productions** said casting discussions are actively underway and that the creative team is reshaping the production around a new company while preserving the artistic vision of Sondheim and writer **James Lapine**’s acclaimed musical. The revival, which marks a major return of *Sunday in the Park with George* to the London stage, is still scheduled to go ahead at the Barbican, with further casting announcements expected in due course. Bailey and Grande were originally announced for the production earlier this year, reuniting after working together on the *Wicked* films. Their departures leave producers searching for new actors to take on the central roles of George and Dot in one of Sondheim’s most celebrated works. ### REVIEW: 'The Ayatollah's Gaze' by Majid Parsa URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-the-ayatollahs-gaze-by-majid-parsa/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T11:24:25.000Z There is a specific ache that comes from growing up between two versions of yourself, and [**Majid Parsa's**](https://www.majidparsa.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) debut memoir, *The Ayatollah's Gaze*, sits squarely inside that ache and makes something luminous out of it. The call to dawn prayer drifting over rooftops as worshippers head to the mosque, while elsewhere in the same city, that same sound is the cue for a different kind of gathering to disperse. Sweat still cooling on their skin, smiles lingering, the queer men of Tehran melt back into ordinary daylight life, already trading whispered plans for where and when they'll reconvene. It's this double existence, sacred and forbidden occupying the same streets, sometimes the same hour, that Parsa renders with such unsparing clarity, pulling back the curtain on a scene that is endangered and defiantly alive, thriving in the blind spot of a regime built to erase it. Parsa born in Sheffield, returned to Iran when he was still a baby, after his parents grew devout in the aftermath of the Revolution. He was raised, inside a household and a society built on strict religious observance; an environment that would later demand he hide the truest part of himself. What follows is a meticulous, often devastating, sometimes riotously funny account of a boyhood shaped by conflict, piety and rigid obedience, and of the teenage awakening that quietly, irrevocably, cracked that obedience open into something closer to pride. It's an account of what it means to come of age queer in Iran through the 1990s and 2000s, when desire itself was a crime punishable by death. Parsas' prose is determined to leave nothing softened for comfort's sake, lifting the veil on a flamboyant, unapologetic gay scene operating in defiance of both the morality police and the vast, watching authority of the Ayatollah himself. Writing under a pseudonym, Parsa is candid that migration, from one culture into another, and then back again, leaves a person suspended somewhere in the middle. This is not a memoir about being gay in Iran, or remigrating to Britain; it's about the accumulation of identities that never quite resolve into one another. Parsa is a second son, an Iranian, a Muslim, a British-born migrant, a gay man, and the book resists flattening any of these into the others. Structurally, the memoir eschews a clean, linear timeline in favour of something closer to a scrapbook: fragments and recollections drift into one another, connected by feeling rather than chronology. It asks more of the reader; you have to work to track which version of Parsa you're with at any given moment, but that disorientation feels deliberate. The self, this structure suggests, isn't just what's spoken aloud; it's also the silences, the omissions, the things a family agrees never to name. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-21-at-11.03.51.png) The book is effective in its refusal to simplify. Parsa doesn't offer up Iran as a monolith of repression, nor does he offer a straightforward redemption arc once he reaches Britain. Instead, readers are given an unflinchingly intimate, often joyous portrait of an underground gay scene, parties, romances, chosen family, thriving in defiance of the morality police and the ever-present shadow of clerical authority. It sits comfortably alongside **Abdellah Taïa's** autobiographical fiction in its refusal to sanitise queer Muslim desire for a Western gaze, and shares something of **Marjane Satrapi's** *Persepolis* in its portrait of an ordinary life lived under extraordinary political weight; though here, the stakes of visibility are rendered ever sharper. For LGBTQ+ readers, and especially those from religious or diasporic backgrounds, this book will land somewhere tender. It captures, with rare precision, the particular vertigo of loving a faith and a family that cannot fully love you back, and the cost, and the necessity, of choosing yourself anyway. It's a story that matters well beyond Iran's borders: a reminder that queer life persists, inventively and defiantly, even where it is outlawed, and that safety in the 'West' doesn't erase the complicated inheritance of where you came from. This is a memoir that will make you laugh at its cast of unforgettable characters one page and catch your breath the next; a book about survival, but just as much about pleasure, community and the fabulousness that persists even under surveillance. *The Ayatollah's Gaze* is an essential, big-hearted addition to queer migrant literature, and [Parsa's voice](https://www.instagram.com/majidparsa.author?ref=scenemag.co.uk), sharp, sensory, unsentimental, wonderfuly waspish and funny announces an exciting new writer. **The Ayatollah's Gaze** by Majid Parsa is published by Wilton Square Books, £16.99 [**more info or to order:** ](https://www.gaystheword.co.uk/product-page/the-ayatollah-s-gaze-by-majid-parsa-paperback?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/The-Ayatollahs-Gaze-by-Majid-Parsa-book-cover-661x1024.jpg) ### Nepal's largest LGBTQ+ group suspends annual Pride event to honour flood victims URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/nepals-largest-lgbtq-group-suspends-annual-pride-event-to-honour-flood-victims/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T10:23:25.000Z **Nepal**'s leading LGBTQ+ rights organisation has marked this year's Pride event with a solemn act of remembrance, choosing to suspend festivities and instead stand in solidarity with victims of devastating floods that have affected communities across the country. **Blue Diamond Society** (BDS), Nepal's oldest and largest LGBTQ+ rights organisation, announced that its 24th annual Pride and **Gai Jatra** celebration would take a different form this year, focusing on mourning, remembrance and support for those impacted by the disaster. Rather than holding its traditional Pride events, members of the LGBTQ+ community gathered for a candle-lighting ceremony to honour those who have died in the floods, including both Nepali citizens and foreign tourists. The event also remembered members of Nepal's gender and sexual minority communities who had passed away over the past year. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/789399200_1530780185751048_8269294169692724290_n.jpg) ****Blue Diamond Society** Facebook Participants offered prayers for those who lost their lives, wished for the recovery of those injured, called for the safe rescue of people still missing, and expressed solidarity with bereaved families. Speaking at the gathering, LGBTQ+ rights activist and lawmaker **Bhumika Shrestha** thanked members of the SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics) community for standing alongside the wider nation during a difficult period. Blue Diamond Society president **Umisha Pandey** also addressed attendees, reaffirming the organisation's commitment to supporting the country through the crisis. "We stand with our nation in this difficult hour," Pandey said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/789178403_1530780059084394_8137232942037931628_n.jpg) ****Blue Diamond Society** Facebook The organisation said its decision reflected a belief that Pride is not only about celebration, but also about community, compassion and solidarity in times of hardship. As part of its response, Blue Diamond Society announced a donation of NPR 100,000 (£550) to Nepal's **Prime Minister's Relief Fund** to support recovery efforts. In a statement, the organisation said: "Our Pride is also our solidarity. We remember. We stand together. We care." ### REVIEW: Leviticus URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-leviticus/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T10:16:26.000Z Hello, cinema lovers. Today's offering is an intriguing idea: **Leviticus** is a movie about a killer demon wearing your first love's face, and for most of its runtime, that's an idea that works well. Australia has produced some great horror in the recent past; *Wolf Creek* and *The Babadook* come to mind. Leviticus brings an interesting LGBTQ+ angle fronted by a talented young cast. ![image provided](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/BS_LEV_SD27_84.JPG) image provided Naim Reid (**Joe Bird**) is newly arrived in a sleepy town in rural Australia after his father's untimely death. His mother is a member of a devout and ultimately repressive Christian community. He quickly falls for local boy Ryan Whelan (**Stacy Clausen**), and their secret romance is tender and sweet until it's not. Niam outs Ryan and another boy, Hunter (**Jeremy Blewitt**), after catching them together. What follows is a terrifying ritual performed by a dodgy Christian healer. During this ritual, something is summoned that takes the shape of whoever its victim desires most. It waits for you to be alone. It tempts you, it beckons you, then it attacks you. A totally original idea that is very reminiscent of the emotionless stalking demon from *It Follows.* ![image provided](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/BS_LEV_PU01_14.JPG) image provided Bird plays shame as a physical thing in this movie to great effect. He's all hunched shoulders and terrified flinches. He never lets Naim's jealous nature and moments of weakness roam into unlikability. He's a great actor. Clausen puts in a great performance showing both sex appeal and pathos. Both actors' natural chemistry does a lot of heavy lifting when the script's supporting characters start making choices that slowly destroy the boys' happiness. The two main characters come back together constantly in spite of the great risk to their safety, and the movie deserves top marks for showing this. Director **Adrian Chiarella** produces a terrific final product with real cinematic quality. The Australian countryside is shown in a bleak and flat atmosphere, all dead grass and dust. The 1980s vampire movie *After Dark* produced a similar vibe, and the landscape lends itself to a continuing sense of dread. The town itself feels like a trap for the boys. The cinematography favours long, lingering frames that let the tension build. ![image provided](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/LEVITICUS_Still01_CourtesyofNEON-2.jpeg) image provided The film's queerness isn't portrayed as subtext dressed up so a straight audience can look away. The boys are gay front and centre; there's no ambiguity in their orientation. The horror is initially shown in the terrifying conversion ritual. The town's intolerance and homophobia are all filmed with the same disturbing attention as the boys' tenderness together. A handjob on a bus home is shot with the same care as the exorcism that comes before it; desire and violence are given equal weight. The film understands that gay desire under religious repression doesn't get to just be romantic; it's also hidden and guarded. Where the movie works the strongest is the idea of where its monster comes from. The awful thing haunting these boys isn't guilt; it's an actual demon. Built by the religious community that these boys are trapped in. That's a terrific plot point, and it works. ![image provided](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/LEVITICUS_Still02_CourtesyofNEON-2.jpeg) image provided However, the final stretch rushes a resolution that deserved more room to breathe and ultimately robs the movie of a stronger wrap-up. However, Niam's mother, played by a wonderfully damaged **Mia Wasikowska**, reveals a terrible secret in a strong scene late in the movie. A real punch to the stomach narratively, *Leviticus* is a rare thing: a horror movie that shows gay desire and frailty as something worth fighting for and treasuring. A fine genre addition. Definitely worth going to see on the big screen. *Leviticus* is scheduled for theatrical release in the UK on 2 September 2026. ### Two men killed outside Tucson LGBTQ+ bar as police investigate possible hate crime URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/two-men-killed-outside-tucson-lgbtq-bar-as-police-investigate-possible-hate-crime/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T10:12:49.000Z Two men have been killed outside a popular LGBTQ+ venue in **Tucson**, Arizona, in a shooting that police are investigating as a possible hate crime. The attack took place shortly after 12.30am on Monday (31 August) outside **Venture-N**, a bar serving Tucson's LGBTQ+ community. Officers responding to reports of gunfire found three men suffering from gunshot wounds in the venue's car park. Police said 42-year-old **Vincent Anthony Siqueiros** and 33-year-old **Cameron Davis Capara** died at the scene. The suspected gunman, identified as 44-year-old **Ousman Ceesay**, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries but later died. According to investigators, initial evidence suggests the suspect confronted the two men in the car park before opening fire. Authorities are treating the case as a potential hate crime after reportedly discovering a note in the suspect's possession listing a number of LGBTQIA+ associated businesses. Tucson Police Chief **Monica Prieto** described bias-motivated crimes as "especially heinous" and said officers were working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting. The department has increased patrols around LGBTQ+ venues and is working with community organisations to provide support and reassurance. The attack has sent shockwaves through Tucson's LGBTQ+ community. **Rick Morey-Wolfe** and **Randy Pease** of **Tucson QueerStory,** a non-profit organisation that preserves local LGBTQ+ history, said the incident was difficult to comprehend. Pease noted that it had been more than two decades since a major anti-LGBTQ+ attack had shaken the city. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dct2VhSBYMB/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Tucson Queerstory (@tucsonqueerstory)](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dct2VhSBYMB/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Pima County Attorney **Laura Conover** expressed solidarity with LGBTQ+ residents, saying no one should fear being targeted because of who they are or where they choose to gather. US Representative **Adelita Grijalva** also condemned the shooting, describing it as a "targeted act of hate" and a reminder that anti-LGBTQ+ violence remains a threat even in communities known for inclusion and diversity. Friends and community members have paid tribute to the victims. Local reports described Capara as a regular at Venture-N and a photographer within the fetish community, while Siqueiros was remembered as a well-known and valued figure within Tucson's queer community. Police have said there is currently no indication of any ongoing threat to the public, but the investigation remains active as detectives continue to examine evidence surrounding the deadly shooting. ### French LGBTQ+ rights leader, Pierre Picavet, hospitalised after homophobic attack in Paris URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/french-lgbtq-rights-leader-pierre-picavet-hospitalised-after-homophobic-attack-in-paris/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T08:54:22.000Z A prominent French LGBTQ+ rights campaigner has been hospitalised after what activists and city officials have described as a homophobic attack in central **Paris**. **Pierre Picavet**, a police officer and president of LGBTQ+ association **FLAG!**, was injured during an assault in the city's historic **Marais** district in the early hours of Sunday morning. According to French prosecutors, Picavet was leaving a bar when he was allegedly struck with a bottle, suffering multiple injuries including internal bleeding and a head wound. He was taken to hospital for treatment. Prosecutors said the suspect repeatedly directed a homophobic slur at Picavet during the incident. They added that Picavet immediately identified himself as a police officer and showed his police identification, but the alleged attacker continued with the assault. The suspect has since been taken into police custody. Prosecutors said the individual had no previous criminal record and was intoxicated at the time of the attack. Picavet leads FLAG!, an organisation representing LGBTQ+ employees within France's interior and justice ministries and campaigning against discrimination affecting LGBTQ+ people. LGBTQ+ advocacy group STOP Homophobie condemned the attack and shared photographs showing Picavet's injuries. The organisation described the incident as a homophobic assault and warned that anti-LGBTQ+ violence remains a persistent problem in France. In a statement, the group said it condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms" and stressed that violence targeting LGBTQ+ people continues to be a reality. Paris Mayor **Emmanuel Grégoire** also denounced what he called a "despicable homophobic attack" and expressed support for Picavet. "We will never surrender our streets to hatred," Grégoire wrote on social media. "Paris will remain a refuge, a bulwark and a city of freedom for everyone." The attack has prompted renewed concern among campaigners about the safety of LGBTQ+ people in France, particularly in areas such as the Marais, long regarded as the heart of Paris's LGBTQ+ community. An investigation is ongoing. Authorities have not yet announced whether formal hate crime charges will be brought against the suspect. The incident comes amid continuing efforts by LGBTQ+ organisations across France to tackle discrimination and violence, with campaigners calling for stronger action to protect community members from hate-motivated attacks. ### Welsh government urged to reinstate access to trans surgeries after NHS Wales suspension URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/welsh-government-urged-to-reinstate-access-to-trans-surgeries-after-nhs-wales-suspension/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T08:38:07.000Z Trans rights charity **TransActual** has called on the Welsh Government to urgently restore access to gender-affirming surgeries after **NHS Wales** paused surgical referrals for trans adults through the **Welsh Gender Service**. The move has sparked concern among campaigners, who say the decision has left hundreds of patients facing uncertainty, including some whose operations were reportedly halted after they had already been admitted to hospital. NHS Wales announced the suspension in an update published by the Welsh Gender Service last week, following scrutiny of referral rates for gender-affirming surgery in Wales compared with England. TransActual has criticised the decision, arguing that it appears to be based on concerns over higher referral numbers rather than evidence of patient safety issues. **Chay Brown**, Healthcare Director at TransActual, said trans people in Wales were being "profoundly let down" by the decision. "Trans people accessing surgical care through the Welsh Gender Service are being profoundly let down by NHS Wales here, and Welsh ministers need to act urgently to make things right," he said. "The decision to cancel surgeries as people are already in their hospital bed, after extensive assessment, is cruel and seems to be based purely on insinuations about higher referral rates in Wales. "With so many trans people in England forced to go private, it's hardly surprising that the Welsh service that delivers quicker, better care will have higher numbers of people using it." According to TransActual, the suspension affects patients who have already undergone extensive clinical assessments, received recommendations from two independent doctors and been accepted for surgery by specialist surgical teams. The organisation says some patients had their procedures placed on hold at the point they were due to take place, despite having completed all stages of the referral process. Campaigners argue that comparisons with England fail to account for significant differences in waiting times. While many trans people in England face lengthy waits for NHS gender identity services and often turn to private healthcare, advocates say Welsh patients have generally been able to access treatment more quickly through the Welsh Gender Service. TransActual described the suspension as an "extraordinary step", saying it had been introduced before any formal patient safety investigation had taken place. The charity has written to both NHS Wales and the Welsh Government, urging them to prioritise patient care and reverse the decision. The Welsh Gender Service said in its latest update that a review of surgical referrals is underway. Further details can be found in the NHS Wales statement [published on the service's website](https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/news/latest-news/welsh-gender-service-update-28-august-2026/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). TransActual is calling on ministers to ensure that trans people across Wales can continue to access surgical care without further delays, warning that the suspension risks causing significant distress to those who have already spent years navigating the healthcare system. ### LGBTQ+ young people in Sussex still missing out on inclusive sex education, study finds URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-young-people-in-sussex-still-missing-out-on-inclusive-sex-education-study-finds/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T08:30:12.000Z LGBTQ+ young people across Sussex are still not receiving the relationships and sex education (RSE) they need, despite years of efforts to make lessons more inclusive, according to new research from **Allsorts Youth Project**. The charity's survey of 68 young people and young adults, conducted during Pride season 2026, found that nearly all respondents felt excluded from the RSE they received at school or college. The findings reveal that 98% of respondents did not feel represented or included in relationships and sex education, while almost two-thirds (62%) said they learned nothing useful from the lessons they attended. Less than 1% of those surveyed, just a single participant, reported having a positive and useful experience of RSE at school. Researchers found that the most common topic covered in lessons was condom use, with many young people saying this was the only sex education they received. Respondents described a curriculum that focused overwhelmingly on the experiences of cisgender and heterosexual boys and men, leaving LGBTQ+ students without relevant information about relationships, identity and sexual health. The lack of inclusive education is having a significant impact on young people's wellbeing, according to the report. Participants said they felt less confident in understanding their identities and relationships, with some reporting that inadequate education contributed to them coming out later in life. Others said they lacked knowledge about how to keep themselves safe and struggled to access reliable information elsewhere. **Nancy Kelley**, chief executive of Allsorts Youth Project, said the findings show that LGBTQ+ young people continue to be let down by the education system. "We know that good quality, non-judgemental relationships and sex education is critical for LGBTQ+ young people's health and wellbeing," she said. "But more than two decades after the repeal of Section 28 and years after LGBTQ+ inclusive relationships and sex education became the legal standard, we are still letting young people down. Condoms on bananas just isn't good enough. LGBTQ+ young people need, and deserve, much better." Allsorts said the findings have prompted the organisation to develop new resources aimed at supporting both professionals and parents. Working alongside a specialist sex educator, the charity is creating training designed to build confidence in discussing relationships, sex and identity with LGBTQ+ young people. The charity is encouraging those interested in supporting the project or learning more about the initiative to get in touch. The full report is available via the Allsorts Youth Project website at [Allsorts Youth resources](https://allsortsyouth.org.uk/resources?ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### #DALEYPOP X SEPTEMBER 2026 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/daleypop-x-september-2026/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T11:56:16.000Z Music has been embedded in my life ever since I was in the womb, my mum and dad basically raised me on music, especially POP music! I grew up listening to **Madonna**, **Mariah Carey**, **Kylie Minogue**, **Spice Girls**, **Britney Spears** and even **AQUA** and I’ve always been obsessed with pop culture and **Eurovison**! I love yapping about my favourite songs and album of the month every month with the world from **Scene HQ**! ### Madonna and Kylie Minogue - Love Sensation - Afterhours Mix I'm still not over it. **Madonna** and **Kylie Minogue.** Together. On the same track. On the same stage. Yessss we're officially in gay heaven! This is the collaboration we've been manifesting for what feels like 84 years and somehow it exceeded every impossible expectation. A housey, disco fuelled dance fantasy that was absolutely worth the wait. We literally waited decades for Madonna and Kylie to finally collab properly. Now that it's happened, it feels less like a collaboration and more like a cultural event. A moment. A miracle. After M brought *Club Confessions* to **WorldPride** in **Amsterdam** last month, the rumours that had been swirling for years finally became reality. Fans hardly had time to process the announcement before Kylie emerged on stage for a surprise appearance and together they debuted *Love Sensation (Afterhours Mix)* in a moment that instantly made pop history. The song, lifted from M's UK chart topping album *CONFESSIONS II* has become her highest charting single in 17 years. Not since *Celebration* peaked at Number 3 in 2009 has Madonna climbed this high. *Love Sensation* now delivers her record extending 65th UK Top 10 single, further cementing her place among chart royalty. Fun fact: only two artists in history have amassed more UK Top 10 hits and that was **Elvis Presley** with 76 and **Cliff Richard** with 68....and now Madonna! Even more impressively, Madonna's 65 Top 10 singles stretch across four decades: the 1980s, the 1990s, the 2000s and now the 2020s. The Queen of Pop simply refuses to stop making history! ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/1000070344-2.gif) As for Kylie, *Love Sensation* becomes her 37th UK Top 10 single, an achievement that's remarkable in its own right. Her run spans an astonishing five consecutive decades from the 80s all the way through to the 2020s, proving once again that pop longevity doesn't get much more iconic than this. I need to mention Kylie's verse too, it's perfection. Her vocal tone melts seamlessly into M's, complementing it beautifully while still bringing that unmistakable Kylie sparkle. It doesn't feel forced or gimmicky. It feels like these two legends were always meant to perform together. 10 out of 10\. ### Disco Bambino and Nile Rodgers - Dancing Without You (feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor) Some collaborations are exciting. This one feels like destiny. Italian producer **Giuseppe Savoni** (I have an uncle Giuseppe by the way, hi uncle Billy if you ever read this!)aka **Disco Bambino** has pulled off the impossible bringing together the luminous **Sophie Ellis-Bextor** and the undisputed king of disco guitar **Nile Rodgers** for *Dancing Without You*, a track so effortlessly glamorous it practically arrives wrapped in a mirror ball. Sophie's timeless vocals drip with sophistication and heartbreak while Nile's instantly recognisable guitar lines remind everyone why he helped create the blueprint for disco in the first place. Together the trio transform the song into something bigger than a simple collaboration. It's a celebration of disco's past, present and future. Sparkling, euphoric and impossible to resist, *Dancing Without You* doesn't just nod to the golden age of **Studio 54**. It struts straight onto the dancefloor and demands the spotlight. Dramatic I know but it's true! ### Peggy Gou, Ayra Starr - Wo, man Arguably the coolest person on the planet, **Peggy Gou** has teamed up with **Ayra Starr** for *Wo, man*, a sun soaked anthem bursting with freedom, confidence and pure summer euphoria. Built around themes of independence and shared joy, the track pairs Peg's effortlessly stylish production with Ayra's charisma filled vocals, creating a collaboration that feels completely natural from start to finish. As Peggy explained, she knew she needed a voice that could match the song's uplifting energy, and Ayra brought exactly the right mix of "sexiness and swag" to the record. Their chemistry isn't exactly a surprise though. Earlier this year Peg's remixed Ayra's *Where Do We Go?* hinting at the creative spark between them and *Wo, man* fully delivers on that promise. The release also caps off a remarkable run for Peg's whose genre hopping versatility continues to earn admiration across the music world. From remixing Madonna's *I Feel So Free* to inspiring artists as diverse as **Drake** and **Sexyy Red**, her influence is everywhere right now. Most importantly, though, *Wo, man* is just a massive vibe. ### MNEK - MUSCLE MARYS.. **MNEK** is keeping it real on *MUSCLE MARYS..*, a sharp, relatable take on body image, self worth and the sometimes superficial realities of modern dating. Over a breezy, UKG-infused pop production, he reflects on the attention that suddenly appears when you're deemed desirable. Questioning whether people are interested in the person underneath or simply what's on the surface. It's witty, honest and likely to strike a chord with plenty of listeners, especially anyone who's navigated dating apps. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DclBZiAiNoa/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by MNEK (@mnek)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DclBZiAiNoa/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The track is lifted from MNEK's long awaited second album *Bulldozer*, arriving this month YAY (18th September). Serving as the follow up to 2018's *Language* (which somehow feels both yesterday and a lifetime ago), the project is already shaping up to be MNEK's most personal work yet. Catchy but self-aware and delivering sharp observations all at the same time, *MUSCLE MARYS..* is the kind of song that makes you dance while quietly calling you out. *Bulldozer* can't arrive soon enough. ### Becky Hill - what do i have to do? OMG **Becky Hill** is making sure my excitement for *REBECCA* is at dangerous levels. The latest preview of her upcoming third album which is arriving this month (25th September) is *what do i have to do?*, a brutally honest and ridiculously catchy pop anthem that finds Becky writing with more vulnerability than ever. Exploring ambition, visibility, self worth and the constant push and pull between wanting more while protecting yourself, it feels deeply personal without ever losing its hit making punch and kick! The official music video expands on the satirical world introduced in *More! More! More!* as Becky begins in the familiar territory of one of those get ready with me vlogs before things spiral into a darkly funny send up of beauty culture, looksmaxxing and internet obsession with appearance. What makes it hit even harder is that every bizarre beauty treatment shown is paired with real comments Becky has received about her looks on social media. The result is an uncomfortable but incredibly effective commentary on the unrealistic standards women are expected to live up to online. It's clever, it's cutting and it's another reminder that Becky isn't afraid to say something meaningful while delivering an absolute pop banger. With *REBECCA* just around the corner, I'm ready for the album. ### Troye Sivan - She's The Best **Troye Sivan** is back but don't expect another *Rush*. *She's The Best* swaps sweaty dancefloors for something more introspective, unfolding as a dreamy slice of alternative pop that feels kinda nostalgic for some reason. Beginning with spoken word verses before gradually blooming with guitars, strings and shimmering synths, it's giving me major '90s vibes in the best possible way. Describing the song as a painting of his life in all its moods and colours, Troye said it explores both the euphoric highs of recent years and the loneliness that can exist beneath them. At its heart is a celebration of femininity and the people who have helped shape him, from women and trans women to drag queens, feminine presenting people and the wider influence of the feminine in his life and creativity. As a fellow gay boy I really connect with that perspective. I know that the way many queer men find comfort, inspiration and identity through female figures is such a nuanced and often overlooked experience and Troye captures it beautifully on *She's the Best*. The official music video also features fellow Australian icon **Nicole Kidman** because who would better appear in a love letter to femininity? Thoughtful, emotional and quietly gorgeous, *She's The Best* reveals a softer side of Troye while still feeling unmistakably him. Oh and *She's The Best* serves as the title track from Troye's forthcoming album due in October. If this beautifully understated first taste is anything to go by then I reckon we could be in for his most personal and emotionally rich project yet. ### Lena Katina - Love Yourself **t.A.T.u.** icon and legend **Lena Katina** has returned with her first English language release since 2021 and it's exactly the kind of uplifting anthem many of us need right now. *Love Yourself* delivers a simple but powerful message. Stop measuring yourself through other people's expectations and start embracing who you are. Built around themes of self acceptance, confidence and personal growth, it's an empowering reminder to be kinder to ourselves in a world that often encourages the opposite. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/image.png) 📸 [Lesie Pole](https://www.instagram.com/lesiepole/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) The song was originally released in Russian as *Полюбить себя* and Lena revealed that she decided to record an English version after loads of requests from international fans who wanted the message to reach a wider audience. Warm, uplifting and packed with positivity, *Love Yourself* feels like a much needed hug in song form. If you're looking for three minutes of pure feel good energy, this one is well worth adding to your playlist....and for hardcore t.A.T.u. fans like myself, it sounds very t.A.T.u. right?! ### ALL'N - Dream Higher If you're not familiar with **ALL'N** aka **Sam Sungmin Kang** yet, now's the time to change that hun. The K-pop soloist, singer, songwriter and **SKS Entertainment** founder built his name from the phrase "all in" and the Korean word for violin, a fitting tribute to a life that began in classical music. Before stepping into pop, he spent years as a competitive violinist honing his craft through intensive training and performance. That classical background remains at the heart of his music. Refusing to let the violin stay confined to concert halls ALL'N developed what he calls "violin-driven K-pop", blending his instrumental roots with contemporary pop production. The result is *Dream Higher*....an uplifting anthem packed with melodic rap, soaring vocals, electric guitar and futuristic electronic textures. What begins as a personal story quickly explodes into a stadium sized chorus built for maximum impact. It's ambitious, inspiring and most importantly, an absolute bop! ### Taylor Swift - I Knew It, I Knew You (From Toy Story 5) I'm still yet to see **Toy Story 5** and honestly I'm devastated about it. **Taylor Swift** released *I Knew It, I Knew You* for the soundtrack though and it's a gorgeous return to her country roots inspired by *Toy Story's* beloved cowgirl **Jessie** aka **Jessica Jane Pride**....such a cool name! Written from Jessie's POV (I think), the song is packed with warmth, heart and classic TS storytelling. It feels authentically tied to Jessie capturing her journey with a tenderness that's impossible not to fall for. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/image-1.png) 📸 [Beth Garrabrant](https://www.instagram.com/bethgarrabrant?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Director **Andrew Stanton** summed it up perfectly saying the song felt so connected to Toy Story that it seemed like it had always belonged there and I totally get what he means. Also....Taylor Swift. Toy Story. TS x TS. Right?! Did anyone else notice that? Anyway Taylor said she'd dreamed of writing for these characters since childhood and that she was so inspired after seeing an early screening of the film that she wrote the song as soon as she got home. Sometimes, as Taylor put it, "you just know." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/1000034524.png) ## AOTM: Icona Pop - Ritual ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I honestly wasn't expecting **Icona Pop** to release one of my favourite albums of 2026 but they have! On their first full length project in years, Swedish duo **Caroline Hjelt** and **Aino Jawo** better known as Icona Pop trade pure chaos for something deeper without losing the euphoric energy that made us fall in love with them in the first place. The result is a late night electro pop odyssey packed with towering synths, dancefloor ready hooks and some of the most vulnerable songwriting of their career. Across the album, the duo explore heartbreak, healing, friendship, motherhood, reinvention and joy, turning the dancefloor into a place of release, reflection and transformation. At its heart, *Ritual* feels like a declaration of self acceptance. Caroline and Aino embrace every version of themselves from being mothers, entrepreneurs, creative partners, friends and to women who have weathered life's biggest changes together. "It's always been us against the world," the duo explained. "But now it feels like we've built a world of our own." That bond runs through every second of the album. Written during a hugely transformative period that saw both women become mothers within days of each other, return to **Sweden** after years in **Los Angeles** and navigate heartbreak, anxiety and personal upheaval, *Ritual* channels real life experiences into something genuinely moving. Rather than running and hiding from difficult emotions, they leaned into them, creating what may be their most honest body of work yet. Nowhere is that emotional depth clearer than on *Hurt*. Beginning with sparse piano and fragmented vocals before exploding into a cathartic electronic release, it's the sound of heartbreak slowly loosening its grip. It's devastating, healing and uplifting all at once. The magic of *Ritual* is that it manages to make vulnerability feel huge. These songs were clearly born from tears, uncertainty and difficult conversations, but they emerge as triumphant pop anthems filled with hope. It's emotional. It's euphoric. It's empowering. Most importantly, it's proof that Icona Pop are far more than the duo behind *I Love It*. *Ritual* finds them at their most confident, most honest and, arguably their very best. I love it! Stream the #DALEYPOP X SEPTEMBER 2026 playlist [HERE](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02PV4aaSYK3d0zf0l2LSas?si=X0S9Wo8cQfKbo8GPSy-QEA&ref=scenemag.co.uk) and follow the official Scene Spotify [HERE](https://open.spotify.com/user/31yhhvqrnncziyslp6w3lcq5haym?ref=scenemag.co.uk).🎧✨ ### The Saturday Scene: Rest in peace, Dolly Parton. And Wales has halted trans surgeries URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-rest-in-peace-dolly-parton-and-wales-has-halted-trans-surgeries/ Last updated: 2026-08-29T11:26:47.000Z #### This week has been packed with news. Setting aside the latest absurdities from the White House and Trump's efforts to rename Lake Ontario, the saddest news was the passing of one of the LGBTQ+ community's most vocal allies. Dolly Parton, the singer, songwriter and philanthropist whose warmth reached far beyond the world of country music, [has died](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/for-generations-of-lgbtq-people-dolly-parton-was-more-than-a-country-music-legend/) at the age of 80\. Her family announced that she passed away peacefully in Nashville on Tuesday 25 August, after a brief battle with cancer. The tributes since have come from everywhere, which is fitting for a woman who seemed to belong to everyone. But queer people have a particular claim on her, and a particular grief this week. Parton has been important to LGBTQ+ people because of what she refused to do. A woman of deep Christian faith, raised in the mountains of East Tennessee and beloved by an audience not always known for its warmth toward queer lives, she never once used her platform to shame us. Where others in her position hedged or stayed silent, she was plain: she loved everybody. She spoke openly about her gay and trans fans with affection rather than tolerance, and she made clear across decades that judgement was God's business and not hers. Even in death, Dolly Parton's unifying power has brought together people from all walks of life. Her death prompted Barack Obama and Donald Trump to praise the same person and agree that this is a great loss. She unites queer people, their allies, and conservatives with opposing views. She bridges generations. This is something that every politician talks about, but very few achieve. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Hackney mayor says trans women can continue using women’s toilets despite EHRC 'guidance' URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/hackney-mayor-says-trans-women-can-continue-using-womens-toilets-despite-ehrc-guidance/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T10:35:23.000Z Hackney’s **Green Party** mayor **Zoë Garbett** has said trans women will continue to be able to use women’s toilets and other council facilities in the borough, despite new **Equality and Human Rights Commission** (EHRC) 'guidance' stating that single-sex spaces should be organised according to biological sex. Garbett told *Metro* that Hackney’s services would remain “trans inclusive” and that council staff had been instructed not to police access to facilities while the authority reviews its policies. “I consider trans women to be women and trans men to be men,” she said. “I want trans people to be able to access services they identify with and that they feel safe and comfortable using.” The EHRC’s updated Code of Practice came into force this month following the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling that the terms “woman”, “man” and “sex” in the Equality Act refer to biological sex. The regulator says the guidance does not create new law, but provides legally accurate advice on how existing legislation should be applied. Under the guidance, transgender people are expected to use either gender-neutral facilities or facilities that correspond with their biological sex. However, Garbett said Hackney would continue to welcome trans residents and criticised what she described as a broader push to exclude trans people from public life. “I’ve had trans residents and organisations asking if it is still a safe space to use our toilets, and I’d say absolutely yes it is,” she said. Asked whether a trans woman could use a women’s toilet in a council-run building, Garbett replied: “Yes, absolutely.” The mayor, who became the Green Party’s first directly elected mayor when she won the Hackney mayoral election in May, said she was “deeply saddened” by the current debate around trans rights. “I think the guidance deeply conflicts with equality law and is also unworkable,” she said. Garbett said the council was taking legal and governance advice to ensure it remained compliant with the law while seeking to maximise inclusion for trans residents. She added that Hackney had been “really clear” with staff and commissioned services not to begin policing access to facilities while the authority considered its response. Hackney is among a number of London councils that have publicly opposed the EHRC guidance. Alongside **Haringey**, **Lewisham**, **Southwark** and **Waltham** **Forest**, the borough wrote to both the EHRC and the Government shortly after the code came into force, arguing for an inclusive approach to services. According to Garbett, the councils are working together to review policies and challenge the guidance. “I really hope that we get to a position where we are not obsessing about a minority group in our society and the way that they wish to live their lives,” she said. “We’re definitely trying to ensure that trans people’s voices are heard, that they have that engagement in public life, and we’re adopting that principle of maximum trans inclusion.” Despite her criticism of the code, Garbett declined to say whether Hackney would launch a formal legal challenge, saying she recognised her responsibility not to place the council in “huge difficulty”. The issue is already the subject of legal scrutiny. According to *The Times*, Hackney Council has been served with a legal challenge over its alleged failure to provide female-only services. ### "She stood with our community": Human Rights Campaign pays tribute to Dolly Parton following her death at 80 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/she-stood-with-our-community-human-rights-campaign-pays-tribute-to-dolly-parton-following-her-death-at-80/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T09:33:12.000Z LGBTQ+ civil rights organisation **Human Rights Campaign** (HRC) has paid tribute to **Dolly Parton** following the death of the country music icon, actress and longtime LGBTQ+ ally at the age of 80. In a statement, HRC president Kelley Robinson described Parton as a figure who had used her influence to champion inclusion and make LGBTQ+ people feel valued and celebrated. “We are heartbroken by Dolly’s passing,” Robinson said. “She showed the world what it looks like to lead with love and stood with our community long before others in entertainment, using her voice and platform to create a world where LGBTQ+ people feel seen and celebrated.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/imago864866898-2.jpg) Parton, whose career spanned more than six decades, became one of the most successful and beloved figures in popular culture. From chart-topping hits including *Jolene* to her starring role in the classic workplace comedy *9 to 5*, she built a global following that extended far beyond country music. For many LGBTQ+ people, however, her appeal went beyond her music. Parton was widely regarded as a steadfast ally who consistently spoke out in favour of equality and acceptance, earning a devoted queer fanbase that embraced her message of self-expression and authenticity. HRC said Parton had “stood with our community long before others in entertainment”, using her platform to challenge prejudice and support LGBTQ+ people. The organisation highlighted her opposition to North Carolina's controversial anti-trans "bathroom bill", which sparked national protests and boycotts after it was introduced in 2016. Speaking at the time, Parton said: “I think everybody should be treated with respect. I don't judge people. I hope that everybody gets a chance to be who and what they are.” The singer also supported HRC's work directly, contributing to the organisation's 2005 *Love Rocks* fundraising album alongside a number of major music stars. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/imago864826796-2.jpg) ****IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire** Robinson said Parton's legacy would endure not only through her music but also through her generosity and advocacy. “Her music and her spirit touched millions; and her generosity, especially toward children, will be felt for generations,” she said. “We will miss her dearly, and we will carry forward the light she shared with all of us.” Parton was also renowned for her philanthropic work, particularly through programmes promoting literacy and education for children. HRC said that, for many LGBTQ+ people, she represented a rare combination of superstardom, compassion and unwavering support during periods when public acceptance was far less common. The organisation described Parton as more than an entertainer, calling her “a safe place” for generations of LGBTQ+ fans and a reminder that everyone deserves dignity, respect and love. ### US conservative gay rights group 'Log Cabin Republicans' drops support for trans rights URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/us-conservative-gay-rights-group-log-cabin-republicans-drops-support-for-trans-rights/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T09:27:58.000Z A prominent conservative LGBTQ+ organisation in the United States has announced it is ending its advocacy for trans people, a move that comes as President **Donald Trump**'s administration continues to pursue policies restricting trans rights. The **Log Cabin Republicans**, which represents LGBTQ+ conservatives within the **Republican Party**, said its board had voted to focus exclusively on issues relating to sexual orientation. Board president **Ross Hemminger** said the organisation would now concentrate on being an "LGB advocacy organisation", ending a policy adopted in 2015 that formally included support for trans rights. The decision marks a significant shift for a group founded nearly 50 years ago to oppose discrimination against gay and lesbian people. Established in California in 1977, Log Cabin Republicans emerged from a campaign against the **Briggs Initiative**, a proposed law that would have barred gay and lesbian people from teaching in public schools. The organisation has long presented itself as a bridge between LGBTQ+ Americans and the Republican Party. In an online essay, Hemminger said the organisation first embraced trans rights in 2015 but argued that the movement had since become associated with what he described as a "radical gender ideology". The announcement comes as trans Americans face mounting political and legal challenges. Since returning to office, Trump has issued a series of executive actions targeting trans rights and declared that the US government will recognise only two sexes, male and female. His administration has also launched investigations into educational institutions over trans-inclusive policies and threatened to withhold federal funding from those that do not comply with federal directives. LGBTQ+ organisations and civil rights groups have condemned such measures, warning they undermine the rights, dignity and safety of transgender people. Campaigners argue that restrictions introduced by the Trump administration, alongside legislation passed in several Republican-led states, have contributed to an increasingly hostile climate for trans communities across the country. The Log Cabin Republicans' decision has also drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that separating transgender people from the wider LGBTQ+ movement weakens efforts to defend equality. Human Rights Campaign spokesperson **Delphine Luneau** said attempts to divide the community were "exactly what anti-equality forces want to see happen". The organisation is perhaps best known for challenging the US military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which barred openly gay people from serving in the armed forces. Critics of the latest move say it represents a sharp departure from the group's historic role in opposing discrimination, at a time when trans Americans are increasingly finding themselves at the centre of political battles over healthcare, education, legal recognition and public life. ### Older LGBTQ+ people face greater risk of loneliness, poverty and poor health, report warns URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/older-lgbtq-people-face-greater-risk-of-loneliness-poverty-and-poor-health-report-warns/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T09:14:46.000Z A rapidly growing older LGBTQ+ population faces a future of poorer health, greater financial insecurity and increased social isolation unless urgent action is taken, a new report has warned. Analysis by the **Centre for Ageing Better** found that older LGBTQ+ people are significantly more likely to live alone and less likely to have support networks than their heterosexual peers, while also facing disadvantages in housing, employment, health and access to services. The charity's first dedicated *State of Ageing LGBTQ+* spotlight report found that more than half of gay and bisexual men aged 65 and over live alone, compared with fewer than a quarter of heterosexual men. Among people aged 50 to 64, gay men were more than twice as likely to live alone as heterosexual men, while bisexual women in the same age group were twice as likely to live alone as their heterosexual counterparts. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/LGBTQ--Spotlight.jpg) Submitted The report also found that only 55% of gay and bisexual men aged 50 and over said they definitely had someone they could rely on for help if needed, compared with 69% of heterosexual men. Researchers warned that the challenges facing older LGBTQ+ people are becoming increasingly urgent as the size of the community continues to grow. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of lesbian, gay and bisexual people aged 50 and over in the UK increased by a third, rising from 343,000 to 457,000\. By comparison, the number of heterosexual people aged 50 and over grew by just 4% during the same period. The report highlights what it describes as a postcode lottery in specialist support services. While London has 44 voluntary services for LGBTQ+ people aged over 50 listed by **LGBT Consortium** members, there are only two services in the East Midlands and two in the North East despite sizeable older LGBTQ+ populations in both regions. Financial insecurity is another major concern. Less than half of LGBTQ+ adults are on track to meet their financial needs in retirement, according to the report. Researchers also found evidence that older gay men may face a higher risk of material deprivation, while older trans people, disabled LGBTQ+ people and those from racially minoritised backgrounds may experience particular economic disadvantage. Significant health inequalities were also identified. Among women aged 50 to 64, 16% of bisexual women reported being in bad or very bad health, compared with 8% of heterosexual women. The gap was similar among men, with 14% of bisexual men reporting poor health compared with 8% of heterosexual men. LGBTQ+ people aged 50 and over were also almost twice as likely as heterosexual people to live in private or social rented accommodation. The report notes that rented homes are more likely to be damp, cold or hazardous, while older private renters are far more likely to experience poverty than homeowners. **Sarah Wilkinson**, Research and Analysis Manager at the Centre for Ageing Better, said many of the inequalities highlighted in the report stemmed from a lifetime of discrimination. "The cumulative disadvantage that our spotlight report highlights is often the result of a lifetime of homophobia and transphobia, which can significantly affect wellbeing and quality of life," she said. "While older LGBTQ+ people have been at the forefront of great social progress, they have also weathered societal discrimination including criminalisation and abusive conversion therapies in the most extreme cases. "Now in their later lives, older LGBTQ+ people face the additional and overlapping challenge of ageism." Wilkinson said many older LGBTQ+ people had concerns about discrimination when accessing services, which could lead to people delaying or avoiding support. She added that LGBTQ+-led services often remained concentrated in areas with larger LGBTQ+ populations and that many community organisations faced funding pressures. The Centre for Ageing Better is calling on the Government to better plan for the needs of older LGBTQ+ people, including improved housing and care provision, stronger legal protections and greater inclusion in policymaking. The organisation is also backing calls for the creation of a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing, arguing that the role would help ensure the needs of an increasingly diverse older population are reflected in government policy. Dr **Aideen Young**, Head of Research and Analysis at the Centre for Ageing Better, said older LGBTQ+ people remained largely invisible in official data and public policy. "Older LGBTQ+ people are a growing but overlooked group facing preventable inequalities in later life, yet they remain largely invisible in data, policy, and service provision," she said. "It is a glaring oversight that not all people's lives and experiences in this country are visible in national data. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/LGBTQ--Spotlight-3.jpg) Submitted "If people are not being counted, they are not being accounted for in policy-making and service design." The report calls on government departments, the **Office for National Statistics** and service providers to improve the collection of data on sexual orientation and gender identity to help better understand the needs of older LGBTQ+ communities. **Lizzie Gent**, a member of the **Ageing Better Voices** network, said the findings reflected concerns shared by many older LGBTQ+ people. "The fear as we age, and contemplate greater care and different living arrangements, that we may need to go back into the closet after a lifetime of being out and open about our sexuality and gender identity is a very real one," she said. "Too often older LGBTQ+ people are regarded as simply 'old' and as a problem that needs dealing with. This ignores the rich, varied, amazing and remarkable lives many of us have lived." ### Joe Lycett says people wrongly assumed he was gay because of his public persona URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/joe-lycett-says-people-wrongly-assumed-he-was-gay-because-of-his-public-persona/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T09:00:07.000Z Joe Lycett has opened up about the assumptions people make about his sexuality, saying many were surprised when he became a father because they viewed him as "the gay man". The comedian and presenter made the comments during an appearance on Fearne Cotton's *Happy Place* podcast, where the pair discussed identity, public perception and the challenges of working out who you are while in the public eye. Cotton, 44, reflected on the end of her time at BBC Radio 1, admitting she had become a "very beige version" of herself because she was "so terrified" that people disliked her. Lycett, 38, said he had also found himself questioning his sense of identity, particularly before taking paternity leave in 2024. Discussing the difference between his private self and his public image, the *Taskmaster* star said many people had incorrectly assumed he was gay. "Lots of people were surprised when I had a child with a woman, because they were like: 'But you're the gay man'," he said. "And I've never said that I'm gay because I've never been gay. But because I'm camp and I do innuendo and all those sorts of things, people have this idea of what that is." Lycett said the reaction prompted a period of self-reflection, during which he questioned whether his stage persona had become disconnected from who he really was. The comedian welcomed his first child in October 2024 with his partner, whom he publicly refers to by the pseudonym "Denise". He had not previously announced the pregnancy, leading some fans to wonder whether the baby announcement was another of his elaborate practical jokes. Lycett has become known for headline-grabbing stunts throughout his career, including a widely publicised protest against David Beckham's role as an ambassador for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, in which he appeared to shred £10,000 before later revealing the money had not actually been destroyed. Following the birth of his son, Lycett used social media to remind followers that he identifies as pansexual, albeit in his trademark tongue-in-cheek style. Jokingly explaining pansexuality, he wrote that it was "nothing to do with gender or any of that woke stuff" and was instead linked to mating rituals involving smells such as blueberry-flavoured disposable vapes, unsweetened soya milk and coins. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/imago475869686-2.jpg) ****IMAGO / SOPA Images** The TV star has spoken openly about his sexuality before. In an interview with drag performer **Bimini**, Lycett said there was a brief period when he thought he was gay because he was attracted to men, before realising the label did not fully describe him. He said he sometimes used the term bisexual as a shorthand because people understood it more easily, but added that pansexual was the most accurate description of his identity. "I think the most accurate way of describing myself is pansexual, in that I'm not attracted to people just because of their gender," he said. During the podcast, both Lycett and Cotton agreed they were still figuring out aspects of their identities, with Cotton suggesting that continuing to question who you are was "maybe quite healthy". ### For generations of LGBTQ+ people, Dolly Parton was more than a country music legend URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/for-generations-of-lgbtq-people-dolly-parton-was-more-than-a-country-music-legend/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T09:29:31.000Z For generations of LGBTQ+ people, **Dolly Parton** was more than a country music legend. She was a symbol of joy, resilience and unapologetic self-expression. She was the woman whose songs soundtracked drag shows and Pride celebrations, whose larger-than-life image inspired countless performers, and whose message of acceptance never seemed to waver. Following her death at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer, tributes have poured in from across music, film and politics. But among LGBTQ+ communities around the world, there is a particular sense of loss. Parton was one of those rare stars whose allyship felt instinctive rather than strategic. Throughout a career spanning more than six decades, Parton built a reputation for treating people with warmth and respect regardless of who they were. While she generally steered clear of partisan politics, she never seemed interested in judging others. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights remain fiercely contested in parts of the United States, including her home state of Tennessee, that mattered. Queer fans recognised something of themselves in Parton. There was the glamour, of course: the wigs, rhinestones and sharp wit that made her a drag icon long before the term entered mainstream culture. But there was also the story behind the image. Raised in poverty in rural Tennessee, Parton understood what it meant to be underestimated and dismissed. Her songs were full of outsiders, dreamers and people determined to carve out their own place in the world. She embraced her queer following with the same generosity she brought to much of her public life. Rather than distance herself from drag performers who celebrated her image, she delighted in them. Her humour and self-awareness made her one of the few stars equally adored in Nashville, Hollywood and LGBTQ+ venues. That generosity extended beyond words. Parton's philanthropic work transformed lives through initiatives including her **Imagination Library**, which has distributed hundreds of millions of books to children. Her team, announcing her death, described a woman whose "unmatched generosity" reached countless people through literacy programmes and medical research funding. Many LGBTQ+ people saw those charitable efforts as part of the same worldview that made her such a cherished ally. She believed people deserved opportunities, dignity and compassion, whatever their circumstances. Among those paying tribute this week was Sir **Elton John**, who called Parton "a giant of an artist" who was "unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart". **Beyoncé**, whose recent reworking of *Jolene* introduced Parton's music to a new generation, remembered her as "the North Star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious", adding: "You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself." Those words help explain why so many queer people felt such an affinity with Parton. She embodied authenticity. Long before "being yourself" became a marketing slogan, Dolly Parton made a career out of doing exactly that. Her influence can be seen everywhere in LGBTQ+ culture. In drag dressing rooms. In cabaret venues. On Pride stages. In the countless performers who borrowed a little of her sparkle, humour or fearlessness. Few artists have become so deeply woven into the fabric of queer life while remaining such a mainstream figure. In a world that often asked queer people to explain themselves, Dolly Parton rarely seemed to think an explanation was necessary. Her message, whether expressed through a song, a joke or an act of generosity, was that everybody deserved love and respect. ### World's largest LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby tournament coming to Leeds in 2028 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/worlds-largest-lgbtq-inclusive-rugby-tournament-coming-to-leeds-in-2028/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T11:54:51.000Z **Leeds** has been selected to host the **2028 Bingham Cup**, bringing the world's premier international LGBTQ+ and inclusive rugby tournament to Yorkshire for the first time. The event will be hosted by **Leeds Hunters Rugby Club** and is expected to attract thousands of players, supporters and visitors from around the globe when it arrives in the city in 2028. The announcement was warmly welcomed by **Leeds Pride**, which said the tournament would be a major moment for the city's LGBTQ+ community and an opportunity to showcase Leeds on the world stage. In a statement, Leeds Pride said: "We're absolutely thrilled to hear the news about the Bingham Cup coming to Leeds in 2028, hosted by our brilliant friends at Leeds Hunters. "The Bingham Cup is the world championship of inclusive rugby and will bring thousands of players, supporters and visitors from around the world to our city. "This will mean so much to Leeds' LGBTQ+ community and is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our city, our community and our legendary welcome to the world." Leeds Pride also congratulated the club on securing the tournament, adding: "Huge congratulations to the Leeds Hunters on an incredible achievement. We can't wait to see what 2028 brings." The Bingham Cup is one of the biggest events in the international inclusive sporting calendar and is organised under the banner of **International Gay Rugby (IGR)**. The tournament is named in honour of **Mark Bingham**, an openly gay rugby player, public relations executive and activist from California who became an enduring figure in both the LGBTQ+ and sporting communities. Bingham was among the passengers aboard **United Airlines Flight 93** during the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001\. He is widely recognised for helping lead the passenger resistance against the hijackers after learning of the attacks on New York and Washington, actions that prevented the aircraft from reaching its intended target before it crashed in Pennsylvania. For Leeds Hunters, the successful bid represents a landmark achievement and will place the city at the centre of the global inclusive rugby community. The tournament is also expected to deliver a significant boost to the local economy, with thousands of competitors and supporters set to travel to Leeds for the event. Leeds Pride concluded its message with a warm welcome to competitors and supporters ahead of the tournament, saying: "Welcome to Leeds, Bingham Cup." ### Netherlands withdraws from Eurovision 2027 over concerns about Israel's participation URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/netherlands-withdraws-from-eurovision-2027-over-concerns-about-israels-participation/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T11:11:59.000Z The **Netherlands** will not take part in the **Eurovision Song Contest** in 2027, with Dutch broadcaster **AVROTROS** saying the competition can no longer be viewed as politically neutral amid ongoing controversy surrounding Israel's participation and the war in Gaza. The decision marks a second consecutive year in which the broadcaster has opted out of the competition, having also boycotted Eurovision 2026. Announcing the move, AVROTROS director-general **Taco Zimmerman** said growing geopolitical tensions were increasingly overshadowing the contest. "It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the Contest, undermining its neutral character," Zimmerman said. "The Eurovision Song Contest has therefore become a platform for division." AVROTROS previously cited the humanitarian situation in Gaza and concerns about press freedom when explaining its decision not to participate in Eurovision 2026. The broadcaster said it had hoped changes introduced by the **European Broadcasting Union** (EBU), which organises Eurovision, would help restore confidence in the contest. However, it concluded that the measures did not go far enough to guarantee Eurovision's "independent and neutral character". As a result, AVROTROS has informed Dutch public broadcaster **NPO** that it will not participate in the 2027 event and has handed responsibility for any future Dutch involvement back to the organisation. The Netherlands was among five countries that did not compete in Eurovision 2026, alongside **Ireland**, **Spain**, **Slovenia** and **Iceland**, amid continuing controversy over Israel's participation in the contest. The latest announcement suggests divisions within the Eurovision community are set to continue into another contest season despite efforts by organisers to address concerns raised by participating broadcasters. Eurovision 2027 is due to take place in **Burgas**, Bulgaria, with the Grand Final scheduled for **15 May.** The full list of participating countries is expected to be confirmed later this year. The Netherlands has a long history at Eurovision and has won the contest five times, most recently in 2019 when **Duncan Laurence** triumphed with *Arcade*. ### ‘The hard launch we love to see’: Traitors star Freddie Fraser comes out as gay  URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-hard-launch-we-love-to-see-traitors-star-freddie-fraser-comes-out-as-gay/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T10:56:12.000Z *The Traitors* star Freddie Fraser has publicly come out as gay while introducing fans to his new boyfriend on social media. The reality TV favourite, who appeared on the third series of the hit BBC competition, shared a series of loved-up photographs with model and content creator **Bailey Ramsden** over the weekend, marking the first time he has publicly spoken about being in a relationship with a man. Fraser revealed the relationship in an Instagram post featuring a black-and-white photobooth strip of the pair smiling together and sharing a kiss. The post was met with an outpouring of support from fans and fellow celebrities. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcWgWUQu%5FEm/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Freddie Fraser 𓆉 (@freddiefraserr)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcWgWUQu%5FEm/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Friends and fellow reality stars were quick to celebrate the announcement. *RuPaul's Drag Race UK* winner **Danny Beard** commented: "Welcome to the club", while *The Traitors* series four winner **Stephen Libby** wrote: "The hard launch we LOVE to see." Fraser previously dated **Nisha Davenport**, with reports stating the pair split shortly after his appearance on *The Traitors*. His relationship with Ramsden is the first time he has publicly been linked to a male partner. Fans had already begun speculating about the pair's relationship after they appeared together on social media in recent months, with both sharing posts that hinted at a romance. Since finding fame on *The Traitors*, Fraser has built a significant online following and recently announced plans to pursue a career in broadcast journalism after accepting a place on a Master's degree course in the subject. ### Fashion worker launches fundraiser after homophobic attack leaves him unable to work URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/fashion-worker-launches-fundraiser-after-homophobic-attack-leaves-him-unable-to-work/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T10:28:31.000Z A self-employed fashion worker has[ launched a fundraising appeal](https://www.gofundme.com/f/getting-back-on-my-feet-after-my-surgery?ref=scenemag.co.uk) after an alleged homophobic assault in East London left him requiring surgery, unable to work normally and struggling financially. **Callum Olver**, from South Wimbledon, was attacked in Broadway Market, Hackney, during the early hours of **4 July**, the day of this year's **Pride in London**. Olver suffered a serious facial fracture that required surgery and says the physical and emotional impact of the attack has dramatically affected his ability to work and earn an income. In a statement accompanying his fundraising appeal, Olver said he had hesitated before asking for financial support but felt he had run out of options. [Donate to Getting Back on My Feet After My Surgery, organized by Callum OlverHi everyone, I’ve debated setting this up for a while because asking for fin… Callum Olver needs your support for Getting Back on My Feet After My Surgery![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/favicon-497bcb32-7286-4bbd-aaee-4e59f11ea495.png)gofundme.comCallum Olver![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/106933603_178645218760313_r-4731fa09-60e2-4666-bbbc-9f0ac7940584.jpg)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/getting-back-on-my-feet-after-my-surgery?ref=scenemag.co.uk) "A few weeks ago I was the victim of a homophobic assault which resulted in a serious facial fracture and surgery," he said. "Since then, life has been pretty overwhelming, both physically and mentally." As a self-employed worker in the fashion industry, Olver said time away from work has had an immediate impact on his finances. "I've only managed to work once or twice since my surgery and, honestly, I've felt quite anxious and not really myself when I've tried to get back into it," he said. The attack was reported to the Metropolitan Police and the investigation remains ongoing. Olver says no arrests have been made at this stage. While photographs documenting his injuries and recovery highlight the physical consequences of the assault, Olver says the mental health impact has been even more challenging. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/ATTACK_3.png) ****Callum Olver** "The mental side of everything has probably been the hardest part," he said. "I'm struggling with my mood and energy and have found myself feeling very overwhelmed by everything that's happened." He revealed he is due to begin therapy and is hoping professional support will help him recover from the trauma of the attack. Olver also took a short trip to Turkey in an attempt to clear his head and focus on his wellbeing, but said he returned home still facing mounting financial pressures. "Because I'm self-employed, not being able to work normally means there's no regular income to fall back on or sick pay," he said. "I'm currently behind on my rent and have other expenses and debts that have built up while I've been recovering." He said he has been seeking assistance from a range of organisations, including Universal Credit, Citizens Advice, his GP and his local council, but that immediate financial support has been limited. [Donate to Getting Back on My Feet After My Surgery, organized by Callum OlverHi everyone, I’ve debated setting this up for a while because asking for fin… Callum Olver needs your support for Getting Back on My Feet After My Surgery![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/favicon-fb758689-26fe-4b3b-9682-154e43320202.png)gofundme.comCallum Olver![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/106933603_178645218760313_r-2b0d20ea-2532-4db7-a17b-a9a3d4c127c8.jpg)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/getting-back-on-my-feet-after-my-surgery?ref=scenemag.co.uk) The fundraising appeal is intended to help cover essentials including rent, food and household bills while he gradually returns to work. "I'm not setting this up to make money from what happened to me," Olver said. "I'm setting it up because right now I need a little bit of breathing room." Despite the challenges of recent weeks, he said he remains focused on recovery and rebuilding his life. "I'm trying to take things one step at a time, get the help I need, get back on my feet and eventually get back to doing what I love," he said. The case comes amid ongoing concerns about anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime in the capital. Metropolitan Police figures show that 3,183 homophobic hate crime offences were recorded across London in the past 12 months. Thanking those who have supported him since the attack, Olver said he hopes to "slowly find my way back to myself" as he continues his recovery. ## [DONATE HERE](https://www.gofundme.com/f/getting-back-on-my-feet-after-my-surgery?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### "We're not going anywhere." Trans people and allies urged to make history again at Westminster mass lobby URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/were-not-going-anywhere-trans-people-and-allies-urged-to-make-history-again-at-westminster-mass-lobby/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T10:09:07.000Z The **Trans+ Solidarity Alliance** (TSA) is calling on trans people and allies to join a mass lobby of Parliament next month, as campaigners seek to keep pressure on politicians over trans rights and legal protections. The **Mass Lobby for Trans Equality** will take place at the **Houses of Parliament** on **Wednesday, 9 September** from **1-5pm**, with organisers encouraging participants to meet their MPs face-to-face and demand action. In a statement promoting the event, the group said: "The EHRC Code is coming into effect, but the fight is far from over. The government wants us to accept this quietly. We say we're not going anywhere." TSA says the current situation has left anti-discrimination protections, legal gender recognition and political promises to trans communities "broken", and is urging supporters to use the return of Parliament from its summer recess to press MPs for change. Participants are being encouraged to email their MPs in advance to arrange meetings in Westminster, with organisers promising guidance and briefing materials ahead of the day. Those unable to secure an appointment will still be able to request an urgent meeting through Parliament's "greencarding" system, with volunteers available to offer support. TSA has also said financial assistance will be available for attendees who would otherwise be unable to afford travel costs. According to the alliance, last year's event was the largest LGBTQ+ parliamentary lobby in UK history. Organisers are hoping to build on that turnout when campaigners gather in Westminster in September. "We know that you are tired of this fight, but together, we cannot let this drop," the group said. "Our Mass Lobby last year was an essential in making clear to MPs they couldn't claim we didn't warn them. It helped us get more people on side and was the largest LGBTQ+ parliamentary lobby in history. Let's turn up on the 9th and make history again." The alliance says it will provide briefing materials, guidance and on-the-day support for participants as it continues to campaign for reforms to legal protections affecting trans people. ## Sign up [HERE](https://www.transsolidarityalliance.com/mass-lobby-2026?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Trans artist That Clare takes aim at ‘divide and conquer’ politics on new single That Other URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-artist-that-clare-takes-aim-at-divide-and-conquer-politics-on-new-single-that-other/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T09:56:45.000Z Teesside-based trans singer-songwriter and producer **That Clare** has announced the release of her latest single, *That Other*, a hard-hitting synthwave punk track that challenges what she describes as the "divide and conquer" tactics of politicians and sections of the media. Due for release on **25 September** across major streaming platforms and Bandcamp, the single is the third track to be lifted from Clare's debut album *Social Konstrukt*, which was released earlier this year. Blending darkwave electronics, post-punk energy and sharp political commentary, *That Other* explores the experience of being singled out as part of a marginalised community while urging listeners to remain proud of who they are. Speaking about the track, Clare said: "It's so obvious what is going on once you're identified as a target group. The divide and conquer tactics of the political class, fuelled by complicit media moguls, stick out like a sore thumb. "You've got to be true to yourself though, don't apologise. You are enough." The song's chorus repeatedly affirms that message, with Clare urging those targeted by discrimination and prejudice to stand tall and reject attempts to pit communities against one another. Musically, *That Other* combines distorted bass arpeggios, soaring synth leads and an urgent up-tempo beat, drawing inspiration from classic punk and new wave acts while delivering a contemporary political message. Clare describes the track as a reflection on life in 2026 and the growing influence of far-right rhetoric across society. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/That-Other-single-cover-2026.jpg) The single arrives alongside a new music video, featuring contributions from **Hexham Pride** organiser and photographer **Alice Skye** and political commentator and activist **Mark McGowan**, better known as **The Artist Taxi Driver**. According to Clare, the video highlights the importance of communities coming together in response to attempts to marginalise minority groups. The artwork for *That Other* also carries a political message, featuring a street sign for Tufton Street in London, home to several influential think tanks that have played a prominent role in shaping public debate and policy discussions in the UK. Written, produced and recorded by Clare in her home studio, the track continues the DIY approach that has become central to her work. Based in Teesside, That Clare is an eclectic trans artist whose music blends acoustic songwriting, synth-driven punk and socially conscious lyricism. Influenced by artists including **Laura Jane Grace**, **Blondie**, **Patti Smith** and **Depeche Mode**, she has built a reputation for addressing themes such as equality, democracy, social justice and LGBTQ+ rights through her music. A former participant in the **PRS Foundation Residency** programme at **Tees Music Allianc**e's **Green Room** in Stockton, Clare used the experience as a springboard for creating *Social Konstrukt*, a concept album examining life in the mid-2020s through a mixture of post-punk synths, protest songs and introspective ballads. The album received praise from *Crack Magazine*, which described it as "a bracing, vital release that you definitely need in your life". Alongside her recording career, Clare continues to develop her production and engineering skills through Leeds-based organisation **Come Play With Me** and music industry initiative the **Unheard Academy**. 💡 **That Other* is released on 25 September 2026\. For more information, visit [That Clare's website](https://thatclare.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) or watch the [official music video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW-Oqy16fuI&ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### The Saturday Scene: AI's place in journalism URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-ais-place-in-journalism/ Last updated: 2026-08-22T11:56:20.000Z #### It is fair to say that artificial intelligence, particularly large language models, is changing the world in a way that very few people could have predicted at the start of the decade. Ironically, the concept of AI and how it works today has long been a goal. Since the invention of the first personal computer in 1971, people have dreamed of intelligent machines that can assist as effectively as a human personal assistant. Countless science fiction films have depicted computers that can talk like humans and have access to a wealth of knowledge. So, we've come a long way since Microsoft introduced Clippy, the rather dim but endearing animated paper clip in Word. While [big tech](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/why-big-techs-ai-spending-is-3-trillion-higher-than-it-seems-e1067bb2?ref=scenemag.co.uk) has been spending billions and trillions on data centres, development and integrating AI into virtually every tool and operating system, people are now asking: what is it actually for? While we have moved beyond the Wild West era of artificial intelligence and are witnessing the first attempts at regulating it, people and companies still have vastly different approaches to using AI. Some embrace it [wholeheartedly](https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/ai-chatgpt-crime-data-ads-b2846677.html?ref=scenemag.co.uk) (yes, we can see your AI-generated posters), while others take a more moderate approach, with some even being against using AI at all. Born in 1993, I grew up in an analogue world, watching films on VHS and recording my favourite music on tapes, waiting for hours in front of the radio just to catch that one song I wanted to record. This makes me seem anti-technology. This is not the case. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### REVIEW: Queerphoria: VERVE Voices URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-queerphoria-verve-voices/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T12:18:47.000Z Four housemates welcome the reader into their home for a birthday party. An elderly widow visits her first queer bar, beneath the flat she shared with her husband. A couple invite a shipwrecked sailor into their isolated lighthouse on the stormy night of their thirtieth anniversary. A single woman embarks on a romantic relationship with a sex robot. A married couple secretly prepare for their baby's arrival in a world where procreation is controlled by the Establishment. Through prose, poetry, essays, illustrations and more, 31 writers bring their visions of euphoria to life. These pages celebrate, subvert, expand and reimagine what joy can look like, even in uncertain times. As the inaugural title in the new [**VERVE Voices** series,](https://www.vervebooks.co.uk/bookpage.php?isbn=9780857309488&ref=scenemag.co.uk) *Queerphoria* sets out to celebrate queer joy and supports **Switchboard** with £1 from every copy sold. That combination of literary ambition and community-minded purpose makes it an especially fitting introduction to a series dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices. Anthologies are notoriously difficult to review. By their nature, they contain multitudes, and *Queerphoria* is no exception. Bringing together contributors across fiction, poetry, essays, illustrations and experimental forms, it is an extraordinarily wide-ranging collection whose quality, style and tone inevitably vary from piece to piece. Yet if a few entries resonate more strongly than others, the anthology's greatest achievement lies in its sheer inclusivity. Few recent collections have attempted to embrace such a broad spectrum of queer experiences, identities and perspectives, and that breadth alone makes *Queerphoria* a worthwhile read. The anthology is united by a commitment to exploring joy, but its understanding of joy is refreshingly complex. These writers recognise that queer happiness does not emerge in a vacuum. Instead, joy is presented as something hard won, existing alongside grief, prejudice, loneliness and uncertainty. Across the collection, moments of connection, self-discovery and celebration become acts of resistance in themselves, small but powerful refusals of the narratives that so often define LGBTQ+ lives through struggle alone. One of the book's particular strengths is its attention to community. Chosen family appears repeatedly throughout the collection, whether through friendships, queer households, romantic partnerships or intergenerational connections that bridge different eras of LGBTQ+ experience. Several pieces emphasise the importance of finding people who see and affirm us, reminding readers that queer belonging is often something actively built rather than inherited. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/9780857309488-1.jpg) Queerphoria UK Cover : Credit Verve books Wide queer representation sits at the heart of this book, creating a collection that feels genuinely reflective of contemporary LGBTQ+ communities rather than merely paying lip service to diversity. The accompanying contributor biographies reinforce this sense of visibility and care, while individual content notes demonstrate thoughtful editing without disrupting the reading experience. Among the most memorable contributions are stories that explore intergenerational queer life. **Laura Kay**'s moving tale of an eighty-five-year-old woman entering a queer bar for the first time is touch perfect, capturing both the losses and possibilities that can accompany late-life self-discovery. Equally tender is **Santanu Bhattacharya**'s celebration of Pride through the lens of friendship, love and cultural identity, a reminder that public queer visibility remains deeply significant at a time when LGBTQ+ rights continue to face challenges around the world. The collection's structure allows readers to move between intimate realism and speculative imagination. One moment we encounter ordinary domestic lives; the next, we are invited into boldly reimagined futures and unconventional romances. This variety keeps the anthology engaging throughout, although some pieces are so brief that they feel more like sketches than fully realised works. Even so, the overall editorial vision remains coherent, with each contribution adding another facet to the anthology's larger conversation about queer existence. No anthology can be everything to every reader, and *Queerphoria* is occasionally uneven. The editors' generosity of spirit, commitment to representation and belief in queer joy as both celebration and resistance make it a valuable collection. It offers a vivid portrait of LGBTQ+ lives in all their complexity, connecting generations, identities and experiences through a shared sense of possibility. In a cultural moment where queer communities continue to defend visibility and belonging, this is to be celebrated. [**More info or order from the publishers here**](https://www.vervebooks.co.uk/bookpage.php?isbn=9780857309488&ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### RU5H aims to redefine all-gay travel with kink-positive cruise experiences URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ru5h-aims-to-redefine-all-gay-travel-with-kink-positive-cruise-experiences/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T11:23:46.000Z A **new all-gay travel brand** is promising to bring a more sex-positive and kink-friendly approach to LGBTQ+ holidays, with organisers positioning it as a fresh alternative within the growing queer travel market. **RU5H** describes itself as an all-gay, all-male travel and lifestyle company focused on creating immersive experiences that combine nightlife, community, self-expression and kink-positive exploration. [RU5H![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/cropped-ru5h-favicon-1-270x270-6d063f05-8ac7-45ce-9760-bad0748ce57c.png)![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/RU5H-DJAnnouncement-Portrait-ALT-1-819x1024-5e20c3d3-2493-48d2-99da-8752e36ac702.jpg)](https://www.ru5h.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) The company plans to offer a programme of full-ship cruises, resort takeovers and pop-up events designed specifically for gay, bisexual and queer men seeking spaces where sexuality, connection and personal freedom can be explored without judgement. Unlike many traditional LGBTQ+ holidays, RU5H places kink culture and sexual expression at the centre of its identity. The brand says it is built around five core pillars: sex, stimulation, seduction, submission and satisfaction, creating an environment where guests can engage with those themes at their own pace and according to their own interests. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/PTown_Thurs-0696.jpg) Image courtesy of RU5H Organisers stress that consent, choice and personal boundaries are fundamental to the experience, with travellers encouraged to curate their own journey rather than follow a prescribed programme. "RU5H is where sexual freedom, adventurous travel, music, nightlife and connection meet," said co-founder and chief marketing officer Patrick Gunn. The company says its events will blend the atmosphere of queer nightlife venues, fetish events and LGBTQ+ festivals with the comfort of a premium holiday experience. [RU5H![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/cropped-ru5h-favicon-1-270x270-e360ea45-98f9-497f-9739-5b82a0316a18.png)![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/RU5H-DJAnnouncement-Portrait-ALT-1-819x1024-4fe280b7-898b-4b3e-a3b8-a55ce4884e41.jpg)](https://www.ru5h.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Rather than focusing solely on parties, RU5H is aiming to create spaces where guests can socialise, build friendships, explore kink interests and connect with like-minded people from around the world. Its inaugural cruise will transform an entire ship into what organisers describe as a floating queer festival, featuring pool parties, themed events, internationally recognised DJs and dedicated experience zones designed around different interests and communities. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/RU5H-Key-Art-4.jpg) Image courtesy of RU5H The launch comes at a time when LGBTQ+ travel is becoming increasingly specialised, with many operators catering to specific communities and interests within the wider queer population. Over the past decade, demand has grown for holidays centred around shared identities, from women-focused cruises and trans-inclusive retreats to leather gatherings, fetish weekends and sex-positive events. Industry observers have noted that many LGBTQ+ travellers are seeking experiences that go beyond traditional tourism and offer a stronger sense of community and belonging. [RU5H![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/cropped-ru5h-favicon-1-270x270-8e362e88-09c5-4f1d-93f5-b09eb17a6d72.png)![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/RU5H-DJAnnouncement-Portrait-ALT-1-819x1024-b76f36ec-536e-4221-ae76-e57992317195.jpg)](https://www.ru5h.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) RU5H's founders believe there is growing demand for travel experiences that embrace kink culture and sexual expression as part of wider LGBTQ+ identity rather than treating them as separate interests. The company describes itself as "a lifestyle experience first and a cruise second", with an emphasis on creating environments where guests can feel comfortable expressing themselves openly. Organisers also say affordability is a key part of the concept. Prices for the first voyage are set to start at $397 per person, which the company says makes it one of the more accessible all-gay cruise offerings currently available. A dedicated online community will also allow solo travellers to connect with potential cabin mates to help reduce costs. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/party-logo-1.png) Image courtesy of RU5H For many LGBTQ+ travellers, particularly those involved in fetish, leather and kink communities, dedicated holidays have become an increasingly important way to socialise, build networks and celebrate aspects of queer culture that have historically existed on the margins. RU5H is hoping to tap into that demand by creating experiences where nightlife, community, kink and adventure are treated as equally important parts of the holiday experience. As the LGBTQ+ travel sector continues to evolve, the company believes there is room for a more explicitly kink-positive model, offering travellers the chance to explore sexuality, connection and self-expression in a space designed specifically with those values in mind. ## [MORE INFO HERE](https://www.ru5h.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### New mural unveiled in Manchester's Gay Village ahead of inaugural Manchester Village Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/new-mural-unveiled-in-manchesters-gay-village-ahead-of-inaugural-manchester-village-pride/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T11:18:02.000Z A new mural celebrating **Manchester**'s LGBTQ+ heritage has been unveiled on **Sackville Street Bridge** just in time for **Manchester Village Pride**, following a community-led competition to find a local artist to transform the landmark. Earlier this year, members of Manchester's LGBTQ+ community were invited to submit designs for a new artwork on the bridge, which sits in the heart of the city's historic Gay Village. A judging panel made up of representatives from **Manchester City Council**, **Friends of Manchester Gay Village**, **Friends of Sackville Gardens**, the **Village Licensed Business Association** (VLBA) and **LGBT Foundation** reviewed the entries before selecting local artist **Jack Dean** as the winner. Dean's proposal impressed judges with its focus on both the Village's rich history and its continuing importance as a space for LGBTQ+ people. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Sackville-Street-Bridge-mural-3.jpg) Submitted In his submission, Dean said: "I want to create something that feels important to our queer history of the scene." The completed mural now joins the collection of public artworks that help define the character of the Gay Village, one of the UK's most significant LGBTQ+ neighbourhoods and a focal point for Manchester Village Pride celebrations. The project forms part of wider efforts to preserve and strengthen the Village's identity as both a historic LGBTQ+ community space and a thriving cultural destination. [Manchester Village Pride line-up cost less than single 2025 headliner, organisers revealOrganisers behind the new-look Manchester Village Pride have revealed that booking the entire line-up for this year’s event has cost less than the fee paid for a single headline act at Manchester Pride in 2025\. The candid admission comes ahead of the first Manchester Village Pride, which![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-2aac5f24-b9a3-4bff-a7ab-1ac9357932aa.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/dyana-wing-so-aVEdeKVZdHU-unsplash-1-0b8c1be7-5c59-4198-a73a-6d4034732bb0.jpg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/manchester-village-pride-line-up-cost-less-than-single-2025-headliner-organisers-reveal/) Manchester City Council says protecting the area's legacy while supporting its future remains a priority. Recent initiatives have included a trial allowing Village venues to expand outdoor seating areas, helping businesses increase capacity and create a more vibrant atmosphere for visitors during challenging economic conditions. The mural also complements the council's ongoing **Gay Village Action Plan**, which aims to bring together businesses, residents, community groups and local organisations to ensure the area remains a welcoming, successful and sustainable destination for years to come. Councillor **Basat Sheikh**, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, welcomed the completion of the artwork ahead of one of the city's biggest LGBTQ+ celebrations. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/The-new-mural-on-the-Sackville-Street-Bridge.jpg) Submitted "It’s wonderful to have seen Jack's mural come to life over the past week and, as we head towards Manchester Village Pride, it's a fantastic addition to our most vibrant of neighbourhoods," Sheikh said. "The Gay Village is an incredibly important place both to the Council and to Mancunians. It's a constant reminder of our proud shared history of protest, inclusion and the pride we all feel as a community. "With tens of thousands of people set to visit Manchester during our upcoming Pride celebrations, I hope that they will get a sense of what makes the Village special and why it is so important we protect it for generations to come." The unveiling comes as Manchester prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for Manchester Village Pride, with the Gay Village once again serving as the heart of celebrations and a visible reminder of the city's long-standing LGBTQ+ history, activism and community spirit. ### LGBTQ+ anti-hate campaign group challenges Reform UK member's Pride comments URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-anti-hate-campaign-group-challenges-reform-uk-members-pride-comments/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T10:01:40.000Z An LGBTQ+ anti-hate campaign group has criticised comments made by a **Reform UK** member about Pride, arguing that they reflect a misunderstanding of the difference between equality and equity. **Stop LGBTQ Hate Online** responded after **Will Fagg**, deputy branch chair of Reform UK Bridgwater, commented on social media in response to coverage of **Basingstoke Pride**. The exchange followed a post highlighting how "love, unity and a celebration of diversity are at the heart of Basingstoke Pride" and that showing up for the event sends "a powerful message of unity and support". Responding to the post, Fagg wrote: "No it doesn't. It sets one group of people as being different to others and we should all be equal." Stop LGBTQ Hate Online rejected that argument, saying support for LGBTQ+ communities is entirely compatible with the principle of equal rights. In a statement, the organisation said the comments appeared to confuse equality with equity, explaining that treating everyone fairly does not always mean treating everyone in exactly the same way. "Equality doesn't mean pretending everyone has identical experiences or needs," the group said. "A wheelchair user may need a ramp. A pregnant woman may need workplace adjustments. Neither is being 'set apart' or given superior rights." The campaign group argued that equity recognises the different barriers and challenges faced by individuals and communities, allowing support to be tailored accordingly. Using an analogy, the organisation said giving everybody the same size shoes would be equal treatment, but would not be fair or practical. "Fairness means recognising different needs and circumstances," the statement said. "So in this case you'd give everyone shoes that are the right size for each person." The group added that Pride events remain important because LGBTQ+ people continue to experience discrimination, exclusion and prejudice. "Pride recognises that LGBTQ+ people have faced, and still face, discrimination because of who they are," the organisation said. "Supporting them publicly is entirely compatible with believing everyone deserves equal rights." The exchange comes against a backdrop of growing criticism of Pride events and LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives from some Reform UK politicians, candidates and supporters. In recent years, Reform UK representatives have questioned council funding and support for Pride events, criticised corporate sponsorship of LGBTQ+ celebrations and challenged diversity and inclusion programmes. The party has also taken positions opposing a number of trans-inclusive policies, including gender self-identification and guidance designed to support trans people in schools and public services. ### Berkshire LGBTQ+ and HIV charity secures £285,000 National Lottery funding boost URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/berkshire-lgbtq-and-hiv-charity-secures-285-000-national-lottery-funding-boost/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T09:26:21.000Z A Berkshire charity supporting people living with HIV and LGBTQ+ communities has secured more than £285,000 in **National Lottery** funding to expand its work tackling isolation, stigma and inequality across the county. **Thames Valley Positive Support** (TVPS) has been awarded £285,060 by the **National Lottery Community Fund** to deliver a new community-led programme over the next three years, bringing together people living with HIV and members of Berkshire's LGBTQ+ communities. The charity said the funding will allow it to increase its reach across all six local authority areas in Berkshire while ensuring people with lived experience remain at the heart of service development and delivery. TVPS, which provides support, advocacy and wellbeing services for people affected by HIV as well as LGBTQ+ communities, described the award as a significant investment in some of Berkshire's most marginalised residents. The new project has been shaped by the people it is designed to support, with individuals living with HIV and LGBTQ+ community members helping to identify priorities during the development stage. According to the charity, this collaborative approach will continue throughout the programme through client forums, consultations, feedback sessions and ongoing engagement with service users. By putting lived experience at the centre of decision-making, TVPS hopes to strengthen community connections, reduce social isolation and ensure services reflect the real needs of those accessing support. The initiative will also see the charity work closely with healthcare providers, local authorities, statutory services and community organisations across Berkshire to improve access to support and encourage more inclusive services. **Sarah Macadam**, Chief Executive of TVPS, welcomed the funding and said it would help address the challenges still faced by many people living with HIV and LGBTQ+ people. "We are incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund and to National Lottery players for making this project possible," she said. "It has been fantastic to see the project taking shape and people coming together, connecting and sharing their experiences. "Too many people living with HIV and members of the LGBTQIA+ community still experience stigma, discrimination and isolation. This project gives people a space where they can feel safe, valued and empowered to be themselves, while making sure lived experience plays a central role in improving services and reducing inequalities across Berkshire." TVPS said the funding will strengthen support networks throughout the county and help tackle barriers faced by people living with HIV and LGBTQ+ communities, particularly those at risk of isolation or exclusion. ### Warwickshire Pride warns of planned protest by "transphobic hate group" ahead of event URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/warwickshire-pride-warns-of-planned-protest-by-transphobic-hate-group-ahead-of-event/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T08:58:35.000Z **Warwickshire Pride** organisers have reassured attendees that enhanced safety measures are in place after learning that an anti-trans group intends to attend this weekend's Pride celebrations in **Leamington Spa**. In a statement issued ahead of Saturday's event, organisers said they had been made aware that **Spa Sisters**, a group they describe as a "transphobic hate group", plans to attend Warwickshire Pride and could attempt to disrupt proceedings. According to organisers, members of the group attended Warwickshire Pride last year and were arrested after allegedly abusing members of the Pride team. The organisation said the group is banned from the event but appears intent on returning. The warning comes as thousands of people prepare to take part in Warwickshire Pride's annual march and festival on **Saturday, 22 August**. The march will set off from **Beauchamp Road** at 11am before travelling through Leamington Spa town centre via **Clarendon Avenue**, **The Parade** and **Dormer Place**, ending at the **Pump Room Gardens**, where the Pride festival will take place. In a continued show of solidarity with the trans community, organisers confirmed that trans people will once again lead the march. "Trans people will be at the front again. We'll keep doing that for as long as required," Warwickshire Pride said. The wider LGBTQ+ community will follow, with participating businesses bringing up the rear. Organisers said they have worked closely with **Warwick District Council**, **Warwickshire Police** and a contracted security company to prepare for any incidents that may arise. "Our plans are more robust than ever before," the statement said. "We are briefed and ready for all sorts of incidents that could occur. We are placing everyone's safety at the heart of it." Additional safety measures for this year's march include support vehicles at both the front and rear of the procession, while a traffic management company will oversee rolling road closures through the town centre. Warwickshire Police will also have an increased presence along the route. Pride organisers are urging attendees not to engage with protesters if disruption occurs. "If something happens during the march, please keep walking and let organisers and the police deal with it," they said. "Follow all guidance given to you by our team or the police. It will be for your safety." Festival-goers are being encouraged to report any concerns directly to volunteers in high-visibility clothing, roaming security staff or organisers based in the backstage area. "Our advice is to not engage with these people. It is what they want – attention and confrontation. Please seek help if you need it and let us handle their removal." Warwickshire Pride also reiterated its unwavering support for trans people amid what many LGBTQ+ organisations have described as a growing climate of hostility towards trans communities. "We will not tolerate hateful behaviour of any kind," organisers said. "We stand firmly with trans people and our support will never waver." The organisation stressed that the event remains a celebration of LGBTQ+ lives, visibility and community, and encouraged local people to join the march. Participation is free for members of the public, who can simply turn up on the day. Organisers noted that registration for businesses and non-LGBTQ+ organisations closed in advance and no further applications can be accepted. The march route has also been designed with accessibility in mind. Organisers say it will move at a gentle pace, last around 30 minutes and be supported by volunteers who can assist anyone who needs help along the way. Despite concerns over the planned protest, Warwickshire Pride says its focus remains firmly on creating a safe, welcoming and visible celebration of LGBTQ+ communities across the region. ### Campaigners disappointed as Government rejects Section 28 public inquiry URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/campaigners-disappointed-as-government-rejects-section-28-public-inquiry/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T08:41:04.000Z Campaigners seeking a public inquiry into the impact of **Section 28** have expressed disappointment after the Government ruled out launching an investigation into the controversial legislation. The **Section 28 Justice Coalition**, which was founded earlier this year to campaign for recognition of the law's lasting impact on LGBTQ+ communities, said the Government's response failed to address the central aims of its petition, which has attracted more than 26,000 signatures. The coalition's petition called for a public inquiry into Section 28, the law introduced by **Margaret Thatcher**'s Conservative government in 1988 that prohibited local authorities from "promoting homosexuality". The legislation was repealed in Scotland in 2000 and in England and Wales in 2003. In a response published on 18 August, the Government said it did not believe a public inquiry was "the right approach", while acknowledging the "significant impact" the legislation had on those who lived through it. [Dear Section 28Collecting letters to Section 28, the law that banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools for fifteen years.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Section 28 Justice Coalition![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/image-9a5962e9-0497-42f8-ad02-80d8138b5756)](http://section28justice.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) The response stated: "We do not believe that establishing a public inquiry into the impact of Section 28 is the right approach, but we do recognise the significant impact it has had on those who lived through it, including following its repeal." The Government argued that public inquiries are generally used to establish facts about what happened and why, adding that the origins and motivations behind Section 28 were already on the public record. However, the coalition said the response overlooked the experiences of those affected by the legislation and the need to learn lessons from its legacy. **Stevie Jones** and **Sarah Elizabeth Drummond**, co-chairs and founders of the Section 28 Justice Coalition, said: "This is a disappointing response. The Government has focussed on progress on LGBTQ+ rights generally, such as equal marriage, rather than responding to the core aim of the petition – for proper recognition of the harms of Section 28 and stopping the rise of LGBTQ+ censorship. [Dear Section 28Collecting letters to Section 28, the law that banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools for fifteen years.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Section 28 Justice Coalition![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/image-b1b69611-2bb3-4c08-92f5-9465d3258eff)](http://section28justice.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) "We have always been clear that a public inquiry is a mechanism to achieve justice for all those who lived through Section 28, by independently investigating the impact and hearing their testimonies." The campaigners said an inquiry would not simply examine why the law was introduced, but would allow people affected by it to place their experiences on the public record and recommend measures to prevent future LGBTQ+ censorship. While continuing to argue that a public inquiry remains the most appropriate route, the coalition said it was open to alternative approaches if they could deliver an official apology, hear survivor testimonies and establish safeguards against future discrimination. "We are open to other routes and are open to discussion," Jones and Drummond said. "We hope that the Government will respect the strength of feeling demonstrated by the over 26,000 people who have signed the petition and meet with us." The coalition also criticised the Government's response for failing to acknowledge what it described as the long-term effects of the legislation after its repeal, arguing that schools did not automatically become LGBTQ+ inclusive once Section 28 was removed from the statute book. [Dear Section 28Collecting letters to Section 28, the law that banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools for fifteen years.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Section 28 Justice Coalition![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/image-f908ac5c-8d9e-4810-839e-c02ed859b829)](http://section28justice.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Campaigners further argued that there has never been a comprehensive review of the law's impact on LGBTQ+ people, educators and local authority workers who lived and worked under the legislation. The Section 28 Justice Coalition launched in February 2026 and has been collecting personal testimonies through its "Dear Section 28" project, which aims to document the experiences of those affected by the law. The group is also supporting the development of a feature-length documentary, *Don't Say Gay*, exploring the history and legacy of Section 28. Despite the Government's decision not to establish an inquiry, the coalition said it would continue lobbying politicians, gathering evidence and campaigning for a formal apology and greater recognition of the legislation's lasting impact. The [petition remains open](http://section28justice.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) until 24 September 2026, with campaigners urging supporters to continue signing and sharing it. ### Nigerian Rainbow Dudes member wins fight to stay in Britain after asylum ruling URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/nigerian-rainbow-dudes-member-wins-fight-to-stay-in-britain-after-asylum-ruling/ Last updated: 2026-08-20T11:31:44.000Z A Nigerian asylum seeker has won his fight to remain in the UK after an immigration tribunal ruled that his support for LGBTQ+ rights would put him at risk of persecution if he were returned to his home country. The man, known only as **KA**, successfully appealed against an earlier decision that rejected his asylum claim after a judge concluded there was insufficient evidence that he was bisexual. KA had cited his involvement with **Rainbow Dudes**, an LGBTQ+ support group in Glasgow, as part of his claim for protection. However, a First-tier Tribunal judge previously ruled that his membership of the group and attendance at LGBTQ+ events did not prove his sexuality. In a 2025 ruling, the judge said documents provided by Rainbow Dudes demonstrated KA's “interest in and support for the LGBT+ community” but did not establish that he was bisexual. The judge also noted that KA was involved in a range of other community and voluntary groups and said no weight would be attached to his Rainbow Dudes membership as independent evidence of his sexuality. Following that decision, KA was granted permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal. The Upper Tribunal, sitting in Edinburgh, has now overturned the earlier ruling and allowed his appeal on asylum grounds. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Rainbow-Dudes-square-768x768.png.webp) Rainbow Dudes Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge **Stuart Neilson** found that KA's sexuality did not need to be conclusively established for him to qualify for protection. Instead, the tribunal concluded that his visible support for LGBTQ+ rights and involvement in the community would place him at risk if he returned to Nigeria. “The preserved finding of fact by the First-tier Tribunal is that \[KA\] is involved in pro-LGBT activism in the UK,” Judge Neilson said. He added that there was no reason to doubt the sincerity of KA's beliefs and activism, noting that he appeared to be engaged in a number of human rights causes. The tribunal found that KA's involvement with the LGBTQ+ community was ongoing and that Nigerian authorities could perceive him as an active supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. “If \[KA\] was perceived by the Nigerian authorities to be an active supporter of the LGBT community then he would be at risk,” the judge said. The tribunal also noted that homosexuality remains criminalised in Nigeria and that people perceived to be gay can face persecution. During the hearing, KA said he had found the freedom to express his support for LGBTQ+ people after arriving in the UK and wished to continue doing so. He told the tribunal that, if returned to Nigeria, he would feel compelled to go into hiding because of fears for his safety. ### Leeds Hunters move a step closer to bringing Bingham Cup, one of the world's biggest LGBTQ+ sporting events, to the UK URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/leeds-hunters-move-a-step-closer-to-bringing-bingham-cup-one-of-the-worlds-biggest-lgbtq-sporting-events-to-the-uk/ Last updated: 2026-08-20T09:59:59.000Z **Leeds Hunters** have moved a step closer to bringing one of the world's biggest LGBTQ+ sporting events to the UK after reaching the final stage of bidding to host the **2028 Bingham Cup**. **International Gay Rugby** (IGR) announced on social media that Leeds Hunters and Dublin-based **Emerald Warriors** are the two remaining contenders to stage the tournament, with Vancouver Rogues Rugby eliminated following a vote by member clubs. In a statement, IGR said: “After voting by member clubs unfortunately Vancouver Rogues Rugby have been eliminated in this round. Thank you for your time, work and effort on submitting a bid. “Please join us in congratulating the Top 2 Clubs, who are: Leeds Hunters Rugby \[and\] Emerald Warriors.” The successful host club will be announced during the closing ceremony of this year's Bingham Cup on **Sunday, 23 August**. The Bingham Cup is the world's largest amateur LGBTQ+ rugby union tournament and is held every two years. Named in honour of **Mark Bingham**, a gay rugby player who was among the passengers who fought back against the hijackers of United Airlines Flight 93 during the 11 September attacks, the competition attracts thousands of players, supporters and spectators from around the world. For Leeds Hunters, securing hosting rights would represent a major milestone for both the club and LGBTQ+ sport in the UK. The Yorkshire club has become one of the country's leading inclusive rugby teams and has built a strong reputation within the international gay and inclusive rugby community. A successful bid would bring hundreds of athletes and visitors to Leeds for the tournament, while shining a spotlight on the city's LGBTQ+ community and its commitment to inclusive sport. The final decision now rests with International Gay Rugby's member clubs, with Leeds Hunters and Emerald Warriors awaiting Sunday's announcement to discover which city will host the prestigious 2028 event. ### Sam Smith: "Madonna’s music is a lifeline to queer people" URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/sam-smith-madonnas-music-is-a-lifeline-to-queer-people/ Last updated: 2026-08-20T09:27:52.000Z **Sam Smith** has praised **Madonna** as a vital figure for LGBTQ+ communities, revealing that the pop icon personally reached out to support them during the controversy surrounding their chart-topping hit *Unholy*. Speaking to **Zane Lowe** on **Apple Music**, the singer-songwriter described Madonna as both a personal inspiration and a cultural lifeline for queer people around the world. “Madonna is my mother,” Sam said. “She’s just un-f—ing-real.” The non-binary singer recalled how Madonna contacted them following the backlash that accompanied *Unholy*, their 2022 collaboration with **Kim Petras**. The song became a global hit, reaching number one in several countries, but also attracted criticism over its provocative imagery and live performances. “She, the minute it happened, she made sure she got through to me,” they said. “And she’s so aware of queer news and what’s happening in the community, \[what’s happening\] to the artists within the community.” Sam said Madonna's support carried particular significance because of her longstanding relationship with LGBTQ+ audiences and decades of advocacy for queer communities. “Her music is a lifeline to queer people,” they said. “You feel that in her music. Her music is a lifeline to queer people and just all of the eras of her and her stamina and how she’s just always carried on and on and on. I just find it very inspiring.” The comments are the latest example of Sam highlighting Madonna’s influence on both their career and personal life. The pair collaborated on the single *Vulgar* in 2023, shortly after Madonna introduced Sam and Kim Petras’ performance of *Unholy* at the Grammy Awards. During that introduction, Madonna praised the pair for persevering in the face of criticism, positioning them as artists who had refused to be silenced by controversy. For Sam, Madonna’s impact extends beyond music. They told Lowe that her catalogue continues to provide comfort and inspiration for LGBTQ+ people navigating their own lives and identities. “I think a lot of queer people find it inspiring,” they said. “And it’s not just a comfort in my personal life; it’s a comfort in my music.” The interview comes ahead of the release of Sam's fifth studio album, *Hazel Eyes*, which they have described as a deeply personal project exploring love, identity and creative freedom. ### UN experts warn UK equality 'guidance' on single-sex services could ‘institutionalise discrimination’ against trans people URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/un-experts-warn-uk-equality-guidance-on-single-sex-services-could-institutionalise-discrimination-against-trans-people/ Last updated: 2026-08-19T12:58:41.000Z A group of **United Nations** human rights experts has warned that new UK 'guidance' on single-sex services risks “institutionalising discrimination” against trans and gender-diverse people. The concerns were raised in a joint statement issued by the **UN Working Group** on discrimination against women and girls, the Working Group on business and human rights, and the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The intervention focuses on the government's new code of practice for service providers, drafted by the **Equality and Human Rights Commission** (EHRC) following the Supreme Court's ruling on the legal definition of sex under the **Equality Act**. The code provides statutory guidance on how organisations should operate single-sex and separate-sex services, covering settings ranging from gyms and toilets to community groups and leisure activities. However, the UN experts warned that the guidance could severely limit the ability of service providers to adopt inclusive approaches where they are lawful and appropriate. In their statement, the experts said the code risks leaving “insufficient scope for service providers to consider whether inclusive arrangements are lawful, justified and appropriate in the particular circumstances”. They also expressed concern about the practical impact on both trans people and women more broadly. “Implementing the Code will require transgender persons to disclose their gender identity, risking harassment, while exposing all women to scrutiny based on gender stereotypes, intrusive questioning or demands for personal information,” the experts said. The criticism comes as campaign group **Good Law Project** prepares a legal challenge against both the UK government and the EHRC over the guidance. The organisation is supporting a trans individual and a trans-inclusive organisation as prospective claimants and has submitted a pre-action protocol letter, the first formal step before judicial review proceedings. **Cat MacLean**, policy adviser at Good Law Project, welcomed the intervention from the UN experts. “This Labour government pushed through its transphobic guidance in the face of opposition from many MPs, including nearly a hundred of its own backbenchers,” MacLean said. “Now, a host of UN experts joins this ever-growing list of critics. “As the UN experts stated, it is completely at odds with human rights. Not only that, we think it's unlawful too, which is why the legal challenge we are supporting is absolutely essential.” The government's 'guidance' has proved highly controversial since its publication, drawing criticism from LGBTQ+ organisations, human rights groups and some parliamentarians, while supporters argue it provides clarity for service providers following the Supreme Court judgment. The EHRC and ministers have maintained that the code is intended to help organisations comply with equality law. However, the intervention from the UN experts adds international scrutiny to the debate and is likely to increase pressure on the government as the legal challenge progresses. If the case proceeds to court, judges will be asked to consider whether the 'guidance' is compatible with domestic equality legislation and the UK's human rights obligations. ### Russian LGBT Network forced to shut down after being labelled ‘extremist’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/russian-lgbt-network-forced-to-shut-down-after-being-labelled-extremist/ Last updated: 2026-08-19T10:34:07.000Z One of Russia’s most prominent LGBTQ+ rights organisations has announced it is shutting down after a court designated it an “extremist” organisation, a move campaigners say marks a further escalation in the country’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ people and civil society. The **Russian LGBT Network**, founded in 2006, confirmed it would cease operations after a court ruling in April effectively banned its activities and exposed staff, volunteers and supporters to potential criminal prosecution. The organisation has been one of the leading providers of legal, psychological and emergency support for LGBTQ+ people in Russia. It gained international recognition for helping people flee **Chechnya** during reports of a brutal anti-gay purge in the region. On 27 April, the **St Petersburg City Court** ruled that the Russian LGBT Network was an extremist organisation following proceedings requested by Russia’s **Ministry of Justice**. The hearings were held behind closed doors, prompting criticism from human rights advocates over a lack of transparency and due process. Announcing its closure, the organisation said the risks created by the ruling had made it impossible to continue operating publicly. “We made this decision after a serious risk assessment,” the group said in a statement shared on Telegram. “Continuing our public work could endanger those who took part in the organisation's activities, supported it, or received help from it. We can't control the repressive environment, but we can do everything possible to avoid creating additional risks for people. People's safety comes first.” Under Russian law, individuals linked to organisations designated as extremist can face severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences. The classification can criminalise not only active participation in an organisation’s work but also expressions of support. The closure follows a landmark ruling by Russia’s Supreme Court in November 2023, which banned what authorities described as the “international LGBT movement”. Human rights groups criticised the decision at the time, arguing that the vaguely defined designation could be used to target almost any form of LGBTQ+ advocacy or visibility. Since March 2026, Russian courts have reportedly designated at least 11 LGBTQ+ organisations as extremist groups. Among those affected are **Vykhod**, **Irida**, **Parni+**, **Center T**, **T9 NSK**, **Kallisto**, the **Resource Centre for LGBT**, the **Moscow Community Centre**, the **Alliance of Heterosexuals and LGBT for Equality**, and **SK SOS**. Campaigners warn that the closure of the Russian LGBT Network will leave many LGBTQ+ people without access to vital support services at a time when legal and social pressures continue to intensify. The organisation’s disappearance marks the end of a significant chapter in Russia’s LGBTQ+ rights movement. For two decades, it has provided support to thousands of people facing discrimination, violence and persecution, becoming one of the country’s best-known advocates for LGBTQ+ equality. Human rights groups say the ruling is part of a wider effort by Russian authorities to suppress independent organisations and further marginalise LGBTQ+ communities, leaving activists with increasingly limited space to operate. ### Robin Ince becomes first patron of trans advocacy group TransActual URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/robin-ince-becomes-first-patron-of-trans-advocacy-group-transactual/ Last updated: 2026-08-19T08:21:54.000Z Comedian, writer and broadcaster **Robin Ince** has been announced as the first-ever patron of trans-led advocacy organisation, **TransActual.