Features & Longread Brandi Carlile’s Musical Homecoming: ‘Returning to Myself’ and the fight for LGBTQ+ equality Brandi Carlile’s latest chapter is a triumphant blend of personal reflection, musical evolution, and unwavering activism. With her new album Returning to Myself and a powerful collaboration with Elton John on Who Believes in Angels?, Carlile continues to use her voice to uplift, inspire, and advocate - especially for By Graham Robson • 3 min read
UK Anti-trans campaign group Sex Matters pushes to ban trans people from