** The former *Infinite Monkey Cage* co-presenter said he was accepting the role after continuing to speak out in support of trans people despite facing professional consequences, including his departure from the long-running **BBC Radio 4** programme last year. Ince, who co-hosted *The Infinite Monkey Cage* alongside physicist **Brian Cox** since 2009, stepped down from the BBC in 2025\. At the time, he said his public support for the trans community had been deemed incompatible with the broadcaster's expectations of him. Announcing his new role with TransActual, Ince said he felt compelled to continue speaking out against discrimination. “I have never liked bullies and I have never understood people who form their personalities around what they hate rather than what they love,” he said. Reflecting on the impact of Section 28 during his youth, Ince added: “We continue living through times where those who really make the lives of people harder still manage to hide behind any scapegoat they can make. Anyone who can be othered can find themselves in the position of pariah.” He continued: “I have met too many trans people living in fear, spoken to too many families who have seen their trans children crushed. Now is not the time for my silence.” TransActual said Ince was offered the patronage after he continued to publicly support trans people despite criticism and career repercussions. **Helen Belcher**, the organisation's managing director and co-founder, said the decision to appoint Ince as its first patron had been unanimous. “The decision to offer our first patronage to Robin was unanimously decided by the board after he announced his resignation from the BBC,” she said. “We were very impressed by the way he stood by his principles, and saddened that he had to step down from a hugely successful programme to do so. “It shows the sad state of our mainstream media, where support for a vulnerable and maligned group of people is considered problematic. We are so pleased that he has chosen to accept.” Founded in 2020, TransActual is a not-for-profit community interest company and has grown to become the UK's largest trans-led advocacy organisation. The group provides information, support and advocacy for trans and non-binary people, while also working with organisations to improve understanding of issues affecting the community. The appointment marks the first time TransActual has named a patron, with the organisation describing the move as recognition of Ince's commitment to standing alongside the trans community during an increasingly challenging period for trans people in the UK. ### MindOut for Laughs returns to Komedia to raise funds for LGBTQ+ mental health URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/mindout-for-laughs-returns-to-komedia-to-raise-funds-for-lgbtq-mental-health/ Last updated: 2026-08-19T08:17:01.000Z Brighton LGBTQ+ mental health charity **MindOut** is set to bring back its fundraising event ***MindOut for Laughs*** next month, with an evening of comedy, drag, music and spoken word at **Komedia Brighton**. The event, hosted by Brighton drag and cabaret favourite **Ophelia Payne**, will take place on **Thursday, 3 September** and aims to raise vital funds for LGBTQ+ people experiencing mental health challenges and suicidal distress. This year's line-up includes *RuPaul's Drag Race UK* star **Tayris Mongardi,** *Married at First Sight UK* personality **Keye-Luke**, who will perform poetry from his new book, drag performer **Cherry Bomb** and entertainer **Scott Nichol**. Alongside the performances, guests will be able to take part in a fundraising raffle, with all proceeds supporting MindOut's services across Sussex. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/MO4l-full-lineup-reveal.png) MindOut is a mental health charity run by and for LGBTQ+ people. The organisation provides counselling, peer mentoring, peer support groups, befriending services, advocacy and online instant web chat support, helping people access inclusive and affirming mental health care. **Peter Nesbitt**, director of MindOut, said: “*MindOut for Laughs* is a fantastic opportunity to come together for a brilliant night out while supporting LGBTQ mental health. “Every ticket sold helps us continue providing life-changing and, in some cases, life-saving support to LGBTQ people across Sussex. We're delighted to welcome such a talented lineup of performers and can't wait to celebrate with our community at Komedia.” The event will be fully BSL interpreted. 💡 ****MindOut for Laughs** takes place at Komedia Brighton on Thursday, 3 September at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm. Tickets are available via the [Komedia website](https://www.komedia.co.uk/shows/mindout-for-laughs/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). For more information about MindOut and its services, visit the [MindOut website](https://www.mindout.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### REVIEW: Stop! That! Train! URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-stop-that-train/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T13:05:13.000Z Hello, cinema lovers. **Stop! That! Train!** is a tongue-in-cheek disaster movie spoof that puts drag queens in cute stewardess uniforms and aims the camera right at them. *RuPaul's Drag Race* has been highlighting queer lives for over 15 years under the guise of a reality TV competition. A movie spin-off always seemed inevitable. Welcome to the glorious train wreck. This is not *A Very Brady Christmas*, folks. ![image provided](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/STOP--THAT--TRAIN--First-Look-Still-1.jpg) Best friends Tess (**Ginger Minj**) and DeeDee (**Jujubee**) lose their jobs when their budget train line, Stank Rail, goes under. They talk their way onto the luxury Glamazonian Express, dodging the bitchy head hostess Amber (**Brooke Lynn Hytes**) and her frosty sidekicks. The girls soon encounter and befriend cute conductor Cal (**Brian Jordan Alvarez**). Trouble soon brews when a monster storm, cutely named the Stormaganza, looms on the horizon. ![image provided](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/STOP--THAT--TRAIN--First-Look-Still-2.jpg) Elsewhere, traffic controller Donna Dusk (**Rachel Bloom**) sounds a storm alarm nobody wants to hear. And finally, in the White House, President Judy Gagwell (**RuPaul**) is forced to confront old demons from her days with the US Rail Force as the Glamazonian train hurtles to its doom. Not a deep movie plot, just an excuse for 90 minutes of quick-fire sight gags and sharp quips. Ginger and Jujubee are fantastically camp and warm in their roles. Ginger portrays Tess's ambition with a wink. Jujubee gives DeeDee a cheesy insecurity amid all the chaos. The girls' falling-out subplot really works well because you believe the friendship underneath the acting. RuPaul, who doesn't arrive until at least 40 minutes into the movie, steals the entire film once she appears. She brings an imperious camp presence and sharp comic timing. There's a reason RuPaul has been a star and icon for 35 years, and she shows her chops here. **Latrice Royale** makes the very most of every scene she's handed, popping up, throwing a one-liner, and breaking the fourth wall. ![image provided](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/STOP--THAT--TRAIN--First-Look-Still-5-1.jpg) Director **Adam Shankman**, best known for the 2007 musical *Hairspray*, keeps things moving quickly over a tight 90-minute runtime. The script throws so many jokes at the wall that most of them stick. Some of the songs lag a little, but there's a vibrant, optimistic vibe that lifts everything. Where this movie falls down is the film's cheap approach to its own visual effects. Some shots of the train and its interiors were generated using AI. In the context of a spoof disaster movie, it kind of works. However, for a film built around the art of drag, utilising AI for its backgrounds feels like a cheat. One artistic decision comes across as an interesting choice. Every major female role is played by a drag queen. The film never once comments on this or indeed treats it as a running joke. I'm reminded of Divine's performance in *Pink Flamingos* or *Female Trouble*. There's also an actual romance portrayed on screen between DeeDee and Cal. This pairing is shown as a fairly conventional heterosexual pairing, playing it entirely straight. There's plenty of queer coding in the script, but very little that amounts to explicit queer desire between these two characters. ![image provided](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/STOP--THAT--TRAIN--First-Look-Still-3-1.jpg) This is a film that lets drag be drag, no explanations needed. It understands and assumes that its audience gets the joke and doesn't need to spell out the technicalities. Viewers preferring the emotional ache of *All of Us Strangers* or the quiet sincerity of *On the Sea* should look away. This is camp and sisterhood personified in a brightly painted pantomime. *Stop! That! Train!* is a future camp classic. Destined to be group-watched with a few besties. It's a purely silly film of the type we don't get too much of in 2026\. Recommended entirely, but don't take any of it seriously. ***Stop! That! Train!*** will be released in UK cinemas from **21 August**. ### Manchester Village Pride line-up cost less than single 2025 headliner, organisers reveal URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/manchester-village-pride-line-up-cost-less-than-single-2025-headliner-organisers-reveal/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T11:46:12.000Z Organisers behind the new-look **Manchester Village Pride** have revealed that booking the entire line-up for this year's event has cost less than the fee paid for a single headline act at Manchester Pride in 2025. The candid admission comes ahead of the first Manchester Village Pride, which will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend following the collapse of **Manchester Pride Limited** (MPL), the company that previously ran the city's flagship LGBTQ+ celebration. In a social media post promoting this year's programme, organisers said: "Transparency time! Booking this entire weekend of fabulous artists cost us £20k UNDER what was spent on a single headliner last year. This is what community Pride looks like!" No individual artist or fee was identified in the post. The comment highlights the stark contrast between this year's community-focused approach and the large-scale festival model that operated in previous years. Manchester Pride 2025 featured major headline performances from **Olly Alexander**, **Leigh-Anne** and **Nelly Furtado**, while **Billy Porter** had also been scheduled to perform before withdrawing because of illness. Just three months after last year's event, Manchester Pride Limited entered voluntary liquidation amid mounting financial difficulties. The organisation had reported losses of £467,000 in 2023, while more than £1.3 million was owed to artists, suppliers and businesses following the 2025 festival. Efforts to recover money owed to some performers are ongoing. In response, a new Community Interest Company was established to ensure Pride celebrations could continue in Manchester. The organisation has been developed with support from **Manchester City Council**, **Marketing Manchester**, **CityCo**, **Equity**, LGBTQ+ organisations and businesses across the Gay Village. The inaugural Manchester Village Pride will run from **28 - 31 August** and will retain key elements including the **Manchester Pride Parade** and the annual **Candlelit Vigil**. Organisers say the event has been designed to reinforce the Gay Village's role as the heart of Manchester's LGBTQ+ celebrations. The Gay Village Party will feature performances from *RuPaul's Drag Race UK* winner **Danny Beard**, Girls Aloud star **Nadine Coyle**, **Cascada** and singer-songwriter **Kate Nash**, alongside a programme of local DJs, drag performers and community artists. Earlier this year, organisers said ticket prices had been reduced compared with previous Pride events. Revenue from wristbands will help fund security, medical and welfare services, site operations and artist fees. The new organisation has also signed an agreement with performers' union Equity, which organisers say is intended to ensure artists are treated fairly and paid properly. Veteran LGBTQ+ campaigner and Manchester councillor **Pat Karney** had previously urged the new organisers to prioritise local talent rather than expensive international stars. Speaking after the creation of Manchester Village Pride was announced, he said: "We should go back to home-made Pride. We don't need to pay for Hollywood stars to come to Manchester at exorbitant rates. The artists in this city are fantastic. They really are. We will work very hard for a successful Pride in 2026." ### Brighton to host first-ever Dyke Pride next month URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-to-host-first-ever-dyke-pride-celebration-next-month/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T09:09:57.000Z Brighton is set to host its first-ever **Dyke Pride** event next month, with organisers promising a free, grassroots celebration centred on community, visibility and trans inclusion. **Brighton Dyke Pride** will take place on **Saturday, 5 September** at **St Ann’s Well Gardens**, bringing together dykes and allies for a day of live music, speakers, DJs, a community market, line dancing and cabaret performances. Although Brighton has long been regarded as one of the UK’s most LGBTQ+ friendly cities, organisers say it is one of the few major cities without a dedicated Dyke Pride event or march. The new festival has been created in response to what organisers describe as growing hostility towards LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans communities, and aims to provide a space for connection, celebration and collective action. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Dyke-Pride-photo-5.jpg) Zoë Schulz [@studizo\_\_](https://www.instagram.com/studiozo%5F%5F/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Run entirely by volunteers, Brighton Dyke Pride has been designed as a free, community-owned event with no corporate sponsorship. Organisers say the event will be fully trans-inclusive, accessible and cross-generational, with a focus on uplifting those who are often marginalised within the wider dyke community. The event grew out of Dyke Day, a free gathering held earlier this year on **Lesbian Visibility Day**. According to organisers, the strong turnout and positive response highlighted a demand for more dedicated community spaces, helping to inspire the creation of Brighton Dyke Pride. Among the attractions planned for the inaugural event are a dyke market organised by **Brighton Dyke Mart**, live performances, speakers, queer line dancing and what organisers describe as a “very special” dyke cabaret. Co-founder **Zoë Schulz** said the event had been built through collaboration and a shared commitment to creating welcoming community spaces. “Brighton Dyke Pride was created through collaboration, creativity, and a love for the dyke community,” she said. “We are a small group of volunteers who genuinely believe in the power of coming together and sharing in joy to have a ripple effect across our community. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/1.-DYKE-PRIDE-POSTER.jpg) Poster photo by Skye Killgannon [@alongline](https://www.instagram.com/alonglines/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) / Design by Soofiya [@soofiya](https://www.instagram.com/soofiya/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) “We are living through scary times, and spaces that are resolutely trans inclusive and community-led have never been more important. It was so important to us that this space was completely free to attend, for all dykes without any identity policing. Dykes are magic and we deserve spaces that are our own.” Fellow co-founder **Emily Payne** said the event offered an alternative to what some people experience at larger Pride celebrations. “A Pride for dykes is something I have always dreamed of,” she said. “Mainstream Pride can sometimes feel really alienating, and parades feel very corporate. As a dyke I can sometimes feel left behind. “I love the idea of a fully grassroots Pride free from corporate sponsors, centring dyke artists, culture and being fully inclusive towards trans dykes.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Dyke-Pride-photo-1.JPG) Zoë Schulz [@studizo\_\_](https://www.instagram.com/studiozo%5F%5F/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Co-founder **Billy Ballantyne** said trans people would be at the heart of the event and stressed that trans men and transmasculine people would be welcomed “Brighton Dyke Pride is for trans dykes by trans dykes,” he said. “A patchwork maximalist event with trans people at its centre. “As a trans man, I’ve had countless conversations with other trans men and transmasc people, and there can be a sense of isolation and alienation from our own LGBTQ+ community at times. “So I want to be absolutely clear: trans men are celebrated here. At Brighton Dyke Pride you are welcome whether you identify as a boydyke, dyke alumni, or a dyke ally.” Organisers hope the event will become an annual fixture in Brighton’s LGBTQ+ calendar and are currently raising funds through a [community crowdfunder to support this year’s launch](https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/brighton-dyke-pride?ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### Highlights from BREMF 2026: Bringers of dreams URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/highlights-from-bremf-2026-bringers-of-dreams/ Last updated: 2026-08-17T16:40:06.000Z Booking has opened for **Brighton Early Music Festival's 2026** season, here's a closer look at what's on offer, from this superb programme that showcases just how much range early music can cover, from grand orchestral reimaginings to intimate late-night song. **Pre-festival: 19–27 September** The season opens gently with a free [Polyphony Crawl ](https://www.bremf.org.uk/event/polyphony-crawl-2026/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)on 19 September, short performances by the **BREMF Consort of Voices** staged across four churches in the city. The following weekend brings a run of participatory workshops: a choral session with **Donald Greig** exploring Florentine Renaissance polyphony, a family-friendly Laboratory of Lullabies, an instrumental workshop at period pitch A=440 with **William Lyons**, and two half-day baroque dance workshops with **Mary Collins.** ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa--1--1.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa--2--1.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa--3--1.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa-2.jpeg) Photo credits BREMF 2026 Laboratory of Lullabies, William Lyons., Mary Collins & Donald Greig **Weekend one: 2–4 October** The festival proper opens with *City of Dreams*, a Florentine extravaganza with the **Monteverdi String Band** narrated by Maria de' Medici. The following night, ensemble **Spiritato** present *The Planets;* a celestial pre-imagining of Holst's famous suite performed on period instruments. Families are catered for with OAE TOTS, a musical adventure for pre-schoolers from the **Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment,** while *Dream Lab* offers something more experimental: three new early music pieces performed alongside audience feedback sessions in the St Augustine's café. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa--1--2.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa--2--2.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa--3--2.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa-3.jpeg) Photo credits BREMF 2026 Top left: ****Spiritato,** Dream Lab & Artemis Consort **Week two: 9–11 October** **Purcell's** *The Fairy Queen* gets a full staging by the **London Handel Players** and BREMF's own Emerging Artists singers, bringing Shakespeare's midsummer magic to life. The same weekend showcases the festival's investment in new talent, with the Emerging Artists Showcase followed by BREMF Clubnight; a relaxed pub-set evening of performance. *Polia's Power* offers a female perspective on a 15th-century novel via the **Artemis Consort,** illustrated with video projection. The *One Song* exhibition, an audio-visual installation exploring music, memory and identity, also opens this week and runs through to 28 October. **Week three: 15–18 October** This stretch belongs largely to Dowland: three distinct late-night concerts across "Dowland Day" trace themes of sleep, melancholy, anxiety and faith; from tenor **Kieran White** and **Republic of Viols**, through Dowland's Foundry, to an intimate lute song set from **Ruby Hughes** and **Jonas Nordberg**. Elsewhere, **The Fine Hand** connect medieval European song to Appalachian ballad traditions in *Send it by the Water*, alongside a hands-on dream-symbolism workshop, an A=415 instrumental workshop, and *Stars of the Night* from recorder ensemble **Ymnus.** ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa--1--3.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa--2--3.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa--3--3.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa-4.jpeg) Photo credits BREMF 2026 Top left: Dowland’s Foundry, Ruby Hughes and Jonas Nordberg, Olwen Foulkes, Kieran White **Closing week: 23–25 October** The festival winds down with *Brother Sun*, the **BREMF Community Choir** marking the 800th anniversary of St Francis of Assisi's death; a family singing workshop exploring songs of home and sleep; *Whispers in the Night*, inspired by **Tartini's** "Devil's Trill" Sonata; and *In Terra Aliena*, a meditation on belonging from the **Utopia Ensemble.** The final weekend also brings a coffee morning discussion with author **Philipp Blom** on home and utopia, and a community SongPath walk linking nature and song to close the season. Full listings and booking are available [**via the festival's website,** ](https://www.bremf.org.uk/whats-on/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)with general sale opening Monday 3 August. ### Trans Pride Brighton secures £121,278 grant to safeguard community centre for next five years URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-pride-brighton-secures-121-278-grant-to-safeguard-community-centre-for-next-five-years/ Last updated: 2026-08-17T15:25:41.000Z **Trans Pride Brighton** has secured more than £120,000 in **National Lottery** funding to protect the future of its community centre, providing a major boost for the city's trans and non-binary community. The organisation announced it has been awarded £121,278 from **The National Lottery Community Fund**, with the grant ringfenced to cover rent, utilities and volunteer training costs at the Trans Pride Centre over the next five years. The funding secures the future of the centre, which serves as the headquarters for Trans Pride Brighton and a visible community hub in the city. In a statement, the organisation described the award as “hugely positive news” for Brighton at a time when LGBTQ+ venues are disappearing at what it called “an alarming rate”. The group said the centre is far more than an administrative base. “The Trans Pride Centre means everything to us,” the statement said. “More than just being our home base and storage for our many, many gazebos, flags and merch, this space is a beacon of visibility for the trans and non-binary people of Brighton.” Trans Pride Brighton said the funding would ensure the centre can continue operating as a community resource and visible presence for trans and non-binary people in the city. Announcing the award, Trans Pride Brighton said: “We have secured the future of the Trans Pride Centre. Thanks to The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, we have been awarded a grant of £121,278.” The group added that the funding would keep “the rent paid, the lights on, and training for new volunteers covered for the next five years”. Trans Pride Brighton also described the announcement as a source of optimism during a challenging period for LGBTQ+ communities. “This good news is an important reminder that even in dark times, there is always support, there is always community, and there is always a glimmer of hope,” the organisation said. The funding comes amid growing concern about the loss of LGBTQ+ venues and community spaces in Brighton and across the UK. Campaigners have increasingly warned that such spaces play a vital role in fostering community connections, visibility and support networks, particularly for marginalised groups. Trans Pride Brighton said it would continue sharing updates about the centre and its wider work through its mailing list and community channels. The Trans Pride Centre is expected to remain a focal point for the organisation’s activities, providing a permanent and secure base for one of the UK's largest trans-led Pride events and the wider transgender and non-binary community in Brighton & Hove. ### NHS approves life-saving HIV treatment following campaign by National AIDS Trust and partners URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/nhs-approves-life-saving-hiv-treatment-following-campaign-by-national-aids-trust-and/ Last updated: 2026-08-17T10:48:05.000Z A groundbreaking HIV treatment has been approved for use on the NHS following campaigning by **National AIDS Trust** and a coalition of HIV organisations, clinicians and activists. **Lenacapavir**, a long-acting antiretroviral treatment for people living with drug-resistant HIV, has now been commissioned by the NHS, a move campaigners say will help save lives and bring the UK closer to ending AIDS-related deaths. The National AIDS Trust welcomed the decision, which follows advocacy efforts involving the **British HIV Association** (BHIVA), the **UK Community Advisory Board** (UK-CAB), **ACT UP London** and individual HIV specialists. **Daniel Fluskey**, Director of Policy at the National AIDS Trust, described the announcement as a major milestone for people living with HIV who have exhausted other treatment options. “This is a huge decision for people who need life-saving treatment and takes us a step closer to ensuring that no one dies from AIDS-related illnesses here in the UK,” he said. “Over years too many people have lost loved ones, family, and friends because of a lack of access to medicine and the harm caused by stigma, prejudice and discrimination, so when a new life-saving treatment is available it must get to the people who need it.” Lenacapavir is expected to benefit around 100 people each year in the UK who are resistant to traditional antiretroviral therapies, offering a new treatment option for those with limited alternatives. The National AIDS Trust said the decision highlights the progress that has been made in HIV care over recent decades, transforming HIV from a life-limiting diagnosis into a manageable long-term condition for most people who receive effective treatment. “We’ve come so far with HIV treatment that people can now expect to live long and healthy lives with HIV,” Fluskey said. “And alongside improvements in HIV prevention we have all the tools needed to achieve the UK Government’s goal of ending new HIV transmissions and AIDS-related deaths by 2030, as long as those tools can be easily accessed by everyone who needs them.” The charity also thanked supporters who backed its campaign calling on the NHS to make the treatment available, with hundreds signing a petition urging health leaders to approve access. Campaigners said the decision demonstrates the impact of collective action in improving healthcare access for people living with HIV. The approval of lenacapavir comes as the UK continues efforts to meet its target of ending new HIV transmissions and AIDS-related deaths by 2030, with advocates arguing that equitable access to treatment and prevention remains essential to achieving that goal. ### Dame Kelly Holmes, Dannii Minogue and Bruce Mouat lead stars backing LGBTQ+ youth campaign URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/dame-kelly-holmes-dannii-minogue-and-bruce-mouat-lead-stars-backing-lgbtq-youth-campaign/ Last updated: 2026-08-17T10:44:55.000Z Pop star **Dannii Minogue,** Olympic champion Dame **Kelly Holmes** and world champion curler **Bruce Mouat** are among 30 LGBTQ+ celebrities and allies who have joined forces to support a major campaign calling for better support for LGBTQ+ young people. **The Proud Trust**, one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ youth charities, has unveiled a new celebrity film as part of its ongoing **#DeserveBetter** campaign, which highlights the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ young people and calls for greater understanding, safer spaces and stronger support networks. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/-DeserveBetter-Campaign-Logo-1.png) The campaign brings together figures from television, music, sport, literature, theatre and comedy, including comedian **Tom Allen**, actor **Denise Welch**, *Heartstopper* star **Kizzy Edgell**, broadcaster **Adele Roberts**, actor **Cyril Nri** and *RuPaul’s Drag Race* winner **Danny Beard**. According to The Proud Trust, LGBTQ+ young people continue to face significant barriers, with almost half of LGBTQ+ pupils experiencing bullying because of their identity. The charity also says nearly six in ten LGBTQ+ young people have seriously considered suicide, while almost a quarter may never complete secondary school. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Danny-Beard.jpg) Danny Beard. Image submitted The organisation supports thousands of young people each year through youth groups, mentoring, family services, one-to-one support and educational programmes. It said referrals increased by 171% following the Supreme Court ruling in *For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers*, highlighting growing demand for specialist support services. The new campaign film sees all 30 celebrities unite behind a shared message that LGBTQ+ young people deserve to feel safe, accepted and able to thrive. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Rachel-Williams---CEO--The-Proud-Trust-2.jpg) ****Rachel Williams.** Image submitted **Rachel Williams**, chief executive of The Proud Trust, said: “Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves to feel safe, accepted and proud of who they are. At a time when LGBTQ+ lives are being debated more than ever, it's vital that young people know they are valued, supported and never alone. “We're incredibly proud that 30 respected LGBTQ+ people and allies have chosen to stand with us and support #DeserveBetter. Their voices send a powerful message that there is a whole community standing beside LGBTQ+ young people, championing their right to be themselves and thrive.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Dannii-Minogue--photo-credit---KDB-Artists-Pty.-Ltd.-.png) Dannii Minogue. Photo credit - KDB Artists Pty. Ltd **Dannii Minogue** said supporting LGBTQ+ young people “shouldn't be extraordinary”. “The future becomes brighter when more of us choose kindness, compassion and understanding,” she said. “Supporting LGBTQ+ young people shouldn't be extraordinary, it should simply be what we do. I'm so proud to support The Proud Trust and the #DeserveBetter campaign.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Dame-Kelly-Holmes-3-2.jpg) Dame Kelly Holmes. Image submitted Dame **Kelly Holmes** said: “I know how hard it can be but also how important it is to be able to live authentically and without fear. Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves the chance to be themselves with confidence as well as feeling safe.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Bruce-Mouat-2.jpg) Bruce Mouat. Image submitted **Bruce Mouat,** a two-time world champion and one of Britain’s most successful openly gay athletes, said: “Having a strong support network can make all the difference in life. The Proud Trust provides that for thousands of LGBTQ+ young people every year, and I'm proud to stand alongside #DeserveBetter and the incredible work the charity does.” Other supporters include Sir **Stephen Fry**, former Lioness **Anita Asante**, author **Matt Cain**, actor **Nathaniel J Hall**, *Brassic* star **Neil Ashton**, *Smoggie Queens* actors **Elijah Young** and **Peter McPherson**, West End performer **Rob Madge**, former England footballer **Lianne Sanderson**, rugby internationals **Heather Fisher** and **Meg Jones**, badminton player **Kirsty Gilmour** and wheelchair tennis star **Lucy Shuker**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Elle-Vosque-2.jpg) Elle Vosque. Image submitted The campaign film is available through The Proud Trust’s social media channels and forms part of the charity’s wider efforts to raise awareness of the challenges facing LGBTQ+ young people across the UK. ### Original Gilbert Baker Rainbow Flag to go on display in Cork in world-first exhibition URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/original-gilbert-baker-rainbow-flag-to-go-on-display-in-cork-in-world-first-exhibition/ Last updated: 2026-08-17T10:12:57.000Z **Cork**, Ireland is set to become the first city outside the United States to host a piece of the original **Gilbert Baker Rainbow Flag**, in what organisers are describing as a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ history and heritage. A large fragment of the original Pride flag, created by artist and activist **Gilbert Baker** in 1978, will go on public display at **Cork Public Museum** from this week following a loan agreement with the **GLBT Historical Society** in San Francisco. The artefact, which was donated to the California-based organisation in 2021, has never before been exhibited outside the US. A delegation from San Francisco is due to arrive in Cork on Thursday to mark the opening of the four-month exhibition, which forms part of a wider programme celebrating LGBTQ+ history, inclusion and community development. Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr **Damian Boylan** said the visit represented an opportunity to strengthen ties between the Irish city and its long-standing twin city across the Atlantic. “The Gilbert Baker Flag visit provides a unique opportunity to deepen relationships between Cork and San Francisco while showcasing Cork’s commitment to equality, inclusion and community engagement,” he said. “Through the range of civic events, activities and networking events planned around the flag’s arrival, the programme will celebrate the achievements of LGBTI+ communities while acknowledging the ongoing work required to create safe, inclusive and welcoming spaces for all.” Chief Executive of Cork City Council **Valerie O’Sullivan** described the exhibition as a “tremendous honour” for the city. “This historic visit reflects Cork’s long-standing commitment to equality, inclusion and human rights, and highlights the strong and enduring relationship between Cork and San Francisco,” she said. The exhibition also shines a spotlight on Cork’s place in Irish LGBTQ+ history. The city hosted the first National Gay Conference in 1981 and saw the first trade union motion supporting LGBT workers’ rights passed in 1982\. Other milestones include the publication of Ireland’s first AIDS information leaflet in 1984, the country’s first LGBT film festival in 1991 and the first LGBT float to take part in a St Patrick’s Day parade anywhere in the world in 1992. **Roberto Ordeñana**, executive director of the GLBT Historical Society, said the loan reflected a commitment to making LGBTQ+ history accessible beyond national borders. “As stewards of the original Rainbow Flag, created in 1978, we are entrusted with preserving its history and increasing greater awareness of its legacy,” he said. “The Rainbow Flag’s importance extends far beyond any one museum, city or nation. Our shared history belongs to all of us, regardless of borders.” He added that the collaboration demonstrated global solidarity at a time when LGBTQ+ communities, particularly transgender people, face growing challenges in many parts of the world. The visit coincides with the opening of Cork Public Museum’s first permanent LGBTQ+ archive exhibition, featuring material documenting more than 40 years of the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history. A week-long programme of events running from **17 - 24 August** has been organised to celebrate the flag’s arrival and highlight Cork’s contribution to LGBTQ+ activism, culture and community life. ### Meet Paul Diello: The creative force behind Queer Town URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/meet-paul-diello-queer-town/ Last updated: 2026-08-17T10:01:42.000Z For years, Brighton has been a place where queer creativity can flourish. But behind the music, the drag, the cabaret and the celebrations is a community of artists who need something just as important as an audience: **a stage**. That is where **Queer Town** comes in. Our reporter, [Liran Notik](https://www.instagram.com/liran%5Fnotik?ref=scenemag.co.uk), met **Paul Diello** for a chat, the curator, producer and organiser who has been shaping Queer Town since 2018\. What began as a space for queer performers has developed into a much-loved part of Brighton's LGBTQ+ cultural landscape - bringing together an ever-changing mix of performers from Brighton, across the UK and from around the world. ## Watch our full interview with Paul Diello 0:00 /2:11 1× ****Liran Notik, in an interview with Paul Diello** | Queer Town at Pride In The Park Paul explains to [Liran](https://www.instagram.com/liran%5Fnotik?ref=scenemag.co.uk), that for him it is much more than putting on a good show. It is about creating opportunities. > “There’s so much talent in the LGBTQ community in Brighton alone” Paul tells me. And that talent is exactly what he wants Queer Town to showcase. One of the things that makes Queer Town stand out is its variety. There isn't one definition of what a queer performer should look or sound like. The programme brings together acoustic musicians and live instrumentalists alongside drag performers, cabaret artists and other forms of LGBTQ+ entertainment. And that diversity is important. Queer Town provides a space where different generations, backgrounds, identities and artistic styles can share the same stage. For some performers, it can be an opportunity to introduce themselves to a new audience. For others, it is a chance to return to a city and community that has embraced them. And every year, Brighton becomes a meeting point for queer talent from much further afield. ### From Brighton to around the world Queer Town's reach extends well beyond Brighton. Paul tells me about performers travelling specifically to the city to appear on the Queer Town stage. One example is **Paisley Fields**, who flew in from New York specifically to perform. They arrived in Brighton one day and was flying back out again the next. That kind of journey says something about the importance of having a platform where queer artists know they will be welcomed, celebrated and given an audience. For Paul, bringing these artists to Brighton Pride is part of the excitement. > “There’s just a really, really awesome mixed bag of fabulous talent” It is not simply about finding performers to fill a programme. It is about discovering talent, giving artists visibility and creating a space right in the heart of **Brighton Pride in The Park,** where queer creativity can be celebrated on its own terms. ### The man behind the stage Paul himself is also a performer. When I meet him, he is preparing to go on stage himself, having already performed two sets the previous day and admitting that he has slightly lost his voice. Yet his enthusiasm hasn't disappeared. He is excited to perform songs from his upcoming album alongside some surprise covers, promising an upbeat set designed to get people dancing. That dual role -performer and organiser, gives Paul a unique perspective. He understands what it means to stand on that stage. He knows the nerves, the excitement and the feeling of looking out at an audience. But he also understands the responsibility that comes with deciding who gets the opportunity to stand there in the first place. ### More than entertainment Queer Town is ultimately about people. It is about the artists who **travel across countries** to perform. The local performers who deserve a bigger platform. The drag queens, musicians and cabaret artists who bring their own stories and creativity to Brighton. And it is about creating a space where queer talent isn't simply included - **it is the reason the stage exists at Pride In The Park.** Since beginning his work as curator in 2018, Paul has helped make Queer Town a place where performers can come together, be seen and celebrate what they do. For a city with such a rich LGBTQ+ identity, that kind of platform matters. Because queer culture doesn't exist without queer people creating it. And behind every great performance is someone willing to open the door, hand an artist a microphone and say: **this is your stage.** For Queer Town, that person is Paul Diello. ### “It simply is this easy to say ‘no’ to funding transphobia.” Queer directors reject Harry Potter TV roles over JK Rowling’s views on trans rights URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/it-simply-is-this-easy-to-say-no-to-funding-transphobia-queer-directors-reject-harry-potter-tv-roles-over-jk-rowlings-views-on-trans-rights/ Last updated: 2026-08-17T09:33:41.000Z Two queer film and television directors have revealed they turned down opportunities to work on HBO’s forthcoming *Harry Potter* television series, citing opposition to author **J.K. Rowling**’s views on trans people. **Ally Pankiw**, whose credits include *Shrill*, *The Great* and the 2023 film *I Used to Be Funny*, shared a screenshot on Instagram showing a text exchange with her agent about the series. In the exchange, the agent asked: “I have an instinct on the answer but I feel compelled to ask. Harry Potter? Hard no?” Pankiw replied: “Absolutely f\*\*king not!” before adding: “lol… (But thank you for asking).” Sharing the image with followers, she wrote: “It simply is this easy to say ‘no’ to funding transphobia.” Director **Kate Herron**, known for her work on *Loki*, *Doctor Who*, *Sex Education* and *The Last of Us*, commented on the post, revealing she had also declined approaches to work on the project. “They’ve asked me twice and I’ve had to explain my answer is never going to change from a ‘no’,” Herron wrote. Pankiw later praised Herron for taking the same stance, writing: “Also want to shout out the amazing @herronthatkate who also said ‘no’ … twice! And that’s actually hard!” The directors’ comments come as HBO continues work on its high-profile adaptation of Rowling’s bestselling fantasy novels. Several cast members attached to the project have publicly expressed support for trans rights, including **Bel Powley** and **Paapa Essiedu**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-17-at-10.31.15.png) Others have addressed Rowling’s views more directly. **Nick Frost**, who is set to play Hagrid, has said he disagrees with the author’s position on trans issues while defending her right to hold those views. **John Lithgow**, cast as Albus Dumbledore, has previously described Rowling’s comments as “ironic and inexplicable”, while also suggesting they have been “twisted and misrepresented”. Rowling remains closely involved with the television adaptation as an executive producer. The author has become one of the most prominent figures in debates around trans rights in the UK. In recent years she has provided financial backing to organisations and legal challenges focused on what campaigners describe as “sex-based rights”. The scale of Rowling’s wealth, largely generated through the *Harry Potter* franchise, has made her a significant financial supporter of gender-critical campaigning. HBO chief executive Casey Bloys has repeatedly dismissed suggestions that Rowling’s political views should affect the production, saying the author is entitled to her opinions. ### Trans Big Brother star Zelah Glasson fronts LGBT Foundation’s nationwide ‘Hope Starts Here’ campaign URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-big-brother-star-zelah-glasson-fronts-lgbt-foundations-nationwide-hope-starts-here-campaign/ Last updated: 2026-08-17T14:03:21.000Z Former *Big Brother* contestant and **LGBT Foundation** patron **Zelah Glasson** is among the faces of a major new nationwide campaign celebrating LGBTQ+ lives and communities. The *Hope Starts Here* campaign, launched by LGBT Foundation in partnership with **JCDecaux Community Channel**, will appear on more than 250 digital advertising screens across almost 100 towns and cities throughout the UK during August. Glasson, who has become LGBT Foundation's newest patron, features alongside a range of LGBTQ+ creators, performers and community figures in the campaign, which aims to highlight stories of hope, belonging and connection. The initiative is LGBT Foundation's largest public awareness campaign to date and seeks to showcase LGBTQ+ experiences beyond Pride season by focusing on friendships, relationships and everyday moments of joy. Glasson is joined by contributors including *RuPaul's Drag Race UK* star and LGBT Foundation ambassador **Dita Garbo**, singer **Seann Miley Moore**, influencer **Tyler da Clare**, ITV's **Eva** **and** **Nik Speakman**, and queer content creators **Dani and Jodie**. The campaign was first unveiled during Pride Month in June with a high-profile exhibition at **Outernet London**, one of the capital's busiest public spaces. The latest rollout will take those stories to audiences nationwide through JCDecaux Community Channel's digital screen network. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/LGBT_Foundation-Hope_B-Z--13--3-.jpg) Zelah Glasson. Pic courtesy of ****LGBT Foundation** LGBT Foundation said the campaign comes at a time when many LGBTQ+ people continue to face discrimination and hostility, with *Hope Starts Here* offering a positive narrative centred on visibility, community and shared experiences. **Sarah Miguel**, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at LGBT Foundation, said: "This is a campaign which seeks to bridge divides and unify people through relatable stories of everyday hope. "Hope Starts Here invites people across the UK to pause, reflect and recognise themselves in LGBTQ+ lives and experiences. By celebrating everyday moments of connection, belonging and joy, we're helping to build understanding, visibility and connection at a time when many LGBTQ+ communities continue to face significant challenges." Miguel added that support from JCDecaux Community Channel would help bring those stories to audiences across the country and demonstrate the impact that outdoor advertising can have in promoting social change. **Chris Dooley**, Head of Responsible Media at JCDecaux, said: "Through the JCDecaux Community Channel, we're proud to support LGBT Foundation's *Hope Starts Here* campaign, sharing powerful LGBTQ+ stories with people in cities and promoting visibility and inclusivity across the UK." Alongside the outdoor advertising campaign, content featuring Glasson and the other contributors will continue to be shared through LGBT Foundation's social media and digital channels, as well as through Metro's *Queer Hope & Joy* editorial series. The charity said the campaign aims to encourage people to recognise the hope and connection found in everyday LGBTQ+ lives while fostering greater understanding and inclusion across the UK. ### "An unbelievable milestone." Hastings Pride to celebrate 10 years of championing LGBTQ+ lives URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/hastings-pride-to-celebrate-10-yu/ Last updated: 2026-08-13T13:26:09.000Z **Hastings Pride** is gearing up for its biggest celebration yet on **Sunday, 30 August**, marking a decade of unity with a powerhouse lineup of live entertainment and a fierce commitment to keeping the event completely free for all. This year’s milestone event on the main stage features a stacked lineup, including '90s R&B hitmakers **Honeyz**, local festival favourites **The Fabulous Red Diesel**, crowd-pleasers **Doctor Woof** and **Mama Tasty**, a high-octane tribute from **Step into Elton**, and a headline appearance from legendary drag star **Drag With No Name.** ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/25.08.24_HASTINGS-PRIDE_ALICE-DENNY_533.jpg) Hastings Pride 2025\. Photo by Alice Denny The day kicks off with the iconic Hastings Pride Parade, a vibrant wave of colour moving through the town centre before arriving at the main festival grounds. Crucially, Hastings Pride has remained 100% free to attend since day one. By keeping tickets free, the festival breaks down financial barriers and brings people from all walks of life together. It creates a space where diverse communities connect, common ground is found, and the walls of ignorance that fuel prejudice are torn down through celebration and shared joy. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/25.08.24_HASTINGS-PRIDE_ALICE-DENNY_315.jpg) Hastings Pride 2025\. Photo by Alice Denny "Reaching our 10th anniversary is an unbelievable milestone for us," said **Natasha Scott,** Director of Hastings Pride CIC. "From day one, keeping Hastings Pride completely free has been non-negotiable. When you remove ticket prices, you open the doors to the entire town. "It brings people together who might never otherwise meet, shatters old stereotypes, and creates a space where everyone feels safe, proud, and celebrated. This lineup is incredible, and we can’t wait to throw the biggest party Hastings has ever seen." With strong support from local partners, Hastings Pride continues to provide a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ residents, families, and allies. 💡 For parade routes and event details, [CLICK HERE ](https://hastingspride.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)or follow Hastings Pride on social media. ### The Matrix director Lilly Wachowski says Hollywood won't back all-trans cast film URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-matrix-director-lilly-wachowski-says-hollywood-wont-back-all-trans-cast-film/ Last updated: 2026-08-13T12:20:34.000Z *The Matrix* director **Lilly Wachowski** has said she is struggling to secure financing for a new film featuring an entirely transgender cast, claiming Hollywood studios are reluctant to back the project. Wachowski, who co-created *The Matrix* franchise alongside her sister Lana Wachowski, revealed that her screenplay, *The Hunted*, has received positive responses but has failed to attract studio support because of its trans-led cast. Speaking on *The Business* podcast, the filmmaker said: "People like it, but they really don't want to make it because it's \[got a\] wall-to-wall trans cast." She added: "I have to get creative and figure out different ways that I can get this in front of people." Wachowski said she wrote *The Hunted* as a response to growing hostility towards trans people in the United States, describing the script as a deeply personal project. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/imago836003155-2.jpg) ****IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire** "This is a script that was extremely important for me to write," she said. "It was a response to what is happening in the world for trans people, and it gave me a hugely cathartic receptacle to dump all of my anger and rage and frustration into." Rather than shelving the project, Wachowski has been exploring alternative ways to bring it to audiences. Last weekend she organised a live table read of the script at Los Angeles' **Dynasty Typewriter Theatre**. "I'm just going to go out and I'm going to grab that trans joy with all of my friends," she said. "It's not the thing that I had imagined it was going to be, but the end result is the same." Wachowski is best known for co-directing *The Matrix* trilogy, as well as *Speed Racer*, *Cloud Atlas* and the Netflix series *Sense8*. Both Lilly and Lana Wachowski are trans women. Since the release of *The Matrix*, Lilly Wachowski has spoken openly about the film's themes of identity and transformation, describing it as having emerged from experiences connected to gender transition. The director has also been an outspoken supporter of trans rights. In 2022, the Wachowskis auctioned memorabilia from *The Matrix* franchise to raise money for organisations supporting transgender young people. ### Legends Brighton raises more than £4,400 for LGBTQ+ and HIV charities during Pride season URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/legends-brighton-raises-more-than-4-400-for-lgbtq-and-hiv-charities-during-pride-season/ Last updated: 2026-08-13T11:34:58.000Z Brighton LGBTQ+ venue **Legends** has announced it raised more than **£4,400** for charity during Pride season, thanking customers, staff, performers and supporters for their generosity. The popular seafront venue revealed that a total of **£4,401.68** was raised through donations and fundraising activities throughout August and **Brighton & Hove Pride** celebrations. The largest donation, **£2,635.54**, was raised for local HIV charity **The Sussex Beacon**, while **Lunch Positive**, which provides healthy meals and support for people living with HIV, received **£881.14**. Legends also raised **£620** for **Trans Pride Brighton** and **£265** for **Brighton Bear Weekend**, bringing the total amount donated to community organisations and causes to more than £4,400. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/770584951_2217821935672229_5334735464946209388_n.png.jpeg) In a statement, the venue thanked everyone who contributed to the fundraising effort. "Every donation, collection bucket, fundraiser and slightly tipsy bit of generosity adds up, and we genuinely couldn't do it without you," the venue said. Legends said it was particularly proud to be able to continue supporting community causes at a time when LGBTQ+ venues are facing increasing pressures. "At a time when LGBTQ+ venues and spaces are facing some very real challenges, we're incredibly proud that Legends can still be a place that doesn't just celebrate our community, but gives something back to it too," the statement added. The venue concluded by thanking customers, performers, staff and supporters who helped make the fundraising possible. "You came. You partied. You donated. You made a difference. That's what Pride is all about." The fundraising success comes during a challenging period for Brighton's LGBTQ+ nightlife sector, following recent announcements that **R-Bar** and **Charles Street Tap** are set to close. ### Manchester announces first-ever Pride Fringe URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/manchester-announces-first-ever-pride-fringe/ Last updated: 2026-08-13T11:10:18.000Z **Manchester** is set for a month-long celebration of LGBTQ+ culture this August, with organisers unveiling the city's first-ever **Pride Fringe** programme to run alongside **Manchester Village Pride**. The new initiative will see venues, cultural institutions, businesses and community organisations across Manchester host a wide range of events, including film screenings, live performances, comedy, exhibitions, family activities and club nights. At the heart of the programme is ***SCENE: Manchester LGBTQ+ Film & TV Festival***, which returns for its third year from **20 - 27 August**. The festival will feature screenings, panel discussions, comedy events and appearances from leading figures in television and film, including *It's A Sin* creator **Russell T Davies** and producer **Nicola Shindler**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Arndale-Pride.jpg) Arndale Pride Manchester Village Pride itself takes place from **28 - 31 August**, with this year's parade adopting the theme **"No Place Like Home"**, inspired by *The Wizard of Oz*. Organisers say the theme reflects Manchester's reputation as a welcoming city for LGBTQ+ people. Alongside the parade, the festival will include a ***Community Showcase*** in **Sackville Gardens**, the annual ***Pride Vigil***, a **Dance Arena** celebrating queer club culture and a ***Family Day*** featuring activities for LGBTQ+ families and allies. The wider Pride Fringe programme includes performances at **HOME** and **Aviva Studios**, LGBTQ+ history tours, exhibitions, community events and family-friendly activities across the city. Highlights include a drag tribute to *Schitt's Creek*, a queer cabaret showcase, comedy nights, line dancing events and the launch of the inaugural ***Liberation Pride Pageant***. Family-focused events will include **Proud Fest** at **Great Northern Warehouse**, hosted by **Drag Queen Story Hour UK**'s **Aida H Dee**, while Manchester Arndale will stage its **Pose with Pride** weekend featuring live entertainment, makeovers and community activities. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Leven-Hotel.JPG) A number of events will also raise funds for LGBTQ+ organisations, including the **LGBT Foundation** and **Trans Mutual Aid**. **Carl Austin-Behan**, spokesperson for Manchester Village Pride, said the response from businesses and organisations across the city had been overwhelming. "People often say, 'It takes a village', and this year Manchester has proved exactly that," he said. "From hotels and independent businesses to cultural venues, retailers, community organisations and countless individuals, people have come together to show what Manchester does best: supporting one another." He added that this year's "No Place Like Home" theme reflected Manchester's long-standing reputation as a city that welcomes people for who they are. **Kumar Mishra**, chair of **Manchester Accommodation BID**, said extending Pride celebrations across the month would give visitors even more reasons to visit the city and explore its LGBTQ+ cultural offer. ### Brandi Carlile embraces her inner ‘Sad Gay’ with reimagined album URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brandi-carlile-embraces-her-inner-sad-gay-with-reimagined-album/ Last updated: 2026-08-13T10:12:10.000Z Grammy-winning singer-songwriter **Brandi Carlile** has announced a reimagined version of her latest album, *Returning To Myself*, inspired by the emotional music that shaped her younger years. The singer revealed that *Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version)* will be released on **25 September**, describing the project as a return to the songs that once left her heartbroken, inspired and deeply moved. In a heartfelt social media post, Carlile reflected on her teenage obsession with what she jokingly called the “Sad Gay” genre, citing artists including **R.E.M., Sinéad O'Connor, Kate Bush, Tracy Chapman and the Indigo Girls** as key influences. “When I was a teenager, I loved to toy with my own emotions by actively seeking out songs in a genre that very few are willing to call by its rightful name. The ‘Sad Gay’ genre,” she wrote. “You don't have to actually be gay to let it break your heart into a thousand pieces. It will do that against your will.” Carlile recalled spending hours listening to songs such as *Everybody Hurts*, *This Woman's Work* and *Nothing Compares 2 U*, immersing herself in music that explored heartbreak, longing and vulnerability. The singer said revisiting those feelings helped shape the new version of *Returning To Myself*, which she described as a deeply personal project. “*Returning To Myself* has been such a profound journey,” she wrote. “It's taken me to places I never imagined and taught me a lot about my disdain for the solitary, as well as my own ridiculous pattern of self-avoidance.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/773643558_1400591575278677_3320315338710835811_n.png.jpeg) Carlile said she reworked the album in an effort to recreate the emotional intensity of those formative listening experiences. “I want to be brought back to the edge of my bed again and I want to bring you with me,” she wrote. “This one is for us... the sad gays wherever you are.” Alongside the announcement, Carlile released *Human (Sad Gay Version)*, featuring acclaimed producer and composer **Jon Hopkins**. The collaboration fulfils a long-held ambition for the singer, who said she had wanted to work with Hopkins ever since hearing the 2011 album *Diamond Mine*, created by King Creosote and Hopkins. “His production and artistry is otherworldly, and as soon as his hands touch the piano keys, you feel an inexplicable sadness rise up and fill your chest,” Carlile wrote. “So when sad meets gay, it sounds like this.” Carlile also paid tribute to the collaborators who helped shape the project, including **Aaron Dessner, Andrew Watt, Dave Mackay, Tim and Phil Hanseroth, Sista Strings, Brandon Bell, Bella Blasko** and **Emily Lazar**. *Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version)* will be released on **25 September**, with *Human (feat. Jon Hopkins) (Sad Gay Version)* available now. ### "They're so important to the fabric of our society." Drag Race star Bimini tells Newsnight why queer spaces are so important amid a rise in closures of nighttime venues URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/theyre-so-important-to-the-fabric-of-our-society-drag-race-star-bimini-tells-newsnight-why-queer-spaces-are-so-important-amid-a-rise-in-closures-of-nighttime-venues/ Last updated: 2026-08-13T08:39:09.000Z *RuPaul’s Drag Race UK* star **Bimini** has warned that the closure of nightclubs and music venues is eroding the “soul” of LGBTQ+ communities, as concerns grow over the future of nightlife spaces across the UK. Speaking to **BBC Newsnight**, the drag artist and musician highlighted the vital role venues play in providing places for people to connect, particularly those exploring their identity. “Nightclubs and venues are sometimes the first place people get to go to meet other people like themselves,” Bimini said. "They're so important to our culture and the fabric of our society," They added. The performer criticised the impact of residential developments on established nightlife districts, arguing that venues with deep cultural roots are increasingly being pushed out. > “\[Nightclubs and venues\] are sometimes the first place people get to go to meet other people like themselves.” > > Drag artist Bimini tells Newsnight why night clubs are so important amid a rise in closures of nighttime venues.[#Newsnight](https://x.com/hashtag/Newsnight?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) [pic.twitter.com/Y1CYTPJsRv](https://t.co/Y1CYTPJsRv?ref=scenemag.co.uk) > > — BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) [August 12, 2026](https://x.com/BBCNewsnight/status/2087666186657919400?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) “It takes out the soul and the heart and the grit of it,” they said, referring to the loss of clubs and music venues in areas with a long-standing nightlife heritage. Bimini’s comments come amid mounting concern about the decline of LGBTQ+ venues and late-night spaces across the country. Industry figures have repeatedly warned that rising operating costs, changing consumer habits and redevelopment pressures are making it increasingly difficult for venues to survive. The issue has struck particularly close to home in Brighton, long regarded as one of the UK’s most prominent LGBTQ+ destinations. Recent announcements that popular venues **R-Bar** and **Charles Street Tap** will close have prompted fresh discussion about the challenges facing the city’s queer nightlife scene. Both venues have played significant roles in Brighton’s LGBTQ+ community, hosting drag performances, social events and Pride celebrations over many years. Campaigners and venue operators have frequently argued that the loss of such spaces represents more than a commercial issue, warning that LGBTQ+ venues provide community, visibility and support networks that are difficult to replicate elsewhere. **Steve Jones**, managing director of Revenge and R-Bar, said: "The closure of R-Bar and Charles Street within days of each other has to be the moment Brighton wakes up to the reality of the situation and urgently starts putting meaningful support in place." Their comments add to growing calls for greater protection of grassroots music venues, nightclubs and LGBTQ+ spaces, with campaigners urging local authorities and developers to recognise the cultural and social value such venues bring to towns and cities across the UK. ### The Labour Government has “helped push Brighton’s nightlife to the brink”, say Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrats URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-labour-government-has-helped-push-brightons-nightlife-to-the-brink-say-brighton-hove-liberal-democrats/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T10:36:38.000Z **Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrats** have accused the **Labour** Government of helping to push the city's nightlife sector "to the brink", arguing that a recently announced 20% reduction in business rates is insufficient to prevent further venue closures. The criticism comes as Brighton's LGBTQ+ nightlife scene faces growing uncertainty following the announcement that **R-Bar** and **Charles Street Tap** are to close. The Liberal Democrats said the Government cannot claim to be supporting hospitality and nightlife businesses while introducing policies that increase operating costs across multiple areas. **Robert Brown**, a Kemptown Liberal Democrat activist, said venues were facing a "perfect storm" of rising expenses, including taxation, business rates, employment costs, energy bills, insurance premiums, licensing requirements and regulatory burdens. "Brighton's nightlife businesses are facing a perfect storm of higher taxation, business rates, employment costs, energy bills, licensing pressures, insurance costs and ever-increasing regulation," Brown said. "Many venues are operating on wafer-thin margins, with some already forced to close." The party argues that the business rates system is particularly damaging for pubs, clubs and entertainment venues because charges are based largely on the assessed rental value of a property rather than the profitability of the business itself. Brown said: "The business rates system itself is fundamentally unfair to nightlife businesses because it can penalise venues based on the assumed rental value of their premises rather than the profitability of the business. "You cannot keep increasing the cost of doing business and then pretend that a 20% reduction in one tax bill fixes everything." [Brighton must ‘wake up’ to LGBTQ+ venue crisis, says Revenge and R-Bar boss in response to council statementThe managing director of Brighton’s Revenge nightclub and the soon-to-close R-Bar has welcomed a pledge from the city council to support the nightlife sector, but warned that the loss of LGBTQ+ venues can no longer be ignored. The comments come after Brighton & Hove City Council leader![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-edbbb7e0-3866-4374-b9b1-de4880b158b4.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/rbar2-31ceccc8-bd6a-4db1-9952-9f1a5e45e471.png)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-must-wake-up-to-lgbtq-venue-crisis-says-revenge-and-r-bar-boss-in-response-to-council-statement/) The warning comes amid growing concern about the future of Brighton's night-time economy, which has long been regarded as a key part of the city's identity and one of the UK's most important LGBTQ+ destinations. For decades, Brighton's pubs, clubs, cabaret venues and live music spaces have attracted visitors from across the UK and beyond, contributing significantly to tourism and supporting the city's reputation as a welcoming home for LGBTQ+ communities. However, venue operators have increasingly warned that rising costs and changing economic conditions are making it harder to remain financially viable. In response, Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrats are calling for a fundamental review of business rates for pubs, clubs, social clubs and live music venues. They are also seeking a wider assessment of the cumulative impact of taxation, employment costs, regulation and business rates on nightlife businesses. The party is urging ministers to introduce a system that better reflects the economic realities of running hospitality and entertainment venues, while providing longer-term certainty for operators. Among their demands are measures aimed at preventing further closures of venues they describe as economically, socially and culturally important to Brighton and Hove. "Brighton's nightlife does not need another sticking plaster," Brown said. "It needs a government that understands how these businesses work and policies that give them a fighting chance to survive." Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven MP **Chris Ward** (Labour) described the closures of R-Bar and Charles Street Tap as a "huge loss" for the city and pledged to raise concerns about the future of LGBTQ+ venues with ministers. In a statement, Ward said he knew how much the two venues meant to Brighton's LGBTQ+ community and said they had served as places of "joy, freedom and inclusion" for decades. "It is a huge loss to see two major LGBTQ+ venues in our city close," he said. Ward said the closures highlighted the need for greater support for both the night-time economy and LGBTQ+ venues in particular. "This just underlines that we need to do much more both locally and nationally to support our night-time economy, and LGBTQ+ venues in particular," he said. The Labour MP added that Brighton has a "proud LGBTQ+ history and identity" and said everything possible must be done to protect venues and community spaces that form part of the city's heritage. Ward also revealed he is due to meet Steve Jones, managing director of Revenge and R-Bar, this week to discuss the closures and explore what more can be done to support the local hospitality sector. "I will then raise this both in Parliament and with ministers going forward," he said. ### REVIEW: Living Out Loud (2026) should be louder URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-living-out-loud-2026-should-be-louder/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T10:06:30.000Z *Living out Loud* (2026) follows writer, lecturer and drag queen **Copper Topp**, or **Simon Wergrzyn**, on their journey to answer the question of how to live an openly queer life in today’s UK. The answer is undoubtedly to live with acceptance and unapologetic joy. And yet, with the same name as a poorly received Danny Devito film, *Living Out Loud* seems to have lost itself in the prime video shuffle. Directed by **Remone Jones**, an experienced documentary director with credits like *Diddy: Monster’s Fall* and *What Makes a Killer?, Living Out Loud* is incredibly conventional. From sentimental music to found footage montages, it is just like every other documentary, which isn’t necessarily bad for a documentary. In fact, documentaries, more than any other media, thrive on their format. It is not unusual for a documentary to be typical. It is, however, disappointing for a documentary about living loudly to be so dull. There are so many conversations with truly interesting people in this documentary. However, there are too many conversations for the conversations themselves to be impactful. This is partly because the premise is so ambitious. Simon travels across the UK to explore so many different, intricate parts of the LGBTQ+ identity in under an hour. This leaves us little to no time to sit with the people we are introduced to before jumping to another person with another story and a different place in Copper Topp’s journey to self-acceptance. Where this is most obvious is in the conversation between Simon and **Kate Barker-Mawjee**, Chief Executive Officer for **LGB Alliance**. This is the only conversation within the documentary that is oppositional in nature. However, it is not much of a conversation at all. During the interview, Barker-Mawjee says “it is impossible to change sex, and the rest of the world will not necessarily agree with you.” Simon responds by saying “Everything they stand for, I completely disagree with.” – except, he doesn’t really respond. He waits until Barker-Mawjee has left and he is sat alone to say this. What Barker-Mawjee says is left unchallenged, unconfronted, until she is gone. To me, this completely undermined the driving message of the documentary. How can we live loudly when we can’t even loudly disagree? Of course, this makes sense as the target audience is fans of Copper Topp and *Drag Race UK*, where Copper Topp gained popularity with their appearance on series four. However, it doesn’t offer much for audiences less interested in Copper Topp and more interested in the LGBTQ+ community, which is what the documentary purports to be about. That being said, the most emotionally resonant moment of the documentary does come from a revelation of Copper Topp’s personal life, as they plant a pansy at the site where they were hate-crimed years before. The final shot of the documentary being that lone pansy, swaying in the wind. This is a marrying of these two aspects of the documentary. It is both about the celebrity Copper Topp and about much more than that, too. The pansy comes from queer artist and activist, **Paul Harfleet**. Harfleet began planting pansies to deal with his own experiences of homophobic attacks in Manchester and said of the planting, “I remembered the planting and not the experience.” The conversation is interspersed with pictures of planted pansies, which would be unassuming without their context. This is something Copper Topp alludes to when they say of the pansy that it is “quietly radical.” This is also how I would describe the documentary. It has some quietly radical moments which are worth watching but suffers because it is not as unapologetic as it should be: It is a documentary that asks you to pay attention, when really it should demand you to. You can watch *Living Out Loud* on Prime Video and Tubi now. ### LGB Alliance chief says GB News "champions rights of lesbians, gays and bisexuals" despite investigations into anti-LGBTQ+ broadcasts URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgb-alliance-chief-says-gb-news-champions-rights-of-lesbians-gays-and-bisexuals-despite-investigations-into-anti-lgbtq-broadcasts/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T09:50:49.000Z The chief executive of **LGB Alliance** has defended **GB News** and praised the broadcaster's coverage of lesbian, gay and bisexual issues, despite the channel currently facing **Ofcom** investigations over programmes accused of promoting anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech. **Kate Barker-Mawjee**, CEO of LGB Alliance, made the comments in a post on X on 10 August, writing: "GB News has consistently championed the rights of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. They are right to call out the homophobia of the straight TQ+ movement." The intervention comes as GB News remains under scrutiny from media regulator Ofcom following thousands of complaints about comments made during broadcasts concerning LGBTQ+ people. > GB News has consistently championed the rights of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. They are right to call out the homophobia of the straight TQ+ movement. [https://t.co/DEJxsHDVrZ](https://t.co/DEJxsHDVrZ?ref=scenemag.co.uk) > > — Kate Barker-Mawjee (@KateBMwriting) [August 10, 2026](https://x.com/KateBMwriting/status/2086929459391746545?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) According to reports, Ofcom recently launched investigations into two GB News programmes after receiving complaints alleging that presenters and guests used discriminatory and potentially harmful language about LGBTQ+ communities. The regulator is examining whether the broadcasts breached rules relating to harm, offence and discrimination. Barker-Mawjee's comments are likely to further fuel debate around the broadcaster's coverage of LGBTQ+ issues and wider divisions over trans rights within parts of the community. LGB Alliance, which was founded in 2019, says it campaigns for the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people. However, the organisation has faced sustained criticism from many LGBTQ+ groups, charities and activists who argue that its positions on transgender issues are exclusionary and undermine efforts to achieve equality for all LGBTQ+ people. [Ofcom launches investigations into anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech on GB News following thousands of complaintsBroadcast regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into anti-LGBTQ+ attacks on GB News following complaints by Good Law Project and 15,000 members of the public. The Good Law Project complaint relates to a broadcast of Alex Armstrong Tonight on 5 July 2026\. Over 12,000 members of the public![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-950d446c-e47a-4eea-bc3a-569339558a73.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/cecilie-bomstad-G8CxFhKuPDU-unsplash-188c4a55-4e83-4d9f-8c3f-625f14461eb5.jpg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ofcom-launches-investigations-into-anti-lgbtq-hate-speech-on-gb-news-following-thousands-of-complaints/) The Ofcom investigation follows complaints by **Good Law Project** and 15,000 members of the public. Good Law Project lawyer Matt Gill said: “The hateful trope about LGBTQ+ people broadcast by GB News puts the community at risk. “When GB News tried to make a link between LGBTQ+ people and paedophilia before, Ofcom found the broadcast was highly offensive and yet did nothing about it. The regulator must impose meaningful sanctions to stop this rogue channel repeating these vicious lies again and again.” The dispute comes at a time when trans people in the UK continue to report high levels of discrimination, harassment and barriers to healthcare. Recent research from organisations including TransActual has highlighted concerns about growing hostility towards trans communities, with many respondents reporting that media coverage and political rhetoric have negatively affected their wellbeing. ### Brighton drag queen aims to break 'curse' as she joins RuPaul's Drag Race UK URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-drag-queen-aims-to-break-curse-as-she-joins-rupauls-drag-race-uk/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T09:08:41.000Z A Brighton performer known for her gothic glamour, punk-inspired looks and street interviews with unsuspecting members of the public is hoping to make *Drag Race UK* history after being unveiled as one of the contestants for the show's eighth series. **Alik**, 29, is among the queens competing for the crown when **RuPaul's Drag Race UK** returns, becoming the latest Brighton-based performer to enter the workroom. The drag artist, who describes herself as being "from outer space" before clarifying that she actually hails from Brighton, has been performing for eight years and says viewers can expect a unique blend of old-school drag, goth aesthetics and punk influences. "I’m bringing to Drag Race an aesthetic of old meets new with goth glamour and a punk melting pot," she said. Alik's drag journey began by dressing extravagantly for club nights before discovering the art form that would become her career. She has since become a familiar face on Brighton's LGBTQ+ scene, regularly performing at some of the city's biggest gay venues. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/p0p3p0wx.jpg) **Image: BBC / World Of Wonder / Nick Strasburg* The queen is also hoping to end what some fans have jokingly dubbed the "Brighton curse", with previous contestants from the city failing to make a major impact on the competition. "Judging from the statistics, Brighton girlies have not had the best track record on *Drag Race UK*, but I'm here to smash that curse," she said. "I am infamous in Brighton, regularly performing in Brighton's biggest gay club, and you know what, I am an icon." Away from the stage, Alik has built a following online through comedy interviews filmed on the streets of Brighton. Alongside her partner, **Scaredy Kat**, who competed in the first series of Drag Race UK, she stops members of the public to ask unusual questions for social media content. "You could say I'm a drag journalist," she joked. The couple have become a well-known fixture within the drag community, and Alik admitted her appearance on the show carries added significance because of their relationship. "Yes, I'm in a relationship with season one icon Scaredy Kat, and we're very deeply in love," she said. "They didn't do great on their season, but they were young and they have learned a lot since and I'm just excited to do better than them!" Alik believes her versatility could prove a major advantage in the competition. Having previously trained in gymnastics and trampolining, she says she is capable of delivering the high-energy stunts and acrobatics often required on the Drag Race stage. "I am a very well-rounded drag queen. I do a bit of everything," she said. "I can do flips, tricks, cartwheels, dips, anything, you name it." And while the competition has yet to begin, the Brighton queen is already setting her sights on the ultimate prize. "I don't think anyone like me has been on the show before," she said. "Not only am I doing this for myself, but I'm also doing it for my partner Scaredy Kat as they deserve to see the crown at least once in their life, right? "This is their redemption living vicariously through me. So, Ru, come on, just put the crown on me now!" Alik joins a new cast of queens hoping to impress RuPaul and the judging panel when the latest series of the BBC and World of Wonder competition gets underway. ### MP demands Reform-run Bradford Council reverse decision on £2m Keighley Cougars funding URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/mp-demands-bradford-council-reverse-decision-on-2m-keighley-cougars-funding/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T08:54:21.000Z **Robbie Moore**, MP for Keighley and Ilkley, has called on **Bradford Council** to reverse its decision to withhold more than £2 million earmarked for improvements to rugby club **Keighley Cougars**' stadium, accusing the authority of conducting a "sham" process to reallocate the money elsewhere. Moore has written to Bradford Council's chief executive, portfolio holder for regeneration and planning Councillor **Andrew Judson**, and **Keighley Towns Fund Board** chair **Tim Rogers**, urging them to honour funding originally secured for the rugby league club's **Danny Jones Stand** redevelopment. The funding was awarded as part of the Towns Fund programme in 2022, with plans to modernise the stand at **Cougar Park**. However, Bradford Council has confirmed it will not release the money for the project. The decision comes after Reform UK took control of Bradford Council earlier this year. Moore criticised the council's handling of the issue, claiming a meeting was hastily arranged last week to discuss diverting the funding to alternative projects. In a statement, the Conservative MP said: "It is simply outrageous that Bradford Council, now under the control of Reform, have confirmed they will not be releasing the over £2 million to the Keighley Cougars to redevelop their Danny Jones Stand, despite these funds being awarded for the project back in 2022. "Last week, Bradford Council then pressed ahead with organising a sham meeting to quickly discuss the reallocation of the funds to other projects. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Official_portrait_of_Robbie_Moore_MP_crop_2-1.jpg) Robbie Moore. Wikimedia "The whole process has been shoddy, lacked openness and transparency, and been unprofessional." Moore argued that the money should remain with the Cougars and be used for the purpose for which it was originally allocated. "Bradford Council must reverse their decision," he said. "The funds should be allocated to the Keighley Cougars to redevelop the Danny Jones Stand, as the funds were originally assigned." The redevelopment of the stand has long been viewed as a key part of wider regeneration ambitions in Keighley, with supporters arguing that investment in Cougar Park would bring economic and community benefits to the town. ### TransActual launches largest-ever survey into life for trans people in the UK URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/transactual-launches-largest-ever-survey-into-life-for-trans-people-in-the-uk/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T08:34:01.000Z **TransActual**, a leading trans advocacy organisation, [has launched its largest survey yet](https://form.typeform.com/to/BRppksJ3?ref=scenemag.co.uk), aiming to build a detailed picture of the experiences of trans people living across the country in 2026. TransActual's **Trans Lives Survey 2026**, which is running for the third time, will gather information on issues including access to gendered spaces, employment, healthcare and experiences of transphobia. The findings will be used to help improve understanding of the challenges facing trans people in the UK and to inform future campaigning and policy discussions. The anonymous survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and is open to all trans people aged 18 and over who live in the UK. It will remain open until **12 November 2026**. TransActual said the results will be published in a freely available report and shared with policymakers, academics, healthcare organisations and charities. [Trans Lives Survey 2026A survey on the experiences and views of trans people in the UK.![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/favicon-32x32-e2066bbd-336c-42a2-88c0-386265d2cd05.png)![](https://public-assets.typeform.com/public/admin/2VWurKeiR4R7.png/image/default)](https://form.typeform.com/to/BRppksJ3?ref=scenemag.co.uk) **Chay Brown**, TransActual's Director of Operations, said the organisation hopes to attract more participants than ever before. "This is our third time running the Trans Lives Survey, and we want to make it our biggest one yet," Brown said. "Even before the EHRC's unworkable Code of Practice came into effect, we know from speaking with our community that using a bathroom or accessing healthcare was already becoming more difficult for trans people living in the UK. "This year's Trans Lives Survey will provide clarity on the consequences of the government's failure to stand up for trans equality, and will give us the data needed to more effectively campaign for real change." TransActual, a trans-led organisation campaigning for trans rights and improved access to healthcare, says the survey will help document the realities of everyday life for trans people at a time of growing concern about equality, healthcare access and discrimination. > "This year's Trans Lives Survey will provide clarity on the consequences of the government's failure to stand up for trans equality, and will give us the data needed to more effectively campaign for real change." The group's previous survey in 2025 attracted more than 4,000 respondents and painted what TransActual described as a stark picture of life for many trans people in the UK. Among the findings, 99% of respondents said media coverage of trans issues had negatively affected their mental health, while 99% reported hearing politicians express transphobic views. Many also said they had been refused healthcare unrelated to gender transition because they were trans. [Trans Lives Survey 2026A survey on the experiences and views of trans people in the UK.![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/favicon-32x32-edcffbf1-3587-42e8-bd3b-c16b51bf9b6b.png)![](https://public-assets.typeform.com/public/admin/2VWurKeiR4R7.png/image/default)](https://form.typeform.com/to/BRppksJ3?ref=scenemag.co.uk) The survey also found that nearly two-thirds (64%) had avoided visiting their GP despite being unwell, while 56% said they felt less safe because their identification documents did not reflect their gender identity. One in four respondents reported experiencing homelessness at some point in their lives. TransActual hopes the latest survey will provide updated evidence on the impact of recent policy developments and help shape future conversations about trans equality and inclusion in the UK. ## [SURVEY HERE](https://form.typeform.com/to/BRppksJ3?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Running Together: Pride and community at Hove Park URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/running-together-rainbow-run-2026/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T08:17:37.000Z Scene Magazine reporter [Liran Notik](https://www.instagram.com/liran%5Fnotik?ref=scenemag.co.uk) was at Hove Park for the annual Rainbow Run, capturing the colour, energy and LGBTQ+ spirit of Brighton & Hove as hundreds of runners, families, friends and allies came together ahead of Pride. With more than 500 runners, the event was filled with celebration, community and plenty of Pride energy. We spoke to Mayor of Brighton & Hove Cllr Theresa Fowler, Brighton & Hove Frontrunners' Scott Oakley and drag queen, host and performer Cherry Bomb. ## Watch our interview with Mayor of Brighton & Hove 0:00 /1:01 1× Liran Notik, in an exclusive interview with Cllr Theresa Fowler, Mayor of Brighton & Hove **Cllr Theresa Fowle**r described the atmosphere as “buzzing” and “electrifying”, saying she hoped everyone would have fun, do their best and enjoy supporting an important cause. This year's Rainbow Run was raising money for **MindOut**, supporting LGBTQ+ people with their mental health and other challenges. ## Watch our interview with Scott Oakley: Five Years of Rainbow Run 0:00 /1:52 1× Scott Oakley: Five Years of Rainbow Run | Interview with Liran Notik Scott Oakley explained that the Rainbow Run takes place every year on the night before Brighton Pride, combining fun, Pride and fundraising for charity partners. Now in its fifth year, the event welcomed more than 500 runners and around 400 spectators. Scott highlighted the mix of LGBTQ+ participants, families, friends and allies, describing the atmosphere as “electrifying” and encouraging everyone to come back next year. ## Watch our interview with Cherry Bomb: Queer Joy and Community 0:00 /2:22 1× Cherry Bomb: Queer Joy and Community | Interview with Liran Notik Hosting the Rainbow Run for the first time, **Cherry Bomb** brought her trademark humour and energy to Hove Park. She described the atmosphere as full of “queer energy” and love, praising the event's diversity and the presence of LGBTQ+ people, families and allies. Cherry also revealed this year's special medal - a Brighton-inspired cone of fish and chips with a seagull - and hoped runners would take home wonderful memories, as well as their medals. The Rainbow Run once again showed the strength and diversity of Brighton & Hove's LGBTQ+ community, bringing people together through Pride, fundraising, fitness and, most importantly, joy. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/PXL_20260731_174620462.PORTRAIT.png) Liran Notik, in an exclusive interview with Cllr Theresa Fowler, Mayor of Brighton & Hove | Scene Magazine ### INTERVIEW: Egyptologist Curtis Ryan Woodside on Pride, Pharaohs, Céline Dion and Ancient Egypt's queer history URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/interview-egyptologist-curtis-ryan-woodside-on-pride-pharaohs-celine-dion-and-ancient-egypts-queer-history/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T11:56:27.000Z **Curtis Ryan Woodside** is basically proof that having one career path is overrated. The openly gay South African filmmaker, author and Egyptologist has built a massive global following (including me) by making history feel anything but dusty. Through captivating documentaries and collaborations with iconic experts like [**Dr Zahi Hawass**](https://www.instagram.com/zahi%5Fhawass?ref=scenemag.co.uk), [**Salim Ikram**](https://www.instagram.com/salimaegypt/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)and [**Sofia Aziz**](https://www.instagram.com/sofia%5Faziz%5F/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) he's turned the ancient world into something genuinely exciting, relatable and binge worthy. Now living in **Florence** (in **Italy**) with his husband **Filippo Adami**, Curtis got started ridiculously early. At just 15 he was already producing a documentary about **Céline Dion** and by 2012 he'd directed the short film **Fear of Hue** narrated by none other than **Daniel Radcliffe**. Yep that Daniel Radcliffe, **Harry Potter** himself! In 2017 Curtis turned a lifelong obsession with **Ancient Egypt** into a career in Egyptology and instead of choosing between filmmaking and history he did what all the coolest people do and combined both. Today he writes, directs and produces feature-length documentaries that blend meticulous research with cinematic storytelling, transforming events from thousands of years ago into stories that feel fresh, immersive and totally gripping. More than 24 million **YouTube** views, streaming success on platforms including **Amazon Prime** and **Apple TV**, multiple award wins and official selections at 69 international film festivals. Not bad for someone who turned a childhood passion into a global audience. As an openly gay filmmaker and Egyptologist, Curtis is challenging stereotypes and proving that queer representation belongs in every corner of society including places people don't always expect....like ancient tombs and archaeological excavations. Oh Curis is an author too by the way and has a new book coming out this winter. Our conversation takes a whirlwind trip through ancient queer history, mummy mysteries, mythology, **Henry Cavill**, Pride, homophobia and a completely necessary detour into the greatness of Céline Dion. We also talk about the surreal experience of walking through monuments that have stood for thousands of years and the emotions that come with bringing their stories back to life. From the sands of **Giza** to the hidden LGBTQ+ stories of the ancient world, pour yourself a heneket and let's dive in....head first! DALEYPOP: CURTIS! For our readers who might not know you yet, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do? > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DalEeVvAjMA/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Curtis Ryan Woodside (@curtisryanwoodside)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DalEeVvAjMA/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: I don't expect many to know who I am unless they're interested in history. My first direction in life was to be a film maker although I have always been interested in Ancient Egypt since I was a child. I first visited **Egypt** in 2017 where I shot a primarily travel based documentary. But seeing the place I'd always wanted to visit made me focus even more on Egyptology and lead me to combine my two passions. DALEYPOP: That's such a clever way to combine two completely different passions! You grew up in **South Africa** where history wasn't even offered as a school subject, right? Yet you've gone on to become one of the world's best known Egyptologists....do you remember exactly how and when you first became fascinated by Ancient Egypt and what was it about the subject that captured your imagination so completely? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: That's right, when I was at school in South Africa history was not a subject one could take for a while then toward the end of high school the government brought it back! I never took history in the last few years at school though. I had always been reading Egyptology books since I was around 6 years old and even more so, watching documentaries! But the inspiration hit me whilst on a bus at 6 years old going from South Africa to **Zimbabwe** to visit my grandmother. They were showing *The Mummy* (1999 Version) and I was hooked. Not just because of the gorgeous **Brendan Fraiser** and **Rachel Weisz**....but the beauty of the art of Ancient Egypt. Something about it just stirred something in me. We arrived before the film had ended. I was furious and made it my mission to see the end of this film. Now I've seen the end hundreds of times. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/tumblr_b8a21f75baee18db4e5d218f2d37ad54_283f2e24_540.webp) DALEYPOP: For years people have debated how the pyramids was built, but in 2013 along came the **Diary of Merer**, a 4,500 year old papyrus written by someone who actually worked on the project! So cool! Can you tell us more about how significant that discovery is and what does it reveal about life on one of history's greatest construction sites? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: Such a fantastic discovery. It really tells us where the stones came from and how they were brought to **Giza**. Merer even tells us that he was delayed in a queue for a whole day waiting at the Giza port while other barges arrived with stones. I actually just finished a doc with **Dr Zahi Hawass** as executive producer about **Khufu**. In this we will reveal new discoveries about how the pyramids were built and how this diary has revealed a new length of reign for Khufu. DALEYPOP: The pyramids are still standing but most of the tools used to build them have disappeared. Is that one of Egyptology's greatest mysteries or do you think there's actually a fairly simple explanation? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: Giza is in the delta region, its not as dry, thus it can't preserve things as well as other sites. A lot of the wooden sledges would have been recycled into other things and others would decay, the same of any metal objects used. Wood was rare for them, so they would have reused. We have a few of these items from tombs at Giza. DALEYPOP: Hieroglyphs are often portrayed as a mysterious code in films and popular culture but what's the most fascinating thing people don't know about them? Is there a particular inscription or symbol you've always been especially obsessed with? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: Hieroglyphs are incredible, there are over 1000 hieroglyphs. There are glyphs we dont even know the meaning of yet. But it a very clever form of writing. Its like an alphabet yet some words can be written with 3 glyphs and also reduced to just one at the same time. I don't think I have one favourite but if I had to choose, then maybe the birds. There's a chick/quail which makes the "u" sounds, or the owl for "m" or the falcon for "hor". DALEYPOP: I'm not sure if you've seen but you can stay overnight now at the **Natural History Museum** in **London** which I personally think is SO COOL so if you could spend a night in any Ancient Egyptian tomb, temple, or necropolis what would you be most excited to see? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: I've been so fortunate to have been to some very remote places in Egypt that no tourists goes to and to have these tombs and temples all to myself. This April we went to some tombs in middle Egypt where the doorway had been naturally covered up by sand. > We had to dig the sand out of the way and even stumbled upon some mummy wrappings. I think the **Temple of** **Seti** in **Abydos** would be amazing to see alone at night. There's so many details there. DALEYPOP: I'm fascinated by mummification, particularly animal mummies so one of my favourite documentaries of yours (with Salim Ikram) naturally is the one from 2023 about cat worship but what's the most unusual or lesser known animal mummy you've encountered during your career and what can these animals tell us about how the Ancient Egyptians viewed nature, the gods and the way people understood the world around them? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: There are shrew mummies, absolutely tiny! But most of the animal mummies are actually fake. Most only contained one bone of even a feather (just the essence). I've seen mummified hedgehogs. We know there was a hedgehog goddess **Abaset** who was only shown once in **Bahariya**. No one knows her function but I think a hedgehog rolling up into a ball, this could protect people in the oasis from the harsh weather such as sand storms. I've also handled an ibis mummy which was drenched in resins and was very weighty, clearly that priest was showing his overflowing devotion. A few years ago I went to the animal mummy catacombs and just at the entrance there still stood the animal mummification room. It smelled vile so think twice about animal mummies! DALEYPOP: Which piece of funerary art or tomb decoration do you think deserves to be every bit as famous as **Tutankhamun**'s mask? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: Oh gosh! There's two death mask that people should pay more attention to. The 13th dynasty **Pharaoh** **Hor Awibra**. His mask was found at the black pyramid and has gold, copper and faience on it. Then there is **Psusennes**. His gold mask is exquisite and was totally overlooked being discovered after Tut. I have a theory that this mask is rather for **Ramses II** being recycled by priests in the intermediate period but that is explained in great detail in my *The Great Life Of Ramses* doc. Something that readers may find interesting are the scenes of male gods kissing/embracing the pharaoh, this would seems slightly queer coded but it also represents the gods breathing life into the king. In **Kharga** theres a scene of a living pharaoh kissing/embracing a deceased pharaoh (both are the same man) where the pharaoh is making sure his place in the afterlife is secured. > Of course there is lots of semen related art in Egypt, particularly the god Amun-Min who can be seen ejactulating often. The god of the Earth **Geb** is also often shown with his legs tossed over his head with his own penis to his mouth while ejaculating into his mouth. This symbolises the role of self regeneration. He is fertilising the earth, which is himself. DALEYPOP: Oh wow, I'm flustered now. Sorry to change the subject back to Tutankhamun but I still can't get over that one of Tut's knives that was found in his tomb with him was made from a meteorite so does that mean the Ancient Egyptians were literally working with material from outer space?! Wild. Is that one of the coolest discoveries in Egyptology or do you think there's an even wilder Ancient Egypt fact that deserves more attention? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: Oh that's for sure the most fascinating. But I think it's more interesting that the objects from **Amarna** were found in **Viking** graves. To me this is more exciting to know that the trade routs were so extensive. DALEYPOP: Do we know how the Egyptians viewed these mysterious pieces of rock that fell from the sky? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: For them this would be a gift from the gods and thus would be sacred. Because it would have appeared as a giant fireball coming to earth, it's linked to the sun god **Ra** as well as the scarab **Kheper**. DALEYPOP: Ancient Egyptians invested extraordinary effort into preparing for the afterlife. What can their attitudes towards death teach us about how we live our lives today? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: They didn't celebrate death, in fact they wanted to enjoy this time as much as they could and so they wished to make the next life as easy and comfortable as possible. That's why they prepared. So let's just live life! DALEYPOP: One of the most discussed relationships in Ancient Egyptian history is that of **Khnumhotep** and **Niankhkhnum** who are often described as the first recorded same sex couple in history....what's your take on their story though and do you think modern audiences sometimes project contemporary ideas about sexuality onto the ancient world? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: I always try to look at history with a neutral view. I think it's dangerous to put our modern views on the ancient world. Same as we wouldn't relate with the **Victorians** today. I've visited this the tomb of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum at **Saqqara**. As you enter you are actually met with them with their wives and children, then there's the famous scene where they are holding hands and kissing/embracing. Like I said this is symbolic for giving life. Yes they were beauticians which some people might think is bit of a gay job but they had wives and children. They weren't brothers either as some say. Different sets of parents. If I look at it from a human perspective, those lucky enough have experienced the joy of having a best friend that we want to do everything with (platonically). Tombs were expensive. I think these are two men who were best friends who then pooled their money and created a joint tomb and this famous image is showing this bond of each giving the other life in the afterlife. We are currently working on a doc about many of the mysteries at Saqqara so watch this space! > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DXR-s8qjO7J/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Curtis Ryan Woodside (@curtisryanwoodside)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DXR-s8qjO7J/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) DALEYPOP: The story of **Horus** and **Seth** has been interpreted as everything from political allegory to a discussion of masculinity, sexuality, power and consent. Why do you think this myth continues to spark such passionate debate today too and can you tell our readers about Horus and Seth if they don't know who I'm talking about? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: Seth and **Osiris** were brothers, Seth killed Osiris out of jealousy. Osiris' son then sought revenge against Seth. During their long ages of battle, Seth tries sometimes to seduce Horus and at some points Horus is "topped" by Seth....Seth saying lines like "you have perfect thighs, your buttocks is soft and round", we know then that Seth says he ejaculated in Horus. Isis then summons forth this semen from Horus but he produced none of it, rather saying that he caught it in his hand and threw it in the **Nile**. > Horus masturbates into a jar and pours it over Seth's favourite food (lettuce) which Seth then eats. This is always seen as a battle of good vs bad. It shows how being the dominant one in a homosexual relationship means you are winning. But is that always so? This is all very homoerotic before it was a thing. We do know of gay relationships in Ancient Egypt but it's not written about so much. Not because it was taboo but because it was not an issue. DALEYPOP: Do you think historians are getting better at recognising and discussing possible queer stories from antiquity or is there still some reluctance within the field? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: A lot of younger historians are telling these stories more. Older generations had different views, especially the Victorians. Sex was a taboo, gay or straight. There's even a statue of Amun-Min where they removed his penis and added an exist arrow sign over it in **The British Museum**. > We have examples of homosexual relationships all the way from the Old Kingdom, we can even seen some scenes of two women playing a harp with the glyphs saying "I love you". **Pharaoh Pepi II** **Neferkare** is even known from texts saying he would visit the house of his general every night and spend many hours to quote "doing what he desired with him". We have a marriage statue from Ramses II reign of two women and from **Akhenaten**'s reign we have another marriage statue of two men who have adopted a child. And let's not forget Akhenaten's co-regent **Smenkhkare** who is shown in some very loving images together. DALEYPOP: Ancient Egypt's relationship with **Greece** is something I find fascinating. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure we know there were diplomatic exchanges, gifts and tributes flowing between the two cultures and one famous example is Pharaoh Amasis II contributing to the rebuilding of the **Temple of Delphi** after it was destroyed by fire. What do you think these exchanges tell us about the relationship between Egypt and the Greek world? Were such gifts political statements, religious acts of devotion or maybe both? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: Well the Greeks say that all the gods are the same, they just have different names because of different languages. The Egyptians were allies with the **Hellens** for **Millenia**. From **Thothoses III** we see Greeks bringing gifts and even under Ramses II we know Greeks helped in the battle of **Kadesh** from Greek armour found in **Crete** with Ramses name stamped on. It is interesting that Greece and Egypt were never enemies. Unless you count a short civil war under the Egyptian priest **Wennefer** vs **Ptolemy the 5th**. DALEYPOP: You've been fortunate enough to visit places that most Egypt enthusiasts like myself can only dream about including the legendary **Tomb of Nefertari**. How many times have you been inside and what's it like walking into one of the most beautiful tombs ever discovered? Does the magic ever wear off or do you still find yourself staring at the walls in complete disbelief? I feel like I'd be emotional. > [@curtisryanwoodside](https://www.tiktok.com/@curtisryanwoodside?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "@curtisryanwoodside") Streaming now: NEFERTARI THE GREAT QUEEN OF ANCIENT EGYPT! Join Curtis Ryan Woodside, Dr Zahi Hawass, Sofia Aziz & Dr Salima Ikram as we discover new evidence in the life and death of the great royal with of Pharaoh Ramses the second! Streaming now on YouTube & It will soon be available on many other streaming platforms. [#documentary](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/documentary?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "documentary") [#egypt](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/egypt?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "egypt") [#historyfacts](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/historyfacts?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "historyfacts") [#ancientegypt](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/ancientegypt?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "ancientegypt") [#nefertari](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/nefertari?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "nefertari") [♬ original sound - Curtis Ryan Woodside](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7622393773985401622?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "♬ original sound - Curtis Ryan Woodside") CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: I've been so lucky to see her tombs 6 times now. **Nefertari** is my favourite Egyptian queen. Her tomb is so beautiful and peaceful. Every time I go in I'm filled with emotion, I cry each time! I don't know why. We worked hard a few years ago to have the tomb closed after **Andy Plaksin** showed me some images and the deterioration was very noticeable. I sent them to the ministry and we closed the tomb. Something so beautiful needs to be preserved and if that means we can't go in well then so be it. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWj2jsUDseK/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Curtis Ryan Woodside (@curtisryanwoodside)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWj2jsUDseK/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) DALEYPOP: I know you're a huuuge fellow **Céline Dion** fan so I need to ask a silly but also....kinda serious question. If Celine were invited to perform at the opening of a newly discovered Egyptian tomb....which song of hers do you think would be the perfect choice and why? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: You joke, but the ministry asked me in the past to help them organise a concert in Egypt with Céline performing inside the **Luxor Temple**. They sent the concept and Céline declined saying that it's a sacred space and she would not want to damage anything by doing a concert in the temple. I've known Céline since I was 11 years old. She's one of the most thoughtful people out there so I know what she said she really means. DALEYPOP: Wait YOU KNOW CÉLINE DION?! Omg....which Egyptian god or goddess do you think would be most likely to have an obsession with Céline Dion like we do?! CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: Oh the goddess **Mout** or **Hathor**. Hathor maybe more. She was the goddess of singing who had so many singers in her temples. And the goddess Mout was the mother goddess and she would relate to Céline. DALEYPOP: What do you think of *Dansons* and *Bonjour, Pardon, Merci* by the way and did you get tickets for her comeback shows in **Paris**?! CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: Her new songs are great, she's finding her new voice. She's a fighter. I've seen Céline live 15 times live but I'm conflicted about the new shows. I hope she's not under a contract or feeling pressured by fans to get back on stage. I didn't get tickets because if something happens at the shows, I didn't want to feel like I had a hand in that. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZHcYKFDnIy/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Céline is strong, but stiff person syndrome is not something to take lightly and I hope she wouldn't do anything she didn't want to do. So we are all hoping for the best for these shows but if Céline wanted to stay home and enjoy life, I'd accept that too. Basically we all just want the best for her and don't want her to be pressured into a contracted show....like what happened to **Michael Jackson**. DALEYPOP: South Africa became the first country in the world to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in its constitution while Italy has followed a different path on LGBTQ+ rights. Having called both countries home, how do you view the progress that's been made and what challenges do you think still need to be addressed? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: South Africa is quite open minded but there are homophobic people all around the world. I think the sooner everyone realises that who someone else is in a relationship with doesn't effect them at all, the same was what my postman is watching on TV doesn't effect me. Be concerned with your own life and let others do what the do, it really doesn't concern you unless they are physically harming someone, leave it. > I really hate politics, but I also hate people being discriminated against. DALEYPOP: Same! What does Pride personally mean to you? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: I've never been to a Pride event before. It's mostly fear, there are crazy people out there and we are still in a world where we need to be fearful that something bad could happen. Any gay person will understand that feeling. > For me pride really is more about being happy and accepting of yourself. Unfortunately we still have to watch over our shoulders most of the time but being proud of who you are and being cautious of the world who still don't understand you can go hand in hand for now. You know what I mean? Straight people don't understand it but the bad looks, the whispered comments, we see it all. We don't walk around and give straight people bad looks. In March I was attacked by a homophobic neighbour right outside my front door, they called me the f slur. To be attacked just because someone else doesn't agree with who you have sex with in private is nonsensical. Mind your own business. DALEYPOP: I feel like I need to ask for our LGBTQ+ readers who dream of standing in front of the pyramids one day, what's your advice? Asking for me too. What's been your experience of visiting and working in Egypt as a gay man and are there any common misconceptions queer travellers have about the country? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: Egypt is a country that very much relies on tourism, the people are also very welcoming of all. As long as you go there and are respectful. Don't walk around with rainbow flags or unicorn backpacks, don't hold hands or anything like that in public (most people don't do that anyway in other countries anyway) and please just don't use **Grindr** there. If you go with the mindset of just being there for the ancient sites, that's perfect. DALEYPOP: Time for a super deep question. Who's your crush of the day? It can be an Ancient Egyptian, **Hollywood** star, '90s heartthrob or your husband....all answers are valid! CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: It has to be my husband Filippo everyday! But also Henry Cavill, did you see that **Ascot** video!? > [@italianwatchspot](https://www.tiktok.com/@italianwatchspot?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "@italianwatchspot") Henry Cavill debuts at Royal Ascot with a ultra rare Longines from 1926 [#longines](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/longines?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "longines") [#royalascot](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/royalascot?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "royalascot") [#henrycavill](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/henrycavill?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "henrycavill") [#watch](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/watch?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "watch") [♬ suara asli - Rae](https://www.tiktok.com/music/suara-asli-Rae-7589244725423786772?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "♬ suara asli - Rae") DALEYPOP: Of course I did! If you could ask any Ancient Egyptian one question, who would you choose and what would you ask them? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: What a difficult question! Maybe ask Ramses II what really happened at Kadesh? Or ask Nefertari if she was jealous of Ramses other wives? Or Maybe see what Pepi II was really getting up to on those late night visits! DALEYPOP: Do you have any plans to visit Egypt again soon and how often do you typically make the trip each year? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: I try to visit at least once a year. But when I do go it's for a long time, usually over a month, the longest was 3 months. I might be heading there again in September to film something with Dr Hawass in Saqqara but it all depends on what's discovered. DALEYPOP: I could literally talk to you all day but last question. You've already built an impressive body of work as an Egyptologist, filmmaker an author. What's next for you? Are there any documentaries, books or creative projects in the pipeline that you're excited for and where can our readers follow you? CURTIS RYAN WOODSIDE: I currently have 4 documentaries waiting to be published. I'm sure the one about Khufu where Dr Hawass shows us new discoveries about the great pyramid for the first time will be of great interest to people but I do have a list of over 50 documentaries that I want to make. Most of them have already been filmed but just need to be written and edited now. I also have a new book I'm working on called *Ancient Egypt Up-Close* which is going to be 380 pages of amazing photographs of details of scenes and objects. That should be coming in November/December but I do still dream in the future of making an animated film about Pharaoh/Queen **Sobekneferu**, the first ever confirmed female Pharaoh. Want more Curtis? Watch his full documentaries and lose yourself in countless Ancient Egypt rabbit holes on his YouTube channel [HERE](https://www.youtube.com/@CurtisRyanWoodside?ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### Brighton must ‘wake up’ to LGBTQ+ venue crisis, says Revenge and R-Bar boss in response to council statement URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-must-wake-up-to-lgbtq-venue-crisis-says-revenge-and-r-bar-boss-in-response-to-council-statement/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T16:09:14.000Z The managing director of Brighton's **Revenge** nightclub and the soon-to-close **R-Bar** has welcomed a pledge from the city council to support the nightlife sector, but warned that the loss of LGBTQ+ venues can no longer be ignored. The comments come after **Brighton & Hove City Council** leader **Bella Sankey** described the closure of R-Bar and **Charles Street Tap** within days of each other as "heartbreaking" and pledged to continue lobbying for measures to protect the city's cultural and LGBTQ+ venues. In a statement, Sankey said the closures would be "felt acutely" by LGBTQ+ residents and visitors and described them as a stark reminder of the need to safeguard venues that form part of Brighton's identity. "It is a stark reminder that we need to do all we can to protect our cultural venues and our LGBTQI+ venues in particular which are part of Brighton's core identity," she said. [Brighton’s Charles Street Tap to close after 25 yearsOne of Brighton’s best-known LGBTQ+ venues is set to close its doors after 25 years, with management announcing that Charles Street Tap will cease trading when its lease comes to an end in September. In an emotional statement shared with customers, General Manager Chris Marshall confirmed that the![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-dd742fd6-628a-4f77-8659-0bd8808e4504.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/767334835_1524714909670245_2621555429652886277_n-1-0b04d2f3-bc46-4738-a627-eaaefad7afbc.jpg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brightons-charles-street-tap-to-close-after-25-years/) Sankey pointed to the council's revised licensing policy, introduced last year, which she said was designed to give operators greater flexibility to respond to changing economic conditions. She also highlighted lobbying efforts aimed at securing business rates relief for grassroots music venues and pledged to continue pressing the government for further support. The council leader added that a new night-time economy strategy would be launched later this year and said the authority would work with cultural venues to explore ways of protecting them in the future. Responding to the statement, **Steve Jones**, managing director of Revenge and R-Bar, said he welcomed the recognition of the challenges facing the sector, particularly the commitment to developing a new strategy for the city's nightlife. "I welcome Bella recognising the seriousness of what is happening, and particularly the commitment to a new night-time economy strategy," he said. However, Jones said the closures of R-Bar and Charles Street Tap should act as a wake-up call for Brighton. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/rbar4.webp) R-Bar "The closure of R-Bar and Charles Street within days of each other has to be the moment Brighton wakes up to the reality of the situation and urgently starts putting meaningful support in place," he said. Jones argued that the decline of LGBTQ+ nightlife is not inevitable, pointing to cities such as Manchester and Glasgow as examples of where local authorities have taken a more proactive approach to protecting and growing queer venues. "Other UK cities, like Manchester and Glasgow, have shown that the decline of LGBTQ+ nightlife is not inevitable when local authorities choose to actively protect and grow it," he said. He called for dedicated leadership for the night-time economy, stronger year-round promotion of Brighton's LGBTQ+ scene, targeted support for venues and a specific strategy for the city's LGBTQ+ village. "We need dedicated nightlife leadership, stronger year-round LGBTQ+ promotion, targeted venue support, and specific plans for our LGBTQ+ village," Jones said. He also urged the council to ensure venue operators are directly involved in shaping the forthcoming strategy. "I hope Brighton's LGBTQ+ venue operators will now be directly involved in shaping the new strategy, with clear actions, resources, and accountability. "We simply can't afford another plan that doesn't lead to tangible change." The exchange comes amid growing concern about the future of Brighton's LGBTQ+ nightlife after R-Bar announced it will close permanently next month following 21 years in the city. Owners cited rising operating costs, including rent, business rates and energy bills, alongside changing consumer spending habits. The venue's closure follows the recent announcement that Charles Street Tap will also shut in September, prompting renewed debate over how Brighton can protect the LGBTQ+ venues that have long been central to the city's cultural identity and visitor economy. [Brighton LGBTQ+ venue R-Bar to close after 21 years as owners warn of nightlife crisisOne of Brighton’s best-known LGBTQ+ venues, R-Bar, has announced it will close permanently next month after 21 years, with owners blaming soaring costs and warning that the city’s queer nightlife is facing an increasingly uncertain future. R-Bar revealed the news in a statement shared on![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-6f7254a3-9422-4be9-822a-6a6f3dd5d163.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-08-11-at-13.30.03-1-2a7da243-fc3b-4986-8ff6-dbc2fa2ebefb.png)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-lgbtq-venue-r-bar-to-close-after-21-years-as-owners-warn-of-nightlife-crisis/) Jones' remarks come after Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven MP **Chris Ward** described the closures of R-Bar and Charles Street Tap as a "huge loss" for the city and pledged to raise concerns about the future of LGBTQ+ venues with ministers. In a statement, Ward said he knew how much the two venues meant to Brighton's LGBTQ+ community and said they had served as places of "joy, freedom and inclusion" for decades. "It is a huge loss to see two major LGBTQ+ venues in our city close," he said. Ward said the closures highlighted the need for greater support for both the night-time economy and LGBTQ+ venues in particular. "This just underlines that we need to do much more both locally and nationally to support our night-time economy, and LGBTQ+ venues in particular," he said. The Labour MP added that Brighton has a "proud LGBTQ+ history and identity" and said everything possible must be done to protect venues and community spaces that form part of the city's heritage. Ward also revealed he is due to meet Steve Jones this week to discuss the closures and explore what more can be done to support the local hospitality sector. "I will then raise this both in Parliament and with ministers going forward," he said. ### Brighton LGBTQ+ venue R-Bar to close after 21 years as owners warn of nightlife crisis URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-lgbtq-venue-r-bar-to-close-after-21-years-as-owners-warn-of-nightlife-crisis/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T12:30:54.000Z One of Brighton's best-known LGBTQ+ venues, **R-Bar**, has announced it will close permanently next month after 21 years, with owners blaming soaring costs and warning that the city's queer nightlife is facing an increasingly uncertain future. R-Bar revealed the news in a statement shared on social media, describing the decision as one made with "enormous sadness" and saying the venue is no longer financially sustainable despite efforts to adapt to challenging trading conditions. The closure comes just days after nearby LGBTQ+ venue **Charles Street Tap** announced it would also shut its doors in September, prompting renewed concern over the loss of dedicated queer spaces in Brighton. "For 21 years, R-Bar has been at the heart of Brighton's LGBTQ+ community," the venue said. "We've been incredibly proud to provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming space where hundreds of thousands of people have celebrated, found friendship, fallen in love, made memories, and been able to express themselves freely." Explaining the decision, R-Bar said the hospitality sector had been pushed to "breaking point" in recent years, with the cost of business rates, rent, energy, stock and other operating expenses rising dramatically. At the same time, owners said the ongoing cost-of-living crisis has left many people with less disposable income to spend on nights out. "Despite doing everything we possibly could to adapt, those combined pressures mean that R-Bar is unfortunately no longer financially sustainable," the statement said. The venue said it was "absolutely devastated" to become the latest LGBTQ+ business to disappear from Brighton's nightlife scene. "We are absolutely devastated to be losing another LGBTQ+ venue in Brighton at a time when safe queer spaces are more important than ever," the statement said. R-Bar said it hopes the closure will serve as a "wake-up call" about the pressures facing both LGBTQ+ venues and the wider nighttime economy. "The nightlife industry has been under immense pressure for years, and we hope the government will recognise how important these venues are to our communities, and provide transformative financial change to ensure their survival," the owners said. The venue also called on **Brighton & Hove City Council** to "take meaningful action to protect, promote and invest in the city's nightlife and LGBTQ+ venues", adding that it plans to publish an open letter setting out its proposals and recommendations in the coming weeks. Owners urged people to continue supporting the city's remaining LGBTQ+ venues, including **Legends, The Queen's Arms, Affinity Bar, The Zone, Bar Broadway, Marine Tavern, Bulldog** and **The Actors**. [Brighton’s Charles Street Tap to close after 25 yearsOne of Brighton’s best-known LGBTQ+ venues is set to close its doors after 25 years, with management announcing that Charles Street Tap will cease trading when its lease comes to an end in September. In an emotional statement shared with customers, General Manager Chris Marshall confirmed that the![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-84a636c5-3372-4c88-ac53-981b287fa013.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/767334835_1524714909670245_2621555429652886277_n-1-3df6217f-6649-437c-b74a-8cc015b3f35a.jpg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brightons-charles-street-tap-to-close-after-25-years/) "If there's one thing we'd ask, it's this: please support your local LGBTQ+ venues going forwards," the statement said. "They are here for our community 52 weeks a year, but they can only survive if we continue to use them." Despite the closure, the team stressed that Brighton's LGBTQ+ nightlife scene would continue through sister venue **Revenge**, one of the UK's most famous gay clubs, which is due to celebrate its 35th anniversary later this year. "The good news is that this isn't goodbye to our community," the statement said. "Our big sister, Revenge, will continue to fly the flag for Brighton's LGBTQ+ nightlife." R-Bar will remain open until its final trading day on Sunday 20 September. Owners said they are planning a series of farewell events in the coming weeks to give the venue "the send-off it deserves" and celebrate what it has meant to the community over the past two decades. The venue also paid tribute to the bartenders, managers, security staff, drag performers, DJs and entertainers who helped shape R-Bar over the years, as well as the loyal customers who became part of its "extended queer family". "Thank you for every drink, every dance, every laugh, and every memory," the statement concluded. The loss of R-Bar and Charles Street Tap within the space of a week has fuelled concerns about the future of Brighton's LGBTQ+ nightlife, with campaigners and venue operators increasingly warning that rising costs are threatening community spaces that have long been central to the city's queer culture. ### Nottingham campaign signs up 100 businesses to back trans inclusion URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/nottingham-campaign-signs-up-100-businesses-to-back-trans-inclusion/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T10:26:44.000Z More than 100 cafés, pubs, shops and other businesses across **Nottinghamshire** have joined a campaign aimed at showing they remain inclusive of TNBI people following the ECHR Code being published and the UK Supreme Court's ruling. The initiative, called [**Your Spaces Too**,](https://www.pastel-project.co.uk/campaigns/campaigns/ys2-%28your-spaces-too%29?ref=scenemag.co.uk) was created by the[ **Pastel Project**,](https://www.pastel-project.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) a Nottingham-based, trans-led grassroots advocacy organisation that campaigns for the rights and inclusion of trans and non-binary people. According to the organisation, the campaign was launched to provide businesses with guidance following the court judgment and to give venues an opportunity to publicly demonstrate their support for the trans community. **The Pastel Project** said many businesses had concerns about how the code and judgment would affect practical arrangements in venues and workplaces. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/XQkIUbzB0s7ZJpf8gDmkYDL5FQ0-1.jpeg) Pastel Project director **Sam Harvey** said the campaign offers recommendations and guidance to businesses, while participating venues display stickers signalling their commitment to inclusion. Major Nottingham venues and organisations taking part include **Broadway Cinema**, **BrewDog**, **Pitcher and Piano**, **NTU** student bars and dozens of independent businesses. The campaign forms part of the Pastel Project’s wider work to make Nottingham a “Trans Sanctuary City”. The group says it is focused on improving trans healthcare, education, community support and safety, while working with local partners to create a more inclusive environment for transgender and non-binary residents. The campaign highlights a visible show of support for trans and non-binary people at a time of significant worry about access, inclusion and equality, demonstrating how local communities and businesses are responding following the Supreme Court ruling ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/images--1-.jpg) Nottingham's approach demonstrates how councils, businesses and community organisations can work together to provide visible reassurance and practical support for trans and non-binary people at a time of uncertainty. The city's backing for initiatives such as the Pastel Project's wider ambition of creating a Trans Sanctuary City has helped foster a strong public commitment to inclusion. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/images.jpg) ***Scene's Comment:*** Residents in Brighton & Hove and communities across England may wish to ask their local councils what lessons can be learned from Nottingham's example. If more than 100 businesses can publicly commit to trans inclusion and work alongside a trans-led organisation, campaigners may question why similar schemes have not yet been adopted more widely, including in Brighton & Hove, a city with a longstanding reputation for supporting LGBTQ+ communities. ### Rainbow church doors vandalised again in suspected anti-LGBTQ+ attack URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/rainbow-church-doors-vandalised-again-in-suspected-anti-lgbtq-attack/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T09:00:00.000Z A **California** church has vowed to continue promoting inclusion after a rainbow-coloured display outside its building was vandalised for the second time in a matter of weeks. The installation, which features brightly painted doors bearing the message **“God’s Doors Are Open To All”**, was knocked down and damaged outside the **Big Red Church** in **Fresno’s Tower District** during the early hours of Sunday morning. Rev **Simon Biasell**, pastor of the **United Church of Christ** congregation, said he was alerted to the vandalism shortly after 6am by a member of staff who discovered the display had been smashed and overturned. The damage was visible as worshippers arrived for Sunday services, but the local community quickly rallied around the church. While the congregation was inside, neighbours helped restore the installation and put the doors back in place before the service had ended. “By the time everybody exited church, our neighbours had reinstalled the doors and put it back up, which is one of the wonderful things about this neighbourhood,” Biasell said. The church said the latest incident follows a similar act of vandalism earlier this summer, when the rainbow doors were also targeted. Big Red Church has been part of the Tower District for 76 years and has described itself as an open and affirming congregation for more than three decades. The church says it welcomes people of all backgrounds, regardless of faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age or ability. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/285988417_2662399710570392_5508153483953496480_n-2.jpg) The Big Red Church of Fresno Facebook Biasell said members of the congregation have faced hostility in the past, including homophobic messages sent through voicemail and social media. “Our church members unfortunately have gotten used to that kind of hate language, that treatment,” he said. “So while this wasn’t anything new, it’s still painful to experience that kind of treatment.” In a statement, the church described the vandalism as upsetting but said it would not weaken its commitment to inclusion and support for people who experience discrimination, isolation or exclusion. The rainbow doors were originally created as a Pride-themed community project, with children, teenagers and adults helping to paint and assemble the display. Photos shared by the church show the installation as a colourful symbol of its message that everyone is welcome. Despite the repeated attacks, church leaders said the response from local residents had demonstrated the strength of community support and reinforced the congregation’s determination to remain an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people and other marginalised groups. Alongside its worship services, the church hosts addiction recovery groups, supports affordable childcare programmes and works with local organisations on community improvement projects across Fresno. ### Ofcom launches investigations into anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech on GB News following thousands of complaints URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ofcom-launches-investigations-into-anti-lgbtq-hate-speech-on-gb-news-following-thousands-of-complaints/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T15:02:00.000Z Broadcast regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into anti-LGBTQ+ attacks on **GB News** following complaints by **Good Law Project** and 15,000 members of the public. The Good Law Project complaint relates to a broadcast of **Alex Armstrong Tonight** on 5 July 2026\. Over 12,000 members of the public wrote their own complaints about this incident and a further 3,000 complaints were submitted about a similar incident on **Saturday Five**, broadcast on 20 June 2026, following a campaign by Drag Race star **Bimini** and influencer **Liam Rondi**. On Alex Armstrong Tonight, the host **Alex Armstrong** was joined by **Caroline Farrow** (UK and Ireland campaigns director at **CitizenGO**) and **Matthew Hulbert** (a former **Liberal Democrat** councillor). They discussed a segment called “Is Pride suitable for families”. The discussion revolved around dangerous tropes fabricating links between LGBTQ+ people, paedophilia and bestiality. Now, Ofcom has announced it is opening a standards investigation into the incident, following a detailed Good Law Project complaint that argued that “the statements are blatantly homophobic” and were made “with the effect of promoting hate towards the LGBTQ+ community”. These are the second and third investigations into anti-LGBTQ+ attacks on GB News in two years. In February 2025, a GB News presenter suggested that the LGBTQ+ community included paedophiles and after Ofcom received 70,000 complaints it found GB News to have breached the broadcasting code. But Ofcom took no further action against the broadcaster because, in the face of significant public pressure, GB News made a grovelling on-air apology. Good Law Project lawyer Matt Gill said: “The hateful trope about LGBTQ+ people broadcast by GB News puts the community at risk. “When GB News tried to make a link between LGBTQ+ people and paedophilia before, Ofcom found the broadcast was highly offensive and yet did nothing about it. The regulator must impose meaningful sanctions to stop this rogue channel repeating these vicious lies again and again.” ### Free strength training classes for trans and non binary folk in Hastings URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/free-strength-training-classes-for-trans-and-non-binary-folk-in-hastings/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T15:04:58.000Z A new fitness initiative is hoping to help trans and non-binary people feel more comfortable accessing exercise by offering free strength training classes in an inclusive and supportive environment. **Trans Pride Hastings** has teamed up with **Strong & Nice Lifting Club** and **Sport England** to offer a series of gender-affirming strength training sessions designed specifically for trans and non-binary people who may feel excluded or uncomfortable in traditional gym settings. The six-week programme, which launches on **Saturday, 15 August** at **12pm**, takes place in a private gym featuring individual changing spaces and no mirrors in the main workout area, helping to create an environment where participants can focus on fitness without the pressures that can sometimes accompany mainstream gym culture. Organisers say the classes are open to people of all fitness levels and abilities, with no previous gym experience required. Led by instructor **Elijah (he/him)**, each session includes a gentle warm-up, an introduction to the fundamentals of strength training, a short exercise circuit and a stretching-based cool down. The initiative aims to remove some of the barriers that can prevent trans and non-binary people from engaging in physical activity, particularly concerns around changing rooms, body image and feeling safe in fitness spaces. Participants sign up for a block of six sessions, with classes limited to between 10 and 12 people to ensure a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. The organisers describe the project as an opportunity for trans and non-binary people to build confidence, improve physical wellbeing and connect with others in the community while exploring strength training at their own pace. Those interested in taking part can find out more by contacting **transpridehastings@gmail.com** and more info [HERE](https://transpridehastings.uk/strong-nice?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Organisers summed up the ethos of the programme with a simple message: **"Let's feel Strong & Nice together."** ### Mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig, refuses to endorse 'guidance' restricting trans access to public facilities URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/mayor-of-greater-manchester-bev-craig-refuses-to-endorse-guidance-restricting-trans-access-to-public-facilities/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T10:36:12.000Z The **Mayor of Greater Manchester** has declined to say whether she will support the implementation of controversial new guidance affecting trans people's access to public facilities. **Bev Craig**, who succeeded **Andy Burnham** as Greater Manchester Mayor last month, was twice asked whether she would back **Equality and Human Rights Commission** (EHRC) 'guidance' recommending that trans people use either gender-neutral facilities or those corresponding to their sex assigned at birth. According to reports, she stopped short of giving a direct commitment. The guidance came into force last week following legal and political debate around the interpretation of the Equality Act. Critics have argued that the recommendations could make life more difficult for trans and non-binary people, while supporters say they provide clarity on the operation of single-sex spaces. When asked whether she would oversee the full implementation of the' guidance', Craig told **Times Radio** that she was still assessing what it would mean for transport services under her control. She suggested that many existing services were already compliant and downplayed the practical impact, saying the issue may affect only a small number of public facilities. [Good Law Project backs legal challenge to government and EHRC over “transphobic” trans guidanceGood Law Project is supporting a legal challenge against the Government and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) over new guidance on single-sex services that campaigners say will have a damaging impact on trans people. The challenge comes as the EHRC’s updated code of practice comes into![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-e326b8a9-2013-40de-bed3-ff054b1e3754.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/pexels-intitupac-13028578-1-1cb30ff1-897a-4b58-b1dd-1be088ac87fa.jpg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/good-law-project-backs-legal-challenge-to-government-and-ehrc-over-transphobic-trans-guidance/) Asked again whether she intended to introduce the measures, Craig replied that her focus was on understanding what, if anything, would need to change from current arrangements. She also stressed that she would not be policing who uses public toilets, remarking that she would not be "checking people's bits on the way into the toilet". While Craig said public services would remain legally compliant, she declined to say whether she would encourage Greater Manchester's ten local councils to adopt the EHRC recommendations. Instead, she suggested local authorities should be given time to consider the practical implications of the guidance and decide how best to respond. Craig has previously spoken out in support of LGBTQ+ rights. During her mayoral campaign, she said she had spent her career fighting for LGBTQ+ equality and insisted it was possible to support both women's services and trans communities without "throwing our trans communities under the bus". Last week, **Good Law Project** announced it is supporting a legal challenge against the Government and the EHRC with **Jess O'Thomson**, Good Law Project's trans rights lead, saying legal action was necessary because of what they described as a significant rollback of trans rights. "It’s difficult to believe just how far backwards our government has gone on trans human rights," they said. "This Labour government pushed through its transphobic guidance in the face of opposition from many MPs, including nearly a hundred of its own backbenchers. "It's not just immensely harmful. We think it's unlawful, and completely against human rights. So this challenge is absolutely essential." ### Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard celebrates 50 years of supporting LGBTQ+ communities URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-hove-lgbt-switchboard-celebrates-50-years-of-supporting-lgbtq-communities/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T10:06:45.000Z More than 150 people gathered at **Brighton i360** as **Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard** kicked off its 50th anniversary celebrations with a special community event honouring five decades of support for LGBTQ+ people. Among those joining the celebrations was **Amanda Collier** from BBC hit series *The Traitors*, who presented the charity's inaugural 50th Anniversary Community Awards and was described by Switchboard as one of its newest and most enthusiastic supporters. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/766748179_1513913320780025_8291611961052823184_n-1.jpg) ****Amanda Collier.** Photography by Skye Kilgannon The event brought together former volunteers, current staff, trustees, service users, partners, funders and supporters to celebrate the organisation's remarkable journey from a pioneering LGBTQ+ telephone helpline to one of Sussex's leading LGBTQ+ charities. Founded in 1975 as the **Lavender Line**, Switchboard began at a time when LGBTQ+ people often struggled to access information, support and community. The first call was received on 25 April 1975, with volunteers providing a lifeline for people seeking advice about local LGBTQ+ groups, venues and services. Fifty years later, the charity's work has expanded dramatically. Today, Switchboard supports thousands of LGBTQ+ people through services including its BOLD programme for older LGBTQ+ people experiencing bereavement, loneliness and dementia, social prescribing for trans, non-binary and intersex communities, specialist domestic abuse support, Rainbow Neighbours befriending services and gambling harms recovery support. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/767300986_1513913684113322_237002141199013071_n.jpg) ****Alf Le Flohic.** Photography by Skye Kilgannon Guests at the anniversary event heard reflections from people who have shaped the charity's history, including Chief Executive **Rob Sainsbury**, former chair **Brian Warren**, former volunteer **Jenny**, and LGBTQ+ community historian **Alf Le Flohic**, who shared memories from Switchboard's earliest years and the evolution of Brighton's LGBTQ+ community. The evening also featured a performance from Brighton cabaret favourite **Ophelia Payne**, exclusive anniversary merchandise designed by trans artist and activist **Fox Fisher**, a fundraising raffle and food provided by community organisation **Lunch Positive**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/765872410_1513917847446239_1612586285666166411_n-1.jpg) Fox Fisher, right. Photography by Skye Kilgannon A highlight of the celebrations was the presentation of the inaugural **Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard 50th Anniversary Community Awards**, recognising individuals and organisations making a difference to LGBTQ+ lives across Sussex. Award winners included **Richard Johnson**, who received the Volunteer Award for decades of service, and **Tanya Levene**, who was recognised as an Unsung Hero for her long-standing support of Switchboard's domestic abuse services. **The Breakfast Club** received the Community Partner Award for creating a welcoming space for older LGBTQ+ people, while **Jodie Cruttenden** and the team at **Cove Reformer Pilates Studio** were honoured for their allyship and commitment to inclusion. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/764987130_1513917804112910_3712835948568938323_n.jpg) Photography by Skye Kilgannon Reflecting on the event afterwards, Switchboard said it had been "wonderful" to see generations of volunteers, staff, supporters and service users come together to celebrate "five decades of standing alongside LGBTQ+ people across Brighton & Hove, Sussex and beyond." The charity stressed that the anniversary celebrations are only just beginning, with further events planned throughout the year, including a major gala later in 2026. As Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard enters its sixth decade, the anniversary serves as both a celebration of the progress made by LGBTQ+ communities and a reminder of the continuing importance of dedicated community support services. From a volunteer-run telephone line in the 1970s to a modern organisation delivering life-changing support across Sussex, Switchboard remains at the heart of LGBTQ+ life in Brighton and beyond. ### Singer hits back after former MP urges people to boycott Doncaster Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/singer-hits-back-after-former-mp-urges-people-to-boycott-doncaster-pride/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T12:45:06.000Z A Doncaster singer has launched a fierce criticism of former Conservative MP **Nick Fletcher** after he urged people to boycott **Doncaster Pride**, prompting a fresh backlash over his views on LGBTQ+ issues. Fletcher, the former MP for Don Valley, sparked controversy ahead of this year's Doncaster Pride celebrations when he published a Facebook post titled "Say No to Pride", arguing that Pride events were associated with issues including trans inclusion, drag performers and LGBTQ+ education. He urged supporters to avoid attending Pride events, claiming people should "choose wisely" and reject the movement. Among those speaking out was **Anastasia Walker**, frontwoman of Doncaster band **Fever Dream Kills**, who used her appearance at Doncaster Pride to deliver a pointed response to the former politician. In a video recorded on stage at the festival, Walker criticised Fletcher and defended the city's LGBTQ+ community. In a follow-up social media post, Walker told Fletcher that Doncaster Pride was "not going anywhere" and insisted there was "absolutely nothing" he could do to stop the annual celebration. The exchange marks the latest chapter in a long-running war of words between the singer and the former MP, who has repeatedly attracted criticism for comments about LGBTQ+ issues and immigration. Walker previously criticised Fletcher in 2023 following remarks he made about migration. Doncaster Pride, which drew thousands of attendees to Town Field over the weekend, is one of a growing number of Pride events across South Yorkshire celebrating LGBTQ+ identity, visibility and inclusion. Organisers and supporters say such events remain vital at a time when LGBTQ+ people continue to face discrimination and hostility. Fletcher's intervention also echoes previous criticism he has directed at Pride events. Last year, organisers of nearby Bawtry Pride accused the former MP of spreading "hurtful and hateful" rhetoric after he criticised their event. In response, organisers said Pride exists to ensure LGBTQ+ people feel "seen, valued and safe" and insisted that "love will always shine brighter". Supporters of Doncaster Pride say the strong turnout at this year's event demonstrates continuing public support for LGBTQ+ communities despite opposition from some political figures. They argue Pride remains an important celebration of equality, community and visibility, as well as a reminder of the progress still needed to secure full rights and acceptance for LGBTQ+ people. ### Messages From the Heart: The voices of Pride in The Park URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/messages-from-the-heart-pride-2026/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T09:08:34.000Z Pride is about many things: visibility, community, celebration and the freedom to be exactly who you are. But sometimes, the most powerful moments come from simply hearing people speak from the heart. During our coverage of **Brighton Pride in the Park**, Scene Magazine reporter **Liran Notik** spent time around Queer Town, asking people to share a personal message - whether it was for someone they love, someone who helped them along the way, their younger self, their future self, or even someone who once made them feel like they didn't belong. ## **Watch our video and hear the messages for yourself** 0:00 /5:59 1× ****Liran Notik, Brighton Pride in The Park** | Filmed by: Jessica Bainbridge The responses were emotional, honest and, at times, incredibly moving. One person chose to dedicate their message to their best friend - someone who had stood by them through everything: > “I want to thank my best friend, who has always supported me for who I am and has always been there for me. She’s the best person I know. Another decided to turn the message inward, celebrating the person they once were and everything they had become: > “I want to thank my younger self, because look how great I turned out!” And for someone else, Pride was an opportunity to reclaim painful experiences from the past and recognise the strength that came from surviving them: > “I want to thank my bully and everybody who harassed me and beat me up at school, because I grew up to become this amazing, strong, self-confident person I am today.” They capture something powerful about Pride: **the ability to look back at where we've come from, recognise the people who helped us along the way, and celebrate the people we've become.** Around Queer Town in Pride in The Park, we heard messages filled with love, gratitude, humour, vulnerability and resilience. Some were directed towards parents and friends. Others were for people who had caused pain. And some were simply a reminder to themselves that they had made it through. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/1.jpeg) Liran Notik | Scene Magazine Because behind every Pride celebration are thousands of personal stories. Stories of finding yourself, finding your people, overcoming challenges and finally feeling free to be who you are. These are just some of those voices. ### Police officer sacked and added to 'barred list' after making anti-trans comments URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/police-officer-sacked-after-making-anti-trans-comments/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T09:09:16.000Z A **Northumbria Police** detective who referred to trans women as “c\*\*ks in frocks” has been dismissed for gross misconduct and permanently barred from serving as a police officer. Former Detective Constable **Rachel Fletcher** was found guilty of gross misconduct following a disciplinary hearing that examined a series of comments she made about both trans women and men while serving with Northumbria Police. The panel concluded that her conduct breached professional standards relating to equality and diversity, authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct. The hearing heard that Fletcher had described trans women using the derogatory phrase and was also accused of making comments suggesting that “all men are rapists” and should be subject to a curfew. The panel found the allegations proven and determined that her actions amounted to gross misconduct. Following the ruling, Fletcher was dismissed without notice and placed on the **College of Policing**'s barred list, preventing her from working as a police officer in England and Wales in future. The decision has been welcomed by LGBTQ+ campaigners, who say police officers must be held to the highest standards when it comes to treating trans people with dignity and respect. In its ruling, the panel acknowledged Fletcher's previous service record and heard evidence from character witnesses who described her as hardworking and committed. Nevertheless, it concluded that dismissal was the only appropriate outcome, citing the discriminatory nature of the proven conduct and concerns about public confidence in policing. Supporters of the ruling argue that trans people, like all members of the public, deserve to know that officers entrusted with protecting their communities will treat them fairly and respectfully. They say accountability in cases involving discriminatory conduct is essential if public institutions are to maintain the trust of the diverse communities they serve. ### The Saturday Scene: The week the EHRC code landed URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-the-week-the-ehrc-code-landed/ Last updated: 2026-08-08T07:40:04.000Z #### On 5 August, statutory guidance on single-sex services came into force across England, Scotland and Wales. It is guidance that hardly deserves the name, confusing people far more than it actually guides. Many in the trans+ community and among its allies have described the guidance as unworkable. Our story of the week highlights the voice of one trans woman's fears about what it will mean for her. I am deeply convinced that fighting the guidance alone will not bring the relief so many trans+ people are seeking. The root problem is an outdated Equality Act, one that needs reforming and rebalancing. That is the only route to change the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling and to build a safer foundation for LGBTQ+ communities. As a community, we should now invest our time and energy in legislative change, and in reversing a worsening trend for LGBTQ+ equality in the UK. The guidance takes effect just weeks after a harrowing terrorist attack at Berlin Pride on 25 July, which injured 29 people and killed one. I was there. I missed the attack by about 20 minutes, spared only because my friends decided to have one more walkabout and enjoy the warm summer night before heading home. We did not realise what had happened until quite late. Anyone who has been to Berlin Pride knows how vast the area and the Tiergarten are. As we finally made our way home, I noticed an unusual number of blue lights, and then police storming the area, telling people to go straight home. We walked past the car that had been used to carry out the attack. In that moment, we had no idea what had happened, or that we had just passed the vehicle that injured so many people and took a life. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Brighton's Charles Street Tap to close after 25 years URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brightons-charles-street-tap-to-close-after-25-years/ Last updated: 2026-08-07T12:56:16.000Z One of Brighton's best-known LGBTQ+ venues is set to close its doors after 25 years, with management announcing that **Charles Street Tap** will cease trading when its lease comes to an end in September. In an emotional statement shared with customers, General Manager **Chris Marshall** confirmed that the venue's lease would expire in mid-September and that the building would be returned to its landlords. A final closing date has not yet been announced. The seafront bar, formerly known simply as Charles Street, has been a longstanding fixture of Brighton's LGBTQ+ scene and has played a prominent role in the city's nightlife and community life since opening in 2001. Announcing the closure, Chris described the loss of the venue as the end of an important chapter for Brighton's LGBTQ+ community. "For 25 years Charles Street has been a small part of the beating heart of Brighton's LGBTQIA+ community and it has been my absolute honour to have been part of that story," he said. "The loss of one of our safe spaces should always be mourned. But its history and our memories, the difference it made to so many people should be so celebrated, shouted about and never forgotten." Chris has served as the venue's General Manager for the past 20 years and said Charles Street Tap had become far more than simply a workplace. "It is so much more than where I work. It is where I live, it is my home and it is part of who I am," he said. "This has been an incredible life-changing experience, with so many magical and amazing memories. It breaks my heart to say goodbye." Paying tribute to the staff who have worked at the venue over the years, Chris said he was "so proud" of the generations of bar staff and managers who had helped make Charles Street Tap a welcoming space for customers and the wider community. Among those singled out for special thanks were Deputy Manager **Ed Stocker**, who has worked at Charles Street for 22 years, and drag performer Dame **Sally Vate**, described by Chris as the venue's "resident drag mother" and one of its most recognisable faces over the past 18 years. Chris also thanked the venue's cabaret performers, DJs, promoters, security staff and cleaners, as well as the customers who supported the business over the past quarter of a century. "Throughout we tried to be different, we tried to do things well and we tried to bring joy," he said. "I hope at some point we succeeded to do that for you. Thank you." The closure will mark the loss of another established LGBTQ+ venue in Brighton, a city widely recognised for its vibrant queer community and nightlife. Further details about Charles Street Tap's final weeks and closing date are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. ### Queer Bloomsbury: a celebration of queer imagination, art and community at Charleston URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queer-bloomsbury-a-celebration-of-queer-imagination-art-and-community-at-charleston/ Last updated: 2026-08-07T11:41:50.000Z From radical conversations and drag-infused performance to live art, cabaret spirit and a midsummer dancefloor, [**Queer Bloomsbury 2026**](https://marlboroughproductions.org.uk/event/queer-bloomsbury-2/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) is set to transform **Charleston House and Gardens** into a vibrant showcase of LGBTQ+ creativity on **15 August**. Delivered in partnership by[**Queer Heritage South**,](https://www.queerheritagesouth.co.uk/s/queer-heritage-south/page/home?ref=scenemag.co.uk) **Charleston** and [**Marlborough Productions**](https://marlboroughproductions.org.uk/event/queer-bloomsbury-2/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), the evening begins with ***The Moment***, a new commission featuring acclaimed writer and performer **Travis Alabanza**, bestselling author **Shon Faye**, and award-winning drag king and comedian **Jodie Mitchell**. The discussion will explore contemporary queer life, trans experiences, collective organising and visions for the future. According to organisers, the event asks what this moment means for queer and trans communities and what forms of solidarity still need to be built. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/284944ad-0899-f1a0-7ba4-7ce4cfea1588.jpg) Photo Credit [****Marlborough Productions**](https://marlboroughproductions.org.uk/event/queer-bloomsbury-2/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), As the sun sets, the venue will be reimagined as a ***Queer Fayre***, bringing together an eclectic mix of performances, live art, radical talks and immersive experiences. Artists including **Symoné, Brian Lobel, Emma Frankland, Subira Joy, Samson Dittrich and Charlie Wood** will present work across the gardens, creating what organisers describe as a landscape of queer curiosity and creativity. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Queer-Bloomsbury-b-scaled.jpg) photo credit: CharlestonPhotoPh The celebrations continue into the night with a ***Midsummer Party*** led by East London queer scene favourite **Michelle Manetti**, whose two decades behind the decks have made them a respected DJ, producer and promoter. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/ac663e04-330e-b0e7-fb9b-d875c07ef122.jpg) Image credit: Anita aka Zenhofer One of the features is the dedicated **shuttle bus service from Brighton**, making it easier for local LGBTQ+ audiences to attend. Buses depart from **Old Steine Bus Stop F** at **4.30pm** and **8pm**, with return journeys at **9pm** and **12.15am**, with tickets available for **£3.50**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/16fa934e-6c08-73ae-f470-33cccb0c2546.jpg) Photo Credit [****Marlborough Productions**](https://marlboroughproductions.org.uk/event/queer-bloomsbury-2/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), Alongside Queer Bloomsbury, organisers are also spotlighting a diverse programme of queer-focused events, including a zine-making workshop with **Zoe Thompson**, **The Clare Project**'s **Pride Special Pizza** and **Paperwork** **session**, **Joe Black**'s cabaret spectacular at **Komedia**, and **Jo Bannon**'s disability-led performance work. Queer Bloomsbury showcases the extraordinary breadth of LGBTQ+ culture, bringing together trans voices, artists, performers, writers and community organisers in a programme that celebrates the diversity, creativity and resilience of queer life. More info on acts, workshops and [**tickets from here:** ](https://marlboroughproductions.org.uk/event/queer-bloomsbury-2/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### London launches bid to host WorldPride 2032, which will mark 60 years of Pride in the UK URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/london-launches-bid-to-host-worldpride-2032-to-mark-60-years-of-uk-pride/ Last updated: 2026-08-07T11:37:54.000Z **London** has launched its campaign to host **WorldPride 2032**, with organisers aiming to bring the world's largest international LGBTQ+ festival back to the capital 20 years after it last staged the event. If successful, London would become the first city to host WorldPride twice, having previously welcomed the global celebration in 2012\. The event would also coincide with the 60th anniversary of the UK's first Pride march, held in 1972. The bid is being backed by **Mayor of London** Sir **Sadiq Khan**, who said the capital's LGBTQ+ communities have played a vital role in shaping the city. Writing in *The Standard*, Khan said: "Hundreds of thousands of uncelebrated LGBTQIA+ Londoners bring love and joy to our lives every day. Together, they have made London the modern, multicultural metropolis it is today - and they are the reason that WorldPride belongs in our city. "Given the opportunity, we'll show the world that, in the face of division, our diversity remains our greatest strength." WorldPride is held every two years and is one of the largest international LGBTQ+ events, bringing together Pride organisations, activists and communities from around the world. Since its launch in Rome in 2000, it has been hosted in cities including **Sydney**, **New York**, **Madrid** and, most recently, **Amsterdam**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/emil-karlsen-ovNcAsCSvac-unsplash.jpg) Unsplash London's previous WorldPride celebration in 2012 marked the 40th anniversary of the UK's first Pride march. While financial difficulties forced organisers to scale back some planned activities, around 25,000 people took part in the parade through central London. As part of the 2032 campaign, the **London WorldPride 2032 Bid Committee** has launched two competitions designed to place LGBTQ+ communities at the heart of the bid. Artists, designers and creatives across the UK are being invited to submit concepts for an official bid logo that reflects London's diversity, creativity and the significance of hosting WorldPride. The winning designer will receive a £3,000 prize, with the logo set to become the official symbol of London's bid if selected. The committee is also seeking photographs from LGBTQ+ people and allies around the world celebrating Pride, identity, belonging and community. The images will form part of an immersive installation at **Outernet London**, where thousands of submissions will be brought together to create a single visual representation of global Pride. The winning logo design will be unveiled through the installation on Outernet London's digital screens at the end of October 2026. Submissions for both competitions are now open through the [Pride in London website](http://www.prideinlondon.org/worldpride2032?ref=scenemag.co.uk). Entries close on 25 September 2026, with winners due to be announced in early October. WorldPride 2026 was held in Amsterdam, where organisers celebrated 25 years since the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, while highlighting ongoing efforts to promote LGBTQ+ rights, diversity and inclusion. ### Vivian Jenna Wilson praises ‘trans excellence’ of fellow trans models in candid new interview URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/vivian-jenna-wilson-praises-trans-excellence-of-fellow-trans-models-in-candid-new-interview/ Last updated: 2026-08-07T09:00:52.000Z **Vivian Jenna Wilson** has praised fellow trans models **Hunter Schafer** and **Alex Consani** as "trans excellence" while reflecting on her own growing career in fashion during a wide-ranging appearance on the podcast *Delulu with Ryan Lu*. The model and cultural commentator said she regularly receives comparisons to the pair and welcomed the association. "I get compared to Hunter and Alex a lot. I don't mind it," Wilson said. "They're both amazing. They're both trans excellence." The interview saw Wilson discuss her rapid rise to fame, her evolving relationship with modelling and runway work, and the importance of carving out a career on her own terms. She also shared behind-the-scenes stories from filming **KATSEYE**'s *Pinky Up* music video, spoke about future queer brand collaborations and offered her views on topics ranging from **Troye Sivan** to Los Angeles politics. "One of the hottest women I've ever seen," Wilson said on Sivan. "I need Troye Sivan to transition just for me. When people are like 'you're forcing other people to transition'. If I did have an agenda: Troye Sivan transitioning. And I know I'm not the only one." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/image-1.png) Image supplied Elsewhere in the conversation with host **Ryan Lu**, Wilson opened up about her sudden rise to fame, learning to protect her personal time and building a modelling career on her own terms. She also shared behind-the-scenes details from filming **KATSEYE**'s music video for *Pinky Up*, revealing that cold temperatures were one of the biggest challenges on set. "I had so much fun, I loved filming that," she said. "Because it was so cold, between takes, sometimes when they would turn the camera off they would have people run to give us jackets, robes and blankets." Wilson added that she has remained close with the other featured performers from the video. "The girls and I call ourselves the Dollseye girls. We have a group chat. It's very cute," she said. The podcast covered a range of pop culture topics, with Wilson sharing the queer brands she hopes to collaborate with in future, the artists currently dominating her playlists and how she successfully manifested an appearance on comedy streaming platform **Dropout** by reaching out through Instagram. Never one to shy away from controversy, Wilson also offered her thoughts on former US Senate Republican leader **Mitch McConnell**, joking that she and Lu should conduct a tarot reading to determine whether he was still alive. "I feel like we should do a tarot reading for Mitch McConnell," she said. "Do you want to take bets on whether he's alive or not?" The pair also touched on politics closer to home, with Wilson predicting that **Los Angeles City Council** member **Nithya Raman** would win the city's upcoming mayoral election. The interview is the latest high-profile media appearance for Wilson, who has increasingly established herself as a prominent voice across fashion, entertainment and digital culture. Through her modelling work and online presence, she has built a growing following for her humour, commentary and advocacy for queer self-expression. Hosted by Los Angeles-based content creator Ryan Lu, *Delulu with Ryan Lu* blends celebrity interviews with discussions around pop culture, manifestation, astrology and internet trends. Previous guests have included **Bonnie McKee**, **Leah Kate**, **Sasha Allen** and **Kelon Campbell**. [The episode featuring Vivian Jenna Wilson is available now.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI9%5FncwjOpQ&ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### LGB Alliance to lobby Parliament against proposed conversion practices ban URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgb-alliance-to-lobby-parliament-against-proposed-conversion-practices-ban/ Last updated: 2026-08-06T12:54:52.000Z **LGB Alliance** has announced plans for a parliamentary lobby on **1 September** as it steps up its opposition to the Government's proposed **Conversion Practices Bill**. The anti-trans campaign group is encouraging supporters to meet MPs in Westminster ahead of the next stage of scrutiny of the draft legislation, which was published by the Government in June and aims to ban abusive conversion practices in England and Wales. According to LGB Alliance, the parliamentary lobby will focus on concerns that the proposed legislation could affect discussions around gender identity and what it describes as "exploratory therapy" for children and young people. The organisation has published a series of policy briefings urging MPs to amend or oppose elements of the bill. The move is likely to draw criticism from LGBTQ+ organisations and campaigners, many of whom have spent years calling for a comprehensive, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices. The Government says the draft legislation is designed to protect LGBTQ+ people from physical and psychological harm caused by attempts to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or trans identity. Under the proposals, those found guilty of carrying out abusive conversion practices could face an unlimited fine, a prison sentence of up to five years, or both. Ministers have argued that existing laws do not adequately address conversion practices and that new legislation is needed to close legal loopholes and better protect victims. The draft bill also includes protection orders designed to safeguard people at risk of abuse. LGBTQ+ rights organisations have broadly welcomed the publication of the bill, while continuing to push for what they describe as robust protections for both sexual orientation and gender identity. **Amnesty International UK** described the legislation as a significant step forward after years of delays and called for a "fully trans inclusive" law. Campaigners supporting a ban argue that conversion practices remain a serious issue affecting LGBTQ+ people across the UK. They say such practices can involve coercion, intimidation, manipulation and other forms of psychological abuse designed to change or suppress a person's identity. ### Trans swimmer Lev Goldberg begins epic 55km swim to raise funds for LGBTQ+ youth charity URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-swimmer-lev-goldberg-begins-epic-55km-swim/ Last updated: 2026-08-06T12:08:42.000Z Trans open-water swimmer **Lev Goldberg** has begun a 55-kilometre crossing of **Lake Huron**, which shares a border between Michigan, United States, and Ontario, Canada, as part of a bid to become the first trans person to complete marathon swims across all five **North American Great Lakes**. Goldberg entered the water on **5 August**, setting off from **Port Sanilac**, Michigan, and aiming to reach the shores of **Lambton County**, Ontario. The exact finishing point will depend on weather conditions, including winds, waves and currents. The Lake Huron challenge follows Goldberg's successful crossing of Lake Ontario in 2025 and forms part of a wider campaign promoting trans visibility and raising money for LGBTQ+ youth services. [Donate to 55km swim for 2SLGBTQ youth: Historic Lake Huron Crossing, organized by Lev GoldbergMy name is Lev Goldberg, and I am a marathon swimmer based in T… Lev Goldberg needs your support for 55km swim for 2SLGBTQ youth: Historic Lake Huron Crossing![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/favicon-e59dc499-c93b-413a-a383-736f9be40d4d.png)gofundme.comLev Goldberg![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/0-526af677-4473-4165-affd-9d146139393c.jpg)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/55km-swim-for-2slgbtq-youth-historic-lake-huron-crossing?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Organisers say the Lake Huron route covers approximately 55 kilometres and could require more than 30 hours of continuous swimming to complete. Goldberg previously completed a 51.5-kilometre swim across Lake Ontario as part of the "51km for Trans Visibility" campaign, finishing in 24 hours, 25 minutes and 15 seconds. That effort raised funds for queer youth services while highlighting the importance of inclusion within outdoor and sporting communities. Alongside the latest challenge, Goldberg has renewed a fundraising partnership with **LGBT YouthLine**, a peer-led support service for 2SLGBTQ+ young people across Ontario. According to organisers, last year's partnership generated enough support to donate 7,000 Canadian dollars to the organisation. The new initiative, titled the "55km for Trans Visibility Partnership", aims to build on that success and raise further funds for LGBTQ+ youth. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWpQZMVGLl0/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Lev Goldberg (@lev.swims.lakes)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWpQZMVGLl0/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Speaking ahead of the swim, Goldberg said open-water swimming had become a passion and an opportunity to increase transgender representation in endurance sport. "After just three years of training, I accomplished my Lake Ontario swim. Open water swimming is now my passion, and it's exciting to be a visibly trans person in this space, becoming that representation for others where previously I had seen very little," Goldberg said. [Donate to 55km swim for 2SLGBTQ youth: Historic Lake Huron Crossing, organized by Lev GoldbergMy name is Lev Goldberg, and I am a marathon swimmer based in T… Lev Goldberg needs your support for 55km swim for 2SLGBTQ youth: Historic Lake Huron Crossing![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/favicon-a090ad5e-cc6a-4578-86d4-626dd88d1ab5.png)gofundme.comLev Goldberg![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/0-66f66f12-fcae-4fe8-954d-18af7f832030.jpg)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/55km-swim-for-2slgbtq-youth-historic-lake-huron-crossing?ref=scenemag.co.uk) **Lauren Pragg**, executive director of **LGBT YouthLine**, said the partnership was about more than raising awareness. "This partnership is about more than visibility. It's about material support for youth who deserve care, safety and connection," Pragg said. "We're excited to stand with Lev and show what solidarity in action looks like." ### Brighton's historic Theatre Royal opens its stage door for free Open Morning URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brightons-historic-theatre-royal-opens-its-stage-door-for-free-open-morning-read/ Last updated: 2026-08-06T11:57:05.000Z [**Theatre Royal Brighton**](https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/2-22-a-ghost-story/theatre-royal-brighton/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) is inviting the public behind the scenes this **Saturday, 8 August**, for a free **Open Morning** running from **10am - 2pm**, with entry via the venue's historic **Stage Door** on **Bond Street**. For a city long celebrated as one of the UK's LGBTQ+ capitals, the event offers a rare chance to explore a piece of Brighton's cultural heritage up close. Built in 1807, the Grade II\* listed theatre is one of the oldest in the country, and this weekend it's opening doors that are usually kept firmly shut to visitors. Guests will be able to step into the Star Dressing Room for a dress-up photo opportunity, explore the theatre's history, and meet members of the team behind its upcoming season. Younger visitors can get creative with the theatre's ATG Inspire programme, making and taking home a free puppet, while a merchandise stall will sell posters, programmes and memorabilia from the theatre's archives. A silent auction will also run on the day, offering the chance to bid on exclusive, money-can't-buy experiences. All proceeds from the morning will go to **LEAF** (Live Education and Arts Foundation), the theatre's partner charity, which works to widen access to arts and education for young people and communities, and to support a diverse and dynamic future for the UK's creative industries, according to Theatre Royal Brighton. The event is free, family-friendly and open to all, no booking required. Just head to **Stage Door** on **Bond Street** between **10am - 2pm** this Saturday to take part. ### Unearthing Stories of Queer Cultivation: 'Q is for Garden' by Jenny Chamarette URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/unearthing-stories-of-queer-cultivation-q-is-for-garden-by-jenny-chamarette/ Last updated: 2026-08-07T13:15:17.000Z Curious, tender and beautifully hopeful, *Q is for Garden* welcomes us into a collective process of recovery, remembering and reimagining. This is a book that carefully, but determinedly, reaches into the earth to uproot binary thinking and cultivate plurality. We often imagine gardens as synonymous with a certain kind of middle-class domesticity. Just think of the ‘white picket fence’ marking the garden’s borderlines – an enduring cultural symbol of the idealised, suburban nuclear family. Jenny Chamarette’s book powerfully rethinks ‘the garden’, carefully unearthing the buried histories of queer cultivation. Fascinating stories of queer gardeners, botanists, ecologists, activists and artists show us that there has always been a Q in garden, though it has not always been tended to. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Cover-bigger-image.jpeg) Cover design by Nell Wood To cultivate is to choose what to grow, what to nurture, what to help flourish – it is an act of care and a choice about what is cared for. Chamarette reminds us that ‘flower’ or ‘weed’ is a choice of categorisation not an intrinsic quality. Garden spaces can be charged with the binary thinking that all too often conditions the way we treat the world and one another: flower or weed, wanted or invasive, cared for or killed. In this book, the fences, walls and hedges that physically enclose gardens become a way of talking about a narrow, bounded type of thinking that is rooted in the binaries of colonialism, patriarchy and heteronormativity. The garden space is defined by its borders, yet these boundaries are constantly transgressed by all manner of more-than-human life: by creeping roots, seeds carried on the wind, pollen-bearing insects and trail-leaving snails. Just like the garden fence, binary thinking will always fail to contain the wonderful diversity of the world. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Jenny-Chamarette-new-photo.webp) Image: Elle Benton / Oak Spring Garden Foundation Chamarette’s writing style skilfully mirrors the book’s themes. The emphasis on plurality is embodied in the form of the book itself, which refuses categorisation and linearity as it fluidly slips between genres, intermingling memoir, essay and poetry. This is a book that delights in finding connections, in the shared roots of plants, people and words. The language Chamarette uses is compost-like: words accrete multiple layers of meaning. ‘Tending’ to a garden becomes inextricably linked with the idea of ‘tenderness’, a word that holds within in it kindness, care, pain and healing. The ‘plot’ of *Q is for Garden* is both the story it tells and the piece of land it cultivates. The Q in garden grows in the place where the literal and the figurative entwine, but never become locked in a binary of real and symbolic. In this book, planting seeds is both the physical act of burying your hands in the soil and the nurturing of ideas that initiate change. Chamarette’s Q defies easy definition. It can describe sexuality, yes, but it can also describe a mode of thinking and feeling, a way of being in the world. For Chamarette, tending to the more-than-human can open up ways of being that are generous, creative and multiple. The eddies of success and failure that make up the work of gardening act as a foil to capitalist narratives of linear progress, making space for an alternative way of living. *Q is for Garden* gradually deconstructs the binaries that shape how we think. It is a book that dismantles the categories that limit how we see the world, not with the hammer blows of man-made tools, but with the slow, fracturing pressure of roots that refuse to be confined. *Q is for Garden* is published by [Manchester University Press. ](https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526197337/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### New York lawmakers seek to overturn 40-year ban on gay bathhouses URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/new-york-lawmakers-seek-to-overturn-40-year-ban-on-gay-bathhouses/ Last updated: 2026-08-06T11:01:01.000Z Lawmakers in New York have introduced legislation that would repeal a decades-old ban on gay bathhouses and replace it with a regulated licensing system, arguing that the restrictions no longer reflect modern public health science. State Senator **Erik Bottcher** and Assembly member **Tony Simone**, both openly gay Democrats representing parts of Manhattan, have put forward the **Public Health Modernisation Act**, which would scrap regulations introduced during the height of the AIDS crisis in the mid-1980s. The current rules, adopted in 1985, prohibit establishments from making facilities available for sexual activity and were used to close New York City's gay bathhouses the following year as officials sought to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. Under the proposed legislation, adult saunas would be allowed to operate under a state-run licensing framework overseen by the **Department of Health**, with health and safety regulations replacing the outright prohibition. Supporters of the bill say advances in HIV prevention, treatment and testing have transformed the public health landscape since the ban was introduced more than four decades ago. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Erik_Bottcher_MTA_2024_-cropped--1.jpg) ****Erik Bottcher** "The year is 2026, not 1986," Simone said in a statement backing the legislation. He argued that evidence-based public health policies developed over the past 30 years demonstrate the need to reconsider the restrictions and bring venues that already exist into a regulated environment. Bottcher said emergency measures introduced during the AIDS epidemic should not become permanent public policy. "Actions taken at the height of the AIDS crisis are out of step with modern reality," he said. "The science has changed. Prevention has changed. Treatment has changed. It's time for our laws to change too." The proposal has received backing from Dr **Demetre Daskalakis**, chief medical officer at LGBTQ+ healthcare provider **Callen-Lorde** and a former senior public health official. Daskalakis said bathhouses and similar venues could play a role in health outreach and HIV prevention when properly regulated. "My own work in these venues has shown that they can also be powerful environments for health outreach and prevention," he said. "By bringing people together rather than pushing them into less visible settings, we create opportunities to build trust and deliver services that improve health outcomes." Supporters have also pointed to significant declines in HIV diagnoses since the height of the epidemic, alongside the widespread availability of preventative medication such as PrEP. New York could follow Minneapolis, which lifted its own longstanding bathhouse ban earlier this year. ### LGBTQ+ organisations across Europe unite in action to 'Protect Pride. Protect Democracy' URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-organisations-across-europe-unite-in-action-to-protect-pride-and-protect-democracy/ Last updated: 2026-08-06T16:37:34.000Z On **Saturday, 8 August**, as hundreds of thousands of people gather in Amsterdam for the **WorldPride March**, LGBTQ+ organisations across Europe will join a coordinated action calling on the **European Commission** to take stronger action to protect Pride and the fundamental freedoms it represents. The action comes just two weeks after the violent attack at **Christopher Street Day** in Berlin, which left one person dead and several others injured. The tragedy has reinforced concerns over the increasingly hostile environment facing Pride organisers and participants across Europe. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/World-Pride-Protect-Pride-Protect-Democracy-2-1.jpeg) ****ILGA-Europe** and ****European Pride Organisers Association** As part of the [Protect Pride. Protect Democracy.](https://my.ilga-europe.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=43877&qid=1892087&ref=scenemag.co.uk) campaign, led by **ILGA-Europe** and the **European Pride Organisers Association** (EPOA), organisations and individuals are calling on European Commission President **Ursula von der Leyen** to take decisive action to safeguard the rights to peaceful assembly, expression and association. Across Europe, Pride events are increasingly targeted through violence, funding cuts, political attacks and attempts to restrict or ban public gatherings. Despite these growing pressures, communities continue to organise and march. On Saturday, organisations from across Europe will share campaign messages encouraging people to sign the open letter to President von der Leyen, demonstrating broad public support for protecting Pride and the democratic freedoms it represents. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/World-Pride-Protect-Pride-Protect-Democracy-1-1.jpeg) ****ILGA-Europe** and ****European Pride Organisers Association** "The attack in Berlin is a devastating reminder that Pride cannot be taken for granted," said **Chaber**, Executive Director of **ILGA-Europe**. "When people cannot gather safely and freely, fundamental freedoms are at risk. We are calling on the European Commission to match its words with concrete action to protect those freedoms across Europe." **Patrick Orth**, President of the European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA), added: "Pride organisers continue to face increasing pressure, from security threats to political hostility and funding cuts. Yet communities keep showing up. This coordinated action demonstrates that Pride movements across Europe stand together and expect European institutions to do the same." Individuals can add their names to the open letter [here](https://my.ilga-europe.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=43878&qid=1892087&ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### Gay Olympian Gus Kenworthy announces engagement to boyfriend Andrew Rigby URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/gay-olympian-gus-kenworthy-announces-engagement-to-boyfriend-andrew-rigby/ Last updated: 2026-08-06T09:55:07.000Z Olympic freestyle skier **Gus Kenworthy** has announced his engagement to boyfriend **Andrew Rigby** after proposing during a romantic holiday in **Mallorca**, Spain. The 34-year-old athlete, who represented Great Britain at the **2026 Winter Olympics** after previously competing for the United States, revealed that he popped the question on **4 August** during a trip off the Spanish island's coast. Kenworthy proposed on a secluded island after taking Rigby on what he described as a "little adventure" by boat from Mallorca. Speaking to *People*, the Olympian said he had arranged a picnic overlooking the sea before asking his partner to marry him. Following the proposal, the couple were surprised by six friends who had been waiting on a chartered boat to help celebrate the occasion. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbrLr8aiFVw/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbrLr8aiFVw/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Sharing the news on social media, Kenworthy posted photographs from the engagement and joked: "He said he'd think about it!" The couple have been together for around two years. They first crossed paths in Sydney nearly a decade ago before reconnecting at a mutual friend's 40th birthday celebration in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2024\. After a period of long-distance dating between Los Angeles and Sydney, they later moved to New York together. Rigby admitted the proposal came as a complete surprise. "We've talked about this a lot obviously, but I thought this was just a relaxing vacation," he told *People*. "To say I was shocked was an understatement. And then to see our friends there immediately after Gus proposed? Wow." The pair's engagement comes after a busy summer that included trips to **Berlin Pride** and **WorldPride Amsterdam**. Kenworthy became one of the most high-profile openly gay athletes in the world after coming out publicly in 2015\. The silver medallist has since been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport and wider society. ### Couple who helped challenge UK's marriage ban celebrate 10 years of marriage URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/couple-who-helped-challenge-uks-marriage-ban-celebrate-10-years-of-marriage/ Last updated: 2026-08-06T08:40:58.000Z On **20 August 2026**, **David Hull-Watters** and **Richard Hull-Watters** will celebrate ten years of marriage - a milestone made possible only after years of campaigning to challenge a legal inequality affecting LGBTQ+ people in the UK. Long before marriage equality became law, David and Richard were among the couples at the heart of the **Equal Love** campaign, led by veteran human rights campaigner **Peter Tatchell**. On **2 December 2010**, the couple walked into **Woolwich Register Office** in south-east London and applied for a civil marriage licence, fully aware that they would be refused. That refusal was exactly the point. Their application became part of a landmark legal challenge that reached the **European Court of Human Rights**, arguing that denying same-sex couples the right to marry - and preventing opposite-sex couples from entering civil partnerships - violated fundamental human rights. While the legal case itself did not secure an immediate victory, it became part of the growing movement that helped shift public opinion and political momentum, culminating in the introduction of same-sex marriage in England and Wales. Almost six years after being told they could not marry, David and Richard finally exchanged vows on **20 August 2016**. Reflecting on the anniversary, **David Hull-Watters** said: "Our wedding wasn't simply a celebration of our relationship. It was the celebration of a right we'd been told we didn't deserve. "Standing outside Woolwich Register Office in 2010, we knew we wouldn't be given a marriage licence. But we also knew that change only happens when ordinary people are prepared to challenge extraordinary injustice. "Looking back now, I feel enormous pride—not because we made history, but because we were one small part of a much bigger movement of people who refused to accept that some relationships were worth less than others." **Richard Hull-Watters** added: "There are moments in history that seem inevitable once they've happened, but they rarely feel inevitable at the time. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Presenting-Husband-and-Husband-with-Russell-20-August-2016---Photographer-Karen-Rawlinson.jpg) "We were fortunate to stand alongside so many courageous campaigners, particularly Peter Tatchell, whose determination and belief in equality never wavered. Every couple involved helped tell the country that equality couldn't wait." For David, the anniversary is also a reminder that LGBTQ+ equality remains unfinished business. "Marriage equality changed lives, including ours, but around the world millions of LGBTQ+ people still face criminalisation, violence and discrimination simply for existing. "Here in the UK we've made remarkable progress, but rights can never be taken for granted. Every generation has a responsibility to protect what has been won and continue the work where inequality remains." Since marrying, David has become an award-winning Inclusion & Wellbeing Specialist, working with organisations across the UK and internationally to create more inclusive workplaces. He is also the author of the forthcoming book, *Never Blend In*, featuring interviews with leading LGBTQ+ voices including Sir **Stephen Fry,** **Alan Cumming**, **Peter Tatchell** and many others. As they celebrate ten years of marriage, David and Richard hope their story serves as a reminder that legal equality is never simply handed down - it is achieved because people are willing to stand up, speak out and imagine something better. "We didn't know in 2010 when - or even if - we would ever be allowed to marry," David reflected. "Being able to celebrate ten years together as husbands is something we'll never take for granted." ### Opinion: Queen's Park by-election is a reset for trans+ residents URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/opinion-queens-park-by-election-is-a-reset-for-trans-residents/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T20:18:39.000Z Brighton & Hove City councillor Milla Gauge's [resignation letter](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/labour-councillor-milla-gauge-quits-brighton-hove-council-after-feeling-ignored/) reads, on its surface, as a plea for safeguarding. Read closely, it borrows heavily from a script that's become familiar to anyone who has followed UK gender-critical campaigning over the past few years: children reframed as "gender-distressed" rather than simply supported; women's safety and trans children's healthcare bundled together as if they're in tension; unnamed "external organisations working in schools" invoked without being named. This script almost always contains a reference to Allsorts Youth Project, Brighton's LGBTQ+ youth charity, which has spent the weeks since the WellBN investigation running dedicated support sessions for affected families, not running a "pipeline" into anything. That doesn't mean the underlying report is fiction. It isn't. The WellBN investigation found real, serious clinical governance failures, an under-resourced NHS pathway that left desperate families going private or to a GP practice working under unbearable pressure and worry. Any honest reckoning with what happened at WellBN has to hold both things at once: children were failed by a system stretched past its limits, and that failure is now being folded into a political narrative that treats trans-affirming care itself, and the organisations that support trans young people, as the threat. That's precisely why Queen's Park voters deserve more clarity than a single resignation letter gives them and the 'culture war vultures' circling supported by a frenzy of keyboard commandos. A by-election is coming to a ward that sits inside a city with one of the highest proportions of Trans+ residents in Britain. Every candidate standing should be asked directly, on the record, what they believe about trans and non-binary inclusion and healthcare, about the role of youth organisations like Allsorts in schools, and about what "safeguarding" means to them in this context. With the EHRC's new Code of Practice now in effect, the time for vague signalling through loaded phrasing in the hope that nobody notices is well and truly over. Scene will be asking. We think every other outlet covering this by-election should too. ### Labour councillor Milla Gauge quits Brighton & Hove Council after 'feeling ignored' URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/labour-councillor-milla-gauge-quits-brighton-hove-council-after-feeling-ignored/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T20:00:39.000Z Councillor Milla Gauge has resigned from Brighton & Hove City Council today, saying she had repeatedly raised concerns with council leadership over many months but felt unheard and unable to get them properly addressed. The Queen's Park councillor said the decision followed "many unsuccessful attempts" to get the council to act, and that she was "resigning my post as councillor so I can continue my work through other means." The resignation triggers the eighth by-election in the ward since Labour took control of the council in 2023, and the third in Queen's Park specifically. Brighton & Hove News, which first published [Gauge's resignation letter,](https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2026/08/05/labour-councillor-quits-saying-council-is-failing-kids-on-trans-issues/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) says it has asked the council and the Labour group to respond, and no statement had been issued at time of publication. ### 'I will never be safe in a man's toilet': Trans woman fears impact of new EHRC guidance URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/i-will-never-be-safe-in-a-mans-toilet-trans-woman-fears-impact-of-new-ehrc-guidance/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T13:11:25.000Z A trans woman has said she will "never be safe in a man's toilet" as new guidance on single-sex spaces comes into force across the UK. The comments come as the **Equality and Human Rights Commission**'s (EHRC) updated **Code of Practice** takes effect today, providing guidance on how organisations should apply equality law following last year's Supreme Court ruling that the definition of sex in the Equality Act refers to biological sex. The guidance states that many single-sex facilities, including toilets and changing rooms, should generally be provided on the basis of biological sex. It also suggests that service providers consider offering separate mixed-sex facilities where appropriate. For many trans people, however, the changes have prompted concerns about safety, privacy and participation in public life. Speaking to **Channel 4 News**, trans woman **Isabella** described being verbally abused while using a men's toilet before she began using women's facilities. "I was still using the men's bathroom when one day I was verbally assaulted," she said. > 'I will never be safe in a man's toilet', says Isabella who is a trans woman. > > Thousands of single-sex spaces in the UK, like changing rooms and toilets, should be used based on biological sex, according to new guidelines that come into place today from the Equalities and Human… [pic.twitter.com/FV9aLcAF47](https://t.co/FV9aLcAF47?ref=scenemag.co.uk) > > — Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) [August 5, 2026](https://x.com/Channel4News/status/2084922659729469678?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) "As soon as I got in, there was a man washing his hands. He looked at me in the mirror, got visibly distressed and shouted at me that I had to leave." "I felt very unsafe and I left immediately. Since then, I only use the ladies' bathroom." Isabella said her experiences using women's toilets had been very different from what she had feared. "I was very scared at first because of all the things that I've seen online," she said. "I was actually very surprised to see how welcoming everyone was." She said she initially tried to go unnoticed and leave as quickly as possible, but instead found acceptance from other women. [TransActual publishes updated rights guide as EHRC code comes into forceTrans rights organisation TransActual has published an updated guide to help trans and gender non-conforming people understand their legal rights as the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) new Code of Practice comes into effect. The refreshed Know Your Rights resource has been launched amid growing concern over![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-9cecf78e-2dfa-49d0-90d3-93fa14dff12e.png)Scene MagazineGraham Robson![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/gabriel-dalton-20CzChg9JkI-unsplash-1-f06038f3-7700-4349-b0ce-c26a3e4385a9.jpg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/transactual-publishes-updated-rights-guide-as-ehrc-code-comes-into-force/) "I've even made friends. I've had lovely chats with people. Girls have complimented my outfits." The new guidance has sparked concern among LGBTQ+ organisations and trans rights campaigners, who argue it could leave trans people vulnerable to exclusion or force them into facilities where they do not feel safe. Asked how the changes would affect her, Isabella said her safety should be valued equally to that of cisgender women. "I do believe that my safety as a transgender woman has to have the same value as the safety of a cisgender woman," she said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Copy-of-Post-Template-10.png) "I feel like I'm not safe. I will never be safe in a men's toilet." While the EHRC guidance suggests alternative mixed-sex or gender-neutral facilities could be provided, Isabella said such arrangements may not solve every problem. She warned that directing trans people to separate facilities could effectively force some people to disclose their gender identity before they are ready. "Using a gender-neutral toilet could out people that are not necessarily ready to be outed or to have their gender identity there for people to know," she said. ### Calls grow for Manchester Council apology over treatment of AIDS patient Roger Youd URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/calls-grow-for-manchester-council-apology-over-treatment-of-aids-patient-roger-youd/ Last updated: 2026-08-08T13:15:06.000Z Campaigners are calling on **Manchester City Council** to issue a formal apology to the family of **Roger Youd**, a man with AIDS who was unlawfully detained in hospital in one of the most controversial HIV-related cases of the 1980s. Roger Youd, 29, became the focus of international attention in September 1985 after Manchester Council obtained a court order to detain him at **Monsall Hospital** after he expressed a wish to return home for a weekend visit. According to campaigners, neither Youd nor his family were consulted before the order was granted under **Section 38** of the **Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984**. HIV/AIDS was not classified as a notifiable disease at the time, leading lawyers acting for Youd to argue that the detention order had no legal basis. The case attracted widespread media attention in the UK and abroad and sparked protests outside Manchester Town Hall. With support from **Manchester AIDS Line**, now **George House Trust**, and **Terrence Higgins Trust**, Youd challenged the order in court. His legal team argued that the detention amounted to "virtual imprisonment", and ten days after the order was imposed **Manchester Crown Court** rescinded it. Following the ruling, Manchester Council publicly stated that no-one living with HIV or AIDS would be subjected to such an order again. However, campaigners say that despite the court's decision and the council's acknowledgement that the order would not be used in future, neither Youd nor his family ever received an apology. Youd died shortly after the order was lifted. By that point, his health had deteriorated significantly and he had chosen to remain in hospital. Campaigners also say his family faced intense media scrutiny and harassment during the case. Now, more than 40 years later, HIV activist and podcaster **William Hampson** is urging Manchester Council to issue a posthumous apology to Youd and his relatives. Hampson, who hosts the podcast *AIDS: The Lost Voices*, has spent the past year researching Youd's story and speaking with members of his family, including his brother, who acted as a liaison with hospital staff during the detention. He has also added a panel commemorating Youd to the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt and has been campaigning for greater recognition of the case. Supporters say an apology would provide a measure of closure for both the Youd family and the wider LGBTQ+ community, while acknowledging the discrimination and fear that characterised the early years of the AIDS epidemic. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/ROGER-YOUD-FRONT-FLYER.png) The campaign has gained visibility through outreach at Pride events in London and Brighton, where campaigners say many people were already familiar with Youd's story and expressed surprise that no formal apology had ever been made. Recent efforts to commemorate Youd have included the installation of a plaque at the **George House Trust AIDS Memorial** in Manchester's **Sackville Gardens**. Unveiled on **3 July**, the plaque references his case, and a separate memorial plaque in his honour is also planned. Manchester Pride is also set to display Youd's **AIDS Memorial Quilt** panel, known as **Block 47**, in an effort to raise awareness of his story and the ongoing call for an apology. Youd's experience has also entered popular culture. His case was referenced in **Russell T Davies**' award-winning drama *It's A Sin*, which featured a storyline involving the detention of a character with AIDS under a court order. While the programme drew on aspects of the real-life case, campaigners stress that Youd was never physically locked in his isolation room. Those backing the campaign argue that a formal apology would not undo the events of 1985 but would represent an important act of accountability. They say it would acknowledge the suffering endured by Youd and his family and demonstrate that lessons have been learned from a period when fear and misunderstanding surrounding HIV/AIDS often led to discrimination against those living with the virus. A [petition calling on Manchester City Council to issue a public apology has now been launched](https://www.change.org/p/urge-manchester-council-to-apologise-to-roger-youd-the-youd-family?recruiter=1420806859&recruited%5Fby%5Fid=6559f060-74e2-11f1-9df7-b56175828819&utm%5Fsource=share%5Fpetition&utm%5Fcampaign=petition%5Fdashboard&utm%5Fmedium=copylink&share%5Fid=f6T7bwkfZY). Campaigners hope it will help secure what they describe as long-overdue recognition of a historic injustice. ### Religious homophobia driving conversion therapy practices, reports warn URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/religious-homophobia-driving-conversion-therapy-practices-reports-warn/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T11:57:08.000Z Religious homophobia is continuing to fuel so-called conversion therapy in the UK, according to two new reports that detail allegations of exorcisms, coercive prayer sessions and attempts to "cure" LGBTQ+ people through religious intervention. A report by LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity **Galop** found that religion-based conversion practices pose a "significant risk" to LGBTQ+ people. The research analysed case records from almost 200 clients who sought support from the charity between 2022 and 2025. More than a quarter of the cases examined by Galop, 27%, involved religion-based conversion practices. These ranged from forced or coerced prayer sessions to religious aversion therapy, exorcisms and attendance at religious camps, programmes and care homes. Many survivors described being told their sexuality was sinful, demonic or something that could be changed through faith. One client reported that their father described their sexuality as "demonic", while a church pastor allegedly agreed that they "needed to be delivered". Another said their parents encouraged them to attend church to "cure" their sexuality, while a third reported being pressured to study religious texts and marry in order to overcome feelings of same-sex attraction. The report also contains accounts of more extreme practices. One survivor alleged that an imam performed a ritual intended to remove a devil from them, while another described being pinned down during an exorcism as scripture was read aloud. Another client said they were hit with a Bible by a pastor attempting to "beat the demon out". > "They used holy water and were trying to cast out the demons, making me confess and pray the demons out." The findings were published alongside a separate report commissioned by the **Diocese of St Albans** into allegations of abuse at **St Andrew's Church** in **Chorleywood**, Hertfordshire. The church review details claims of conversion therapy and psychologically abusive exorcisms involving children and young people between the 1980s and early 2000s. One survivor said they were subjected to an exorcism as a teenager because of their sexuality. "They used holy water and were trying to cast out the demons, making me confess and pray the demons out," the individual said. "I have been irreversibly damaged." Another parent said their son revealed he had been taught at a church youth camp that being gay was "an abomination in the sight of God" and had been prayed over in an attempt to make "the gay go away". A further survivor said they underwent two years of what was described as deliverance ministry after a church leader suggested demons had entered them through childhood abuse. They claimed they were discouraged from seeking medical help and warned that any failure of faith would result in demons returning. The reports have reignited debate over the role of religion in conversion practices and whether existing safeguards go far enough to protect LGBTQ+ people. The **National Secular Society** (NSS) said the findings add to growing evidence that religious homophobia remains a major driver of conversion therapy. **Alejandro Sanchez**, a spokesperson for NSS, said: "These reports add to an ever growing body of evidence that religious homophobia is a major driver of so-called conversion therapy. "If the Government is serious about ending conversion therapy, it should start by ending the state-subsidised promotion of religious homophobia in the charity sector and our education system." The NSS has also highlighted concerns about religious organisations and educational settings that continue to promote negative views of homosexuality. The group noted that some faith-based charities have faced criticism over anti-LGBTQ+ messaging, while previous research found examples of faith schools teaching that homosexuality was morally wrong. The publication of the reports comes amid ongoing calls for the UK Government to introduce legislation banning conversion practices. Campaigners have long argued that any ban must include religious settings, while survivors and LGBTQ+ organisations continue to raise concerns about the lasting psychological harm caused by attempts to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. ### TransActual publishes updated rights guide as EHRC code comes into force URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/transactual-publishes-updated-rights-guide-as-ehrc-code-comes-into-force/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T11:34:20.000Z Trans rights organisation **TransActual** has published an updated guide to help trans and gender non-conforming people understand their legal rights as the **Equality and Human Rights Commission**'s (EHRC) new **Code of Practice** comes into effect. The refreshed **Know Your Rights** resource has been launched amid growing concern over the impact of the new guidance, which sets out how service providers should interpret equality law in relation to single-sex and separate-sex services. The code, which comes into force today, applies to a wide range of settings including community groups, leisure facilities, healthcare services and public toilets. While the guidance is not legally binding, it is expected to influence how organisations deliver services and make decisions about access to single-sex spaces. [Know Your Rights – TransActual![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/cropped-transactual_logo-circle-e1645966953700-270x270-6ec7a0a0-613e-46aa-b097-d14fbb346dc2.png)TransActual![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/transactual_logo-circle-1-e1645967768788-1ae1c3dd-00b6-4237-af63-49ed29036e87.png)](https://transactual.org.uk/know-your-rights/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) TransActual said its updated guide aims to help people understand the legal protections that remain in place and what organisations can and cannot do under the law. The organisation said the resource was particularly important given ongoing uncertainty over how the code will be implemented in practice and whether some aspects of the guidance are workable. A spokesperson for TransActual criticised the new code, arguing that it introduces a framework that fails to adequately protect transgender people's privacy and dignity. "The Government's updated Code of Practice comes into effect today, setting out a new interpretation of equalities law that fundamentally fails to protect the dignity and privacy of transgender people in the UK," the spokesperson said. They warned that the guidance could create new barriers for trans and gender non-conforming people seeking to participate in everyday community life. "From joining a reading group to using the bathroom in a bar, trans and gender non-conforming people will now face additional barriers to being a part of our communities, and the fear of being forcibly outed every time we step out and into the world," they said. The spokesperson also accused ministers of creating a "hostile environment" for trans people and called on the Government to take action to restore protections. [Know Your Rights – TransActual![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/cropped-transactual_logo-circle-e1645966953700-270x270-ccc4d523-72fb-4c2d-8982-772c2ac9dcc3.png)TransActual![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/transactual_logo-circle-1-e1645967768788-e41d23e2-5e55-4ddd-a2f5-90e0cc8fc299.png)](https://transactual.org.uk/know-your-rights/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) "This hostile environment will be the legacy of the UK Government, unless it takes urgent action to restore equalities across every area of society," they said. "Left unchallenged, this unworkable Code will continue to damage the international reputation of this country, and the lives of every trans person who calls it their home." The publication of the guide comes as campaign groups, legal organisations and LGBTQ+ advocates continue to scrutinise the implications of the EHRC's updated code and consider potential legal challenges. TransActual said its online resource is intended to provide practical information for anyone concerned about how the changes could affect their access to services and participation in public life. ### Dutch PM Rob Jetten opens World Pride Human Rights Conference in Amsterdam URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/dutch-pm-rob-jetten-opens-world-pride-human-rights-conference-in-amsterdam/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T10:56:55.000Z The Netherlands' Prime Minister **Rob Jetten** has opened the **World Pride Human Rights Conference** in Amsterdam, using his keynote speech to warn of growing threats to LGBTQ+ rights around the world and announce new measures to tackle online hate. Jetten, who became the country's first openly gay prime minister in February, began his remarks on Wednesday by acknowledging the recent terrorist attack at **Berlin**'s **Christopher Street Day** celebrations, which left one person dead and more than two dozen others injured. The Dutch leader said the attack had filled him with "anger and sorrow" before turning his attention to what he described as a wider erosion of LGBTQ+ rights internationally. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/imago863171294-1.jpg) ****PM Rob Jetten on Amsterdam Pride**'s ****Canal Parade** His speech was briefly interrupted by activists protesting against the Dutch government's position on Palestine. Jetten remained silent while the demonstration took place and waited for the protesters to finish before security staff escorted them from the conference hall. Speaking to delegates, Jetten reflected on the Netherlands' role in advancing LGBTQ+ equality, noting that it is 25 years since the country became the first in the world to legalise same-sex marriage. He also highlighted the 30th anniversary of **Amsterdam Pride**'s **Canal Parade**. "More and more in recent years, we've seen hard won progress being eroded," Jetten said. "We've seen countries backsliding in equal rights legislation. We've seen homophobic hate speech becoming more overt and aggressive, and not only out in the real world, but online as well." The prime minister described online hatred as one of the biggest challenges facing LGBTQ+ communities, warning that misinformation and disinformation can spread rapidly through social media and digital platforms. "All around the world, misinformation and disinformation can be spread in the blink of an eye with a single mouse click," he said. "This is always how hatred takes hold." Jetten announced that his government will launch a national dialogue on online discrimination later this year and provide guidance to help municipalities and civil society organisations respond to online hate speech. > "We've seen homophobic hate speech becoming more overt and aggressive, and not only out in the real world, but online as well." He also pledged annual funding of €7.5 million over the next three years to improve safety for LGBTQ+ people in Dutch cities. The investment will support organisations working to tackle discrimination in public spaces and workplaces, alongside a public information campaign aimed at countering discrimination and disinformation. In addition, the government plans to promote a campaign in schools encouraging pupils and teachers to wear purple as a visible sign of support for LGBTQ+ people. The prime minister also used his speech to challenge claims made by some political and religious groups that LGBTQ+ rights are a Western concept being imposed on other countries. Referring to developments in countries including Uganda and Senegal, Jetten criticised what he described as conservative forces that portray LGBTQ+ equality as a form of neo-colonialism. "Equal rights are not a Western agenda," he said. "They are first and foremost a human agenda." He argued that many societies have long histories of gender and sexual diversity, while some of the laws currently used to restrict LGBTQ+ rights were originally introduced during periods of colonial rule. Amsterdam Mayor **Femke Halsema** and **Nayyab Ali**, co-chair of **Pakistan's Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Alliance**, were among the other speakers on the opening day of the conference. ### Good Law Project backs legal challenge to government and EHRC over "transphobic" trans guidance URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/good-law-project-backs-legal-challenge-to-government-and-ehrc-over-transphobic-trans-guidance/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T09:41:14.000Z **Good Law Project** is supporting a legal challenge against the Government and the **Equality and Human Rights Commission** (EHRC) over new guidance on single-sex services that campaigners say will have a damaging impact on trans people. The challenge comes as the EHRC's updated code of practice comes into force today (**5 August**). The code, drafted by the EHRC and approved by ministers, provides statutory guidance for organisations and service providers on the application of equality law. Good Law Project has described the guidance as "transphobic" and says it will force many trans-inclusive women's organisations into an impossible position. According to the campaign group, women's services that currently welcome trans women will be faced with a stark choice under the new framework: either exclude trans women entirely or cease operating as a women-only service and instead open their doors to all men. The code applies to a wide range of settings, including women's community groups, gyms, leisure facilities and gendered toilets. Critics argue the guidance risks forcing trans people to disclose their gender history in everyday situations, increasing the likelihood of exclusion from public spaces and community activities. They also warn of wider consequences for cisgender women and disabled people, claiming the guidance could lead to increased challenges over who is permitted to use single-sex facilities, while encouraging trans people to use accessible toilets that are already in short supply. Good Law Project is supporting two claimants in the case: a trans person and a trans-inclusive organisation. The group has sent a pre-action protocol letter to both the Government and the EHRC, the first formal step before judicial review proceedings can begin. > "It's not just immensely harmful. We think it's unlawful, and completely against human rights." **Jess O'Thomson**, Good Law Project's trans rights lead, said the legal action was necessary because of what they described as a significant rollback of trans rights. "It’s difficult to believe just how far backwards our government has gone on trans human rights," they said. "This Labour government pushed through its transphobic guidance in the face of opposition from many MPs, including nearly a hundred of its own backbenchers. "It's not just immensely harmful. We think it's unlawful, and completely against human rights. So this challenge is absolutely essential." The Government and EHRC have previously argued that the code of practice is intended to provide clarity for service providers following recent legal and policy developments concerning single-sex spaces and the interpretation of equality law. The legal challenge is the latest in a series of disputes over the implementation of guidance affecting trans people, with campaigners, equality organisations and politicians continuing to debate how the Equality Act should apply to single-sex services and facilities. If the case proceeds, a court will be asked to determine whether the Government and EHRC acted lawfully in producing and implementing the guidance. ### REVIEW: Touch Me (2025) URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-touch-me-2025/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T09:30:44.000Z Hello, cinema lovers. **Addison Heimann**'s ***Touch Me*** is proof that a film can be too horny to be scary and too sad to be funny, and still somehow work, kinda. Framed as a sort of soft-core porn, art-house alien horror movie, Touch Me is really interesting. How interesting depends on how successfully you can suspend your common sense. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34967068/mediaviewer/rm1521275394/?ref_=ttmi_mi_4_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BMDk1MzZmZTItNjkzNS00ZWZlLWI4OGMtYjdmNzZlZTM4NTg5XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX582_-1.jpg) Joey (**Olivia Taylor Dudley**) begins this tale, telling her therapist the whole saga in flashback. Her life is framed in a swamp of childhood trauma and rejection. Into this life comes an alien called Brian. Played by **Lou Taylor Pucci**, he's dressed in a dapper tracksuit, dances topless and is charming and oddly attractive. Brian's alien touch dampens the traumatic voices in Joey's head. Nevertheless, she runs away from him initially, probably out of fear of the unknown. Enter Craig (**Jordan Gavaris**), her gay best friend, a lovable but slightly lost layabout living on family handouts who takes her in. A series of domestic mishaps lead the hapless duo back to Brian, and soon Craig is similarly drawn to Brian's alien charms. Laura (**Marlene Forte**), Brian's assistant, is a deranged middle-aged woman with sexual designs on Brian for herself. All this leads to a heady toxic situation. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/TOUCH-ME-SUNDANCE.jpeg) image provided Dudley is really great in this project. She plays sex addiction as a quiet, horrible thing rather than a spectacle. That's the smartest choice in the movie. Gavaris matches her in his own timid performance. His Craig is shallow until suddenly he isn't, and his performance goes from laid back to totally desperate. Pucci understands exactly what's needed from Brian the alien. He's odd, self-involved, and completely narcissistic. Think Predator playing Warner Huntington III (*Legally Blonde*). Never once does he ask us to like him, and we don't. Forte turns in a fine performance; her Laura is wounded and terrifying. Every scene she's in feels out of place in a good way. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34967068/mediaviewer/rm1353503234/?ref_=ttmi_mi_5_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BZDA1YTIyZDktNjJlYy00MWZlLThlNWYtYTM3NTY2MThiZWM1XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX582_-1.jpg) Heimann directs like he's dared himself to go further over the top as the movie progresses. Split screens. Dream sequences with blurry close-ups and red-pink colours are all the rage here. A crystal room lit red with a kind of Chinese space ship vibe. The cinematography treats the alien's house like a fever dream at times, all glows and shadows. The script and the plot are pretty loose, to say the least. Logic gaps get ignored rather than addressed; the movie initially gets away with its lack of strong narrative, but that wears thin as the film progresses. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/DANCE.png) image provided This film handles queerness with more care than you would think an arthouse horror might. Craig isn't just set decoration. His arc runs straight through grinder rejection, historical abuse, shame and the specific danger of finding comfort in a person that maybe wants to consume you. That's not subtext. It's the actual plot here; subtlety is for another project. The sex scenes themselves, tentacles included, are shot with real artistic, almost erotic intent. However, before long those tentacles start to become more dangerous, and there's something quietly interesting in how casually queer desire sits alongside the horror. It's never explained, never apologised for, just shown on screen. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/SPLIT-HEAD.png) image provided ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34967068/mediaviewer/rm2746012162/?ref_=ttmi_mi_2_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BZGVkZmNiODEtMjQ5Yi00ZmY1LTgzMjctOTA5ODZjZmJiZTgwXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX582_-1-1.jpg) Does it fully work? No, not completely. Scarlet Johansson gave us a better sexual, low-budget, creepy alien performance in *Under the Skin*. But this film tries to be more out of the box than most horror comedies manage. Plus a willingness to sit with all the characters' historical traumas is to the writers' credit. Mildly recommended, with a raised eyebrow; watch out for Brian's fantastic dance sequences topless. ***Touch Me*** is available now on Apple TV and Amazon Prime. ### Róisín Murphy accuses Madonna of backing ‘TQ+ bandwagon’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/roisin-murphy-accuses-madonna-of-backing-tq-bandwagon/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T09:06:24.000Z Social media has jumped on **Róisín Murphy** after she appeared to accuse **Madonna** of failing to challenge what she described as the "TQ+ bandwagon". In a post on social media, the singer wrote: "Madonna has no such excuse for supporting the TQ+ bandwagon or for not calling out its inherent homophobia. Perhaps she just doesn’t care that children who would’ve grown up to be gay are being medicalised and harmed before they have the maturity to know who they are. Strange that." The comments appeared to criticise Madonna's longstanding support for trans and queer communities, with Murphy suggesting the pop superstar should speak out against what she sees as harms associated with gender-affirming care for young people. Murphy's intervention quickly drew ridicule and criticism online. One social media user responded: "Insignificant pop star desperate to be noticed by Madonna." Another wrote: "Roisin Murphy is now suggesting @Madonna is homophobic for supporting trans and queer people." The latest row comes after several years of controversy surrounding Murphy's comments on transgender issues. In 2023, the singer faced backlash after comments from her private Facebook account emerged in which she criticised puberty blockers for trans young people, writing: "Puberty blockers are fucked, absolutely desolate, big Pharma laughing all the way to the bank. Little mixed-up kids are vulnerable and need to be protected, that's just true." She also asked not to be described as a "TERF" (trans-exclusionary radical feminist). > Roisin Murphy is now suggesting [@Madonna](https://x.com/Madonna?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) is homophobic for supporting trans and queer people. Hahahahahahahahahahaha! [pic.twitter.com/6w4POHcdVw](https://t.co/6w4POHcdVw?ref=scenemag.co.uk) > > — C (@Obseyxx) [August 4, 2026](https://x.com/Obseyxx/status/2084654216216232354?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) Following criticism from fans and LGBTQ+ groups, Murphy apologised for the hurt caused by her remarks and said she would "completely bow out of this conversation within the public domain". However, critics noted that she did not explicitly retract her views on puberty blockers. Since then, Murphy has repeatedly returned to the subject. In 2025, she sparked fresh criticism after sharing disputed statistics about the number of young people identifying as trans or non-binary and writing: "It was never real. Terribly sad though. Absolute havoc wreaked on children, families and society." LGBTQ+ campaigners and publications accused her of promoting anti-trans narratives, while Murphy defended what she described as the right for "dissenting voices" to be heard. Earlier this year, Murphy again addressed the fallout from the controversy, claiming she had faced "professional exile" for expressing her views and criticising what she described as online cancellation campaigns. She also attracted criticism after referring to "confused young people" acting as "social media enforcers". Madonna has spent decades publicly supporting LGBTQ+ communities and is widely regarded as one of the most prominent allies in popular music. Throughout her career she has spoken out against discrimination and championed LGBTQ+ visibility through her music, activism and live performances. ### The View From Inside: Brighton Pride Parade 2026 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-view-from-brighton-pride-parade/ Last updated: 2026-08-04T21:33:45.000Z Forget the view from the pavement - we wanted the view from inside the parade. So, for **Brighton Pride 2026**, our reporter [Liran Notik](https://www.instagram.com/liran%5Fnotik/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), laced up his trainers, grabbed the cameras and joined thousands of marchers making their way through the city's rainbow-filled streets. Along the route, Scene Magazine marched with the fantastic Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC, who welcomed us into their Pride family and gave us a front-row seat to one of the biggest celebrations of LGBTQ+ visibility anywhere in the world. ## Watch our walk with The Sea Serpents 0:00 /2:22 1× ****Liran Notik on the move, inside the Pride Parade** | Filmed by: Jessica Bainbridge From glitter-covered hugs and spontaneous dance breaks to cheers from every corner of Brighton, the atmosphere was nothing short of infectious. Every few metres came another smile, another flag waving high, another reminder that Pride is about so much more than a parade - it's about people. While walking with the **Sea Serpents**, we caught up with **Vice Chair Ricky Braiden**, who spoke passionately about why the club returns to Pride every year. Yes, they're an inclusive rugby club - but more importantly, they're a community. A place where anyone, regardless of experience, background or identity, can find friendship, confidence and belonging. > "We're an inclusive rugby club. Rugby is for everybody," While chatting with **Sam Johnson**, he shared with us how the club's upcoming 'Try Rugby' sessions - encourage complete beginners to give the sport a go: *"A program for anyone that's never played rugby before, who wants to come and be involved in a team, be part of the community. I did the same thing. I'd never held a rugby ball this time last year... and look at me now."* But this wasn't just a story about rugby. It was about Brighton doing what Brighton does best - bringing together people from every walk of life to celebrate love, identity and community. Whether marching, dancing, cheering from the pavement or simply soaking up the atmosphere, everyone became part of the same colourful story. As we made our way through the city, **Douglas Hawkins**, founder of *The Social Gays*, shared a message that resonated throughout the day: > "You're always going to find your people. Find your community, because it will always lead to positive outcomes." Simple words - but perhaps the most powerful takeaway from Brighton Pride 2026\. Because that's exactly what Pride is. A celebration, a protest, a party and, above all, a reminder that everyone deserves a place where they can belong. Along the route, we also caught up with the wonderful team from **MindOut**, whose work supporting LGBTQ+ mental health is more important than ever. Marching alongside thousands celebrating Pride, **Director Peter Nesbitt** and **ambassador Keye Luke** spoke to us about the power of community, the importance of looking after our mental wellbeing, and creating safe spaces where everyone feels seen, heard and supported. ## Watch while we walk with Mindout Ambassador, Keye Luke 0:00 /1:35 1× ****Liran Notik on the move, inside the Pride Parade** | Filmed by: Jessica Bainbridge Their message to everyone taking part in Brighton Pride was both simple and powerful: be kind to yourself and to one another, celebrate who you are, and never underestimate the strength that comes from finding your community. Amid the music, colour and celebration, their words served as a heartfelt reminder that Pride is not only about visibility—it's also about connection, acceptance and supporting one another every step of the way. ## Watch our interview with MindOut Director, Peter Nesbitt 0:00 /0:47 1× ****Liran Notik on the move, inside the Pride Parade** | Filmed by: Jessica Bainbridge As the final floats made their way through the city and the cheers slowly faded, one thing remained clear: Brighton Pride is so much more than a parade. It's a celebration of love, resilience and community - a reminder that, no matter who you are, there's a place where you belong. And if this year's Pride proved anything, it's that Brighton continues to wear its heart proudly on its rainbow-coloured sleeve. ### Trans rights group warns EHRC code will make trans lives ‘smaller and more precarious’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-rights-group-warns-ehrc-code-will-make-trans-lives-smaller-and-more-precarious/ Last updated: 2026-08-04T15:05:04.000Z A leading trans advocacy organisation has warned that new guidance accompanying the **Equality Act** will make life more difficult for trans people across the UK as it comes into force. **Trans+ Solidarity Alliance** criticised the revised **Equality and Human Rights Commission** (EHRC) **Code of Practice**, which takes effect on Wednesday, arguing that it will lead to greater exclusion and uncertainty for both trans people and organisations seeking to provide inclusive services. **Alexandra Parmar-Yee**, director of Trans+ Solidarity Alliance, said the guidance was being implemented "without scrutiny, debate or a vote" and accused the Government of failing to adequately protect trans people. "The Code of Practice has already caused serious harm to trans people across the UK, and these harms will only increase with implementation," she said. "Trans people will be shut out of the services they need, made to feel unwelcome and unsafe in public spaces. Our lives will feel smaller and more precarious." The revised code follows months of debate over the rights of trans people and the interpretation of equality law, with campaign groups, public bodies and service providers seeking clarity on how the guidance will affect access to single-sex spaces and services. Parmar-Yee argued that the new framework leaves organisations facing significant legal uncertainty. "Organisations of all kinds have been left with no clear or safe route for inclusion and will be stuck in the crossfire of lawfare," she said. "The legal framework that protects all of our human rights has been fundamentally undermined." The campaign group also criticised the Government's wider approach to trans rights, describing the code as its "flagship policy" for the trans community. "This is the UK Government's flagship policy for the trans community, and it is chaotic, unworkable and cruel," Parmar-Yee said. "It leaves the UK an outlier, no longer living up to its human rights commitments." The organisation is calling for changes to the law to strengthen protections for trans people and ensure they can access public services and participate in public life safely. "The law must now change to protect trans people's ability to go about our day-to-day lives safely and with confidence," Parmar-Yee added. "It must change for the UK to once again be considered a nation that protects the human rights of all LGBTQ+ people." The revised EHRC Code of Practice comes into force amid continuing debate over equality law and trans rights, with LGBTQ+ organisations, legal experts and public bodies closely watching how the guidance is interpreted and applied in practice. ### Glitter Cymru to celebrate 10th anniversary with biggest Pride event yet URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/glitter-cymru-to-celebrate-10th-anniversary-with-biggest-pride-event-yet/ Last updated: 2026-08-04T12:15:27.000Z **Wales**' largest celebration of LGBTQ+ people from global majority communities will return later this month as **Glitter Cymru** marks a decade of community organising and advocacy. The Cardiff-based charity has announced that **Glitter Pride 2026** will take place on **Sunday, 23 August** at the **Temple of Peace** in **Cardiff**, bringing together performers, speakers and community members for what organisers say will be their biggest Pride celebration to date. The event forms part of Glitter Cymru's 10th anniversary programme and will feature live music, drag, comedy and dance performances from queer artists, alongside talks reflecting on the organisation's achievements over the past decade and its ambitions for the future. Among those scheduled to appear are **DJ SEKSU**, drag performer **Miss Dynasty** and singer **Kabambi**. Complimentary food and drink will also be provided by **Climate Cooks**, recognising the role that food plays in bringing communities together. Founded in 2016, Glitter Cymru is Wales' largest grassroots charity supporting LGBTQ+ people from global majority backgrounds. The organisation works to tackle marginalisation and improve representation, while providing social, cultural and support programmes for its members across Wales. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/GC---Glitter-Pride-2025.png) Glitter Pride 2025 This year's Pride celebration carries the theme of **Global Solidarity** and is the culmination of a summer programme of events in Cardiff. The charity will host a comedy night at **Porter's** **Cardiff** on **7 August**, featuring a performance of *The Corner Shop*, before premiering a new documentary about Glitter Cymru's journey at **National Museum Cardiff** on **13 August**. The documentary, directed by **Raven Gough** and **Alisha Ahmed**, co-chair of **Glitter Siblings**, explores the organisation's history through archive footage and interviews with members and supporters. Reflecting on the charity's first decade, Glitter Cymru co-chair and treasurer **Numair Masud** said the organisation had become a vital source of support for some of the most marginalised LGBTQ+ people in Wales. "Glitter Cymru has made such a difference to the lives of the most marginalised LGBTQ+ people. It has literally saved lives," he said. "Standing side-by-side with LGBTQ+ asylum seekers in immigration court on behalf of Glitter Cymru reinforced the need to continue championing community support. It was a highlight, not only for me, but more importantly for those who live to tell the tale of courage, resilience and hope. "Our Pride event this year feels extra special, as we celebrate creating a safe and uplifting environment for queer people. It has become an important space for community-building and support, and I'm really proud to play a part in that." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/GC---Vish-1.jpg) Vish Founder **Vish** said the charity remains committed to expanding the support available to its community in the years ahead. "We are deeply committed to providing for our community," they said. "Our ambition is to strengthen our community fund to support our ongoing initiatives, as well as invest in local queer talent, and create a dedicated budget for a counselling service for the most vulnerable individuals in our community. "We're excited to keep evolving too: we want to learn from, connect with, and celebrate the various LGBTQ+ global majority communities worldwide." As well as entertainment, Glitter Pride will include speakers sharing personal stories and reflecting on the charity's efforts to empower and uplift queer people from global majority backgrounds over the past decade. The event is free for Glitter Cymru members, with proceeds from ticket sales supporting the charity's ongoing work across Wales. Tickets are available via [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/glitter-pride-2026-global-solidarity-tickets-1989963181444?aff=erellivmlt&ref=scenemag.co.uk), with further information on Glitter Cymru's anniversary programme available through the organisation's [website](https://glitter.cymru/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) and[ social media channels](https://www.instagram.com/glittercymru/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### Trans Is Human: New exhibition opens at Queer Britain URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-is-human-new-exhibition-opens-at-queer-britain/ Last updated: 2026-08-04T10:52:08.000Z A new exhibition celebrating the lives and experiences of trans people is set to open at **Queer Britain** in London this week. *Trans Is Human*, a collection of 13 black-and-white portraits by internationally acclaimed photographer **Mariano Vivanco,** will be on display at the UK's national LGBTQ+ museum from **5 August - 29 November**. Created and produced by **Jake** and **Hannah Graf**, the exhibition aims to challenge negative portrayals of trans people and highlight the diversity of the UK's trans community through personal stories and striking imagery. The project was conceived in response to what organisers describe as years of misinformation and hostility directed towards transgender people in the media and on social media platforms. According to the creators, *Trans Is Human* seeks to "rewrite that narrative" by showcasing trans people beyond their gender identity and focusing on their lives, experiences and humanity. **Jake Graf**, creator and producer of the exhibition, said the project comes at a critical moment for the trans+ community in the UK. "We have been fighting to hold onto our hard-won rights for over a decade and are now seeing those dramatically reversed," he said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/Trans-Is-Human-2--credit--Mariano-Vivanco-.jpg) Trans Is Human. Credit - Mariano Vivanco "Our hope is that *Trans Is Human* reminds people that we are much the same as them, just asking for the dignity, safety and acceptance afforded to everyone else." The portraits were taken by Vivanco, whose work has appeared in publications including *GQ* and *Rolling Stone* and for brands such as **Dolce & Gabbana**, **Montblanc** and **Mugler**. The exhibition has been installed at Queer Britain, which organisers say provides an opportunity for visitors to celebrate transgender lives and experiences within a national LGBTQ+ cultural space. **Andrew Given**, chief executive of Queer Britain, said the exhibition arrives as trans rights continue to be the subject of political and public debate. "From 2011 to 2015, the UK once led Europe in first place within the **International Lesbian & Gay Association's Rainbow Map**," he said. "In 2026, the UK dropped to position 22 out of 49 European countries because of the treatment of trans people in law." Given added that the exhibition's opening coincides with parliamentary discussions around the draft **Conversion Practices Bill** and the draft **Equality and Human Rights Commission Code of Practice**. "Presenting *Trans Is Human* is vital now," he said. "It's important that Queer Britain insists that trans people are recognised with empathy and understanding as human beings within a diverse and vibrant community." Queer Britain is open from Wednesday to Sunday between 12 - 6pm, with a series of evening "Museum Lates" events planned throughout the exhibition's run in August, September, October and November. ### Police reviewing whether ‘homophobic assumptions’ affected investigation into death of gay man URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/police-reviewing-whether-homophobic-assumptions-affected-investigation-into-death-of-gay-man/ Last updated: 2026-08-04T10:22:49.000Z Police are reviewing whether “homophobic assumptions” influenced the handling of an investigation into the death of a gay man after watchdog findings raised concerns about how the case was treated. The **Independent Office for Police Conduct** (IOPC) ordered **Hertfordshire Police** to examine whether prejudice may have played a role in its response to the death of **Scott Gough**, 56, who died at his home in **Chandler’s Cross**, near Watford, in March 2024. A coroner concluded that Gough took his own life on 29 March 2024, a day after he allegedly received a note that investigators are now examining as part of a potential blackmail inquiry. Gough’s partner, **Cameron Tewson**, has spent more than two years campaigning for a fuller investigation, arguing that police failed to properly explore evidence suggesting Gough may have been targeted by a gang operating on the dating app Grindr. “From the beginning, it’s been a case of banging my head against a wall, making phone calls and sending emails to try and get officers to take this seriously,” Tewson said. “It’s always one step forward and two steps back. In many ways, I feel I’ve never had a chance to grieve.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/scott-gough.jpg) ****Scott Gough** The IOPC found that Hertfordshire Police made errors and “did not fully investigate” Gough’s death. The watchdog also concluded that the force added to Tewson’s distress by failing to respond to complaints promptly. The review follows concerns that assumptions about Gough’s sexuality may have affected the direction of the original investigation. As part of its findings, the IOPC instructed the force to consider whether “homophobic assumptions” played a role in decisions made by officers. The night before his death, Gough reportedly received a handwritten note bearing a telephone number and the message: “I think it’s in your best interests to give me a call.” Tewson has argued that the note should have prompted a more thorough investigation into the possibility of blackmail. A separate BBC investigation uncovered multiple suspected blackmail cases involving users of Grindr in the local area, including at least four incidents allegedly linked to the same group. Responsibility for reviewing the case has now been handed to **Bedfordshire Police**, which is overseeing further enquiries and assessing whether a new criminal investigation should be launched. Tewson said he is now being kept informed about developments in the case. In a statement, Hertfordshire Police expressed its condolences to Gough’s family and partner and said it was committed to supporting LGBTQ+ communities. “The reinvestigation finalised by Bedfordshire, **Hertfordshire** and **Cambridgeshire Professional Standards Department** into Mr Tewson’s complaint found that a blackmail investigation should have been considered and the constabulary has sought an independent review of the original investigation,” the force said. It added that Bedfordshire Police is carrying out that review and would also take responsibility for any new investigation deemed necessary. “Hertfordshire Constabulary remains dedicated to learning to ensure that officers understand specific issues faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community,” the force said. ### Brighton Early Music Festival returns with a world-class season of dreams URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-early-music-festival-returns-with-a-world-class-season-of-dreams/ Last updated: 2026-08-04T10:05:01.000Z **Brighton Early Music Festival** (BREMF) has opened its priority booking window, giving members of its Festival Friends scheme first access to tickets for the 2026 programme, themed **Bringers of Dreams**. General booking opens on **Monday, 3 August**. Running from **2 - 25 October**, with pre-festival events starting **19 September**, [**BREMF** ](https://www.bremf.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)has long established itself as one of the world's premier festivals dedicated to early music, and this year's programme shows exactly why: a wide-ranging season spanning centuries of repertoire and a real diversity of atmosphere and setting. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa--1-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa--3-.jpeg) Concert highlights include *City of Dreams*, a Florentine "extravaganza" narrated by **Maria de' Medici** exploring Renaissance Florence's cultural flowering; *The Planets*, a celestial orchestral reimagining of **Holst's** masterpiece by ensemble **Spiritato;** and *The Fairy Queen*, **Purcell's** midsummer-night setting performed by the **London Handel Players** alongside BREMF's own Emerging Artists. For something more intimate, **Dowland Day** brings three very different late-night concerts exploring melancholy, insomnia and faith through solo lute song and viol consort. Elsewhere, *Polia's Power* offers a female-perspective staging of a 15th-century novel with video projection, while *In Terra Aliena* is a meditation on belonging and hope. Venues and formats vary just as widely; from grand orchestral evenings to a relaxed "Clubnight" showcasing emerging talent in a pub setting, and an open mic night for informal jamming. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa--4-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/7790667b1499641e0a482fd470ef3a3eb0b7d17469237a4cb9f28a097afaa2aa-1.jpeg) The festival also keeps a strong community and family thread running throughout: a free Polyphony Crawl through Brighton's churches, a baby-and-toddler concert from the **Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment,** family singing and lullaby workshops, and a walking event linking nature and song. Underpinning it all is the Festival Friends scheme, as well as BREMF's outreach programme taking live music into local schools and care settings. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-27-at-13.56.41.png) BREMF has been a fixture on Brighton's cultural calendar for many years now, and Scene has been lucky enough to visit many of its venues over that time, catching some genuinely fantastic performances along the way. If you've never been to a BREMF event before, this autumn is a great excuse to change that; few festivals anywhere offer early music of this quality and range. Anyone keen to get ahead of the queue has just over a week left of [Friends-only booking](https://www.bremf.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) before tickets open to the wider public on 3 August. Full programme and ticket booking details on the [**BREMF website.** ](https://www.bremf.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/BREMF26_FBbanner-1.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/E7-DSCF4498-Allyn-Wu.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Headshot-April-2026-Ruby-scaled.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/BREMF_EmArt_LogoStacked.png) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Steven-Player.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/2-Hugo-Williamson-13.08.2025----Julian-Guidera-Hugo-Williamson.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/4S4A9854-Laura-Toomey-scaled.jpg) ### Plans unveiled for life-size statue honouring The Vivienne in Liverpool URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/plans-unveiled-for-life-size-statue-honouring-the-vivienne-in-liverpool/ Last updated: 2026-08-04T09:38:49.000Z Plans have been revealed for a life-size statue commemorating drag performer **The Vivienne** in Liverpool's Pride Quarter. The tribute, commissioned by **House of The Vivienne CIC**, will celebrate the life and legacy of **James Lee Williams**, the performer behind The Vivienne, who died in January 2025 aged 32 after struggling with ketamine addiction. Organisers have released an AI-generated image showing the proposed statue seated on a bench at the entrance to Liverpool's officially recognised Pride Quarter. The artwork is set to be installed at the junction of **Victoria Street** and **Stanley Street**, an area closely associated with Williams' rise through Liverpool's drag scene. House of The Vivienne CIC was established by Williams' family following their death and is leading efforts to create the permanent memorial. **Chanel Williams**, James' sister and a director of the organisation, said the statue would ensure The Vivienne's impact on both Liverpool and the LGBTQ+ community is never forgotten. "A permanent statue in the Pride Quarter feels like the right way to make sure nobody forgets that, and to remind anyone who might be struggling that they do not have to do it alone," she said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/The-vivienne-1569927083.jpg) The Vivienne "That was what James believed, and it is what we are going to keep saying." She added: "James gave everything to Liverpool and Liverpool gave everything back to him. This city saw him, accepted him, and helped him become The Vivienne." Born in North Wales, Williams moved to Liverpool as a teenager and became a familiar face in bars and clubs around the city's Pride Quarter before later performing in Gran Canaria. National fame followed in 2019 when The Vivienne won the inaugural series of *RuPaul's Drag Race UK*, becoming one of the most recognisable drag artists in Britain and the only British queen to compete in the US version of the franchise. Beyond drag, Williams appeared in the West End and on television programmes including *Dancing on Ice*, *Saturday Night Takeaway* and *Emmerdale*. John Hyland, who is leading the statue project, said the memorial would recognise both Williams' contribution to Liverpool's LGBTQ+ community and the wider cultural significance of the Pride Quarter. "The Vivienne was the Pride Quarter, and James had a way of making everyone who walked through any one of those doors feel like they belonged, and that didn't stop when the cameras arrived and their star shot into the sky," he said. "This statue is Liverpool acknowledging what the LGBTQ+ community already knows. "But it's also the beginning of something bigger. The Pride Quarter deserves investment, attention and a future, and this is the first statement of intent that it's going to get both." The project has already secured initial backing from **Liverpool Business Improvement District** (BID), which represents businesses and cultural organisations across the city. **Bill Addy**, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, said the organisation was proud to support the initiative. "Liverpool has always been a city that celebrates the people who shape and help to define its culture, and The Vivienne was one of them," he said. A public fundraising campaign has also been launched to help cover the cost of creating and installing the statue. If completed, the memorial would provide a permanent tribute to one of the UK's most influential drag performers and a lasting reminder of The Vivienne's connection to Liverpool and its LGBTQ+ community. ### Elliot Page says biology education is used ‘against queer and trans people’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/elliot-page-says-biology-education-is-used-against-queer-and-trans-people/ Last updated: 2026-08-04T09:18:09.000Z Actor **Elliot Page** has argued that traditional biology education is often used to marginalise LGBTQ+ people, claiming that lessons on the natural world can reinforce what he described as a “cis hetero-patriarchal” view of society. Speaking on the **TransLash** podcast with host **Imara Jones**, the *Juno* and *The Odyssey* star said discussions of biology frequently fail to reflect the diversity found in nature, including examples of same-sex behaviour and gender variation among animals. “The natural world and what we learn in biology class in terms of it seemingly being this cis hetero-patriarchal system... I feel is used against queer and trans people in terms of us being made to seem maladaptive, like there's something wrong with us or we're some modern thing, which we of course know is untrue,” Page said. The Oscar-nominated actor argued that greater awareness of diversity in the animal kingdom could help challenge misconceptions about LGBTQ+ identities. “Human beings are the only species that are ridiculous enough to seem to have a huge problem with trans folks,” Page added. [Elliot Page on The Odyssey, Genderqueer Chimpanzees, and Dating in HollywoodEpisode Description Elliot Page joins Imara for an intimate conversation about this current chapter of his career. He takes us behind the scenes of Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated epic, The Odyssey, reflecting on what it was like returning to work with Nolan and why this role allowed him to feel more like himself than ever … Continued![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/cropped-Favicon_1x-270x270-f909e941-8e88-4e12-a491-e694c664e346.png)TransLash Media![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/TransLash-16cd603b-4b39-479f-b446-b9b6d28624e2.jpg)](https://translash.org/podcasts/translash-podcast/elliot-page-on-the-odyssey-genderqueer-chimpanzees-and-dating-in-hollywood/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) During the interview, Page also discussed portraying Sinon in **Christopher Nolan**’s blockbuster adaptation of *The Odyssey*. The character plays a role in the legendary Trojan Horse deception, though Page explained that Nolan’s interpretation presents Sinon as unaware of the true nature of the plan. “In this situation, my character does not know that these men are on this horse,” Page said. “In the confrontation with Odysseus in Hades, he's confronting him with, ‘How could you lie to me? I sacrificed myself for you and for this. How could you lie to me?’” Page said the character is burdened by guilt and regret after becoming entangled in events that lead to widespread death and destruction. “I think the character of Sinon is carrying this horrible weight, of course, and regretting being a part of this, as well as, in many ways, being used and himself tricked into this situation,” the actor said. Nolan’s *The Odyssey* has become one of the biggest film releases of the year, topping the box office on its opening weekend and earning more than $700 million worldwide. The epic adaptation has also received strong reviews from critics and audiences, making it the director’s highest-grossing film to date. ### Homophobic attackers who spat at and pelted gay couple with fruit spared jail URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/homophobic-attackers-who-spat-at-and-pelted-gay-couple-with-fruit-spared-jail/ Last updated: 2026-08-03T11:49:20.000Z Two men who chased a gay couple through north London before spitting at them, hurling fruit and shouting homophobic abuse have been spared jail despite being convicted of a hate crime. **Mariuzs Smietana**, 46, and **Dariusz Wawrzenczyk**, 37, were sentenced at **Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court** after being found guilty of assault by beating following an attack on **Alex Grant**, 34, and his partner in Gospel Oak last summer. The court heard the couple were holding hands as they walked home from the **Highgate Men's Ponds** on **Hampstead Heath** shortly after 10pm on 1 July 2025 when they were targeted by the pair. Prosecutor **René De Silva** said Smietana and Wawrzenczyk approached the couple on Mansfield Road and spat at them while shouting homophobic slurs in Polish. The abuse escalated when Smietana chased the men down the street and threw fruit at them, which he had taken from a nearby shop without paying. Fearing for their safety, the couple called 999 and took refuge in a nearby pub before police arrested the attackers. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/SWNS_HOMOPHOBIC_FINE_09_164786-1024x674.jpg) Alex Grant and his partner. Crown Prosecution Service In a victim impact statement read from behind a privacy screen, Mr Grant's partner, who asked not to be named, said the attack had fundamentally changed how he and his boyfriend moved through public spaces. Having moved to the UK from Turkey "for the chance to live openly and freely as a gay man", he told the court: "Since the attack, walking at night with my partner no longer feels as normal or safe as it did before. "Whenever we go somewhere, I find myself thinking about how we will get home, which route we should take, and whether it is safe for us to walk together openly. "I know these may sound like small considerations, but they have become part of my daily life, and I do not think a simple walk home with the person I love should evoke that kind of fear or calculation." Mr Grant said the incident left him shaken and fearful that he might encounter the men again. "The hate and vitriol we encountered that night has made me realise that even today I am, as a gay man, still vulnerable to violent homophobia," he said. "What had been a quiet summer evening spent enjoying the weather swimming with my boyfriend turned into a night full of fear and angst which lasted for many days afterwards." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/SEI_307264131-a812-e1785745660778.jpg.webp) Smietana caught on CCTV stealing fruit from a store which he then threw at the gay couple. Crown Prosecution Service District Judge **Vanessa Lloyd** said the offence was aggravated by hostility towards the victims' sexual orientation. "The offence was motivated by or demonstrated hostility based on sexual orientation," she told the court. Despite the conviction, the judge ruled that the custody threshold had not been crossed and sentenced both men to 12-month community orders. Smietana, of Wembley, and Wawrzenczyk, of Tottenham, were each ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity days. They were also ordered to pay £325 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge. The court heard that Smietana had previously received a police caution for shoplifting, while Wawrzenczyk had been extradited to Poland in 2023 in connection with a non-conviction disposal for assaulting an emergency worker. Judge Lloyd noted that both men had continued to deny responsibility for the attack and had shown no remorse. She declined to award compensation to the victims, saying: "I don't think any amount of money can compensate for what happened to them that night. "Anything that I awarded would just be a token amount, and it would provide a link between you and them." Addressing the defendants, she added that the unpaid work and rehabilitation requirements would help them repay society for their behaviour and reduce the likelihood of any similar incidents in future. ### Trans rights organisation welcomes High Court ruling allowing puberty blocker trial to proceed URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-rights-organisation-welcomes-high-court-ruling-allowing-puberty-blocker-trial-to-proceed/ Last updated: 2026-08-03T09:42:35.000Z Trans rights organisation **TransActual** has welcomed a **High Court** decision rejecting an attempt to halt a clinical trial investigating the use of **puberty blockers** for young people experiencing gender dysphoria. In a statement issued following the ruling, the campaign group said it supported the court's decision to allow the **PATHWAYS puberty blocker trial** to move forward, describing the study as the only legal route currently available for young people in the UK to access transition-related care involving puberty blockers. The challenge had sought to prevent the trial from proceeding, but the High Court ruled against the bid, clearing the way for the research programme to continue. Responding to the judgment, TransActual said further delays would have been unacceptable while trans young people remain unable to access care. A spokesperson for the organisation said: "This trial remains the only legal route for young people to access transition-related care in the UK, and it would have been unacceptable to further delay the trial while trans youth are left without access to the transition-related care that they deserve." The group also argued that, despite the ruling, wider restrictions on access to gender-affirming healthcare remain in place. TransActual said the ongoing limitations continue to affect trans young people despite concerns about the impact on mental health and wellbeing. The organisation accused politicians and campaigners opposed to gender-affirming care of politicising healthcare and creating barriers to treatment. In its statement, the group said: "The politicisation of trans people's healthcare in the NHS has created barriers to fairly and equally accessing care – barriers which must be torn down." The PATHWAYS study has become a focal point in the wider debate over transgender healthcare in the UK following restrictions on the prescription of puberty blockers outside approved research settings. Campaigners supporting access to gender-affirming care have argued that trans young people should be able to access evidence-based treatment without unnecessary delays, while opponents have raised concerns about the use of medical interventions for children and adolescents. Following the High Court decision, TransActual said it would continue campaigning for reforms to the healthcare system and for improved access to treatment for trans people. The organisation added: "While gender critical activists play politics with people's health, organisations like TransActual will continue to campaign for a healthcare system that truly recognises and respects the individual needs of everyone." ### Trump and Putin ‘share a snog’ on Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade float as Dutch PM Rob Jetten joins celebrations URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trump-and-putin-share-a-snog-on-amsterdam-pride-canal-parade-float-as-dutch-pm-rob-jetten-joins-celebrations/ Last updated: 2026-08-03T09:20:12.000Z A giant **Amsterdam Pride** parade float depicting **Donald Trump** and **Vladimir Putin** sharing a kiss became one of the most talked-about sights of this year's celebrations, as hundreds of thousands of people lined the Dutch capital's canals for the world-famous event. The float, titled **The Kissing Couple**, featured oversized inflatable versions of the US President and Russian leader leaning in for a snog as they travelled along Amsterdam's waterways during the annual **Pride Canal Parade** on Saturday. Designed in the style of traditional Dutch Delft Blue pottery figurines, the two characters were dressed in blue-and-white costumes and each held a tulip while appearing to embrace. Trump was depicted wearing a dress while Putin wore overalls, as electronic dance music blasted from the boat and revellers danced alongside waving signs promoting love and unity. The group behind the float said it had reimagined a symbol of love and togetherness "not to provoke, but to pause power for a moment and highlight something human". ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/imago863171294.jpg) ****IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire** The satirical display was one of 80 vessels taking part in Amsterdam's colourful Canal Parade, the centrepiece of the city's annual Pride celebrations and this year also part of World Pride events being hosted by the Dutch capital. Among those taking part was openly gay Dutch Prime Minister **Rob Jetten**, who waved to crowds from a small boat as it made its way through the canals. Dressed in a white shirt and black life vest, Jetten joined thousands of participants celebrating LGBTQ+ visibility and equality. Hundreds of thousands of spectators packed bridges, quaysides and canal banks to watch the flotilla pass through the historic city centre. Boats representing government ministries, the military, police forces, LGBTQ+ organisations and community groups took part in the procession. Amsterdam Pride took place amid heightened security following a deadly attack at a Pride event in Berlin a week earlier that left one person dead and dozens injured. Ahead of the parade, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said authorities would take any necessary additional security measures while ensuring visitors could enjoy the celebrations. Despite those concerns, the atmosphere remained festive as music echoed across the canals and rainbow flags fluttered throughout the city. For many visitors, the event highlighted Amsterdam's longstanding reputation as one of the world's most LGBTQ+-friendly destinations. Rod Lugtenburg, a visitor from Toronto attending World Pride, said: "For me, it's about acceptance, being able to be who you are." Amsterdam Pride traces its roots back to 1996 and is unique among major Pride events for its canal-based parade rather than a traditional street march. While known for its colourful celebrations, organisers stress that the event remains a platform for campaigning on LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. That message was reflected by the Netherlands' LGBTQ+ rights organisation **COC**, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Its parade boat carried a manifesto calling for further progress on LGBTQ+ human rights and featured a portrait of Stonewall activist **Marsha P. Johnson**. ### #DALEYPOP X AUGUST 2026 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/daleypopxaugust2026/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T11:56:37.000Z Music has been embedded in my life ever since I was in the womb, my mum and dad basically raised me on music, especially POP music! I grew up listening to **Madonna**, **Mariah Carey**, **Kylie Minogue**, **Spice Girls**, **Britney Spears** and even **AQUA** and I’ve always been obsessed with pop culture and **Eurovison**! I love yapping about my favourite songs and album of the month every month with the world from **Scene HQ**! ### Orville Peck - Too Little, Too Late **Orville Peck** has returned with *Too Little, Too Late*, a gorgeous slice of country-pop heartbreak that reminds us exactly why he's become one of the most distinctive voices in modern country music. Taken from his upcoming album *Mule*, the track pairs classic themes of love lost and lessons learned with Orville's rich, velvety vocals and erm, hawt vocals which should come with a health warning at this point. What I love most about *Too Little, Too Late* is its emotional honesty. There's no dramatic begging for someone to stay and no lingering what ifs. Instead, Orville reflects on a relationship that's run its course with a sense of clarity and hard earned acceptance. It's bittersweet and incredibly relatable, especially for anyone who's reached the point where they realise the apology arrived just a little too late. I think this is probably the most contemporary track he's ever released? The polished production gives it a modern country pop sheen while still allowing Orville's unmistakable voice to take centre stage. It's the kind of track that longtime fans will instantly connect with but it's also accessible enough to pull in plenty of new listeners. ### James Indigo, Amanda Lepore, LVL1 - BORN FAMOUS Fresh from opening for the legendary **Peaches** at London's **O2 Forum Kentish Town** queer rap trailblazer **James Indigo** is back and ready to remind everyone why he's one of the UK's most exciting independent artists. *Born Famous* is an electrifying burst of confidence, glamour and pure main character energy. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbK32SIMFEg/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗼 (@jamesindigo)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbK32SIMFEg/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Joining James on the track are nightlife icon and queer culture legend **Amanda Lepore** alongside Spanish electronic producer **LVL1** creating a dream team of boundary pushing talent. The result is a high energy electronic anthem packed with attitude, pulsating production and a fierce message about embracing your star power and taking up space unapologetically. If James Indigo isn't already on your radar, he should be! As the UK's most streamed gay rapper and with more than four million streams across platforms, he's steadily carving out his own lane. By blending rap, dance and electronic influences into a sound that feels both fresh and unmistakably his own. He's a big **Madonna** fan too, just saying. With every release he's continuing to champion queer visibility while proving that independent artists can make a major impact. ### Charli xcx - Wink Wink Released as the third single from her seventh studio album *Music, Fashion, Film*, *Wink Wink* might just be my favourite **Charli XCX** track in quite a while. Actually that's not totally true because I was pretty obsessed with *Rock Music* too but there's something about *Wink Wink* that immediately grabbed me. It just sounds so effortless and packed with the kind of razor sharp pop energy that Charli does better than almost anyone. To accompany the release Charli dropped an official music video directed by **Aidan Zamiri** who also helmed Charli's mockumentary movie, *The Moment* which I'm still yet to see! Based on an original concept from Charli herself, the film sees her playing a fictionalised version of herself as she navigates the pressures, absurdities and expectations that come with life as a global pop star. Charli is in one of those creative eras where she seems incapable of making anything boring and *Wink Wink* is further proof that she's still one of pop's most inventive and unpredictable artists. WINK! ### ADONXS - Cherry On Your Cake If you're a **Eurovision** fan like myself then chances are you'll remember **ADONXS** who flew the flag for **Czechia** at Eurovision 2025\. Well Czechoslovak pop export is back! Unveiling *Cherry On Your Cake* **Adam Pavlovčin** is serving up another dose of sensual, **Troye Sivan**\-esque cinematic pop with his latest single *Cherry On Your Cake*. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/756603975_18607164757008255_1937485918063314781_n-1.jpg) 📸 [David Urban](https://www.instagram.com/by%5Fdave%5Furban?ref=scenemag.co.uk) On the new track ADONXS once again proves why he was one of Eurovision's most magnetic performers. *Cherry On Your Cake* is dripping with confidence, charm and cinematic pop polish balancing flirtation and vulnerability with effortless ease. With its glossy production and infectious hooks, the song feels like the soundtrack to a romantic daydream. Following the release of earlier 2026 single *Rituál*, *COYC* arrives as the final taste of what's to come before ADONXS unveils not one, but two new EPs this autumn, one in Slovak and one in English. If these recent releases are anything to go by, he's definitely entering a thrilling new era defined by confidence, creativity and complete artistic freedom. In a world that can often feel weighed down by negativity, ADONXS delivers something gloriously refreshing and uplifting with COYC. It feels like a celebration of love, self worth and embracing exactly who you are. As an openly queer artist, he's creating pop music that feels authentic, empowering and joyfully free from compromise. Sweet, flirtatious and deliciously camp, *COYC* feels like more than just a catchy pop song, it feels like a statement of self confidence and queer joy and if this is any indication of what's coming next, ADONXS isn't just entering a new chapter, he's thriving. ### Mýa, Too $hort - Just a Little Bit Is it just me that immediately gets transported back to the early 2000s when they hear **Mýa**? Between the iconic *Case of the Ex* and of course *Lady Marmalade* alongside **Christina Aguilera**, **P!nk** and **Lil' Kim** she gave us some absolute classics. Good news for the nostalgia lovers because Mýa is back with *Just a Little Bit* featuring **Too $hort** and I'm obsessed. The track is a slick, groove filled slice of retro R&B that sounds like it was tailor made for a neon lit roller rink. Co produced by **Mýa** and **MyGuyMars** *Just a Little Bit* leans into shimmering synths, playful flirtation and old school funk influences creating a feel good atmosphere that's impossible not to move to. It's effortlessly cool, with Mýa and Too $hort engaged in a teasing game of musical cat and mouse that feels straight out of a latenight skate party. ### from20 - BIG BOY I'm still firmly in my K-pop era and former **BIGSTAR** member turned solo artist **from20** aka **Kim Rae-hwan** is giving me yet another reason to stay there. *BIG BOY* may have started life as a joke but it's turned into a bold anthem about confidence and unapologetically owning who you are. That message runs right through the self directed music video where from20 leans into charisma, empowerment and individuality with his trademark flair. While the track raised a few eyebrows, including earning a ban from Korean broadcaster **KBS** over what it deemed "excessively sexual" lyrics, from20 isn't backing down. In fact he seems to be embracing the controversy. Rather than shying away from conversations around sexuality, he's using them to encourage self acceptance and authenticity. When was the last time you saw a male public figure shout out their gay fans so much in a song?! I'm here for it. Having previously spoken about creating a welcoming environment for fans, from20 continues to position himself as an artist who values genuine inclusivity over performative allyship. ### Natalie Imbruglia - Just Drive Oh **Natalie Imbruglia** really understood the assignment with this one. The Aussie pop icon has unveiled *Just Drive*, the third single from her upcoming album *Algorithm* and it's an absolute gem. Co written and produced alongside **MyRiot**, the track pairs shimmering electro pop production with pulsating synths, delicate piano touches and the kind of emotional release that was made for late night drives and dramatic main character moments. What Natalie has always done so brilliantly is wrap heartbreak in beautiful melodies and *Just Drive* is no exception. On the surface, it's an irresistible pop track that makes you want to move but beneath the glossy production is a deeply vulnerable story about navigating life after a breakup. It's about putting one foot in front of the other carrying on when your heart isn't quite ready and wondering whether you'll ever truly move on. Honestly breakups are the worst! Nat's coming to Brighton by the way.... > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbVS0cEjLxd/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by natalie\_imbruglia (@natalie\_imbruglia)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbVS0cEjLxd/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Back to *Just Drive* though, none of it would hit quite as hard without Natalie's voice. Dreamy, powerful and full of emotion, she brings a warmth and sincerity to every line that makes the song feel incredibly personal. While the subject matter is bittersweet, there's an underlying sense of hope running through the track. The woman who gave us *Torn* is essentially offering a gentle reminder that even the most painful endings don't last forever. As Natalie explained: “I wrote *Just Drive* about a breakup, and about something I think a lot of us do, which is hiding how we feel to make other people feel better. Sometimes you'd rather go through it on your own, as hard as that is. You love the other person so much, you don't want to put them through it too.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/int-28d78342414e74f80ba22f4b8417a81b-kyjl78ur.webp) ## AOTM: Evanescence - Sanctuary ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I'm so excited to get to write that my album of the month is *Sanctuary* by **Evanescence** because this feels especially fitting as November marks five years since I first started writing this column. Sharing my favourite music with our readers from Scene HQ has been a real joy and the occasion feels even more significant as this is Evanescence’s first studio album since 2021! Most bands spend the rest of their careers desperately trying to recreate the album that made them famous but not Evanescence. When **Amy Lee** and **Ben Moody** released *Fallen* in 2003 they didn't just drop a successful debut album, they unleashed a full blown cultural phenomenon. *Bring Me to Life* was absolutely everywhere. If you existed in the early 2000s, you've definitely heard that piano intro. Even if it's against your will. It was on the radio, on all the music channels, in film trailers and somehow permanently embedded into the brains of an entire generation. Then there was *My Immortal* which convinced millions of teenagers like me that staring dramatically out of a rain covered bedroom window was a perfectly reasonable hobby. I still remember hearing the band version for the first time and being totally unprepared for that swell of guitars and drums near the end. It transformed an already emotional song into a full blown cinematic event and teenage me absolutely ate it up. *Going Under* brought the angst, *Everybody's Fool* dragged fake perfection long before influencers somehow turned it into a career and deep cuts like *Imaginary*, *Torniquet*, *Haunted* and *Taking Over Me* gave the album its delicious gothicness. As a closeted gay teenager *Fallen* wasn't just an album for me. It was practically a personality trait. *Bring Me to Life* made me feel seen at a time when I was trying very hard not to be seen. Meanwhile *Everybody's Fool* was the soundtrack to my Oscar worthy performance as definitely straight and absolutely fine and normal. Spoiler alert, nobody was winning an Oscar! The thing is though, Amy never seemed interested in living off *Fallen* forever. She could've spent twenty years writing *Bring Me to Life 2: Still Being Brought To Life* but instead Evanescence kept evolving. From the orchestral drama of *Synthesis* to the heavier, more confrontational *The Bitter Truth*, they've always seemed more interested in moving forward than cashing in on nostalgia. ![](https://static.klipy.com/ii/c3a19a0b747a76e98651f2b9a3cca5ff/c6/ce/JCEHl07O.gif) *Synthesis* saw Evanescence giving some of their biggest songs the full dramatic orchestra treatment because apparently regular levels of drama weren't enough. Then came *The Bitter Truth* which was heavier, angrier and proof that Evanescence still had plenty left to say annnnnnd now five years later, we have *Sanctuary.* The good news for those of us whose personalities are still at least 30% *Fallen* is that the Evanescence DNA is all still here. Amy's piano remains a secret weapon and her voice can still go from delicate and vulnerable to absolutely flattening you emotionally in a matter of seconds. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/image-5-1.png) 📸 [Jonathan Weiner](https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.weiner?ref=scenemag.co.uk) There are little flickers on *Sanctuary* that will remind longtime fans why they fell in love with the band in the first place with flashes of the drama and intensity that made songs like *Hello* and *Taking Over Me* so special but this isn't *Fallen 2*. In fact, one of the album's biggest strengths is its refusal to spend forty five minutes winking at 2003\. Trust me, nobody wanted another classic Evanescence album more than me. I'll admit that I secretly spent the build up to *Sanctuary* wondering if anything could ever give me the same feeling as hearing *Bring Me to Life* for the first time. The answer, thankfully isn't trying to recreate it. Sure, traces of *Fallen* still linger but *Sanctuary* feels like a band that's completely comfortable with its legacy while still finding new places to go. Evanescence could have become a nostalgia act years ago and sold us variations of the same album forever but instead they're still evolving, still taking risks and still refusing to do the easy thing which I'm super grateful for. For a band whose debut remains one of the defining rock albums of the 2000s, that's impressive. There will only ever be one *Fallen* and that's how it should be and exactly why *Sanctuary* works. Evanescence's story was never supposed to end there. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZNc4odm6kV/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Evanescence (@evanescenceofficial)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZNc4odm6kV/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The context surrounding *Sanctuary* is as important as the music itself. Across the three plus years of its creation, the world outside shifted into something Amy describes as a period of manufactured confusion. An era of political disorientation, misinformation and social fracture that made the search for genuine human connection feel both more urgent and more difficult. Speaking to [**Kerrang!**](https://www.kerrang.com/evanescence-amy-lee-interview-sanctuary-interview-who-will-you-follow-cover-story?ref=scenemag.co.uk)back in the spring she described the record’s central preoccupation as finding each other, dark as it may be, because you cannot fix what you refuse to face. That impulse to name the darkness before insisting on the light animates every track on *Sanctuary* and gives the record a moral seriousness that separates it from most of what passes for hard rock in 2026\. One of my favourites on the album is *Afterlife* and I think there's a reason it became such a huge hit and helped launch this era. It's dramatic, cinematic and emotionally huge and feels nostalgic yet modern and industrial. The chorus has that same goosebump inducing quality that made tracks from *Fallen* so memorable in the first place. It's one of those songs that feels massive whether you're listening through headphones or imagining it being performed in an arena. I'm also obsessed with *Who Will You Follow*. It feels like one of the album's defining statements, tackling confusion, division, fake news and misinformation without sounding preachy. It feels lkke classic Evanescence beginning with Amy's piano before exploding into something much heavier. The contrast between vulnerability and power has always been a part of the band's appeal and this track captures that perfectly. The official music video is epic too. Ooooh and then there's *Beautiful Lie* which might just be one of the strongest album openers they've written in years. The tension builds beautifully throughout and immediately establishes the darker, more reflective themes running through the record. It feels like the opening chapter of a story. For sheer emotional impact, though, it's hard to look past *How Do I Heal* and *Forever Without You*. The latter feels destined to become one of those fan fave deep cuts that people connect with on a deeply personal level. Amy has always excelled at writing songs that sound intensely personal while somehow feeling universal and both tracks showcase that gift gorgeously. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbRCvRBm3uS/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Amy (@amylee)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbRCvRBm3uS/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) I also found myself returning repeatedly to the album title track *Sanctuary* and not because it's the heaviest or most dramatic song on the album (well maybe) but because it perfectly captures the record's central message. Amid all the noise, confusion and division the song argues for connection and community. It's hopeful without being naive and uplifting without feeling forced. That's what I think makes *Sanctuary* so addictive. It carries many of the qualities fans fell in love with on *Fallen*....the huge choruses, the haunting piano, the emotional honesty and Amy's unmistakable voice but it never feels trapped in nostalgia. It honours Evanescence's past while continuing to push forward. > At a time when social media algorithms, misinformation and political division seem determined to push people further apart, Amy argues on *Sanctuary* that genuine human connection has become a form of resistance in itself. Amy's songwriting has always spoken to people who feel a little out of place, and as a closeted 15 year old gay teenager that was very much me. *Bring Me to Life* captured the loneliness of not quite knowing who I was and being terrified of anyone finding out. *Everybody's Fool* became the soundtrack to my teenage masking era as I tried, unsuccessfully, to be less gay and somehow magically neurotypical. More than twenty years later, *Sanctuary* feels like the next chapter. Where *Fallen* sat with the darkness, *Sanctuary* reaches for the light offering hope, healing and connection. For anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, that's a message that feels more powerful than ever. Stream the #DALEYPOP X AUGUST 2026 playlist [HERE](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2HshaHrCDLe4AoC4UE0MYb?ref=scenemag.co.uk) and follow the official Scene Spotify [HERE](https://open.spotify.com/user/31yhhvqrnncziyslp6w3lcq5haym?ref=scenemag.co.uk).🎧✨ ### Boy George hits back at ‘gay folk’ criticising his new pro-Israel song URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/boy-george-hits-back-at-gay-folk-criticising-his-new-pro-israel-song/ Last updated: 2026-07-31T13:12:58.000Z **Boy George** has hit back at criticism from some LGBTQ+ people over his controversial new song *We Will Dance Again*, insisting he will not “pipe down” and accusing “gay folk” of attacking him online because of his outspoken support for Israel. The **Culture Club** star made the comments in a lengthy post on X as debate continues over the AI-assisted track, which was inspired by the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. George said friends and supporters had urged him to stay quiet and allow the controversy to fade, but insisted he had no intention of backing down. “So many people are calling me and saying I should pipe down and let it blow over and while they mean well I'm afraid it's not an option,” he wrote. > So many people are calling me and saying I should pipe down and let it blow over and while they mean well I'm afraid it's not an option. > Doubling down works for Donald Trump and we share a birthday with Che Guevara, Alan Carr and Paul O'Grady. > What a supergroup that would be.… [pic.twitter.com/6KEw8VPScu](https://t.co/6KEw8VPScu?ref=scenemag.co.uk) > > — Boy George (@BoyGeorge) [July 31, 2026](https://x.com/BoyGeorge/status/2083135945268682894?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) The singer joked that his determination to “double down” may be linked to sharing a birthday with figures including **Donald Trump**, **Che Guevara**, comedian **Alan Carr** and late entertainer **Paul O'Grady**. However, George reserved much of his criticism for opponents within the LGBTQ+ community, saying he was surprised by the number of gay people challenging his views online. “What is most shocking is the amount of gay folk attacking me,” he wrote, adding that “no gay person speaks for an entire community”. The singer also defended comments he has previously made about threats facing Jewish people, arguing that LGBTQ+ people should recognise the dangers posed by extremism. “When I say ‘they want to kill every last one of us’ I am also talking about us queers not just the Jewish community,” he wrote. “When will you wake up?” The singer also condemned anonymous social media users who direct abuse at others without revealing their identities. “Regardless of which side you take, I am disgusted by anyone who posts hatred against anyone but refuses to show their face,” he wrote. “If you have something powerful to say then you should have the guts to show the world who you are.” ### New toolkit aims to help LGBTQ+ football fans build supporters’ groups URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/new-toolkit-aims-to-help-lgbtq-football-fans-build-supporters-groups/ Last updated: 2026-07-31T11:42:59.000Z [A new free toolkit](https://www.prideinfootball.org.uk/resources?ref=scenemag.co.uk) has been launched to help LGBTQ+ football fans establish, run and grow supporters’ groups at clubs across the UK. The **LGBTQ+ Supporter Group Toolkit** has been produced by the **Football Supporters’ Association** (FSA) and **Pride in Football**, bringing together more than a decade of experience from LGBTQ+ fan groups into a single resource. Since the first LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups were formed in 2013, the movement has expanded to more than 50 active groups representing clubs across England, Scotland and Wales, as well as the UK’s national teams. The new guide is designed to support fans at every level of the football pyramid who are considering starting a group or developing an existing one. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/The-LGBTQ--supporter-group-toolkit---Photo-courtesy-of-Pride-in-Football--credit-required-.jpg) The LGBTQ+ supporter group toolkit. Photo courtesy of Pride in Football The toolkit highlights the importance of LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups in creating welcoming spaces within football. As Derby County supporters’ group **Rainbow Rams** explains in the guide: “Our flag shows the next generation that they don't have to choose between who they love and the club they support.” The resource covers a wide range of topics, including setting up a group, developing a name and logo, building a social media presence, organising matchday events and taking part in campaigns such as **Football v Homophobia**’s ***Month of Action,*** **Premier League With Pride** and the **EFL Rainbow Ball** initiative. It also includes guidance on trans inclusion, governance, fundraising, committee structures, media engagement and long-term growth. The toolkit features case studies from established groups including **Manchester United**’s **Rainbow Devils**, **Sheffield United**’s **Rainbow Blades**, **Tottenham Hotspur**’s **Proud Lilywhites** and **West Ham United**’s **Pride of Irons**. It also provides practical templates for press releases, welcome emails and group rules. The project was developed by a volunteer working group with support from Pride in Football and the FSA’s ***Fans for Diversity*** campaign, which is run in partnership with anti-discrimination charity **Kick It Out**. **Nilesh Chauhan** and **Hannah Kumari**, campaign managers for *Fans for Diversity*, said: “This project and the finished product demonstrate what football supporters can achieve when they work together. “The Football Supporters’ Association is proud to have partnered with Pride in Football to create a toolkit that will support existing LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups and those looking to establish new ones. By capturing and building on more than a decade of progress, this resource helps ensure a strong and sustainable future for LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Inside-the-Toolkit---Photo-courtesy-of-Pride-in-Football--credit-required-.jpg) Inside the Toolkit. Photo courtesy of Pride in Football **Cass Hyde**, campaigns officer for Pride in Football and co-chair of Rainbow Devils, said the toolkit had been designed to recognise the diversity of LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups across the game. “LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own priorities, which reflect its own club, community and members,” Hyde said. “That’s why this is a toolkit, not a manual; it gives groups, old and new, the expertise and support to grow in whatever direction they need. And if you’ve ever thought about starting a group at your club, whatever level of the football pyramid it plays at, this toolkit was made for you.” [The toolkit is available free of charge](https://www.prideinfootball.org.uk/resources?ref=scenemag.co.uk). Fans interested in setting up or developing an LGBTQ+ supporters’ group can also access support through Pride in Football’s network of more than 50 groups and the FSA’s Fans for Diversity campaign and LGBTQ+ Hub. ### Former clerk Kim Davis accused of hiding inheritance to avoid paying gay couple she denied marriage licence URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/former-clerk-kim-davis-accused-of-hiding-inheritance-to-avoid-paying-gay-couple-she-denied-marriage-licence/ Last updated: 2026-07-31T11:36:35.000Z Former Kentucky county clerk **Kim Davis** has been accused of concealing a substantial inheritance in an effort to avoid paying more than $565,000 in damages and legal fees awarded to a gay couple whose constitutional rights she violated. Lawyers representing **David Ermold** and **David Moore** have asked a federal court to investigate claims that Davis transferred or failed to disclose assets after inheriting property from her late mother. They argue the former clerk has not made a meaningful effort to satisfy the judgment awarded following years of legal battles stemming from her refusal to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples. Davis became a prominent figure in the culture wars in 2015 when she refused to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples after the **US Supreme Court**'s landmark *Obergefell v Hodges* ruling legalised equal marriage nationwide. Davis cited her religious beliefs as justification for her actions. Among the couples denied licences were Ermold and Moore, who later sued Davis. In 2023, a federal jury awarded the couple $100,000 each in damages, while another same-sex couple involved in the case received the same amount. The total amount Davis is now alleged to owe, including legal costs and interest, exceeds $565,000. Court filings by the couples' legal team reportedly claim Davis inherited property and other assets but failed to properly disclose them during efforts to collect the judgment. They argue the alleged transfers raise questions about whether she is attempting to shield assets from creditors. Ermold and Moore's lawyers have asked the court to compel further financial disclosures and examine whether Davis has complied with her legal obligations. The dispute marks the latest chapter in a case that has become emblematic of the struggle for LGBTQ+ equality in the United States. Civil rights advocates have long argued that Davis's actions represented unlawful discrimination against same-sex couples seeking to exercise their constitutional right to marry. For Ermold and Moore, the case has never been solely about financial compensation. The couple have repeatedly said their legal challenge was intended to ensure that public officials cannot deny services to LGBTQ+ people based on personal religious beliefs. LGBTQ+ rights groups have welcomed efforts to enforce the judgment, arguing that court rulings protecting equal marriage rights are meaningful only when they are fully upheld. Davis has continued to defend her actions, maintaining that she acted in accordance with her Christian faith. Her supporters have portrayed her as a victim of government overreach, while critics say public officials have a duty to follow the law regardless of their personal beliefs. The court has not yet ruled on the latest allegations regarding Davis's finances. ### "We are a shining beacon to queer communities across the world." Council leader Bella Sankey releases statement ahead of Brighton & Hove Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/we-are-a-shining-beacon-to-queer-communities-across-the-world-council-leader-bella-sankey-releases-statement-ahead-of-brighton-hove-pride/ Last updated: 2026-07-31T11:07:49.000Z ***Words by Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council.*** Pride weekend is one of this city’s largest and most important celebrations. It is a collective outpouring of love, unity and solidarity which shows Brighton & Hove at its very best. This city has long been a place where people’s individuality could thrive. When the Prince Regent started building his pavilion here in the 1780s, he turned this town into somewhere people came to be a little more themselves than they could afford to be anywhere else. That spirit of freedom and self-expression didn't leave when he did. It took root in the fabric of our city and found new people to hold onto it. By the Victorian age, working class Londoners could embrace this spirit too. A weekend by the sea, a cheap train ticket down from London, a boarding house where nobody knew your name, that was permission enough for thousands of ordinary people to loosen the grip of a society that watched them – and judged them - too closely at home. Brighton & Hove became a place you escaped to. A place you could unashamedly be your authentic self. A place you could breathe. And for generations of people whose lives didn't fit the restrictive and draconian rules of the time, that weekend away or trip to Brighton & Hove was often the only freedom they got all year. Blue plaques, buildings, street and buses across the city bear the names and witness influential people who made their homes here, discretely living lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer lives even if the language they used was different in those days. By 1972, that spirit had a ‘new’ name and a cause. Twenty people - students, local gay men and lesbians - barely more than a decade after homosexuality had even been partially decriminalised -, walked along our seafront between the piers, chanting into the wind that being gay was good, not shameful. The city – and the wider movement – would never be the same again. A year later, they held Britain's second-ever Pride march. It didn't need to repeat immediately, because something had already changed - a phone line had opened, a switchboard had started ringing, and people in this city had decided that support and visibility mattered. Through the AIDS crisis, through Section 28, through years when the law and the press were actively hostile, this city kept building support services; kept showing and sharing love. That collective spirit, that bravery and sense of community and solidarity – that determination to change society for the better - is something we should always make time to remember and reflect on because it mattered and continues to matter today. The Tay memorial in New Steine Gardens still catches the light in the shape of a red ribbon, so that no one who walks through those gardens forgets who we lost during the dark years of the AIDS epidemic and who we keep fighting for. Pride may be the city’s biggest celebration, but finding time throughout the year for contemplation and reflection remains vital. As a city we celebrate, but we must also remember the sacrifices, the hard-won freedoms, and the very real challenges and barriers so many still face today. In 2013, Brighton & Hove did something no other British city had done - it held the country's first Trans Pride, because the TNBI people organising it understood that "be yourself" isn't a slogan you get to apply selectively. So, when people ask why Brighton & Hove is known as the gay capital, the answer is clear: it's because we have never been quiet about our LGBTQ+ community or our unwavering belief that all our communities help make this such a special place. We are a shining beacon to queer communities across the world. And that’s what fills me with pride. From a windy seafront in 1972 to Trans Pride marches 40,000 strong, our city’s bold voice continues to carry – to reach every LGBTQ+ person elsewhere who has ever wondered if there's somewhere they'd be safe to simply be who they are. So, whether you're marching in the parade, dancing at the street party, cheering from your window, quietly expressing your truth, following events from elsewhere in the world, or helping the city run smoothly over a busy weekend, I wish you a wonderful, meaningful and uplifting Pride. ### INTERVIEW: Hugh Sheehan uncovers the men Britain criminalised for being gay in award-winning Criminally Queer: The Bolton 7 podcast URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/interview-hugh-sheehan-on-his-award-winning-podcast-criminally-queer-the-bolton-7-in-the-series-we-make-no-bones-about-observing-the-parallels-between-the-rhetoric-and-language-used-to-/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T11:56:46.000Z Composer. Sound designer. Writer. Audio producer. All round storyteller. Basically if it involves telling a great story through sound, **Hugh Sheehan** has probably got it covered! Originally from **Birmingham** and now based in **London** after a decade in **Helsinki** (which feels like a story in itself), Hugh creates work that spans theatre, podcasts, radio, film and live performance. In February 2025, Hugh released an award-winning **BBC Sounds** podcast called *Criminally Queer: The Bolton 7* which quickly established itself as one of the year's essential listens. In 2026, interest in the series surged once again after the Bolton 7 case was referenced in **Channel 4**'s **Tip Toe** introducing the story to a new audience and reigniting discussion about one of the most significant yet overlooked chapters in recent LGBTQ+ history. Described by **The Guardian** as "mind-bending" and "a staggering tale" and praised by **The Sunday Times** as "a sad, startling story skilfully unravelled". The series explores the shocking true story of seven gay and bisexual men (the Bolton 7) who were prosecuted following consensual group sex in **Bolton** (up North) in 1998 and how their case became part of the wider fight for LGBTQ+ rights. What began as a local criminal case soon exposed deep rooted prejudice within the legal system and sparked questions about privacy, justice and discrimination. Through personal testimonies, historical context and extensive research, the series reveals the lasting impact the prosecutions had on the men involved and highlights their significance in the broader struggle for equality in the **UK**. > [@bbcsounds](https://www.tiktok.com/@bbcsounds?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "@bbcsounds") Who are the Bolton 7? @Hugh Sheehan [♬ original sound - BBC Sounds](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7475326052303162134?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "♬ original sound - BBC Sounds") Far from being just another podcast (literally everyone has a podcast now), *Criminally Queer* swept up major awards including Gold AND Bronze at the **ARIAS** forBest Social Impact and Gold at the **British Podcast Awards** in the sex and relationships category and specialist podcast of the year at the **Press Gazette**’s **Future of Media Awards**. The series was also highly commended at the **British Journalism Awards**. Most importantly though (IMPO), it got people talking. Through painstaking research and compelling storytelling, Hugh shines a light on a chapter of recent British history (it honestly wasn't that long ago) that many people, myself included, didn't even know about. Wild. The series challenges listeners to think about how recently these injustices took place and the lasting impact they've had on countless lives. It's the kind of podcast that stays with you long after you've fiynished listening, sparking conversations, reflection and hopefully, a greater understanding of the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in **Britain**. So thanks Hugh, if you're reading this! Not only did you create a brilliant podcast but you introduced thousands of people to an important piece of history that deserves to be remembered. Hugh has worked on projects ranging from **The Louis Theroux Podcast** and **BBC Radio 4**'s **Profile** to productions with **Ruby Wax** and a forthcoming **Audible** documentary series. He's also an acclaimed composer and sound designer whose work has been performed across **Europe** and **North America**. His 2023 debut album *Shapes That Are Different* mixed folk music, electronic soundscapes and documentary audio into what sounds like the coolest concept album you've never heard! When he's not creating award-winning podcasts, composing, producing or generally making the rest of us wonder how there are enough hours in the day, Hugh is also Musical Director of Comhaltas at [**Ceol Le Chéile**](https://www.instagram.com/comhaltas%5Fin%5Fbritain?ref=scenemag.co.uk) and also the founder of record label and concert series **Hybrid Forms**. Somehow Hugh managed to squeeze me in for a yap so let's get to know the man behind the stories and let's dive in....head first! DALEYPOP: HUGH! How's your day been so far?! HUGH SHEEHAN: Not too bad, thanks! I’m sat doing work on my balcony. The local primary school is having its sports day in the park below so there’s lots of laughter and cheering filling the air. DALEYPOP: For our readers who haven't heard of you or your *Criminally Queer: The Bolton 7* podcast yet, can you introduce yourself and what's the elevator pitch for your pod? HUGH SHEEHAN: I’m an audio producer, writer, composer, and sound designer making work for podcast/radio, theatre, concert hall and screen. My practice often explores questions of gender and sexuality, desire and shame, assimilation and radicalism. > My podcast *Criminally Queer* is a five part narrative audio documentary series which examines a little known 1998 legal case in which seven gay and bisexual men were arrested and charged with the archaic offences of gross indecency and buggery following consensual group sex. The series also acts as a framework to more broadly explore the criminalisation of queerness, and asks: how far have we really come? DALEYPOP: Good question. I can imagine that there were loads but were there any stand out moments during your research for the podcast about the Bolton 7 that genuinely super shocked you? HUGH SHEEHAN: There were many moments if I’m being honest. Maybe the first and most memorable was getting hold of the trial and police interview transcripts. I was taken aback by the way the men were interrogated about their sex lives. Explicitly and malevolently, and how their morals and selfhood were called into question in ways that were perniciously homophobic. Another was the **British Government**’s continued failure to offer an unconditional apology to men in **England** and **Wales** criminalised for having sex with other men and the hard fought campaign for and latent introduction of disregards (meaning a person’s crimes would be treated as though they never happened) and pardons (something which carries no legal wait, but is simply an extension of the royal prerogative of mercy) for such crimes. DALEYPOP: The series explores a case from the late 90s but I'd say it feels incredibly relevant today too....why do you think the story still resonates with so many of us so strongly? HUGH SHEEHAN: Progress is not linear. > It’s easy to see how the hard won rights that LGBTQ+ people had been afforded in the 2010’s are now being revoked. The moral panic that was prevalent in discussions around age of consent equalisation and was imbued into Section 28\. The language of predation and contagion is once again rearing its head. In the series, we make no bones about observing the parallels between the rhetoric and language used to describe gay men in the 80’s and 90’s with that weaponised against trans people today. To examine these histories (widely agreed to be shocking and unjust) in such high fidelity, hopefully exposes the prejudices and hypocrisy of the attacks on marginalised people today. > [@bbcsounds](https://www.tiktok.com/@bbcsounds?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "@bbcsounds") @Hugh Sheehan [♬ original sound - BBC Sounds](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7476413604322544406?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "♬ original sound - BBC Sounds") DALEYPOP: How have reactions been from listeners? HUGH SHEEHAN: Overwhelmingly lovely. So many gay men who lived through this era of criminalisation have gotten in touch since the series was released. For many of them it feels like the first time their experiences have been properly acknowledged in public. One review on **Apple Podcasts** put it like this: “Thank you for shining a light on this. It was a hard listen but necessary. Having been a victim of this in the late-eighties with a subsequent conviction, humiliation in the local press, rejected by my family & the deep shame and humiliation that l've carried ever since. I'm surprised I'm still here, if l'm being honest. This podcast is so special & vitally important to ensure it's not forgotten.” so knowing I've had even a small hand in preserving these histories, honouring the courage of the people who lived them and bearing witness to what they went through means a great deal. ​The reaction from people outside the queer community has been similarly striking. Allies, friends and family of queer people and even those with no direct connection to the community but who simply enjoy history documentaries have responded with real generosity. > Mostly it's been shock, outrage and gratitude for having their eyes opened. It's reaffirmed something I already believed. Shine a light on injustice and people will notice a​nd hopefully act. It's given me the push to keep doing exactly that. DALEYPOP: What has been the most challenging part of telling this story responsibly and sensitively? HUGH SHEEHAN: ​Telling the story without being able to interview the seven men. Documenting someone's story without being able to hear it from them directly creates obvious narrative difficulties but underneath that sit some harder questions: who has the right to tell these stories and on what basis? > If the people who lived through a human rights injustice can't take part in how it's documented, is it still ethical to tell it? And where's the line for something being genuinely in the public interest? None of these questions have clear cut answers. I think they're the kind of quandaries anyone reporting ethically on human rights abuses or on stories involving people who've experienced trauma has to sit with. With regard to the story itself, myself and the series’ executive producer **Anishka Sharma** were both adamant in not wanting to sensationalise the mens’ ordeal and so our challenge was to make each episode engaging and arresting but in a way that was sensitive and compassionate. DALEYPOP: Well I think you definitely did that. The podcast has been on quite a winning streak recently by the way, congrats! Have you had a chance to take it all in yet? > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZIYo-cilJN/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) HUGH SHEEHAN: For the podcast to be recognised by industry peers is incredibly rewarding. Anishka and I put so much hard work into it so it’s been really nice to celebrate that. Hopefully it also means that more people hear the story of the Bolton 7 and that broadcasters will see the value in commissioning such reporting. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DPU%5FmlsCnxK/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) DALEYPOP: I hope so. The series has found a new wave of attention months after release and this year. Why do you think audiences are still discovering and connecting with it? HUGH SHEEHAN: I think when the rights of marginalised people are attacked, people will seek out literature, art and documentary that bears witness to similar injustices; be it for solace, inspiration, understanding and motivation and I think the issues we explore on the podcast are become more and more pertinent to today. DALEYPOP: So true. Did you always know the pod would be a five part series or did the story keep growing as you dug deeper? HUGH SHEEHAN: I originally pitched a five part series with five different cases but shortly after the project was commissioned we decided to focus solely on the trial of the Bolton 7\. It was remarkably under reported. There seemed to be so much to uncover, examine and contemplate that it made sense to do a deep dive into that case alone, which I think paid off. DALEYPOP: I think so too! Was there a favourite interview or conversation that didn't make the cut? HUGH SHEEHAN: Parts of every interview I conducted made the cut but I spoke to most people for at least an hour, sometimes two, so it was impossible to include everything everyone said despite all of the the interviewees being so articulate and knowledgeable. Writer **Robin Craig** was particularly insightful. He’s writing a book on the history of perversion which I’m eagerly awaiting. **Marc Thompson** was another, he’s an HIV and social justice activist who has lived a life! He’s engaging, erudite, and funny in equal measure and has done such important work. DALEYPOP: A lot of your previous work explores themes of gender, sexuality, desire and shame. What draws you to these topics? HUGH SHEEHAN: I guess my lived experience would be the main factor in my interest in these areas. Homophobia was ubiquitous when I was growing up and masculinity was currency; deviation from the norm being admonished. This was maybe part of the reason it took me so long to come to understand and accept my queerness; I didn’t come out until I was 25\. > Shouldering such a heavy weight for so long inevitably had a big effect on my sense of self and with it brought its own sadness, neuroses and anxieties. I think knowing the detrimental effects of being othered for who you are is partly what drives me to make work that examine these issues. On the other hand, being queer is now one of the best things about my life and so this is also a factor in my continued interest in making work that recognises and celebrates the rich and multiplicitous stories intertwined with sexuality and gender. DALEYPOP: Do you see your creative work as a form of activism, storytelling or maybe a bit of both? HUGH SHEEHAN: I definitely don’t see it as activism. I think activists are people who are devoting great amounts of their lives to a specific cause, to the betterment of society through the utmost means who are organising in their communities, are on the streets putting themselves in harms way on a regular basis and being locked up for protesting the greatest injustices of our time. Outside of work I try to be involved with causes that I care about and attend protests as much as possible but I wouldn’t call myself an activist and certainly wouldn’t call my work activism. Storytelling, reporting or journalism, oral history....these are perhaps all suitable names for what I do but I don’t care too much about how people categorise it. > The main goal for me is to make work that excavates a topic or a story to the fullest extent, does so in a way that is compassionate and human, is maybe idiosyncratic in its creativity and helps people understand or learn about an issue I think is important. DALEYPOP: Has making *Criminally Queer* changed you personally in any way? HUGH SHEEHAN: It’s made me appreciate the struggle of my forebearers even more than I did before. It’s inspired me to keep making work that interrogates what it is to be alive and how and why injustice manifests in the world. DALEYPOP: What does Pride personally mean to you? HUGH SHEEHAN: Pride to me means eschewing shame, celebrating otherness, rejecting assimilation, embracing unknowability, bearing witness to injustice and demanding equality and liberation. DALEYPOP: Is there another story from LGBTQ+ history you think deserves much more attention than it's currently getting? HUGH SHEEHAN: Not historical but access (or lack thereof) to trans healthcare and homelessness amongst LGBTQ+ young people. DALEYPOP: If you could interview anyone from LGBTQ+ history, who would you interview? HUGH SHEEHAN: **Edmund White**. **Sylvia Rivera**. **James Baldwin**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/1000067561.png) Pictured left to right: Novelist Edmund White, transgender activist and trailblazer Sylvia Rivera and writer and activist James Baldwin DALEYPOP: How does your background in music influence the way you tell stories in audio? HUGH SHEEHAN: Cadence, rhythm, intonation, tempo, gesture, counterpoint, harmony and dissonance are all elements I take into account when crafting an audio programme. Be it writing a script, editing an interview, sculpting sound design or arranging the macro structure of a programme. I think my musical background is always at the back of my mind when I’m making decisions. DALEYPOP: Are you the kind of person who is constantly noticing sounds everywhere you go then? HUGH SHEEHAN: Yes! I’m really sensitive to anything auditory. It can be cool. I’ll often find beauty or richness in mundane sounds and I guess it means I move through the world focussing on sonorities that others may be less attuned to. But it can also be quite annoying. I was at the cinema last night and the (admittedly not very loud) air conditioning was doing my head in because it interfered with the sound world of the film so much. The friend I was with wasn’t bothered by it. > I recently read an interesting article on misophonia (a decreased tolerance for specific sounds) and a lot of it resonated with me…. DALEYPOP: If your creative career had to be soundtracked by one song....what would it be? HUGH SHEEHAN: Ooft, hard one. Today’s answer would be *An Bhuatais* by **Michelle Mulchahy**. It’s an Irish slow air played on the harp. It so intricately distills the beauty, complexity, sorrow and joy of what it is to be an artist (and human). DALEYPOP: Podcast, theatre or music. If someone put a water pistol to your head and you can only keep one for a year. Which survives? HUGH SHEEHAN: Music! It enriches life no end. It’s so intertwined with my every day. I love it so much. DALEYPOP: I know we're here to mainly yap about your podcast today but....what other podcasts do you listen to? Do you have any guilty pleasures? HUGH SHEEHAN: Outside of documentaries, I listen to a lot of the two comedians yapping genre of podcast. One of my favourites is [**Seek Treatment**](https://www.instagram.com/seektreatmentpod?ref=scenemag.co.uk), “a podcast about boys, sex, fucking, dating, and love,” in which the American alt-comedians [**Cat Cohen**](https://www.instagram.com/cat%5Fcohen?ref=scenemag.co.uk) and [**Pat Regan**](https://www.instagram.com/patreegs?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ruminate on their work, social and sex lives. Sometimes they have guests on who they’ll ask “who were you, who are you, and who do you want to be?” which I think is perhaps the most perfect question. They just published their 500th episode and so have established a deep and absurd vernacular. I find their irreverence and unbridled honesty equal parts entertaining and calmative. DALEYPOP: Super important question: who's your crush of the day?! HUGH SHEEHAN: Weirdly, crush of the week is one of the sign off questions that Cat and Pat ask each other at the end of every episode of Seek Treatment which makes me think maybe you’re a fan? My crush of the day is **Arthur Russell**’s album *World Of Echo*. Russell’s only studio album release, it's a beautiful, sprawling melange of cello, voice and delays. **Criminally Queer: The Bolton 7* is available now via BBC Sounds [HERE](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0kqbqw2?ref=scenemag.co.uk) or wherever you listen to your podcasts. **Shapes That Are Different* (Hugh's debut album) is available on all streaming platforms now. ### Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles to make UK debut with concerts supporting Terrence Higgins Trust URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/gay-mens-chorus-of-los-angeles-to-make-uk-debut-with-concerts-supporting-terrence-higgins-trust/ Last updated: 2026-07-30T11:40:13.000Z The **Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles** (GMCLA) will make its first-ever visit to the UK next month, with three London concerts raising funds for HIV charity **Terrence Higgins Trust**. Nearly 80 singers from the renowned LGBTQ+ choir will travel to the capital following appearances at **WorldPride Amsterdam** to perform *Love Across the Pond* at **The Actors’ Church** in **Covent Garden** on **7 & 8 August**. Proceeds from the concerts will support the work of Terrence Higgins Trust, the HIV and sexual health charity. **Lou Spisto**, Executive Director and Producer of GMCLA, said the partnership was particularly meaningful given the shared history of both organisations during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. “For nearly five decades, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles has believed that music can do more than entertain – it can create community, give voice to those who have been silenced, and help change hearts and minds,” he said. Founded in 1979, GMCLA has become one of the largest and most influential LGBTQ+ arts organisations in the United States. The chorus has performed throughout key moments in LGBTQ+ history, from the fight for equality and marriage rights to raising awareness during the AIDS crisis. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/503378050_1254029709615099_4461165233704403117_n.jpg) Spisto said the epidemic remains a defining part of the choir’s story. “Like gay men’s choruses across America, we lost far too many members and friends during those years, and music became both an act of mourning and an act of resistance,” he said. “We sang at memorials, we sang for people who could no longer sing beside us, and we sang against the fear, stigma and silence surrounding HIV and AIDS.” He added that the group wanted its UK debut to be about more than simply performing concerts. “We wanted our time in London to have a purpose that reflected where we came from and the values we still carry with us today,” he said. Spisto said choosing Terrence Higgins Trust as the beneficiary of the performances was a natural fit. “The Trust was born out of the same crisis that so profoundly shaped GMCLA and the wider LGBTQ+ community, and its continuing work to end new HIV cases and confront HIV stigma speaks directly to a struggle our organisations have shared across generations and across the Atlantic,” he said. “While extraordinary progress has been made since the darkest days of the epidemic, that work is not finished.” The concerts will feature a wide-ranging programme spanning Motown, Broadway, gospel, pop and LGBTQ+ anthems, which Spisto described as “a celebration of joy, resilience and the extraordinary culture our community has created”. Reflecting on the significance of the visit, he added: “Our histories are connected, our struggles have crossed borders and so has our pride. After 47 years of singing for equality and belonging, we can think of no more fitting partner for our first performances in the UK than Terrence Higgins Trust.” Terrence Higgins Trust said funds raised through the performances will help support its ongoing work to end new HIV transmissions in the UK and tackle the stigma that people living with HIV continue to face. 💡 The **Love Across the Pond* concerts take place at The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden, on Friday 7 August and Saturday 8 August. Tickets [HERE](https://actorschurch.org/whatson/gay-mens-chorus-of-los-angeles/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### LGBTQ+ group raises thousands to counter anti-gay parenting billboards URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-groups-raise-thousands-to-counter-anti-gay-parenting-billboards/ Last updated: 2026-07-30T11:57:20.000Z LGBTQ+ campaigners in Ohio have raised thousands of dollars to fund pro-LGBTQ+ messages after a series of billboards criticising same-sex parents appeared across the state. The billboards, erected in Lima by the Seattle-based organisation **Them Before Us**, carried the slogans: “No child has two moms” and “No child has two dads”, displayed in rainbow-coloured lettering. **Katy Faust**, founder and president of Them Before Us, defended the campaign, arguing that children benefit from being raised by both a mother and a father. However, the billboards prompted a swift response from LGBTQ+ advocates. Dayton-based organisation **Have a Gay Day** launched an online fundraiser with the aim of purchasing advertising space for a counter-campaign. According to local broadcaster **WTVG**, the appeal raised more than $18,000 (£13,500) within 24 hours, dramatically exceeding its initial target of $500. The group used the funds to purchase electronic billboard adverts carrying the messages: “Many children have two dads”, “Many children have two moms”, and “You are loved”. **Michael Knote**, founder and executive director of Have a Gay Day, said the strong public response demonstrated support for LGBTQ+ families and young people. The controversy has reignited debate over similar campaigns elsewhere in Ohio. **Jeff Givan**, a member of the **Lima Pride Alliance** and a candidate for **Ohio House District 78**, told the *Columbus Dispatch* that comparable billboards sponsored by Them Before Us have previously appeared in Cleveland, Columbus and near Toledo. LGBTQ+ advocates have expressed concern about the impact such messages may have on children from same-sex parent families. “It’s not making any impact on the people who agree with that,” **Zachary Joseph**, director of Ohio Pride, told the *Dispatch*. “The impact that I’m seeing, and what makes me so upset, is the impact on the kid who drives past that billboard and has two moms or who has two dads. That’s telling them they’re different. And that’s not OK.” The issue also sparked a public demonstration, with LGBTQ+ groups and supporters gathering outside Lima Municipal Building on Monday to protest the billboards. Among those attending was Lima resident **Melissa Ladden**, who argued that the quality of care and support children receive is more important than the gender of their parents. “As long as children have loving people in their life, it doesn’t matter the combination of women or men – they just need people to show up for them,” she said. “There’s so many traditional families that their children are so unhappy, so I don’t think it has anything to do with who’s loving you.” ### Restore Britain councillor 'triggered' by rainbow picnic table URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/restore-britain-councillor-triggered-by-rainbow-picnic-table/ Last updated: 2026-07-30T09:11:53.000Z A **Restore Britain** councillor has been accused of homophobia after claiming that a rainbow-coloured picnic table at a South Wales shopping centre represented a “mandatory ideology” that was becoming “impossible to escape”. **Owain Clatworthy**, who represents Pyle, Kenfig Hill and Cefn Cribwr on **Bridgend County Borough Council**, sparked a backlash after sharing a photograph of the rainbow-painted picnic bench outside a Marks & Spencer in Bridgend. Posting on Facebook on **Tuesday, 28 July**, Cllr Clatworthy criticised the display, writing: “You can’t even sit down for a coffee at McArthur Glen for five minutes without being reminded of the latest mandatory ideology. “This isn’t about kindness or inclusion. It’s about making one political view impossible to escape in every public space. “Ordinary people are tired of it. They just want to live their lives without every surface being turned into a billboard.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Facebook-Template-8.png) The comments quickly drew criticism online, with many social media users accusing the councillor of overreacting to a symbol widely associated with LGBTQ+ inclusion and Pride. Thousands of people responded to the post, with some mocking the councillor for appearing to be “triggered” by a picnic table painted in rainbow colours. Others were more direct in their criticism. One commenter wrote: “Imagine being offended by a bench.” Another described the post as “embarrassing”, while others accused Cllr Clatworthy of promoting anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. Several users branded the councillor a “bigot” and “homophobic”, arguing that rainbow symbols are intended to signal support and inclusion rather than promote a political agenda. The row comes as rainbow flags and Pride-themed displays continue to be used by businesses, councils and organisations across the UK to demonstrate support for LGBTQ+ communities. Restore Britain, the political party Cllr Clatworthy represents, has positioned itself against what it describes as “woke ideology” and identity politics, frequently criticising diversity and inclusion initiatives. ### London vigil honours victims of Berlin Pride attack as LGBTQ+ leaders vow ‘we will not be frightened back into the shadows’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/london-vigil-honours-victims-of-berlin-pride-attack-as-lgbtq-leaders-vow-we-will-not-be-frightened-back-into-the-shadows/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T13:18:24.000Z LGBTQ+ community leaders, campaigners and politicians gathered in London this week to remember those killed and injured in the attack on Berlin’s **Christopher Street Day** celebrations, standing in solidarity with Germany’s LGBTQ+ community and reaffirming their commitment to Pride. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/759920023_789973790840875_7466220605761203142_n.png-1.jpeg) The vigil took place just days after the attack at Berlin’s annual Pride event. Attendees came together to pay tribute to the victims and send a message of unity in the face of anti-LGBTQ+ violence. Among those speaking at the event were **Stonewall** chair **Olivia Campbell-Cavendish**, **Pride in London** co-chief executive **Rebecca Paisis** and London Mayor **Sadiq Khan**. Stonewall chief executive **Simon Blake** said the gathering demonstrated the resilience of LGBTQ+ communities in the face of hatred and attempts to intimidate them. “Acts of hate are a deliberate attempt to frighten and divide us,” he said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/760055563_2267075517378754_4954235701119385139_n.png-1.jpeg) Simon Blake “As a lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer community we cannot be divided and we cannot be frightened back into the shadows. We deserve to take up space, we deserve love and we deserve to go home.” The vigil comes at a time of heightened concern about rising anti-LGBTQ+ hostility across Europe and beyond. Speakers stressed that attacks targeting LGBTQ+ people are intended to create fear, but said the response must be one of solidarity and visibility. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/756227214_1350603780534905_4210882275811958942_n.png-1.jpeg) ****Sadiq Khan** Stonewall said the events of the past week had underlined why Pride remains as important as ever. “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us,” the organisation said in a statement following the vigil. “The past week has shown us precisely why we need Pride.” The charity reaffirmed its commitment to campaigning for a future where LGBTQ+ people can live openly and safely, free from discrimination and violence. “At Stonewall, we will not stop until every LGBTQ+ person can live openly and be free without fear,” the organisation said. ### Major Labour unions to boycott women’s conference over trans exclusion URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/major-labour-unions-to-boycott-womens-conference-over-trans-exclusion/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T13:09:37.000Z Several of Labour’s biggest trade union backers will boycott the party’s women’s conference this year in protest at the exclusion of trans women from formal proceedings. **Unison**, **Aslef**, **Usdaw** and the **Musicians’ Union** have confirmed they will not send delegations to **Labour Women’s Conference** in Liverpool in September, arguing that the policy conflicts with their longstanding support for trans inclusion. The dispute centres on a decision by Labour’s **National Executive Committee** (NEC) to bar trans women from taking part in the conference’s official business, including speeches, policy debates and voting. Trans women will still be able to attend fringe events, which remain open to all regardless of sex or gender identity. The move follows legal advice received by the party after last year’s Supreme Court ruling on the definition of "woman" under the **Equality Act**. Labour subsequently cancelled its 2025 women’s conference while it considered the implications of the judgment. Before the ruling, Labour had allowed all members who identified as women, including trans women, to participate in the event. The boycott represents a significant challenge for the party, with the unions involved among Labour’s largest financial supporters. **Unison**, which represents more than 1.3 million workers and has donated tens of millions of pounds to Labour over the past quarter-century, said it would not attend because the restrictions run contrary to its policies on trans equality. A spokesperson said: “The union’s decided against sending a delegation to Labour women’s conference this year. “This is because the party’s restrictions on access run counter to UNISON’s policy on trans equality.” **Usdaw**, which represents more than 360,000 workers in retail, distribution and manufacturing, has taken the same position. A spokesperson said: “The union’s decided against sending a delegation to Labour women’s conference this year. “This is because the party has excluded trans women, which runs counter to Usdaw’s policy on trans equality.” Train drivers’ union Aslef and the Musicians’ Union have also confirmed they will not participate in the conference. The Musicians’ Union said its decision reflected a “long-standing position of trans inclusion”. The move has been welcomed by trans rights campaigners, who argue that trans women have long played an active role within Labour’s structures and should not be excluded from democratic participation. **Labour for Trans Rights** said it was “extremely disappointed” by the policy “For decades, trans women members have had a home in Labour’s structures, and it’s not acceptable that they’re being so blatantly excluded,” the group said. “The trade union movement, including the Labour-affiliated unions, have been incredible allies to the trans community. We hope that they’ll continue to use their influence in the Party to shift the new government towards a far more inclusive position.” ### Brighton Bear Weekend 2026: The Community, The Bears, The Heart URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-bear-weekend-2026/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T12:34:52.000Z With **Brighton Pride 2026** just around the corner and thousands of visitors preparing to descend on the city, we thought it was the perfect time to look back at another of Brighton's much-loved celebrations – **Brighton Bear Weekend 2026**. From laughter and live performances to heartfelt conversations and plenty of sweaty hugs (it *was* a heatwave, after all!), this year's event was a beautiful reminder of what makes Brighton so special: community. Our reporter **Liran Notik** caught up backstage with some of the incredible people who helped make the weekend so memorable. From community leaders and performers to this year's newly crowned Bear, every conversation reflected the warmth, inclusivity and cheeky spirit that defines the Brighton Bears family. ## Watch Our Interview: Matteo, Winner of Brighton Bear 2026 0:00 /3:22 1× Only moments after being crowned **Brighton Bear 2026**, **Matteo** somehow managed to pause long enough for a chat with us before being whisked away for hugs, congratulations and what felt like hundreds of photos. Still riding the adrenaline, he spoke about what winning the title means to him, the responsibility that comes with representing the community, and how proud he is to be part of such an inclusive and supportive family. ## Watch Our Interview: Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Theresa Fowler 0:00 /1:54 1× Just moments before the celebrations continued, Liran Notik Chatted with **Cllr** **Mayor Theresa Fowler**, who spoke about why it was important for her to attend Brighton Bear Weekend and stand alongside the city's LGBTQ+ communities. She shared how events like these strengthen Brighton & Hove's reputation as one of the UK's most welcoming and inclusive cities, while also proving that showing up, supporting one another and celebrating diversity really does matter. ## Watch Our Interview: Alan Hiscutt 0:00 /0:50 1× No Brighton Bear Weekend would be complete without catching up with **Alan Hiscutt**, one of the driving forces behind the event. Alan reflected on another hugely successful weekend, the incredible volunteers who make everything happen behind the scenes, and why the bear community continues to thrive year after year. His passion for creating welcoming spaces for everyone shines through in every conversation. ## Watch Our Interview: Doctor Woof 0:00 /0:43 1× Fresh from landing... somewhere in space and time... **Doctor Woof** brought plenty of laughs as he chatted with Liran about performing in Brighton, his larger-than-life character and why the Bears know exactly how to throw a party. Equal parts hilarious, charming and wonderfully bonkers, this was one interview that had us smiling from beginning to end. ## Watch Our Interview: Paul Middleton 0:00 /0:57 1× Travelling all the way from Berlin, singer **Paul Middleton** had only just stepped off stage when we grabbed him for a quick chat. Still buzzing from his performance, Paul spoke about the warm welcome he received from Brighton audiences and why performing for the bear community is always such a special experience. Safe to say, the crowd loved every minute. ## Watch Our Interview: Rose Garden 0:00 /0:53 1× Brighton favourite **Rose Garden, Host of Bear weekend 2026,** brought plenty of glamour, laughter and heart to the weekend. We spoke about the importance of being an ally, celebrating every part of our LGBTQ+ family, and why events like Brighton Bear Weekend continue to create spaces where people can simply be themselves. As always, Rose delivered wisdom with a healthy dose of fabulousness. Brighton Bear Weekend once again proved that it's about so much more than titles, beards and bears. It's a celebration of friendship, body confidence, kindness, inclusivity and finding your people. As Brighton gears up for another incredible Pride, we're grateful to everyone who took the time to speak with us and, more importantly, to everyone who helped make this year's Bear Weekend such a memorable one. See you at Pride... and don't forget to stay hydrated! ☀️🐻🌈 ### Lecturer loses appeal after calling trans student a ‘troublesome trans kid’ and using homophobic slur URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lecturer-loses-appeal-after-calling-trans-student-a-troublesome-trans-kid-and-using-homophobic-slur/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T12:29:03.000Z A university lecturer who referred to a trans student as a “troublesome trans kid” and used a homophobic slur in class has lost his final attempt to challenge his dismissal. **Russell Cherrington**, a senior film studies lecturer at the **University of Derby**, was dismissed for gross misconduct in April 2024 after students raised concerns about language they described as transphobic, homophobic, misogynistic and ableist. An **Employment Appeal Tribunal** (EAT) has now upheld an earlier ruling that found his dismissal was fair, rejecting arguments that his rights to freedom of expression and academic freedom had been breached. The case arose after students on the university’s Film and High-End TV course raised concerns about Cherrington’s conduct. Four students made formal complaints, leading to an internal investigation. According to tribunal findings, Cherrington referred to a student who was transitioning as a “troublesome trans kid”. He also admitted telling a student wearing nail polish: “If you had worn that nail polish back in the day, you would have been called a p\*\*f.” Students also complained about repeated references to women as “females” and comments they considered sexist and demeaning. The university concluded that the lecturer’s behaviour had created an unsafe learning environment and damaged trust with students. In the appeal judgment, **Mr Justice Cavanagh** noted that the university disciplinary panel found Cherrington had engaged in discriminatory behaviour despite receiving relevant training. The judgment states that the university had concluded there could be no confidence that similar incidents would not happen again if he returned to teaching. The tribunal also heard that Cherrington lacked insight into the impact of his comments. While he acknowledged making some of the remarks, he argued they had either been jokes or had caused no harm. Cherrington challenged his dismissal on the grounds that his rights to freedom of speech and academic freedom had not been properly considered. However, the Employment Appeal Tribunal rejected those arguments and found no fault with the earlier decision. Mr Justice Cavanagh ruled that the original tribunal had been fully aware of the university’s obligations to protect freedom of expression while also maintaining a safe and inclusive learning environment. “The appeal is dismissed,” he concluded. ### Football sees surge in homophobic and transphobic abuse, says Kick It Out URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/football-sees-surge-in-homophobic-and-transphobic-abuse-says-kick-it-out/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T12:18:58.000Z Reports of homophobic abuse in football rose by 46% last season, according to new figures from **Kick It Out**, which also highlighted an increase in transphobic chanting across the game. The anti-discrimination charity received a record 1,744 reports during the 2025-26 season, a 25% increase on the previous campaign. Among them were 203 reports of homophobia, the highest figure recorded by the organisation and one of the sharpest rises among all forms of discrimination. Kick It Out said the figures demonstrate that anti-LGBTQ+ abuse remains a significant problem in football, despite ongoing efforts to make the sport more inclusive. The charity also recorded a rise in reports of discriminatory mass chanting, which reached a record 142 incidents. Those reports included increases in homophobic chanting, alongside transphobic, racist, sexist and ableist abuse. Overall, reports increased across the professional game, grassroots football and online spaces, with the charity receiving 1,255 reports of separate discriminatory incidents. The figures come amid wider concerns about growing levels of hate speech and discriminatory rhetoric in society. Kick It Out said discrimination remains "deeply embedded" within football and pointed to increases across almost every category of abuse. **Samuel Okafor**, chief executive of Kick It Out, said: "These figures show that discrimination remains deeply embedded across the game at a time when we're also seeing rises in hate crime and divisive political rhetoric in Britain. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbXh49enMzy/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Kick It Out (@kickitout)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbXh49enMzy/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) "But they also show that people are more willing to stand up to abuse when they see it, and it's encouraging to see professional players set that example last season." The charity said improved reporting mechanisms may also be contributing to the rise in figures. Over the past year it has strengthened partnerships with organisations including **Football v Homophobia**, **Her Game Too** and the **Frank Soo Foundation** in an effort to boost confidence among victims and witnesses to report discrimination. While racism remained the most commonly reported form of discrimination, accounting for 792 reports, Kick It Out said the increase in homophobic abuse and reports of transphobic chanting showed that LGBTQ+ supporters, players and participants continue to face hostility at all levels of the game. The organisation is calling for stronger action from football authorities, social media companies, regulators and government to tackle abuse and ensure football is welcoming to everyone. Okafor added: "While we recognise that there is a lot of good work ongoing in football to tackle discrimination, we will continue to work with football authorities, clubs, leagues, regulators and government to ensure we match the courage shown to report abuse with clear and consistent action so that football is welcoming to everyone." The latest figures follow a number of initiatives aimed at improving inclusion within football, but Kick It Out said the continued rise in reports underlines the need for sustained action to combat anti-LGBTQ+ abuse both in stadiums and online. ### REVIEW: 'FACADE' by Actually Gay Men's Chorus URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-facade-by-actually-gay-mens-chorus/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T11:59:18.000Z Brighton and Hove’s LGBTQ+ choral community is quite extraordinary and the [**“Actuallys”** ](https://www.actuallygmc.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)are no exception from concert to concert and year to year their ambition seems to know no bounds and the driving force of their music team of **Samuel Jame-Cousins** and **Simon Gray** push them ever forward with excellent choices of material and stunning arrangements. This season’s programmes is linked by the idea of the faces that we present and those that we hide and it works well, new material throughout but a few that they have presented before, and why not when they fit so well into the whole. And what better way to open than with a duet from **Jack Lynn** and **Alan Kite**, the stirring *Façade* from **Bricusse** and **Wildhorn**’s*Jekyll & Hyde*, what a way to open for both featured voices and the full strength of the chorus. And this was to be an evening of great solo and small group performances, too many to name all but each delivering the theme of the evening with conviction and with force. More force from that show next as **Patrick Bullock** brings queer joy to *Bring On The Men*, a big voice and a huge performance that got plenty of laughs as he took to the aisle of St Mary’s and flirted with the audience. **Nick Johnson** and **Ian Hollands** followed with *Into The Fire* from *The Scarlet Pimpernel*, no musical is left unturned with these boys, and that is by no means a bad thing. I have a real aversion to the next song being delivered by female artists, it was so specifically written to be sung by a man that anything else is simply a travesty. The Actuallys get *I Am What I Am* so very right, power, humour, defiance and joy all wrapped up in song. **Sondheim** next with *Agony* from *Into The Woods* but there is nothing painful about hearing **Nick Paget** and **Andrew Whitlaw** deliver this piece of comic genius about unrequited love, first class stuff! Once again the chorus have included guest soprano **Karen Orchin** and her first number is **Kern** and **Hammerstein’**s *Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man Of Mine*. It’s a soaringly powerful performance underpinned with quality harmonies from the choir. At this point I will say that there is something so good about this choir's approach to solos and that each is always delivered with the inclusion of the full chorus. In my view it lifts things just that bit higher, many steps above karaoke for sure. *Nessum Dorma*next, not sure why, what’s not to love about a bit of Puccini but why always this. I guess it must be fun to sing, but without a rousing solo voice it never seems quite enough to me. That said it was delivered well. *Hellfire* next from *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* sung by **Gareth Berry,** another big show tune and despite me saying that I would not, I seem to be naming all the solo performers so far, and why not, we are treated to some very good voices. So hats off next to **Stephen Horland** who bangs out a favourite of mine from A Chorus Line, What I Did For Love which is a show all about putting on a facade. **Zach Ebling** and **Thomas Price** show just how well two voices can sit side by side in *Who Wants To Live Forever* as the penultimate piece in part one before Orchin returns with the full chorus for that stonking great anthem of unity, *The World In Union*, although I do personally prefer *I Vow To Thee My Country* which set the hairs on my neck bristling every time I hear it sung. You need a big number to open the second half and **Sean Headley** nails it with Sondheim’s *Being Alive* hitting it firmly on the head with power, pitch and phrasing and we get more of the same when regular soloist **Andrew Whitlaw** hits us with *Sunset Boulevard* from what I think is **Lloyd Webber’**s best work. Wow this man can sing! **Patrick Bullock** returns next to deliver a bit of Bizet, an ambitious choice which he, and the chorus give their all. If you are sensing my reservation it is not to do with the performance but with the clumsy phrasing of the lousy translation from French to English. That said, singing anything in French is a nasal challenge for any performer and can induce severe adenoidal agonies. I felt much the same about *Titanium* and it seemed to sit somewhat uncomfortably in the programme but the mood was regained by **Chris Tippet**’s*Rise Like a Phoenix* followed by **Karen Orchin**’s *What Only Love Can See* and **Nick Paget**’s *One Night Only*. *The Light We See* is a busy medley that sees solos and break out groups throughout with some truly great moments but in my view a few awkward transitions. I’ve never warmed to *Skyfall* as a song but Karen Orchin delivers a version that sees her vocal range and colour at its best. Then we’re back to that rascal Dr Jekyll again with confrontation from **Gareth Berry**, a thunder of a number that has the entire chorus at full throttle, loud for sure but erring on the right side of shouty. A charming new song from the new *Paddington* music saw the choir in a more delicate mode and one that shows the breadth of their abilities. It’s a nice enough tune too, but not one I left whistling. What a treat to get a bit of **Tony Hatch** and **Jackie Trent**’s*Colour My World* and that one I may well have left whistling had they not finished with a slab of Les Mis, and why not send us out into the warm summer night with something so good and so much better than what was being delivered at major volume down on the beach! A great evening from one of the city’s most charming ensembles, a few minor caveats for me this time around but that’s nit-picking that as I type makes me shiver with guilt. ### UK’s ‘saxiest’ drag queen, Snow White Trash, to host special performance at London Bridge to celebrate Brighton & Hove Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/uks-saxiest-drag-queen-snow-white-trash-to-host-special-performance-at-london-bridge-to-celebrate-brighton-hove-pride/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T10:46:45.000Z As **Brighton & Hove Pride** prepares to celebrate its 35th year, rail operator **Govia Thameslink Railway** (GTR) is set to welcome travellers heading to the city with a live performance from Brighton drag entertainer **Snow White Trash** at London Bridge station. The performer, dubbed the “saxiest Drag Queen in the UK”, will entertain passengers on Saturday morning with two 45-minute sets featuring singalong saxophone favourites and songs inspired by this year’s Pride headline acts, **RAYE** and **Diana Ross**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Snow-White-Trash---2.jpg) Snow White Trash The performances will take place on the main concourse near **Platform 4**, where **Thameslink** services to Brighton depart, offering an early taste of the celebrations for those travelling to the south coast. **Jenny Saunders**, Customer Services Director at GTR, said the company was proud to support Brighton & Hove Pride and help people travel to one of the largest events on its network. “We’re proud to once again be supporting Brighton & Hove Pride as the festival celebrates its 35th year,” she said. “It is one of the biggest events on our network and every year we help thousands of people get to and from the event by train. “We wanted to make the journey to Pride just as memorable as the day itself by bringing a little bit of sparkle and sax-appeal to London Bridge station.” She added: “We have plenty of services to get people down to Brighton and back again, but if you’re planning to travel by train, please check your journey ahead of time and be aware that our trains will be a lot busier than usual.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Snow-White-Trash---3.jpg) Snow White Trash GTR expects trains to be particularly busy throughout the weekend and has announced an enhanced timetable, including additional services and longer trains, to accommodate the large numbers travelling to and from Brighton. A queueing system will also be in place at Brighton station to help manage crowds after the event. Brighton & Hove Pride, one of the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, takes place this weekend, with thousands expected to travel to the city by rail. ### Lesbian life of photographer who fled Nazi Germany finally brought into focus URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lesbian-life-of-photographer-who-fled-nazi-germany-finally-brought-into-focus/ Last updated: 2026-07-28T13:15:44.000Z The life and work of a pioneering German-Jewish photographer who rebuilt her career in Birmingham after fleeing Nazi persecution is being explored in a major new exhibition that also brings long-overlooked details of her relationship with her female partner into public view. ***Discovering Lisel Haas***, at the **Library of Birmingham** until **12 December 2026**, traces the life of photographer **Lisel Haas** from her successful career in Germany to the decades she spent living and working in Birmingham with her partner, **Grete Bermbach**. The exhibition brings together portraits, theatre photography and personal material from Haas's archive, alongside family memories that provide a rare insight into the couple's life together. Haas (1898-1989) established her own photographic studio in Mönchengladbach, Germany, where she built a reputation in portraiture, theatre photography and photojournalism before being forced to leave the country in 1938 because of Nazi persecution. Among the works on display is a portrait of singer and actress **Lale Andersen**, who later achieved international fame with the song *Lili Marleen*, illustrating the level at which Haas was working before her career in Germany was abruptly cut short. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/image3.jpeg) Lale Andersen, Date Unknown, pre. 1938, Photograph, Lisel Haas Collection, Library of Birmingham Archives, Copyright Dorothy Williams. After arriving in Birmingham, Haas started again from scratch. Bermbach joined her in Britain in 1939 and the pair went on to live and work together for decades in Moseley, running the Lisel Haas photographic studio from their home. Evidence of their relationship features prominently in the exhibition through a family memoir written by **Francesca Skelton**, Bermbach's great-niece and Haas's goddaughter. In the memoir, Skelton writes that Bermbach left Germany "to join her partner Lisel" and describes the two women as central figures in family life. "Lisel and Grete were central to our lives," she wrote. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/image-3.jpeg) Photographer unknown (presumably Grete Bermbach or Lisel Haas), Lisel Haas, Date Unknown, Photograph, Lisel Haas Collection, Library of Birmingham Archives, Copyright Dorothy Williams The couple's home in Moseley combined a working photographic studio with a bustling family environment. Skelton and her brother Nicholas were frequent visitors, occasionally serving as photographic models and developing a close bond with both women. "I loved Grete and Lisel, their house and garden and their beautiful cat, Meiken," she recalled. "It felt safe and welcoming." **Iris Bertz**, of Bertz Associates, which is leading the project in partnership with the Library of Birmingham, said the exhibition aimed to present a fuller picture of Haas's life and achievements. "Lisel's story deserves to be seen in full," she said. "She was an established photographer in Germany, a refugee forced to begin again and an important figure in Birmingham's photographic and cultural life. "She also shared her home, work and family life with Grete for decades. That relationship was understood by the people closest to them and is an important part of who Lisel was. "The exhibition allows us to bring those parts of her life together and present a much fuller account of both the photographer and the woman." Following her arrival in Birmingham, Haas developed a long-standing association with **Birmingham Repertory Theatre**, photographing productions and performers for more than 20 years. Her subjects included actors **Paul Scofield, Albert Finney, Ian Richardson** and **Derek Jacobi**. Many of her photographs remain on display at the theatre, although Haas herself has often received less recognition than her work. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/image2.jpeg) Grete Bermbach, c.1960, Photograph, Lisel Haas Collection, Library of Birmingham Archives, Copyright Dorothy Williams Alongside their theatre commissions, Haas and Bermbach photographed generations of Birmingham families from their studio in Grove Avenue, Moseley. The exhibition draws on Haas's extensive archive, held by the Library of Birmingham, which contains 258 boxes of photographs, negatives, letters, documents and personal papers. The collection is currently being formally catalogued, with local organisations including LGBTQ+ social group **Pink Sou'westers**, women's and non-binary photography network **Luna**, and **Dolphin Women's Centre** helping to interpret the material. The exhibition also features new work inspired by the archive from artists **Anu Gamanagari, Gibson Kochanek Studio, George Eksts, Laura Chen** and **Rebecca Orleans**. Plans are also under way to install a blue plaque at the former Moseley home and studio shared by Haas and Bermbach. 💡 **Discovering Lisel Haas* runs at the Library of Birmingham until Saturday 12 December 2026\. Admission is free. ### Behind the scenes at Ledward Centre; the volunteers who made Pride Weekend opening possible URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/behind-the-scenes-at-ledward-centre-the-volunteers-who-made-pride-weekend-opening-possible/ Last updated: 2026-07-28T12:36:25.000Z *The community centre and café opens its doors on Pride Saturday, and it is thanks to a small team who have given months of their own time to make it happen.* It has been a busy week at the [Ledward Centre,](https://ledwardcentre.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) with the volunteer team pulling out all the stops to get the café ready to open on **Saturday, 1 August**. Co-directors **Billie** and **Ellie**, together with long term volunteers **Keith** and **Joel**, have been working consistently behind the scenes so the venue could reopen and stay rooted in the community for the long term. They are very excited to be able to invite everyone back this weekend. The Ledward Centre and café will be fully open to the public on Pride Saturday, **1 August**, running from **12 - 6pm**, and again on Pride Sunday, **2 August**, from **10am - 4pm**. Expect a wide selection of hot and cold drinks, cakes, pastries and snacks, plus baguettes, salads, sandwiches and jacket potatoes, with kids lunches and meal deals available too. And there is plenty to enjoy once you have got your order. A proper coffee machine is now turning out the good stuff, there is brand new air conditioning throughout the building, and comfortable furniture has been dotted around so you can settle in and stay a while. Shelves are also stocked with a wide selection of free to access fiction and non-fiction books, including a strong showing of currently published LGBTQ+ titles and new work by local authors, so there is always something new to pick up while you are there. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-27-at-4.00.26-PM.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-27-at-4.00.25-PM--3-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-27-at-4.00.25-PM--2--1.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-27-at-4.00.26-PM--1--1.jpeg) this weeks up to date selection of LGBTQ+ authors & cosy nooks to read them Beyond Pride Weekend, the space is also opening up for bookings. Private daytime bookings will run from **9am - 6.30pm** every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, while evening bookings will be available from **6.30 - 10.30pm**, Monday through Saturday. **Ellie Matthews,** co director, wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has helped get the centre to this point. “We would like to express our sincere thanks to our incredible volunteers, supporters and friends who have helped us immeasurably throughout the past year,” she said. “We simply could not have done this without you. while there have undoubtedly been some extremely challenging moments along the way, the kindness, encouragement and practical support we have received from so many people has helped us to keep going, even when things felt particularly difficult.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-27-at-3.59.45-PM-1.jpeg) ****Ellie , Ledward Centre** She added that the messages of support flooding in over recent weeks had meant a great deal to the team. “We have also been incredibly touched by the many lovely messages of support we have received over the past few weeks,” she said. “Knowing how much the Ledward Centre means to people, and how much people want to see it succeed, has meant an enormous amount to us. After everything it has taken to get to this point, we are incredibly excited that we can welcome everyone back through the doors of the Ledward Centre. We cannot wait to see the building full of people again and to begin this next chapter together.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-27-at-4.00.24-PM.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-27-at-4.00.25-PM--1-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-27-at-4.00.25-PM--4-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-27-at-4.00.25-PM.jpeg) Coffee, air - con, sofas, chairs and sit up tables The centre is already buzzing with activity ahead of the café reopening. Before the doors open to the public, **Gaydio**, the UK's LGBTQ+ station, and the **Gaydio Academy** will be running their intro to radio and podcasting course at the centre, thanks to funding from the National Lottery. Hosted at the Ledward Centre, home to Gaydio's Brighton studios, the free course gives aspiring radio presenters, broadcast journalists and podcasters the chance to gain first-hand experience of working in the industry, taught by broadcasting experts covering interviewing, presenting, audio production and digital storytelling, with participants creating their own content throughout. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/PresenterLineup_Jul24.png) Gadio presenter line up **Lee Barnes,** senior academy lead at **Gaydio**, said the timing could not be better. “We're delighted to be bringing another academy course to the Ledward Centre, especially in the week leading up to Brighton Pride,” he said. “It's fantastic to be delivering the course from our south coast studios and giving people the opportunity to learn from broadcasting experts. "The Ledward Centre plays such an important role in providing an inclusive space for the community, and we're proud to be working together to help make it an even bigger hub for LGBTQ+ voices, creativity and storytelling in Brighton.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/6523de5260e56.webp) Gaydio academy logo Pride Weekend at the centre will also carry a moment of reflection and community. On Sunday, 2 August, the [**Village Metropolitan Community Church** ](https://www.facebook.com/TheVillageMCC/)will hold their **Pride Service** at the centre from **6 - 7.30pm**, with guest speaker and leader of **Brighton & Hove City Council**, **Bella Sankey**,joining for the evening. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/images.png) MCC logo Regular opening hours will then begin from **Thursday, 6 August**, with the café open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from **10am - 6pm**. ## **Fancy being part of it?** None of this happens without volunteers, and the Ledward Centre is actively looking for more people to join the team. If you would like to get involved, it only takes a few minutes to complete the [**online volunteering form** ](https://tally.so/r/J9ZMez?ref=scenemag.co.uk) or you can ask about opportunities in person at the centre during opening hours. For more information, follow the centre's socials on [Insta,](https://www.instagram.com/theledwardcentre/?hl=en&ref=scenemag.co.uk) [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/theledwardcentre/?locale=en%5FGB)or others @theledwardcentre. For more details on gaydio, visit [gaydio.co.uk, ](https://www.gaydio.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)and for more on the Gaydio Academy, visit [gaydio.academy](https://www.gaydio.academy/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). 0:00 /0:10 1× ### Stonewall and Pride in London to hold vigil for victims of Berlin’s Christopher Street Day attack URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/stonewall-and-pride-in-london-to-hold-vigil-for-victims-of-berlins-christopher-street-day-attack/ Last updated: 2026-07-28T08:39:55.000Z **Stonewall** and **Pride in London** will hold a vigil in **Soho Square** this evening to honour those killed and injured in Saturday night's attack at Berlin's **Christopher Street Day** celebrations. The event, which will begin at **7pm**, comes after a vehicle was driven into crowds attending the annual Pride gathering in the German capital. One woman was killed and dozens of people were injured. Christopher Street Day is one of Europe's largest Pride events, attracting hundreds of thousands of people to Berlin each year. The event commemorates the 1969 LGBTQ+ uprising at the **Stonewall Inn** on Christopher Street in New York City, widely regarded as the catalyst for the modern Pride movement. Stonewall chief executive **Simon Blake** OBE said the attack had targeted not only those attending the event but also the values that Pride represents. "Berlin's Christopher Street Day should have been a celebration of who we are," he said. "Instead, it became an attack on our community and on the values of freedom and equality that Pride represents. "An attack on any one of us is an attack on all of us. Tomorrow we come together in Soho Square to stand together, to grieve and to say clearly that we are not afraid and will not be frightened out of public life. Our solidarity with lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer+ people in Berlin, and around the globe, is unshakeable." **Rebecca Paisis**, interim chief executive of Pride in London, said the attack had deeply affected LGBTQ+ communities across the world. "Over the past two days, many of us have been trying to come to terms with the devastating attack at Christopher Street Day," she said. "I have spoken to many people across our community and one message has come through clearly: we stand united in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ siblings in Berlin and around the world. "Pride in London champions visibility, unity and equality for all. The vigil tomorrow is an opportunity to honour those affected and send a clear message to Berlin and the LGBTQ+ community in Germany: you are not alone, our community stands with you." The vigil will feature short speeches from community representatives and other leaders. Further details will be shared through Stonewall and Pride in London's social media channels. ### 2006 unpacked from Top of the Pops to Lance Bass coming out to Moscow Pride and everything in between URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/2006-unpacked-from-top-of-the-pops-to-lance-bass-coming-out-to-moscow-pride-and-everything-in-between/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T11:56:57.000Z If there's one thing I love, it's revisiting old pop culture moments. It's like flipping through a scrapbook filled with flip phones, oversized sunglasses, trucker hats and **Juicy Couture** tracksuits instead of family photos. Maybe it's a millennial thing but few years trigger nostalgia quite like 2006....which is 20 years ago by the way! Wild. ![](https://static.klipy.com/ii/4e7bea9f7a3371424e6c16ebc93252fe/12/49/RKC9f17ueqkZWo.gif) 2006 was a cultural melting pot of blockbuster films, reality TV obsessions, celebrity scandals, chart dominating music and the first signs of stars who still dominate headlines today. I'm still struggling to accept that 2006 was two decades ago....like what?! How?! Wayyyy before **TikTok** though,streaming and influencers we were all glued to the tabloids, obsessed with **MySpace** and loading songs onto our **iPod s**o pop your Juicy Couture tracksuit on and let's take a trip back to one of the most iconic years of the decade and dive in....head first! If there was one thing dominating the official **UK** charts in 2006 it was **The X Factor**. At both the beginning and end of the year graduates from the show's second and third series were literally everywhere. **Shayne Ward**, **Chico Slimani** and **Leona Lewis** all bagged number one singles while Shayne also topped the album charts. Leona won The X Factor becoming the show's first ever female winner. *A Moment Like This* shattered records almost immediately, selling a massive 50,000 downloads in its first half hour alone. The song went on to sell more than half a million copies in its first week. A remarkable achievement during a period when physical sales were generally declining if you ask me or even if you don't ask me, it's still a remarkable achievement and that is that. It was becoming super clear that reality TV wasn't just creating stars anymore, it was creating chart domination. While X Factor acts were ruling the official UK charts though, **Rihanna** and **Beyoncé** were transforming into global superstars right in front of us. Remember when everyone used to always sing TO THE LEFT TO THE LEFT?! Queen Bey literally taught those of us who didn't know their lefts and rights. Oh and a little known 16 year old country singer named **Taylor Swift** was just beginning her journey in 2006 into superstardom too. Her debut single was *Tim McGraw* followed by her self titled debut album that same year. It's wild to think there was once a time before Taylor Swift was Taylor Swift and her stadium tours and friendship bracelets. Several familiar faces from the 90s were also enjoying successful comebacks....**Take That** completed one of pop's greatest comebacks with *Patience* which was their first number one single in a decade. Their album *Beautiful World* also stormed to number one proving the band's return was far more than just a reunion cash grab while **Baby Spice** aka **Emma Bunton** reappeared on the pop landscape with *Life in Mono* oh and **All Saints** returned with their third studio album *Studio 1*. **Justin Timberlake** had the world in a chokehold with *SexyBack* proving he was more than capable of escaping the boy band label and **NASA** launched the **New Horizons** spacecraft to **Pluto** oh and in the same yearPluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet! Not by NASA but by the **International Astronomical Union** (**IAU**) during a general assembly vote in **Prague**. NASA adopted and follows this scientific classification. Meanwhile, actor **Neil Patrick Harris** came out in 2006 as did JT's fellow \* **NSYNC** bandmate **Lance Bass**, a moment that generated huge headlines and marked an important step forward for LGBTQ+ visibility in mainstream media. 18 year old me actually fancied him more than JT anyway. It's true I promise! ![](https://static.klipy.com/ii/4e7bea9f7a3371424e6c16ebc93252fe/e6/a5/V3kFiX5YjsbZIKTkdt.gif) In 2006 activist **Nikolay Alexeyev** founded **Moscow Pride** and organised **Russia**'s first ever Pride parade. Nikolay was met with extreme official hostility and **Moscow** authorities banned the Pride event and all LGBTQ+ public visibility by labelling them as an extremist organisation which attracted global attention and became a symbol of the growing battle over LGBTQ+ visibility in Russia. While LGBTQ+ visibility was growing in pop culture, 2006 was also the first full year that same sex couples could enter civil partnerships in the UK. **Brighton** long regarded as the country's unofficial gay capital had been one of the first cities in **England** to host the landmark ceremonies the previous December marking a major step forward for equality baby! The internet was beginning to reshape the music industry in 2006....**Lily Allen** became one of the first artists to build buzz through MySpace by sharing early demo tracks like *LDN*. This online success helped her gain a record deal but she wasn't the only one doing this. So many musicians used MySpace to connect directly with fans. Basically like how new artists are discovered now on TikTok but yeah....*LDN* was and still is a bop. Legal music downloads exploded and for the first time digital sales were becoming powerful enough to compete with physical formats. Speaking of digital sales, in 2006 one super lucky 16 year old from the US named **Alex Ostrovsky** downloaded the one billionth song sold through **iTunes**. Oh the song was *Speed of Sound* by **Coldplay** and **Apple** rewarded him with an **iMac**, not one, not two, but ten iPod's, a $10,000 iTunes gift card and even funded a scholarship in his name at the **Juilliard School of Music**. Not bad for buying a song, right?! The impact of downloads could also be seen in the charts. **Gnarls Barkley**'s *Crazy* became the first UK number one to reach the top based on downloads alone. **Ne-Yo**'s debut single *So Sick* surged to number one thanks to strong digital sales. Looking back I think this was basically the moment the future of music arrived. Of course every new era comes at a cost....as the internet transformed how we consumed pop culture, some beloved institutions quietly disappeared. The iconic British music magazine **Smash Hits!** published its final issue which was honestly so sad and then **Top of the Pops**, a British television institution since 1964 in case you didn't know, aired for the last time in 2006\. Generations had grown up watching their favourite artists perform on that legendary stage, it first aired in 1964 so even my mum and dad grew up watching TOTP so seeing it disappear felt genuinely surreal and sad, even for them, not just us millennials. It gets worse....the traditional Saturday morning **CD:UK** came to an end after decades on air. I'm still not over it and don't think I ever will be. > For anyone who grew up racing downstairs on a Saturday morning for CD:UK or religiously tuning into Top of the Pops every Friday night, 2006 marked the end of an era. I can't feel nostalgic about 2006 and not think about **Nelly Furtardo**. Nelly released her third studio album, *Loose* which spawned *Promiscuous* (featuring **Timbaland**), *Maneater* and *Say It Right* and the rest is history. We had it so good in 2006! I reckon Nelly will celebrate the 20th anniversary of *Loose* this year at some point some how....surely?! Watch this space! **Jessica Simpson** released *A Public Affair* in 2006 and it still slaps to this day IMPO. I'm still shocked it wasn't number 1\. I'll admit the official music video is unhinged though....in the best way! > #JusticeForAPublicAffair Listen up, y'all, 'cause this is itttttt....remember when **Fergie** from the **Black Eyed Peas** released her debut solo album in 2006?! *The Dutchess* was a cultural reset. *Fergalicious* is surely one of the defining hits of the 2000s?! I said it. 2006 was an amazing year for the **Arctic Monkeys** too. Their second single *When The Sun Goes Down* went straight to number one while their debut album *Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not* sold more than 360,000 copies in its first week. They swept up so many awards and became a household name and basically very quickly became one of Britain's most exciting bands. At the **NME Awards** they won awards for best new band, best group and best single for *I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.* (I still prefer the **Sugababes** cover though....oh and the 2006 lineup consisted of **Keisha Buchanan**, **Heidi Range** and **Amelle Berrabah**. You're welcome). Elsewhere names like **Kanye West**, **Kaiser Chiefs** and **James Blunt** were collecting awards and cementing their place in music culture although actually at the 2006 **MTV Europe Music Awards**, Kayne sparked controversy by interrupting the show after losing best cideo to **Justice vs Simian** insisting his *Touch the Sky* video should have won. The outburst was an early glimpse of the headline grabbing awards show controversies that would later define his public image long before that infamous Taylor Swift incident in 2009.... ![](https://static.klipy.com/ii/925f17378dd1893b674a723c07535afe/00/0f/BAfSrAJe.gif) Reality TV remained a national obsession with **Celebrity Big Brother** turned **Chantelle Houghton** into an overnight celebrity, while **Big Brother** (series 7, an absolute fan favourite and aired the same year as Celeb BB) captivated viewers all summer introducing unforgettable housemates including fan favourite **Nikki Grahame** and eventual winner and Brighton boy **Pete Bennett** whose openness about living with Tourette's syndrome won widespread praise. Openly gay Canadian housemate **Richard Newman** wasone of the show's most outspoken and popular personalities too. At a time when LGBTQ+ representation on mainstream television was still relatively limited, Richard's visibility helped make him one of the most memorable housemates of the series, for me anyway! ![](https://static.klipy.com/ii/d7aec6f6f171607374b2065c836f92f4/ad/a7/OSjBRlHZ.gif) Meanwhile, shows like **America's Next Top Model**, The X Factor and **The Hills** continued to attract huge audiences, helping create a new generation of reality TV stars. Over on the **Disney Channel**, **Hannah Montana** introduced us to **Miley Cyrus** while **High School Musical** transformed **Zac Efron** into an overnight teen heart throb. TV also gave us future binge-worthy classics including **The IT Crowd**, **Dexter** (which is on **Netflix** at the moment FYI) and **Ugly Betty**. Also....the energy drink **Relentless** was launched in 2006\. Random I know but my brother was obsessed with them even over **Red Bull**. ![](https://static.klipy.com/ii/c3a19a0b747a76e98651f2b9a3cca5ff/a3/88/uOl4Y1Nf.gif) The world was left stunned by the sudden death of **Steve Irwin**. One moment we were watching **The Crocodile Hunter** wrestle crocodiles and handle deadly snakes with his trademark enthusiasm and the next we were mourning a man who had spent his life teaching us to respect and protect wildlife. While we're on the subject of crocs, let's talk **Crocs**. The footwear brand sold an astonishing 21 million pairs in 2006\. I spent years making fun of them before finally trying a pair on as a joke only to discover they felt like walking on clouds. I now own a pair myself but they're strictly reserved for gardening duties! I can't write about 2006 and not mention WAGs. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/image-7.png) 📸 Reuters During the 2006 **FIFA World Cup** the WAGs became celebrities in their own right. While England crashed out to **Portugal** on penalties tabloids were just as obsessed with **Victoria Beckham**, **Cheryl Cole** (**then Cheryl Tweedy**) and the glamorous entourage following the squad around **Germany**. Sometimes the WAGs seemed to attract almost as much attention as the football itself. World Cup fever dominated the summer though with a string of England songs filling the charts and *Three Lions* making yet another comeback. Football and pop culture had rarely been so closely intertwined. Mainly thanks to the WAGs though I'd say! Not football or WAGs related but another debut that became impossible to escape in 2006 was *Everytime We Touch* by **Cascada**. Although it peaked at number two, it went on to become one of the biggest dance tracks of the decade and remains a certified 2000s anthem. After so much anticipation **Amy Winehouse** released her second studio album *Back to Black*, a record that would go on to define her career and earn widespread critical acclaim. Deeply inspired by her turbulent relationship with **Blake Fielder-Civil**, the album captured raw emotion and heartbreak with every lyric resonating with honesty and vulnerability. Amy began writing songs at just 14 years old and was propelled to international stardom following the release of *Back to Black* in 2006\. As her profile soared, she became a constant presence in the British media while navigating intense personal struggles, complicated relationships and the pressures of sudden global fame. Her voice, distinctive style and undeniable talent ensure that her legacy continues to endure. Meanwhile openly queer band **Scissor Sisters** were at their commercial peak in 2006 dominating the charts with *I Don't Feel Like Dancin'* and proving that unapologetically queer pop could achieve mainstream success. They bagged their first ever UK number one single with *I Don't Feel Like Dancin'* and their album *Ta-Dah* also went straight to number one so they were simultaneously number one on both the singles and album charts! One of my favourite dance songs from 2006 was *Call On Me* by **Eric Prydz**.... It topped the charts globally and spendt 5 weeks at number one in the UK but Mr Prydz famously dismissed it as a 25 minute "lazy" track and avoided playing it live for two decades whatttttttttttt. Ooooh and *Smack That* by **Akon** and **Eminem** was a vibe.... What a time to be alive! At the cinema **Johnny Depp** returned as **Captain Jack Sparrow** in **Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest**. ![](https://static.klipy.com/ii/925f17378dd1893b674a723c07535afe/31/10/eHcfqIdS.gif) Audiences flocked to see **Daniel Craig** in **Casino Royale**....not sure why.... ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/1000069292.gif) 2006 gave us **The Da Vinci Code** and the latest **Harry Potter** instalment too. **Sacha Baron Cohen**'s **Borat** sparked endless debate and controversy while **The Devil Wears Prada** quietly became one of the best films (IMPO)....ever! What first looked like a silly glossy fashion comedy ended up actually being a razor sharp exploration of ambition and power. > Remember to never judge a book by it's cover huns. More than twenty years later people are still talking about my favourite film and we even got a sequel in 2026....finally! ![](https://static.klipy.com/ii/4493325008d34b7bf8cd6813cd5c1619/55/2a/5274ncQeudR1WLV3VzTk.gif) Although it was released in 2005 **Brokeback Mountain** was a huuuge cultural talking point throughout 2006 in the UK winning Oscars and sparking mainstream conversations about LGBTQ+ representation in cinema. ![](https://static.klipy.com/ii/e293a233a303a98e471f78d04e13a1b0/c7/39/kkvSrWyX.gif) **Snakes on a Plane**, **Scary Movie 4**, **Nacho Libre**, **Marie Antoinette**, **The Queen**, **My Super Ex-Girlfriend**, **Material Girls** and **Pan's Labyrinth** were all released in 2006 as well as one of the most loved Christmas films ever: **The Holiday**. Animation also had a huge year, with **Cars** and **Ice Age: The Meltdown** proving family films could be every bit as influential as blockbuster action movies. Meanwhile, the **Nintendo Wii** arrived and promptly took over living rooms everywhere. Apple continued its dominance too. The iPod had become a must have accessory and for the first time films could be purchased directly through iTunes. I was personally obsessed with my apple green second generation **iPod Nano**! Online culture was beginning to reshape entertainment as well. **YouTube** was only a year old but was already producing viral moments like *Shoes* starring **Liam Kyle Sullivan** as **Kelly**. If phrases like "Let's get some shoes!" mean anything to you then erm congratulations! You honestly had to be there though. I'm sure 2006 was the year I tried getting into the new **Lacuna Coil** album, *Karmacode*....I remember someone at the time telling me if you like **Evanescence** then you'll like Lacuna Coil although I don't think they compared to Evanescence! Then there was **Bebo**. MySpace was still king, **Facebook** had just opened beyond university students and **Twitter** made its debut when **Jack Dorsey** sent the platform's first ever tweet reading "just setting up my twttr". (It later sold as a digital NFT for $2.9 million) but the foundations of the social media world we know today were quietly being laid. The 51st **Eurovision Song Contest** in 2006was held in **Athens** in **Greece** and **Lordi** from **Finland** won with *Hard Rock Hallelujah* which has become a Eurovision classic! ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/08/1000034092.gif) Our **Daz Sampson** represented the UK with *Teenage Life* but only 10 of the 39 eligible countries voted for him and his total score was 25 points placing him 19th out of the 24 acts eeeeeep although he reached the top 10 official UK charts so that was good! Fashion was kinda odd 20 years ago....neon colours, skinny jeans, studded belts, oversized sunglasses, checkered **Vans**, scene hair, really thick eyeliner and emo fringes were all in. I vividly remember rocking a neon green studded belt and I loved it so much! **Lil' Kim** was released from prison in 2006 after serving 10 months of a one-year sentence for perjury annnd her 6-part reality TV series **Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown** premiered on **BET** breaking network viewership records. Also she made her dramatic first major public appearance since her release at the MTV Video Music Awards, famously walking on stage in an orange prison jumpsuit and one more thing, she released the music video for her single *Whoa* from her fourth album *The Naked Truth*. Iconic. **Katie Price** and **Peter Andre** were still together and even released a whole album together which is wild. **Paris Hilton** and **Nicole Richie** dominated magazine covers and there were quite a few very public break ups involving **Britney Spears** and **Kevin Federline**, **Reese Witherspoon** and **Ryan Phillippe** and **Jennifer Aniston** and **Vince Vaughn** which generated endless headlines. Over in reality TV land, **Lauren Conrad** left **Laguna Beach** behind for The Hills giving us six seasons of friendship drama, relationship chaos and iconic moments. Who knew **Heidi Montag** would end up being the pop star that she is today by the way?! To this day, hearing **Natasha Bedingfield**'s *Unwritten* instantly transports me back to 2006 watching The Hills. I didn't actually watch Laguna Beach though. If you think celebrity feuds are intense now welllll 2006 was on another level. Paris Hilton and **Lindsay Lohan** had a very public fall out which provided endless material for gossip magazines before that now iconic photo of Paris, Lindsay and Britney squeezed into Paris's car became one of the defining celebrity images of the decade. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/1000066310.gif) Paris also found herself at the centre of one of the strangest celebrity pranks of the era when **Banksy** secretly swapped hundreds of copies of her debut album *Paris* in record stores across the UK with altered versions featuring satirical artwork and renamed tracks. Wild. **Malcolm in the Middle** aired its final episodes. I still remember being absolutely gutted. Thankfully we got a reboot 20 years later! I've still not watched it yet though. By the year's end *A Moment Like This* (by Leona) had become one of the biggest selling singles of 2006 while the **Scissor Sisters**, **Sandi Thom** and **Shakira** rounded out the year's best sellers. **Girls Aloud** made chart history when *Something Kinda Ooooh* entered the official top 10 based largely on downloads, becoming one of the first British acts to benefit from the changing chart rules. Meanwhile **Robbie Williams** and **Jamiroquai** enjoyed chart topping albums too. Oh the geek in me just needs to mention that archaeologists uncovered a stunning statue of **Queen Tiye** in 2006! Buried beneath the sands of **Karnak** it was hidden for more than 3,300 years.....until 2006\. Cool right?! Queen Tiye was **Tutankhamun**'s grandmother by the way. Oooh and we had another unlikely chart number one in the form of Dutch **DJ Fedde Le Grand** whose dance anthem *Put Your Hands Up for Detroit* was literally everywhere. I still loveeee that song! Looking back now, it's incredible how many trends, careers, websites, TV shows and cultural phenomena that still shape our lives today either exploded or quietly began in 2006\. I could write more and more but there's just too much from 2006 to squeeze in. What felt just normal in 2006 ended up being history in the making. Pop culture felt noticeably more queer in 2006 than it had just a few years earlier, right?! With **Elton John** and **David Furnish** entering into a civil partnership at the end of 2005, 2006 became the first full year in which legally recognised same sex partnerships were part of everyday life in **Britain**. Meanwhile Lance Bass, **Jake Shears**, **Ana Matronic**, Richard Newman and Nikolay Alexeyev were helping to bring LGBTQ+ visibility firmly into the mainstream. > 2006 wasn't just a moment....it was the moment. Are you feeling nostalgic for 2006 now too?! Dive into the soundtrack of 2006 with my curated playlist [HERE](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1aO8r8DRN7ntCwZtWPZCSL?ref=scenemag.co.uk) and follow the official Scene Spotify [HERE](https://open.spotify.com/user/31yhhvqrnncziyslp6w3lcq5haym?ref=scenemag.co.uk).🎧✨ ### Brighton council leader expresses solidarity with LGBTQ+ community after Berlin Pride attack URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-council-leader-expresses-solidarity-with-lgbtq-community-after-berlin-pride-attack/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T16:17:31.000Z The leader of **Brighton & Hove City Council** has expressed solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community following the attack at **Berlin Pride**, while reassuring attendees that extensive preparations are in place ahead of this weekend's Brighton & Hove Pride celebrations. Councillor **Bella Sankey** issued a statement after the incident near Berlin's Christopher Street Day Pride celebrations, where a vehicle was driven into crowds close to the event, leaving one person dead and a number of others injured. The attack prompted the cancellation of several Pride-related events and led to community vigils across the German capital. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/images-2-2.jpeg) Bella Sankey Responding to the incident, Sankey said: "We are deeply saddened by the attacks at Berlin Pride and our thoughts are with all those affected." The council leader also reaffirmed Brighton & Hove's support for the LGBTQ+ community as one of the UK's most prominent Pride cities prepares to welcome thousands of visitors this weekend. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/imago862760649-1.jpg) "We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and, as we look forward to Brighton & Hove Pride this weekend, we want to reassure all those attending that we are working closely with Brighton & Hove Pride, **Sussex Police** and our other partners to keep everyone safe." The attack in Berlin has sent shockwaves through LGBTQ+ communities across Europe. Thousands gathered for a vigil near the **Brandenburg Gate** in the aftermath, with community leaders speaking of grief, solidarity and the need to continue standing up for LGBTQ+ visibility and equality. Brighton & Hove Pride is one of the largest Pride events in the UK and is expected to attract tens of thousands of people for a weekend of celebrations, performances and community events. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/imago862760582-2.jpg) Sankey said organisers were focused on ensuring the event remains a positive reflection of the city's values. "We look forward to Pride being a celebration of the diversity, joy and, above all, the unity of our community." The statement comes as Pride organisers and local authorities across Europe continue to emphasise the importance of visibility, inclusion and community in the wake of the Berlin attack, while maintaining plans for upcoming Pride events. Brighton & Hove Pride takes place this weekend, bringing together LGBTQ+ people, allies, residents and visitors from across the UK in what organisers describe as a celebration of equality, diversity and belonging. ### Dame Kelly Holmes helps launch Lumo-backed record-breaking Pride Run in Newcastle URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/dame-kelly-holmes-helps-launch-lumo-backed-record-breaking-pride-run-in-newcastle/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T12:20:03.000Z A record-breaking **Pride Run** backed by rail operator **Lumo** got **Newcastle Pride** celebrations under way in style at the weekend, with Olympic legend **Dame Kelly Holmes** firing the starting gun before joining hundreds of runners on the course herself. A total of 450 participants took part in the sold-out **5K Pride Run** in **Leazes Park**, making it the largest event of its kind in **Newcastle** since before the pandemic. Organised by LGBTQ+ community running club **Newcastle Frontrunners** (NFR) and sponsored by train company **Lumo**, the event helped launch a Pride weekend that attracted an estimated 80,000 people across the city. After officially starting the race, the double Olympic gold medallist took part herself, running alongside participants who turned out in colourful outfits to celebrate Pride, visibility and community. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Pride-Run---3.jpg) Speaking about the event, Holmes highlighted the importance of bringing LGBTQ+ people and allies together. "The Pride Run is more than running - it's about community, freedom and moving forward together. "That's what makes a Pride Run so special. It brings LGBTQ+ people, friends, families and allies together to celebrate who we are, support one another and share the joy of being active and visible. "Pride is about being proud of exactly who you are, and there's something incredibly powerful about running side by side with a community that celebrates you for it." Organisers hailed the event as the most successful Pride Run in its history, with tickets selling out for the first time since the pandemic. Andrew Melville, of Newcastle Frontrunners, said: "This has been the best 5K Pride Run in the history of the event. We sold out of tickets for the first time since the pandemic, which is brilliant." Melville said Holmes' involvement carried particular significance for participants. "It was fantastic to have double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes start the race. "She is a major person within the LGBTQ+ community. She's served in the armed forces, she's faced discrimination, and all while maintaining an incredible Olympic career." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Pride-Run---1-1.jpg) The event also featured a **Junior Pride Run**, with more than 60 young people taking part before the main race. Entertainment throughout the evening included performances from drag queen **Miss Gloria Love**, singing group **Heaton Jukebox**, **Northern Proud Voices** and the **Metrognomes**, while **2024 Mr Gay GB** winner **Andrew Gardiner** led warm-up activities for runners before the start. This year's event was deliberately designed to be bigger and more visible than ever, organisers said, amid growing concerns about anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. Melville added: "It's been a difficult time for the LGBTQ+ community. There has been a lot of anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-trans sentiment, and for that reason we wanted to make this year's 5K event bigger and brighter than ever. "There may be grey clouds, but we're not going anywhere. It's never been as important for us to shine brightly." The race formed part of a wider Newcastle Pride weekend that saw performances from **Nadine Coyle**, **Katy B**, **Bimini** and **Danny Beard** in **Times Square**. Lumo's support extended beyond the run itself. The rail operator, which now partners with Pride events in Newcastle, **Gateshead**, **Glasgow**, **Edinburgh** and **Stirling**, also donated £1,000 to **Pride Radio**, which streamed live content from Newcastle Pride across the UK and internationally. In addition, Lumo worked with **Ocean Outdoor** to showcase LGBTQ+ organisations on digital advertising screens across Newcastle, following the launch of a specially branded train featuring LGBTQ+ groups supported by the company across England and Scotland. **Richard Salkeld**, Director of Communications and Partnerships at Lumo, said: "We're thrilled to support the 5K Pride Run and to play a part in such a joyful and inclusive event for Newcastle. "At Lumo, we're passionate about connecting communities, and it's fantastic to see so many people coming together to celebrate Pride, diversity and everything that makes our region such a welcoming place." ### Sara Cox reveals she is a "proud mother of a queer daughter" during conversation with Sam Smith URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/sara-cox-reveals-she-is-a-proud-mother-of-a-queer-daughter-during-conversation-with-sam-smith/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T11:56:19.000Z **Sara Cox** has revealed she is the "proud mother of a queer daughter" while speaking with **Sam Smith** about LGBTQ+ family life and the importance of support and acceptance. The **BBC Radio 2** presenter made the comment during a conversation with the singer-songwriter, as the pair discussed parenting, identity and what it means to create supportive environments for LGBTQ+ young people. Sara revealed the news as she spoke with Sam – who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns – about their new single Oh Mother, which is an ode to their mum Kate Cassidy. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/110271373-16007329-Sara_Cox_revealed_she_s_the_proud_mother_of_a_queer_daughter_as_-a-1_1785147124642-1.jpg) As Sara mused that 'all mums want a song written about them', Sam agreed, saying: 'Especially queer kids, gay kids and their mums have - well at least I have a very strong, beautiful relationship with my mother.' Sara then interjected, saying: 'I'm proudly one of them by the way, with a queer daughter,' to which Sam exclaimed 'beautiful.' The singer continued: 'In this song I was just trying to access my mum's fury and protection that comes to save the day when a child gets hurt or heartbroken.' Cox, who recently took over the **Radio 2 Breakfast Show**, is a mother of three and has generally kept her children's lives out of the public eye. Her eldest daughter, Lola, is 22, while she also has son Isaac, 18, and daughter Renee, 16\. During the discussion, Cox spoke proudly about her daughter's identity, offering a rare glimpse into her family life while highlighting the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/110271371-16007329-Sam_who_is_engaged_to_fashion_designer_Christian_Cowan_then_reve-a-6_1785143058113-1.jpg) The conversation also saw Smith speak candidly about their own hopes for the future, revealing that they would like to become a parent one day. The singer has previously spoken about the importance of chosen family, self-expression and creating spaces where LGBTQ+ people can thrive. Cox's comments were welcomed by LGBTQ+ listeners and allies online, with many praising the broadcaster for publicly supporting her daughter and normalising conversations around queer identities within families. The presenter has long been regarded as one of British broadcasting's most popular voices, having first risen to prominence on Radio 1 before joining Radio 2\. Earlier this year she took over the station's flagship Breakfast Show, becoming one of the BBC's highest-profile radio hosts. ### New portrait exhibition marks 35 years of Brighton & Hove Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/new-portrait-exhibition-marks-35-years-of-brighton-hove-pride/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T11:23:04.000Z A new portrait photography project celebrating the people who make up Brighton & Hove's LGBTQ+ community has launched to mark the 35th anniversary of **Brighton & Hove Pride.** **Proud Brighton – We Are Community**, commissioned by **Brighton Pride CIC** and created by photographer **Chris Jepson**, features portraits of people from across the city's LGBTQ+ communities, with each participant sharing a single sentence about what Pride means to them. The exhibition is now on display at **Jubilee Library** from **27 July - 15 August** and can also be seen across Brighton & Hove on lamppost banners. The portraits will additionally appear on placards during this year's **Brighton & Hove Pride Parade**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Pride35-JubileeLibrary-byChrisJepson-_CJP8089-Pano.jpg) ****Proud Brighton – We Are Community** by Chris Jepson The project forms part of **United in Pride**, a collaborative initiative bringing together Brighton & Hove Pride, **Trans Pride Brighton** and **Brighton Bear Weekend**. Participants have been drawn from all three communities, reflecting the diversity of Pride as it is experienced across the city. Created by award-winning community photographer and **Proud Studios CIC** founder **Chris Jepson**, the series brings together long-standing members of the community alongside first-time Pride attendees, performers, volunteers, organisers and parade-goers. The project also aims to highlight people who are often underrepresented in Pride imagery, including older LGBTQ+ people, disabled community members, people of colour, and trans and non-binary people. Chris said the exhibition builds on more than three decades of work documenting LGBTQ+ lives and experiences. "This project continues my long-term commitment to photographing LGBTQ+ lives. For over 30 years, my work has centred on visibility, authorship and who gets to be seen. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Pride35-CityBanners-byChrisJepson-IMG_0644.jpg) ****Proud Brighton – We Are Community** by Chris Jepson "One of the things I care most about is removing the gatekeeping of who appears in photography, allowing for a more democratic, community-led curation. "Proud Brighton – We Are Community is a portrait exhibition marking the 35th anniversary of Brighton & Hove Pride. These portraits are a reminder that our community has never been a single story – and that Pride belongs to everyone who shows up." Brighton Pride CIC managing director **Paul Kemp** said the exhibition was designed to celebrate the people at the heart of Pride's success over the past three and a half decades. "Thirty-five years is a remarkable milestone, and we wanted to mark it in a way that felt genuinely true to our community. Proud Brighton does exactly that. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Pride35-CityBanners-byChrisJepson-IMG_0977.jpg) ****Proud Brighton – We Are Community** by Chris Jepson "At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under pressure across the world, visibility matters more than ever, and the portraits that Chris has created are a powerful act of representation. "This is not a celebration of an idea of Pride, it is a celebration of real people, real lives and a community that continues to show up for each other." Paul added that the project reflects the spirit of Brighton & Hove as one of the UK's most diverse and inclusive cities. The exhibition runs until 15 August at Jubilee Library, with portraits also featured throughout the city and during the Pride celebrations. More information is available via [**Proud Studios CIC**.](https://proud-studios.co.uk/proud-brighton?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### "I am more powerful than I even knew": Dylan Mulvaney shoots back after being repeatedly referenced by Trump during White House dinner URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/dylan-mulvaney-responds-with-defiance-after-trump-remarks-i-am-more-powerful-than-i-even-knew/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T11:17:24.000Z Trans actor, author and advocate **Dylan Mulvaney** has responded after being repeatedly referenced by President **Donald Trump** during the White House Correspondents' Dinner, sharing a message about resilience and the strength of the trans community. According to multiple reports covering the White House Correspondents' Dinner, Trump mentioned Dylan Mulvaney while speaking about CNN journalis**t Kaitlan Collins** and referenced the 2023 Bud Light partnership that made Mulvaney a target of anti-trans conservative backlash. Mulvaney, who has become one of the most recognisable trans figures in America, chose not to respond with anger. Instead, Mulvaney reflected on what years of public scrutiny have taught her. "Thank you for reminding me that I am more powerful than I even knew," she said. The statement quickly resonated with supporters, many of whom praised Mulvaney for transforming yet another moment of political attention into a declaration of self-belief. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbRgAYUO20U/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Dylan Mulvaney (@dylanmulvaney)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbRgAYUO20U/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) For several years, Mulvaney has found herself at the centre of America's increasingly heated debate over trans rights. Yet despite relentless public scrutiny, she has remained one of the country's most visible advocates for trans joy, authenticity and inclusion. Mulvaney first gained international attention through her viral *Days of Girlhood* video series, which documented her transition and offered millions of viewers an intimate, often joyful insight into the experiences of a young trans woman. What began as a personal project quickly evolved into one of the most widely viewed transgender stories on social media. Since then, she has used her platform to speak about trans rights, representation and inclusion, appearing at LGBTQ+ events, engaging with lawmakers and using her public profile to challenge misconceptions about trans lives. ### REVIEW: Maurice (1987) URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/revie-maurice-1987/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T10:38:42.000Z Hello cinema lovers. Director **James Ivory**'s ***Maurice*** turns 39 this year, and it still stands out like a small cinematic miracle, a gay love story from 1987, at the height of the AIDS crisis, that dares to have a happy ending. Powerhouse production company **Merchant Ivory** took a great risk and quite a bit of opposition to make this film, and it's a seminal work in gay cinema. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093512/mediaviewer/rm2656012801/?ref_=ttmi_mi_8_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BMDQ1MWY4YTUtMjhkYy00MWI3LTk3NTEtYWJhMzFjZjFlMTRjXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX580.5_-1-1.jpg) Adapted from **E.M. Forster**'s posthumously published novel, the film follows the handsome **James Wilby** as Maurice Hall and is set in Edwardian England. The amusing opening scene depicts a stilted beachside lesson on "the sacred mystery of sex" related to a young fatherless Maurice. Swiftly moving on to the Cambridge years, where he falls for a young, posh and totally beautiful **Hugh Grant** as Clive Durham. Clive confesses his feelings first. Maurice is initially horrified but later reciprocates. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093512/mediaviewer/rm2974779905/?ref_=ttmi_mi_15_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BMWUwYTM4N2QtOWY3My00MzJhLWFiZTAtZGFlNTMxNGFlNmMxXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX580.5_-1.jpg) Their romance stays chaste due to Clive's unwillingness to take the next step. He believes sex would ruin them both. When Clive's friend Lord Risley (Mark Tandy) is arrested for picking up a hot soldier and falling into a police trap. News of his downfall causes Clive to scuttle into the closet in a sad downward spiral of self-loathing. Eventually, he marries a poor, unsuspecting woman. Maurice is left alone and devastated. Later in the movie, hope arrives in the form of **Rupert Graves**, who enters as the smouldering Alec Scudder. He's a gamekeeper on Clive's estate, who climbs a ladder into Maurice's bedroom one warm night and changes everything for both men. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093512/mediaviewer/rm2404354561/?ref_=ttmi_mi_11_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BMDg3OGQ2MDEtMjI0ZC00NDEzLWE0ZjgtMjc0YTJjZDczMWY5XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX580.5_-1.jpg) Wilby is the film's quiet powerhouse. He plays Maurice as a man constantly on the verge of falling apart, his true feelings only revealed through his expressions. It's a performance that risks looking undercooked and instead reads as horribly suppressed, which is the point of his portrayal. Grant, in only his second film, is exceptionally good here, initially all floppy-haired and doe-eyed early on, before morphing into a nervous, selfish coward by the second half of the story. It's no real surprise he became a superstar actor down the road. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093512/mediaviewer/rm593305088/?ref_=ttmi_mi_30_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BYjhlNGM2OGYtYjRiYi00YzNiLTlhM2EtY2U5MWUwN2M5ZWNiXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX585_-1.jpg) Graves gives Alec a sulky, then wild, working-class identity that never tips into stereotype. It's a small but pivotal role that he pitches well. Denholm Elliott and Simon Callow, both Merchant Ivory regulars, work hard and add an Edwardian world view in their brief roles. The wonderful Billie Whitelaw makes the most of too little screen time as Maurice's sweet but totally unaware mother. This film is Merchant Ivory at full bloom, at the peak of their 1980s powers. The cinematography lovingly treats Cambridge and the fictional country estate of Pendersleigh with care. It also treats the men's various naked bodies with respect and the beauty they inspire. never crude or creepy, the male form is on display here with affection. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093512/mediaviewer/rm2132423424/?ref_=ttmi_mi_3_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BOWE0MTIyY2QtOWM0Yy00YzFhLTgzMTEtNGJhMTIyMjJmN2ZlXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX477_-1.jpg) The movie's soundtrack does much of the emotional lifting where the script leaves certain feelings unspoken, particularly in that final silent shot of Clive at the window of his huge, stately closet in the shape of a house. The class dynamics between Maurice and Alec deserve more room than the film gives them. Their romance is very sweet, but it is also assembled too quickly. My main criticism of the movie is that it spends too much time on Clive's doomed affection and not enough on Alec's brave declarations. Where Maurice earns its place in gay cinema is its refusal to flinch away from its subject matter. There's a good bit of full-frontal nudity here, man-on-man desire filmed without apology. For 1987, a homosexual main character who ends the film happy rather than being punished or dead is groundbreaking. Compare that to the depressing end of *Brokeback Mountain*, which arrived nearly 20 years later. Alec's iconic line to Maurice, that they'll never be parted now, remains one of the most romantic sentences ever spoken in a British film. However, at times, the script wanders into complete pretentiousness, particularly in the first hour. All that aside, as a document of Edwardian gay love and a movie that lets its hero win, Maurice still deserves high marks. Essential viewing for anyone interested in a queer film education or simply revisiting a cherished classic from the 1980s, when gay men had little to cheer about. well worth a watch. *Maurice* is available to stream now on Amazon Prime, BFI Player and Apple TV. ### The tragedy in Berlin shows why Pride still matters URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-tragedy-in-berlin-shows-why-pride-still-matters/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T10:31:08.000Z Just hours after tens of thousands of people marched through Berlin for **Christopher Street Day**, one of Europe's biggest Pride celebrations became the scene of tragedy. A vehicle was driven into crowds near the Pride festival, killing one person and injuring dozens more. Organisers cancelled planned events, while thousands gathered the following day for a vigil near the Brandenburg Gate. Pride flags flew at half-mast, flowers were laid in tribute, and a celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility became a moment of collective grief. For those who argue that Pride has outlived its purpose, Berlin provides a devastating answer. Pride remains necessary because hatred has not disappeared. The attack struck at an event built around visibility, acceptance and freedom. One Berlin police officer, **Ali Darwich**, described it as an attack not just on LGBTQ+ people but on the values the city represents: "its diversity, its tolerance and its belief in freedom". Speaking as a gay man, a Muslim and a police officer, he said the incident touched "so many aspects of who I am". The aftermath revealed something else too: fear. **Alfonso Pantisano**, Berlin's LGBTQ affairs commissioner, spoke directly to a shaken community in the hours after the attack. "To you, my dear community: I know that many of you are afraid right now. I won't sugarcoat it. I am, too. But you are not alone in this fear, in your grief, and in your anger." Those words matter because they cut through one of the most persistent myths about Pride. The idea that LGBTQ+ equality has been won. The suggestion that Pride is now simply a colourful annual festival with little political relevance. If equality were complete, Pride events would not require extensive security operations. If equality were complete, LGBTQ+ people would not continue to experience hate crime, discrimination and abuse. If equality were complete, a community gathering in one of Europe's most liberal cities would not end with mourners laying flowers and lighting candles. Pride has always existed in the space between celebration and protest. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/imago862760649.jpg) ****IMAGO / JNA Press** The roots of the movement lie in resistance to discrimination and violence. The modern Pride march emerged from the **Stonewall** uprising in New York, when LGBTQ+ people fought back against police harassment and persecution. Berlin's Christopher Street Day itself takes its name from the street where those events took place in 1969\. That history is why Pride cannot simply become a party. The joy matters. The music matters. The rainbow flags matter. But they matter because they exist alongside a demand for dignity and equality. As Amsterdam hosts **WorldPride** and **London Trans+ Pride** records its largest-ever turnout, those events are not celebrations despite the challenges facing LGBTQ+ communities. They are celebrations in defiance of them. Berlin demonstrated that reality in the starkest possible way. Yet the response to the attack was not silence. It was solidarity. Thousands attended vigils. Community groups continued to organise. Pride supporters gathered in remembrance of those affected. One sign displayed at the vigil captured the mood perfectly: "From grief, to anger to resistance." Every generation faces a temptation to believe progress is inevitable. History tells a different story. Rights can be challenged. Visibility can provoke backlash. Communities can become targets precisely because they are becoming more visible and more accepted. That is why Pride remains essential. It tells LGBTQ+ people they are not alone. It reminds governments and institutions that equality requires constant protection. It creates spaces where people can live openly, often for the first time. And when hatred seeks to intimidate communities into retreating, Pride offers a powerful collective response. The scenes in Berlin this weekend were heartbreaking. But they also demonstrated why Pride endures. Because when fear appears, solidarity becomes more important. When hatred emerges, visibility becomes more powerful. And when a community is attacked, showing up for one another becomes an act of resistance. ### History made as Queen Máxima of the Netherlands opens WorldPride in Amsterdam URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/history-made-as-queen-maxima-of-the-netherlands-opens-worldpride-in-amsterdam/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T09:47:36.000Z **Queen Máxima** officially opened **WorldPride 2026** in **Amsterdam** on Saturday, becoming the first reigning queen to formally inaugurate the global LGBTQ+ event. The Dutch monarch launched the festival at Amsterdam's **Vondelpark** alongside mayor **Femke Halsema**, marking the start of more than two weeks of celebrations, cultural events and human rights discussions across the city. WorldPride is being hosted in Amsterdam for the first time, with organisers expecting around one million visitors. Addressing crowds gathered at the **Vondelpark Open-Air Theatre**, Queen Máxima delivered a message centred on freedom, equality and respect. "Being who you are, loving who you want, that's normal, isn't it?" she said, before urging attendees to "hold on to each other, support each other, and enjoy it". Before the official opening ceremony, the Queen toured Pride Park, visiting Sport Pride and Youth Pride initiatives and meeting representatives from LGBTQ+ organisations and community groups. Mayor Halsema used her speech to highlight both the celebratory and political dimensions of the event, arguing that Pride must continue to champion equality and human rights around the world. She pointed to growing concerns about LGBTQ+ rights internationally and warned against complacency in countries where legal protections already exist. WorldPride Amsterdam runs until **8 August** and will feature around 300 events, including the city's famous **Canal Parade**, a Human Rights Conference, concerts, exhibitions and community gatherings. The 2026 edition carries particular significance for the Netherlands. The event coincides with the 25th anniversary of the country becoming the first in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, as well as 30 years of Pride celebrations in Amsterdam and the 80th anniversary of LGBTQ+ organisation **COC Netherlands.** A Pride Walk from Dam Square to Vondelpark formed part of the opening day celebrations, with thousands taking part in a colourful procession through the city centre. Organisers said the march aimed to highlight the experiences of some of the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community, including asylum seekers and refugees. Amsterdam secured the right to host WorldPride after a successful international bid, bringing the biennial event to the Dutch capital for the first time. Organisers say the programme will focus on culture, visibility, connection and human rights, while reinforcing Amsterdam's reputation as a city of diversity and inclusion. *WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 runs from 25 July to 8 August, with the Canal Parade scheduled to take place on 1 August.* ### London Trans+ Pride draws record 150,000 as march ends in Trafalgar Square for first time URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/london-trans-pride-draws-record-150-000-as-march-ends-in-trafalgar-square-for-first-time/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T09:31:34.000Z **London Trans+ Pride** attracted a record-breaking 150,000 people to the streets of the capital on Saturday, marking the largest turnout in the event's history and culminating in a landmark gathering in **Trafalgar Square** for the first time. The annual march, which organisers said grew by 50,000 people compared with last year's attendance of 100,000, saw trans and non-binary people, allies and supporters march through central London before assembling in the iconic square for an afternoon of speeches, performances and community celebration. This year's event took place under the theme **"Our Future, Our Fight"**, bringing together campaigners, artists and activists less than two weeks before the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Code of Practice is due to come into force on 5 August. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/JADE8634.jpg) Photo cred Jade Aphrodite Among those taking to the stage were **Ceyenne Doroshow**, founder of **G.L.I.T.S.**; **Qween Jean**, the first openly trans Tony Award winner and founder of **Black Trans Liberation**; musician, poet and author **Kae Tempest**; intersex activist and footballer **Ray Newman**; **Rain Reeta Loi**, founder of **Gaysians**; drag king **Chiyo**; representatives from **Trans Action for Housing Justice**; artist **Quinnely Rose Z**; and multidisciplinary artist **Kobi Ayensuo**. High-profile attendees included *Heartstopper* star **Joe Locke**, actor **Yasmin Finney**, presenter **Jack Remmington**, writer and activist **Munroe Bergdorf**, and author **Juno Roche**. Trafalgar Square became the focal point of the day as crowds filled the steps and gathered around the fountains to hear speeches beneath artist **Teresa Margolles'** installation featuring face casts of 726 trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Lewis-G-Burton-LT-P-organiser-9496-1.jpg) ****Lewis G Burton**. Photo cred Jade Aphrodite One of London Trans+ Pride's founding members, **Lewis G Burton**, described the event as "unstoppable". "London Trans+ Pride has proven once again exactly what it is: unstoppable," they said. "This year we didn't just show up, we showed out, growing from 100,000 to 150,000 people marching side by side, and for the first time ever ending in Trafalgar Square, right in the heart of this city that belongs to us as much as anyone."Every single person who marched today is proof that we are not going anywhere, that our joy is louder than their hate, and that London Trans+ Pride will keep fighting, keep loving, and keep growing until every trans person is safe, seen and free." A highlight of the afternoon came from **Kae Tempest**, who addressed the crowd before performing. Speaking about their experiences of attending Trans Pride events over the past 15 years, Tempest said they felt "full of gratitude" to be present and described the gathering as "something so special". ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/JADE8296.jpg) Photo cred Jade Aphrodite Reflecting on a previous visit to Trafalgar Square, Tempest recalled sitting alone in the location when their track *Statue In The Square* was released. "I sat there and I thought about this place, and I can't believe there's 100,000 people here," they told the crowd. "And it's us. It's all us." The march also featured the **Trans Unity Quilt**, a 96-metre patchwork made up of more than 300 contributions from trans people across the UK. Co-created with **CN Lester** and the **Good Law Project**, the quilt includes memorials, personal stories, family celebrations and community references. Its 12 panels will now be preserved at **Bishopsgate Archives** before touring Pride events across the country. This year's event took place against the backdrop of significant debate over trans rights in the UK. Organisers highlighted concerns over recent legal and policy developments, including last year's Supreme Court ruling on the definition of biological sex, the forthcoming **EHRC Code of Practice**, restrictions on puberty blockers for trans young people, and proposed changes to school guidance. ### BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS: Mother Clap's Molly House URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-gay-mens-chorus-mother-claps-molly-house/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T09:35:41.000Z Hot from the stage on the beach with **Fat Boy Slim** [**BGMC** ](https://www.brightongmc.org/performances/all-performances/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)are back with their summer concert and back with a bang too. Sat waiting for the off the still elegance of St George’s Kemp Town was pierced by the shrill squeals and laughter of a gaggle of men in corsets and panniers chasing each other through the church in an explosion of camp historical sauciness. What a sight, what beautiful costumes and what a great way to launch us all into a musical evening of song and drama. I say drama because this choir, who usually give is comedy sketches, this time deliver a play about the Molly Houses where in the 1700s gay men would gather in secret. At the time homosexuality carried a death sentence. This was an ambitious concept but one that they pulled off and particularly in the second half when the camp humour faded and the realities of the danger emerged. There were some excellent performances in the second part for sure. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/image0.jpeg) There you go, I don’t often enjoy or indeed praise these elements of BGMC’s concerts, but this time the writing and delivery was rather good. Enough of that though and onto the music, and songs that supported the theme from seeking pleasures, to doubt and to resistance. They launched with **Madonna**, a woman not averse to wearing a corset on stage, and **Abba**, a mash up of Hung Up and Gimme Gimme Gimme that got the whole thing off to a rousing start. Next **Pulp’s** This Is Hardcore who took the mood down a peg or two only to be lifted by **Jonathan Taylor**’s laconic delivery of the **Tony Hatch** classic Down Town, pop at its best delivered with style. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Mother-Clap-Illustration-2-1.jpg) **John McPherson** then gave us Wicked Little Town from Hedwig And The Angry Inch and he simply nailed it! **Jade’s** Angel Of My Dreams next from the whole chorus and their excellent Toxic, far better than the original but then I do have a deep seated dislike of **Britney Spears**, I mean hit me Britney, you just mime! **Alanis Morisette’s** Uninvited next then a solo from **Jonnny Gannon** with a touch of **Kylie’s** Love At First Sight. Church from the entire chorus had real poignancy and for me a highlight came next with What Was I Made For. Why a highlight? Well for once a solo, **Kevin Prince,** backed by the whole chorus and beautifully done. **Hugh Cooper’s** Empty Chairs and Empty Tables from Les Mis, a song about the loss of friends sat so well in the whole evening. BGMC’s life on Mars always stands out and musical director **Tim Nail’s** arrangement works so well and **Joe Paxton’s** mash up of **Kylie** and **Madonna** Better Devil Vogue is a showstopper for sure and the revisited list of icons here as queer icons is very moving and punched home with great projected graphics. Part two opens with Scared Of The Dark by **Steps,** a poignant link to the darkness to come in the drama and then a solo from **Ben Fowler** of Undercover. And the drama is back and darker than before as the story unfolds. Jonathan Taylor is truly excellent as the prosecuting council as the gay men are taken to trial. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-26-at-5.36.47-PM-1.jpeg) Another Tim Nail arrangement next with **Bowie’s** Where Are We Now, fingering the fact that in our present world the fought for freedoms that gay man and women have been able to enjoy are being chipped away by the emergence of a new fascistic right wing threat. **Rod Edmunds** always delivers a beautifully sung solo and this time The Sky Above The Roof was no exception. **Raye’s** I Know You’re Hurting was perhaps the least successful piece of the evening, but sitting just before Tim Nail’s next arrangement it had a lot to live up to. I was so excited to see I Do And I Don’t Care in the programme having heard it previously and to say the least been blown away. And blown away I was once more. It is a brilliant piece of writing, Self Esteem is such a talent, and **James Waite**, **Chris Hutchinson** and **Rod Edmunds** make it work so effectively against the precision of the choir who clearly are loving the challenge. **Sadao Ueda** acts a song, his moving performances always work and Chosen Family was a perfect choice of song to show this. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Mother-Clap-Illustration-3-1.jpg) Somewhere, **Bernstein** and **Sondheim,** from West Side Story worked well within the theme and **Chris Hutchinson** sang it with heart and soul. The Power Of Love, **Holly Johnson’s** queer anthem, sat well as the penultimate song and hoorah for another solo backed by the full chorus, **Jessie Booth** floating his voice above the mass sound. But the still power of this needed to be followed by an uplifting finale so what better than It’s Raining Men, an explosion of joy. A wonderful evening of song and words, the chorus are so good and especially when delivering a big sound. If I had anything to say to detract from that it would be that I wished that they employed the confidence that they clearly have in those big numbers to the gentler and quieter moments, the talent is there for sure. Of course we demanded a finale and what a bonus for those of us who, for whatever reason, did not go to the beach to see Fat Boy Slim. Video footage of the BGMC presence on his stage, the choir singing along, somewhat chaotically, and finally exploding from the stage and dancing in the aisles. They were having fun and that energy was infectious. ***Andrew Kay*** 24 July St George’s Kemp Town ### One dead and many injured after vehicle hits crowd at Berlin Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/one-dead-and-many-injured-after-vehicle-hits-crowd-at-berlin-pride/ Last updated: 2026-07-25T22:18:39.000Z Berlin's annual Pride celebrations were abruptly brought to an end on Saturday evening after a vehicle drove into a crowd near the city's Tiergarten park, killing at least one person and injuring several others. German police have launched a major manhunt for the driver, who reportedly fled the scene on foot. The incident occurred during **Christopher Street Day** (CSD), Germany's largest LGBTQ+ event and one of Europe's biggest Pride celebrations. Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered in central Berlin for the parade and associated concerts around the Brandenburg Gate when emergency services were called to reports that a vehicle had struck pedestrians near the parade route. Berlin police said at least 15 people were injured, some seriously. One person later died from their injuries. Witnesses quoted by local media said a white van appeared to drive into the crowd at speed before the driver abandoned the vehicle and escaped. Authorities have not yet confirmed the circumstances of the collision or whether it was deliberate. Emergency crews, firefighters and police officers flooded the area as organisers cancelled the remainder of the event. Attendees were instructed to leave the Brandenburg Gate concert site and avoid the Tiergarten area while investigations continued. In a statement issued on social media, Berlin police said they were conducting an intensive search for suspects and urged members of the public to stay away from the scene. Authorities have so far released few details about the driver or any possible motive. The tragedy cast a shadow over what had been a peaceful day of celebrations. Christopher Street Day is held annually in Berlin to promote LGBTQ+ rights, equality and inclusion, drawing participants from across Germany and beyond. The event had featured a large parade through the city centre, accompanied by music, performances and political demonstrations. Investigators are expected to work through the night to establish exactly what happened. As of Saturday evening, police had not indicated whether the incident was being treated as an accident, a criminal act or a potential terror attack. This is a developing story and details may change as authorities provide further information. ### Megan Rapinoe defends trans athletes and warns anti-trans policies are 'an attack on women' URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/megan-rapinoe-defends-trans-athletes-and-warns-anti-trans-policies-are-an-attack-on-women/ Last updated: 2026-07-24T12:26:30.000Z Former United States football star **Megan Rapinoe** has spoken out in support of trans athletes, arguing that efforts to exclude trans women from sport are part of a broader attack on women's rights and empowerment. The two-time World Cup winner made the comments during an appearance on US talk show *The View*, where she challenged claims that restrictions on trans participation in women's sport are primarily about protecting female athletes. Rapinoe said anti-trans campaigners were using sport as a "wedge issue", exploiting public concerns about safety and fairness to target a vulnerable minority. "They're going after trans people in sports, and they're using this as a wedge issue because we love sports," Rapinoe said. "And, you know, we don't want our little girls to be unsafe in sports." The former US national team captain argued that some proposed policies risk policing how women look and present themselves, while subjecting girls and young women to intrusive scrutiny. She pointed to legislation being debated in Washington State that would require sex verification measures for some athletes. Rapinoe went further, claiming the wider political campaign against trans inclusion ultimately harms all women. "They don't like women in sports because it helps us with confidence and power," she said. "It's just great for you physically and all of it. But it's an attack on women in society." Her intervention comes amid renewed debate in the United States after Indiana Fever basketball player **Sophie Cunningham** reiterated her opposition to trans women competing in female sport. Cunningham said she believed it was important to protect girls and women in sport and stood by previous comments on the issue. Rapinoe has long been one of the most prominent advocates for LGBTQ+ rights in sport and has repeatedly called for greater inclusion of transgender people. Supporters of trans inclusion argue that sport should remain accessible to all and that transgender athletes deserve the same opportunities to participate as everyone else, while governing bodies continue to develop eligibility policies aimed at balancing inclusion and competition. ### Liverpool FC to join city Pride march as club marks 14 years of support URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/liverpool-fc-to-join-city-pride-march-as-club-marks-14-years-of-support/ Last updated: 2026-07-24T12:00:45.000Z **Liverpool FC** will join thousands of people at **Liverpool Pride** this weekend as the club continues its long-running support for the city's LGBTQ+ community. Players, staff, supporters, Official Liverpool Supporters Clubs, fan groups and representatives from the club's commercial partners are set to take part in Saturday's Pride march, one of the largest events in the city's calendar. As an official sponsor of Liverpool Pride, the Reds will once again march alongside members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies from across the region, continuing a relationship that stretches back more than a decade. This year marks 14 years since Liverpool became the first Premier League club to participate in a Pride march, a milestone the club says reflects its ongoing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion through its **Red Together** initiative. The club has been involved in a range of Pride-related activities throughout the summer, bringing together supporters, colleagues and local communities. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/12558970529033013340-2.jpeg) Liverpool Pride Earlier this month, the **LFC Foundation** hosted its annual Pride football tournament, welcoming teams from several local leagues for a day focused on football, inclusion and community spirit. Representatives from the **Young People's Advisory Service** (YPAS) also attended to raise awareness of support services available to young people across Liverpool. The Foundation will continue its involvement during Saturday's celebrations, with a dedicated stand at Liverpool Pride where visitors can learn more about its community programmes and charitable work. Meanwhile, the club's annual Pride badge competition has once again showcased the creativity of young people connected to the Foundation. This year's winning design was created by Grace, a participant in Foundation programmes, whose entry was selected from 364 submissions by Liverpool FC's LGBTQ+ employee network. The winning badge will feature prominently throughout the weekend's events. Supporters can also show their support through Liverpool FC's Pride retail collection, available online and in official club stores. The range includes clothing and accessories, with a percentage of proceeds donated to local LGBTQ+ charities. The initiative has contributed £20,000 to LGBT+ causes to date. **Rishi Jain**, Liverpool FC's director of impact, said: "We're proud to once again support Liverpool's Pride, marching alongside our colleagues, supporters, partner networks and the wider community this weekend. "Red Together is how we make sure everyone feels welcome, valued and respected, and Pride is an important opportunity to celebrate that alongside our city. We look forward to coming together to show our support for the LGBT+ community." Liverpool Pride takes place on Saturday, with thousands expected to attend celebrations across the city as organisations, community groups and businesses come together to champion visibility, equality and inclusion. ### John Waters says younger LGBTQ+ people can never fully understand the AIDS crisis URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/john-waters-says-younger-lgbtq-people-can-never-fully-understand-the-aids-crisis/ Last updated: 2026-07-24T19:17:53.000Z Cult filmmaker **John Waters** has said he is proud to be an "old-school gay", reflecting on ageing, gay culture and the lasting impact of the AIDS crisis as he approaches his ninth decade. The *Pink Flamingos* and *Hairspray* director, who turned 80 in April, shares his thoughts in thedocumentary *Finding Fire Island*, which explores the history and culture of the famous LGBTQ+ destination off the coast of New York. Waters, one of queer cinema's most influential and provocative figures, says he has never felt pressure to conform to the body ideals often associated with gay male culture. "The younger people understand me and my films," he says in the documentary. "Even at the height of when I looked the best, I never was a 'Muscle Mary'." Instead, Waters said he identified more closely with the countercultural and flamboyant spirit of groups such as **The Cockettes**, the legendary San Francisco psychedelic drag troupe of the 1970s. "It's a culture that I know about," he said, referring to gym-focused gay stereotypes, "but to me, the hippie gay thing, the Cockettes and all that, was more radical and to my liking than, say, clones." The filmmaker's comments come as *Finding Fire Island* examines the changing face of LGBTQ+ life and culture across generations. Waters also reflected on the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, saying it remains one of the defining experiences separating older LGBTQ+ people from younger generations. "That's the main thing: If you're older, you remember that, and you can never convey what that was like to young people," he said. The second season of *Finding Fire Island* is hosted by journalist **Jess Rothschild** and explores the history, rivalries and communities that have shaped the island's place in LGBTQ+ culture. Rothschild said she had long wanted to feature Waters, who is more commonly associated with Provincetown, Massachusetts, but was keen to hear his memories of visiting Fire Island during the 1970s alongside his late muse and drag superstar Divine. "John Waters represents the idea that what society calls 'too much' can become a source of creativity, humour and power," she said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/JohnWaters-byPhilipRomano-2.jpg) "I love how he speaks to being an outsider even within the gay community and relishing it. I think that's his primary message: the traits that make you feel out of place can become the foundation of your identity, your art and your community rather than something to hide." Best known as the self-styled "Pope of Trash", Waters built a career on celebrating outsiders, misfits and unconventional characters. Films including *Pink Flamingos*, *Female Trouble* and *Hairspray* helped establish him as one of the most distinctive voices in American cinema. The latest documentary also seeks to broaden perceptions of Fire Island itself. Rothschild said she deliberately included the voices of women, trans people and people of colour, arguing that portrayals of the destination have too often focused exclusively on white gay men. "Nearly every well-known piece of media about Fire Island was made by a man and is about the white, gay, male experience," she said. "This just perpetuates the stereotype that Fire Island is relentlessly male, which it is not." For Waters, however, the documentary is also a reminder that queer culture continues to evolve. Despite being one of the most recognisable figures in LGBTQ+ entertainment, he believes younger audiences still connect with his work because of its celebration of individuality and refusal to conform. *Finding Fire Island* is distributed via the **Broadway Podcast Network** and is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SiriusXM, and Amazon Music. ### Forget the shy boffin: Alan Turing was cheeky, funny and loved sex URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/forget-the-shy-boffin-alan-turing-was-cheeky-funny-and-loved-sex/ Last updated: 2026-07-24T11:41:59.000Z **Alan Turing** is remembered as the brilliant mathematician who helped crack the Enigma code during the Second World War and laid the foundations for modern computing. But experts say a newly highlighted gay short story is helping to reveal a very different side of the pioneering scientist: a witty, playful man who enjoyed sex, friendship and mischief. The story, which has attracted renewed attention from historians and LGBTQ+ researchers, challenges the popular image of Turing as a socially awkward genius isolated from the world around him. Instead, scholars argue, it offers a glimpse of a man who was far more complex than the stereotype that has dominated portrayals of his life for decades. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Alan_Turing_Aged_16.jpg) Alan Turing aged 16 "People tend to remember Turing as a lonely mathematical prodigy," said one researcher. "What emerges from personal writings and contemporary accounts is somebody with a sharp sense of humour, a mischievous streak and an active interest in relationships and sex." Turing, who was born in London in 1912, became one of the most important scientific figures of the 20th century through his work at **Bletchley Park** and his groundbreaking theories on computation and artificial intelligence. Yet much of the public narrative surrounding him has focused on his tragic persecution for being gay. In 1952, he was convicted of gross indecency after admitting a relationship with another man. He was subjected to hormonal treatment, often described as chemical castration, and died two years later aged 41. Historians say that while this injustice remains a crucial part of his story, it should not eclipse the fuller picture of his life. The short story, they argue, portrays Turing as someone who embraced pleasure and intimacy at a time when homosexuality was criminalised in Britain. Rather than depicting a withdrawn academic, it presents a man capable of humour, flirtation and self-expression. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Alan_Turing_-5025990183-.jpg) Researchers believe such material is important because it restores a sense of agency to historical LGBTQ+ figures who are often remembered only through the lens of discrimination. "Turing was not simply a victim," said one expert. "He was a human being with desires, relationships, friendships and a sense of fun. Recognising that does not diminish what happened to him. It makes him more real." The renewed interest comes amid wider efforts to reassess the lives of LGBTQ+ people who have traditionally been excluded from mainstream historical narratives. For many campaigners and historians, understanding Turing's personal life is just as important as celebrating his scientific achievements. His legacy has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades. Once prosecuted by the state, Turing is now commemorated through statues, museums, university buildings and even the £50 note. In 2013 he received a posthumous royal pardon, while subsequent legislation known informally as the "Alan Turing law" extended pardons to thousands of men convicted under historical anti-gay laws. Experts say the emerging picture is of a man who was not only one of Britain's greatest scientific minds, but also someone who lived, loved and laughed despite the restrictions of his era. "The public knows Alan Turing the genius," said one historian. "What these personal accounts reveal is Alan Turing the man: intelligent, funny, cheeky and unapologetically human." ### Exhibition celebrating trans joy opens at Brighton's Ledward Centre URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/exhibition-celebrating-trans-joy-opens-at-brightons-ledward-centre/ Last updated: 2026-07-24T09:50:06.000Z A new exhibition celebrating the lives, experiences and resilience of trans people has opened in Brighton. *Beyond The Binary – A Celebration of Trans Joy* launched ahead of **Trans Pride Brighton** at the **Ledward Centre** on **Jubilee Street**, marking the first exhibition under the LGBTQ+ community venue's new leadership team, Billie and Ellie. The free installation features a series of large-format window displays pairing portraits of trans individuals and community groups with personal stories and reflections. Designed to be accessible around the clock, the exhibition can be viewed from outside the building 24 hours a day, as well as from inside the centre's café during opening hours. The project is the work of **Proud Studios CIC** and Brighton photographer **Chris Jepson**, and showcases members of organisations including Trans Pride Brighton, the **Clare Project**, **Trans Can Sport**, **TReNBI FC**, **Misfits** and **Transkaters**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/13260896928005509639.jpeg) Organisers say the exhibition aims to highlight joy, community and visibility at a time when trans people continue to face intense scrutiny in political debate, legislation and media coverage. **Chris Jepson**, photographer and director of Proud Studios, said: "Trans people are being talked about more than they're being talked to. This exhibition is my small attempt to redress that, stories told in the words and images of the people who live them, not the people arguing about them. [Ledward Centre set to reopen its doors this Brighton PrideAfter more than 14 months closed, Brighton’s Ledward Centre is throwing its doors wide open on Pride Saturday, 1 August, and the whole community is invited home![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/S-Logo-b3280876-63ca-4183-acf8-b3e17aa88208.png)Scene MagazineScene Editorial Team![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-15-at-9.34.28-PM--1--1-1-4f68b127-b9d9-4493-9988-3080326cc3c7.jpeg)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ledward-centre-set-to-reopen-its-doors-this-brighton-pride/) "It feels right that this opens just in time for Trans Pride Brighton this weekend, a moment built entirely around trans people speaking for themselves. Joy is not naive in this climate, it's necessary. Every time we choose visibility over silence, we're saying that trans lives are worth celebrating, not just defending." The Ledward Centre, which describes itself as Brighton's first LGBTQ+ community and cultural centre, will remain open throughout Brighton Pride weekend before returning to normal opening hours from **6 August**. The exhibition has previously been displayed at venues including Brighton's Jubilee Library and **Plus X Innovation** **hub**, as well as **Google UK**'s King's Cross and St Giles High Street offices in London. People unable to visit in person can view the exhibition online [via the Proud Studios website.](https://proud-studios.co.uk/exhibition-beyond-the-binary-at-the-ledward-centre?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Manchester named world's third most sexually liberal city URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/manchester-named-worlds-third-most-sexually-liberal-city/ Last updated: 2026-07-24T09:35:18.000Z **Manchester** has been named the world's third most sexually liberal city in a new international ranking, trailing only **Amsterdam** and **Vancouver** and outperforming **London** by a considerable margin. The **2026 Sexually Liberal City Index,** compiled by adult entertainment portal Erobella.com, compares 41 cities worldwide using 10 indicators, including the density of sex shops and LGBTQ+ venues, access to abortion and contraception, sex work legislation, and anti-discrimination protections. Amsterdam topped the ranking for a second consecutive year with 69.4 points out of 100, followed by Vancouver on 58.9\. Manchester secured third place with 58.6 points, climbing four places from seventh last year and recording its highest-ever finish. The biggest story in this year's index is Manchester's rise. The city comfortably outperformed every other UK destination, with **Glasgow** ranking eighth and **Birmingham** 17th. **London**, despite its size and international reputation, was relegated to 23rd place. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Manchester_Pride_2013_-9593471428-.jpg) Wikimedia Researchers highlighted Manchester's renowned Gay Village and Canal Street district as key drivers behind its strong performance. The city recorded the second-highest density of gay bars among all 41 cities surveyed, surpassed only by **Miami**. The ranking arrives at a notable moment for Greater Manchester. It comes in the same month that **Andy Burnham**, who served as Mayor of Greater Manchester for almost a decade, entered Downing Street as Prime Minister. While laws relating to sexual freedom are determined at a national level, Manchester's LGBTQ+ scene expanded significantly during Burnham's tenure. The city-region became the first to appoint an LGBTQ+ adviser to a metro mayor, pursued a night-time economy strategy modelled on cities such as Amsterdam and Berlin, and launched a programme worth more than £1 million aimed at ending new HIV transmissions by 2030. Amsterdam secured a commanding lead at the top of the table, scoring highest in three categories: sex work laws, sex worker organisations and abortion rights. Combined with a strong queer events calendar and extensive LGBTQ+ nightlife, the Dutch capital finished more than 10 points clear of Vancouver. Vancouver's second-place finish was driven largely by strong scores on health and equality measures, while Manchester's nightlife and LGBTQ+ infrastructure propelled it into the top three. The report found that American cities generally combine vibrant LGBTQ+ and adult entertainment scenes with weaker scores on legal and policy measures. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Manchester_Pride_-52318199340-.jpg) Wikimedia Miami achieved maximum scores across all four lifestyle categories measured, including sex shops, gay bars and LGBTQ+ events, yet still ranked only 10th overall due to low scores for sex work laws, gender affirmation protections and anti-discrimination measures. **San Francisco** was the highest-ranked US city in fifth place, benefiting from strong community infrastructure and the highest concentration of sex worker organisations in the index. **New York** performed less strongly than might be expected, placing 32nd, while Houston and Dallas also finished in the bottom third of the rankings. At the opposite end of the table, **Moscow** ranked last with 11.6 points, followed by **Tokyo** on 17.7 and **Cape Town** on 20.1. The report identified London as one of the more surprising underperformers. Despite being one of the world's largest and most diverse cities, the capital finished 23rd, behind Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham. The full ranking can be viewed on the [Sexually Liberal City Index 2026](https://erobella.com/creative/liberal-cities-2026/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### Queer Bloomsbury to return to Charleston with talks, performances and open-air celebration URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queer-bloomsbury-to-return-to-charleston-with-talks-performances-and-open-air-celebration/ Last updated: 2026-07-23T13:16:37.000Z **Queer Bloomsbury** will return to **Charleston** in East Sussex next month with a programme of talks, performances and outdoor celebrations exploring queer culture, history and community. The one-day event, presented by **Marlborough Productions** and Charleston, will take place on **15 August** and has been fully curated by **Queer Heritage South** for the first time. Organisers have described the festival as an "extravaganza of queer excellence", combining discussion, live art, performance and a large open-air party set against the backdrop of Charleston's historic gardens. At the heart of this year's programme is ***The Moment***, a keynote talk examining queer imagination, activism and solidarity in the face of growing challenges to LGBTQ+ rights. According to organisers, the discussion will explore the tensions between increasing visibility and representation for queer communities and what they describe as rising political, legal and cultural pressures, particularly around trans rights and bodily autonomy. The session is intended as a call for collective action, reflection and community support. Visitors will also be invited to explore Charleston's grounds as part of ***Queer Fayre***, an evening programme featuring performances, live art and site-specific experiences throughout the gardens. Artists and performers taking part include **Symoné**, **Brian Lobel**, **Emma Frankland**, **Subira Joy**, **Samson Dittrich** and **Charlie Wood**. Organisers said the event would transform the gardens into a space for creative encounters, drawing inspiration from the artistic legacy of Charleston, which was home to members of the influential **Bloomsbury Group** and has long been associated with artistic experimentation and self-expression. As evening falls, the festival will conclude with a large-scale outdoor celebration featuring DJs, dancing and special guest performances. Billed as a ***Midsummer Party***, the event aims to bring together visitors for a night of music and entertainment beneath the East Sussex sky, while celebrating queer history, culture and community. Guests are being encouraged to embrace the occasion with flamboyant summer attire inspired by Shakespearean characters and floral themes, with organisers calling on attendees to "dress to impress" for the festivities. Marlborough Productions, known for its work in queer performance and live events, said the 2026 edition of Queer Bloomsbury would offer an evening of celebration, creativity and connection, bringing together artists, activists and audiences in one of Sussex's most distinctive cultural settings. ## [More info and tickets HERE ](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/amsterdam-to-illuminate-53-landmarks-in-rainbow-colours-for-worldpride-2026/) ### Amsterdam to illuminate 53 landmarks in rainbow colours for WorldPride 2026 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/amsterdam-to-illuminate-53-landmarks-in-rainbow-colours-for-worldpride-2026/ Last updated: 2026-07-23T10:20:25.000Z **Amsterdam** will light up dozens of its most recognisable buildings in rainbow colours during **WorldPride 2026**, as the Dutch capital prepares to welcome visitors from around the world for the international LGBTQ+ celebration. A record 53 landmarks, museums, hotels, businesses and cultural institutions have signed up to take part in the initiative, which will see façades illuminated from **25 July - 8 August** in a show of support for diversity, inclusion and equal rights. Among the locations taking part are **Amsterdam Centraal** station, the **Passenger Terminal**, **the Stopera**, **Eye Filmmuseum**, **the Johan Cruijff ArenA**, **the Van Gogh Museum**, **Paradiso**, **the Beurs van Berlage** and the **Ziggo Dome**. Organisers said the initiative would transform the city into an "Amsterdam Rainbow City", creating striking photo opportunities for visitors while highlighting the city's reputation for openness and hospitality. The illuminated buildings will remain lit between 10pm and 7am throughout the two-week WorldPride celebrations. A map showing all participating locations is expected to be released to help visitors plan their own walking routes around the city after dark. The official launch of the lighting programme will take place at Amsterdam Centraal on **25 July**, when a ceremony is scheduled between 10.30pm and 11.30pm to mark the start of the initiative. The celebrations will culminate on **8 August** with the **WorldPride March**, which is expected to attract thousands of participants from the Netherlands and abroad. Marchers will gather from 3pm near **Martin Luther King Park** on **President Kennedylaan** for speeches, performances and community events before setting off at 4.30pm. The procession will travel through the city to **Museumplein**, where the official **WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 Closing Concert** is due to begin at 5.30pm. WorldPride organisers said the celebrations aim to demonstrate that Amsterdam is a city where everyone can be themselves, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or background. ### Oradea Pride march in Romania banned for fourth consecutive year with authorities citing ‘public morality’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/oradea-pride-march-in-romania-banned-for-fourth-consecutive-year-with-authorities-citing-public-morality/ Last updated: 2026-07-23T09:54:35.000Z The mayor of **Oradea** in Romania has banned the city's Pride march for the fourth consecutive year, prompting accusations of discrimination from LGBTQ+ rights groups and renewed concerns over freedom of assembly in the country. **Oradea City Hall** issued an order signed by Mayor **Florin Birta** prohibiting this year's **Oradea PRIDE March**, citing concerns that the event would violate "social norms of conduct and public morality". The decision has been strongly criticised by local LGBTQ+ organisation **ARK ORADEA** and national rights group **ACCEPT**, which argue that the repeated refusal to allow the event amounts to a pattern of discrimination against the community. Despite the ban, organisers have said the march will go ahead on **25 July**, with participants due to gather outside Oradea City Hall at 4pm. In a joint statement, the organisations said four consecutive bans could no longer be dismissed as administrative difficulties, arguing that preventing the same community from holding a peaceful public demonstration year after year amounted to differential treatment with a discriminatory effect. **Iulian Dițiu**, president of ARK ORADEA, said the local authority's reliance on "public morality" as justification for the ban demonstrated what he described as "institutionalised homophobia". "Oradea City Hall explicitly cites 'public morality' in writing as the reason for banning our march, for banning our right to peaceful assembly," he said. "This argument confirms the existence of institutionalised homophobia and direct discrimination against our community, against LGBTQ+ people in Oradea, their families and friends, and against all citizens who support democracy and the rule of law by joining our protest." Dițiu argued that participants were exercising their constitutional rights rather than threatening public order, adding that local authorities were continuing to infringe fundamental freedoms. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Oradea-Pride-scaled-2.jpg) **Victor Ciobotaru,** executive director of ACCEPT, also condemned the decision, comparing the reasoning behind the ban to arguments historically used to justify the criminalisation of LGBTQ+ people. "It is shameful that Mayor Florin Birta is relying on arguments that were used twenty-five years ago by those who defended the criminalisation of LGBTQ+ people," he said. Ciobotaru argued that the decision was incompatible with European human rights standards and effectively treated the public visibility of LGBTQ+ people as a legal problem. Organisers said they had complied with all legal requirements and had submitted notification of the march at the earliest date permitted by law. They also claimed to have proposed more than 100 alternative routes in an effort to reach an agreement with local authorities on a central route through the city. According to the organisers, every proposal was rejected. The dispute has attracted international attention. More than 150 organisations from over 30 countries have expressed support for Oradea PRIDE and called for the right to peaceful assembly to be respected. Organisers said the **Council of Europe**'s **Commissioner for Human Rights** had raised concerns about the situation, while several Members of the **European Parliament** have urged Romanian authorities to safeguard fundamental rights. They also said the **European Commission** was monitoring developments in light of Romania's obligations regarding the rule of law and human rights protections. Representatives from nine diplomatic missions accredited to Romania, along with officials from the **Romanian Ombudsperson** **Institution**, are expected to be present in Oradea to observe events surrounding the march. Campaigners argue that the repeated prohibition of the Pride march reflects a wider concern about shrinking civic space in Romania and raises broader questions about the protection of minority rights and democratic freedoms. The organisers maintain that the event is intended to promote freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and equal treatment, rather than to target any individual or group. Despite the latest prohibition, they insist the march will proceed, with supporters from across Romania and Europe expected to take part. ### Whoopi Goldberg slams transphobic trolls criticising Elliot Page's casting in The Odyssey URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/whoopi-goldberg-slams-transphobia-elliot-pages-casting-in-the-odyssey/ Last updated: 2026-07-23T08:52:35.000Z **Whoopi Goldberg** has hit back at critics questioning trans actor **Elliot Page**'s casting in **Christopher Nolan**'s *The Odyssey*, telling detractors: "If you don't want to see it, don't go see it." Speaking on ABC's daytime talk show *The View*, Goldberg defended Page and criticised those attacking the actor's involvement in the blockbuster adaptation of Homer's epic poem. The Oscar-winning actress was responding to ongoing criticism of Page's role in the film, which has drawn backlash from some conservative commentators and social media users. "A lot of conservatives who see this are going to feel the same way. That's okay," Goldberg said. "But I don't understand. Why go see the movie? If you don't want to see it, don't go see it. Why do you care who's cast in it?" She went on to dismiss calls for others to share the same objections, adding: "You don't like Elliot Page? Don't go see the damn movie. Don't do it. We will be okay if you don't go see it." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/elliot-page-odyssey-main.jpg.png) Elliot Page in The Odyssey The discussion followed comments by conservative pundit **Ben Shapiro**, who criticised the casting of Page, a trans actor, in the film. Goldberg and her fellow panellists argued that audiences should judge the movie on its merits rather than focusing on the identities of its cast members. Page plays the Greek soldier Sinon in Nolan's adaptation, following speculation before the film's release that he would portray Achilles. *The Odyssey* has proved a major box-office success, with Goldberg noting that the film's strong performance undermines many of the criticisms levelled at its casting. The EGOT winner also urged critics to stop attacking films they have not seen, while fellow *View* panellists praised the epic as a "masterpiece" and rejected suggestions that its casting choices should overshadow the story itself. ### LGBTQ+ adopters, foster carers and their children to debut in Brighton & Hove Pride Parade URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-adopters-foster-carers-and-their-children-to-debut-in-brighton-hove-pride-parade/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T15:20:45.000Z LGBTQ+ adopters, foster carers, special guardians and their children will parade en masse on **Saturday, 1 August**, in the **Brighton & Hove Pride** Parade. It’s the first time peer support charity **New Family Social** and its members will take part in the event. As the event draws near, New Family Social has limited remaining spaces in its walking group in the parade for LGBTQ+ members who live locally. The charity is calling for them to act now to secure their place. Brighton & Hove Pride’s 2026 parade theme is *The Power of Love*, to mark the event’s 35th anniversary. For New Family Social, joining the parade is an opportunity to champion the love, resilience and everyday visibility of its LGBTQ+ parent members. This is at a time when court cases, a challenging environment and a dramatic fall in some parts of the community adopting have all occurred. James Lawrence, Head of Communications & Engagement at New Family Social, said: ‘We’re thrilled to take part in the Brighton & Hove Pride Parade for the first time. Our LGBTQ+ adopters, foster carers and special guardians build loving, secure families every day. "Pride is a powerful moment to celebrate that visibility. But we’re aware our members face strong criticism daily. This is both online and in the media, from opponents of LGBTQ+ people adopting and fostering. The recent convictions in the horrifying and tragic **Preston Davey** case saw media coverage that deeply bruised LGBTQ+ adoptive families. ‘This year some members participating asked not to wear t-shirts highlighting that they are adopters or foster carers. There’s real concern that images from our attendance at Pride events will be used online to attack them. At the same time we all know that by being visible, we encourage our community to follow in our steps. ‘The need for more LGBTQ+ people to consider adoption or fostering is stronger than ever. In England there’s more children waiting for adoption than there are applicants. Those children can’t wait for our critics to turn their attention elsewhere. They need LGBTQ+ people to step forward now. So we will parade in Brighton to show that our families are successful. And because our country’s most vulnerable children need us to.’ LGBTQ+ adopters and foster carers in the region who are members of New Family Social can find out more about joining their walking group by[ CLICKING HERE](https://newfamilysocial.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Trump accused of spreading disinformation after making bizarre claim linking trans people to computer chips URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trump-accused-of-spreading-disinformation-after-making-bizarre-claim-linking-trans-people-to-computer-chips/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T13:06:18.000Z A US congresswoman has accused **Donald Trump** of spreading disinformation after the President claimed that companies receiving billions of dollars in government funding for computer chip manufacturing were required to be run by trans people. The controversy erupted after Trump criticised the **CHIPS and Science Act**, a bipartisan law signed by former President **Joe Biden** that committed around $52 billion (£39 billion) to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. Speaking at the **Pennsylvania Defence and Innovation Summit**, Trump claimed companies seeking funding under the scheme faced diversity requirements so strict that "if you weren't transgender, as an example, you didn't qualify". He went on to suggest firms were forced to search for trans people to run their businesses. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Doris_Matsui_Official_Photo-1.JPG) ****Doris Matsui** However, the legislation contains no such requirement and makes no reference to trans executives. In response, Democratic congresswoman **Doris Matsui**, one of the architects of the CHIPS Act, publicly challenged the President's remarks. "As one of the architects of the CHIPS Act, let me be clear: Donald Trump is lying," Matsui said. She accused the President of "deliberately spewing disinformation to incite hatred and divide Americans" while attacking a major investment in manufacturing and economic growth. The comments prompted widespread confusion and criticism, with journalists and fact-checkers scrambling to establish what Trump was referring to. Multiple outlets reported that the law contains no provisions relating to transgender people and no requirement for companies to appoint transgender executives in order to receive funding. Some commentators speculated online that Trump may have confused the words "transistor" and "transgender", given that the legislation is focused on semiconductor manufacturing. However, fact-checkers found no evidence that he misspoke, instead concluding that he appeared to be making a broader political attack on diversity and inclusion policies. ### Macron appoints senator who opposed gay marriage to France's top rights watchdog role URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/macron-appoints-senator-who-opposed-gay-marriage-to-frances-top-rights-watchdog-role/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T12:32:49.000Z French President **Emmanuel Macron** has faced criticism after appointing a senator who campaigned against same-sex marriage to one of the country's most important human rights positions. Lawmakers narrowly approved Macron's nominee, **François-Noël Buffet**, as France's new *Défenseur des droits* (Defender of Rights) on **Tuesday, 21 July** backing the appointment by 43 votes to 39\. The independent watchdog is responsible for protecting citizens whose rights have been infringed and promoting equal treatment under French law. The appointment has sparked concern among LGBTQ+ groups and human rights campaigners because of Buffet's previous opposition to key equality measures. The right-wing senator, who represents the Rhône region around Lyon, campaigned against the legalisation of same-sex marriage in France and later opposed extending medically assisted reproduction to single women and lesbian couples. Critics argue that his record sits uneasily with a role tasked with defending the rights of minority communities and tackling discrimination. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Paris_Pride_2025_02.jpg) Wikimedia **Nicolas Faget**, spokesperson for the **Association of Gay and Lesbian Parents and Future Parents** (AGPL), described the appointment as "both absurd and scary". He warned that an institution which has played an important role in protecting LGBTQ+ families from discrimination could now be led by someone who previously opposed those rights. The Defender of Rights office acts independently of the French government and has broad powers to investigate complaints relating to discrimination, children's rights, public services and law enforcement. The position has often been regarded as one of the country's most important safeguards for vulnerable and marginalised groups. According to reports in France, concerns about Buffet's appointment were also expressed within the watchdog's own organisation. Staff members reportedly voiced "dismay" and "shock" at the prospect of a politician whose views have diverged from many of the institution's recommendations taking over the role. Buffet has acknowledged his past opposition to same-sex marriage and has reportedly argued that his views have evolved since the debates that divided France more than a decade ago. However, his critics remain unconvinced, pointing to more recent votes on LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights issues. The 62-year-old lawyer succeeds journalist **Claire Hédon**, whose six-year term came to an end this week. During her tenure, Hédon frequently spoke out on issues including racial discrimination and police conduct. ### Michael Hendricks, campaigner who helped win same-sex marriage rights in Canada, dies at 84 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/michael-hendricks-campaigner-who-helped-win-same-sex-marriage-rights-in-canada-dies-at-84/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T09:48:26.000Z **Michael Hendricks**, one of Canada's most influential LGBTQ+ rights campaigners and a pioneer of the country's marriage equality movement, has died aged 84\. Hendricks died on **18 July** after living with a degenerative lung disease, according to reports from Canada. He is survived by his husband, **René Leboeuf**. For decades, Hendricks was at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ equality in Canada, campaigning for the rights of gay people during the HIV/AIDS crisis and helping to secure legal recognition for same-sex marriage. Alongside Leboeuf, Hendricks became part of Canadian history in April 2004 when the couple became the first same-sex couple to marry legally in Quebec. Their landmark wedding came after a six-year legal battle that helped pave the way for marriage equality across Canada. Same-sex marriage was subsequently legalised nationwide in Canada in 2005, with campaigners crediting Hendricks and Leboeuf's court challenge as one of the key moments in the country's journey towards equal marriage rights. Before his work on marriage equality, Hendricks was deeply involved in advocacy during the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s. Together with Leboeuf, he worked with activists and community organisations to support people living with HIV and commemorate those who died during the crisis. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Hendricks-leboeuf2.jpg) One of his most enduring achievements was helping establish **Parc de l'Espoir** in Montreal's Gay Village, a memorial dedicated to people from Quebec who lost their lives to AIDS. More recently, Hendricks successfully campaigned to protect the site when proposed changes threatened its future. Born in the United States in 1941, Hendricks moved to Canada after receiving a Vietnam War draft notice in 1968\. He settled in Montreal, learned French and dedicated much of his life to campaigning for social justice and LGBTQ+ rights. Over the years, he co-founded **Lesbians and Gays Against Violence**, helped establish influential LGBTQ+ advocacy organisations in Quebec and became a respected figure within Canada's queer community. Tributes have poured in following news of his death, with campaigners and community leaders praising his lifelong commitment to equality. Speaking to Canadian media, those who knew him described Hendricks as a devoted activist whose work transformed the lives of countless LGBTQ+ people. His legacy can be seen not only in Canada's legal recognition of same-sex marriage, but also in the generations of LGBTQ+ people who benefited from the rights and protections he spent decades fighting to secure. ### Reform UK and Restore candidates fail to show up at Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ mayoral hustings URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/reform-uk-and-restore-candidates-fail-to-show-up-at-greater-manchester-lgbtq-mayoral-hustings/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T09:18:53.000Z **Reform UK** and **Restore Britain** failed to attend a special LGBTQ+ mayoral hustings in **Manchester** on Tuesday night, leaving **Labour**, **Green** and **Liberal Democrat** candidates to answer questions on issues affecting the community ahead of the Greater Manchester mayoral election. Candidates took part in the event at **The Church** in Manchester's Gay Village on **Tuesday, 21 July**, which was organised by **LGBT Foundation.** However, Reform UK's **Sian Astley** and Restore Britain's **Marlon West** were absent despite being invited, according to organisers. Independent candidate **Marcus Farmer** and Conservative hopeful **Phil Eckersley** sent apologies after being unable to attend. The hustings saw Labour candidate **Bev Craig**, Green candidate **Geraldine Coggins** and Liberal Democrat **Richard Kilpatrick** answer questions on issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities across Greater Manchester, including Pride funding, housing, conversion therapy and trans rights. Opening the event, Craig reflected on moving to Manchester as a teenager and finding a place where she felt able to be herself. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Councillor_Bev_Craig_Leader_MCC_2026-1.jpg) ****Bev Craig** "It's nice that we're having this in the Gay Village because like so many in our community, I came here at 18," she said. "When I came here, I quickly found a home and a place where I could be myself." The Labour candidate also spoke about the prejudice she has encountered during her political career. "I've spent my life in politics being told maybe I should grow my hair or be less gay," she said. "But the reality is, as your mayor, I'll always stand up for what's right and I'll always stand up for what I believe in." The three candidates found common ground on many of the issues raised throughout the evening, expressing support for banning conversion therapy, backing local Pride events and improving protections for LGBTQ+ residents. Asked about the importance of Pride, Craig described it as both a personal and political issue, recalling attending Pride marches in Belfast and elsewhere in Europe where participants faced hostility and abuse. "For me, pride is personal," she said. "It reminds me of the day I knew I wasn't alone." Green candidate **Geraldine Coggins** also reflected on her first Pride event, recalling attending **San Francisco Pride** as a teenager from Dublin in the 1990s. "That's what it means to me, it's about joy, it's about inclusion and it's about visibility," she said, while outlining plans for a £10 million community development fund to support local groups. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Richard-Kilpatrick-790x527.jpeg) ****Richard Kilpatrick** Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat candidate **Richard Kilpatrick** described Pride as both a celebration and a protest, arguing there was still progress to be made on equality. "I think a democracy should be judged by how it treats its minorities," he said. "I think there's an opportunity for this city to lead from the front." One of the most passionately discussed topics of the evening was trans rights. Responding to a question about anti-trans rhetoric and the perception that lesbians are often portrayed as being opposed to trans inclusion, Craig rejected attempts to divide communities. "As one of the most visible lesbians in politics, \[this\] has weighed on me really heavily," she said. "People try and put my community against one of the most marginalised and demonised communities that we see in society at the minute and it's just not right." Coggins and Kilpatrick echoed support for the trans community, with the Green candidate calling for stronger action against online hate and far-right rhetoric, while Kilpatrick said Greater Manchester Police should face greater scrutiny to ensure hate crimes are properly recorded and prosecuted. ### Frankie Grande calls out femmephobia in the gay community URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/frankie-grande-calls-out-femmephobia-in-the-gay-community/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T09:01:42.000Z **Frankie Grande** has spoken about what he describes as “femmephobia” within the LGBTQ+ community, revealing that years of criticism from other gay men only began to make sense while writing his memoir, *Supergay*. The singer, performer and author said the process of reflecting on his life helped him identify a pattern behind much of the hostility he has faced throughout his career. Rather than dismissing it as online negativity or personal attacks, Grande believes the criticism was rooted in discomfort with overt expressions of femininity. Speaking backstage at the Broadway musical *Titanique*, Grande said he had long struggled to understand why he attracted so much negativity from within his own community. “I didn’t understand why I got so much hate from gay men, and it’s actually femmephobia,” he said. “I didn’t understand that.” The 43-year-old performer said the realisation prompted deeper questions about acceptance and identity within LGBTQ+ spaces. He reflected on why openly feminine men can still face judgement, even in communities that champion self-expression and authenticity. Grande has never hidden his love of glamour, often appearing in make-up, heels, glitter and eye-catching outfits. He said these choices are a genuine reflection of who he is, rather than a performance. “I choose to present myself as female oftentimes, very often, not as a drag queen, but because I love make-up and I love heels and I love glitter and I love tight revealing outfits,” he said. “These things are shocking and defy even queer gender norms.” The entertainer also revealed that his artistic inspirations were female pop icons such as **Britney Spears** and **Madonna**, rather than traditional male role models. “When I became a pop star, my very first thing I wanted to do was be Britney Spears. I wanted to be Madonna. I didn’t want to be a male character.” Grande argued that the prejudice he encounters is linked not only to homophobia but also to misogyny. He suggested that society often places greater value on masculinity, leading some people to view feminine traits as inferior. “It’s because I’m a man who chooses to present female. And why would you do that? Because women are deemed lesser,” he said. His comments arrive amid wider conversations about gender expression and the persistence of “masc-for-masc” culture in some sections of the gay community. Critics of the trend argue that it can marginalise feminine-presenting men and reinforce traditional gender stereotypes. Through *Supergay*, Grande hopes to encourage greater understanding and acceptance of diverse forms of queer identity. His reflections shine a spotlight on the challenges some LGBTQ+ people continue to face from within their own community, raising questions about how inclusivity can extend beyond sexual orientation to encompass gender expression as well. ### The Proud Trust calls on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to back LGBTQ+ young people URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-proud-trust-calls-on-prime-minister-andy-burnham-to-back-lgbtq-young-people/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T11:48:03.000Z An LGBTQ+ youth charity has issued an open letter to Prime Minister **Andy Burnham**, urging him to champion equality and inclusion at a time when many young LGBTQ+ people feel their rights and safety are under threat. **Rachel Williams**, chief executive of **The Proud Trust**, praised Burnham's long-standing support for LGBTQ+ communities in Manchester, saying his leadership had helped establish the city as a place where LGBTQ+ people are "welcomed, celebrated and valued". In the letter, Williams said Burnham's public backing of equality, including his participation in Pride events and support for diversity, had provided hope to generations of young people seeking acceptance and community. However, she warned that many LGBTQ+ young people now feel that progress once seen as secure is beginning to reverse. "The time for political courage is now," Williams wrote. The charity said it had witnessed growing anxiety among young people as debates around LGBTQ+ rights become increasingly hostile and polarised. Concerns highlighted in the letter include changes to school guidance, uncertainty around healthcare and what it describes as an increasingly negative tone in national discussions. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/481098179_658081873543076_2061876568826894338_n.jpg) Proud Trust According to The Proud Trust, the impact of those debates is being felt directly by the young people it supports. Williams said referrals to the organisation rose by 171% following the Supreme Court ruling in *For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers*, which she said reflected a growing need among LGBTQ+ young people for reassurance, support and safe spaces. "That wasn't simply an increase in demand for a service," she wrote. "It represented hundreds more LGBTQ+ young people reaching out because they needed reassurance, somewhere they felt safe, or simply someone to tell them they still belonged." The charity said many of the young people it works with face challenges including bullying, poor mental health, isolation and fears about coming out to family members. Increasingly, Williams said, young people are also expressing concerns that society is becoming less accepting of LGBTQ+ people. The letter argues that young people often feel they are the subject of political and media debate without having their voices heard. "They watch adults debate their identities on television, read headlines questioning their existence, and hear politicians discussing their futures, yet too few people stop to ask the simplest question of all: 'What do you need?'" Williams called on the Prime Minister to ensure all young people have access to safe schools, respectful healthcare, welcoming communities and properly funded youth services before they reach crisis point. She also urged Burnham to remember Manchester's history of solidarity and support for LGBTQ+ communities as he leads the country. "Equality is never something we achieve once and keep forever," she wrote. "It has to be protected, defended and strengthened, especially when doing so becomes difficult." The letter concludes with a direct appeal to the Prime Minister, urging him to stand alongside LGBTQ+ young people and build a society where their rights, dignity and identities are not treated as matters for political debate. "Please, be that leader," Williams said. ### REVIEW: 'Our Shadow Selves' by VG Lee URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-our-shadow-selves-by-vg-lee/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T11:38:04.000Z [**VG Lee's**](https://www.vg-lee.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) *Our Shadow Selves* is a slow-burn, seaside-gothic thriller that creeps rather than crashes. Artist Shona Blake moves in with Richard, the man who once exploited her darkest history, and old wounds reopen fast. The pair share a crumbling house in Hawksbridge, a town so atmospherically decayed it functions almost as its own character. Together they cling, seeking some kind of hetro sanctury but thier hearts toll queer. Nearby, in the condemned Miller building, squats the eccentric Gifford family; a mother clinging to faded beauty and lost youth, and her troubled son Sonny, for whom she'll do almost anything, including sourcing him companionship from the street. Initialy they thrill and empower Shona with their affirming blasé attitude, but then a body turns up... The novel circles a familiar but sharp question: when someone survives the unsurvivable, which version of themselves do they get to keep? That's where the title earns its keep, and where the book speaks most directly to queer readers, Lee has a stong queer confidence in her writing and although this is a story tangentially about queerness, its emotional logic; building, hiding, changing or shedding a self to get through the world, will feel recognisable to anyone who's had to code-switch or reassemble an identity. Shona's arc isn't redemption in the neat sense; she isn't becoming someone new. She's deciding which fragments of herself she's willing to actually claim. It's a quietly queer kind of reckoning, even unspoken. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/655601186_10164784349904772_3786420638098688961_n-1.jpg) Author V E Lee Photo credit: Davina Johnson Lee's earlier novels are known for droll wit; here, that same sharp eye on manners and appearance is repointed towards menace rather than comedy, and it works. [Lee ](https://www.instagram.com/vg8083/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)was nominated for a Stonewall Award for previous writing. She also served as a judge for the Polari Prize. This book drips gothic menace, full of crepuscular characters, buildings which loom, creak, crumble offer dank corners for lingering discomfort. The Miller building is alive with decay, offering glimpses of what was through it's dangerously decrepit infrastructures, and Mrs Gifford is a tremendous disturbing cross between Baby Jane, Miss Havisham and Mrs Danvers, I loved her! You can smell the coastal 'left behind' damp on this book as you turn the pages, Lee captures the very essence of a certain type of British seaside town, fading, but clasping layered secrets to its over-powdered bosoms. The plot is confidently built, flashbacks used with precision, we gradually learn more about our protaganists past as we move through the book, prose genuinely lovely even at its darkest. Pacing takes its time at first, but once the body turns up near the Miller building, the novel tightens fast, heading towards an ending that feels both inevitable and unsettling. The tensions between revenge and reinvention throb with ever increasing pressure. A moody, morally slippery read that gets under the skin, and stays there. More info or to order see[ publishers website here. ](https://muswell-press.co.uk/product/our-shadow-selves-9781068389382-paperback/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Women's Tennis Association bans trans women from women's tour URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/womens-tennis-association-bans-trans-women-from-womens-tour/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T09:48:19.000Z The **Women's Tennis Association** (WTA) has effectively barred trans women from competing on the women's professional tour after introducing mandatory genetic testing for all players under a new eligibility policy. The governing body announced that players wishing to compete in WTA tournaments will be required to undergo a one-off test for the SRY gene, which is associated with male biological development. The screening can be carried out using either a cheek swab or blood sample and will become a condition of eligibility for competition. The move represents a significant departure from the WTA's previous policy, introduced in 2024, which allowed trans women to compete provided they met strict testosterone suppression requirements over a two-year period. Under the new rules, athletes found to possess the SRY gene will be ineligible to compete in the women's category, subject to limited medical exceptions. Trans inclusion advocates have criticised similar policies introduced across a growing number of sports, arguing that they exclude trans athletes despite there being no known trans women currently competing on the WTA Tour. Reuters reported that there are no known trans women active at any level of professional tennis, while the WTA itself acknowledged the issue remains highly sensitive and complex. In a statement, the WTA said the updated policy followed a review process and consultation with members, adding that player screening would be conducted with confidentiality and data protection safeguards in place. The organisation said it remained committed to treating all players "with dignity" while implementing the new regulations. The decision aligns the WTA with a wider trend among international sporting bodies. Similar genetic testing requirements have already been introduced by organisations including **World Athletics** and **World Boxing**, while the **International Olympic Committee** has also adopted eligibility rules based on a one-time sex determination test for women's events. However, LGBTQ+ organisations have warned that such measures risk further marginalising trans people in sport. Stonewall previously criticised comparable testing requirements introduced elsewhere, arguing that they contribute to increasing division around transgender participation in public life. The debate over transgender inclusion in sport remains one of the most contested issues facing governing bodies, with supporters of the restrictions arguing they are necessary to protect competitive fairness, while critics contend that blanket exclusions disproportionately affect a tiny number of athletes and can reinforce discrimination against trans communities. The latest WTA policy is likely to intensify those discussions in the months ahead. There has not been a publicly known transgender woman competing in a WTA Tour event since trailblazing player **Renée Richards**, who played on the women's professional circuit between 1977 and 1981\. ### Pride in Hull organisers to feature on Hull Trains podcast ahead of landmark anniversary celebration URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/pride-in-hull-organisers-to-feature-on-hull-trains-podcast-ahead-of-landmark-anniversary-celebration/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T09:01:49.000Z Organisers of **Pride in Hull** are set to share the story behind the region's biggest LGBTQ+ celebration on **Hull Trains**' **Moving Minds** podcast as the event prepares to mark its 25th anniversary this weekend. **Andy Train** and **Lee Pearson**, key members of the team behind Pride in Hull, will appear on the latest episode of the podcast to discuss the continuing importance of the event, which has grown into one of the city's flagship celebrations. The special episode comes as Hull Trains announces further support for Pride in Hull by offering free travel to and from the city on **Saturday, 25 July** for people attending the event from **Doncaster**, **Selby**, **Howden** and **Brough**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/CWA-MovingMinds-StephSimmonsPhotos-1126.jpg) Steph Simmons Photos Hosted by former *Emmerdale* star **Gemma Oaten**, Moving Minds was launched earlier this year to coincide with **Time To Talk Day**. The podcast is recorded on board Hull Trains services along the **East Coast Main Line** and features guests sharing personal experiences and discussing mental health and wellbeing. During the latest episode, Andy and Lee reflect on the evolution of Pride in Hull over the past quarter of a century and the role it continues to play in championing inclusion and supporting LGBTQ+ communities. This year's event will centre around a main stage at **Zebedee's Yard**, featuring performances from Drag Race UK winner **Ginger Johnson** and West End star **Kerry Ellis**. Visitors can also enjoy a family area and community market. **Andy Train**, Chair of Pride in Hull, said: "We'd like to thank the team at Hull Trains for six amazing years of supporting this iconic event for the city. "On our 25th anniversary, Pride in Hull continues to be more vital than ever and it's an event that celebrates our city and the people who make it what it is. "Joining Gemma on the Moving Minds podcast is a really special moment for us to take stock, speak about our own personal stories and raise awareness of mental health within LGBTQ+ communities. I hope the episode is an interesting listen that also gives an insight into why Pride continues to be so important." **Gemma Oaten** said she was looking forward to attending the celebrations and hearing more about what visitors can expect. "I can't wait to head along to Pride in Hull this year, so getting the chance to get a sneak preview on what's coming up from Andy and Lee is amazing," she said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/CWA-MovingMinds-StephSimmonsPhotos-1061.jpg) Steph Simmons Photos "Hosting this podcast is a dream come true because I get to champion the people who make our home city so special." Hull Trains, which has supported Pride in Hull for the past six years, says its backing of the event reflects its commitment to inclusivity and diversity. **Nathan Rayne**, Interim Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains, said: "We wanted to mark the 25th anniversary of Pride in Hull in style and what better way than to invite the team behind it onto Moving Minds? "The event continues to be a powerful opportunity to champion equality, respect and understanding, as we stand proudly in support of our LGBTQ+ communities." Moving Minds is available to watch on the [Hull Trains YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWe5Tc8MPyY0pOJPneZ3GSA?ref=scenemag.co.uk) and can also be accessed through major podcast platforms. Further episodes featuring celebrity guests and local figures are planned in the coming months. Meanwhile, thousands are expected to attend Pride in Hull as the event celebrates 25 years of championing equality, diversity and inclusion in the city. ### Zero Flags Commonwealth exhibition to shine spotlight on LGBTQ+ rights during Commonwealth Games in Glasgow URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/zero-flags-commonwealth-exhibition-to-shine-spotlight-on-lgbtq-rights-during-commonwealth-games-in-glasgow/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T08:19:16.000Z An outdoor exhibition highlighting the ongoing criminalisation of same-sex relationships across parts of the **Commonwealth** is set to open in **Glasgow** as part of the **2026 Commonwealth Games** programme. The exhibition, titled **Zero Flags Commonwealth**, will be unveiled in **Candleriggs** in Glasgow's **Merchant City** on **23 July** and will serve as the centrepiece of **Pride House Glasgow 2026**, the official LGBTQ+ community hub for the Games. The installation will feature the national flags of Commonwealth countries where consensual same-sex intimacy remains illegal. Each flag will be marked with a black mourning ribbon, symbolising the continuing impact of laws that affect LGBTQ+ communities across the world. Organisers say the exhibition aims to encourage public discussion about equality, inclusion and human rights, while drawing attention to the fact that around half of the Commonwealth's 56 member states still criminalise same-sex relationships. Many of these laws have historical links to Britain's colonial past. Visitors will be able to access additional information through interpretation panels and QR codes, providing insight into the legal and human rights challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people in the countries represented. **Hugh Torrance**, Executive Director of **LEAP Sports Scotland**, described the exhibition as one he hopes will eventually become unnecessary. He said: "Wouldn't it be wonderful if, at a future Commonwealth Games, there were no flags left to display?" The exhibition is a special Commonwealth edition of the internationally recognised **Zero Flags Project** and was developed through a partnership of organisations committed to equality, human rights and inclusion. According to organisers, the initiative was inspired by community consultation for Pride House Glasgow 2026, which highlighted a desire for meaningful conversations about LGBTQ+ rights to be visible beyond traditional event spaces. Pride House Glasgow 2026 will operate across a network of venues in Merchant City, including community, cultural and social spaces, rather than from a single location. The programme will feature discussions, workshops, performances and activities throughout the Games. The Zero Flags Commonwealth exhibition will remain on display throughout the Games, which run until 2 August, inviting athletes, visitors and residents alike to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that remain in securing equal rights across the Commonwealth. ### Mayor of Brighton & Hove to open HIV The Naked Truth photography exhibition during Brighton Pride week URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/mayor-of-brighton-hove-to-open-hiv-the-naked-truth-photography-exhibition-during-brighton-pride-week/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T08:07:14.000Z The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Councillor **Theresa Fowler**, will open **HIV The Naked Truth**'s nude photography exhibition at a private viewing on **30 July 2026** during **Brighton Pride** week. Open to the public from **29 July - 2 August** at **Phoenix Art Space**, the exhibition features 14 LGBTQ+ HIV activists photographed by **Rodwey Olukoya**, each using their body to challenge the stigma surrounding HIV and empower people living with the virus. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/LEASUWANNA2.jpeg) ****LeaSuwanna Griffith** Among those featured are *Smoggie Queens* actor **Peter McPherson**, drag performer and activist **Daisy Puller**, HIV activist **LeaSuwanna Griffith**, Brighton-based activist **David Fray**, and **Joshua Royal**, founder of HIV The Naked Truth. Together with the other participants, they use portrait photography to encourage conversations around HIV, visibility and acceptance. The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Councillor **Theresa Fowle**r, said: "Having lived my whole life in this fantastic city and raised my family here, I feel immensely fortunate to call Brighton & Hove my home. I understand what makes our city thrive. Serving as Deputy Mayor is a truly wonderful opportunity, and I am honoured to contribute to the community I deeply adore.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/jOSH-1.jpeg) ****Joshua Royal** **Joshua Royal**, founder of HIV The Naked Truth, added: "Having the Mayor open the exhibition is a real honour. It reflects the importance of continuing conversations around HIV stigma and visibility, particularly during Brighton Pride. We're incredibly grateful for her support and look forward to welcoming guests to what promises to be a powerful and thought-provoking exhibition.” 💡 The Brighton exhibition follows the success of the **HIV The Naked Truth 2025 Gala**, held in honour of ****World AIDS Day**, which welcomed 150 guests and raised £3,300 for ****Positive East**. ### Zack Polanski, Bambie Thug and Zoë Garbett back London Trans+ Pride as organisers announce first-ever Trafalgar Square finish URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/zack-polanski-bambie-thug-and-zoe-garbett-back-london-trans-pride-as-organisers-announce-first-ever-trafalgar-square-finish/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T09:13:06.000Z Green Party leader **Zack Polanski**, musician **Bambie Thug** and Hackney Mayor **Zoë Garbett** joined activists, performers and community leaders at the **London Trans+ Pride** press launch as organisers revealed this year's march will end in Trafalgar Square for the first time. The announcement was made during the organisation's press launch at **Joiners Heart** in Hackney on Friday (**18 July**), ahead of the eighth annual London Trans+ Pride march on **Saturday, 25 July**. The event brought together activists, celebrities and community leaders, including Green Party leader **Zack Polanski**, musician **Romy**, Hackney Mayor **Zoë Garbett**, **Bambie Thug**, and stars from *Tip Toe*, *Sex Education* and *What It Feels Like For A Girl*. The launch comes amid growing public support for this year's event, themed *Our Future, Our Fight*, with messages of solidarity from figures including **Paul Mescal**, **Mel B**, **Michaela Coel**, **Jessie Ware**, **Jameela Jamil** and **Munroe Bergdorf**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Lewis-G-Burton---LT-P-organiser-2026_07_17---LTP---JADE-APHRODITE---V1---0-41.jpg) Lewis G Burton. Pic by JADE APHRODITE In a landmark announcement, London Trans+ Pride co-founder **Lewis G Burton** revealed that the march will finish in Trafalgar Square for the first time in its history. "Due to our growth, I am pleased to share some news with you all," Burton said. "For the first time, we are going to be ending our march at Trafalgar Square. One hundred thousand trans+ people and our allies will be descending on one of the most recognisable landmarks in the UK, and taking up that space audaciously." Last year's event attracted more than 100,000 participants, making it the largest Trans Pride march ever recorded. Speaking at the launch, Zack Polanski said solidarity across communities was more important than ever. "As a gay man, I understand when they come for one of us, they come for all of us, and ultimately we've got to stand together in solidarity," he told *Scene Magazine*. "This is about clarity, it's about leadership, it's about standing with people who are asking for them to stand with us. I'm not interested in words, I've turned up today, I'm interested in action. "Trans people are the canary in the coal mine, and as they roll back their rights, we know they'll be rolling back rights for disabled people, migrants, gay people and women too. We are all on the chopping block unless we all stand together." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Kids-Deserve-Better-2026_07_17---LTP---JADE-APHRODITE---V1---0-69.jpg) Trans Kids Deserve Better. Pic by JADE APHRODITE The event came a day after London Trans+ Pride issued a statement criticising the updated **Equality and Human Rights Commission Code of Practice**, which is due to come into force on **5 August**. The organisation argued that the code "interprets the law" rather than changes it and pledged to continue campaigning against what it described as efforts to exclude trans people from public life. The press launch also featured a panel discussion chaired by Burton, with contributions from activist Rain Dove, *Tip Toe* actors **Iz Hesketh** and **Shakeel Kimotho**, Trans Unity Quilt co-creator **Mars Callick**, and London Trans+ Pride access team member **EM Williams**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Bambie-Thug-2026_07_17---LTP---JADE-APHRODITE---V1---0-6.jpg) Bambie Thug. Pic credit JADE APHRODITE A key theme of the discussion was the impact of recent legal and policy developments on trans people and wider society. **Rain Dove** described a social experiment in which members of the public were asked to determine which toilets different people should use. "No one got it right," Dove said. "It is wildly dangerous to see ourselves as ideas, not people." Kimotho argued that the issue extends beyond the trans community. "It's so much bigger than us, this is an everybody problem," she said. "Our fathers with long hair, our mothers with short hair, we are being scapegoated. "At London Trans+ Pride next week we must lean into everything we feel, be able to simultaneously hold joy and grief and revel in each other's incredibleness." Williams highlighted the organisation's commitment to accessibility, describing an "access consciousness programme" designed to ensure disabled attendees can participate fully in the event. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Iz-Hesketh-2026_07_17---LTP---JADE-APHRODITE---V1---0-79.jpg) ****Iz Hesketh. Pic credit** JADE APHRODITE Meanwhile, Callick spoke about the **Trans Unity Quilt**, a 96-metre patchwork project co-created with **CN Lester** and the **Good Law Project**. Made up of more than 300 individual panels created by trans people across the UK, the quilt will be carried through London during the march before being housed at **Bishopsgate Archives** and exhibited at pride events around the country. "The quilt is about capturing the trans experience in fabric," Callick said. "There is a long history of textiles being used as resistance, to tell stories, to keep ourselves safe and to keep ourselves sane. We want it to inspire people to do more to fight for each other." Looking ahead to the march, actor **Iz Hesketh** said she was most excited about celebrating community and visibility. "What I am most excited about is being surrounded by trans joy," she said. "Seeing us happy and thriving just moving through London. I am excited to have a good time, because we deserve it." London Trans+ Pride returns to central London on **Saturday, 25 July**. The march will begin at Langham Place at 1pm before making its way to Trafalgar Square, where organisers expect tens of thousands of trans people and allies to gather. ### Brighton's Trans Pride march becomes the biggest yet - a kilometre of trans joy through the city URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brightons-trans-pride-march-becomes-the-biggest-yet-a-kilometre-of-trans-joy-through-the-city/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T08:45:29.000Z More than 40,000 people marched through the streets of Brighton at the weekend for **Trans Pride**, the largest turnout the city has ever seen for the event, as Brighton & Hove's TNBI community and thousands of allies came together in what was an extraordinary display of trans joy. 0:00 /0:17 1× Trans Pride Old Steine 2026 The march, now in its fourteenth year, has grown from a small grassroots gathering into one of Europe's largest annual protests for trans liberation. At one point *Scene Magazine* was at the bottom of West Street, was at the very front of the march, while the back of it had still not left Victoria Gardens, a route stretching well over a kilometre and a jump on last year's numbers. It was a striking testament to the volunteer team behind Trans Pride, who year on year manage to deliver a joyful, safe and powerful protest march that lets tens of thousands of people walk together in solidarity under the trans and TNBI flags. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-20261.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-20262.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-20263.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-20264.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-20265.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-20266.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-20267.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-20268.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-20269.jpeg) This year's event carried a clear focus on supporting trans youth, with banners and speeches at the start of the march, centring the wellbeing, safety and futures of young trans people in the UK. There was also a current of frustration and real anger running with the protestors, much of it a response to recent guidance from the ECHR that many in the community feel will inflict real harm and add layers of difficulty to already precarious lives. But that frustration never took over the day. It sat alongside the joy rather than against it, a reminder that for this community celebration and resistance have always walked side by side. Marching loudly and proudly through your own city, surrounded by people who love and support you, is itself a form of protest, whatever else is happening in the wider world. What struck so many people, marchers and onlookers alike, was the sheer scale of solidarity on display. This was Brighton's own large and long established TNBI community, joined by people who had travelled from right across the UK and further afield to be part of it. Alongside them marched thousands of allies from Brighton & Hove's LGBTQ+ groups, trade unions, charties, local businesses and faith groups, all turning out in person to show their support. 0:00 /0:33 1× Trans Pride Brighton march New Road 2026 The city's LGBTQ chorus sang the marchers by from New Road, leading rousing chants of solidarity that carried down the street long after the singers themselves were out of sight, a small but powerful reminder of how many corners of Brighton, Hove and Sussex showed up for the community. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202610.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202611.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202612.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202613.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202614.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202615.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202616.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202617.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202618.jpeg) Even the day's one attempt at dissent was met with the same spirit of care and good humour. A small counter protest of just four people gathered at the clock tower, and was swiftly and cleverly screened off from view by another choir holding a huge 20-metre long trans flag, turning what little opposition there was into little more than a footnote against the scale of joy surrounding it. Perhaps the most moving sight of the day was along the pavements themselves, where families of TNBI people lined the route to declare their support out loud, alongside parents, grandparents and siblings marching for the young trans people in their lives. Organisers and longtime attendees noted a clear increase on last year, with noticeably more families than ever turning out together to stand behind their trans loved ones, in public and with pride. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202619.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202620.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202621.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202622.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202623.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202624.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202625.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202626.jpeg) There were many placards, loud samba bands, chants, banners in every shade of blue, pink and white, flags representing the diversity of TNBI, queer and LGBTQ+ communities, and there was a warmth to the crowd that stretched the full length of that kilometre-long route. Friends walked arm in arm. Strangers cheered each other on. The march brought the city to a standstill in glorious July sunshine, drivers in the static traffic along West St and the seafront honking their support. For a community so often talked about in the abstract, in headlines and in policy documents, this year's Trans Pride was a day to simply be present, together, in the sunshine, taking up space in a city that opened its streets to them. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202628.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202629.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202630.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202631.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans-Pride-Brighton-202632.jpeg) For all the very real challenges the trans community continues to face, the march was, above everything, a protest and a celebration. A celebration of trans lives, of diversity, of chosen and birth family, of resilience and above all of joy and a loud vocal protest against the continued erosion of basic human rights that trans people are facing in the UK. That golden thread of protest and joy ran through the entire day, from the first gathering points through to the final steps of the route. Brighton's Trans Pride has always understood that visibility and celebration is its own kind of strength, and this year's event proved that on the biggest scale the city has yet seen. 0:00 /0:21 1× Trans Pride Brighton march West St 2026 ### Zack Polanski on standing with trans people: "When they come for one of us, they come for all of us" URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/zack-polanski-on-standing-with-trans-people-when-they-come-for-one-of-us-they-come-for-all-of-us/ Last updated: 2026-07-19T12:08:46.000Z Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, was the party leader to turn up at the London Trans+ Pride press launch on Friday, held at Joiners Heart, the new LGBTQIA+ space in Hackney run by Friends of Joiners Arms. Asked why so many invited politicians had stayed away, Polanski gave a frank response. "First of all, I think that's pretty sad," he told Scene. "Some politicians are hateful, let's put them in that category, and don't want to stand for trans rights. Hopefully we haven't invited them. And some politicians are terrified. They know that billionaire-backed media, any time you talk about trans rights, will come for you and try and savage you." His answer to that, he said, is simple. "My point is: do the right thing. This is about clarity, it's about leadership, it's about standing with people who are asking for us to stand with them. I think one of the reasons why I'm here is that, as a gay man, I understand when they come for one of us, they come for all of us. Ultimately we've got to stand together in solidarity." > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Da5S7NyqWY8/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Scene LGBTQ+ Magazine (@scenemagazineuk)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Da5S7NyqWY8/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ### "It's going to be important to rebel" The launch came days after the updated EHRC Code of Practice was given the green light, requiring public service providers to follow the guidance from 5 August in order to operate lawfully. Asked what he would say to teachers and head teachers facing that deadline, Polanski said he was worried for them. "The guidance is changing on 5 August and it absolutely doesn't need to. What I would say to them first of all is write to Andy Burnham, write to your MP. We've got this new Labour Prime Minister. This is an opportunity where, if the Labour Party wants to say it's progressive on LGBT rights, this is a moment to demonstrate it. I'm not interested in words. I've turned up today. I'm not even interested in who turns up. I'm interested in action, and the action has to be about challenging this guidance." Staying within the law, he said, teachers should still be prepared to push back. "It's going to be important to rebel. It's going to be important to speak out and say what's unworkable in your school. Unworkable is one thing. More important than unworkable is the dignity of trans and non-binary students. As a teacher or a head teacher, it is your first duty to make sure you're protecting the safety and security of the people you're looking after." Asked directly whether he expected the new Prime Minister to reverse course, Polanski was blunt. "My honest answer is no, I don't, because when you see the people that back him, I don't think he has any real interest in a progressive agenda." He tempered it slightly: "I don't want to be churlish, he's not had day one yet, maybe he's going to surprise me. And we've got to cling on to hope. If we challenge him, if we speak with one voice, there's always hope, because politicians listen to the loudest voice." ### "We are all on the chopping block" On the growing online noise that Pride is over-sexualised or no longer needed, Polanski called the argument ludicrous, and answered it with something personal. "When I went on London Pride, I had the most amazing day holding my boyfriend's hand. Even as a politician who is visible and confident, otherwise I wouldn't be visible, it still meant so much to me to hold my boyfriend's hand. And I know how much it meant to other people. They tell me all the time." He went home that evening, he said, to a rant from Tommy Robinson. "That kind of ranting is becoming more and more normalised because of the hatred that is being allowed to creep into our spaces, particularly our media and political spaces." The rights already won, he warned, are not safe. "They can be rolled back at any time. And they're being rolled back not just for trans people. Trans people are the canary in the coal mine. As they roll back their rights, we know they'll be rolling back rights for disabled people, migrants, gay people, women. We are all on the chopping block unless we all stand together. So Pride is incredibly important, and it's important even for those people who aren't LGBT, that you turn up and show solidarity." Asked whether he would be at Trans Pride next weekend, Polanski said he would not be able to make it this year as he is booked at another festival, adding that he has attended in previous years and will be back next year. ### London Trans+ Pride bigger and better than ever At Friday's press launch, which was attended by high-profile supporters such as Zack Polanski, Romy and Zoë Garbett, as well as stars from Sex Education, Tip Toe and What It Feels Like For A Girl, and community leaders who were rallying support ahead of Saturday's historic march, the organisers of London Trans+ Pride announced that the march would go from Langham Place to Trafalgar Square for the first time in its history. London Trans+ Pride organisers say they expect 100,000 people to fill Trafalgar Square on 25 July, under this year's theme, "Our Future, Our Fight". Last year's march, of more than 100,000 people, was the largest trans pride event in history. ### The Saturday Scene: The guidance bites, the community answers URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-5/ Last updated: 2026-07-18T07:30:16.000Z #### On 5 August, statutory guidance on single-sex services comes into force across England, Scotland and Wales. Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson has confirmed the date will stand, despite more than 160 MPs signing an Early Day Motion urging the government to reject the code before it was adopted. The Equality and Human Rights Commission's code of practice tells service providers that offering spaces for women and trans women is "very likely" to discriminate against cisgender men, effectively steering trans people towards separate facilities rather than those matching their lived gender. Campaigners at Good Law Project have called the guidance both discriminatory and unworkable. "The code is not only discriminatory, but utterly unworkable in practice, as so many organisations have repeatedly pointed out," said Jess O'Thomson, the organisation's trans rights lead. "The guidance gets the law wrong, and if service providers uncritically follow it, they may be acting unlawfully. Worse than that, they will be causing immense harm, and helping to strip trans people of their rights." The group is separately appealing a High Court ruling on the EHRC's approach, arguing the outcome could reshape how the guidance is applied in workplaces as well as public services. It has been an uneasy fortnight for Good Law Project on a second front, too. Its 'Monster' campaign, created by artist Martin Firrell to challenge opposition to trans people's rights and joy, was pulled this week after members of the trans community said it had landed badly. To its credit, the organisation didn't dig in. "We want to apologise for how the 'Monster' campaign has been received by the trans community," executive director Jo Maugham wrote in a statement. "We've heard you, and we've instructed our media partners to take the campaign down." Whatever the campaign's intentions, Maugham was clear about what mattered more: "None of it matters if it damages the trust we enjoy with the trans community, and it has. So it will be taken down today." _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus donates 25-metre hand-stitched Trans Flags to Trans Pride Brighton URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-gay-mens-chorus-donates-25-metre-hand-stitched-trans-flags-to-trans-pride-brighton/ Last updated: 2026-07-17T18:21:48.000Z **Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus** has donated two huge 25-metre trans flags to **Trans Pride Brighton** ahead of the main march taking place this **Saturday 18 July**. The two banners were created by the chorus for their Pride float last year, which celebrated two decades of the chorus as a trans inclusive space and staunch community ally. Painstakingly hand-stitched by a team from the chorus, led by **Jack Elliott**, the epic flags stretching out behind the float were an unmissable show of trans solidarity and support in Brighton Pride. **Joe Paxton**, Artistic Director for the chorus said: “At a time when trans people are increasingly under attack, it’s really important for us to use our platform and to stand shoulder to shoulder as allies with our own trans members and the wider trans community. “It's been amazing to see Trans Pride Brighton grow into the biggest Trans Pride event in the UK - it's absolutely Brighton at its best. It is a real honour that these special flags will now be part of their story.” The end of each banner featured a quiet dedication in preparation for their donation to Trans Pride Brighton. Jack had personally embroidered them with the words “Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus 2005-2025 Vocal trans allies for 20 years,” and “Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus 2005-2025 Celebrating 20 years of trans inclusion.” **Sarah Savage**, co-founder of Trans Pride Brighton, whose achievements were celebrated earlier in the year at the chorus’s *Heroes* show, said: “These awesome flags are so much more than the fabric they’re made from; they’re a symbol of love, solidarity and our shared history. “Knowing they were hand-made by a trans member of Brighton Gay Men's Chorus makes them even more special. “We see this as the Chorus entrusting Trans Pride Brighton with a community heirloom and as an incredible honour. We are deeply grateful for this beautiful gift and for the powerful message of solidarity that it sends.” Trans Pride Brighton has taken on the care and maintenance of the flags, as a lasting symbol of the chorus and wider community's allyship and solidarity with their trans siblings. At Trans Pride Brighton’s invitation, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus will have the privilege of carrying the banners through the city in its march on Saturday, 18 July. The march starts at 12pm at Valley Gardens. ### 'You are welcome here.' Council leader Bella Sankey shares message to trans, non-binary and intersex communities ahead of Trans Pride Brighton URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/you-are-welcome-here-council-bella-sankey-shares-message-to-trans-non-binary-and-intersex-communities-ahead-of-trans-pride-brighton/ Last updated: 2026-07-17T14:26:07.000Z ***Words by Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council*** Tomorrow Brighton & Hove will once again host the largest Trans Pride protest in Europe and as Leader of **Brighton & Hove City Council** I couldn’t be prouder of this. Trans Pride remains an incredibly important event and one which we should all support. At a time when trans rights continue to be attacked and undermined, to see our Trans Pride grow stronger sends a defiant and important message. Our city has long been a beacon, where everybody has been able to find a safe place, a home, a community. This will not change. However hard people try in their attempts to divide us, to deflect anger onto specific communities, or to create fear and hatred where there should be love and kindness, they will not succeed. Not here. That Brighton & Hove is and always will be a place where everyone can be themselves, find their place and enjoy their best lives is not just something I believe in. It is central to our collective identity, our shared values and our commitment to each other. > "At a time when trans rights continue to be attacked and undermined, to see our Trans Pride grow stronger sends a defiant and important message." And it is a commitment Brighton & Hove City Council shares. As an employer and as a service provider, our council remains an unequivocally trans-inclusive organisation. These aren’t just words; it is a long-term and sustained commitment evidenced by continuing meaningful action and representation. We regularly meet – and crucially – listen to our TNBI communities. We understand the diversity of TNBI communities throughout the city and that everyone has different lived experiences. One size does not fit all and as an organisation committed to learning and reflecting the experiences and needs of our communities, we will always be grateful for the insight, guidance and, at times, the patience of our TNBI communities as we work to ensure nobody risks being excluded or negatively impacted by policy decisions. We will always take an evidence and insight-led approach. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/thumb-Trans-Pride-v2-.png) As a council we delivered the world's first community-led Trans Needs Assessment to better understand and respond to community priorities, ensuring that trans voices shape the policies that affect their lives. We continue to work from our updated trans inclusion toolkit for education settings to promote inclusive practice and support young people, recognising the vital importance of creating affirming environments where all students can thrive. And we are staunch in our support of intersectional inclusion across the services we deliver, while also providing funding, where available, to some of the many fantastic third sector and community organisations doing such crucial work in the city. While recognising its vital role as a protest event – and a non-political space – we also facilitate and support Trans Pride. > "If you are trans, non-binary, intersex, or gender diverse, you are welcome here." We understand how important this event is to so many and celebrate the vital space it creates for people in our city - a space for people to proudly stand up for their rights and the rights of their loved ones, to be together, support and celebrate one another, and to feel acceptance and joy. I would encourage everyone to get involved this weekend, to show their support, and to help make this year's Trans Pride another memorable occasion, because allyship has arguably never been more important. I understand that members of our TNBI communities are more likely to experience harassment, hate and abuse. That is not something I, or anyone else, can fix overnight. But we can – each and every one of us – let our trans neighbours know they are seen, they are heard, they are loved and they are accepted. That is everyone’s basic, fundamental right as an individual, but one which, sadly, we still do not all experience equally. This council – and this city – will continue to provide allyship, advocacy and support as together we continue to push for a world where that is not the case. On behalf of Brighton & Hove City Council, I'd like to wish everyone taking part a wonderful, meaningful and safe Trans Pride. And to our trans, non-binary and intersex communities I have this message: if you are trans, non-binary, intersex, or gender diverse, you are welcome here. Not tolerated. Not accommodated. Welcomed. Included by right, not by exception. We stand with you – today, tomorrow and always. ### 'Every trans person is a precious child of God’: Church in Wales vows continued welcome for trans people after EHRC draft 'guidance' URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/every-trans-person-is-a-precious-child-of-god-church-in-wales-vows-continued-welcome-for-trans-people-after-ehrc-draft-guidance/ Last updated: 2026-07-17T14:15:43.000Z The **Church in Wales** has reaffirmed its commitment to welcoming and supporting trans people following the publication of the **Equality and Human Rights Commission**’s (EHRC) draft **Code of Practice**. In a statement issued on **16 July**, the **Bench of Bishops** said the guidance had caused “fresh pain and anxiety” for many trans people and stressed that the Church would continue to offer an inclusive environment for worship, pastoral care and community life. The bishops said that while the draft Code sets out what organisations are permitted to do under the law, it does not define the Church’s mission or values. “A year ago, following the Supreme Court’s ruling, we said that every human being is a precious child of God, deserving of dignity and respect. We say so again today – without qualification,” the statement said. The bishops added that the Church in Wales would not use exemptions contained within equality legislation to exclude trans people from worship, the sacraments, pastoral care or participation in church life. Calling on congregations across Wales to provide “genuine sanctuary” for trans people and their families, the Bench urged public bodies to seek solutions that uphold the dignity of everyone rather than protecting some rights at the expense of others. Addressing trans members of the Church directly, the statement said: “You are known. You are loved. You are welcome here, as you are, always.” The statement was issued by the **Archbishop of Wales**, the Most Rev **Cherry Vann**, Bishop of Monmouth, alongside the bishops of St Asaph, Swansea and Brecon, Llandaff and St Davids. The Bench concluded by affirming that every trans person is “a precious child of God” and “a beloved part of the life of this Church”. ### £25 community tickets for Pride on the Park are now live URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/25-community-tickets-for-pride-on-the-park-are-now-live/ Last updated: 2026-07-17T11:42:44.000Z ### Pride on the Park community tickets are here [Brighton Pride](https://www.brighton-pride.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) is made by its community, and this year Pride Community Foundation is facilitating the community ticket scheme as a thank you to the people who show up for it. The readers, the volunteers, the fundraisers, the ones who march. Community tickets for Pride on the Park 2026 (Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August, Preston Park) are £25\. Allocation is limited and tickets are first come, first served. Every ticket bought through the scheme supports the Foundation's work across grant-making, Scene Magazine and our community programmes. [![CTA Image](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/POTP-LOGO-2026_-TRIPPLE-STACKED_V2-with-blue-background-1.png)](https://www.pridecommunityfoundation.org/community-tickets/pcf-pride-2026?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Not made any plans for Brighton Pride yet? Let's change that! [Get your £25 ticket ](https://www.pridecommunityfoundation.org/community-tickets/pcf-pride-2026?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Zero HIV Stigma Day to return to Brighton on 21 July URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/zero-hiv-stigma-day-to-return-to-brighton-on-21-july/ Last updated: 2026-07-17T08:01:35.000Z *Words by Gary Pargeter, Service Manager at Lunch Positive* **Tuesday, 21 July** marks **Zero HIV Stigma Day**, a global initiative uniting people and communities to raise awareness of HIV and take action to eliminate HIV stigma in all its forms. This year’s local theme for Zero HIV Stigma Day is **Communities and Collaboration**. So, in the spirit of this theme, Brighton & Hove is marking the day by bringing together communities for a stage event in **Jubilee Square**, Brighton on **21 July** from **1-2pm**. Everyone is welcome to this event and can hear the experiences of people living with HIV from **Terrence Higgins Trust Positive Voices** and how we can all change negative narratives about living with HIV today. The event will be hosted by **Mary O’Kart**, “the look queen” and performance artist. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/zero-hiv-stigma-day-21-07-23-_c2_a9-simon-pepper-photography-7-scaled-e1690105794470.jpg) **Lunch Positive** is coordinating the event and will be providing information about the event and local services and offering free food and drink for people attending, there will be **Stigma Warriors** from the **Sussex Beacon** and representatives from **Brighton & Hove City Council** and **University Hospitals Sussex** giving updates on HIV in Brighton & Hove. We are fortunate to have the **Rainbow Chorus** performing again this year throughout the event. HIV continues to be a manageable, treatable health condition and most people living with HIV have a normal life expectancy. In Brighton & Hove, at the end of the year 2025, 95% people with HIV were already diagnosed, 99% were on antiretroviral treatment and 99% have an undetectable viral load that means they cannot pass on HIV to their partners. This is reflective of the extensive collaborative efforts of HIV services across the city and we are proud of the hard work, innovation and dedication that has got us to this point. There are a number of ongoing projects on HIV testing, **PreP**, prevention and supporting people with HIV to remain engaged in treatment and care. But we need to do more as a city and a community reduce the experiences of HIV stigma for people living with HIV in all settings. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Unknown-1-2.jpeg) HIV stigma can hurt more than HIV itself and we know that stigma prevents some people having an HIV test or from accessing essential treatment and care. HIV stigma and discrimination leads to loneliness and isolation and negatively impacts on quality of life and participation in society. The **Positive Voices 2022** survey report highlighted that 45% of those surveyed felt ashamed of their HIV status and 30% reported low self-esteem. We need to change this. We want to see a city where people living with HIV feel they are treated the same as any person with any long-term condition. As the UK’s first **HIV Fast Track City**, Brighton & Hove is proud to be only city that publicly marks Zero HIV Stigma day as part of its ‘Towards Zero HIV’ strategy. This project is delivered in partnership, involving people living with HIV and a host of organisations including Brighton & Hove City Council, voluntary sector organisations, community groups and NHS services. By 2030, our goal is to achieve: ZERO-HIV stigma ZERO-new HIV infections ZERO-deaths from HIV We can only eliminate stigma if we all act and collaborate together. We invite everyone in Brighton & Hove to join in the activities, circulate on social media and be part of becoming the first Zero HIV Stigma city! Please come and show your support in Jubilee Square at **1-2pm** on **Monday, 21 July**. ### Civil society groups urge Romanian authorities to allow Oradea Pride march URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/civil-society-groups-urge-romanian-authorities-to-allow-oradea-pride-march/ Last updated: 2026-07-17T07:36:20.000Z A coalition of civil society organisations has called on Romanian authorities to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly by allowing the **Oradea Pride** March 2026 to take place on **25 July**. In a joint statement, the signatories expressed solidarity with local organiser **ARK Oradea** and the city’s LGBTQ+ community, urging both local and national authorities to uphold the rights protected by Romania’s Constitution, the **European Convention on Human Rights** and **European Union** law. The groups said they were concerned by reports that local authorities intend to reject all routes proposed for the march, despite organisers submitting their notification within the legal deadline and putting forward more than 100 possible route options. According to the statement, authorities have suggested a static gathering point instead of a parade route. However, the organisations argue that such an arrangement cannot replace the right to organise a public march and does not provide a genuine alternative to exercising freedom of assembly. The appeal comes after four consecutive years in which the Oradea Pride March has been unable to take place. The signatories said the repeated failure to authorise the event can no longer be explained by administrative or logistical challenges alone. “After four consecutive years in which the Pride March has not been able to take place, this can no longer be a matter of administrative or logistical difficulties,” the statement said. “The fact that the same outcome is reached year after year points to the existence of a practice that prevents the effective exercise of freedom of assembly.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Oradea-Pride-1024x993-2.jpg) The organisations stressed that Pride marches are not solely events for the LGBTQ+ community, but represent the exercise of fundamental democratic rights including freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and participation in public life. They warned that repeatedly restricting such events raises wider concerns about civic freedoms and democratic standards. “When an authority constantly prevents a community from assembling peacefully, a principle that concerns all citizens is affected,” the statement said. The signatories also linked restrictions on Pride events elsewhere in Europe to concerns about democratic backsliding and weakening respect for the rule of law. They warned that Oradea risks becoming, after Budapest, one of the few cities in the European Union where authorities repeatedly block a Pride march. “Such a precedent is incompatible with the values on which the European Union is founded: human dignity, freedom, equality, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights,” the organisations said. The statement further argued that religious freedom should not be used as grounds to restrict the peaceful assembly and expression rights of others, saying that all fundamental rights must coexist and enjoy equal protection in a democratic society. The groups emphasised that the Oradea Pride March is not intended to limit anyone’s rights and that organisers are seeking only the same treatment afforded to other public assemblies in the city. They called on the Mayor of Oradea, the municipal commission responsible for authorising public gatherings and other relevant institutions to approve a route that allows the march to proceed safely and effectively. They also urged Romania’s central authorities to monitor the situation and ensure that fundamental rights are respected throughout the country. “Protecting freedom of assembly in Oradea means protecting democracy in Romania,” the statement concluded. “When the freedom of one community is repeatedly restricted, the freedoms of all are affected.” The full list of organisations backing the statement is available on the **ILGA-Europe** website: [Joint statement of solidarity with Oradea Pride](https://www.ilga-europe.org/news/joint-statement-of-solidarity-with-oradea-pride-romania/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### Good Law Project to march giant Trans Unity Quilt at London Trans+ Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/good-law-project-to-march-giant-trans-unity-quilt-at-london-trans-pride/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T12:53:17.000Z A giant community-made quilt celebrating trans lives across the UK will be marched through central London later this month as part of **London Trans+ Pride**. The **Trans Unity Quilt Project**, launched by campaign group **Good Law Project**, has brought together hundreds of trans people, family members and allies to create what organisers describe as a nearly 300-metre-long artwork celebrating the trans community. Inspired by the tradition of textile protest art, the project saw more than 300 individual patches distributed across the UK before being painted, sewn and appliquéd by contributors. The finished quilt features memorials, family collaborations, personal stories and references to shared experiences within the trans community. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/23.jpg) Clare: Perhaps surprisingly, I've found queer Christian spaces some of the most important for navigating my gender journey... The artwork will make its public debut on **25 July** when it is carried through the capital during London Trans+ Pride. Organisers are recruiting more than 200 volunteers to help carry the quilt from **Portland Place** to **Trafalgar Square**. Good Law Project said the quilt will be displayed in large panels, forming a bespoke trans flag stretching longer than an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The campaign group said the project was designed to bring “joy and hope” to trans people at a time when many feel under pressure amid ongoing debates around trans rights. **CN Lester**, co-creative lead of the project, said creating the quilt had highlighted the strength and diversity of the trans community. “Creating the Trans Unity Quilt has been a powerful lesson in the breadth, diversity, and strength of the UK trans community - and all of our friends and loved ones,” they said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/280.jpg) Jane Thakoordin: This is my homage to Marsha P Johnson who was a trans revolutionary and trail blazer, changing the lives of so many trans and queer people “No two patches are the same, but sewn together they form a united message: that even under the weight of oppression we stand together in love, courage, and truth.” Fellow co-creative lead **Mars Callick** said the project drew on a long history of textile art being used by protest and resistance movements. “We’re joining this collective creative tradition, stitching together our experiences as a beautiful, diverse and resilient community, regardless of transphobia or hate,” they said. “We have always existed, and we always will.” According to Good Law Project, the quilt was created through workshops, social groups and community events, as well as contributions made in people’s homes across the country. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/92-2.jpg) In memory of Alice Litman, who died by suicide aged 20 on 26th May 2022\. It's made by Alice's mum and her friends, who designed each heart. After its appearance at London Trans+ Pride, the quilt will be housed at the **Bishopsgate Archives**. Organisers also plan to display sections of the artwork at Pride events around the UK and include it in larger exhibitions over the coming year. **Cat MacLean**, a policy adviser at Good Law Project, said the project offered trans people an opportunity to tell stories often overlooked in public discussions. “We’ve been fighting hard to protect trans people’s basic rights, and wanted to give the community an opportunity to share the parts of their lives that never get portrayed by the press,” she said. “The final product is an overwhelming vision of hope and love, displaying joy and resistance despite this intensely difficult time.” ### Ledward Centre set to reopen its doors this Brighton Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ledward-centre-set-to-reopen-its-doors-this-brighton-pride/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T12:05:48.000Z It has been more than a year since the **Ledward Centre** last welcomed the public through its doors, and the wait is finally, joyfully, almost over. The centre had originally hoped to reopen for Christmas 2025, but that date slipped after a complicated tangle of issues with the building's lease and some lingering legacy matters from the collapse of the **Rainbow Fund**. The new team running the Ledward Centre is entirely separate from, and has no connection to, the Rainbow Fund and they have simply been getting on with the job of building something brilliant. The centre will now reopen to the public on **Saturday, 1 August**, Pride Saturday itself. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-15-at-9.34.28-PM.jpeg) Billie and Ellie — the new team behind the Ledward Centre **Billie Lewis,** centre manager, said the past 16 months had been a rollercoaster. “We have faced setbacks, barriers and obstacles well beyond our control, and at times it has felt relentless,” he said. “But we have persevered, buoyed every step of the way by the belief and support of so many people and organisations who share our values and understand exactly what this centre means to our communities. throughout it all, our determination has never wavered, to keep the Ledward Centre a space that is accessible, affordable, safe and inclusive, a true home for our community.” And honestly, it has been worth the wait. the team behind the Ledward Centre have worked tirelessly to bring the building up to a genuinely impressive standard, and the results speak for themselves. The centre is being finished as a top notch, fully functioning community space, fully accessible throughout, with accessible bathrooms, generous public areas and a canteen where visitors and groups can gather, chat and make themselves at home. New additions include air conditioning throughout the building and a new accessible toilet within the café. The centre hosts a variety of spaces that LGBTQ+ groups can use, along with public and private event hire. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-15-at-9.34.30-PM--1-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-15-at-9.34.30-PM.jpeg) new accessible cafe bathroom The team had hoped to have the centre open in time for [**Trans Pride Brighton** ](https://transpridebrighton.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)this weekend, but have confirmed they have not quite been able to finish the final details in time. Even so, the Ledward Centre is showing up in full support of Trans Pride and the city's trans, non binary and intersex communities, hosting [**Chris Jepson's** ](https://chrisjepson.photography/?ref=scenemag.co.uk#exhibitions)award winning [***Beyond the Binary***](https://proud-studios.co.uk/exhibition-beyond-the-binary-at-the-ledward-centre?ref=scenemag.co.uk) exhibition, a real celebration of trans joy across the whole run of its windows facing **Jubilee Street** for the entire Brighton Pride season, a bright and visible welcome ahead of the doors properly opening. “Even before our own doors were fully open, we knew we had to show up for Trans Pride,” said Billie. “This centre exists to be a true home for our whole community, and that has to include showing up loudly for our trans, non binary and intersex family, not just once we were ready, but right from the start.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-15-at-9.34.29-PM.jpeg) The exhibition is being described as an introduction to the level of visibility the Ledward Centre intends to maintain going forward, with the venue committing to supporting local artists, creatives and activists to be seen and heard from its city centre home. The road to reopening has not been an easy one. The team has battled numerous setbacks and struggles along the way, all in pursuit of making the Ledward Centre welcoming. “We want the Ledward Centre to be one of the best community venues anywhere in the south east, and a leading LGBTQ+ space in this city,” said Billie. “Every single setback along the way has only made us more determined to get this right, for everyone who has been waiting for us to come home.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-15-at-9.34.30-PM--2-.jpeg) The Ledward Centre will be fully open to the public on **Pride Saturday**, **1 August**, running from **12 - 6pm**, and again on **Pride Sunday**, **2 August**, from **10am - 4pm**. So grab your friends, your flags and your chosen family, and come and see the space for yourselves. Every LGBTQ+ person, allies and their chosen family is warmly invited through the doors. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-15-at-9.34.31-PM.jpeg) The Ledward Centre, Jubilee Street, Brighton The café will be serving a wide selection of hot and cold drinks, cakes, pastries and snacks, plus baguettes, salads, sandwiches and jacket potatoes, with meal deals available too. Regular opening hours will then begin from **Thursday, 6 August**, with the centre open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from **10am - 6pm**. The team say they anticipate opening on additional days later in the year, so keep an eye on their website and socials for those updates. “We cannot wait to welcome you back to your community centre,” Billie said. “To everyone who has stood by us on this journey, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.” 💡 You can learn more about the Ledward Centre, including opening times and how to get involved, at [ledwardcentre.org](https://ledwardcentre.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), or by following @theledwardcentre on social media. ### 'I was told to go to hell': Stockport councillor says he suffered broken bones in homophobic attacks URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/i-was-told-to-go-to-hell-stockport-councillor-says-he-suffered-broken-bones-in-homophobic-attacks/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T11:46:14.000Z A Stockport councillor has revealed he suffered broken bones after being physically assaulted and subjected to homophobic abuse because of his sexuality. **Liberal Democrat** councillor **Jamie Hirst**, who represents Offerton, spoke about his experiences during a debate on a motion aimed at reaffirming **Stockport Council**’s support for the LGBTQ+ community. The motion, brought forward by the council’s Liberal Democrat leadership, expressed concern that LGBTQ+ people in the borough are facing increasing hostility and called for further action to support the community. Speaking at a full council meeting on 9 July, Cllr Hirst said the motion was “about making sure families like mine never have to justify their existence again”. He told councillors he had suffered physical attacks in the past that left him with broken bones and had been told by strangers that he was “sick, depraved, and going to hell”. Despite significant progress in LGBTQ+ rights, including marriage equality, Cllr Hirst said discrimination remained a problem and had worsened in recent years. “Over the last few years and particularly over the last few months people have felt perfectly entitled once again to tell me I should go to hell, gay people shouldn’t have children, that children would be better off without parents like me,” he said. The councillor added that the debate was not about seeking special treatment but protecting hard-won rights. “It isn’t about special treatment. It’s about protecting the progress that people fought for, and making sure we do not step backwards,” he said. Ahead of the meeting, **Stephen Bowyer**, chair of **Stockport Pride**, said members of the LGBTQ+ community continued to face hostility as debates around LGBTQ+ rights became increasingly polarised. He said the organisation regularly encountered abusive comments on social media, including “slurs, insults, harassment, stereotyping, misinformation and threats”. Mr Bowyer added that many LGBTQ+ residents still altered their behaviour because of concerns about discrimination. “Many are reluctant to hold their partner’s hand in public because they fear harassment. Others avoid using public toilets because they do not feel safe,” he said. He welcomed the council’s backing, saying it sent a clear message that Stockport was a welcoming place for everyone, regardless of sexuality or gender identity. The motion was overwhelmingly approved by councillors. Council leader **Mark Roberts** said he hoped the vote would send “a very clear message” that Stockport remained an open and inclusive borough. However, **Reform UK** group leader **Brian Battle** said he could not support the motion, arguing that discrimination should be tackled across the board and criticising what he described as a “complex and badly worded motion”. Cllr Battle said some members of his party had also experienced intimidation and unfair scrutiny, although he acknowledged the historic discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people, including members of the armed forces. His comments drew criticism from other councillors. Labour’s **James Frizzell** said the remarks had “got no place in this council chamber”, while Cllr **Laura Clingan** said ongoing discrimination against LGBTQ+ people remained deeply troubling. Speaking as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Cllr Clingan added: “Maybe Councillor Battle needs to understand not everyone is marginalised and the LGBTQ+ community are targeted purely because of who they are.” ### Charity Commission probes mosque after imam claimed gay people would ‘destroy the human race’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/charity-commission-probes-mosque-after-imam-claimed-gay-people-would-destroy-the-human-race/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T08:58:23.000Z The **Charity Commission** has opened a regulatory compliance case into a west London mosque following complaints about alleged hate speech by one of its imams and concerns over a guest speaker with a history of extremist remarks. **Hounslow Jamia Masjid and Islamic Centre** is facing scrutiny after the **National Secular Society** (NSS) lodged a formal complaint with the charities regulator this week. The complaint centres on comments made by the mosque’s imam, **Shaykh Ammar Siddiqui**, and the mosque’s decision to host Egyptian preacher **Yusri Jabar**. The NSS raised concerns over a seminar held at the mosque in January 2023, during which Mr Siddiqui allegedly claimed that gay people would “destroy the human race” and appeared to defend the use of capital punishment for homosexuality in some Muslim-majority countries. The two-hour event, based on a book titled *Advice for the LGBTQ*, was uploaded to the mosque’s YouTube channel and was reportedly aimed at children. In the recording, Mr Siddiqui said: “There is no other way the LGBTQ sort of motive, the agenda, the purpose of that is to destroy the human race. Why? Because you cannot produce.” Addressing laws that impose the death penalty for homosexuality in some countries, he added: “The punishment is there to stop people from engaging in it. It’s a deterrence.” The complaint also highlights the mosque’s decision to host Mr Jabar, a social media preacher who has previously made comments calling for violence against Jewish people and expressing support for armed conflict against Israel. In a YouTube video published in January, Mr Jabar reportedly said: “Wars will stop after killing the Jews - there will be no wars after killing the Jews.” Despite calls for ministers to prevent his entry into the UK, Mr Jabar was allowed to travel to Britain and spoke at an event hosted by the mosque earlier this week. The mosque has also previously attracted attention because it was attended by **Asif Hanif**, one of the suicide bombers responsible for the 2003 attack on **Mike’s Place** bar in Tel Aviv. **Megan Manson**, head of campaigns at the National Secular Society, described the situation as “outrageous”, noting that the charity had received significant amounts of public funding. “We urge the Charity Commission to investigate these concerns and evaluate this organisation’s suitability as both a registered charity and the proprietor of a school,” she said. Ms Manson also called for reforms to prevent organisations from using charitable status to spread hatred and division. A spokesperson for the Charity Commission said charities “must not allow their premises, events or online content to become forums for hate speech against any community”. “The public, rightly, expects charities to bring people together, not to stoke division,” the spokesperson said. “When such allegations arise we will, within our regulatory remit, deal with it robustly. “Following serious concerns raised in the media about an individual connected to Hounslow Jamia Masjid and Islamic Centre, we have opened a regulatory compliance case to gather more information and to engage with the charity’s trustees. “We have since received a complaint from NSS and will be considering the contents of this complaint as part of our case.” ### Revenge and R-Bar back Trans Pride Brighton with fundraising drive URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/revenge-and-r-bar-back-trans-pride-brighton-with-fundraising-drive/ Last updated: 2026-07-15T15:20:13.000Z Two of Brighton's best-known LGBTQ+ venues are raising money for **Trans Pride Brighton** this weekend through special events and charity drinks promotions. **Revenge** will host a dedicated Trans Pride Brighton fundraiser on **Saturday, 18 July**, with £1 from every customer attending the venue donated to the annual Trans Pride event. A portion of sales from a range of limited-edition drinks created for the weekend will also go towards the fundraising effort. The fundraiser will take place alongside the club's regular *Confession Saturdays* event, which features pop, queer pop, dance music and R&B across two floors, as well as performances from guest artists and resident entertainers. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/740206325_1699297491115436_5789226927135128416_n.png-2.jpeg) The event is the latest in a growing number of fundraising initiatives being organised by Brighton's LGBTQ+ venues in support of Trans Pride, which returns to the city this weekend. Meanwhile, sister venue **R-Bar** is continuing its year-round support for the cause through sales of its "Crash the Cis-tem" shooter. The drink is sold throughout the year, with 50p from every shot donated to Trans Pride Brighton. The venue is currently offering the shooter as part of a two-for-£7.50 promotion. This year's Trans Pride Brighton is expected to attract thousands of people to the city, with fundraising events taking place across the weekend in venues throughout the city's LGBTQ+ quarter. ## [TICKETS HERE](https://events.revenge.co.uk/events/96210/confession-trans-pride-fundraiser?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Queens Arms launches third year of Trans Pride fundraising URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queens-arms-launches-third-year-of-trans-pride-fundraising/ Last updated: 2026-07-15T13:21:42.000Z The **Queens Arms** will kick off its third consecutive year of fundraising for **Trans Pride Brighton** this week, with a series of events led by cabaret performer **Ophelia Payne**. Fundraising begins on **Thursday, 16 July** with ***Ophelia Payne's G Spot***, featuring guest performer **Cazeleon**. The celebrations continue on **Friday, 17 July** with the venue's annual charity musical, *Guys and Protect the Dolls*, which will see a cast of trans performers and allies stage a production after just six hours of rehearsal, with all proceeds going to Trans Pride Brighton. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Unknown-5-3.jpeg) The evening will then continue with performances from **Lovina Belle** and an all-trans line-up hosted by Ophelia, who said the events are part of a wider effort that has helped grow support for Trans Pride across Brighton's LGBTQ+ nightlife scene. Two years ago, Ophelia joined fellow performers Suga, Charli and Rupert to organise one of the first dedicated Trans Pride fundraisers at Queens Arms, raising more than £4,500 for the event. Last year, she expanded the initiative by creating a **Day of Solidarity** during the Trans Pride Brighton weekend, encouraging venues across the city to host fundraising events for the annual celebration. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Unknown-4-1.jpeg) Now, she says, support for Trans Pride Brighton has spread across Brighton's bar circuit, with venues organising their own fundraising events and activities. "I absolutely love that the bars are all supporting Trans Pride Brighton," Ophelia said. "It has been my mission over the past couple of years to get the circuit behind the event." She added: "It's been so heartwarming to see how much the community has grown and got behind Trans Pride Brighton, with every bar on the circuit doing Trans Pride events off their own backs. "At a difficult time for the trans community in Brighton, seeing the venues show solidarity and much-needed fundraising was exactly what I had set out to create, so to see it happen organically has been amazing." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Unknown-3-1.jpeg) Ophelia was keen to stress that the success of this year's fundraising effort reflects a collective commitment from venues across the city rather than competition between them. She said years of work by the Queens Arms and its supporters had helped build momentum behind the cause, adding that it had been rewarding to see so many businesses now embracing Trans Pride and supporting the community through fundraising and events. Trans Pride Brightonhas become one of the city's largest annual community events, attracting thousands of people each year and raising funds for local trans-led projects and organisations. This year's programme of venue-led fundraisers is expected to continue throughout the Trans Pride weekend. ### Reform UK councillor calls for Pride flags to be removed from Southampton Civic Centre URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/reform-uk-councillor-calls-for-pride-flags-to-be-removed-from-southampton-civic-centre/ Last updated: 2026-07-15T12:22:40.000Z A **Reform UK** councillor has called for Pride flags to no longer be flown outside **Southampton's Civic Centre**, arguing that the city council should restrict flag displays to national and civic symbols. **Philip Crook**, who was elected to **Southampton City Council** in May, has tabled a motion seeking to limit flag flying at the council's headquarters to the Union flag, the St George's flag and Southampton's city flag. The proposal is due to be debated by the **Labour**\-run authority at a full council meeting. If approved, the move would prevent a range of flags currently flown at the Civic Centre from being displayed, including Pride flags and banners marking occasions such as **Black History Month**, **Windrush Day**, **International Women's Day** and **Vaisakhi**. Under the council's existing protocol, a number of commemorative and community flags are flown throughout the year. Crook said the proposal was intended to promote unity and avoid controversy. "I thought let's have one unifying flag that over centuries has represented us in good times and bad times," he said. "It unifies us as a country and that's the main purpose behind it and it removes any controversy." Local groups **Southampton Pride** and **Trans Pride Southampton** have voiced opposition, announcing an emergency protest. In a statement posted on Facebook, Southampton Pride said: “For many people, a Pride flag is not simply a piece of fabric. “It is a visible sign that says, ‘you are welcome here, you belong here, you will be treated with dignity and respect’. “When local authorities choose to fly the Pride flag during Pride month or significant occasions, they are not elevating one community above another. “They are recognising a community that has historically faced discrimination, exclusion and violence, while making a clear public commitment that everyone should be able to participate equally in civic life.” The statement adds: “Sometimes inclusion also requires visible acts that reassure communities who continue to experience prejudice that they are seen, valued and protected.” Trans Pride Southampton called on the council to expand its use of Pride flags. The group’s statement said: “This is a very hard time for especially trans people right not, and we call on the council to show solidarity with our community. ### Mexico's controversial first openly gay mayor shot dead aged 59 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/mexicos-controversial-first-openly-gay-mayor-shot-dead-aged-59/ Last updated: 2026-07-15T10:56:59.000Z **Benjamín Medrano Quezada**, the first openly gay politician elected mayor in Mexico, has been shot dead at the age of 59. The former mayor of **Fresnillo**, in the northern state of **Zacatecas**, was killed in the city of **Guadalajara** on **7 July**, according to Mexican authorities. Local reports said he was shot several times after leaving an ice cream shop in the **Santa Elena de la Cruz** neighbourhood before the attacker fled the scene on a motorcycle. Investigators have not announced a motive and no arrests have been reported. Medrano made history in 2013 when he was elected mayor of Fresnillo as a candidate for the **Institutional Revolutionary Party** (PRI), becoming the first openly gay person to hold such a post in Mexico. He served as mayor until 2015 before representing Zacatecas in Mexico's Chamber of Deputies. In a statement following his death, **Fresnillo City Council** expressed its condolences to his family and friends, describing his death as an "irreparable loss". Before entering politics, Medrano was a well-known performer in Zacatecas, recording several albums of ballads and ranchera music. He also ran a gay bar in Fresnillo and was a prominent local businessman before beginning his political career as a councillor in 1995\. Despite his status as one of Mexico's most prominent openly gay politicians, Medrano often found himself at odds with much of the country's LGBTQ+ movement. A practising Catholic, he publicly opposed same-sex marriage, adoption rights for same-sex couples and Pride marches, arguing that Mexican society was not ready for such changes. In recent years, Medrano had faced legal scrutiny over allegations that he embezzled public funds while serving as president of the Board of Trustees of the **National Fair of Zacatecas** in 2019\. An arrest warrant was issued in 2022 after he failed to attend a court hearing, although reports said a judge later overturned the warrant in 2025\. His family maintained that the accusations were politically motivated. ### Gay couple who gave away 180,000 backpacks to homeless people die days apart URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/gay-couple-who-gave-away-180-000-backpacks-to-homeless-people-die-days-apart/ Last updated: 2026-07-15T10:15:32.000Z A gay couple who devoted years to helping homeless people by distributing backpacks filled with essential supplies have died within days of each other. **Jayson Conner**, 48, and **Jeffrey Newman**, 58, spent much of the past eight years supporting people living on the streets of New York through their charity initiative, **Backpacks for the Street**. Together with a team of volunteers, they distributed more than 180,000 backpacks containing items such as toiletries, socks, notebooks and food. Mr Conner died from a heart attack at the couple's home in Queens on **28 June**, according to his daughter, **Jewlia Conner**. Mr Newman died four days later, on **2 July**. His brother, **Glenn Newman**, confirmed his death but did not disclose the cause. The pair launched their backpack project in 2018 under the umbrella of their non-profit organisation, **Together Helping Others**. What began with a handful of donated backpacks grew into a major volunteer effort serving some of New York's most vulnerable residents. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/images.jpeg) Each week, dozens of volunteers gathered at a rented space in Queens to pack more than 100 backpacks before transporting them to Manhattan for distribution. Volunteers were trained not only to hand out supplies but also to engage respectfully with people experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health difficulties. **Kristina Kashtanova**, who joined the organisation in 2020, said the couple's approach left a lasting impression. "It was fascinating to see how well they managed to communicate with people on the streets," she said. "They taught me how to be a better human and how to talk to people who were so different from me." The idea for Backpacks for the Street emerged after the couple recognised that many homeless people lacked even basic items to carry their belongings. After appealing on social media, they received almost 100 donated backpacks and large quantities of supplies within days. The contents of the backpacks were carefully considered. Winter packs included wool socks, while every torch was supplied with fresh batteries. The pair also included protein-rich foods that could be easily consumed by people with dental problems. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Jayson-Conner-Jeffrey-Newman.jpg.webp) "We're not making little goody bags," Mr Newman told ABC News in 2020\. "We're really thinking out what it is people need the most. It's a labour of love." Demand for the service increased during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many people were reluctant to use homeless shelters because of fears over virus transmission. "The city has great programmes for the homeless, but there are many reasons why someone might not want to go to a shelter right now," Mr Newman said at the time. "Every bag we deliver can go a long way, especially during this crisis." For Mr Conner, the work was deeply personal. He had experienced homelessness, addiction and sexual abuse before rebuilding his life. Originally from Stockton, California, he worked in restaurants after attending culinary school. After a period of drug addiction and homelessness, he became sober in 2015. Speaking on the charity's website, he described homelessness as "soul-crushing", adding: "You never know where you'll find respite day after day, or if you'll eat or find warmth." Reflecting on the backpack initiative in 2020, Mr Newman said: "Everything about the backpack is about hope. We understand that it's not going to cure homelessness. But it does say to somebody, 'Hey, you know what? We care.'" Volunteers are now discussing how the programme might continue following the deaths of its founders, although no decisions have yet been announced. ### REVIEW: Auntie Mame (1958) URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-auntie-mame-1958/ Last updated: 2026-07-15T09:52:08.000Z Hello cinema lovers. This week's retro slot goes to a fossil of a movie that refuses to die, and thank god for that. ***Auntie Mame*** (1958) is not queer cinema the way we usually recognise it, but it's queer cinema in the way we've always decided. Before anyone was handing out permission slips. **Rosiland Russell** stars in this perfect vehicle that proves love has no limits, nor does kindness or sass. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051383/mediaviewer/rm1805853696/?ref_=ttmi_mi_7_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BNmExOWZmMDEtNmI2NC00ZGU0LTg3NmUtMzhjYTM3ZGQ1ZDlmXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX771_.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BMmEwZTY5MDgtN2NmNS00ZGQ3LThlMjgtNTRlYmJkOWY4MDYzXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX769.5_-2.jpg) Orphaned in 1928 (rich people problems, this isn't *Annie*), young Patrick gets dumped on his aunt Mame, played by Rosalind Russell, an actress who took a role she'd already conquered on Broadway and decided the screen hadn't suffered enough. Russell had spent the '30s and '40s being typecast as Hollywood's reigning career gal in trousers, all clipped putdowns and withering one-liners. Auntie Mame was the role that let her finally be as over the top as she always wanted. Gay socialite Mame throws parties jammed with gin-soaked dandies. She loses her fortune in the Great Market Crash without missing a beat. She marries a Southern oil baron (**Forrest Tucker**), gets involved in a farcical fox hunt and works as a charmingly inept sales clerk in a department store. She spends two decades outlasting Patrick's stuffy trustee for sole custody of the boy's imagination and heart, and mostly wins. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051383/mediaviewer/rm1940071424/?ref_=ttmi_mi_7_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BMmZjZTRjMTYtNzdmNy00MzQ4LWFiYzUtMDE0OWRmYzA5YTZiXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX771_.jpg) **Peggy Cass** gives a terrific turn as secretary Agnes Gooch, sadly destroyed by precisely one wild night. Hers is a performance so committed to hysteria that it earned her an Oscar nomination for essentially one scene of falling apart in a cocktail dress. **Coral Browne** steals whatever scenes she can as boozy, cynical actress **Vera Charles**, a role she plays with such gusto that it feels she's waited her whole career for the role. The entire plot sprawls across two decades and endures constant redecoration and reinventions of mames expansive New York apartment. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051383/mediaviewer/rm413344768/?ref_=ttmi_mi_8_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BNDBjZmFmN2UtOGYxZi00ZjQ5LTkyNjUtY2Y0NzNlZDk5M2JiXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX774_.jpg) Russell is the main event here, obviously. Every camp gesture is calibrated within an inch of its life. Every line lands exactly where she's aimed it. shes Big, Fast and Fearless. Her characterisation is built for a Broadway show and somehow works on a cinema screen just as well. Russell originated the role on Broadway. Eight years after Norma Desmond introduced audiences to shrill monstrosity in *Sunset Boulevard*, Russell gave us Mame, a much kinder but no less formidable woman. There's a sharp scene in which Mame outwits some terrible antisemites that's as notable as it is satisfying. Director **Morton DaCosta** works like he originated this project on Broadway and has simply moved the proceedings to Hollywood. Scenes arrive and vanish at speed. **Orry-Kelly**'s costumes are amazing; he's a designer who'd already dressed many of Hollywood's divas and clearly saved his most bonkers ideas for a character that would appreciate the effort. The script is stuffed with quotable lines and is witty and thoughtful. The runtime is a little overlong but well worth the effort. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051383/mediaviewer/rm312681472/?ref_=ttmi_mi_9_1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BY2Y2ZDRiY2EtZjdiYi00NDViLWE3MGUtNGI1Y2FmZDZlZDdiXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX769.5_.jpg) Here's the thing: Patrick is straight (and quite cute in later scenes). Mame is straight. Nobody comes out here. Nobody so much as glances sideways at someone of the same sex on screen. What do we get instead? Two unnamed women in tweed, obviously a couple, glimpsed at Mame's first party and never referenced again. No lines. No plot function. Just there on view as the backdrop of Mame's world, like nothing unusual is happening. Because to Mame, nothing is. That's the entire conceit in this movie, refreshing for its time. What *Auntie Mame* offers is a sensibility, camp before the word was used more commonly. A woman who chooses her family on merit instead of blood, who treats convention as something to be ignored rather than observed. **Patrick Dennis**, the bisexual novelist who created her, knew precisely what he was doing. Gay audiences have known precisely what to make of her once she arrived on screen. ![https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051383/mediaviewer/rm2091066368/?ref_=ttmi_mi_6_2](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/MV5BODdhNDJhZDAtY2M5OS00ZjI1LWEyMTUtMDk2MmNmMThjYzY3XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UX771_-2.jpg) Seek this movie out. It's a camp classic that modern audiences won't be aware of but really should be. We've all seen *The Wizard of Oz* and *All About Eve* before. They are fine movies, but Auntie Mame deserves a similar status. A recent remaster does right by the costumes and the shape-shifting apartment sets, and Russell's performance deserves the biggest screen you own. Its Essential viewing for anyone who's ever needed an aunt like this one, whether or not life was generous enough to provide her. Let her open such doors for you. Essential viewing. *Auntie Mame* is available to stream on Apple TV and Amazon Prime. ### ‘Discriminatory’ and ‘unworkable’ trans guidance comes into force on 5 August URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/discriminatory-and-unworkable-trans-guidance-comes-into-force-on-5-august/ Last updated: 2026-07-15T09:03:47.000Z Statutory guidance on the provision of single-sex services will come into force on **5 August**, following confirmation from Equalities Minister **Bridget Phillipson**. The code of practice, issued by the **Equality and Human Rights Commission** (EHRC), has attracted criticism from campaign groups and some MPs, who argue it will have significant consequences for trans people accessing public services. Critics say the guidance effectively treats trans people as a separate category, encouraging the use of alternative facilities rather than those designated for men or women. They argue this could lead to increased stigma, force some transgender people to disclose their gender identity, and create barriers to accessing services. Campaign group **Good Law Project** said the guidance would also place additional pressure on existing accessible facilities and could increase harassment of cisgender women. The organisation further disputes the code's interpretation of discrimination law. The guidance states that providing services for women and trans women is "very likely" to discriminate against cisgender men because they would be excluded from those services. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/yasmin-peyman-AVFW7wuPGVk-unsplash.jpg) Unsplash Good Law Project argues that position is inconsistent with a High Court ruling delivered in February. In that judgment, the court said there could be circumstances in which allowing trans women to use female facilities while requiring other biological men to use male facilities would amount to different, but not necessarily less favourable, treatment. The government has faced political opposition over the move. More than 160 MPs signed an Early Day Motion calling on ministers to reject the draft code before its adoption. **Jess O'Thomson**, trans rights lead at Good Law Project, said: "It is abhorrent that despite widespread opposition this government has continued its attacks on trans human rights. "The code is not only discriminatory, but utterly unworkable in practice - as so many organisations have repeatedly pointed out. The guidance gets the law wrong, and if service providers uncritically follow it, they may be acting unlawfully. "Worse than that – they will be causing immense harm, and helping to strip trans people of their rights." > "The code is not only discriminatory, but utterly unworkable in practice." Although the code applies directly to service providers and associations rather than employers, campaigners say it is likely to have a wider impact on organisations seeking to comply with equality law. Good Law Project is currently appealing against a separate High Court decision relating to the EHRC. The appeal argues that requiring trans people to use separate facilities amounts to discrimination and breaches their human rights. The outcome of that case could have broader implications for workplaces as well as services and associations, and may affect future interpretations of the law underpinning the guidance. ### Brighton LGBTQ+ venues to support Trans Pride Brighton URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-lgbtq-venues-to-support-trans-pride-brighton/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T16:17:20.000Z Brighton's LGBTQ+ community is coming together in support of **Trans Pride Brighton**, with venues, including **Charles Street Tap** and **Legends Brighton**, hosting fundraising events and entertainment programmes ahead of the city's Trans Pride on **Saturday, 18 July**. Charles Street Tap and Legends Brighton are among the venues backing Trans Pride Brighton, helping to raise funds and provide platforms for performers, activists and community members in the lead-up to one of the world's largest trans-led Pride events. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/747422610_1503937805081289_8818691720456655515_n.jpg) On **Sunday, 19 July**, Charles Street Tap on Marine Parade will host a dedicated **Trans Pride Fundraiser**, featuring cabaret performances from **Carmel Fleur** and **Ophelia Payne**, hosted by **Sally Vate**. The evening will include a raffle and fundraising activities, with proceeds going directly to **Trans Pride Brighton**. Meanwhile, nearby venue **Legends Brighton** has unveiled a three-day entertainment programme for Trans Pride weekend, featuring a host of drag and cabaret performers. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/746824134_1985518272074791_4070063392632163303_n.png-1.jpeg) The seafront venue will kick off events on **Friday, 17 July** with acclaimed performer **Billie Gold**, followed by **Portia n Pals – Episode 7** on **Saturday, 18 July** featuring special guest **Amy LaQueefa**. Sunday's programme includes appearances from cabaret favourites **Miss Lola Lasagne** and **Dawn the Drag Queen**, and a closing performance from **Sam Solace**. Legends said the line-up had been created to complement the city's Trans Pride celebrations and provide a welcoming space for people attending events throughout the weekend. [Home - Trans Pride BrightonTrans Pride 2026 We have such exciting plans for 2026\. Join us in Brighton on Saturday the 18th of July for what promises to be our biggest Trans Pride yet.![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/cropped-site_icon-1-270x270-6981bb03-8b13-4684-95e3-bc2fe7cbbf53.png)Trans Pride Brighton![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/TP2021_sofayears_banner_image_04-92c8b563-200b-4581-8ddb-f3d6248ac699.png)](https://transpridebrighton.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) **Trans Pride Brighton** returns on **Saturday, 18 July**, bringing thousands of people to the city for what has become one of the largest trans-led Pride events in the world. Founded in 2013, the annual event celebrates trans, non-binary and gender-diverse lives while campaigning for equality, visibility and inclusion. This year's programme includes the traditional community march through the city, a park event featuring live music, speakers and community stalls, and a range of fringe events taking place across Brighton & Hove throughout the weekend. ### Good Law Project withdraws ‘Monster’ campaign following backlash URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/good-law-project-withdraws-monster-campaign-following-backlash/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T15:33:33.000Z **Good Law Project** has apologised to members of the trans community and withdrawn its ‘Monster’ campaign after concerns were raised about how it had been received. In a statement issued by executive director **Jo Maugham**, the legal campaign organisation said it had listened to criticism from the trans community and instructed its media partners, including *Scene*, to remove the campaign. The campaign, titled *Monster*, was created by artist **Martin Firrell** and was intended to address what the organisation described as opposition to trans people's rights, spaces and joy. According to the Good Law Project, the campaign was designed to speak primarily to cisgender audiences and had been positively received during testing with allies and members of the team involved in its development, including trans people. However, the organisation acknowledged that the campaign had damaged trust among some within the trans community. “We want to apologise for how the ‘Monster’ campaign has been received by the trans community,” the statement said. “We’ve heard you - and we’ve instructed our media partners to take the campaign down.” The Good Law Project said the campaign had been funded through a single donation and had generated at least one four-figure contribution during its brief run. The organisation also defended the intentions behind the project, arguing that it is important to engage both the trans community and the wider public in efforts to tackle anti-trans sentiment. Despite that, Maugham said the impact of the campaign on trust within the community outweighed any potential benefits. “All of this is true – but none of it matters if it damages the trust we enjoy with the trans community and it has,” the statement said. “So it will be taken down today.” The organisation reiterated its commitment to supporting trans people and highlighted other projects it has backed, including the 86-metre **Trans Unity Quilt**, which is due to be carried along the route of **London Trans+ Pride** later this month before appearing at further events outside the capital. Maugham concluded by offering a further apology to those upset by the campaign and thanked members of the trans community who continue to support the organisation’s work. “We remain, as ever, extraordinarily grateful to the many members of the trans community who continue to support our work for the community,” the statement said. ### Lumo unveils new Pride Train celebrating LGBTQ+ organisations and communities URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lumo-unveils-new-pride-train-celebrating-lgbtq-organisations-and-communities/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T11:36:12.000Z Rail operator Lumo has unveiled a newly redesigned Pride train celebrating the organisations, volunteers and communities championing inclusion across the UK. The all-electric train, which operates services between **London King’s Cross**, **Newcastle**, **Edinburgh** and **Glasgow**, now carries the logos of several LGBTQ+ organisations supported by the operator, including **Pride Radio, OUT North East, Edinburgh Pride** and **Glasgow Pride**. The train was officially unveiled by community volunteers alongside a former **Mr Gay GB**, highlighting the partnerships that help make Pride events and year-round inclusion initiatives possible. Lumo says the redesign is intended to shine a spotlight on the organisations working throughout the year to support LGBTQ+ communities and create safe, welcoming spaces where people can be themselves. **Richard Salkeld**, Lumo’s Director of Communications and Partnerships, said the train reflects the company’s commitment to inclusion beyond Pride season. “We’re proud to welcome everyone onboard at Lumo,” he said. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Pride-Train---Three.jpg) “Each logo featured on this train represents an organisation that works incredibly hard throughout the year to champion inclusion, support LGBTQ+ communities and create places where people can feel safe to be themselves. We are pleased to help shine a light on that great work. “At Lumo, we believe our role is about far more than connecting towns and cities. It's about connecting people, communities and opportunities. That's why we're proud to place our partners' logos alongside our own. It's a visible reminder that when organisations work together, we can create something far greater than any of us could achieve alone.” The launch comes after Lumo was named **Best Small Employer in Scotland** at this year’s Proud Scotland Awards in Glasgow. **Peter Darrant**, Chief Executive of OUT **North East**, welcomed the continued partnership with the rail operator. “Our partnership with Lumo goes well beyond branding on a train,” he said. “It reflects a genuine commitment to inclusion, equality and allyship, with Lumo standing alongside OUT North East and **Pride Radio** throughout the year. “Seeing our logo travelling the length of the country on a Lumo train sends a powerful message to hundreds of thousands of passengers that LGBTQ+ people belong, that inclusion matters and that businesses can play an important role in supporting our communities. That's what Pride – and true allyship – is all about.” While Lumo’s trains have carried Pride branding since 2023, the latest redesign focuses on the organisations and volunteers whose work extends beyond annual Pride celebrations. Ahead of **Glasgow Pride** this weekend, representatives from LGBTQ+ organisations in North East England and Scotland came together for the launch, symbolising the connections between communities along Lumo’s route. A spokesperson for Glasgow Pride said the partnership helps reinforce the message that Pride belongs in every community. “We are incredibly proud to partner with Lumo, an organisation that shares our commitment to celebrating diversity and fostering inclusion,” they said. “Seeing the Glasgow’s Pride logo travelling across the UK is a powerful reminder that Pride belongs everywhere and in every community. This partnership helps amplify our message of equality and encourages people from all backgrounds to stand together in support of LGBTQ+ people.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Pride-Train---One.jpg) **Edinburgh Pride** also praised the initiative, describing it as an example of how businesses can use their platforms to support inclusion. “Pride is about visibility, community and belonging, and seeing our organisation represented on a train connecting communities across Britain sends a powerful message that everyone deserves to feel welcome, wherever they travel,” a spokesperson said. The Pride train forms part of Lumo’s wider programme of community partnerships, which includes work with charities, cultural organisations, educational institutions and local groups across its network. The operator says colleagues will take part in more Pride events than ever before this summer, supporting celebrations in Newcastle, Gateshead, Edinburgh, Stirling and Glasgow. Lumo recently expanded onto the West Coast Main Line, introducing direct services between Stirling and London, and is also supporting **Stirling Pride**, which is due to take place on **29 August**. ### Dr Natacha Kennedy: "The government’s guide to harming trans children in school" URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/dr-natacha-kennedy-the-governments-guide-to-harming-trans-children-in-school/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T11:00:49.000Z *Words by Dr Natacha Kennedy, a trans academic from Goldsmiths University* There’s no point in beating about the bush, the government’s new anti-trans “guidance” for schools is about harming trans children in the same way [its puberty-blocker ban has already harmed](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09589236.2025.2521699?ref=scenemag.co.uk) many of them. Probably the worst headline measure being introduced is permitting transphobic teachers and classmates to legally abuse trans kids by misgendering them constantly, because they apparently have the right to “gender-critical” beliefs. In my view any teacher who does this should never work with minors again. Horrific, but the rest is as bad. The government wants people to use the term “gender-questioning, instead of “trans” for trans kids. In effect it is trying to enforce as standard the decades-old “just a phase” myth used against cis LGB people. If the state-supported bullying was not enough, trans kids will be constantly forced to use the wrong toilet and effectively banned from school sports and trips. Additionally schools will, in effect, be required to teach transphobic rhetoric and will be allowed to ban children from socially transitioning (that is a non-medical transition involving changing appearance, name, pronouns etc). The “gender questioning” designation is not just the institutionalisation of Just A Phase but it makes false assumptions about trans children. [My own research](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19361653.2020.1816244?ref=scenemag.co.uk) has shown that, by the time a child has got to the stage where they are coming out to any adult, almost all are well past “questioning” their genders usually by many years or months, they have thought about it and know who they are; the [very low rate](https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/kansas-judge-eviscerates-anti-trans?ref=scenemag.co.uk) at which trans children stop being trans is clear evidence of this. This false “questioning” designation also tries make their lives permanently precarious and to justify this inhuman treatment of them. In my view all school staff should avoid using this term except in the very rare instances where a child is genuinely questioning their gender. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/thiago-rocha-wwiJE6j8UcA-unsplash-2.jpg) Unsplash Then there is the issue of minority stress. **Ilhan Meyer**, in the 1990s, found that members of any minority group experience a higher level of background stress than members of non-minority groups. This can affect children too and can result in absenteeism and lower attainment in their schoolwork. Research published in 2016 however, showed that supporting trans children in their gender identities; correctly gendering them, for example, eliminates minority stress almost completely. So the government’s transphobic “guidance” is actively harming them academically as well as psychologically and socially. ## **Ambient Conversion Therapy** As an academic, this has brought me to theorise what I am calling “Ambient Conversion Therapy”. Along with ramping up their minority stress and designating their identities permanently “just a phase” there are also plenty of other transphobic measures from this most transphobic government ever that will affect trans children, such as the puberty-blocker ban and the way it has effectively not banned conversion therapy. In my view these combine to form a kind of wraparound conversion therapy designed to pressure trans children into not being trans and to doubt their identities 24/7\. So schools, the NHS, social services and even their social lives become part of a cruel system that pressurises them into believing they are cis. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Trans_Pride_in_London_13.jpg) As is well known, even on its own terms conversion therapy is always unsuccessful. It does not make gay people straight or trans people cis, all it does is produce traumatised and suicidal victims (and there is no other term for those who have been subjected to conversion therapy). This psychological harm can last well into adulthood. To me this feels like government ministers trying to proxy-bully and proxy-torture children into not being trans. The government’s own data suggests [that young trans people are *many times* more likely to die by suicide than cis children](https://www.wearequeeraf.com/one-in-six-children-who-died-by-suicide-were-lgbtq-new-data-shows/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). This is by far the main problem for trans children and [main worry for their parents](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/trans-daughter-suicide?ref=scenemag.co.uk). A responsible government would be making suicide prevention for trans children its top priority, instead it seems to be doing the complete opposite. I don’t believe this is accidental. The government’s action fails to acknowledge that the main problems faced by trans children are society’s transphobia, instead they seem to be trying to make out that any mental health problems these kids have is somehow inherent in being trans, which is ridiculous. Can abusing, psychologically harming, segregating, and undermining any group of children in the way this “guidance” does really be intended to cause anything but harm? In my view nothing can possibly justify the harm that will be caused to these children. Labour’s anti-trans “guidance” is many orders of magnitude worse than **Margaret Thatcher**’s **Section 28** ever was - I know, I was a teacher all the way through that period. When Section 28 was repealed I worked hard to introduce the concept of the [Rights Respecting School](https://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) to where I was working. This guidance will negatively affect all children because, in my view it means the Rights Respecting School is now effectively dead and buried; I can’t imagine trying to teach about respecting children’s human rights while being forced to deny some children theirs. Finally, anyone who thinks Ambient Conversion Therapy will only be restricted to trans kids urgently needs to re-read the [poem](https://hmd.org.uk/resource/first-they-came-by-pastor-martin-niemoller/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### School community stands stronger after Pride flag destroyed in fire URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/school-community-stands-stronger-after-pride-flag-destroyed-in-fire/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T10:11:43.000Z A **Toronto** school community has responded with messages of love and support after a student-made Pride flag was destroyed in a fire being investigated by police as a possible hate crime. The intersex-inclusive Pride flag, created by pupils at **R.H. McGregor Elementary School** in Toronto, was burned earlier this month after being displayed on a fence as part of Pride Month celebrations. The flag had been made from strips of fabric tied together by students, with each child contributing a small part to the larger display. According to parent **Jessica Thom**, the project gave pupils a sense of ownership and pride, with many excitedly showing family members the section they had helped create. However, parents were informed days later that the display had been destroyed in a fire. Toronto Police’s **Hate Crime Unit** is now investigating the incident. Rather than allowing the vandalism to divide the community, pupils, parents and staff have come together to create a new display featuring rainbow flags, handmade signs, beadwork and messages of support. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/D7IVVSGYQRFAZHGNVCI3MOLF6A.jpg.png) Jessica Thom Thom said the response reflects the values of both the school and the wider neighbourhood. “We really want to be reflective of the allyship of our school and our neighbourhood and our community in general,” she said. The aim, she added, is to demonstrate that everyone is welcome at the school and that hate will be met with messages of inclusion and acceptance. “We will continue to stand as strongly as we possibly can to respond to hate with love and with representations of inclusivity,” Thom said. The community has also written an open letter to local and provincial elected representatives, calling for support and requesting the installation of a permanent rainbow crossing near the school. The proposed crossing would be located at the junction of Mortimer and Durant Avenues, an area regularly used by pupils and families. School principal **Denise Colby** described the destruction of the display as “particularly disappointing”, noting that students had invested considerable time and care into the project. In a letter to families and community members, she said the Pride display represented the school’s commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive and respectful environment. “We are grateful for the support of our school community and are already making plans to replace the mural so that it can once again reflect the values of inclusion and belonging that are important to our school,” she said. Toronto Fire Services attended the scene on the evening of 5 July after receiving reports of a fire. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had largely been extinguished by a member of the public using water. Officials said the cause of the fire remains unknown. Toronto Mayor **Olivia Chow** also condemned the incident, describing the destruction of the Pride display as unacceptable. Her office said she had spoken with a representative from the school’s parent council and expressed support for the proposed rainbow crossing. The mayor also welcomed the way the school community had united in support of LGBTQ+ students and families following the incident. ### LGBTQ+ community leader arrested after allegedly using non-profit's funds for haircuts, Uber journeys and fuel URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-community-leader-arrested-after-allegedly-using-non-profits-funds-for-haircuts-uber-journeys-and-fuel/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T09:58:43.000Z An LGBTQ+ community organiser in **Florida** has been arrested after allegedly using a non-profit organisation’s funds for personal expenses, including haircuts, Uber journeys and fuel. **Jason Nunez**, the former director of the **Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce**, is accused of spending more than $11,000 (£8,000) of the organisation’s money on personal purchases and cash withdrawals. According to police, the alleged spending took place over several months and included transactions at major retailers, transport providers and a local barbershop. Investigators allege Nunez used the organisation’s business credit card on a near-daily basis from October 2025, with spending increasing in the months before his employment ended. Police also claim funds were transferred through digital payment services, including **Zelle** and **Apple Cash**, and that cash was withdrawn from the chamber’s accounts. The alleged misuse of funds came to an end after Nunez was dismissed from his role in January this year, according to reports. Nunez has pleaded not guilty to the allegations and was released on bond following his arrest. Neither he nor the chamber has publicly commented on the case. The case comes amid a separate legal dispute between Nunez and his former employer. He has filed a lawsuit alleging breach of contract, claiming he was not paid during part of his employment before being dismissed. The chamber has denied those allegations. Nunez had most recently been working as director of programming and external affairs for the **Miami-Dade LGBTQ+ Allied Chamber of Commerce.** Reports state that his profile was removed from the organisation’s website shortly after the arrest became public. ### Funding boost to strengthen support for LGBTQ+ hate crime victims across Teesside URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/funding-boost-to-strengthen-support-for-lgbtq-hate-crime-victims-across-teesside/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T09:33:00.000Z Victims of LGBTQ+ hate crime across **Teesside** will receive specialist emotional and practical support thanks to new funding from Cleveland Police & Crime Commissioner **Matt Storey**. The PCC has awarded £12,384 from his **Protect & Support Fund** to **Hart Gables**, which supports LGBTQ+ people across Teeside and East Durham, for its **Thrive Beyond Hate** project, which provides one-to-one and group support for LGBTQ+ people whose wellbeing has been affected by hate crime and hostility. The funding comes as the charity continues to support members of the LGBTQ+ community facing threats, intimidation, online abuse and hate incidents. Among those helped by the project is a young trans woman who was attacked and verbally abused while walking home from work in Middlesbrough. Initially reluctant to report the incident to police because she feared being viewed as “overreacting” or “too sensitive”, she is now rebuilding her confidence with support from Hart Gables and hopes to report the attack in the future. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/745525036_1477601794396923_6848448350867553237_n.jpg) As well as offering emotional support, Hart Gables helps victims record incidents, even when they do not meet the threshold of a hate crime. The information can then be shared anonymously with partner organisations, including the PCC, to build a clearer picture of anti-LGBTQ+ hate across the region. The project also delivers monthly peer support sessions, providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to share their experiences and connect with others who have faced similar challenges. **Andrew Towers**, LGBTQ+ Development Worker at Hart Gables, said: “At a time when hostility towards minority groups is increasing and the UK is falling in the ILGA rankings for LGBTQ+ safety, this project is more important than ever. “Already, Thrive Beyond Hate has supported more than 20 people who may not otherwise have felt able to report hate or hostility to the police or access mainstream services. “Through practical, emotional and peer support, the project has helped people feel seen, heard and valued. “It means a great deal to know that the PCC is committed to the safety and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/747931201_1477601741063595_1526160268957685231_n.jpg) Over the past year, Hart Gables has worked with more than 500 people and supported 43 individuals who experienced hate or hostility linked to their LGBTQ+ identity. The charity expects demand for the service to increase, particularly among transgender and non-binary people, following what it describes as a rise in negative media attention directed at the trans community in recent years and a growing number of people sharing their experiences. Following a visit to Hart Gables, PCC Matt Storey highlighted the importance of trusted community organisations in helping victims recover from the impact of hate crime. He said: “Having visited Hart Gables, I can see how important it is to have a project like Thrive Beyond Hate. “Projects delivered by familiar, trusted organisations like Hart Gables allow people who have experienced hate crime to open up about their experiences, recover their confidence and rebuild their lives. “With support, I’m hoping that more victims will start to report hate crime incidents so we can then target help where it is needed most.” ### Declan Rice praised for role in groundbreaking ‘GayVAR’ campaign against homophobia URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/declan-rice-praised-for-role-in-groundbreaking-gayvar-campaign-against-homophobia/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T09:20:07.000Z England midfielder **Declan Rice** has been recognised for his contribution to the fight against homophobia in football through his involvement in the innovative **GayVAR** campaign. The initiative, launched by telecommunications company **EE** as part of its **Hope United** programme, aimed to challenge anti-LGBTQ+ abuse online and encourage football supporters to call out discriminatory behaviour. Rice, who has become one of England’s most influential players and helped the Three Lions reach the semi-finals of the **2026 World Cup**, was among a number of high-profile football figures who lent their support to the campaign. The midfielder featured in content designed to highlight the damaging impact of homophobic abuse and demonstrate how supporters can respond when they encounter it on social media. Inspired by football’s Video Assistant Referee system, ‘GayVAR’ was created to encourage fans to “review” and challenge homophobic comments online in the same way controversial incidents are scrutinised during matches. The campaign monitored social media activity around **Premier League** fixtures, identifying moments that often trigger spikes in online abuse, including poor performances, defeats and high-profile mistakes. As part of the initiative, Rice appeared in a post-match analysis-style video in which he confronted abusive messages directed at footballers and discussed the wider impact of online hate. The campaign also featured former England star **Joe Cole**, comedian **Tom Allen**, **Rio Ferdinand**, **Lucy Bronze** and **Andy Robertson**, while working alongside the anti-discrimination organisation **Football v Homophobia**. Research commissioned for the campaign revealed the scale of the problem. Nearly three-quarters of Britons surveyed believed homophobia remains an issue in football, while almost half said social media had made the problem worse. The findings underlined the need for greater allyship and more active intervention from supporters when discriminatory language is used online. ### Queer Belfast streamer, Paul "Bloomeroid" Bloomer, to take on 24-hour charity gaming marathon for Samaritans URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queer-belfast-streamer-paul-bloomeroid-bloomer-to-take-on-24-hour-charity-gaming-marathon-for-samaritans/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T08:02:18.000Z Queer content creator **Paul "Bloomeroid" Bloomer** will undertake a 24-hour charity livestream in aid of **Samaritans** beginning at **8am** on **Saturday, 18 July**. Streaming live across **Twitch, YouTube and TikTok**, Paul will spend 24 hours playing a variety of games, chatting with viewers and welcoming members of the public to join multiplayer games throughout the event. All donations will go directly to Samaritans through the official fundraising page. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Bloomeroid-streamerlogo-1.png) For more than 70 years, Samaritans has provided a free, confidential, non-judgemental listening service, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for anyone struggling to cope. The charity works to reduce suicide, improve emotional wellbeing and raise awareness of mental health across the UK and Ireland. Samaritans, an active supporter of LGBTQ+ communities, participates in Pride events across the UK and Ireland, including **Dublin Pride**, where volunteers provide face-to-face support and a listening ear during the festival. Samaritans incorporates LGBTQ+ experiences into volunteer training, has an internal LGBTQ+ staff and volunteer network, and works with LGBTQ+ organisations to improve understanding and support for the community. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Bloomeroid-2.png) ****Paul "Bloomeroid" Bloomer** Paul said:"This fundraiser is incredibly personal to me. During one of the darkest periods of my life, a Samaritan was there to listen without judgement and helped me get through it. I'll never forget that kindness, and this stream is my way of giving something back so that support is there for the next person who needs it. "As a proud queer man from North Belfast, it also means a great deal to support an organisation that stands alongside LGBTQ+ communities, takes part in Pride events across Ireland and the UK, and works to ensure everyone knows they have someone to talk to. If you enjoy gaming, I'd love you to join me, play a few games, have a chat and, if you're able, support this fantastic cause." The livestream is open to everyone, whether they want to watch, play games, join the conversation or support the fundraiser. **Watch live** on Twitch: [**https://www.twitch.tv/bloomeroid**](https://www.twitch.tv/bloomeroid?ref=scenemag.co.uk), TikTok: **@Bloomeroid or Youtube @Bloomeroid.** **Donate** [**HERE**](https://fundraise.samaritans.ie/fundraisers/paulbloomer/24hr-challenge-ni?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### LGBTQ+ representation in films falls for third consecutive year, GLAAD report finds URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-representation-in-films-falls-for-third-consecutive-year-glaad-report-finds/ Last updated: 2026-07-13T11:26:16.000Z The number of LGBTQ+ characters appearing in major studio films has fallen for the third consecutive year, according to a new report from media advocacy organisation **GLAAD**, which found there were no transgender characters in mainstream films released in 2025. GLAAD's annual **Where We Are in Film** study analysed 225 films released during 2025 by the 10 largest film distributors, including **Disney**, **Netflix**, **Warner Bros.** **Discovery**, **Paramount**, **Sony** and **Amazon Studios**. Of those films, just 46 featured LGBTQ+ characters, down from 59 the previous year and continuing a decline from a record high reached in 2023. The report identified 112 LGBTQ+ characters across those films, a significant drop from the 181 counted in 2024\. Most notably, researchers found no trans characters at all in major studio releases during 2025. GLAAD President and CEO **Sarah Kate Ellis** said the findings were at odds with audience demand for diverse storytelling. “Audiences across the board are seeking out original and inclusive stories,” Ellis said. “Our study found LGBTQ+ stories in film that are both commercially and critically successful. “If the industry doesn’t prioritise investing in films with LGBTQ+ characters, it risks losing a generation that will go elsewhere to find entertainment that does include our community.” The report also found a decline in diversity within LGBTQ+ representation. Just 30% of LGBTQ+ characters were people of colour, down from 36% the previous year. Only 11 characters were identified as bisexual, while four LGBTQ+ characters were depicted as living with HIV or having a disability. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/71zOpmNMQ9L._AC_UF1000-1000_QL80_.jpg) LGBTQ+ characters were also more likely to appear in supporting or background roles than as leading characters. Just 16% of LGBTQ+ characters occupied lead roles, according to the study. One of the report's starkest findings was the complete absence of LGBTQ+ representation in animated and family films. None of the 19 films in the category featured LGBTQ+ characters, compared with two titles the previous year. **Megan Townsend**, GLAAD's Senior Director of Entertainment Research and Analysis, warned that studios risk alienating younger audiences. “Gen Z represents the largest share of moviegoers in North America,” she said. “Gen Z also has the highest percentage of people who say they are part of the LGBTQ community. “If studios want to stay relevant with younger audiences and bring in box office dollars, they can’t afford to ignore nearly one-quarter of their most enthusiastic ticket buyers.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/9437d34bf47175f2bfda7d3edd9f849ab0-weapons-blog.rhorizontal.w700.jpg.webp) Weapons Despite the overall decline, the report highlighted horror as a rare success story for LGBTQ+ inclusion. Films including *I Know What You Did Last Summer*, *The Parenting*, *Companion* and *Weapons* featured LGBTQ+ characters and performed strongly at the box office. According to GLAAD, every theatrically released LGBTQ-inclusive horror film with publicly available budget information earned more than double its production costs, while LGBTQ-inclusive mid-budget and independent productions generated an average return of more than three times their budgets. The findings come amid wider concerns about representation in the entertainment industry and ongoing debates in the United States over LGBTQ+ visibility in media. The full **Where We Are in Film** report is available on GLAAD's website. ### Lib Dems brand Reform UK-controlled Essex County Council's response to Pride displays ‘chilling’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lib-dems-brand-reform-uk-controlled-essex-county-councils-response-to-pride-displays-chilling/ Last updated: 2026-07-13T11:23:14.000Z The **Liberal Democrats** have accused **Essex County Council**'s **Reform UK** administration of creating a “chilling” atmosphere for LGBTQ+ people after questioning Pride displays in the county's libraries. The row follows a decision by the council earlier this year to tell library staff not to promote events unrelated to their day-to-day activities during Pride Month. Although several libraries continued to host Pride-themed book displays, the move sparked concern among campaigners and opposition politicians, who argued it sent the wrong message to LGBTQ+ residents. Liberal Democrat councillor **David King** said the administration's handling of the issue had been deeply concerning. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/3780fe30-59d6-11f1-a86d-8bf9558fa476.jpg.webp) David King “The manner of the new administration's decision and how it has been read, and their reaction to Pride material is chilling – for all of those for whom Pride is important to their sense of belonging and inclusion in our society,” he said. King's comments came after council leader **Peter Harris** of Reform UK defended the administration's position, claiming some Pride displays contained material he believed was “inappropriate” and arguing that libraries should not promote anything that could be viewed as “ideological” or potentially upsetting to parents. However, Harris did not specify which books or materials he was referring to. For LGBTQ+ campaigners, the controversy has become about more than library displays. Critics argue that Pride-themed book collections help LGBTQ+ people, particularly young people, see themselves reflected in public spaces and provide access to information, support and stories that are often missing elsewhere. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/article.jpeg) ****Peter Harris** The dispute has also reignited concerns about the future of diversity and inclusion initiatives under Reform UK-controlled councils. A protest organised by **Save Our Libraries Essex** is due to take place outside County Hall ahead of the council's next full meeting, with politicians from across the political spectrum expected to attend. Opposition figures have questioned whether Pride displays were ever a source of concern for library users. Conservative group leader **Lee Scott** said no complaints had been made about such displays when his party ran the authority. Despite the criticism, Harris said the council had received support from residents for its approach and insisted that any future displays should be age-appropriate. He also stressed that libraries would continue to mark events including **International Women's Day**, **Black History Month** and **Windrush Day**. ### Lindsey Graham, longtime opponent of LGBTQ+ rights and key Trump ally, dies aged 71 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lindsey-graham-longtime-opponent-of-lgbtq-rights-and-key-trump-ally-dies-aged-71/ Last updated: 2026-07-13T09:45:50.000Z US Senator **Lindsey Graham**, a Republican lawmaker whose three decades in Congress were marked by opposition to many of the most significant advances in LGBTQ+ equality, has died aged 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness”. The South Carolina politician served in the Senate for more than 23 years and became one of **Donald Trump**’s closest allies, despite famously describing him as a “kook” and a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” during the 2016 Republican presidential primary campaign. Following Trump’s election, Graham underwent a dramatic political transformation, becoming one of the president’s most loyal defenders and influential advisers. While Graham was widely respected in Washington for his expertise on foreign policy and national security, LGBTQ+ advocates are likely to remember him for his consistent opposition to equality measures. During his time in Congress, he voted for the **Defence of Marriage Act**, which defined marriage under federal law as between one man and one woman, and later backed a constitutional amendment that would have permanently banned same-sex marriage nationwide. He also voted against the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 2010, which forced lesbian, gay and bisexual service personnel to hide their sexuality or risk dismissal. Three years later, he opposed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, legislation that would have provided federal workplace protections for LGBTQ+ people. Although Graham said he would respect the Supreme Court’s landmark 2015 ruling legalising same-sex marriage across the United States, he made clear that he disagreed with the decision. In 2022, he was among the Republican senators who voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, which repealed the Defence of Marriage Act and guaranteed federal recognition of same-sex marriages. LGBTQ+ organisations including **GLAAD** repeatedly criticised his voting record throughout his career. Graham's public life was also accompanied by years of speculation about his sexuality, fuelled largely by his lifelong bachelor status. He consistently denied being gay and publicly rejected rumours about his private life. Allegations circulated online for years, but none were independently substantiated or verified. ### OPINION: 'VIP' packages create a class divide within Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/opinion-vip-packages-create-a-class-divide-within-pride/ Last updated: 2026-07-13T09:35:35.000Z I am often criticised for being 'too negative' about the LGBTQ+ community, and I want to start this article by saying... I am perfectly entitled to raise issues within my own community. If that rubs you up to the wrong way, perhaps take a moment to reflect on why you are so bothered. Today's moan is about 'VIP packages' at Pride. As we all know very well, Pride is not restricted to June. There are many events that happen throughout the summer, and sometimes even into September. It is becoming increasingly common for events to offer VIP status so a select number of attendees. I have [previously spoken about](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-hidden-price-tag-of-pride-who-gets-left-out/) how people are being priced out of attending Pride events in places like Manchester and Brighton due to their extortionate ticket prices. But offering VIP packages, to me, is worse. As a working-class socialist, I hate the class system. I love being working-class, and I love being a socialist. But I hate being poor. I mean, sure, it gives me a stronger sense of solidarity and class struggle, but it's also a pain in the arse most of the time. Whilst I am struggling to pay my bills and keep my food cupboards topped up, I don't expect my own community to make me 'less-than' by creating an elite status within a space I deserve to be in. I live in Hull, and I am proud to live here. But 'Pride in Hull' offers a VIP wristband for their event, which offers: - Premium stage viewing - Exclusive VIP Lounge access - A dedicated VIP bar - Private toilets And sure, it's £21.25 (including a booking fee) which sounds reasonable. But whilst a select few enjoy private toilets, the rest of the attendees are forced to use disgusting portaloos which are caked in faeces and urine within an hour or two of the event opening up. That, I admit, is more a reflection on people more broadly than it is on Pride in Hull, but the point is, you shouldn't have to pay access basic facilities such as toilets that are dignified and clean. The concept is utterly wild to me. Earlier, I mentioned the class system. By creating VIP packages, you essentially create a class system within a community that should be seeking to unite and stand alongside each other. But instead, we are creating a status which shows preference to people who can afford to pay extra. Elitism within Pride. And look, I have often spoken about how Pride events struggle financially, and by offering a VIP package, it tops up their income a bit. I understand it from a business perspective. But let's look at it from the financial perspective of somebody who is on state benefits such as Universal Credit. Before even considering buying a VIP wristband, they have to fork out money for: - Bus or taxi fares - Food and drink costs - Pride-related items such as flags, makeup, etc. If that's a family, those costs add up massively. Nobody is saying that people have to buy any of that stuff. But Pride should be inclusive, not exclusive. We should be enabling people to enjoy the event as much as possible rather than allowing them to feel excluded by costs associated with attending. It is absolutely fair to say that 'everything costs money', because it does. Nothing in life is free. But too much of Pride is very corporate, and when we have huge corporations pumping huge amounts of money into these events, I do wonder why we continue to allow organisers to divide us into 'VIP' and 'Standard'. Pride should prioritise accessibility over premium experience. If 'VIP' is to exist, the standard experience should be dignified and comfortable. Pride began as a protest and community solidarity, but today, it resembles a commercial festival economy. And unfortunately, 'VIP' culture symbolises that disappointing descent into corporate greed. ### LGBTQ+ youth charity launches #DeserveBetter campaign after 171% rise in referrals URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-youth-charity-launches-deservebetter-campaign-after-171-rise-in-referrals/ Last updated: 2026-07-13T09:29:04.000Z A leading LGBTQ+ youth charity has launched a major national campaign after experiencing a 171% increase in referrals following the **Supreme Court** ruling in *For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers,* whichcentred on how the terms "sex", "woman" and "man" should be interpreted in the **Equality Act 2010\.** **The Proud Trust**, one of the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ youth organisations, has unveiled its new **#DeserveBetter** campaign, which aims to highlight the challenges facing LGBTQ+ young people and call for greater understanding, safer spaces and improved support throughout the year. The campaign comes against a backdrop of concerning research into the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people. According to figures cited by the charity, almost half of LGBTQ+ pupils experience bullying because of their identity, nearly six in 10 have seriously considered suicide, and almost a quarter may never complete secondary school - twice the national average. The Proud Trust said referrals to its services surged by 171% following the Supreme Court ruling in April 2025, with growing numbers of LGBTQ+ young people seeking specialist support. The charity believes the increase reflects a rising demand for dedicated services. Over the past year, it delivered nearly 400 youth group sessions and held more than 820 support conversations with LGBTQ+ young people, parents, carers and professionals. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Liam-Swanston--Director-of-Development---Partnerships---3-1.jpg) Liam Swanston outside The Proud Place Meanwhile, almost 10,000 people visited **The Proud Place**, the charity’s LGBTQ+ community centre in Manchester, and more than 1,400 teachers, youth workers and other professionals received specialist inclusion training. Through its **Rainbow Flag Award** programme, which helps schools create more inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ pupils, The Proud Trust said it reached almost 50,000 young people. Through the #DeserveBetter campaign, the charity will focus on issues including bullying, discrimination, healthcare, education, barriers to employment, family acceptance, identity, belonging and access to safe spaces. The campaign launches with a series of first-person stories from LGBTQ+ people speaking publicly for the first time about their experiences of growing up LGBTQ+, alongside expert commentary and lived experience exploring the challenges facing young people today. Award-winning spoken word artist **myndstate** has also written an original poem inspired by his experiences of growing up gay. A film featuring LGBTQ+ celebrities and prominent allies is due to be released as part of the campaign, with the full list of contributors set to be announced in the coming weeks. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/-DeserveBetter-Logo--2.png) **Liam Swanston**, Director of Development and Partnerships at The Proud Trust, said the rise in referrals represented far more than a headline figure. “A 171% increase in referrals isn't just a statistic – behind every referral is a young person looking for somewhere they feel safe, someone who understands what they're going through, or simply reassurance that they're not alone. “Every day we work alongside LGBTQ+ young people who are navigating bullying, discrimination, isolation and uncertainty while also trying to understand who they are and where they belong. We also work with adults who want to better understand and support the young people in their lives. “No young person should grow up believing they have to hide who they are, face those experiences alone, or feel there's no place where they truly belong “#DeserveBetter is about ensuring those young people's voices are heard. This campaign shines a spotlight on the realities many LGBTQ+ young people continue to face today, while celebrating the extraordinary difference that acceptance, visibility, community and support can make. “We hope it encourages greater understanding, challenges misconceptions and reminds every LGBTQ+ young person that they deserve to feel safe, valued, understood and able to thrive, every single day of the year.” Further information about the campaign is available on **The Proud Trust’s website**: [The Proud Trust](https://www.theproudtrust.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). ### Oops! I didn’t know I couldn’t talk about sex… URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/oops-i-didnt-know-i-couldnt-talk-about-sex/ Last updated: 2026-07-13T08:54:46.000Z “I'm breakin' all the rules I didn't make,” Madonna sang in 1994’s Human Nature. Twenty-two years later we seem to be going backwards, not forwards. **Curzon Soho’s World Pride Amsterdam** trilogy on 16 July 16 is definitely 18 rated, but then it’s out to make the point on our terms. Premiering is main feature ***Bob: Man of The Angels***, exploring the fightback for LGBTQ+ freedom by Dutch activists after the darkness of Nazi Occupation - more than 20 years before **Stonewall**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Dan-De-La-Motte-BobManOfTheAngels-1.jpg) Dan De La Motte - Bob: Man Of The Angels Dutch trans photographer and filmmaker **Prins de Vos arrives** on a UK screen for the first time in ***Je Weet Wie Je Bent (You Know Who You Are)*** and de Vos’ own unapologetically explicit ***Beds 2: Levon***. Prins, with a considerable Netherlands fanbase already, is known for beautifully personal photo studies of trans lives, in still photography and Prins’ own films like *On Hold*. There’s very little held back. Modest and unassuming, Prins doesn’t claim to be a ‘spokesperson’ for the trans community, though the exquisitely written *An Island of One’s Own* is very much Prin’s own story of childhood and transition. But if you thought the Netherlands would be way ahead of us in quality of life for trans people: “On Hold is about the long waiting times in gender-affirming care that are hugely problematic and absolutely need to be seen and heard,” explains Prins. “They're truly personal, in that place with the camera. Very natural.” Like trans twins Moos and Pel, or one of the film’s older voices with a shocking realisation to live as your true self are before time runs out. Is there even one of your trans friends whose personal story and experiences were not unique to them? And there the critical peril of sweeping blanket statements wilfully flung out into the world, like the UK Supreme Court… it’s not even so much about the initial catastrophe of the tsunami, but what comes in its wake… ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/ERWIN-OLAF-Funf-neue-marchen_Freunde_FHD-frame-DONOTCROP.jpg) Prins’ work also looks at queer sexualities in their unpredictable diversity. Not least the ***BEDS*** film trilogy - close-up intimate, radiating simple humanity in all its flaws and contradictions, witty - and very hot. Showing on 16 July at the World Pride programme is ***Beds 2: Levon***. Looking for all the world like a young Leo Di Caprio, Levon has absolutely no physical inhibitions in front of Prins’ camera, but draws us in with alluring ambiguity about the reason for getting it on for the audience. “I think I am not that interested in my personal eroticism,” says Levon. Er, we’ve got this feeling the audience very definitely will be, Levon… Naked, with a hypnotic beauty, want to take a guess what happens next? But this is no five-a-dime OnlyFans ‘sinfluencer’ reel, it’s a short but exquisitely made work of art about our unpredictable sexualities. There’s nothing but truth and absolute reality in this lens. **Je Weet Wie Je Bent** and ***Beds 2: Levon*** screen with ***Bob: Man of The Angels* *at* Curzon Soho**, 99 Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 5DYon Thursday, 16 July at 6.20pm, 18+. Music by **Tall Houses** and **Freddie Lewis**. Live Q&A with **Peter Tatchell**, **Sue Sanders** and cast. Book [HERE](https://www.curzon.com/films/bob-man-of-the-angels-plus-shorts/HO00007174/ ?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### THE RAINBOW CHORUS: STRONGER TOGETHER URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-rainbow-chorus-stronger-together/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T11:48:23.000Z ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/image-10.png) Seldom is the title of a show more appropriate than last night in St George’s Kemp Town. I have for many years sung the praises of this excellent LGBTQ+ community choir, but have to confess that on the last few occasions felt that they have not been on their best form. Last night in the stifling conditions of this heat wave they were as suggested in their title, both stronger and together. There was also a sense of ambition too in their choice of programme that had perhaps been missing, certainly since their excellent performance of **Pergolasi’s** Stabat Mater some while back. There was also a tangible sense of fearlessness in their performance, a confidence and a joy in what they were performing which always adds to the whole. The evening opened with a breathtakingly beautiful performance of The Seal Lullaby by **Eric Whitacre**, delicate, precise and perfectly pitched. So good in fact that one wondered how they could top it. But top it they did with **Elgar**’s ambitious and charming My Love Dwelt In A Northern Land. Each note perfect, the phrasing precise and the whole so delightfully sung, as good as any choir could hope to do, let alone an amateur, non-audition chorus. This shows that with quality leadership and ambitious choices to drive the choir forward greatness can be achieved. Challenges certainly pushed the standard high too for the rest of the evening. Shenandoah, a favourite of theirs and mine they have never sung better, and the precision displayed in their performance of A Little Respect raised it to a new level, this was way beyond a bunch of friends doing karaoke, this was pure class. A break-out group then delivered a moving arrangement of Sunshine On Leith that kept the standard high. Sometimes these smaller groups can lack conviction, but not this one! And with storming versions of Viva La Vida, Somebody That I Used To Know and **Justin Timberlake’**s Can’t Stop The Feeling they romped into the interval, an interval where the word wow was heard throughout the room. On their return the mood was set with What Was I Made For, **Billie Eilish** and **Finneas O’Connell** and then Chosen family where gently members of the choir gradually held hands, very touchingly so. [**The Rainbow Chorus**](https://rainbowchorus.org.uk/About-us/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) has for years offered people who like to sing but for whatever reason cannot commit to the often rigorous demands of the rehearsal schedule their own opportunity with [RC+.](https://rainbowchorus.org.uk/Join-Us/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) It’s an excellent initiative for sure but last night they absolutely stormed it with a thrilling delivery of Titanium and then Make Your Own Kind Of Music that sees them reaching an all time high. Had the RC not been already on top form they may well have been blown off the stage by their offshoot comrades. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/0168aab19cbf46937a5a4305de18b73c_500x500_fit.png) Back to the full chorus after that rousing and heartening performanfance to a mash up of I Will Survive and Survivor, what’s not to love about a bit of **Gloria Gaynor** stirred into **Destiny’s Child**. This was followed by Together We Are One, a summing up of the choir’s ethic and mood and both confirmed with **Rachel Platten’s** Fight Song. Off to the classics next with a choral version of Nessum Dorma which perhaps had footie fans looking at their watches in the hope that they could be home for the kick off of the England/Norway match, but one that saw the choirs impressive sopranos in full flight and the excellent basses underpinning the whole. The choir has a much fuller and rounded sound these days for certain. These Are The Days Of Our Lives showed how well a Queen number can be arranged for voices as did **Mika’s** Happy Ending, both sung with this re-discovered force and precision. It would indeed have made a fine ending too but the chorus director **Aneesa Chaudhry** and piano accompanist **Adrian Ward** let rip with a storming version of **Freddie Mercury’s** Barcelona which saw those sopranos, and indeed the whole choir raise the roof. A stunning evening of exciting music delivered with skill and with class. How I loved the whole not being crazily and artlessly lit with swirling and irrelevant lighting and what a joy to be given a programme that was stylishly designed and for once legible in the dark, hats off to **Gareth Pugh** who I believe is responsible for the latter. My friend, a choreographer, asked me about what has become known in choir circles as armography but I was able to explain that the movements used are actually based on sign supported English or SSE, and take on a real purpose as well as looking good. What a great evening and a new high for this exemplary family! Andrew Kay 11 July. St George’s Kemp Town ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Rainbw-Chours-Summer-Concert-poster--3-1.jpg) ### The Saturday Scene: a prime minister in waiting and a code nobody voted on URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-a-prime-minister-in-waiting-and-a-code-nobody-voted-on/ Last updated: 2026-07-11T15:53:14.000Z #### Parliament is about to go into recess from 17 July until 1 September, but that doesn't mean UK politics falls into a slumber and hibernates throughout the summer. Starting with the EHRC's draft Code of Practice, which faced widespread backlash from trans+ campaigners and the wider LGBTQ+ communities: the 40-day period in which Parliament was able to challenge the guidance has now passed. Although 166 MPs from across the House signed EDM 240, tabled by Nadia Whittome MP, in an attempt to stop the guidance, the challenge was not successful. The way is now paved for the government to bring the Code into force, although that date has not yet been set. Over the course of this recess period, we will undoubtedly hear more about timetables, and about actions by campaign groups. ## No contest for leader: Andy Burnham will become Prime Minister in a few weeks' time. There will be another seismic change in the political sphere. The Labour Party has officially started the nomination process for a new leader. Andy Burnham is the only candidate so far and has amassed the backing of 322 MPs. That means no other candidate would be able to reach the threshold of 81 nominations needed to enter the race. Given that there will be no contest, Andy Burnham is expected to enter 10 Downing Street on 20 July, after being officially confirmed as Labour leader on 17 July and invited by the King to form a new government. The country is still figuring out what kind of prime minister Andy Burnham will be. His communication style already forms a stark contrast to Keir Starmer's. Burnham and his team have been publishing a series of videos in which the PM-in-waiting gives previews of his everyday life as a new MP, while also using them to set out policy positions and explain the kind of politics he wants to pursue. His most recent video explained his stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Foreign policy is considered Andy Burnham's weakness, an area he had little to no contact with as Mayor of Greater Manchester. There is another policy field that leaves our communities in particular with plenty of question marks above our heads: what is Andy Burnham's position on LGBTQ+ equality? _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Dying to Live by Shell Rowe URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/dying-to-live-by-shell-rowe/ Last updated: 2026-07-11T12:25:35.000Z Dear readers, gather round, because this one comes with a warning: you may finish it and immediately do something reckless, like booking that trip, texting your ex a healthy goodbye, or finally dyeing your hair the colour you've been Pinterest-boarding since 2019. [**Shell Rowe** ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cr8qY6Hoi-9/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)is not a stranger to a comeback. The proud queer content creator, who hails from Billericay in Essex and has faced down cancer four separate times since her diagnosis at twenty, built her following of nearly a million on [TikTok ](https://www.tiktok.com/@shellrowe?ref=scenemag.co.uk)by refusing to let chemo wards dim her sparkle, turning hospital corridors into stages for dark humour and unfiltered honesty. *Dying to Live: How to Thrive, Not Just Survive* is the inevitable, and very welcome, next chapter: a memoir-meets-manual distilling ten lessons pulled from a life that has, by any measure, thrown rather a lot at her. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/11102050-8af3b4e3-e107-4616-99b7-bfd3f885312b.jpeg) Photo credit Shell Rowe What lands is the book's central refusal to settle for mere endurance. Rowe isn't interested in gritted-teeth survival stories that stop at "and then I got through it." Instead, she's after something bolder: a genuinely rebuilt life, deliberately shaped and pursued even while the difficult stuff is still very much happening. The tone throughout is less self-help lecture, more a fiercely loving mate who's been through it and refuses to let you shrink. There's no finger-wagging, no toxic positivity dressed up as wisdom, just practical, hard-won insight delivered with warmth. You'll catch yourself dog-earing pages, not for the productivity hacks, but because something in her account of clawing back agency mirrors a shape you recognise in your own story. This book earns its place on a queer reading list, even though it isn't marketed, or written, as an "LGBTQ+ book" in the narrow sense. For queer people, the experience of having your body, your choices, or your very existence scrutinised, medicalised, or gatekept by institutions is not a metaphor, it's Tuesday. Trans and non-binary readers in particular will know intimately what it is to fight for basic bodily autonomy against systems that would rather manage you than listen to you. Rowe's insistence on narrating her own survival, on her own terms, against a medical establishment that had already begun writing her obituary, will land with anyone who has had to reclaim their story from people who thought they knew better. It's a blueprint for taking back the pen, and one this community has been sketching in the margins for decades. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-12.32.03.png) Photo credit Shell Rowe There's also something quietly radical in a queer woman becoming this visible while this unwell, refusing to disappear into either illness or convention. Representation here isn't a rainbow sticker on the cover; it's structural, present in whose resilience gets to be seen and celebrated. Hope is the electrical throb that drives this narrative, not just hope for a tomorrow to be in, but hope for an opportunity to be as magnificent as possible in, vital, throbbing, energising, enabling hope. It's a refreshing shunt into the reality of our lives being brief things, with nothing guaranteed. *Dying to Live* isn't asking you to ignore how hard things are. It's handing you a torch and a map for building something rich and purposeful anyway. For anyone ready to trade quiet survival for something louder, messier, and altogether more alive, this is your sign. **Dying to Live: How to Thrive, Not Just Survive** by Shell Rowe is published by Bantam, out now, more info or to order from the [**Publishers website.** ](https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/476787/dying-to-live-by-rowe-shell/9780857509260?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Broadcaster and Terrence Higgins Trust patron Paul Gambaccini reveals Alzheimer’s diagnosis URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/paul-gambaccini-reveals-he-is-living-with-alzheimers-as-hiv-charity-pays-tribute-to-decades-of-advocacy/ Last updated: 2026-07-10T12:21:42.000Z Broadcaster and music journalist **Paul Gambaccini**, who has been a patron of HIV charity **Terrence Higgins Trust** for more than 30 years, has revealed he is living with Alzheimer’s disease after being diagnosed with the condition in early 2025. The veteran radio presenter shared the news in a statement released on social media and to journalists, saying that while the condition presents an "uncertain future", he intends to continue broadcasting. Referencing Queen's *These Are the Days of Our Lives*, Gambaccini said: “As Freddie Mercury once sang, you can’t turn back the clock, you can’t turn back the tide. Ain’t that a shame. “In early 2025 I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. There’s no denying it’s a serious condition with an uncertain future, but for now life goes on as normal and I continue to broadcast *The Paul Gambaccini Collection* on **BBC Radio 2** from 8-10pm on Sundays, and my shows on Greatest Hits Radio. “I’m grateful for the kindness and support I’ve already received. I will be as open as I can as things progress. For now, I wish to be given the space to keep on broadcasting the music I love to the listeners I love even more. These are the days of our lives.” The announcement prompted an outpouring of support, including from Terrence Higgins Trust, where Gambaccini has served as a patron for more than 30 years. The HIV charity said it was sending its “love and support” to Gambaccini and his husband, adding that it was pleased they were being supported by **Alzheimer's Society**. > “Paul has been with Terrence Higgins Trust and those affected by HIV every step of the way." Terrence Higgins Trust chief executive **Richard Angell** paid tribute to Gambaccini's longstanding commitment to people living with HIV and the wider LGBTQ+ community. “Paul Gambaccini has been in our thoughts since we learned of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis,” Angell said. “Paul has been with Terrence Higgins Trust and those affected by HIV every step of the way – from the devastation of the 1980s right through today, as we target the end of new HIV cases in the UK by 2030. “He has had a huge personal impact in improving public perceptions of HIV over the last 30 years and I have no doubt that from today he will do the same with Alzheimer’s, including through his brilliant radio shows." Gambaccini has been one of the most visible supporters of HIV awareness and fundraising in Britain since the earliest years of the epidemic, using his profile to challenge stigma and champion those affected by HIV and AIDS. Sir **Nick Partridge**, who served as chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust between 1991 and 2013, said Gambaccini had played a pivotal role in helping the charity respond to the AIDS crisis. “Paul Gambaccini stepped up to the challenge of HIV at a time when so many others turned away,” he said. “Paul’s high-profile advocacy and fundraising was a vital wake up call for the public about the devastation of the AIDS crisis and need for urgent action.” Sir Nick also highlighted the significance of Gambaccini’s fundraising efforts through the charity’s influential 300 Club initiative. “Paul’s 300 Club – where 300 supporters donated £1,000 – was a game changer for Terrence Higgins Trust, securing the charity’s financial stability and place at the forefront of the UK’s HIV response,” he said. “The legacy of that club and Paul’s actions continue today.” Gambaccini, whose broadcasting career spans more than five decades, remains a familiar voice on British radio and has made clear that he intends to continue presenting for as long as possible. ### LGBTQ+ cruise ship refused entry to Egypt days after Turkey ban URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-cruise-ship-refused-entry-to-egypt-days-after-turkey-ban/ Last updated: 2026-07-10T11:48:03.000Z An LGBTQ+ cruise carrying around 2,000 passengers has been denied entry to Egypt just days after being barred from docking in Turkey, leaving travellers scrambling as organisers seek alternative destinations. Passengers aboard the **Scarlet Lady**, a **Virgin Voyages** ship chartered by LGBTQ+ holiday company **Atlantis Events**, woke on Thursday to find a letter under their cabin doors informing them that Egyptian authorities had refused the vessel entry into the country's waters. The ship had been due to call at **Alexandria** as part of a 10-day cruise from Athens to Venice. In a message to guests, Atlantis Events chief executive **Rich Campbell** said the decision had come as a surprise. "Early this morning, we were informed that Scarlet Lady has been denied entry into Egyptian waters, and, as a result, will no longer be able to call in Alexandria today," he wrote. "I know how much this visit meant to so many of you. We successfully sailed a similar itinerary last year without issue. So we were surprised by this unfortunate decision." > "If they don't want our tourism, we will sparkle and spend elsewhere." Campbell added that both Atlantis and Virgin Voyages had worked extensively to make the Egyptian stop possible and said the news had left organisers "just as disappointed" as passengers. The Egypt stop had already been added as a replacement after Turkish authorities blocked the ship from visiting the port of **Kuşadası** earlier this week. Officials in Turkey said the cruise had been chartered by groups "known for behaviours that do not align with the structure of our society and our moral values". Authorities claimed the visit had generated "significant public concern" and insisted there was "absolutely no possibility" of the group visiting the province for such an event. No official explanation has yet been provided by Egyptian authorities for their decision to deny the ship entry. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Patti_LuPone_Agatha_All_Along_Premiere-1.png) ****Patti LuPone** Among those onboard is Broadway star **Patti LuPone**, who had previously condemned Turkey's decision. Writing on Instagram, the Tony Award-winning performer said she was "furious" that a ship carrying LGBTQ+ passengers had been refused entry "simply because of who is onboard". Passenger and blogger **Randy Slovacek** described the latest development as unprecedented. "In the company's 36-year history, Atlantis had never had a ship denied entry to dock," he wrote. "And now it's happened in two countries in one week." Despite the disruption, Slovacek struck a defiant note, adding: "If they don't want our tourism, we will sparkle and spend elsewhere." **Kyle Olsen**, owner of LGBTQ+ travel company **Hermes Holidays**, said he feared the decisions by Turkey and Egypt could encourage other countries to take similar action against LGBTQ+ cruise operators. "I worry that other countries are going to be emboldened in turn to ban gay cruises from their ports as well," he said. "This is a sad representation of the way the world is going. Successive governments are falling to right-wing groups and the rights of LGBTQ+ people are being taken away as a result across the globe." Olsen said he would no longer recommend Turkey or Egypt to customers following the decisions, but stressed that government policies did not necessarily reflect the attitudes of local people. "We've been to Turkey and Egypt many times in the past and have found the people very warm, friendly and engaging," he said. ### Brothers jailed over 1984 murder in homophobic attack on civil servant URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brothers-jailed-over-1984-murder-in-homophobic-attack-on-civil-servant/ Last updated: 2026-07-10T11:37:49.000Z Two brothers have been jailed for the murder of a civil servant who was killed in north London more than 40 years ago during a violent campaign targeting men they believed to be gay. **Michael Stewart**, 57, and **Anthony Stewart**, 60, were convicted at the Old Bailey in June of murdering **Anthony Littler**, who was attacked as he walked home in East Finchley on 1 May 1984\. The brothers were sentenced on Friday after denying any involvement in the killing. Michael Stewart was jailed for 10 years, while Anthony Stewart received a 15-year prison sentence. Mr Littler, a 45-year-old civil servant, was found dead in an alleyway near **East Finchley** Underground station after suffering devastating head injuries. Prosecutors said he sustained two skull fractures, one of which caused a "catastrophic" brain injury. The court heard that the brothers, who were aged 15 and 18 at the time of the attack, had made a "hobby" of targeting lone men they believed to be gay. Senior Crown Prosecutor **Samantha Yelland** described Mr Littler's killing as a hate crime. Despite a murder investigation, no-one was identified as responsible for the attack at the time and the case remained unsolved for decades. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/01KT1XN3DWT833PGERT9VHFCM7.jpg.png) Michael Stewart (left) and Anthony Stewart (right) The breakthrough came on the 29th anniversary of Mr Littler's death when the brothers' younger sibling, **Daniel Stewart**, approached police following a family dispute. Jurors heard that Daniel, who was 10 years old when Mr Littler was murdered, told detectives his older brothers had confessed to the killing and boasted about taking part in what they referred to as "queer bashing". The court was also told that Michael Stewart later admitted his involvement to a former girlfriend and even showed her the location where the attack took place. In 2022, detectives reopened the case and launched a fresh investigation using covert surveillance techniques, including recording devices placed in the brothers' vehicles and Michael Stewart's home. The convictions bring a measure of justice for Mr Littler's family more than four decades after his death and highlight the long-lasting impact of anti-LGBTQ+ violence during a period when homophobic attacks were frequently underreported and often went unsolved. Mr Littler's murder is one of a number of historic cases in which advances in forensic and investigative techniques, combined with new witness evidence, have enabled police to secure convictions many years after the original offences were committed. ### Kidderminster Pride 2026 cancelled as rising costs make event “almost impossible” to stage URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/kidderminster-pride-2026-cancelled-as-rising-costs-make-event-almost-impossible-to-stage/ Last updated: 2026-07-10T11:29:25.000Z **Kidderminster Pride 2026** has been cancelled after organisers said “significant” running costs had made it “almost impossible” to continue staging the event in its current form. The announcement was made in a statement shared on the group's Facebook page, with organisers saying the decision had been taken with a “very heavy heart”. Explaining the cancellation, a spokesperson said increasing costs had left the volunteer-led organisation struggling to make the event financially viable. “We have made this decision with a very heavy heart,” the statement said. The group added that the costs involved in delivering the annual celebration had become “almost impossible” to meet, forcing organisers to call off this year's event. Despite the setback, organisers stressed that Pride celebrations in the Worcestershire town would not disappear entirely. “The celebration is not disappearing completely,” the spokesperson said. “We are currently planning something on a smaller scale, so please keep your eyes peeled for updates.” They added: “We are truly sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to this year's event, but thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with us and supporting Kidderminster Pride over the years.” Last year's Pride took place in August, although a date for the 2026 event had not been announced before the cancellation was confirmed. Since its launch, Kidderminster Pride has become a popular fixture in the local calendar, bringing together LGBTQ+ people, allies, community groups and businesses for a day of celebration, visibility and inclusion. Reflecting on previous events, organisers thanked the community for helping to build the event over recent years. “We have had the most amazing few years celebrating Pride in Kidderminster,” the spokesperson said. “We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us, volunteered, donated, attended, and helped create such a special atmosphere for our community.” While the full-scale event will not go ahead this year, organisers say plans are already underway for a smaller alternative, with further details expected to be announced in the coming months. The cancellation comes as Pride events across the UK continue to face mounting financial pressures, with organisers increasingly citing rising operational costs, security requirements and challenges securing sponsorship as barriers to staging large-scale community celebrations. ### Ann Widdecombe, who spent decades fighting LGBTQ+ rights, dies aged 78 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ann-widdecombe-who-spent-decades-fighting-lgbtq-rights-dies-aged-78/ Last updated: 2026-07-11T12:30:37.000Z Former **Conservative** MP and **Reform UK** figure **Ann Widdecombe** has died aged 78, bringing to a close one of the most controversial careers in modern British politics. Widdecombe, who served as a Tory MP for 23 years before later joining the **Brexit Party** and Reform UK**,** was known for her uncompromising social conservatism, outspoken Catholic faith and enduring opposition to LGBTQ+ equality. The ex-Tory minister is believed to have been attacked at her remote bungalow in Haytor, on Dartmoor, at around 12.30pm on Wednesday. But the alarm was not raised until 11.40am the next day when her gardener discovered the former MP and MEP in a pool of blood with serious injuries in the kitchen of her home. While political allies have remembered her as a prominent Eurosceptic and Brexit campaigner, many LGBTQ+ people will view her legacy through a different lens. For decades, Widdecombe was among the most recognisable public opponents of expanding LGBTQ+ rights in Britain, frequently using her media profile to challenge legal and social progress for queer communities. Widdecombe's opposition to LGBTQ+ equality stretched across some of the defining battles of modern British social history. During her parliamentary career, she defended **Section 28**, the controversial law that prohibited local authorities from "promoting homosexuality", and was a vocal critic of attempts to expand legal recognition and protections for LGBTQ+ people. She opposed moves towards greater equality for same-sex couples and remained critical of marriage equality long after it became law. As Britain moved from the era of Section 28 to one in which same-sex marriage was celebrated and LGBTQ+ representation became part of mainstream public life, Widdecombe remained one of the most prominent political voices arguing against that change. For many LGBTQ+ people, her career came to symbolise not simply a difference of opinion, but organised resistance to rights that are now widely regarded as fundamental. One of her most infamous interventions came in 2012, when she suggested that if people could seek counselling to "become gay", they should equally be free to seek help to become heterosexual. The comments sparked outrage from LGBTQ+ organisations and mental health experts, who argued that they lent credibility to so-called conversion practices. Throughout her parliamentary and post-parliamentary career, she opposed a range of measures aimed at improving equality for LGBTQ+ people. Even as public opinion shifted dramatically and same-sex marriage became legal, Widdecombe remained steadfast in her socially conservative views, arguing that traditional religious values should guide public policy. Her critics said those positions contributed to stigma and exclusion, while supporters praised her willingness to stand by unpopular convictions. In 2010 she reinvented herself as an unlikely television star on *Strictly Come Dancing*, where her performances with professional partner **Anton Du Beke** became a national talking point. Despite consistently low scores from judges, she survived week after week thanks to public support and eventually reached the latter stages of the competition. After *Strictly Come Dancing* featured a same-sex routine by professional dancers Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima in 2019, Widdecombe argued that the BBC was "trying to make a political statement". While praising the performance itself, she said she did not believe same-sex pairings should become a regular feature of the programme. Widdecombe remained unapologetic about her views until the end of her life. For many LGBTQ+ people, those views caused real hurt and represented barriers to equality that had to be overcome. ### Barefoot Wine and LGBT Foundation partner to support 50,000 LGBTQ+ people across UK URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/barefoot-wine-and-lgbt-foundation-partner-to-support-50-000-lgbtq-people-across-uk/ Last updated: 2026-07-09T15:14:29.000Z **Barefoot Wine** has partnered with **LGBT Foundation** to help support 50,000 LGBTQ+ people across the UK through a programme of community events, Pride outreach and digital campaigns. The wine brand has been named the charity’s exclusive wine partner and will back a series of activities in cities including **Manchester**, **Liverpool**, **Coventry** and **London**. The initiative aims to connect LGBTQ+ communities, celebrate LGBTQ+ joy and share stories of hope throughout the year. As part of the partnership, members of the public attending events this summer will be able to take part in free Barefoot merchandise giveaways and learn more about ways to support LGBTQ+ communities. LGBT Foundation guests will also be offered complimentary Barefoot Wine at a number of VIP events, including pre-Pride brunches in Liverpool and Manchester. The collaboration will also support LGBT Foundation’s national *Hope Starts Here* campaign. A number of high-profile figures, including singer **Seann Miley Moore**, *Married at First Sight* star **Leigh Harris** and influencer **Rhys Doing Things**, will use their platforms to highlight how LGBTQ+ pride is expressed year-round through relationships, friendships and family life. LGBT Foundation, one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing charities, says the partnership will help it continue reaching the 50,000 people it supports annually. **Sam Turner**, Partnerships and Philanthropy Manager at LGBT Foundation, said: “The support of our good friends at Barefoot is instrumental in helping us reach the 50,000 LGBTQ+ people we support each year. This partnership ensures we can be there at the moments that matter most – whether someone is in crisis or supporting a loved one to come out. “Barefoot continues to demonstrate a genuine, year-round commitment to community and inclusivity, enabling us to deliver real, lasting impact across the UK.” A spokesperson for Barefoot Wine said the partnership reflects the company’s long-standing support for LGBTQ+ communities. “At Barefoot, supporting LGBTQ+ communities has been at the heart of what we do for over 30 years,” the spokesperson said. “Our partnership with LGBT Foundation reflects that ongoing allyship – not just during Pride Month, but all year round. “We’re proud to stand alongside LGBTQ+ people, helping create a world where everyone feels embraced, supported and celebrated for who they are.” The partnership builds on Barefoot Wine’s backing of LGBT Foundation’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025 and its Volunteer Awards in 2026, with both organisations highlighting a shared commitment to driving positive change for LGBTQ+ communities. LGBT Foundation is [encouraging people to get involved](http://www.lgbt.foundation/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) by donating, accessing support services or sharing messages of hope and inclusion to help the charity reach more people when they need it most. ### Jake Shears launches fourth season of Queer The Music pod with Brian Molko, Jodie Harsh and Baby Queen among upcoming guests URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/jake-shears-launches-fourth-season-of-queer-the-music-pod-with-brian-molko-jodie-harsh-and-baby-queen-among-upcoming-guests/ Last updated: 2026-07-09T11:19:00.000Z **Jake Shears** has launched the fourth season of his award-winning podcast ***Queer The Music***, opening the new run with a special extended interview featuring **Placebo** frontman **Brian Molko**. The new season arrives after a successful year for the chart-topping podcast, which recently won two **Webby Awards**, including **Best Music Podcast**. Upcoming guests will include Swedish pop star **Tove Lo**, DJ and drag performer **Jodie Harsh**, and alt-pop artist **Baby Queen**. Hosted by the **Scissor Sisters** singer, *Queer The Music* explores the artists, songs and cultural moments that have shaped LGBTQ+ lives and influenced wider popular culture. Across the series, Jake speaks to musicians, performers and creatives about the music that has defined their lives and careers, while examining the role queer artists and allies have played in transforming the cultural landscape. The fourth season is being billed as the podcast's most ambitious yet, with plans for themed episodes, legacy artist specials, guest co-hosts and conversations with authors alongside musicians. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Jake-Shears.jpg) Jake Shears The opening episode sees Jake in conversation with Brian Molko as the pair discuss everything from their shared admiration for David Bowie to navigating life as outsiders within the music industry and media. The episode also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Placebo's breakthrough single *Nancy Boy*. Released in 1996, the song explored themes of sexuality, gender and identity and has since become one of the band's defining tracks. Originally conceived as a reclamation of a slur, the song is widely regarded as a landmark moment in alternative music's engagement with LGBTQ+ themes. The podcast's return comes during a busy period for Jake, who is continuing Scissor Sisters' reunion celebrations following the band's first tour in more than a decade. The group recently released the live album *IT'S 10 PM…DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR SISTERS ARE? LIVE FROM THE O2, LONDON*, recorded during their sold-out London show in 2025. [Queer the Music Official Music - Listen to songs on YouTube, Spotify | Check for Videos on LinktreeView Queer.themusic’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like YouTube, Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/favicon-f1564718-1bb9-4cfa-9d78-3c7374dd93be.svg)Linktree![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/Queer.themusic-2229b99b-3689-448b-8838-72cd3cfc57cb.jpg)](https://linktr.ee/Queer.themusic?ref=scenemag.co.uk) The band's comeback has included a headline performance at **Mighty Hoopla** and a widely acclaimed return to **Glastonbury Festival**, with further festival appearances planned across the UK and Europe this summer. Previous guests have included Self Esteem, Jessie Ware, Perfume Genius, Pet Shop Boys, Billy Porter, John Grant and Big Freedia, alongside episodes exploring the legacies of influential artists including Sylvester and Little Richard. The first episode of Season 4, featuring Brian Molko, is available now. ### ‘Dark legacy’: Trans campaigners attack government as EHRC code set to clear Parliament today URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/dark-legacy-trans-campaigners-attack-government-as-ehrc-code-advances/ Last updated: 2026-07-09T10:57:18.000Z The **Equality and Human Rights Commission**’s (EHRC) revised **Code of Practice** is set to clear Parliament today after the end of its 40-day scrutiny period, despite opposition from more than 160 MPs and growing pressure on ministers to revisit the guidance. With no parliamentary vote scheduled before the deadline, the code will pass automatically, allowing the government to bring it into force at a later date through a ministerial order. The existing Code of Practice would also need to be revoked before the new guidance could take effect. Campaigners say the development marks a significant setback for trans rights in the UK and are calling on the government to reform the underlying law following last year’s Supreme Court judgment. **Alexandra Parmar-Yee**, director of Trans+ Solidarity Alliance, criticised the government’s handling of the issue. “This creates a dark legacy on LGBTQ+ rights for Starmer’s government, cementing the UK’s status as an international outlier in its treatment of trans people. Labour must reset and legislate urgently to put our legal framework back on a fair and workable footing, in line with Parliament’s original intent. “The government has refused to allow time for this harmful guidance to be debated or voted on, but it can still listen to the more than 90 Labour MPs who have rebelled and signed the motion to stop it and think again. Trans people’s legal protections are fundamentally broken, which will cause real and everyday harms.” A parliamentary “prayer” motion seeking to block the code attracted signatures from 166 MPs from across the **House of Commons**, including more than 90 Labour backbenchers. The motion was tabled by Labour MP **Nadia Whittome**, who also wrote to Education Secretary **Bridget Phillipson** on Wednesday urging the government to reconsider its approach. Although the code is expected to complete scrutiny today, it will not come into force immediately. Under provisions in the Equality Act 2006, ministers must take further steps before it becomes legally operative, a process that could take several more weeks. Opponents of the guidance have highlighted concerns raised in the government’s own **Equality Impact Assessment**. The assessment acknowledges that some trans people could face a “disproportionate risk of violence and sexual assault” as a result of the changes. It also warns that increased scrutiny of access to single-sex spaces could lead to wider “gender policing”, with women perceived as masculine potentially facing greater challenges and questioning. LGBTQ+ organisations argue that the controversy stems from uncertainty created by the Supreme Court’s judgment and are urging ministers to introduce legislation that they say would restore clarity and legal protections for trans people. The government has not indicated that it plans to schedule a parliamentary vote on the code before the scrutiny period expires. As a result, the revised guidance is expected to pass automatically at the close of proceedings today. ### Bonnie Tyler dies aged 75: Tributes paid to Welsh music icon and Eurovision star URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/bonnie-tyler-dies-aged-75-tributes-paid-to-welsh-music-icon-and-eurovision-star/ Last updated: 2026-07-09T09:40:28.000Z Tributes are being paid to Welsh singer **Bonnie Tyler**, who has died aged 75 after a period of illness. Her family announced that the legendary performer behind *Total Eclipse of the Heart*, *Lost in France* and *Holding Out for a Hero* died in hospital in Portugal on 8 July. Known for her distinctive husky voice and larger-than-life stage presence, Tyler enjoyed a career spanning five decades, becoming one of the most recognisable voices in popular music. Her family said they were “heartbroken” by her death and asked for privacy while they mourned. Born **Gaynor Hopkins** in Skewen, South Wales, in 1951, Tyler rose to fame in the late 1970s before achieving global superstardom with the release of *Total Eclipse of the Heart* in 1983\. The power ballad became an international smash hit and remains one of the defining songs of the decade. Throughout her career, Tyler released 18 studio albums, earned multiple Grammy nominations and became one of Wales’ most successful musical exports. She continued performing well into her seventies, maintaining a devoted international fanbase. Many Eurovision fans will remember Tyler’s appearance at the **2013 Eurovision Song Contest** in Malmö, Sweden, where she represented the UK with the song *Believe in Me*. Although she finished 19th, her participation brought one of Britain’s most established stars to the competition and further cemented her popularity with Eurovision audiences across Europe. Tyler also held a special place in LGBTQ+ culture. Her soaring anthems, theatrical performances and powerful vocals made her a favourite among generations of LGBTQ+ fans, while *Total Eclipse of the Heart* became a staple at Pride celebrations, gay venues and community events around the world. News of her death prompted an outpouring of grief from fans across social media, with many describing her songs as the soundtrack to key moments in their lives. Others praised her resilience, longevity and the unmistakable voice that helped define an era of popular music. In recent months, Tyler had been recovering from emergency surgery in Portugal following a serious illness. Earlier reports indicated that she had been placed in an induced coma before later showing signs of improvement. Her family confirmed on Thursday that she died unexpectedly while receiving treatment. ### Stonewall honours LGBTQ+ champions at inaugural Proud Changemakers Awards URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/stonewall-honours-lgbtq-champions-at-inaugural-proud-changemakers-awards/ Last updated: 2026-07-09T09:10:40.000Z LGBTQ+ rights charity **Stonewall** celebrated Pride season in style this week, unveiling the winners of its inaugural **Proud Changemakers Awards** during a fundraising summer party at **The Ministry** in south London. The new awards recognise individuals and organisations that have made a significant impact on LGBTQ+ lives over the past 12 months, with winners honoured across four categories reflecting Stonewall’s current strategic priorities. The evening brought together community leaders, politicians, campaigners and supporters, while fundraising for the charity’s ongoing work to advance LGBTQ+ equality. Stonewall chief executive **Simon Blake** joined **Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah**, executive director of **UK Black Pride** and the **Diva Charitable Trust**, to present the awards. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Stonewall_6Jul2026_--BronacMcNeill_LR-0086.jpg) ****Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah.** ©Bronac McNeill The winners were: **Navigating Turbulence** – **Trans+ History Week CIC**; **Shaping Policy** – **Rachel Taylor** MP and **Marie Tidball** MP; **Inclusive Places** – **Lou Englefield** (**Rainbow Laces**) and **Trenton Tomlinson** (**Proud Employers**); **Lifetime Contribution** – **Rupert Whitaker**, co-founder of the **Terrence Higgins Trust**. “We’re delighted to be able to honour the incredible work of these amazing changemakers,” said Simon Blake. “The party was an amazing night of solidarity and celebration in the summer heat - one I’ll remember for a very long time.” The prestigious Lifetime Contribution Award was presented to **Rupert Whitaker**, whose work as co-founder of the **Terrence Higgins Trust** has helped shape the UK’s response to HIV and AIDS over several decades. Accepting the honour, Rupert reflected on the progress made since he came out in the late 1970s. “We have come a long way from the fear, bigotry and everyday violence of the late '70s, when I came out, a time when equality was almost unimaginable,” he said. “Since then, both Stonewall and the Terrence Higgins Trust have fought, in different ways, to insist that our government and public institutions recognise the fundamental dignity of our lives.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Stonewall_6Jul2026_--BronacMcNeill_LR-0390.jpg) Simon Blake (L). ©Bronac McNeill He added that the achievements of both organisations were the result of the efforts of generations of staff, volunteers, campaigners and allies who understood that “progress is never inevitable, nor secure”. The **Navigating Turbulence Award** was presented to **Trans+ History Week CIC**, recognising its work to amplify trans voices and preserve trans history through storytelling and education. Founder **Marty Davies** dedicated the award to the organisation’s volunteers, creatives, sponsors and donors. “Storytelling under the trans community’s authorship is an essential act of survival,” Marty said. “It helps us reclaim our common humanity, making the work to win back our rights a little bit easier. It also helps us to do more than survive, but thrive.” Marty also thanked Stonewall for supporting the initiative from its earliest stages. In the policy category, MPs **Rachel Taylor** and **Marie Tidball** were jointly recognised for their work on anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime legislation, advocacy for an inclusive ban on conversion practices and challenges to newly drafted **Equality and Human Rights Commission** guidance. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Stonewall_6Jul2026_--BronacMcNeill_LR-0449.jpg) ©Bronac McNeill Rachel Taylor said the award reflected the importance of ensuring equal protection under the law. “Those who commit acts of hate against LGBTQ+ and disabled people should know their crimes will be treated every bit as seriously as other forms of hate,” she said. “I'm absolutely delighted to have passed the amendment to make all categories of hate crime aggravated offences and am honoured to have received this award from Stonewall for leading this campaign in Parliament with **Marie Tidball** MP.” The **Inclusive Places Award** recognised efforts to make workplaces and sporting environments more welcoming for LGBTQ+ people. Two winners were selected, representing Stonewall’s **Rainbow Laces** campaign and **Proud Employers** programme. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Stonewall_6Jul2026_--BronacMcNeill_LR-0531.jpg) ©Bronac McNeill **Lou Englefield**, chief executive of **Pride Sports**, said the recognition came at a particularly significant moment as preparations continue for the **EuroGames Cardiff 2027**, the first time the event will be held in the UK. “As we build towards the first ever EuroGames to come to the UK next year, it’s fantastic to have our work to make sport and physical activity more inclusive acknowledged by Stonewall,” Lou said. “And no better year for this to happen than in our 20th anniversary year.” Meanwhile, **Trenton Tomlinson** of **Universal Music Group**, a participant in Stonewall’s Proud Employers leadership cohort, highlighted the importance of creating equitable workplaces across the music industry. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Stonewall_6Jul2026_--BronacMcNeill_LR-0729.jpg) Denise Van Outen with Charlie Condou. ©Bronac McNeill “Music has the power to shape culture, but that only matters if the people behind it are also protected, celebrated and given the equity to succeed,” he said. “This is something that Stonewall does every day, so it means an awful lot to not only play a part in that change but to be acknowledged by Stonewall for it.” Guests included actor **Charlie Condou**, singer **Duncan James**, campaigner **Olivia Campbell Cavendish** and pop star **Sinitta**, alongside activists, politicians, artists and influencers. Entertainment came from celebrity DJs **Gok Wan** and **Denise van Outen**, whose sets kept revellers on the dancefloor throughout the evening. Funds raised during the event will support Stonewall’s ongoing work with lawmakers, businesses and third-sector organisations to help shape policy, influence legislation and promote a society in which LGBTQ+ people are treated fairly and equally. Stonewall also thanked **M&G**, **Elton John Zero**, **Madame F**, **Lucky Sant**, **Silverhand Estates** and **Letterbox Cocktails** for supporting the summer fundraiser. ### Church of England allows controversial 'ex-gay' event at Synod despite protests URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/church-of-england-allows-controversial-ex-gay-event-at-synod-despite-protests/ Last updated: 2026-07-08T11:43:13.000Z The **Church of England** has allowed a controversial fringe event featuring so-called "ex-gay" Christians to go ahead during this week's **General Synod**, despite calls from LGBTQ+ campaigners and progressive clergy for it to be cancelled. The event, titled **"People Change: Sexual Identity Transformation"**, is due to take place alongside Synod proceedings in York and will feature speakers who claim to have changed or overcome same-sex attraction. Among them is **Matthew Grech**, a Maltese Christian who was recently acquitted after facing legal action over comments he made about his experiences of leaving homosexuality behind. Also speaking is **Mike Davidson**, chair of the **International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice** (IFTCC), an organisation that supports people seeking help for unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria. The event sparked a backlash from LGBTQ+-affirming members of the Church. Rev Dr **Charlie Bączyk-Bell**, an openly gay priest and General Synod member, criticised the decision to host the meeting, while dozens of clergy and lay members wrote to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York urging them to intervene. The group questioned how the event complied with Church guidelines, which allow fringe meetings to be blocked if they conflict with the Church's ethos, damage its reputation or raise safeguarding concerns. The controversy comes against the backdrop of the Church of England's support for a ban on conversion practices. In 2017, General Synod voted overwhelmingly in favour of outlawing conversion therapy, which many LGBTQ+ organisations describe as harmful and discredited. Organisers of the fringe event rejected suggestions that it promoted abusive conversion practices. **Rebecca Hunt**, the Synod member hosting the event, said it was intended to explore personal testimonies and pastoral support for Christians seeking to live in accordance with traditional Church teaching on sexuality. A Church of England spokesperson said the decision reflected the Church's established position on conversion practices. "Following careful consideration, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York have informed the Synod member that their fringe meeting, as a private discussion for Synod members and invited guests, may go ahead as planned but has declined permission for the associated stand and public display," the spokesperson said. They added that allowing a public exhibition would conflict with the Church's support for a ban on conversion practices. The row comes as the UK Government continues work on legislation to prohibit conversion practices. While the Church supports a ban, senior bishops have previously expressed concerns that any law must clearly distinguish between harmful conversion therapy and legitimate pastoral care or prayer. ### Vigil honouring Michael Causer, 18 years after his death in a homophobic attack, to launch Knowsley Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/vigil-honouring-michael-causer-18-years-after-his-death-in-a-homophobic-attack-to-launch-knowsley-pride/ Last updated: 2026-07-08T11:11:33.000Z The life and legacy of **Michael Causer** will once again take centre stage this summer as **Knowsley Pride** begins with an annual vigil marking 18 years since the teenager's death. For many across Merseyside's LGBTQ+ community, the vigil is far more than the opening event of a Pride celebration. It is an opportunity to remember a young gay man whose death became a catalyst for change and helped reignite Pride in the Liverpool City Region. Michael was just 18 when he died in August 2008 after suffering injuries in a homophobic attack at a house party. His death shocked communities across the region and prompted widespread calls for greater action to tackle anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime and discrimination. Nearly two decades later, his name remains closely linked to the fight for equality in Merseyside. Campaigners and community leaders have long argued that the public response to Michael's death played a significant role in inspiring the return of **Liverpool Pride** after more than 15 years without a city-wide Pride event. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/734644755_1325269986482733_2682617384502495067_n.jpg) This year's Michael Causer Vigil will take place on **Sunday, 2 August** at **Court Hey Park** and will officially open Knowsley Pride 2026\. The event is expected to bring together members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies, local organisations and residents to reflect on Michael's life and the progress that has been made since his death. The vigil will begin a week of events across Knowsley celebrating LGBTQ+ identity, visibility and inclusion. Organised with support from **One Knowsley**, the programme will culminate in **Rainbow in the Park** on **8 August**, featuring live performances, entertainment and community activities. **Racheal Jones**, chief executive of One Knowsley, said the week reflects the strength and diversity of the borough's LGBTQ+ community. "Knowsley Pride has grown into something very special, with this year feeling like another step forward," she said. "It's not about one event, it's about a whole week of activity that reflects the breadth and strength of this community; from the vigil on Sunday through to Rainbow in the Park on Saturday, every part of this week belongs to Knowsley." 💡 Knowsley Pride runs from 2 to 8 August, with further community events due to be announced in the coming weeks. ### Brighton Gin unveils 2026 Pride bottle celebrating queer women and supporting local LGBTQ+ charity URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-gin-unveils-2026-pride-bottle-celebrating-queer-women-and-supporting-local-lgbtq-charity/ Last updated: 2026-07-08T10:41:18.000Z **Brighton Gin** has revealed its limited-edition Pride bottle for 2026, continuing its annual tradition of showcasing LGBTQ+ artists while raising funds for grassroots organisations in the city. This year's design has been created by Brighton-based artist **Amy Isles Freeman**, whose artwork celebrates queer female visibility. The special-edition bottle is available now through Brighton Gin's website and selected local stockists. The independent distillery has released a Pride bottle every year, using the initiative to platform LGBTQ+ artists and support community organisations through charitable fundraising. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/It---s-here---Our-Limited-edition-charity-fundraising-Pride-bottle-for-2026--Every-year-Brighton-g.jpg) For 2026, Brighton Gin has chosen **Lunch Positive**, the Brighton-based charity that supports people living with HIV and tackles social isolation through community meals and events, as its fundraising partner. The company says it will be supporting the charity not only through sales of the limited-edition bottles but also through an event taking place this Saturday at **The Bottom's Rest** pub. Announcing the launch, Brighton Gin praised Freeman's contribution, saying it hoped customers would love the design "as much as we do". The artist's vibrant artwork centres on queer female representation, reflecting Brighton Gin's commitment to celebrating the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community throughout the year. 0:00 /0:04 1× The annual Pride bottle has become a fixture of Brighton's Pride celebrations, combining support for local artists with fundraising for community causes. Previous editions have highlighted a range of LGBTQ+ voices and creative talent from across the city. Brighton Gin said its commitment to the community extends well beyond Pride season. "Here at Brighton Gin we are queer all year, not just gay for a day," the company said. 💡 The limited-edition 2026 Pride bottle is available now from Brighton Gin and selected retailers including Quaff Wine, The Wine Barrel, Seven Cellars and The Bottom's Rest. ### "This Is Bigger Than Pride": Europe's LGBTQ+ leaders urge EU to defend democratic freedoms URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/this-is-bigger-than-pride-europes-lgbtq-leaders-urge-eu-to-defend-democratic-freedoms/ Last updated: 2026-07-08T10:17:07.000Z Europe's leading LGBTQ+ organisations have launched a new campaign warning that attacks on Pride events should be treated as warning signs of a broader threat to democracy. **ILGA-Europe** and the **European Pride Organisers Association** (EPOA) today unveiled ***Protect Pride. Protect Democracy.***, a campaign calling on European institutions to recognise restrictions on Pride as indicators of democratic backsliding and to take stronger action to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ communities across the continent. The initiative comes as Pride season continues across Europe against a backdrop of growing concern over attempts to restrict Pride events, rising anti-LGBTQ+ hostility and increasing pressure on civil society organisations. Campaigners say Pride is often viewed solely through the lens of LGBTQ+ rights, when in reality it relies on fundamental democratic freedoms that benefit everyone. According to the organisations behind the campaign, every Pride march, rally and celebration depends on the rights to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and participation in public life. They argue that when governments, local authorities or other institutions limit those freedoms, the consequences extend far beyond the LGBTQ+ community. The campaign highlights a range of challenges facing Pride organisers in different parts of Europe, including bans on Pride events, inadequate protection from hostile counter-protesters, cuts to public funding, online misinformation and hate campaigns, attacks on marchers and the burning of rainbow flags. It also points to what organisers describe as a retreat by some companies from diversity, equity and inclusion commitments. Campaigners argue that these developments are part of a wider pattern in which restrictions on visibility, expression and public participation can signal deeper democratic erosion. **Patrick van der Pass** of EPOA said Pride remains one of the clearest examples of democratic freedoms being exercised in public. “Pride is not simply a celebration. It is one of the most visible expressions of the freedoms that underpin democratic societies: the freedom to gather, the freedom to speak, and the freedom to be seen. For millions of people across Europe, Pride is what those freedoms look like in practice.” As part of the campaign, ILGA-Europe and EPOA have published an open letter addressed to European Commission President **Ursula von der Leyen** and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, **Kaja Kallas**. The letter calls on European leaders to recognise restrictions on Pride as indicators of democratic decline, speak out when Pride organisers come under attack and strengthen protections for the right to peaceful assembly across Europe. **Katrin Hugendubel**, deputy director of ILGA-Europe, said European leaders had a responsibility to protect freedoms secured by previous generations. “Generations of Europeans worked to cultivate societies rooted in freedom, dignity and democracy. Our leaders have a duty to honour what they built by protecting the freedoms that allow Pride, and the democratic values it represents, to flourish. “Protecting these freedoms today will help ensure that future generations inherit a Europe that is open, democratic and inclusive for all.” The campaign, which launches on 8 July and will run through to the end of 2026, is inviting individuals, Pride organisations and civil society groups to sign the open letter and support stronger protections for democratic freedoms across Europe. ### Reform UK cracks down on Pride displays in Norfolk libraries URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/reform-uk-cracks-down-on-pride-displays-in-norfolk-libraries/ Last updated: 2026-07-08T09:41:53.000Z **Norfolk County Council**’s **Reform UK** administration has banned libraries from hosting Pride-themed displays and events, prompting criticism from trade unions and opposition politicians who say the move risks making LGBTQ+ residents feel less welcome in public spaces. The new guidance instructs library staff not to create Pride displays or organise events linked to **Pride Month** or local Pride celebrations taking place across Norfolk this summer. Reform councillors say the policy is intended to ensure libraries remain politically neutral and accessible to everyone. However, critics argue the move targets LGBTQ+ visibility and forms part of a wider culture-war agenda being pursued by the party since it took control of the council. The decision follows an earlier row over the council’s refusal to fly the Progress Pride flag from County Hall, a move that sparked anger among some employees and helped fuel what staff have dubbed a “rainbow rebellion”. Reform UK has long argued that Pride has become a political movement rather than simply a celebration of LGBTQ+ communities and equality. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/pexels-katierainbow-8249729.jpg) Pexels **Scott Hussey**, a senior Reform councillor, said the new guidance was introduced following concerns raised by local families about activities taking place in Norfolk libraries. “Public buildings funded by Norfolk taxpayers must not be used to advance any political agenda or promote the interests of any campaign group, however well-intentioned,” he said. “We have heard from residents who feel that hasn’t always been the case, particularly with regard to materials aimed at children. “As such, we welcome the steps Norfolk County Council has taken to ensure its library and museum spaces are inclusive and politically neutral for all visitors.” The party has also linked the decision to wider debates around transgender rights and what it describes as “gender ideology” - a term frequently used by critics of trans-inclusive policies. The council's decision has drawn sharp criticism from **Unison**, which represents many local authority employees. **Jamie Smith**, the union’s eastern regional organiser, accused Reform of focusing on divisive cultural issues rather than public services. “While Reform is busy clamping down on free speech and fighting culture wars, council staff will get on with providing the best service they can to the people of Norfolk,” he said. “That includes making libraries genuinely open, welcoming and inclusive spaces for all residents, whatever signals councillors are trying to send.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/17826284.jpg) ****Brian Watkins**, leader of the ****Liberal Democrat group at County Hall** **Brian Watkins**, leader of the **Liberal Democrat** group at County Hall, said he was “extremely alarmed” by the decision. Critics argue that removing Pride displays does not create neutrality but instead sends a message that LGBTQ+ identities are less deserving of recognition than other communities. The dispute is the latest sign of mounting tensions between Reform councillors and sections of the council workforce. Many staff members have reportedly been frustrated by the administration’s decisions to stop flying the Progress Pride and Ukraine flags, review the council’s net-zero policies and examine existing hybrid working arrangements. Unison has previously described a “strong sense of disappointment” among employees following the arrival of the new administration and organised support sessions for staff who felt anxious or vulnerable as a result of the changes. Reform councillors criticised those sessions, dismissing them as “snowflake sessions”. ### Police in Philadelphia hunt suspect after two men killed and another injured in alleged anti-gay attacks URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/police-in-philadelphia-hunt-suspect-after-two-men-killed-and-another-injured-in-alleged-anti-gay-attacks/ Last updated: 2026-07-08T09:07:25.000Z Police in **Philadelphia** are searching for a man suspected of carrying out a series of shootings targeting gay men, leaving two people dead and a third seriously injured. Investigators have identified 21-year-old **Jahylin Melchur** as a suspect in three attacks that took place over the course of a month in the **Hunting Park** area of the city. Authorities believe the incidents are connected and may have been motivated by hostility towards the victims' sexual orientation. The first shooting occurred on **29 May** at around **9.50pm**. A 55-year-old man survived after being shot while standing near his car. According to police, the victim told officers that a man approached him, announced a robbery and then opened fire. He was found in the street suffering from gunshot wounds to his side and elbow. A second attack took place on **20 June** at about 10pm. **Martin Higgins**, 45, was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds to his back. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. Less than a week later, on **26 June** at around **11pm**, 29-year-old **Sharef Holman** was shot in the back. He was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries. Police initially did not disclose a possible motive for the shootings. However, investigators now believe the three incidents are linked and may have targeted gay men. “All three incidents were perpetrated very similarly in the same geographic area,” Deputy Commissioner **Frank Vanore** said. “So we're believing now that they're all connected.” The attacks all took place within a month of one another in the vicinity of Hunting Park, prompting detectives to investigate whether a single offender was responsible. Vanore said investigators believe the suspect may be using public transport to travel to and from the crime scenes. He urged passengers using the **Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority** (SEPTA) network to remain vigilant. Sources told local broadcaster **NBC10 Philadelphia** that all three victims were gay. Police have not formally classified the shootings as hate crimes, however, and Vanore previously said robbery remains a key line of inquiry. “The motive appears to be robbery, in all these cases. At least it does in the first case,” he said last week. “We have a witness telling us he announced the robbery, but at this point, that's our theory.” Philadelphia Police have released images of the suspect and warned members of the public not to approach him if spotted. Instead, anyone with information is being urged to contact law enforcement immediately. The case has also drawn attention to gaps in Pennsylvania's hate crime legislation. While the state enacted an LGBTQ+-inclusive hate crimes law in 2002, it was later struck down by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on procedural grounds. Lawmakers have not subsequently passed legislation explicitly adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the state's hate crime protections. Police say the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist detectives is being urged to come forward. ### Seeing Things in a Queer Light: Invisible Rainbows by Dr Alfredo Carpineti URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/seeing-things-in-a-queer-light-invisible-rainbows-by-dr-alfredo-carpineti/ Last updated: 2026-07-07T16:11:26.000Z Deeply fascinating and delightfully playful, Dr **Alfredo Carpineti** dazzles us with all the light we cannot see in this heartfelt ode to the universe beyond the visible. Illuminating in every sense of the word, *Invisible Rainbows* takes us on a breathtaking sightseeing tour of all the wavelengths of light that are invisible to the human eye, exploring the wondrous possibilities of the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to gamma rays. But light is not the only spectrum that shines at the heart of *Invisible Rainbows*. This book is animated by lively conversations with LGBTQ+ scientists, welcoming us into an astounding unseen universe. As Carpineti plays with the symbolic resonances of light, visibility and rainbows, ‘*Invisible Rainbows’* comes to stand not only for the awe-inspiring universe beyond visible light, but also for the often-erased brilliance of LGBTQ+ scientists. In this book, the importance of using each different wavelength of light to look at the Universe becomes inextricably linked with the importance of embracing diverse perspectives: we can only hope to understand the Universe by being open to seeing things in a different light, both literally and figuratively. It is by practising this radical openness to both human and celestial diversity that we can enrich our understanding of the Universe and one another. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/carpineti.webp) Author Dr Alfredo Carpineti: chair and founder of Pride in STEM Science, Carpineti reminds us, is not neutral. Science is human, subject to all the messiness, flaws and biases that humanity entails. *Invisible Rainbows* dismantles the illusion that science occupies an objective sphere, bringing us face to face with the myriad ways in which science is shaped by its social and political context. Throughout, Carpineti’s reflections are skilfully inflected with a double meaning. He is talking about how we approach scientific exploration, yes, but he is also talking about how our society reacts to ‘difference’. “Reality at the smallest scale is a mess of fluctuations”, Carpineti explains. Difference, then, is the essential condition of our Universe, yet it is often feared and erased in our society. When the Universe was mere seconds old, Carpineti tells us, everything was exactly alike … well, almost. It was the tiniest of differences within almost complete uniformity that allowed enough matter to gather for galaxies to form. In the cosmology of *Invisible Rainbows*, difference is the precondition of all creation: it is potential and possibility. If the smallest difference can create whole galaxies, imagine how much would be possible if we fully embraced human diversity. This book asks us how much we could achieve if the same tenets of openness, curiosity and understanding that inform the best kinds of science also governed the way we treat one another. Astronomers can approach the stars with passionate curiosity, a desire to learn and understand, yet human beings so often fail to extend the same openness and acceptance to one another. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/9781806770441.jpg.webp) *Invisible Rainbows* delights in the moments where our theories break down. Carpineti sheds light on the erasure that takes place in order for scientists to arrive at a ‘perfect explanation’. For our theories to hold up, we often have to ignore certain phenomena and disregard complexities. *Invisible Rainbows* shows us that the places where our rules fail are rich with overlooked possibility. The heartbeat of this book is the implicit parallel between LGBTQ+ people and the invisible light that shatters our theories. Phenomena, whether celestial or human, that flout the rules we set face erasure, yet it is precisely because they disrupt our assumptions that they hold such enormous potential to enhance our understanding of the world. This is a book that challenges us to be open to possibility, to see beyond our senses and to think outside of the assumptions we make about the Universe and one another. In *Invisible Rainbows*, the horizon ceases to be an end-point and becomes instead an irresistible invitation to go beyond, to push against our limits and embrace the rich diversity of both the cosmos and humanity itself. After all, when faced with a world that “won’t give us a straight answer”, we need to harness diverse perspectives and always remain open to seeing things in a different light. *Invisible Rainbows* is published by [Wilton Square Books.](https://wiltonsquarebooks.com/products/invisible-rainbows?%5Fpos=1&%5Fpsq=inv&%5Fss=e&%5Fv=1.0&ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Abigail's Party @ Theatre Royal Brighton URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/abigails-party-theatre-royal-brighton/ Last updated: 2026-07-07T15:43:03.000Z There's a particular strangeness in watching a piece of queer-adjacent camp iconography turn into comfort food. *Abigail's Party* has long occupied a funny corner of gay cultural memory; Beverly Moss as accidental drag icon, that swaying dance to Demis Roussos passed round at parties for decades, the cheese-and-pineapple hospitality of hell quoted back and forth like scripture. **Nadia Fall**'s revival at Theatre Royal Brighton knows exactly what it's been handed, and it delivers that inheritance with real technical assurance. It's just that knowing your own legend so well can tip a production into recital rather than performance. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Abigail_s-Party-3-Lauren-Patel.jpg) ****Photo Credit: Ellie Kurtz** **Tamsin Outhwaite** gives Beverly everything the role demands aided by an impressive blonde Farrah cut, with the towering heels, the over-poured drinks, the swanning cruelty dressed up as hostessing. She's commanding, slightly manic but never lets the character's nastiness curdle into caricature, there's a real woman in there, lonely inside her own suburban stagecraft. But the production seems to trust that we already love Beverly, rather than earning that love scene by scene, and so a lot of Outhwaite's best work plays like a victory lap. The design is perfect, Peter McKintosh's costumes and set nail that uncanny 1977 register that now doubles, unhelpfully for the play's satire, as fashionable "mid-century modern"; the effect is that a room built to look tacky and try-hard now reads as rather tasteful, which undercuts some of the original bite and I thought, Beverly, darling, you were simply ahead of your time and nobody appreciated it. Howard Harrison's lighting adds a few nice touches of atmosphere without overpowering the domestic claustrophobia the play needs. The play stays rooted in its 1970s attitudes, casual racism, misogyny, and class snobbery all present and unsoftened, alongside domestic violence and a couple of uncomfortably jokey references to rape, left unexamined. None of it's been updated, sitting alongside the constant smoking as a reminder of how much the period's casual cruelties remain untouched ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/IMG_0339.jpeg) ****Photo Credit: Ellie Kurtz** The performance to single out, oddly, isn't Beverly at all. Sue (played by **Pandora Colin)** meant to be the evening's pale, apologetic non-drinker, quietly disintegrating next door while her teenage daughter's actual party rages unseen, is given a lovely, understated sadness that the rest of the production doesn't quite match. Where everyone else is turned up to the show's expected pitch, Sue is allowed to be small, awkward, genuinely adrift, and for a few minutes the play stops being a greatest-hits set and becomes something sadder and stranger. That's the frustrating thing about this staging: it's well-drilled and well-designed, the marriages fray convincingly, the second half does properly accelerate into disaster, and the class comedy still has teeth, or veneers at the very least, nearly fifty years on. But so much of the production seems built around the audience's foreknowledge rather than trying to surprise them anew. Every iconic line lands like a chorus everyone's been waiting to sing along to, and the show seems content to let them. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Abigail_s-Party-1-Omar-Malik-.jpg) Omar Malik, Tamzin Outhwaite and Lauren Patel. Photo Credit: Ellie Kurtz Which brings me to my companion and me, sitting rather stiffly through an auditorium that was, by contrast, laughing before punchlines arrived, murmuring lines a beat ahead of the actors, visibly delighted every time Beverly refilled a glass. It's an odd, slightly isolating position to be in at a play so many people clearly adore, and I'm honestly not sure whether that says something about the production, or about us. Maybe the party was never really for us in the first place; maybe we just wanted it to surprise us the way it once surprised everyone else. Anyway. Lovely evening, it's worth going. Everyone adored it, mostly. Beverly will be having people round again very soon, and this time she'll try the Demis Roussos again, because really, why change a winning formula. Cheese straw, Sue? Until Sat 1th, Theatre Royal Brigton, [tickets/info. ](https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/abigails-party/theatre-royal-brighton/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Abigails-Party5.jpg) ****Photo Credit: Ellie Kurtz** ### Judges to hear challenge to Trinidad and Tobago's colonial-era anti-gay laws URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/judges-to-hear-challenge-to-trinidad-and-tobagos-colonial-era-anti-gay-laws/ Last updated: 2026-07-07T12:51:06.000Z A landmark legal challenge to colonial-era laws criminalising consensual same-sex intimacy in **Trinidad and Tobago** will be heard by the **Judicial Committee of the Privy Council** (JCPC) in London on **8 July**, in a case campaigners say could have far-reaching consequences for LGBTQ+ people across the Caribbean. The appeal concerns laws dating back to the colonial period that criminalise same-sex intimacy between consenting adults. LGBTQ+ advocates warn that, given existing Privy Council jurisprudence, there is a realistic possibility the legislation could ultimately be upheld. Campaigners say the outcome could affect not only Trinidad and Tobago but also other countries where similar laws remain in force or are being reinforced through contemporary legislation. Five Caribbean LGBTQ+ organisations, including **Colours Caribbean**, have been granted permission to intervene in the case. The groups are being supported by **Harvard Law School's LGBTQI+ Advocacy Clinic** and a team of leading lawyers from Canada and the UK. The appeal has also reignited debate about Britain's continuing constitutional role in former colonies and the extent to which UK institutions remain involved in cases concerning laws rooted in the colonial era. Former Irish Taoiseach **Leo Varadkar** recently highlighted the issue in an article questioning whether it remains appropriate for the UK to continue providing judges and legal institutions to determine appeals involving laws that criminalise same-sex relationships. Campaigners argue that the case raises broader questions about the UK's international reputation as a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. The hearing will take place in London before judges sitting as members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which remains the highest court of appeal for Trinidad and Tobago despite the country becoming a republic in 1976. Advocates have noted that although there are currently two Caribbean members of the JCPC, neither has been selected to sit on the panel hearing the case. For LGBTQ+ organisations, the appeal is about far more than criminal law. Human rights groups have long argued that laws criminalising same-sex intimacy contribute to stigma, discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people, even when prosecutions are rare. International human rights bodies have repeatedly found that such legislation can have a profound impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ communities by legitimising prejudice and creating barriers to equality, healthcare, employment and personal safety. Supporters of the intervention argue that the continued existence of these laws is incompatible with modern human rights standards and international legal obligations. The case has also prompted comparisons with the UK's decision in 2022 to withdraw Supreme Court judges from **Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal**. At the time, senior judges said continued participation risked appearing to endorse a legal and political environment that no longer reflected fundamental freedoms and human rights principles. Campaigners say a similar question now arises over Britain's role in adjudicating appeals involving laws that criminalise consensual same-sex relationships. The hearing is expected to attract significant attention from LGBTQ+ organisations, legal experts and human rights campaigners throughout the Caribbean and beyond. Whatever the outcome, the judgment is likely to have implications far beyond Trinidad and Tobago, influencing debates about colonial-era legislation, constitutional independence and LGBTQ+ equality across the Commonwealth. For many campaigners, the case represents a crucial test of whether courts will continue to uphold laws rooted in a colonial past or move towards a legal framework that recognises the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people. As the appeal begins in London, advocates say they hope the court will deliver a judgment that advances equality and human rights, helping to create a future in which consensual same-sex relationships are no longer treated as criminal acts anywhere in the Commonwealth. ### Scene exclusive: the duo who saved the Stonewall Inn URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/scene-exclusive-the-duo-who-saved-the-stonewall-inn/ Last updated: 2026-07-08T15:43:38.000Z ##### Contents Interviewing the owners of the place that started the modern day LGBTQ+ movement was beyond exciting, and what I learned about them has impressed me. It also comes to you a little differently than usual. A recording issue means I can't bring you the audio of what was intended to be a *Still Here* conversation with Stacy Lentz and Kurt Kelly, co-owners of the Stonewall Inn, so instead you're getting the long version, in full, in (digital) print. If you know your queer history, you know what the Stonewall Inn means. It's the bar where the 1969 uprising began, the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. I told Stacy and Kurt that the moment I first walked through its doors, back in 2019, is one I'll never forget. What I didn't fully appreciate until this conversation is quite how close the world came to losing it altogether, and how much unglamorous work it has taken to keep it not just standing, but relevant. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/IMG_8564-1.jpeg) Leslie Clarke is pictured here with Kurt Kelly and Stacy Lentz on top of the Stonewall Inn/Brooklyn Brewery float. | Image: Scene Magazine ## Two very different roads to the same door Stacy grew up in a farming community in Kansas so small that, as she put it, its population of around 100 probably included the dogs, sheep and cows. She was one of sixteen kids in her graduating class, raised in the 70s and 80s with no LGBTQ+ representation on television and certainly none in her conservative, Christian small town. After Kansas State, she graduated in 1992 and moved to Washington DC, where she knocked on doors for the Clinton-Gore campaign, her first taste of both activism and fundraising. In 1994 she moved to New York and fell in love with the West Village, where she frequented a piano bar called the Duplex while running large executive search firms, two of which she took onto the Inc. 5000 list. It was at the Duplex, taking her staff for happy hours, that she met Kurt. Kurt's story starts an hour and a half away in a small Pennsylvania farming town. Born in the late 60s, he came to New York in the late 80s to study acting, and when that didn't pay the bills he started working at the Duplex, singing and doing comedy on the piano bar's mic. It was through a beer rep at the Duplex that he and his bosses, Bill Morgan and Tony DiCicco, first heard the Stonewall Inn was going under. ## The bar that almost became a Starbucks Kurt and his partners went to the management company as soon as they heard the rumour, in April. They were told, in his words, "we never heard of anything like that." Then in July, the call came: Stonewall really was going under. Kurt asked Stacy if she wanted to be an investor. She said yes, and within ten years the partners recognised her value enough to make her a part owner. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Labour MP says new EHRC guidance could lead to ‘enforced segregation’ of trans people URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/labour-mp-says-new-ehrc-guidance-could-lead-to-enforced-segregation-of-trans-people/ Last updated: 2026-07-07T11:33:09.000Z A **Labour** MP has warned that trans people face "enforced segregation" if controversial new guidance on single-sex services comes into force this week, as campaigners raise concerns about its impact on everyday life. The **Equality and Human Rights Commission**'s (EHRC) revised **Code of Practice** for service providers, associations and public bodies is expected to clear parliamentary scrutiny on **9 July**, paving the way for ministers to bring it into force. The guidance follows last year's Supreme Court ruling that the terms "woman" and "sex" in the **Equality Act** refer to biological sex. It advises service providers not to admit trans people to single-sex spaces that align with their gender identity and warns that organisations could face legal challenges if they do so. Critics say the guidance could leave many trans people effectively excluded from public life, with some potentially unable to access services that match either their gender identity or their sex assigned at birth. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/thiago-rocha-wwiJE6j8UcA-unsplash.jpg) Labour MP **Nadia Whittome**, who sits on Parliament's **Women and Equalities Committee**, has been among the most vocal opponents of the changes. She tabled a motion seeking to block the code, which attracted support from 164 MPs across five political parties. However, the motion is unlikely to be debated before the parliamentary deadline expires. "If it is debated and passed within the 40-day scrutiny window, it would prevent the code from coming into force," Whittome told **ITV News**. "Unfortunately, there is no mechanism by which backbench MPs can force a vote to be held, so one is unlikely to take place." Whittome said the guidance would have serious consequences for trans people. "The code will mean enforced segregation for trans people, with services, businesses and charities expected to exclude them from spaces they have long used," she said. "I'm worried it also increases the risk of harassment and abuse, particularly for trans women forced into male-only spaces." She also warned that the guidance could affect people beyond the transgender community. "The code also suggests trans people's exclusion should be enforced based on physical appearance. That will affect anyone who doesn't conform to gender stereotypes, not just trans people." LGBTQ+ organisations say the impact is already being felt. **Galop**, a charity supporting LGBTQ+ victims of abuse and violence, said it had been unable to place any trans women in domestic abuse refuges during 2026 despite receiving more than 240 referrals. Campaigners argue that the guidance creates uncertainty around access to everyday facilities and services, including toilets, changing rooms, support groups and healthcare settings. **Rachel Taylor**, co-chair of the **LGBT+ Parliamentary Labour Party**, said she feared the changes represented a step backwards for trans rights. "I don't want women to feel unsafe about using single-sex spaces. I absolutely don't," she told ITV News. "But there has to be proportionality about this, and there also has to be respect for trans people to live their lives as they have done for years. It seems like we're going backwards." Meanwhile, advocacy groups say growing uncertainty is having a damaging effect on the mental health and wellbeing of trans people. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/karollyne-videira-hubert-wKWZqMHTbL4-unsplash.jpg) **Alfie Bailey-Bearfield**, advocacy lead at the Trans+ Solidarity Alliance, said many people now feel "scared and betrayed" and are unsure how to navigate everyday situations. "If you don't know if you can use a pub toilet without either breaking a policy or being put in danger, or whether you can be admitted to hospital in a safe and dignified way, then so many people will sadly self-exclude to all our detriment," he said. He urged the government to intervene, warning that failure to clarify the law could lead to years of costly legal disputes. "The EHRC's guidance is bad but it's also a symptom of a broader problem, that the legal position is now cruel and untenable," he said. The EHRC has similarly rejected claims that transgender people could be excluded from services altogether. A spokesperson said: "Trans people cannot be left without access to services, and nobody should face harassment." The watchdog said the code provides guidance on balancing the rights of different groups and pointed to examples such as the provision of self-contained, lockable facilities that can be used by anyone. ### Brighton Gay Men's Chorus turns back the clock for Pride show celebrating 300 years of queer history URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-gay-mens-chorus-turns-back-the-clock-for-pride-show-celebrating-300-years-of-queer-history/ Last updated: 2026-07-07T11:10:10.000Z Brighton Gay Men's Chorus (BGMC) is set to transport audiences back to Georgian England this Pride season with a new show celebrating the resilience, joy and hidden history of queer lives. The award-winning choir's latest production, ***Mother Clap's Molly House***, will take to the stage at **St George's Church** in Kemptown on **24 & 25 July**, marking 300 years since the infamous raid on one of London's best-known meeting places for gay men. Blending music, storytelling and plenty of glitter, the show tells the story of Mother Clap's molly house - a secret gathering place where gay men in the early 18th century could meet, socialise and find community at a time when same-sex relationships were criminalised. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Mother-Clap-Illustration.jpg) BGMC Chair **John McPherson** said the production aims to shine a light on a chapter of LGBTQ+ history that is often overlooked. "This year marks the 300th anniversary of the raid on Mother Clap's molly house, which saw many of its patrons arrested, tried and even put to death for sodomy," he said. "While not shying away from that, our new show is joyful and celebratory, reminding audiences that queer people have always existed, and that the freedoms enjoyed now are built not just on the work of the Stonewall generation, but on centuries of resistance and persistence. "It's a story with a serious history - but we're telling it with warmth, wit and no shortage of glitter." The production comes as Brighton prepares for another busy Pride season, with thousands expected to descend on the city for one of the UK's largest LGBTQ+ celebrations. While Pride is often associated with colourful parades and headline performances, organisers and community groups continue to emphasise its roots in protest, visibility and the ongoing fight for equality. Against that backdrop, *Mother Clap's Molly House* explores the experiences of LGBTQ+ people long before the modern rights movement emerged, highlighting the dangers faced by queer communities in Georgian Britain while celebrating their determination to find joy and connection. Audiences can expect a soundtrack packed with familiar favourites and unexpected musical choices as the choir brings the hidden world of the molly house to life. Artistic Director **Joe Paxton** said the show combines the Chorus's trademark entertainment with an important historical story. "I'm always thrilled by the audience reaction to our shows, and *Mother Clap's* promises to be even more special," he said. "Of course we'll be bringing our trademark variety of camp hits and heart-touching melodies, but this month we're also really excited to bring the true story of Mother Clap and her rag-tag group of 18th-century gay men to the audiences of Brighton." ![Image](blob:https://www.scenemag.co.uk/060c80e7-a5de-4479-b1f2-5060e4665625) Brighton Gay Men's Chorus The announcement caps a busy and successful period for the Chorus. Earlier this year, BGMC sold out its *Heroes* show during **Brighton Fringe** and recently returned from Brussels, where members performed at Various Voices, the international LGBTQ+ choral festival. The choir is also preparing to welcome the festival to Brighton in 2030 as co-hosts, further cementing the city's reputation as a major centre for LGBTQ+ culture and community. Founded more than two decades ago, Brighton Gay Men's Chorus has grown into one of Europe's largest LGBTQ+ choirs, with around 150 members. Known for its ambitious arrangements, powerful harmonies and crowd-pleasing repertoire, the group has become a fixture of Brighton's cultural and Pride calendar. From contemporary pop and musical theatre favourites to classic disco and anthems by artists such as David Bowie, Queen and ABBA, the Chorus has built a reputation for delivering high-energy performances alongside more emotional moments. With *Mother Clap's Molly House*, however, the choir hopes to offer audiences something more than entertainment. By telling the story of a community forced underground three centuries ago, BGMC hopes to remind audiences that LGBTQ+ people have always existed - and that today's freedoms were hard won by generations who came before. 💡 ****Brighton Gay Men's Chorus will perform** ***Mother Clap's Molly House** **at St George's Church, Kemptown, on 24 and 25 July. Tickets are available from** [****BGMC Tickets**](https://tickets.brightongmc.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)****, priced £20 (£15 concessions).** ### Drag Race UK's Veronica Green marches at Pride in London after multiple sclerosis diagnosis URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/drag-race-uks-veronica-green-marches-at-pride-in-london-after-multiple-sclerosis-diagnosis/ Last updated: 2026-07-07T09:44:42.000Z **RuPaul's Drag Race UK** star **Veronica Green** joined the **MS Society** at this year's Pride in London, speaking publicly about her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and the importance of visibility for people living with the condition. Green, whose real name is **Kev Grogan**, marched with the charity during the capital's annual Pride celebrations after being diagnosed with MS in 2024. The performer revealed that the diagnosis had a profound impact on his life, leaving him temporarily dependent on his partner, Steve, as he adjusted to the condition. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/P7040396.JPG) "For two months after my diagnosis, I was completely dependent on my partner, Steve," Grogan said. "He fed, clothed and bathed me while I couldn't use my hands. "As time went by my symptoms slowly improved and were more manageable. Once my motor functions returned and I was able to work again, although I struggled with energy levels." MS is a neurological condition affecting the brain and spinal cord, with symptoms varying widely between individuals. Many people experience fatigue, mobility issues, numbness and problems with coordination, while some symptoms may not be immediately visible to others. Grogan said the support he received from the LGBTQ+ community played a crucial role both before and after his diagnosis. "The LGBTQ+ community has always been supportive and provided a voice and visibility for those who are oppressed or face societal challenges," he said. "I'd been an out and proud gay man for 20 years before my MS diagnosis. The community supported me for my career and for my MS diagnosis. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/PXL_20260704_131550451.jpg) "My fans have been 100% supportive. I speak to a lot of people about my own struggles and in turn I have a fan base that connects with me through their own experiences." Pride in London brought together LGBTQ+ organisations, charities, community groups and allies from across the UK, with this year's event once again highlighting issues of inclusion, equality and visibility. For Grogan, taking part with the MS Society was an opportunity to shine a light on the experiences of people living with a condition that is often misunderstood. "Marching in London Pride with the MS Society was about giving back and helping everyone be seen," he said. "That's why we chose our banner slogan this year, 'Our symptoms can be invisible, but we won't be.'" ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/P7040145.JPG) The collaboration between the MS Society and Pride organisers reflects growing recognition of the intersection between disability and LGBTQ+ identities, with campaigners calling for greater visibility and support for disabled LGBTQ+ people. Grogan, who became a fan favourite during his appearances on *RuPaul's Drag Race UK*, has increasingly used his platform to speak openly about life with MS since receiving his diagnosis. By sharing his experiences, he hopes to raise awareness of the realities of living with the condition while encouraging others facing similar challenges. As Pride celebrations continue to champion the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community, Grogan said ensuring disabled voices are heard remains an important part of that mission. "Helping everyone be seen" was at the heart of the MS Society's presence at the parade, he said. ### Teacher struck off after telling pupils gay and trans people are ‘mentally ill’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/teacher-struck-off-after-telling-pupils-gay-and-trans-people-are-mentally-ill/ Last updated: 2026-07-07T09:16:08.000Z A teacher has been banned from the profession after telling pupils that gay and trans people are "mentally ill" during a classroom discussion, with a disciplinary panel finding the comments amounted to discriminatory behaviour. **William Garwood**, 60, was prohibited from teaching following a **Teaching Regulation Agency** (TRA) investigation into remarks made during a Year 11 history lesson at **St Mary's Menston Catholic Voluntary Academy** in West Yorkshire in October 2023. The panel found that Mr Garwood made comments to the effect that "gay and transgender people are mentally ill" while teaching a lesson on the history of Nazi Germany. In its ruling, the TRA concluded that the comments were inappropriate, unrelated to the curriculum and had the potential to cause harm to pupils. The panel said it was particularly concerned by the remarks about LGBTQ+ people because of their potential impact on young people in a school environment. "The panel also considered the comments relating to homosexuality and transgender people to be especially problematic given their potential impact on school-aged children," the decision stated. Panel members noted that issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity are matters of significant public discussion and sensitivity, making it especially important that teachers approach such topics responsibly and professionally. Mr Garwood denied misconduct and argued that his views were rooted in his Islamic faith. During the hearing, he said his position on trans issues reflected his religious beliefs and claimed these had been used to portray him as "a psychological threat to children's wellbeing". The teacher also maintained that he had not expressed an opinion about gay people, arguing instead that pupils had misunderstood his religious beliefs and created a "false caricature" of his views. However, the panel rejected his arguments and found that the comments constituted unacceptable professional conduct. In its findings, the TRA said the remarks were not only outside the educational purpose of the lesson but were delivered without any attempt to provide balance or alternative perspectives. "As such, the panel concluded that the conduct was clearly inappropriate and significantly outside the bounds of acceptable teaching practice," the decision said. The panel further found that Mr Garwood's comments about gay and transgender people fell within the scope of discriminatory behaviour. The TRA imposed a prohibition order, preventing Mr Garwood from teaching. He will not be able to apply to have the ban reviewed until June 2032. ### LGBTQ+ helpline ‘more vital than ever’ amid rising anti-trans sentiment and demand URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lgbtq-helpline-more-vital-than-ever-amid-rising-anti-trans-sentiment-and-demand/ Last updated: 2026-07-07T08:51:06.000Z An LGBTQ+ helpline says its services are ‘more vital than ever’ amid rising anti-trans sentiment and a surge in demand. **Switchboard**, one of the UK’s oldest LGBTQ+ helplines, is experiencing an ongoing rise in calls. Last year more than 17,000 conversations were handled by the charity’s volunteers - a rise of 20% compared with 2024\. Concerns around mental health featured in nearly one in five conversations, alongside the continuing impact of barriers faced by trans and gender diverse people. Conversations relating to gender identity accounted for almost a quarter of all contacts, while a 33% surge in conversations recorded in April reflected the profound effect of the UK Supreme Court ruling on the definition of sex. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Volunteers-at-Pride-in-2002-1.png) **Jake O'Dwyer**, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Switchboard, says members of the trans and non-binary communities are facing difficulties surrounding the updated **Equality and Human Rights Commission** (EHRC) **Code of Practice** following the ruling, which advises that access to single-sex spaces (including toilets, changing rooms and women’s refuges) should be based on biological sex rather than gender identity. “We’ve seen a rise in people talking to us about gender identity with concerns around topics including access to healthcare and coming out to people safely. It’s really difficult for some parts of the community to function in everyday life. “The rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment is leading to the community as a whole feeling less safe than they have done in recent years and services like Switchboard are more vital than ever,” he says. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Volunteers-at-a-Pride-in-the-70s.png) In 2015 the UK was ranked the best county in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights but has now fallen to 22nd place out of 49 countries. Latest Home Office statistics show that there were more than 18,000 hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation and over 3,000 trans related hate crimes in the UK between March 2024 and March 2025\. Research from the charity Stonewall has meanwhile found that less than half of LGBTQ+ people feel comfortable holding their partner’s hand in public due to safety concerns. Jake says Switchboard plays a unique and vital role in supporting the LGBTQ+ community who often face a lack of support and understanding. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Switchboard-Archive----2.jpg) “For the trans+ community the NHS wait times are through the roof. In some parts of the country it can be in excess of five years and often people reach out because they don’t know where else to turn. “First and foremost, we’re a listening service that makes us very different to a lot of services out there. We’re here to provide space for people to explore their own feelings and thoughts and work through what they need. “All of our volunteers are members of the community, so they have lived experience which makes us really unique. When somebody reaches out to Switchboard they know they’re going to be speaking to somebody who has some understanding of what it means to be a member of the community. We’re built by the community for the community,” he says. Jake says support for LGBTQ+ organisations is needed now more than ever with many charities feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and experiencing a roll back in corporate support. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Robert-Workman-Archive--Bishopsgate-Institute.jpeg) He says that although Switchboard has not been directly affected, many LGBTQ+ organisations have noticed that companies on both sides of the Atlantic have scaled back support after US President **Donald Trump** signed a series of executive orders in 2025 that overturned federal government diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes. “Corporate partners have been pulling away and there has been a roll back in support across the sector in terms of how organisations are showing up, especially during Pride season. There are organisations that may have a head office in the US, and they are having to look at inclusion differently, which may mean not publicly supporting LGGBTQ+ organisations in the way that they once were. “The cost-of-living crisis is also affecting everybody. Bills have gone up and everything costs more money. At Switchboard it costs on average £16 for a wraparound conversation which includes the costs of training somebody, recruiting volunteers and generally running the service,” he says. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Copy-of-SB_13_3_1_001--1-.jpg) As a national organisation, Switchboard is supporting smaller charities struggling with rising costs and demand. “Over the past few years, we’ve seen some LGBTQ+ services either closing down completely or having to concentrate on core delivery, so we’ve started to take their calls and overflow conversations. “There’s less money to go round which means that for an organisation like Switchboard, that has been running for 52 years, it’s really important that we continue to receive funding and support because there are going to be fewer organisations to support the community.” In a bid to raise vital funds Switchboard is rallying supporters to fundraise or take part in its events. In addition to accepting donations, the charity has signed up to the easyfundraising website and app. When supporters sign up to easyfundraising and choose Switchboard as the cause they want to raise for, the retailers they shop with via the easyfundraising website or app will automatically donate a percentage of their purchase to the charity, without adding any extra expense to their bill. 💡 Support Switchboard with every online shop [here.](https://74n5c4m7.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fwww.easyfundraising.org.uk%2Fcauses%2Fswitchboard%2F%3FsearchSessionId=f2bce184-8e43-42f4-8969-b945a5354dea/1/0102019f3b7ceee9-1ffb5b84-f3ff-444e-adfa-b99c00217af3-000000/S0o55DifCYMuWeYuydR2WArNuQU=473?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Find out more about the service [here.](https://74n5c4m7.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fswitchboard.lgbt%2F/1/0102019f3b7ceee9-1ffb5b84-f3ff-444e-adfa-b99c00217af3-000000/8SI2gAMn1zOMxb8YY1QHj52EU1o=473?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### REVIEW: Toomorrow (1970) URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-toomorrow-1970/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T11:52:52.000Z Hello cinema lovers. Some films get rediscovered because they're brilliant. Some get rediscovered because they're a court injunction away from never being seen at all. Toomorrow is the second kind. Banned from general release by its own director over unpaid wages and mothballed for over four decades. It's finally surfacing on BFI Blu-ray. A long-lost camp classic that deserves its moment in the spotlight. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/TOOMORROW_A-BFI-BLU-RAY-RELEASE_PIC-3.jpg) IMAGE PROVIDED The plot is deliberately pretty thin. An alien named John Williams ([Roy Dotrice](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0234541/?ref%5F=tt%5Fcst%5Ft%5F5&ref=scenemag.co.uk)) has lived on Earth disguised as a human for three thousand years. His superiors at Galactic Control detect a strange vibration. It's coming from a pop band. Future Gay Icon [Olivia Newton-John](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000556/?ref%5F=tt%5Fcst%5Ft%5F1&ref=scenemag.co.uk), then twenty-two years old and all teeth and legs, fronts a college band called Toomorrow. Her bandmates are Benny Thomas, Vic Cooper, and Karl Chambers, a bunch of very cute boys in a sort of 1970s way. Williams kidnaps them. They play a gig in outer space. They come home. Olivia wakes up wondering if it was a dream. Director [Val Guest ](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0346436/?ref%5F=tt%5Fov%5F1%5F1&ref=scenemag.co.uk)also made *The Quatermass Xperiment*. This is not that film. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/TOOMORROW_A-BFI-BLU-RAY-RELEASE_PIC-4.jpg) IMAGE PROVIDED Newton-John carries the picture. She's not yet the screen presence she'd become in *Grease* and *Xanadu,* but the ingredients are already in place. She has warmth, an easy comic touch and the sense that the camera loves her more than the script deserves. The rest of the cast is serviceable. Dotrice plays the alien with a dry, urbane charm that's the closest thing the film has to a nodding wink. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/TOOMORROW_A-BFI-BLU-RAY-RELEASE_PIC-5.jpg) IMAGE PROVIDED There's real money on screen here when it comes to its special effects, and it's where the project earns major brownie points. The spaceship interior scenes are stunning. The production's effects work holds up far better than the story around it, and the BFI's restoration is totally gorgeous. Lots of saturated colours fill the screen. I'm reminded of movies such as *Logan's Run* and *Superman* that came along several years later. The Roundhouse festival sequence, shot at the genuine Camden venue, is a wonderful time capsule and a real treat to see on screen. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/TOOMORROW_A-BFI-BLU-RAY-RELEASE_PIC-6.jpg) IMAGE PROVIDED Now. Queerness. There isn't any, not really. No queer characters, no coded romances. What the film does have is camp. Real camp, the unadulterated kind, which is always more interesting than the deliberate sort. Glittering jumpsuits. A space-trap built with a bonkers, disco-like fortress-of-solitude sensibility. An alien woman plunged into a head-turning green dress is sent to seduce a band member in a sequence that tips into a sex farce. None of this was made with a queer audience in mind. All of it should be claimed by one anyway, the way *Barbarella* has been. That's not representation. It's reception and intent. Queer viewers know the difference, and this camp romp should be welcomed with open arms. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/TOOMORROW_A-BFI-BLU-RAY-RELEASE_PIC-9.jpg) IMAGE PROVIDED There's also a quieter plot point if you care to notice it. An alien who has spent three thousand years passing as human, hiding what he is from everyone around him, performing an identity that isn't his. Unintentionally, this character may resonate with gay men of a certain age, and his interest in the cute boys in the band does suggest a possible sexuality. It's a characterisation that is not implicit, and it may be completely accidental, but it's there on screen to be observed So, is it good? Yes and no. Is it worth fifty years in the wilderness and a careful restoration? I would argue yes. It's a likeable curiosity of a movie. Generous with its budget and its silliness, and Newton-John is genuinely worth watching as always. Camp value is high. plot and substance are an absolute minimum. Go in knowing which one you're getting, a possible future cult classic to be enjoyed with a bunch of pals and a cocktail. Recommended camp splendour. Recommended Toomorrow is out now on BFI Blu-ray. ### We are here, and we are singing URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/we-are-here-and-we-are-singing/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T13:58:45.000Z *Inside Brighton's Rainbow Chorus, where queer voices find each other* It is a Monday evening in Brighton and sixty-odd people are filing into a rehearsal space ( St George's Church in Kemptown) , shaking off the rain and heading for the tea urn. Someone has baked a cake. There is a low hum of catching up, of hugs and laughter, and then the room arranges itself into sections and something shifts. The noise of the week falls away. A chord is struck. And they begin. [Rainbow Chorus ](https://rainbowchorus.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)is Brighton's LGBTQ+ choir. It also runs [RC+](https://rainbowchorus.org.uk/About-us/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), a lower-commitment monthly session for those who want to sing without the full rehearsal schedule. We spent time with six of its members: a nervous first-timer, a long-standing couple, a new accompanist, and the chair who once stood at the very same door, terrified. What follows is their account of what happens when queer people get into a room and sing. **The door** Almost everyone remembers the exact feeling of walking in for the first time. For **Georgia**, an alto who moved to Brighton during lockdown and spent years feeling alongside the city rather than inside it, knowing she would not be the only new face helped: "New member intake is twice a year, and I would not be the only new person joining. I can't say I always hit the right notes, but I know that I won't be judged if I don't, as long as I try." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Georgia-one.png) **Bob**, a tenor recruited mid-karaoke by a choir member who spotted something worth nurturing, found the process kinder than expected. "Aneesa, the choir leader, and the members were extremely welcoming and quickly put us at ease. Having a small group all auditioning on the same day meant that it felt much easier at the first rehearsal, with some familiar faces about." For **Chris**, a transfeminine non-binary person who sings with[ RC+,](https://rainbowchorus.org.uk/About-us/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) the lower-pressure format was the right entry point. "The smaller, more relaxed feel of RC+ definitely felt more suited to me. It still felt daunting to sing in a new space with total strangers. Fortunately, everyone is really welcoming, so I was given the space and the grace to be able to make mistakes without any pressure." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Brian-and-Stephen-1.png) The experience of **Brian and Steven** had particular weight. The couple came to Rainbow Chorus partly because singing is recommended for people living with Parkinson's disease, which Steven was diagnosed with six years ago, and he had previously sung with both the NYC and London Gay Men's Choruses. "During the first three months, we continued to feel a little anxious about how we both were fitting in," Brian recalls. "Steven had issues with handling the music, turning over pages quickly enough. We bought a set of music for Steven so corners could be turned down, scores highlighted. We were encouraged by how friendly and generally supportive folks were." Soprano **Debs** came having sung in church choirs, choral societies, chamber choirs and barbershop quartets, and having watched her wife sing with the group for years. When she finally joined: "The Rainbow Chorus was something completely different, made up of LGBTQ+ singers, which I hadn't experienced before, with a very diverse repertoire, all learned off page. I wanted to sing in my local area with my people and my wife and be authentic." "Our summer concert is sixty voices saying we are here and we are proud, and we would very much like you in the pews at St George's Church on 11th July to hear us; tickets at [zeffy.com](https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/ticketing/stronger-together-summer-concert--2026?ref=scenemag.co.uk)." **Who we are** *"I tried to squeeze myself into boxes that never felt quite right. That journey of self-discovery has shaped the way I approach my role as chair."* Ask the members of Rainbow Chorus to describe themselves and the answers resist easy summary. They are a bisexual soprano and spiritual being who describes herself as a "disco mirror ball, reflecting different things to different people." A middle-aged gay man who has mainly straight friends and lives in a small East Sussex town. A transfeminine non-binary person who does not want to be pigeonholed into a vocal range any more than a gender box. A lesbian who, upon reflection, also identifies as pansexual and queer and "not really interested at this stage of my journey in trying to define myself with any label." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Ashley-chair.png) **Ashley**, who chairs Rainbow Chorus and uses they/them and she/her pronouns, describes their identity as something discovered over time: "For much of my life, I tried to squeeze myself into boxes that never felt quite right. That journey of self-discovery has shaped the way I approach my role as chair, allowing me to foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable just being themselves. To me, it's not simply about being accepted; it's about being genuinely welcomed, celebrated, and embraced for who you are." That breadth runs through the whole choir. Georgia values that "there is no requirement to be led by a label if that doesn't feel right. I love being part of a choir that celebrates our differences and the nuances of our varied identities, while still uniting us in our shared experiences as queer people." Chris finds a parallel freedom in the music itself: "RC+ is a mixed gender choir, and I don't feel like I'm pigeonholed to sing in a certain range, so it gives me ample space to sing in a vocal range which feels comfortable for me." For Bob, the choir offers reconnection to a community he had drifted from: "I used to enjoy the gay scene when I was younger, so it is great to be able to reconnect to the LGBTQ and queer community now that I'm not so bothered about going out clubbing." **The sound itself** "It's a great feeling to sing with others," says Chris. "The big advantage of a choir is the voices all blend together, so it kind of takes the spotlight off you." Bob reaches for something more expansive: "The joy and pleasure one gets from singing as part of a big group cannot be overstated. You can feel the sense of accomplishment radiating from the choir, and Aneesa's smile is a reward in itself." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Chris-RC-1.png) Debs finds a quality that is harder to manufacture: "Sometimes in performance, or just before in rehearsal when it is coming together and we get it right, the dynamics come together, the tuning, we can actually feel it. A flag is raised and you realise what you are really singing for and about. That is when the singing transcends the ordinary." She speaks with equal feeling about performing alongside the sign language interpreters: "Their contribution to our concerts is huge, and sometimes they absolutely make the songs come to life. They are so talented and help us connect with our deaf audience, which I have never been able to do before. I consider this a privilege." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Bob-one.png) For Brian and Steven it has taken real work. "There has been a lot of music to learn. Only through illness have we missed one choir rehearsal. We have tried to rehearse, on our own, at least three times a week." Brian is still working on his own instinct to sing out; Steven, he notes with quiet pride, "is able to blend in with the choir well." Georgia captures what it feels like when the hard work pays off: "It is such a great feeling when we all come together in our sections, get it right, and produce an awesome sound. It is especially powerful when we sing one of our more political pieces and tell the world what we are really about." Ashley, in the soprano 2 section once the chair hat comes off, agrees: "Hearing the beautiful sound we create together never fails to send shivers down my spine." "Come to St George's Church, Kemptown on 11th July and let us show you what it sounds like when a community refuses to be quiet: Stronger Together, and we mean it; grab your ticket at [zeffy.com](https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/ticketing/stronger-together-summer-concert--2026?ref=scenemag.co.uk)." **The view from the piano** **Adrian** arrived as the choir's accompanist after an interview that included playing for a rehearsal. Still, nothing quite prepares you. "A lot of members turned up, so there were at least sixty people in the room and everyone was catching up, fresh from their summer holidays. It felt both exciting and overwhelming and I remember nervously thinking: I hardly know anyone!" ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Adrian-1-.png) Nearly a year in, his read on the room has deepened. "Playing for singers is a unique skill. I'm always listening carefully to what's happening in the choir and responding, aiming to provide a supportive cushion of sound while keeping the music fresh and organic. There are certain songs that you can feel really resonate with members, and it can feel very emotional and bonding at times." Coming into a specifically LGBTQ+ space has come to feel like more than a job. "It feels a joy and a privilege to be invited into this unique space. Even though it's my job, it feels more than that really. I'm doing important work in our community and playing a more active role at a time when we need to maintain a strong presence." **Finding your people** *"When I first arrived in Greenwich Village in New York, I felt at home. I have a similar feeling being in the Rainbow Chorus."* Brighton is a city that sells itself on welcome, but welcome and belonging are different things. Georgia, who moved here during lockdown, found that singing at community events with a choir so embedded in the city "really helped me feel like I am part of Brighton in a way I did not anticipate." For Chris, who struggles with social anxiety, each rehearsal has been a small act of accumulation: "With each rehearsal I go to I feel more and more comfortable. When I first joined, there was loads of checking in from other members of RC+, so I felt very welcome." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Debs-RC-1.png) Brian's summary of what the choir has come to mean lands quietly and hard: "When I first arrived in Greenwich Village in New York, I felt at home. I have a similar feeling being in the Rainbow Chorus." Debs reaches for one of the choir's own songs: "Where do I belong? That is how one of our favourite songs, 'Chosen Family', starts, and I have had the honour of saying those words myself in performance. For some of the older members of the community who have experienced times of closeting and state-sanctioned homophobia, having a space to celebrate your whole authentic self is an amazing thing." Bob, who grew up without many of those same struggles: "I have really appreciated finding out more about these and singing loudly and proudly to try our best to help people through them." **Holding the space** Ashley chairs Rainbow Chorus with a fundamental understanding of what is at stake when a new member walks through the door, because they remember being that person. "I vividly recall the first time I walked through that door, feeling overwhelmed by nerves and doubting whether I truly belonged. Instead, I was welcomed with warmth, patience, and a genuine sense of joy. That experience left a lasting impression, and it's exactly how I hope everyone feels when they join us." The choir extends well beyond rehearsals: camping trips, walking groups, dinners, pub nights, theatre outings. The Rainbow Chorus has just returned from the international LGBTQ+ Choir convention [Various Voices ](https://various-voices.be/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)and are looking foreword to attending [Hand in Hand](https://handinhandfestival.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) in 2027, the UK & Ireland's Queer Choir festival. "It's so much more than just a choir; it's a vibrant community. Everyone belongs, and genuine care and encouragement are always present. While I wish I could say we always get it right, claiming perfection would mean we've stopped learning and growing." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-02-at-11.14.06-AM.jpeg) Image Credit Chris Jepson **Louder than you think** There is a political dimension to all of this, held lightly by most, but present. Performing at IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, crystallised something for Brian: "My political sense was fully engaged and I realised the choir was more important than just singing together as another gay choir. We were not just doing it because it was good for us as individuals, but we were doing it for a wider community." Debs is characteristically direct: "There has and always will be something political about a queer choir. A queer anything. NOW, right now, being part of the LGBTQ+ family is a defiance, against the odds. The choir is a safe space. It is a political beacon, it says: you know what, we are here and we are queer. And together we have strength, solidarity, brother and sisterhood." Georgia echoes her: "Our communities have a history of resistance. It is part of our heritage. Singing in RC is a political act because we are visible, loud, and very proud of who we are." Adrian, from the piano stool: "The real magic happens when we get in front of an audience and everyone comes together as one unified group. That feels great." **Just come** Chris: "Give RC+ a go. No matter what your skill level, the experience feels very communal and everyone around you will help you put your best foot forward." Bob: "It's not for everyone, but it certainly is open to everyone. You never know, you might just love it." Georgia: "Being part of the choir is good fun. We don't take ourselves too seriously, and if you want to meet new people, celebrate our community, and make some noise while doing it, give it a go." And Debs: *"If you have been thinking about joining, just do it. Come along. You will be welcome. We need you as much as you need us. We are stronger together, and families must grow. Come along and be a part of ours. Be chosen."* [Rainbow Chorus](https://rainbowchorus.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) is, on the surface, a group of people who meet to sing. Spend five minutes with any one of them and you realise it is something else entirely. A place where people arrive a little lost and leave, if not transformed, then at least a semitone closer to themselves. Where the music is the point, and also never quite the point. Where belonging is not a grand gesture but someone making space for your voice, and trusting you to use it. Some things, it turns out, are worth singing about. Ashley says: "Everyone is welcome at Stronger Together, our **summer concert at St George's Church, Kemptown on 11th July** — come and be part of something that is so much more than just a night of singing; **tickets from £10** at [zeffy.com](https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/ticketing/stronger-together-summer-concert--2026?ref=scenemag.co.uk)." 0:00 /3:35 1× Rainbow Chorus singing Chosen Family @ Various Voices Queer Choir Brussels 2026 ### Sir Ian McKellen and Roger Allam featured in new image from upcoming film Frank and Percy URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/sir-ian-mckellen-and-roger-allam-featured-in-new-image-from-upcoming-film-frank-and-percy/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T10:56:03.000Z A new image from the forthcoming British comedy-drama ***Frank and Percy*** has been released, offering audiences a fresh look at stars Sir **Ian McKellen** and **Roger Allam** in the lead roles. The film, adapted from the acclaimed West End play of the same name, is co-produced and financed by **John Gore Studios** and **BK Studios**. The newly unveiled image shows McKellen as Percy and Allam as Frank during a scene depicting a Pride celebration. *Frank and Percy* follows two older men who strike up a friendship while walking their dogs on Hampstead Heath. What begins as casual conversation develops into a deeper connection, with the story exploring themes of companionship, love and later-life relationships. McKellen, a six-time Olivier Award winner and Oscar nominee known for roles in *The Lord of the Rings* and *Gods and Monsters*, also serves as an executive producer on the project. He stars alongside three-time Olivier Award winner Roger Allam, whose screen credits include *The Thick of It* and *Les Misérables*. The film boasts an extensive ensemble cast featuring Sir **Stephen Fry, Jessica Gunning, Dame Joanna Lumley, Sir Derek Jacobi, Ncuti Gatwa, Dame Siân Phillips, Rob Brydon, Felicity Kendal, Dame Sheila Hancock, Peter Davison, Gary Wilmot, Nitin Ganatra, Amari Bacchus, Hugh Skinner** and **Wayne Sleep**. Award-winning screenwriter **Martin Sherman**, whose credits include *Bent* and *Mrs Henderson Presents*, has adapted the screenplay, while **Sean Mathias**, known for his work in film and theatre, directs. The film centres on the relationship between Frank and Percy as they navigate friendship, ageing and the possibility of finding romance later in life. Producers have described it as a life-affirming story about connection and second chances. Icon Film Distribution will release *Frank and Percy* in UK cinemas, while Kaleidoscope Film Distribution is handling worldwide sales. ### Trans and non-binary Olympian Nikki Hiltz criticises US Supreme Court ruling on trans athletes URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-and-non-binary-olympian-nikki-hiltz-criticises-us-supreme-court-ruling-on-trans-athletes/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T09:58:03.000Z Trans and non-binary Olympic runner **Nikki Hiltz** has spoken of their disappointment after the **US Supreme Court** upheld state laws restricting trans athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s school sports. The landmark 6-3 ruling backed laws in **West Virginia** and **Idaho** that require student athletes to compete according to their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity. The decision is expected to have implications for transgender participation in school sports across much of the United States. Hiltz, who identifies as trans and non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, said they were “not surprised” by the decision but remained disappointed by the outcome. Speaking after winning the mile race at the **Prefontaine Classic** in Eugene, Oregon, Hiltz said they hoped to challenge negative perceptions of transgender people in sport. “For me, I want to show that trans people can be in sport, be affirmed in their gender,” Hiltz told *The Athletic*. “We’re not these big, scary things.” The Olympian also described it as a “really weird time” for many communities in the United States, particularly transgender people, amid growing political and legal debates over participation in sport. Hiltz has become one of the most prominent LGBTQ+ athletes in American athletics. They represented the United States in the women’s 1,500 metres at the **Paris Olympics** and have frequently spoken publicly about gender identity and inclusion in sport. Hiltz has previously described their gender as fluid and said their experience does not fit neatly within traditional gender categories. The Supreme Court's majority opinion, written by Justice **Brett Kavanaugh**, found that states can maintain female-only sports categories based on biological sex under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause. Supporters of the ruling argue it protects fairness and opportunities in women’s sport. However, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have criticised the decision, arguing it could further marginalise transgender young people and limit their access to school activities. Hiltz's comments echo concerns among campaigners that transgender athletes have become a focal point in wider political debates about gender identity and inclusion. ### Safe online spaces for LGBTQ+ young people ‘more important than ever’ ahead of social media ban, charity warns URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/safe-online-spaces-for-lgbtq-young-people-more-important-than-ever-ahead-of-social-media-ban-charity-warns/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T09:29:23.000Z A youth charity has warned the social media ban for under 16s could leave LGBTQ+ young people feeling cut off from communities and much-needed lifelines. **The Proud Trust** that offers support services and safe spaces to LGBTQ+ young people nationally, says the ban could lead to widespread loneliness. **Liam Swanston**, director of development and partnerships at The Proud Trust, says young people supported by the charity have expressed fears they will be left isolated by the ban. “For our young people, especially those that are rurally isolated or have disabilities that make accessing spaces in person more difficult, not having access to social media is quite a stark, scary, isolating thought. They feel that online spaces where they’ve created a community and feel safe, are being taken away from them,” he says. Ahead of the social media ban being enforced The Proud Trust has created a digital youth group to provide LGBTQ+ young people with a safe, accessible online space when in-person support isn’t possible. **The Queer & Far** digital youth group bridges the gap between one-to-one online support and physical groups and could soon serve as the only LGBTQ+ community some young people can access. Liam says digital youth groups, like Queer & Far, offer a crucial sense of belonging and support to young people who are facing politically and socially challenging times amid rising anti LGBTQ+ rhetoric. “It’s more important than ever that these types of spaces exist that are safe for young people to access. They are particularly vital for those in rural areas, those not out at home, disabled young people, and anyone who feels safer online. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/The-Proud-Place.jpg) “A lot of young people worry about finding connection, especially when they don’t feel able to be their authentic selves in school when there is the risk of bullying and harassment,” he says. The Proud Trust is currently experiencing a surge in demand for its services. Last year the charity saw an 171% increase in referrals after the **UK Supreme Court** unanimously ruled that the terms "sex", "man", and "woman" in the **Equality Act** 2010 refer strictly to biological sex. The Proud Place, the charity’s LGBTQ+ centre for organisations in Manchester, meanwhile welcomed close to 10,000 people through its doors. In a bid to meet demand and ensure it can continue to support young people both on and offline The Proud Trust has launched a fundraising initiative called **Pride 365**. The campaign stresses that LGBTQ+ support, safe spaces, and advocacy are vital every single day of the year, not just during Pride Month. “Young people need support 365 days a year which is why our community and services are available all year round. Pride’s really lovely to shine a spotlight on the types of work we do as an LGBTQ+ organisation but actually this work happens the other 11 months of the year when it’s not Pride too,” Liam says. The Proud Trust is aiming to raise £36,500 through the campaign, which equates to £100 pounds a day for LGBTQ+ support over 365 days. In addition to accepting donations, the charity has signed up to the [easyfundraising](https://74n5c4m7.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fwww.easyfundraising.org.uk%2Fcauses%2Ftheproudtrust%2F/1/0102019f363b21e0-04ac21c4-383b-4421-affe-4e99c8944d12-000000/aOvsQLRJRTPM%5FnVzST18-fZmLrE=473?ref=scenemag.co.uk) website and app. When supporters sign up to easyfundraising and choose the Proud Trust as the cause they want to raise for, the retailers they shop with via the easyfundraising website or app will automatically donate a percentage of their purchase to the charity, without adding any extra expense to their bill. 💡 Support The Proud Trust with every online shop [here.](https://74n5c4m7.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fwww.easyfundraising.org.uk%2Fcauses%2Ftheproudtrust%2F/2/0102019f363b21e0-04ac21c4-383b-4421-affe-4e99c8944d12-000000/aBhOrX1xx-d5-gv2hsIDF3vxSsU=473?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Find out more about the Proud Trust’s youth groups [here](https://74n5c4m7.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fwww.theproudtrust.org%2Fyoung-people%2Fyouth-groups%2F/1/0102019f363b21e0-04ac21c4-383b-4421-affe-4e99c8944d12-000000/yMEl8GRRKV0QXdSTVB-aDMM1csQ=473?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ### Government announces £22million for Brighton seafront URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/government-announces-22million-for-brighton-seafront/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T09:07:48.000Z The UK Government has announced £22 million in funding to help replace ageing Victorian arches supporting **King’s Road** on Brighton seafront. The investment, confirmed on Sunday, 5 July is intended to secure the future of the busy coastal route, which runs above a series of arches that **Brighton & Hove City Council** says are in need of significant repair and replacement. The council has warned that without intervention the structures could deteriorate further, posing risks to the road, pavement and cycle lane above. King’s Road is one of Brighton’s main transport routes, carrying around 22,000 vehicles and almost 1,500 cyclists each day. It also provides access to tourist attractions including **Brighton Palace Pier**, **Brighton Beach** and the **i360**. The funding will be used to replace dozens of arches and create refurbished commercial units along the seafront. The Government said the project would help support local businesses and improve public spaces in the area. Roads and Buses Minister **Simon Lightwood** said the scheme would help secure the future of the seafront while supporting economic growth. “Brighton is home to a whole host of attractions, from its iconic beach and legendary pier to the fantastic local businesses dotted across the nearby lanes,” he said. “This funding will mean that everyone can continue to enjoy all of these for the next 120 years by revamping the Victorian arches that dozens of businesses along the seafront call home.” The project will be delivered in two phases. Work between the **Brighton Bandstand** and the i360 is expected to be completed by 2027, while a second phase west of **Shelter Hall** is scheduled to finish by 2029. The £22 million Government contribution will be supplemented by £3.9 million from Brighton & Hove City Council. Councillor **Trevor Muten**, the council’s cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said the funding was vital to the long-term future of the route. “This funding means we can strengthen the Victorian-era arches so they can support the road, pavement and cycle lane on one of the city’s busiest routes for another 100 years,” he said. “But we’ll also be able to create a better home for local businesses in this vibrant space on the seafront and, working with local communities, look at options for a new and improved King’s Road paddling pool area.” The announcement comes alongside separate Government funding of more than £26 million over the next four years for road maintenance and pothole repairs across Brighton & Hove. ### INTERVIEW: Brighton-based artist and illustrator Yoad Shiran on books, baking, Pride and his iconic DEN Loungewear collaboration URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/interview-brighton-based-artist-and-illustrator-yoad-shiran-on-books-baking-pride-and-his-iconic-den-loungewear-collaboration/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T11:58:06.000Z Ladies and gentleman, theys and thems, welcome to the **Brighton & Hove** residents' community corner series celebrating our city’s bold drag artists, boundary breaking performers and a new category unlocked for 2026: Brighton & Hove based queer/LGBTQ+ owned businesses. In 2025 I decided that I wanted to create a series that goes beyond the glam with our legendary, local queer performers (and now queer owned businesses too) so we can all get to know them more because like **Lady Gaga** said on *ARTPOP*, "Do you wanna see the girl who lives behind the aura?" so erm, why not?! If you’re looking to put your hard earned money where your queer mouth is then I think supporting queer/LGBTQ+ owned businesses is a statement of solidarity. These businesses often operate at the intersection of creativity, resilience and community, bringing fresh perspectives while navigating unique challenges. Their success strengthens our community economically and helps pave the way for future queer entrepreneurs. This week though, we’re joined by freelance professional illustrator, **YOAD SHIRAN**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/1000064358-1.jpg) 📸 [Yoad Shiran / Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/yoadshiran?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Yoad Shiran is a freelance professional illustrator based in Brighton, whose main interest combines concept, narrative and publishing illustrations. Inspired by the theatre culture and nature, he enjoys working in a free hand digital environment and occasionally in traditional media such as acrylic and coloured pencils. Although most of his work is in children's publishing, he also works with individuals and gives artistic consultations, commissioned private illustrations and more. ​ If this is your first time stumbling across my centrestage series and you want to catch up on previous interviews, don't panic hun! Catch up [HERE](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/tag/centrestage/) and subscribe [HERE](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/scene-plus/#/portal/signup) to see who else I'll be yapping with but right now, it's all eyes on Yoad so let's dive in....head first! DALEYPOP: First things first, how's your day been so far? For our readers meeting you for the first time, can you tell us a little about yourself, how you became an illustrator and describe your work in just three words? YOAD SHIRAN: My day so far has been great! It's **Madonna**'s album release day, so I wish joyous festivities to those who celebrate. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/1000064333.gif) DALEYPOP: Waittttt what's your favourite track on *Confessions II*?! YOAD SHIRAN: To be honest, and sorry if I'm offending anyone, I'm not practicing or observing Madonna. I'm more into musicals....but I respect all religions and beliefs. DALEYPOP: Oh I see how it is....anyway please continue telling us about yourself, how you became an illustrator and describe your work in just three words? (I had to ask about Madonna after you mentioned her soz). YOAD SHIRAN: No worries! I'm a 38 year old gay artist and I have lived in beautiful Brighton for the past 6 years now, working as a full time illustrator for an educational British publication, in their children's books division. I've been drawing since I was two years old and doing it professionally for the last 15 years, realising this is what makes me happy. I'd describe my work as fulfilling, weird and rewarding. DALEYPOP: Wow you've been working as a professional illustrator for quite some time now then. Was there a specific moment when you realised that this is what you want to do for a living and what did you do before? YOAD SHIRAN: That’s right, 15 years and counting! I knew I wanted to do art for a living since I was a teenager. My school grades were okay and I majored in biotechnology but I haven't felt conventional enough to study anything further to discover my thing, or passion. I already had that, I just thought it was a hobby. Over the years I've been a lot. I was a clerk at a pet shop, reservation agent in a hotel, PA in a music label….all these jobs that reflected my qualities but not as just who I am. I think that every time I decided to quit a job I was an underlayer of “cuz that's not what I want to be doing”. > I always wished I'd be that person who does art for a living. I got to Brighton and a few months afterwards I got accepted to my dream job, doing children's books. DALEYPOP: Was there a book, artist or childhood obsession that first sparked your love of drawing and storytelling? YOAD SHIRAN: Oh gosh, a lot! I love animals, especially birds and marine life, and drew them endlessly. I watch **National Geographic** and read encyclopedias and drew the wildlife I saw there. That was me at 5\. Then I discovered witches and fantasy realms shortly after, which is where my inspiration from till this day. There's plenty of children's books I read as a kid, more than 50 times and the illustrations stuck with me since. That's the power of a good book. DALEYPOP: Are there any children's books you've illustrated that hold a special place in your heart? YOAD SHIRAN: There's few of them, all have their own place. The first one that I've done, which looks horrible to me now. The first one I did with a UK publisher, which is also….yeah....I say horrible because I judge myself harshly, they are the loveliest read you'll have and are really cute but I love seeing how far I've gotten since. And of course the ones I'm doing now. I'm grateful to have a book to wake up to and to work on. DALEYPOP: As an illustrator for a UK educational publisher with worldwide distribution, what does a typical day in your studio look like? YOAD SHIRAN: I work from my modest house. I wake up, shower, make myself coffee and sit by my computer. The company is in **Sheffield**, never been there and only met a few people in real life. By now I have a few books I illustrate simultaneously so I get to be in charge of my schedule with my supervisor's guidance. Drawing by request is about self discipline, inner peace and determination. I start right away and can go into a work mode for hours. I think that people would be surprised to learn that artists trained their bodies for long hours of sitting for work without breaks, either sitting or standing, not consciously, just by force of habit. > Thank god my husband calls me to remind me to drink, stretch and take a break. I work 9-5, sometimes attend team meetings, but overall sit by my computer with my trusty drawing tablet, put a movie in the background, and be in my own world. DALEYPOP: That doesn't sound too bad at all! What are some of the biggest challenges illustrators face today? YOAD SHIRAN: I think that the market is overflowing with people who up until recently haven't invested themselves enough in the craft, demoting it, and using AI to reach potential markets to get rich easily. If up until 3 years ago you needed me to make you a cute family portrait, you could do it today by yourself. It's our world now, I learned to accept that. > AI gives and it takes away. It's the people who do not have respect for art that offers to make you a book, a new living room picture or whatnot, that throw themselves into pools they otherwise wouldn't have dipped in, nor really care about. DALEYPOP: What do you enjoy most about collaborating independently with authors, including first time writers? YOAD SHIRAN: In my workplace, I work with an experienced team of writers, designers, editors and other illustrators. We know each other and our communication goes beyond talking. Each trusts each other's abilities, it's a family made of colleagues. I love that. Independently, it's the excitement of the first timers that I love and it's the fuel for the project. It's their baby and I'm here to deliver, making sure it's what they dreamt about. I'm not a fan of “pancake children". If I'm illustrating your book, you best believe that book would someday be an astronaut. DALEYPOP: How do you build trust and a creative partnership with writers you've never worked with before? YOAD SHIRAN: It's very easy, a stranger picking me out of the crowd, paying me and trusting me to help them with their book....I am immediately thankful for them choosing me. I return the trust right then and there, involving them and showing how fun it is to create art. More than once I need to guide them to express correctly what they envision for their book, making sure they know to word it out and work together. I’ll never let them feel they don’t know better because it’s not about that at all. For me it is being the extension of their arms so I can draw exactly what they want as they don’t have that ability. This form of trust is the easiest because both sides choose one another. DALEYPOP: How do you stay creative during demanding projects or tight deadlines? YOAD SHIRAN: Firstly, I never say yes unless I know for sure it's doable. My publisher hired the most sensitive, hard working people I worked with and they make sure I'll never feel stressed or burnt out. With that, I bring 15+ years of experience in professional art and other work experience and life lessons that taught me to handle pressure in a healthy way. > I don’t look at goals with fear, but as achievements. DALEYPOP: What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators hoping to break into children's publishing too? YOAD SHIRAN: I'm not big enough to give advice, but for me there was no “okay let's do this” moment. I just threw myself into the world, bombarded it with my art and submitted myself to jobs I believed I could do. I made sure people would know I'm an artist and that I love doing what I'm doing. If I could do it, then you certainly can. If you'd knew me that would have mean more! DALEYPOP: When you're not illustrating, you're often in the kitchen right? Do baking and illustration have more in common than people might think? YOAD SHIRAN: I do spend some time there, yes. I think the two are creative outlets for sure, but baking is more scientific than illustration which is more intuitive. DALEYPOP: Have your baking adventures or squirrel watching habits ever inspired your artwork? YOAD SHIRAN: Those actually rarely appear in my work. I'm sure I'll be ready once I get a request to feature a giant 3-tier cake or a squirrel in a book, trust. DALEYPOP: I know your collaboration with Brighton based and queer run **DEN Loungewear** is part of their Pride collection supporting the **Terrence Higgins Trust**, right?! How did it feel to be involved in a project that combined creativity with an important cause? YOAD SHIRAN: It was definitely a highlight. I've admired DEN over the past two years since I discovered them online. **Glenn** (**Gallagher-Scott**) and **Mark** (**Gallagher-Scott**) truly created a brand Brighton should be proud of! I really hope I could collaborate with them again, the process was really fun. Having me as one of the artists they chose to work with is very special to me and for such an important cause. > The Terrence Higgins mission to end new cases by 2030 and to eliminate the stigma surrounding HIV. It’s not just LGBT issue but a human kind one, and that's humbling to help this mission. As always, it’s the LGBT community who’s effectively gathered and taking action. We've created together 3 unique, all man made swim briefs, reflective of our gay, bear and trans communities. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/1000064375.png) Yoad's collab with Den Loungewear for the limited edition PRIDE Swimwear Collection. In support of THT. The clouds motifs appear in all 3 options, and they perfectly symbolise our community. Our community is diverse, ever changing. Clouds are this in between state, they're not just solid, not just liquid, not just gas. And that mirrors how many people in the community might not fit into certain categories. They exist beyond simple labels. Clouds can form in different ways, but together, they create a whole sky. Think about how cool that is! DALEYPOP: I love the way you explained that! Is there a particular piece from the collection that you're especially proud of and is there any stock still available to buy?! YOAD SHIRAN: Let's start with YES, BUT HURRY because these are limited edition! Available on the DEN website [HERE](https://www.denloungewear.com/products/pride-swim-briefs-regular-fit?ref=scenemag.co.uk), those are a charity piece for **THT** and the way your bum and bulge would look in those worth every pound. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZxQbDVDBfr/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Ó S C A R R² (@oscar\_rroman)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZxQbDVDBfr/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) We have the pride flag, bear pride and trans pride currently. All have unique hand drawn cloud illustrations, and recognisable colourations of our flags. The general pride flag is the one I am proud of the most, I think. Personally, as an artist, I don't find the flag appealing, apologies everyone! It's a rainbow pattern and very limiting! It was difficult to create something I would feel it's good enough, especially because many swim briefs have a rainbow pattern and I wanted to have DEN’s to have a saying as well as standing out. I came up with the design by chance when I was at the gym. When it came to my head I stood in the middle of the lockers, dripping sweat in my running tights, scribbling the concept in using my phone before it would disappear in the post run memory loss. > It took us about 12 different designs to reach those final 3, and some were VERY wild and fun! DALEYPOP: How does creating artwork for fashion differ from illustrating a book or creating prints? YOAD SHIRAN: The landscape I think changes, when it's fashion you must think of the medium the art will be used, and make it work so the end result will be usable. When you do art to be printed, you usually create a full scene but when it is a garment you want to convey the idea and emotion in a more subtle way, I find. Less obvious, more suggested. Let's say your concept is romance, when it's a book you can showcase an entire date, you tell a story and develop it across a few spreads. You build the situation. When it's a print, you choose a scene to signify the situation, a kiss or a touch….or more, I'm all for it. But when it's fashion, I personally love the suggestion. Flower patterns, warm colours, symbols like lips or a heart etc. DALEYPOP: Have you created artwork for fashion before?! YOAD SHIRAN: I mean I did manage to do **Speedos** that were influenced by pop culture, like jewelled nude Speedos inspired by underwear **Carrie Bradshaw** wore in **Sex and The City** or pieces inspired by 90’s **Barbie** dolls but that was me basically playing around with glue gun and a bit of sewing. > I love fashion, and I hope to explore that side more in the future. DALEYPOP: What does Pride personally mean to you? YOAD SHIRAN: For me Pride means feeling comfortable with who you are and how you live your life. Simply that. DALEYPOP: Do you think art has a unique ability to start conversations and bring people together around important issues. YOAD SHIRAN: No, not more than other stuff. I think it's a great tool to convey an idea, but you don't necessarily need it to highlight a subject to begin a discussion. People today, I find, are quite opinionated, vocal and aware of challenges and comfortable talking about issues. Art is a great way to participate when you don't have all the right words. DALEYPOP: I know you love baking but do you have a favourite bakery in Brighton and/or Hove?! Asking for a friend....that friend is me. YOAD SHIRAN: [**GAIL's Bakery**](https://www.instagram.com/gailsbakery/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), full stop. Especially the one on **North Road**. My husband and I have a weekly date there each weekend. We love the coffee and the pastries are delicious but the team that works and holds this place together is what makes us feel at home. I think this is something that is so special to Brighton. DALEYPOP: Last question and super important.... Who's your crush of the day?! YOAD SHIRAN: I have soooo many crushes. It's stupid, almost for every occasion! My husband who's my everyday crush. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYuv2OnsG-d/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by YֹׂOָAD SִHIRַAN (@yoadshiran)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYuv2OnsG-d/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) I have my gym crush, I have a guy from abroad crush, I have a **Legends** crush, I have Hove crush (Hi **Jonathan Bailey** sir) I'm really hopeless. Oh and of course the UK's finest, **Henry Cavill**. DALEYPOP: Actually one more, for any aspiring authors reading this and thinking "I need this illustrator for my book!", are you currently available for commissions and how can people get in touch? YOAD SHIRAN: I'll be happy to talk to anyone who's thinking of writing a book or actively looking for an illustrator. I see myself as quite approachable, so let’s talk! Sometimes people just want to buy a print, sometimes they ask for commission, and occasionally we have a chat about books without anything more. That’s what I’m love doing and I'm happy to help anyone who’s appreciating that. People can find me using **Google** (sorry not sorry for all the shirtless pics), my portfolio website [www.yoadshiran.com](https://www.yoadshiran.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) or social media, [@yoadshiranart](https://www.instagram.com/yoadshiranart/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) or say hi in Legends next time you see me. DEN are proud to once again support the amazing work of the Terrence Higgins Trust by donating all profits from the limited edition PRIDE Swimwear Collection. Shop [HERE](https://www.denloungewear.com/products/pride-swim-briefs-regular-fit?srsltid=AfmBOorurPRRo9qURFg4oW1Dt7nu09Kgiv7a9kbHg-T%5FnVhmwX3fEcFz&ref=scenemag.co.uk). If you’re a local queer performer or a Brighton & Hove based queer/LGBTQ+ business owner or a Brighton/Hove based artist and would love to be featured in this community corner series, follow and DM me on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/itsdalemelitabitch?ref=scenemag.co.uk) or email [****dale@scenemag.co.uk**](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/interview-lady-red-velvet-god-save-the-queen-brighton-fringe-2026/) ### Lord Guy Black announced as new Chair of Terrence Higgins Trust for ‘final push’ to end new HIV cases in the UK by 2030 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/lord-guy-black-announced-as-new-chair-of-terrence-higgins-trust-for-final-push-to-end-new-hiv-cases-in-the-uk-by-2030/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T08:49:30.000Z **Lord Guy Black of Brentwood** has been announced as the new Chair of HIV charity **Terrence Higgins Trust**. The announcement was made ahead of **Pride in London** and on the 44th anniversary of **Terry Higgins**’ death, when the 37-year-old Welshman became the first named person to die of an AIDS-related illness – marking the start of the UK’s response to HIV. Lord Black, the first openly gay Conservative peer, will start his three-year term as Chair at the charity’s annual general meeting (AGM) in December and joins the Board as trustee this month. He will take over from current chair **Jonathan McShane**, who joined the Board in 2016. Lord Black’s three-year term runs to December 2029, right at the point of success or failure for the government’s commitment to ending new HIV cases in the UK by 2030\. He entered a civil partnership with his long-term partner **Mark Bolland**, which was later converted into marriage following Lord Black’s support for the historic legislation allowing same sex couples to marry. He won Peer of the Year at the **2016 Pink News Awards** in recognition of his contribution to LGBTQ+ issues in Parliament. Lord Black has been a long-standing supporter and Patron of Terrence Higgins Trust. He served on the **HIV Prevention England Steering Committee** from 2018 to 2021, where he advised on the delivery of national campaigns such as **National HIV Testing Week**. Appointed to the House of Lords in 2010, Lord Black has been a member of the **All Party Parliamentary Group** on HIV/AIDS. Lord Black has consistently made the case for increased investment in HIV testing and prevention, and for improved support for people living with HIV, including playing a key role in advocating for the expansion of opt-out HIV testing to more hospitals across England. **Lord Black of Brentwood**, said on this appointment: “Terrence Higgins Trust is much loved by the LGBTQ+ community and those who have had skin in the game since Terry Higgins’ death more than 40 years ago. It has changed the epidemic for the better: running innovative testing campaigns, providing first-class services for people living with HIV and changing government policy, laws, hearts and minds on the issue. “I am deeply proud to have been associated with Terrence Higgins Trust for so many years and always admired its incredible work. To be appointed on the anniversary of Terry Higgins’ passing is deeply poignant for me. I am reminded of the history, the remarkable people who founded, created and sustained the charity and all we have to do to end new HIV cases and I pay huge tribute to everyone who has been a part of that journey. "Imagine how it will feel to be the first country to end new HIV cases, without even a vaccine or a cure.“While so much has changed, the stigma experienced by people living with HIV has not. I will work to change that and be a champion for all those whose lives are affected by HIV. Due to the stigma, so much of what Terrence Higgins Trust does is done in private – over the phone, in a counselling room or peer support setting. "That wonderful work needs to be better known and I will do all I can to get the message out there that this incredible organisation is changing lives day-in, day-out.” **Jonathan McShane**, outgoing Chair of Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “I can think of no one better to hand the baton onto than Lord Black at this crucial point in the fight against HIV. Guy brings with him a wealth of experience in media and communications, as well as a political nous and a deep understanding of the inequalities which exacerbate the UK’s HIV epidemic. “I have no doubt that Guy – with support from the talented Board of Trustees – is the right person to ensure Terrence Higgins Trust remains properly placed to see the UK become the first country in the world to end new HIV cases by 2030\. We want to create a society where no one is held back by HIV or by people’s attitudes towards it. We cannot do this without the huge generosity of people giving their time and expertise to our cause, and donating to ensure we can continue our life-changing work.” ### The Saturday Scene: When a pride flag becomes a target URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-when-a-pride-flag-becomes-a-target/ Last updated: 2026-07-04T07:38:07.000Z #### We're already on our way to Pride in London. July marks the start of the UK's bigger Pride season, and Scene will be riding the [Stonewall Inn float](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/a-piece-of-stonewall-history-is-coming-to-london-pride-next-weekend/), making its London premiere this year. ### Marching against a backdrop of declining visibility Reform UK councils across the country are actively working to reduce[ LGBTQ+ visibility](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/essex-libraries-banned-from-promoting-lgbtq-and-pride-events-under-new-reform-uk-leadership/), in places like libraries and through the removal of Pride flags from town halls. This is exactly what campaign groups predicted years ago. The anti-rights movement tested the water with attacks on Trans+ rights. Having found considerable success there, it has now moved on to wider LGBTQ+ rights. A flag is never just fabric. When a council takes down a Pride flag and calls it neutrality, that is not neutral at all. It is a choice about who gets to stand at the centre of a community and who gets pushed to its edges. Neutrality only looks neutral to those who were never asked to disappear. Pride events in 2026 carry a heightened, particular responsibility: to make sure allies and the wider public understand exactly what's happening here. This isn't about politics, though LGBTQ+ identities are inherently political, not because we chose that, but because society made them so. This is about human rights. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Keighley Cougars owners reverse decision to quit over homophobic abuse URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/keighley-cougars-owners-reverse-decision-to-quit-over-homophobic-abuse/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T12:35:00.000Z The owners of **Keighley Cougars** have reversed their decision to step down from the club after receiving an overwhelming show of support from fans following reports of homophobic abuse. Married couple **Kaue Garcia** and **Ryan O'Neill** announced last month that they intended to leave the **Betfred Championship** club after seven years at the helm, citing the impact that “constant personal attacks” had had on their mental health. The pair, who have become well known for championing LGBTQ+ inclusion within rugby league, said they had now changed their minds after what they described as an “extraordinary outpouring of support” from supporters and the wider community. In a statement, Garcia and O'Neill said: “Together, we're going to build something that Keighley can be proud of.” Since taking over the West Yorkshire club, the couple have introduced a number of initiatives aimed at making rugby league more inclusive. These include an annual Pride match and the sport's first Pride Terrace, designed to provide a space where supporters can enjoy matches free from prejudice. Rainbow flags also fly year-round above Cougar Park as a visible symbol of the club's commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/734023056_1520047520133296_221304432699170132_n.jpg) The strength of feeling among supporters was evident during Keighley's home match against Swinton on Sunday, where fans turned out in force to back Garcia and O'Neill. Speaking after the game, O'Neill admitted the pair had “wobbled a lot” over their original decision as messages of support continued to pour in. The club had already entered discussions with a prospective buyer before deciding to remain in charge. Reflecting on the decision, O'Neill said: “What we hadn't realised was that we have an army of kindness within our club. “In today's world, negativity often shouts the loudest. It can sometimes make you believe hate has won. What we've learned over the last week is that loyalty and decency are far stronger – they're just sometimes quieter until they need to be heard.” Garcia said the response from supporters had reinforced their determination to continue the work they had started at the club. “The incredible support has given us renewed energy and belief to continue building that vision,” he said. He added that fans had reminded the couple they could not “let hate win”. ### Greens call for action over ‘outrageous’ trans healthcare waiting times in Scotland URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/greens-call-for-action-over-outrageous-trans-healthcare-waiting-times-in-scotland/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T11:22:33.000Z The **Scottish Greens** have called on ministers to take urgent action to tackle what they describe as “outrageous” waiting times for trans people seeking NHS healthcare. Scottish Greens Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health **Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill** MSP has written to First Minister **John Swinney** and Health Secretary **Neil Gray**, warning that the current system is failing thousands of trans and non-binary people across Scotland. In her letter, Kinross-O’Neill cites data from **Public Health Scotland** and analysis by **Scottish Trans** which suggests people joining some gender identity clinic waiting lists today could face waits of between 160 and 660 years if current appointment rates remain unchanged. According to the figures, more than 4,000 people are currently on waiting lists while some services are offering as few as six to 24 first appointments a year. The Greens MSP said the situation meant many people were unlikely ever to receive the care they need. “Our NHS should work for all of us, but these waiting times are outrageous,” she said. “It is heartbreaking that so many trans people are being left waiting years for the healthcare they need, with many facing the prospect of never reaching the front of the queue. “For others, if they do ever get an appointment, it is often a long way from where they live and with little access to local support in the meantime.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Kayleigh-ONeill-profile.jpg.webp) ****Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill** Kinross-O’Neill said the issue came at a time when many LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans people, felt increasingly under pressure. “The last few years have been incredibly difficult for LGBTQ+ people,” she said. “Trans people in particular have seen their rights rolled back while cynical and reactionary politicians have sought to scapegoat, demonise and ridicule them for who they are. “The Scottish Government must act to cut these unacceptable waiting times and ensure everyone can access the healthcare they are entitled to.” In her letter, the MSP said constituents in Edinburgh and the Lothians had raised concerns about the length of waits for gender-affirming healthcare, describing the figures as “heartbreaking”. She argued that Scotland’s current model, which relies on just four gender identity clinics (GICs) to serve the entire country, was no longer fit for purpose. “Scotland’s current system of having just four GICs trying to meet the needs of all trans and non-binary people who need gender-affirming care simply isn’t working,” she wrote. Kinross-O’Neill highlighted particular concerns about Sandyford Gender Identity Clinic in Glasgow, which serves patients from around half of Scotland’s health boards and has some of the longest waiting lists in the country. She called for an “emergency response” from health boards across Scotland and urged ministers to outline how they plan to improve access to trans healthcare. “I would be grateful if you can advise how the Scottish Government is working to improve immediate access to trans healthcare and what assurances you can make to trans and non-binary Scots that this care will be collaborative, accessible, resourced and equal for all,” she wrote. The intervention adds to growing concern from campaigners and LGBTQ+ organisations over delays in accessing gender-affirming healthcare, with long waiting times continuing to be a major issue across Scotland's NHS services. ### Turkey blocks LGBTQ+ cruise from docking over ‘moral standards’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/turkey-blocks-lgbtq-cruise-from-docking-over-moral-standards/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T10:34:43.000Z Turkey has barred an LGBTQ+ cruise carrying thousands of international passengers from docking at its ports, with local authorities reportedly citing “moral standards” and “family values” in the controversial decision. The cruise, organised by US-based **Atlantis Events**, was due to visit the Turkish resort town of **Kuşadası** and later Istanbul as part of its 10-day “Athens to Venice” itinerary, which departs from Greece on 5 July. However, Turkish officials informed organisers that the ship would not be permitted to dock because it had been chartered by groups “known for behaviours incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values”. The vessel, the *Scarlet Lady*, is expected to carry around 1,900 passengers, including more than 1,100 from the United States, alongside travellers from the UK, Canada, Australia and other countries. Following Turkey’s decision, Atlantis Events confirmed that the cruise will now call at Cairo in Egypt and the Greek island of Crete instead. **Rich Campbell**, president and chief executive of Atlantis Events, said he was shocked by the move and claimed it was the first time in the company’s 36-year history that it had been prevented from docking because of the identity of its passengers. “It’s pretty stunning, to be honest. And the reasoning behind it is that it’s a gay group,” Campbell told CNN. “It’s very concerning to me when a country decides they can pick and choose which tourists are allowed in and which are not.” Authorities in Turkey’s Aydın province, where Kuşadası is located, reportedly said there was “absolutely no possibility” of allowing the group to visit for an event of that nature. The decision comes amid continuing concerns from human rights organisations over the treatment of LGBTQ+ people in Turkey. President **Recep Tayyip Erdoğan**’s ruling **AK Party** has adopted increasingly hostile rhetoric towards the LGBTQ+ community in recent years, while Pride marches have been banned in Istanbul since 2015, officially on public safety and security grounds. The incident has sparked criticism from campaigners and tourism advocates, who argue that the move sends a damaging message about inclusivity and international visitors. Atlantis Events describes the voyage as an “epic adventure” around the Mediterranean, offering passengers the opportunity to visit destinations including the Greek islands and Croatia. ### Madonna and Grindr celebrate Confessions II with exclusive London album launch URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/madonna-and-grindr-celebrate-confessions-ii-with-exclusive-london-album-launch/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T10:18:29.000Z **Madonna**’s latest album era reached its climax in London on Thursday night as **Warner Records** and **Grindr** teamed up for an exclusive launch party celebrating the release of *Confessions II*. The event, held ahead of the album’s global release on **3 July**, brought together music industry figures, influencers and members of the LGBTQ+ community for a night dedicated to the Queen of Pop’s long-awaited follow-up to her acclaimed 2005 album *Confessions on a Dance Floor*. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/260703_LONDON_GRINDR_MADONNA_H2I7390.jpg) Guests were treated to signature cocktails created by **Absolut** as the campaign surrounding *Confessions II* came to a close. The partnership between Madonna and Grindr has been described as one of the most ambitious artist-platform collaborations in recent years, with the dating app playing a central role in promoting the record to LGBTQ+ audiences around the world. **George Arison**, CEO of Grindr, said the collaboration reflected a shift in how major artists engage with fans. “The biggest artists no longer build campaigns around mass audiences,” he said. “They build them around the communities that actually move culture. Madonna knows that. That's why she came to Grindr.” The London celebration marks the culmination of a campaign that has seen Madonna embrace direct engagement with LGBTQ+ audiences, a community that has supported her throughout her four-decade career. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/260703_LONDON_GRINDR_MADONNA_H2I7281.jpg) *Confessions II* serves as a sequel to *Confessions on a Dance Floor*, one of the defining dance-pop albums of the 2000s. The new record sees Madonna return to the electronic and club-inspired sound that made tracks such as *Hung Up*, *Sorry* and *Jump* global hits, while incorporating contemporary production and themes of freedom, self-expression and reinvention. The album has been highly anticipated by fans, with Madonna teasing the project through a series of social media posts and promotional partnerships in recent months. Industry observers are expected to closely watch streaming and chart performance following its worldwide release. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/260703_LONDON_GRINDR_MADONNA_H2I7371.jpg) Alongside the album launch, fans can still purchase the exclusive *Confessions II* merchandise capsule and limited-edition Grindr picture disc, both of which were created as part of the campaign. ### Leeds Hunters launch bid to bring LGBTQ+ Rugby World Cup to Yorkshire URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/leeds-hunters-launch-bid-to-bring-lgbtq-rugby-world-cup-to-yorkshire/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T09:59:28.000Z An inclusive rugby club is hoping to bring the **LGBTQ+ Rugby World Cup** to **Leeds** after launching a bid to host the prestigious **Bingham Cup** in 2028. Leeds Hunters have submitted plans to stage the biennial tournament, alongside the **Amanda Mark Cup**, from **24 - 29 July 2028**, with organisers hoping to welcome up to 4,000 players from around the world. Widely regarded as the largest amateur rugby tournament on the planet, the Bingham Cup brings together LGBTQ+ and inclusive rugby teams from across the globe and has become one of the sport’s most celebrated events. Hunters player Nathan Martin described the competition as “a rugby tournament like no other”. “It’s about feeling connected, it’s about being with other people that may be like you, may be different, but you’re welcome,” he said. The tournament was first held in San Francisco in 2002 in memory of **Mark Bingham**, a gay American rugby player who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Amanda Mark Cup, a competition for women’s teams, was added in 2022. Both tournaments are organised by **International Gay Rugby** (IGR) in partnership with the host city club. The Leeds bid has secured backing from Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Leeds Tykes, Leeds City Council and the University of Leeds. For Hunters player Chris Languedoc, hosting the event in Leeds would highlight how far attitudes towards LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport have progressed. “When I was younger, I wasn’t openly gay, and I couldn’t fit in, couldn’t act the same way,” he said. “I was excluded, always picked last. “I didn’t ever think I’d feel like this – being part of a club and an organisation that accepts you for who you are. You can be your authentic self.” The Leeds club faces competition to secure hosting rights, with Dublin, Vancouver, Orlando, Perth and Querétaro also bidding for the event. Leeds City Council leader James Lewis said the tournament would provide a major opportunity to showcase the city on an international stage. “Leeds prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive city and the prospect of hosting this event is tremendously exciting,” he said. “The Bingham Cup is the world’s largest LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby tournament, attracting thousands of players and visitors from across the globe. “It represents not only a major sporting event, but also a significant opportunity to showcase Leeds as an inclusive, welcoming and vibrant city.” International Gay Rugby is expected to announce the successful host city within the next few months. ### ‘It was exhausting’: Mark Foster opens up on decades of lies to hide his sexuality URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/it-was-exhausting-mark-foster-opens-up-on-decades-of-lies-to-hide-his-sexuality/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T09:44:27.000Z British swimming great **Mark Foster** has revealed how he spent decades living a “double life”, spinning a web of lies to conceal his sexuality while competing at the highest level of sport. The five-time Olympian and former **Team GB** flag bearer admits becoming so adept at telling “half-truths and outright lies” that deception became second nature as he tried to keep his personal and professional lives completely separate. Speaking ahead of the release of his memoir *My Double Life*, the 56-year-old says the strain of hiding who he really was became overwhelming. “I lived a double life. I kept my work and home lives completely separate, never the twain would meet,” Foster said. “I got very good at telling half truths and outright lies. It was exhausting. “When society tells you it's not right, whether it be from the playground, the changing room or the TV, I kind of went, ‘OK, whatever I'm feeling, I can’t be that person.’ That little secret became bigger and bigger.” For years, Foster carefully managed his public image while privately coming to terms with his sexuality. He even enlisted the help of a female friend, Catherine, to pose as his girlfriend in public. “Her actual partner didn’t mind, thankfully,” he joked. Despite winning 47 major international titles, claiming six world championships, 11 European crowns and breaking eight world records, Foster feared being outed throughout his glittering career. The former swimmer said he was reluctant to tell teammates he shared rooms with on international trips that he was gay, despite many of them later becoming close friends. “Even when I was the Team GB swimming captain, I’d be on the coach having a chat, but getting ready with a response if anyone asked about my personal life,” he recalled. “It was a tangled web of lies.” Foster only publicly came out in 2017 at the age of 47, having previously shared the truth only with close family and friends. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/Mark_Foster-_October_2008.jpg) Foster at the parade in London to celebrate the achievements of British competitors at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He believes there are still elite sportspeople hiding their sexuality, particularly in football. “In the Premier League there has to be footballers that will be gay,” he said. “There must be stories of some incredibly talented, incredibly gifted footballers who felt they could not be openly gay in that environment because they felt it wasn't going to be a safe place for them.” The Essex-based broadcaster pointed to the experience of Justin Fashanu, the first professional footballer to come out as gay, as evidence of why many athletes remained fearful for so long. “His story really affects me to this day,” Foster said. “He was incredibly brave, but it goes some way to explaining why many gay people, myself included, felt unsafe to come out publicly. “Do I think it's got better? Yes. Do I think it's where it should be? No. It's got a long way to go. People still use hate speech and call it free speech. There is still prejudice and widespread homophobia. It’s bullying.” Foster says he first realised he might be gay after developing a crush on James Bond star Sean Connery as a child, but only fully understood his sexuality when he fell in love with his first boyfriend, Vince, at the age of 21. Telling his mother Sheila was another major hurdle. “When I told my mum I was gay, she said she hoped it was a phase. What would she tell the neighbours?” he recalled. “She then became my biggest supporter.” He also spoke about the impact of growing up during the HIV crisis. “It was frightening to be gay back then. The HIV crisis frightened a lot of people. It became another way of drumming up hatred for gay people.” After retiring following the **2008 Beijing Olympics**, Foster's profile grew even further through television appearances, including a stint on *Strictly Come Dancing*. At the time, journalists frequently speculated about his private life. His long-term partner **Vince Constantine** was forced to pretend he was merely a family friend when reporters called, while rumours also circulated linking Foster romantically with fellow athlete **Colin Jackson**. “If you Google us, it’s on the internet that we were a couple,” Foster said. “But I'm sorry to tell you that’s not true.” Today, Foster says he is happier than ever and living openly with his partner Craig McKay, whom he met in a café five years ago. “He took a chance on me five years ago,” Foster said. “I am the most authentically myself that I have ever been. I don't have to dance around the truth, which is liberating.” The former swimmer has even had the word “TRUTH” tattooed on his wrist as a reminder of the freedom that comes with honesty. “There's that saying, ‘the truth will set you free’. It’s true for me.” Looking back, Foster believes the fear of being seen may even have affected his sporting ambitions. “Four-time Australian Olympic swimming champion **Peter Evans** told me I didn't want to win Olympic gold because I didn't want to be seen. Maybe there's something in it.” But his focus now is firmly on helping others. “I decided to come out to help others and, if sharing my truth helps just one person feel like they can be themselves too, I've done the right thing.” ***My Double Life* by Mark Foster is published by Bloomsbury Sport.** ### Good Law Project sues Ofcom for failing to take action against TalkTV for transphobic misinformation and hate URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/good-law-project-sues-ofcom-for-failing-to-take-action-against-talktv-for-transphobic-misinformation-and-hate/ Last updated: 2026-07-01T13:06:46.000Z **Good Law Project** has launched a legal challenge against **Ofcom** alleging that the broadcasting regulator has failed to take action to stop **TalkTV** from breaking the law with a torrent of misinformation and transphobic hate. The Ofcom Broadcasting Code says that channels must protect the public from “harmful and/or offensive material”, must not misrepresent facts, and, when discussing major issues of “political controversy” and “current public policy”, must broadcast a “wide range of significant views”. However hosts and guests on TalkTV consistently spew misinformation and transphobic hate, without providing a balancing point of view. In July 2025, Good Law Project filed a formal complaint with Ofcom, along with 21,000 members of the public, outlining TalkTV’s clear breaches of the broadcasting code. Despite this, Ofcom failed to take appropriate action to stop TalkTV from breaking the law, only opening an investigation into one out of the eleven incidents subject to complaints. Now, Good Law Project has applied for a judicial review and if accepted, will go to the High Court to make the case that Ofcom’s inaction is not only a dereliction of duty, but that it is irrational and unlawful. **Good Law Project campaigns manager Charlene Pink** said that “Ofcom is giving TalkTV a free pass to blatantly break the law. Instead of keeping hate and misinformation off our airwaves, Ofcom is allowing TalkTV to serve as a megaphone for billionaires to spread toxic lies and amplify dangerous, far-right rhetoric for their own political gain.” ### Reform UK councillor links Pride flag to paedophilia URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/reform-uk-councillor-links-pride-flag-to-paedophilia/ Last updated: 2026-07-01T09:57:07.000Z A Pride flag flown over a **Cambridgeshire** council building has been taken down following a challenge from **Reform UK** councillors - sparking anger after widely criticised comments linking the banner to paedophilia. The Progress Pride flag, which represents LGBTQ+ communities including trans people and people of colour, was removed from **Huntingdonshire District Council**’s headquarters after it emerged planning permission had not been formally secured. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/sophie-popplewell-Sl_tMSimgr4-unsplash.jpg) Unsplash But the row has been driven less by the technical issue than by remarks from **Reform UK** group leader **Ryan Coogan**, who described the flag as “divisive” and went on to suggest it was associated with “paedophile behaviour” - claims that have been widely condemned as baseless and harmful. Council leaders moved swiftly to distance themselves from those comments. Chairman **Stephen Ferguson** said he was “deeply disappointed” the flag had to be taken down, but stressed that the issue was purely procedural. “I want to be absolutely clear that I unequivocally stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community,” he said. “The Progress Pride flag represents inclusion, dignity and support for LGBTQ+ residents across our district.” He added that attempts to link the flag to paedophilia were “offensive, dangerous and wholly unacceptable”, warning against “conspiracy tropes” targeting minority communities. Cllr Coogan has subsequently called for Chairman Ferguson to resign for "flying his divisive flag", and "seriously consider whether he can continue as Chair of Huntingdonshire District Council". ### Pride banners in Calderdale set to stay despite threats from Reform UK URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/pride-banners-in-calderdale-set-to-stay-despite-threats-from-reform-uk/ Last updated: 2026-07-01T09:22:15.000Z Pride banners installed across **Calderdale**, West Yorkshire look set to remain in place despite an initial threat from **Reform UK**, which runs the council, to remove them and pursue legal action. Around 30 banners featuring the Progress Pride flag have appeared in towns across the borough, each including a QR code linking to information on reporting hate crime. The initiative, funded through an £8,000 community crowdfunding campaign, has been welcomed by campaigners as a visible show of support for LGBTQ+ inclusion. Councillor **Sarah Courtney**, who helped lead the fundraising effort, said the banners were legally installed in licensed advertising spaces and reflected strong backing from local residents. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/729657821_1639486818177483_2333187309162788299_n-1.jpg) “These have been put up legally, by the company the council uses for banner advertising, and paid for by the community,” she said. “We wanted to make sure that message of inclusion is visible right across Calderdale - that everyone is welcome here.” The banners are expected to remain in place for up to a year and have been installed in towns including **Elland**, **Brighouse**, **Sowerby Bridge**, **Todmorden** and **Hebden Bridge**. Their appearance follows a recent council decision to reduce the number of occasions on which certain flags, including those linked to LGBTQ+ awareness days, are flown from official buildings - a move that prompted concern among equality campaigners. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/692054292_1596134419179390_1982034635030972177_n-1.jpg) Councillor **Sarah Courtney** Supporters say the banner campaign represents a positive, community‑led response, ensuring Pride remains visible in public spaces regardless of official policy changes. Reform UK initially said it would “move to immediately remove” Pride-related displays and seek to recover costs, but no further action has been confirmed. The council has since stated only that it did not formally approve the banners, stopping short of saying they would be taken down. Courtney acknowledged that some unauthorised flags had been tied to lampposts in parts of the borough, but stressed that the Pride banners themselves were installed properly and within existing rules. “I absolutely support removing anything put up unsafely,” she said. “But these banners are in the proper spaces and have been done the right way.” ### Man accused of killing trans student Juniper Blessing deemed unfit for trial URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/man-accused-of-killing-trans-student-juniper-blessing-deemed-unfit-for-trial/ Last updated: 2026-07-01T09:05:01.000Z A man accused of fatally stabbing a trans university student more than 40 times has been found not competent to stand trial, a US court has ruled. **Christopher Leahy**, 31, is charged with the murder of 19‑year‑old **Juniper Blessing**, a **University of Washington** student, who was found dead in the laundry room of her off‑campus accommodation in Seattle in May. Prosecutors allege that Blessing suffered more than 40 stab wounds in what they have described as a “horrific” attack. At a hearing in **King County Superior Court**, a judge ruled that Leahy is currently unable to understand the legal proceedings or assist in his own defence. “The court finds Mr Leahy is not able to proceed in this matter at this time and orders restoration,” Judge **Joe Campagna** said. Under Washington state law, Leahy will be held in a psychiatric hospital for treatment aimed at restoring his competency. He could remain there for an initial period of up to 90 days before the court reviews whether he is fit to face trial. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/05152026_1_211342.jpg.webp) Juniper Blessing If he is later deemed competent, the criminal proceedings will continue. If not, he may remain under mental health care rather than face a conventional trial. Blessing, a trans woman, was described by her family as a gifted and compassionate young person whose death has devastated those who knew her. The killing has also had a profound impact on LGBTQ+ communities locally and beyond, with some campaigners highlighting the broader risks faced by transgender people and calling for greater safety and protection. However, prosecutors have said there is currently no evidence to suggest that the attack was motivated by hate, adding that the victim may have been targeted at random. Leahy is expected to return to court later this year for a further assessment of his condition. ### Melania Trump endorses restrictions on trans athletes in women’s sport URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/melania-trump-endorses-restrictions-on-trans-athletes-in-womens-sport/ Last updated: 2026-07-01T08:58:59.000Z **Melania Trump** has endorsed restrictions on trans athletes in women’s sport, following a landmark **US Supreme Court** decision that has drawn strong reaction from civil rights groups. In a public statement shared on social media, the First Lady said she “fully supports the LGBTQIA+ community” and called for respect and inclusion, even as she backed measures aimed at limiting transgender participation in girls’ and women’s sports. “America, we can support the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and also protect opportunities for female athletes,” she wrote. “Respect everyone and keep girls’ sports fair. Both ideals are essential.” > “As many of you may know, I fully support the LGBTQIA+ community. But we must also ensure that our female athletes are protected and respected." - MELANIA, #1 NYT Bestseller, (p. 156) > > The U.S. Supreme Court has now legally confirmed this opinion: > “Under Title IX and the Equal… > > — MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) [June 30, 2026](https://x.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/2072032878762897809?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=scenemag.co.uk) Her remarks came hours after the US Supreme Court ruled by a 6–3 majority that individual states may ban trans girls from competing in school sports teams aligned with their gender identity. The decision allows existing restrictions in states including Idaho and West Virginia to remain in place. The ruling has been widely criticised by LGBTQ+ advocates, who warn it could deepen discrimination against trans young people. Campaigners argue that access to sport is a key part of inclusion, wellbeing and equality for LGBTQ+ communities, particularly for students already facing marginalisation. Mrs Trump’s attempt to strike a middle ground reflects the increasingly polarised nature of the debate in the United States. While she framed her position as one of balance, emphasising both inclusion and fairness, critics say policies restricting transgender participation risk undermining broader civil rights protections. The court’s majority opinion, written by Justice **Brett Kavanaugh**, held that schools may determine eligibility for women’s sport based on biological sex, concluding that such policies are compatible with existing federal law. However, opponents of the ruling say it sends a damaging message to trans people, particularly young athletes seeking acceptance and equal opportunities. Civil rights groups have warned that similar measures across more than two dozen states could now be further entrenched. ### #DALEYPOP X JULY 2026 URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/daleypop-x-july-2026/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T12:04:30.000Z Music has been embedded in my life ever since I was in the womb, my mum and dad basically raised me on music, especially POP music! I grew up listening to **Madonna**, **Mariah Carey**, **Kylie Minogue**, **Spice Girls**, **Britney Spears** and even **AQUA** and I’ve always been obsessed with pop culture and **Eurovison**! I love yapping about my favourite songs and album of the month every month with the world from **Scene HQ**! ### Katy Perry - Watch It Burn People seriously need to stop sleeping on my favourite triple Scorpio, **Katy Perry**. *Watch It Burn* is a fiery pop rock anthem (taken from *KP7* hopefully) and sounds like the moment someone finally decides they've had enough and refuses to hold back any longer. It's super catchy too! Built around themes of anger, self worth and emotional release, the track sees KP embracing raw honesty as she confronts past hurt and reclaims her power. The soaring chorus reminds me of some of her biggest empowerment hits but there's a grit and vulnerability here that makes it feel even more personal and refreshing. The official music video is just as compelling. Directed by the ever brilliant **Christian Breslauer**, the visual leans into themes of destruction, transformation and liberation, perfectly mirroring the song's message of leaving the past behind and emerging stronger than ever. There's lots of Easter eggs too as per for us KatyKats....and the KatyRats and SmartyKats. ### Rarito - BATHHOUSE I won’t pretend to know a huge amount about **Rarito** because I've only stumbled across him last week but from what I can tell, he’s an emerging independent artist making a real statement with his latest track, *BATHHOUSE*. Oh and he's got like 39.6K followers on **TikTok**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/1000031336.jpg) 📸 [Ricky Middlesworth](https://www.instagram.com/rickymiddlesworth?ref=scenemag.co.uk) He's undeniably handsome so I can see why but looks aside, *BATHHOUSE* is a bold, pulsing celebration of queer history wrapped in an irresistibly catchy pop sound and honestly it's bloody brilliant. Rarito's vocals are effortlessly smooth, carrying the track's infectious hooks and playful energy with ease while a deeper message flows beneath the surface. Rarito shared on **Instagram** (and TikTok), that *BATHHOUSE* pays tribute to the LGBTQ+ community, the spaces that fostered connection and belonging and the activists who fought for visibility, acceptance and freedom long before those conversations entered the mainstream. Rarito is one to watch I reckon! ### LaRoux - BabyLine **Elly Jackson** better known as **La Roux** is back baby! I had a feeling new music was on the horizon especially with her joining **Hilary Duff** on tour. I was already excited to see Hils but now knowing La Roux will be there too with fresh material in tow, has taken my excitement to a whole new level. If I finally get to hear *Bulletproof*, *In for the Kill* and *I'm Not Your Toy* live ​I may never recover. Just saying. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYCjTJ0MYI7/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by LA ROUX (@larouxroux)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYCjTJ0MYI7/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The second single from upcoming album *Old Flames*, *BabyLine* is a shimmering pop gem driven by Elly's unmistakable vocals and a euphoric chorus. There's a real sense of renewal running through the track, capturing that moment when you leave a difficult chapter behind and start finding your way back to yourself. Elly describes it as a song about "finding your way out of the woods and back to yourself," so yeah, and that optimism absolutely shines through. While previous single *Cabin Fever* was a bop in its own right, *BabyLine* feels lighter and full of hope. ### Rêve - Devour Singer songwriter **Briannah Donolo** aka **Rêve**'s sophomore album, *Delusions of Grandeur* is set to arrive later this year and if *Devour* is any indication, we're in for something special. In fact, a random thought just crossed my mind: **Canada** has officially announced today, on Canada Day, that they're participating in Eurovision, Rêve would totally own that stage. I'm choosing to manifest it now. Back to *Devour* though, *Devour* is already making a strong case for itself as one of the year's most commanding pop releases IMPO. It's Europoppy (honestly super perfect for Eurovision hehehenxnjsma) and erm meaty, and bursting with confidence. It's one of those songs that grabs your attention straight away and refuses to let go. If this is the direction Rêve is heading in, then *Delusions of Grandeur* has every chance of becoming one of the standout pop albums of the year. ### Carly Rae Jepsen - On Wires YAY new **Carly Rae Jepsen** music! *On Wires* is the first taste of her upcoming eighth album, *Day and Night*, a double album by the way! It's a gorgeous return. Blurring the line between friendship and romance and rather than relying on her usual glossy pop formula, the track captures emotional uncertainty with dreamy ease as Carly's vocals float over a lush mix of jazz, pop and rock influences. It's a creative risk that pays off stunningly. The accompanying official music video adds even more depth, exploring the tension between motherhood and career as Carly literally drags a microphone cord through different scenes, symbolising the constant pull between competing roles, ambitions and desires. [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaAyBWfI1Zf/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Matty Hyndman (@yermatty)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaAyBWfI1Zf/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) “The risk was that I would lose everyone I know and love. My vocation, my community - everything was so intertwined,” he said. “So for me to say no was for me to reject the belief of my entire community and walk away. And I did.” He added: “I consider myself one of the lucky ones because I walked away and said, ‘no, actually, I think I know who I am’.” Conversion practices – which aim to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity – can take a range of forms, from counselling sessions to religious rituals. Under the proposed legislation for England and Wales, those found guilty of carrying out abusive conversion practices could face unlimited fines or prison sentences of up to five years. The Government has said a criminal threshold will be set for conduct that causes serious harm, with campaigners highlighting accounts ranging from coercive counselling to physical and sexual abuse in extreme cases. Hyndman said the legislation would be an important step forward for those who have experienced similar pressures. “I think it just sends a really clear signal,” he said. “Anyone who is currently experiencing this, anyone who has, they’re hearing from the highest level that this is wrong and that it should not be happening to you.” ### Mark Carney backs LGBTQ+ rights at Toronto Pride: ‘Love who you want to love’ URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/mark-carney-backs-lgbtq-rights-at-toronto-pride-love-who-you-want-to-love/ Last updated: 2026-06-29T09:46:07.000Z Canada’s Prime Minister **Mark Carney** has voiced support for LGBTQ+ rights as he joined thousands of revellers at Toronto’s annual Pride parade. Carney marched alongside Mayor **Olivia Chow** on **Sunday** (28 June), greeting crowds, posing for photographs and taking part in one of the largest Pride celebrations in North America. Speaking about equality and inclusion, the prime minister said people should be free to “love who you want to love”, echoing earlier remarks in which he described such freedoms as a core part of Canadian values. Toronto’s Pride parade drew large crowds to the city centre, with colourful floats, performers and community groups taking part in the celebrations. Carney’s appearance marked his first time attending the event since taking office last year. He marched with volunteers and supporters, including groups commemorating victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. His comments come amid wider concern about a “backlash” against LGBTQ+ rights in some parts of the world, with the prime minister previously warning that progress made in recent decades cannot be taken for granted. “Canada will always stand up for the vulnerable and the equal rights we cherish,” he said in earlier Pride-related remarks, stressing the need to continue advancing equality. Toronto Pride is one of the biggest annual LGBTQ+ events globally, celebrating diversity and inclusion while also reflecting on the ongoing fight for equal rights. ### Ex-MP, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, ‘visited gay sauna’ while calling homosexuality ‘sinful’, programme alleges URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ex-mp-visited-gay-sauna-while-calling-homosexuality-sinful-programme-alleges/ Last updated: 2026-06-29T08:57:46.000Z A former MP visited a gay sauna in London in the same year he publicly described homosexuality as “sinful”, according to a forthcoming **BBC** documentary. The programme claims that Sir **Jeffrey Donaldson**, the former leader of the **Democratic Unionist Party** (DUP), was seen entering a central London sauna popular with gay men in 2006. Two former senior police officers have said they observed him entering the premises, with one stating he was “100 per cent sure” of the identification, a claim said to be corroborated by a second detective. The allegations are due to be aired in a **BBC Northern Ireland Spotlight** documentary, which examines what it describes as a “double life” involving behaviour at odds with Donaldson’s public stance. At the time, the politician had described homosexuality as “sinful”, a position consistent with his party’s opposition to same-sex marriage. The reports come after Donaldson was convicted of a string of sexual offences, including rape, against two women when they were children. He is currently awaiting sentencing. According to the programme, the alleged sauna visit itself was not illegal, but raised concerns among those who later reflected on the contrast between his private conduct and public statements. Former colleagues and investigators cited in the documentary describe the behaviour as indicative of a “double standard”, while also warning it could have exposed him to potential compromise during his political career. The BBC said it put the allegations to Donaldson ahead of broadcast but did not receive a response. The DUP has not commented directly on the claims contained within the programme, but has previously said it was “shocked” by wider allegations surrounding its former leader. ### Luke Evans lights Empire State Building in Pride colours for New York Pride URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/luke-evans-lights-empire-state-building-in-pride-colours-for-new-york-celebrations/ Last updated: 2026-06-29T08:07:53.000Z Welsh actor **Luke Evans** helped illuminate the **Empire State Building** in a vibrant display of colour on Sunday evening (**28 June**), as **New York City** marked Pride 2026. The building’s iconic tower lights were lit in the colours of the Inclusive Pride Flag, in partnership with the **Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative** and **The Trevor Project**, as part of the city’s annual celebrations. Tony Award-nominated performer Evans took centre stage at a special lighting ceremony, where he flipped the famous switch to bring the display to life. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/Z92_6642_Ww3ubJdP-1.JPG) Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust The lighting forms part of a long-standing tradition at the Manhattan landmark, which has marked LGBTQ+ Pride with coloured lights every year since 1990, when campaigners successfully pushed for recognition of the community. The building continues to change its tower colours throughout the year to highlight major cultural moments, causes and holidays. New York Pride commemorates the Stonewall uprising of 1969, widely regarded as the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and remains one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world. In 2026, the event also coincides with milestones linked to the movement’s historic roots, including anniversaries tied to the preservation and recognition of the **Stonewall Inn**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/_CTC8457--2--1.jpg) The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, the charitable arm of the landmark venue, works to support grassroots LGBTQ+ organisations, while The Trevor Project focuses on providing support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ young people. Following the ceremony, Evans toured the Empire State Building’s Observation Deck Experience before posing for photographs on the 86th floor. He has also been involved in wider Pride programming linked to Stonewall celebrations this year, reflecting his continued visibility as an openly gay performer during a high-profile period in his stage career. ### Life Before Pride: Prejudice, Protests, and Picnics URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/life-before-pride-prejudice-protests-and-picnics-readfy/ Last updated: 2026-06-28T18:58:19.000Z A new Brighton event will explore the city’s LGBTQ+ protest history through rediscovered photography and personal testimony. **Queer Heritage South** is hosting a conversation between photographer A**bigail Dombey** and Brighton DJ and archivist **Kate Wildblood,** reflecting on queer life in the city between 1989 and 1992\. The event centres on the discovery of Dombey’s long-lost 35mm slide film collection, captured when she was an 18-year-old working in a local camera shop. Her images document a pivotal period in Brighton’s LGBTQ+ history, from everyday community life to protests on the streets. Organisers say the discussion will revisit a time marked by “bigotry and fear”, as LGBTQ+ people faced the impact of Section 28, hostile media narratives and the ongoing HIV and AIDS crisis. The free event will highlight grassroots activism during this period, when campaigners mobilised against homophobia and discrimination, helping to shape what would become the modern Pride movement. Attendees will also be invited to take part by sharing memories, photographs and reflections on Brighton’s queer history. A map of the city will be used to spark discussion about places and moments that have helped define local LGBTQ+ heritage. Documenting protest histories and community resistance is vital for preserving LGBTQ+ heritage and understanding the roots of today’s rights, visibility and ongoing struggles for equality. **7:00 pm, Thursday 9th July 2026** **Location:** Ironworks Studios **Tickets:** Free, booking essential [more info or to book the FREE tickets here: ](https://www.ticketsource.com/marlborough-theatre-productions-ltd/life-before-pride-prejudice-protests-and-picnics/2026-07-09/19:00/t-xdazxyn?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/qhs_logo_black_line.png) ### What protections does the Conversion Practices Draft Bill offer the LGBTQ+ community? URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/what-does-the-onversion-practices-draft-bill-actually-say/ Last updated: 2026-06-28T18:17:53.000Z After 8 years of delays and U-turns, the government has finally [published a draft conversion practices bill](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/government-publishes-draft-bill-to-ban-conversion-practices-after-years-of-campaigning/). It has been written in consultation with Galop UK, Ban Conversion Practices Coalition and Stonewall UK, and is a long awaited step towards getting conversion therapy banned in England and Wales. The 2017 Memorandum of Understanding on Conversion Therapy (a joint document signed by over 25 health, counselling and psychotherapy organisations including NHS England and Wales) makes it clear that conversion therapy in relation to gender identity and sexual orientation is unethical, potentially harmful and is not supported by evidence. The UK government has [recognised](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conversion-therapy-an-evidence-assessment-and-qualitative-study/conversion-therapy-an-evidence-assessment-and-qualitative-study?ref=scenemag.co.uk) that "exposure to conversion therapy is statistically associated with poor mental health outcomes including suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts." Conversion therapy is prevalent in the UK with **1 in 5** LGBTQ+ and **2 in 5** trans people having been subjected to it, according to [Galop](https://www.galop.org.uk/news/galops-new-research-shows-nearly-1-in-5-lgbt-people-have-experienced-conversion-practices?ref=scenemag.co.uk). The necessity of this bill is evident. So what does it actually say and does it offer the LGBTQ+ community adequate protections? ### 1\. There is an exception made for 'health care' contexts. The bill states that conversion therapy is any conduct towards an individual with the intention of causing the individual to have or not have (or believe that they have or do not have) a particular sexual orientation or gender identity. However, according to the bill if the conduct "is carried out in the course of providing health care services" then it "is not a conversion practice" unless the practitioner falls “far below” professional standards. This means that unless you can prove gross negligence, conversion therapy is legitimate in 'health care settings'. This is despite the fact that the government's National LGBT Survey found that 28.7% of conversion practices carried out on respondents were by a "healthcare provider or medical professional". The bill defines 'health care services' broadly, such that it covers “people working in all public and private, regulated and non-regulated sectors”. TransActual has raised concerns that this "paves the way for a cottage industry of conversion abusers posing as therapists and healthcare practitioners." The exception legitimises the movement against 'gender affirming care' in law. Gender affirming care is care that starts with recognition that a patient's gender identity is real and with respect for that identity. The care that follows from this basic start point is underlined by the intention of helping the patient to feel happy, healthy and safe in their gender. Gender affirming care does not rule out an individual exploring their gender identity, however it must be patient driven as opposed to being driven by the medical professional. In recent years there has been backlash against gender affirming healthcare in the UK, particularly for under 18s. Some medical professionals working in children's services have said on record that they feel they have been pushed out of the NHS due to their gender affirming approach. The gender affirming medical practice of using puberty blockers has been made illegal, and there has been a ban on new prescriptions and referrals for hormones for under 18s. The alternative to gender affirming care is gender non-affirming care, which does not accept or respect an individual's gender identity. In practice this looks like some kind of 'exploratory therapy', which is another name for conversion therapy and is harmful. The bill legitimises this kind of 'care', with small exceptions for cases where conduct falls “far below” professional standards. The gross negligence caveat fails to provide any protections for trans people, due to the fact that 'professional standards' is vague, and due to the power of the anti-gender-affirming-care movement. This means that 'what would reasonably be expected of a medical professional' in gender care would be highly contestable in court. Jo Maugham KC, founder and director of the Good Law Project, has raised concerns that this bill actually damages transgender people's rights as it will make it more difficult for them to sue healthcare professionals if they receive bad or harmful care, as the bill legalises conversion practices in healthcare settings. ### 2\. There is no 'religious freedom' exception. There is notably no exception made for conduct that takes place as part of religious practice or in a religious setting. Many religious groups have been expressing opposition to the bill, arguing that "it could criminalise ordinary conversations about faith, sexuality and gender" according to Premier Christian News. It will be interesting to see whether this affects the revision process of the bill. ### 3\. Abusive conversion therapy can be liable to up to 5 years imprisonment. The bill defines conversion practices (albeit with a questionable healthcare exception), then goes on to provide the conditions under which a conversion practice is 'abusive' which considers whether it involves sexual aspects, violence, controlling behaviour, and use of economic, psychological or emotional pressure. It then goes on to say that abusive conversion therapy is an offence in England and Wales if it causes serious harm, the penalty for which can be an unlimited fine, up to 5 years imprisonment, or both. Encouraging or assisting abusive conversion practices abroad is equally liable. This is a commendable step forward in terms of filling in some gaps in the law. The government has stated that existing laws that cover domestic violence, coercive control and communications offences do not adequately address the unique nature of abusive conversion practices. Simon Blake, Stonewall CEO, said that "no one should be told they have to change who they are, LGBTQ+ people are not broken or in need of ‘fixing’. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under threat and we’re seeing increased hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community, this draft Bill is crucial in creating a safer and more inclusive future for LGBTQ+ people." The bill also grants the courts the power to issue a 'conversion practice protection order', which can be a broad range of prohibitions, restrictions or requirements to protect an individual from abusive conversion practices. --- The bill will now undergo a process of pre-legislative scrutiny which is expected to last around three months. After, this it will need to go through several stages in House of Commons where MPs can propose and vote on amendments, then to the House of Lords before it can become law. There has been a mixed response from the community, with outrage that the bill includes an exception in medical contexts, meaning that it does not protect transgender people. However, some have argued that the positive aspects of the bill mean that it is important to get it across the line nevertheless. ### Healing Starts Here: Michael C Wearing on mental health and self-acceptance URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/michael-wearing-therapist-life-coach/ Last updated: 2026-06-28T17:45:50.000Z Sometimes the most important conversations don't happen on a stage or in front of a large audience. Sometimes they happen over a coffee, when someone simply asks, "How are you?" and genuinely waits for the answer. That was exactly the feeling when I met therapist, life coach and speaker Michael C Wearing. Like many people, I first came across Michael through Instagram, where short videos about anxiety, confidence, relationships and self-worth have built a loyal and growing audience. There was something different about the way Michael spoke. There were no miracle cures or empty motivational slogans. Instead, there was honesty, warmth and practical advice that felt grounded in real life. Meeting in person only confirmed that first impression. ## **Watch our full interview with Michael C Wearing** 0:00 /8:14 1× A conversation with Michael C Wearing | At Ironworks Studios, Brighton Michael's journey into therapy began long before becoming the person now helping others. Growing up, life wasn't easy. Bullying became a constant part of childhood, simply because Michael was different. *"It was physical, mental,"* Michael tells me. *"My voice was different, my mannerisms."* Long before fully understanding sexuality, there was already a feeling of not fitting in. When Michael eventually realised being gay was part of that difference, years of bullying had already planted a painful belief. "It led me to believe that there was something fundamentally wrong with who I am." Sadly, that sentence will sound familiar to many LGBTQ+ people. So many grow up absorbing messages from classmates, society or even family that convince them they need to change in order to belong. Michael knows exactly how damaging those beliefs can become. Thankfully, they don't have to last forever. At the age of 27, after what Michael describes as "a bit of a breakdown", therapy became more than simply somewhere to talk. This time, something shifted. > "This particular time was different," Michael explains. "I really surrendered and I worked really hard on myself." That willingness to fully engage with the process transformed the way Michael viewed life. > *"I touched a love inside of me that I never knew existed but innately knew had always been there."* It is one of the most memorable moments from our conversation. Rather than describing healing as becoming a different person, Michael speaks about rediscovering the person who had always existed underneath years of fear, shame and self-criticism. That experience completely changed the direction of life. > "It profoundly changed how I saw my past experiences, how I viewed myself, others and the world." Today, Michael helps others navigate similar challenges, describing the work as both a privilege and a responsibility. > "I absolutely love it. It's a real honour and a privilege to hold space for other people." That phrase - *holding space* \- stayed with me. It feels very different from fixing people or giving advice. Instead, it describes creating a safe environment where someone can begin understanding themselves without judgement. Mental health has become a far more open conversation over the last decade, but Michael believes one of the biggest challenges remains unchanged. > "We think we're the only one." Whether someone is experiencing anxiety, depression, burnout, grief or simply feeling overwhelmed, isolation has a way of convincing us that everyone else has life figured out. *"We can feel quite isolated,"* Michael says. *"We can feel like we're on our own."* In reality, Michael reminds me, that is rarely true. > "There will be somebody else... experiencing something similar." As someone who regularly interviews members of the LGBTQ+ community, I couldn't help thinking about Pride. Every summer we celebrate with colour, music, laughter and thousands of smiling faces. It is a wonderful celebration, but social media can sometimes create the illusion that everyone else is thriving while we quietly struggle behind closed doors. I asked Michael what advice would be given to someone who might be watching Pride celebrations while privately battling anxiety or low self-esteem. The answer is refreshingly simple. Talk to somebody you trust. And if talking feels too difficult, start writing. *"If I've got all these thoughts spinning around in my head, then I'm in that loop,"* Michael explains. *"As soon as I start putting them on paper, I can actually start to challenge them."* Journalling isn't presented as a magic solution. Instead, it becomes a practical way of slowing thoughts down and questioning them. > "Is this accurate? Is it true?" Sometimes, Michael explains, simply asking those questions is enough to begin breaking the cycle. As our conversation comes to an end, I ask what message Michael hopes people will leave with after hearing the story. Without hesitation, the answer returns to something wonderfully simple. > "We're all special and unique." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/SnapInsta.to_656006731_18583471543061013_8867425917370478353_n-1.jpg) A moment of reflection, Michael C Wearing It sounds obvious, yet so many people spend years believing they are somehow not enough. Michael's message is a gentle reminder that healing isn't about becoming somebody else. It is about recognising your own value, learning self-compassion and understanding that asking for help is never a sign of weakness. Leaving our interview, I found myself thinking less about therapy and more about kindness. Not just kindness towards others, but towards ourselves. Michael's story is proof that even the beliefs we carry for years can be challenged, rewritten and eventually replaced with acceptance. If you're looking for thoughtful, practical and reassuring content around mental health, confidence and personal growth, Michael's Instagram is well worth following. Regular videos offer bite-sized advice, honest reflections and gentle encouragement that many of us could benefit from hearing. You can find Michael on Instagram at [**@michaelcwearing**](https://www.instagram.com/michaelcwearingtherapy/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), where a simple scroll might just be the reminder you didn't know you needed. ### Tell us what you really think of Scene URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/tell-us-what-you-really-think-of-scene/ Last updated: 2026-06-27T15:00:57.000Z Scene has been part of this community for more than thirty years, and the only way we stay useful to you is by actually listening to you. So we have put together a short, simple survey. We want to know what you come to us for, what we are missing, and how happy you are with us right now, good or bad. ****Take the Scene reader survey** Takes about 90 seconds. Open until 1 August 2026. [Go to Survey ](https://tally.so/r/7Re26z?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Your answers will shape how we plan coverage, what we cover more of (and what we drop), and how we develop **Scene+**. Whether you read every issue cover to cover or have only just found us, we want to hear from you. Not sure what [**Scene+**](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/scene-plus/) is? It is our membership scheme for readers who want to go a little further with us: print copies through the post, and access to The Vault, our archive of features, interviews and investigations. You can find out more, and claim your discount, once you have had your say. ****Take the Scene reader survey** Takes about 90 seconds. Open until 1 August 2026. [Go to Survey ](https://tally.so/r/7Re26z?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Thank you for reading, and for telling us where we should go next. **Leslie Clarke** Publisher, Scene Magazine ### The Saturday Scene: Europe is boiling URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/the-saturday-scene-europe-is-boiling/ Last updated: 2026-06-27T10:55:37.000Z #### This morning, entirely justified in my point of view, I added twice as much ice to my iced latte. It's been the hottest week in decades in the UK, specifically across the South East and East of England, with temperatures soaring well beyond 35C. Our neighbours on the continent were in no better shape. Paris hit 40C, with [alcohol banned](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/26/paris-heatwave-drinking-ban-drinking-alcohol-public?ref=scenemag.co.uk) in public spaces under the city's red alert and cardiac arrests recorded there in a single day, against a normal average of under 10. ## Heat is the new normal. And no, 1976 is not evidence that climate change isn't real. Let's deal with that one properly, because it comes up every single time. This week the Met Office issued a Red Extreme Heat warning on three consecutive days for the first time ever, and broke the UK's June temperature record on three consecutive days too: 36.7C at Merryfield in Somerset on the 25th, beating a record that had stood since 1957, not just 1976\. Wales recorded its hottest June day ever in Cardiff. Both England and Wales also broke their warmest-ever June *nights*, with temperatures barely dipping below 23C, and it's the nights that do the real damage, because a body that never gets to cool down never gets to recover. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/imago860159737.jpg) People cool off near a misting equipment near the Colosseum amid a heatwave in Rome, Italy, June 26, 2026 | Image: IMAGO / Xinhua What 1976 deniers conveniently skip over is frequency, not just the existence of a hot summer. This is already the UK's second major heatwave of the year, after a record-breaking May. Spain has recorded a dozen June heatwaves since it started tracking them in 1975, and half of them have happened since 2015\. You can't really call this an outlier. That is, as far as I'm concerned, a pattern. The Met Office's own chief scientist said this week that human-caused climate change has made events like this more likely and more intense. It's fair to say that the UK, its houses and infrastructure, and the way we live on this island in terms of work patterns, lifestyle and culture, none of it is built for the temperatures we're now living through. Only around 20% of [European homes](https://www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/06/europe-air-conditioning/687711/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) have air conditioning, because the continent was never designed for this. UK rail companies cancelled and slowed services this week because steel rails can buckle once they reach around 46C, a threshold direct sunshine gets you to well before the air temperature even hits 30C. We're not just uncomfortable. We're structurally unprepared. And heat is not an equal opportunity hazard. This week, two people died in water-related incidents in the UK as people sought relief from the temperatures. Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth declared a [critical incident](https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2026-06-24/hospital-declares-critical-incident-as-heat-causes-cooling-systems-to-fail?ref=scenemag.co.uk) after its cooling units failed mid-heatwave. Over a thousand schools across England and Wales closed early or sent pupils home. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### From Bracknell to Brighton: A grassroots view of Pride outside major cities URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/daniharmerxfondacox-q-a-bracknellforestpride2026/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T12:03:07.000Z With summer officially here, **Brighton Pride** on the horizon and **Pride Month** in full swing, I've been reminiscing about my little home town era where growing up gay in the '90s and early 2000s felt taboo, something no one really spoke about. Not that I wanted to talk about being gay all the time but when I look back, there was way less acceptance and representation than there is today. It often felt like this unspoken thing….and yet in just a few decades so much has changed. The **UK** moved away from laws like Section 28 which discouraged even talking about homosexuality, to a society where same-sex marriage is legal and Pride is celebrated openly. My hometown even launched **Bracknell Forest Pride** in 2023, something that still blows my mind. It was described as a “historic” turning point bringing people together in a joyful celebration of inclusion. What once felt hidden is now something proudly shared and that shift feels powerful. It’s not just about changing laws but about how hearts, minds and communities can grow-sounds cheesy but it’s true! > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZC7vuYDlP%5F/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Bracknell Forest Council (@bracknellforest)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZC7vuYDlP%5F/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) When I see comments online like “Where’s straight pride?" or "This is such woke nonsense" it’s hard not to roll my eyes. I never engage but I don’t think these kind of people realise that straight people were never silenced in the way LGBTQ+ people were under Section 28 (thanks to **Margaret Thatcher**). > It still blows my mind that Section 28 was introduced the year I was born in 1988! It kept being gay out of classrooms and conversations as if even acknowledging it was somehow dangerous. At school it basically meant silence. Even when I asked a school friend, **Carla Hughes** (hey koala hehe) if she knew I was gay back then, she said, “You were just Dale to me. I didn’t really think about sexuality” which is lovely to hear actually but it also shows how invisible being queer was. Being gay just wasn’t spoken about. Not in lessons, not in sex education, not even in discussions around the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. It was like queer people just didn't exist. When I started to realise I was gay around 11 or 12, I felt isolated and unsure about my future. I didn’t even know the language for how I was feeling despite “that’s so gay” being thrown around constantly. But what I hold onto now is this: even in that silence, I found my way. Life didn’t stay that small, because things did change. And I’m grateful I was born when I was. I know life would have been even harder 10 or 20 years earlier. Section 28 was only repealed in **England** (and **Wales**) in 2003, the year before I left school! I don't even remember seeing this on the news at the time though not that I watched the news at that age. 2001 in **Scotland**. While that came too late to shape my school experience, (I didn't even go to my prom because of internalised homophobia but that's a story for another day), it marked the beginning of something bigger. Little by little, the world opened up. Conversations became easier. Visibility grew. Acceptance followed. YAY! When I think about it, that basically means almost my entire childhood and teenage years were spent under legislation that effectively silenced LGBTQ+ lives and experiences. Those years are some of the most important and formative in any person's life. It's when we develop our sense of self, build our understanding of the world, learn how to navigate relationships and establish the confidence and independence that shape us as adults. Looking back, it really does feel as though the start of my life was delayed in some way. There was so much I wasn't able to see, learn, or understand about myself because those conversations simply weren't happening. I carried confusion and internalised homophobia for a while because I wanted to be "normal" and the impact didn't end when the law was repealed; it stayed with me, shaping my confidence, my mental health and the way I learned to navigate the world. Being the optimistic olive I am though, I didn’t stay there. My family accepted me for who I am and so did my friends. That’s the part that feels important to say out loud, it gets better, sometimes in ways you couldn’t have imagined at the time. Now I can honestly say I love being gay! Life might have been simpler if I were straight but I’m genuinely happy. > Pride, for me is so much more than rainbow flags or parades even though that's fun of course and still a form of protest. For me personally though, it's about that younger version of myself finally being seen. It’s about creating spaces where no one has to feel invisible or unsure in the same way. It’s about joy, community and the possibility of something better. I know it sounds dramatic but the place that once felt quiet and uncertain has found its voice and in doing so has helped others find theirs too I hope. I just never imagined it happening in my little home town! That's the hopeful part though right? Not just that things have changed but that they’re still changing for the better. I believe we'll get there with trans rights too. I guess it just takes time which is frustrating right now but if you're a closeted or confused trans person reading this, hang in there! I did and I'm so glad I did. So yeah before **Brighton** and before the sea, before that fateful morning a seagull swiped a sausage roll straight out of my hand on the way to work, before this fully realised version of me....there was Bracknell baby! When Brightonians ask where I'm from I always say "Errrm a small **Berkshire** town between **Ascot** and **Windsor** better known for the horse racing and royal neighbours, just outside **London**, not actually far from Brighton" and they usually react with delight. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/1000062944.gif) Fun fact: Bracknell is also home to **Harry Potter**'s house! 4 Privet Drive. Actually Picket Post Close. It's just a normal house ten minutes walk away from where I grew up, despite people travelling miles to see it. ![](https://media.tenor.com/6TMTVHphgYEAAAAC/harry-potter-hedwig.gif) Oh and Bracknell is home to one of the largest interactive water world's in **England** too, **Coral Reef Waterworld**. Not that I can swim or like wateralthough there is an adults-only Coral Spa area but stillll. I grew up on a council estate in **Harmans Water**, later moved to **Guildford** with my first proper boyfriend then **York** and finally Brighton, chasing that long held dream of coastal life and authenticity. No matter where I go though, I’ll always be a Bracknell boy at heart. When I was asked to write this feature about Pride beyond big cities, Bracknell Forest Pridecame straight to mind because if you’d told my 15‑year‑old self Pride would exist in Bracknell, I pinky promise I wouldn’t have believed you. Yesss the town has evolved a lot and reinvented itself as a genuine technology powerhouse earning its place in what's often called the **Silicon Thames Valley** and [**The Lexicon**](https://www.instagram.com/thelexiconbracknell?ref=scenemag.co.uk) still blows my mind; but the real shift isn’t only architectural, it’s cultural. > Growing up in the '90s and early 2000's, I didn't know anyone in my hometown who was openly queer. I wasn't really out, even to myself. Until I was 16 in 2005 so basically a year after I left school! Now there's even a [Bracknell LGBTQ+ Group](https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1UkjwYt9my/) now too on **Facebook** which blows my mind a tiny bit and I'm a member of course! That kind of online space for your hometown feels completely normal today but back then I didn’t have anything like it. I did have **MSN** though oh and **Faceparty**….and **Gaydar**. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/1000062888.jpg) [📸 Stewart Turkington](https://www.instagram.com/stewartturkington?ref=scenemag.co.uk) **Dani Harmer** (the ACTUAL **Tracy Beaker**) grew up in Bracknell and says what was once “a quiet little town with a few phone shops and a **Poundland**” is now somewhere people actually travel to but for her, the biggest change isn’t the bars or the restaurants or **The Lexicon** (I still can't get over that there's a **H&M**, **Hotel Chocolat**, **GAIL's**, **Five Guys**, **Mango**, **M&S**, **Nando's**, **Flying Tiger**, **Kokoro**, **Dunelm**, **Popeyes**, **Fenwick**, **Pret**, **River Island**, **Primark**, **TKMaxx**, **Giggling Squid**, **Footlocker** and **Wagamama's** and more....like WHAT?! We literally had **The Point** growing up-**Pizza Hut**, **Frankie & Benny's**, **Hollywood Bowl** plus **Topman**, **Burton's**, **Odeon**, a **Harvester** and a **Beefeater** (where I worked FYI) and a few other pubs growing up oh and **Bentalls** which actually I loved to be fair and is **Fenwicks** I know but still), oh and **BB's** in **Princess Square**. But the real shift is the arrival of Bracknell Forest Pride. > “I’m so, so happy Bracknell finally has a Pride,” Dani says. “Better late than never.” That sense of disbelief still lingers for many of us who grew up there. Not just those of us who are queer, but our allies too. Pride in Bracknell once felt unimaginable yet now it feels quietly revolutionary. In cities like Brighton, Pride is woven into everyday life. In smaller towns though, visibility takes longer to build and that’s why I think local Pride events matter so much. As Dani puts it: “It’s our way of saying we support you, we love you, we’re here for you… not just during Pride, but always.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/1000062932.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/1000062922.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/1000062928.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/1000062935.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/BracknellPride2025web-271.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/1000062936.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/1000062930.jpg) 📸 Bracknell Forest Council I really love a small town Pride. I’ve been to a few now and honestly I often prefer them to the big city ones. They’re not vast, anonymous crowds stretching over an entire weekend, they’re usually just one day and it feels more personal and comfortable. It’s familiar faces, neighbours, friends and families all coming together. In Bracknell, it’s less about spectacle or big festival energy and more about genuine connection and as a result, like Dani says, "The sense of community is much stronger” and jokes that “every other person is basically my cousin.” That sense of familiarity though, is exactly what gives events like Bracknell Forest Pride their charm IMPO and for Dani, it’s more than just showing up each year. Her performing arts academy takes to the stage, making it a real highlight in their calendar. Rain or shine (and quite literally) nothing seems to dampen the atmosphere. > "Even last year, when it absolutely chucked it down, seeing all my students waving their flags and spreading love and happiness. That’s what Pride is all about." Her support for the LGBTQ+ community is something she’s long been vocal about, both locally and on a wider platform. That commitment was especially visible during her appearance on **RuPaul’s Drag Race UK** season 7 for the hun makeover challenge where she transformed into her drag persona....**Dannayris**. Thanks to Brighton's [**Tayris Mongardi**](https://www.instagram.com/tayrismongardi?ref=scenemag.co.uk) (who I interviewed last year by the way, [HERE](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/interview-tayris-mongardi-announces-post-drag-race-homecoming-show-at-revenge/)). > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DRAs4RgiEmp/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by •TAYRIS MONGARDI• (@tayrismongardi)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DRAs4RgiEmp/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Sharing the stage with other icons like **Charlotte Church**, **Diane Parish** and **David Potts**, Dani saw the experience as more than just a fan moment (she's a mega fan of the show by the way), it was an opportunity to show up as an ally. “Being on Drag Race was a dream come true,” she says. “I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.” But more importantly, it reinforced something central to her values, showing solidarity in meaningful and visible ways. > “Some of my closest friends are queer. They’re my biggest supporters and I’ve got such a strong LGBTQ+ fanbase. I’ll always stand by them, especially when things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows like they are right now.” More than anything, it reinforced something central to her values. The importance of showing solidarity in ways that are both meaningful and visible. For Dani, allyship isn’t passive, it’s active. She believes those with a platform have a responsibility to speak out, amplify voices and share resources that can make a real difference. That includes highlighting charities, helplines and support networks, particularly for communities facing heightened challenges. “Everyone deserves a peaceful, happy life,” she says simply, adding that people shouldn’t be afraid to call out injustice when they see it. > [@daniharmer](https://www.tiktok.com/@daniharmer?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "@daniharmer") > > Pride!!! How can we be a better ally?? > > [♬ original sound - Dani Harmer](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7650108243011717910?refer=embed&ref=scenemag.co.uk "♬ original sound - Dani Harmer") Meanwhile in Bracknell, Pride continues to grow year on year with increasing turnout and more visibility across the town and Dani is keen to see it evolve even further. More involvement from local businesses, more residents showing their support and crucially, more recognition of Pride’s roots. “We marched for the first time last year,” she notes. > “Pride is still a protest. A huge, joyful march this year, especially in support of the trans community would be amazing.” Dani and her academy are once again going to be a part of the celebrations this year too and she promises their biggest performance yet. “The set list is incredible,” she teases. “It’s going to be the best one so far.” At its core, Dani’s message is simple: allyship starts with listening and showing up. “Ask your queer friends how you can help. That’s the best place to begin,” she says. > “Be loud, be proud, ignore the ignorance. Fight hate with love because love always wins.” Behind the scenes, **Sarah Naxton**, Town Centre Events and Marketing Manager at **Bracknell Forest Council** has played a key role in shaping what Bracknell Forest Pride has become. Unlike other small Pride events across the UK which are typically volunteer led charities, Bracknell’s is run in partnership with the council giving it a slightly different foundation but the same core purpose! Sarah explains that there wasn’t a single defining moment that sparked its creation; instead, it grew naturally in response to an obvious gap. “We could see people leaving Bracknell to experience Pride elsewhere,” she says. “There wasn’t anything visible or local here.” At the same time, conversations around identity, representation and belonging were becoming more prominent. Creating a Pride event felt like both a natural and necessary step, a clear signal that Bracknell itself is an open and inclusive place where people don’t need to go elsewhere to feel seen and accepted for who they are. Honestly, it’s the kind of thing my 15-year-old self would have needed more than I can put into words. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZpnzs9DZeq/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by The Lexicon Bracknell (@thelexiconbracknell)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZpnzs9DZeq/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) This is where [**Fonda Cox**](https://www.instagram.com/msfondacox/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) steps in.... ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/1000062933.jpg) 📸 Bracknell Forest Council “Performing at hometown Prides always feels warmer,” she says. “I nurture community. I feel a connection with all of them.” Whether she’s on stage or in the crowd, her approach is simple: “I make sure there is nothing but warmth in my tone… it allows people who may have come alone to feel welcomed into other groups.” I know I sound like a broken record but I genuinely never imagined seeing a drag queen on stage in the middle of Bracknell town centre when I was growing up. A drag queen at the bandstand....OMG....IYKYK. Fonda’s journey started 23 years ago in an **Eastbourne** gay bar and that sense of connection has only grown since. Reflecting on a recent Pride weekend there, she says: “I look out at the crowd and see familiar faces from years ago, people who’ve since settled into relationships and don’t go out as much, mixed in with new faces and others I’ve never seen before. Some of them have asked me to perform at their weddings, birthdays and countless other celebrations. I feel a connection with all of them.” Part of what makes her presence so special at local Prides is how rooted she is in the community. “I know the councillors, the Pride committee members and the business owners who support the event,” she explains. “I make sure the crowd gets to know them too, so they recognise the effort that’s gone into putting this all together”. Despite only living in Bracknell for two years, Fonda has quickly become a familiar face. Through regular work at the comedy club at [**South Hill Park**](https://www.instagram.com/southhillpark/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)and thanks to the arts centre’s CEO championing her for more family friendly public events, she caught the attention of the local council. Since then, she’s become a go-to host for community celebrations. > “Bracknell has really embraced me as a bit of a local trinket,” she says. “I love fronting events that promote community celebrating and shining a light on the people who work tirelessly to create spaces for others to enjoy.” And speaking of South Hill Park, Fonda recently made her theatrical debut there. Condragulations Fonda! “Thank you so much. My debut was a crazy comedy of errors from start to finish,” she laughs. “It didn’t go to plan at all and really tested my ability to ad-lib around technical issues but somehow it worked. The audience were in hysterics and the feedback afterwards was that people hadn’t laughed that hard in a long time.” > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZgCoonISyL/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Fonda Cox (@msfondacox)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZgCoonISyL/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) “My husband played a small part as my technical guru except he kept pressing all the wrong buttons for comedic effect,” Fonda laughs. “He came on stage in a green morph suit because I’d told him to wear something that would help him blend in. Unfortunately he dressed for a green screen studio, not a black cloth theatre….so he looked ridiculous all night.” The impact clearly lingered beyond the stage. “Just yesterday, he was in **Aldi** bending over the blueberries when someone recognised him and told him how much they loved the show. He’s loving his local celebrity status.” Bracknell Forest Pride is still growing but it’s growing with intention. Bigger parades, more involvement and deeper roots in the community. Not chasing scale, but meaning. Where early reactions were often tentative, questions about why Pride was needed or why there isn't a straight pride, there’s now a noticeable shift towards openness. More people are showing up, getting involved and seeing Pride not as something other but as part of Bracknell itself. Which is the long game, normalisation, not novelty, right?! My hometown proves that impact doesn’t come from size (bigger isn't always better hehehe) it comes from proximity. For families a local Pride is a way to show support in public together and for local businesses it’s a chance to visibly align with inclusivity. I would love to go to Pride with my mum and my dad and my brother and my niece etc! As Bracknell Forest Pride continues to grow, familiar faces like Fonda Cox return alongside a refreshed lineup that leans further into celebration without losing sight of Pride’s activist roots because as Tracy Beaker oooops I mean Dani reminds us: “Pride is still a protest.” and "People need to be vocal and share resources." > "Share charities and helplines that will help our LGBTQ+ family, especially our trans sisters and brothers who are being used as weird pawns right now! We can all see that it’s wrong so speak up! Everyone has the right to a peaceful and happy life." Bracknell Forest Pride has grown into something few might have predicted even a decade ago. One of the standout moments for Sarah (Naxton) came last year, as the full brass band led a vibrant parade through the town centre. “Seeing The Lexicon filled with people cheering and families watching felt like such a powerful way to start the event,” she recalls. Hosting duties were taken on last year by the one and only Fonda Cox and she brought both joy and meaning to the day. Fonda says "I make sure that there is nothing but warmth in my tone when I host these events. Between hosting duties whilst the guest artists are on, I walk amongst the crowd, chat to them, pose for selfies with them and even dance with them to get the audience involved with whoever is currently performing. These interactions often lead to me being able to do shout outs and celebrate members of the audience when I’m back on the mic. It brings people together and gets the community talking to each other, it allows people who may have attended on their own to be invited into other groups and make some new friends for the day or maybe more." From the outset, Sarah and her team wanted to create more than just a celebration, they wanted a space for genuine connection. The event offers not just visibility but support. “It’s about helping people feel like they can be the very best version of themselves,” she says. In a town where “everyone knows everyone,” LGBTQ+ visibility has taken on its own kind of meaning. With local performers on stage, businesses showing support and families turning up together, that familiarity has helped weave Pride into everyday life. As Sarah puts it, “it stops feeling like something 'other'… it just becomes part of the town.” ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/download--3-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/1000062925.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/1000062924.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/download--2-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/download--1-.jpeg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/1000062929.jpg) ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/07/1000062926.jpg) 📸 Bracknell Forest Council Sarah has been seeing a growing openness with more people keen to engage, learn and take part. While some scepticism still exists (you can never please everyone), particularly online, she views those moments as opportunities to educate rather than divide. “It’s about extending a warm welcome,” she says. Fonda says "In every pride celebration I always make sure that we raise a glass to those who went before us, sacrificing their reputation, their livelihood and often their home life in a time when we were viewed as unacceptable. This also educates people who are new to this about the hard fight that was fought to get us where we are today. Of course I pepper the story with punchlines and personal anecdotes to keep it light, but I find when delivered with space for laughter people keep listening and really take in the message you’re selling." What sets a small town Pride like Bracknell Forest Pride apart is accessibility. For many, especially younger people, it’s their first real experience of LGBTQ+ community making it deeply personal and often life affirming too. As Sarah says, “Real cultural change happens in places like Bracknell,” where visibility can genuinely shift perceptions, spark conversations and help people feel seen in their everyday lives. The goal, she explains, is to make Pride feel embedded within the town. Not just something that arrives and disappears but something shaped by and reflective of the community itself. I remember being 18, hopping on the train from **Martins Heron** for [**Reading Pride**](https://www.instagram.com/readingprideuk?ref=scenemag.co.uk), my first ever Pride event, making lots of new friends and then spending the evening at **The Granby**, my first experience of a gay nightclub and also **The Wynford Arms**, a legendary gay bar that’s no longer there. RIP. For the first time in a long while, I felt….normal and that there were loads of people like me in the world! Fun fact: Reading Pride was notably the first town Pride festival to take place in the UK, in 2004. Fonda says "The larger cities prides tend to be hosted by big events companies and attract many out of towners, so there's less of a feeling of emotional pride towards a community getting together to celebrate. Instead it has more of a festival vibe with a strong message of love one another regardless of their identity. The community feel is a little more muted as more often than not, the local gay bars can’t even be involved in or benefit from the main events. Instead they rely on people popping along to their after parties once they have left the pride enclosures. Each type of festival has its place, but I always feel much more warmth at smaller community driven events." Same here hun! Some of the most meaningful feedback from attendees who say it was their first time feeling truly seen in their own town. “You hear people say, ‘I didn’t expect this in Bracknell,’” Sarah says. “And they mean it in the best possible way.” Looking ahead, Sarah’s vision is focused not just on growth but on sustainability and depth. She hopes to see more partnerships, greater community involvement and activity that extends beyond a single central space. “Maybe even a second stage,” she suggests. The parade, too, is set to evolve, building on last year’s success with more participants and even greater energy. As for 2026's Pride, there’s already plenty to look forward to. Fonda Cox will be back, “a massive hurrah,” as Sarah puts it, alongside a refreshed music lineup designed to push the event firmly into party territory without losing its sense of purpose. Ultimately, Bracknell Forest Pride is about more than visibility. It’s about belonging. Creating a space where people feel seen, supported and celebrated, right where they are and for who they are. For a town once thought unlikely to ever host such an event, that transformation speaks volumes. Fonda says "Personally it gives me a sense of pride to be part of the team that is focused on the need to educate instead of hate." > "For every new ally that stumbles through our party on their afternoon shopping activities and decides to stay to enjoy the event with us, that’s one more person promoting our right to exist and silence the haters." "I’m impressed that this event is held in such a prominent place, it shows that Bracknell is not a town where people should ever feel a need to hide. It’s a town that celebrates people for their differences. Which makes it a special place in my mind." With Bracknell Forest Pride returning next month (18th July) for it's third year, it’s clear this once unlikely event has become something far more powerful: a celebration of community, visibility and progress right at the heart of a town still redefining itself. For me, Bracknell Forest Pride represents something bigger than a single event. It’s proof that change doesn’t just happen in cities, it happens in the places people start, the towns they grow up in, the communities they thought might never shift. It’s a reminder that visibility matters everywhere and maybe it’s finally time I made it back to Bracknell for Bracknell Forest Pride myself. Bracknell Forest Pride returns on July 18th for its fourth year and has been organised in partnership with The Lexicon, Bracknell Town Council and local community groups with sponsorship from the [****Abri Community Fund**](https://www.abri.co.uk/what-we-do/community-funding?ref=scenemag.co.uk) and [****Winkfield Parish Council**](https://winkfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). Click [HERE](https://www.thelexiconbracknell.com/events/bracknell-forest-pride-2026?ref=scenemag.co.uk) for more info. ### Moulsecoomb Forest Gardens Open Day URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/moulsecoomb-forest-gardens-open-day-dready-to-go/ Last updated: 2026-06-26T19:01:53.000Z **Community open day invites locals to explore Moulsecoomb forest garden** Residents in the city are being invited to an open day at [Moulsecoomb Forest Garden](https://moulsecoombforestgarden.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), offering a chance to connect with nature and meet the people behind the community space. The event will take place on Friday 10 July, running from midday until 6pm. Organisers say the day is an opportunity for visitors to see what happens at the garden and learn more about its activities and projects. A wide range of hands-on experiences and family-friendly activities are planned. These include demonstrations of primitive technology, pizza-making, bug hunting, pond dipping, art sessions and a tombola. Visitors will also be able to learn more about bees and the role they play in the local environment. Food and drink will be available, with a café serving snacks and refreshments throughout the day. The event is open to everyone, with organisers emphasising its welcoming and inclusive nature. For locals, the open day offers a chance to engage with green space, learn new skills and connect with others in an informal, accessible setting. Inclusive, community-led spaces like this help create safer, welcoming environments where LGBTQ+ people can connect, build networks and access wellbeing-focused activities outside traditional venues. Lean more from [their website](https://moulsecoombforestgarden.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk). ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/06/MoulsecoombForestGardenOpen-Day-Friday-10th-July-2-1-1.png) ### Greens overturned 20% majority and took one out of three Goldsmid seats from Labour URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/greens-overturned-20-majority-and-took-one-out-of-three-goldsmid-seats-from-labour/ Last updated: 2026-06-26T19:00:43.000Z The Green Party has won the Goldsmid byelection in Brighton and Hove, overturning a 20% Labour majority to take their eleventh seat on the city council. Nadia Barton Ahmad, 22, topped the poll with 2,037 votes, ahead of Labour's Philip Berman on 1,357\. The result, declared after a hard-fought campaign that concluded on the hottest day of the year so far, reduces Labour's majority to 33 seats of the 54 seats on the council. It marks the Greens' second byelection win over Labour in nine months, following their electoral success in Queen's Park last September. There are three council seats in the Goldsmid ward. Two of these remain Labour-held and are represented by Councillor Birgit Miller and Councillor Trevor Muten. Barton Ahmad, a local community campaigner, ran on a platform centred on protecting green spaces, supporting small businesses and improving street safety. Speaking at the count, she said residents had raised concerns ranging from the cost of living and housing conditions to the state of local services, adding: "These conversations have stayed with me and will shape my work as a councillor. They are also a reminder that politics matters because people's lives matter." ## Full results - Nadia Barton Ahmad, Green Party – 2,037 votes - Philip Berman, Labour Party – 1,357 votes - Louis Bird, Conservative Party – 210 votes - Glenn Kelly, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition – 31 votes - Kim Marie Leyland-Walker, Liberal Democrats – 214 votes - Luke Willmoth, Reform UK – 304 votes The turnout in the Goldsmid by-election was 35.84%. ### Japan moves towards nationwide LGBTQ+ education programme despite political tensions URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/japan-moves-towards-nationwide-lgbtq-education-programme-despite-political-tensions/ Last updated: 2026-06-26T17:59:29.000Z Japan is [preparing](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-15/japan-rolling-out-lgbtqia-education-for-the-first-time/106775430?ref=scenemag.co.uk) to introduce a nationwide education programme on sexual orientation and gender identity, aimed at addressing widespread gaps in public understanding of LGBTQ+ issues. The initiative has been approved by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and is expected to receive final approval from the cabinet. It stems from a 2023 law designed to promote public awareness of diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity. While full details have not yet been released, the programme is expected to require schools to provide information about LGBTQ+ people, alongside offering access to trained counsellors and social workers. Universities are also set to include education on gender and sexual diversity within training for future professionals, including those in healthcare and academia. The development comes amid a complex political backdrop. **Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi** has previously voiced opposition to same-sex marriage, reflecting broader conservative views within the governing party. Japan currently has no nationwide anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people and remains the only G7 country without marriage equality. Supporters argue that improving education could help shift public attitudes over time, although some LGBTQ+ voices have warned it may only represent an initial step. Young people in Japan are generally seen as more supportive of LGBTQ+ rights than older generations, which observers say may be influencing the government’s approach. Experts suggest that increasing awareness and understanding could help reduce stigma, even as wider legal reforms remain uncertain. Expanding LGBTQ+ education has the potential to challenge stigma and build long-term cultural change, especially in countries where legal protections and recognition remain limited. ### Podcast hosts Your Internet Boyfriends launch mini-series tackling homophobia in response to Tip Toe URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/podcast-hosts-your-internet-boyfriends-launch-mini-series-tackling-homophobia-in-response-to-tip-toe/ Last updated: 2026-06-26T17:50:09.000Z The comedy podcast Your Internet Boyfriends is stepping away from its usual format for a new two-part mini-series, Go Deep... On Tip Toe, examining the reality of homophobia in the UK in response to Russell T Davies' new Channel 4 drama. Hosts Mark T Cox and Denis Len, one gay, one straight, said the idea came directly from watching Tip Toe and asking themselves whether its bleak vision could actually happen. The figures suggest it might not be far off: homophobic hate crimes have risen by 20% over the last five years, and trans-related hate crimes by 50%, with fewer than one in ten LGBTQ+ people believed to report incidents of abuse. Research from Stonewall has found that less than half of LGBTQ+ people in the UK feel safe holding a partner's hand in public, while this year the UK fell from first to 22nd place in ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Map, and to 44th on trans rights specifically. Denis Len said the final scene of Tip Toe hit him personally. "I watched the final scene thinking, what if that was Mark? It hit hard. And it set off an alarm bell to have an open honest discussion and make this Go Deep series." Mark T Cox said the show's usual lighter format made it the wrong place to properly explore the impact of Tip Toe. "It just felt impossible to cover the impact of the show in the regular pod. It needed to properly go deep with a dedicated mini-series." In the series, made with journalist Alastair James, the pair discuss their personal experiences of rising hostility. Cox reflected on how his own assumptions about strangers have shifted. "I assume the worst now of strangers. I assume people are probably a bit racist and a bit homophobic," he said, while also pointing to a wider erosion of social consequences for prejudice voiced by people in positions of power and influence. Len struck a note of cautious hope, drawing a parallel with the 1980s. "There were a lot of people that wanted to support \[the LGBTQ+ community\] but were really scared to. I think there are tonnes who would support this time around," he said, while warning that progress historically has come at a devastating cost. Your Internet Boyfriends Go Deep... On Tip Toe will be available to stream [across podcast platforms](https://headstuffpodcasts.com/show/your-internet-boyfriends/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) from Thursday 25 June. _Includes the latest 500 public posts. 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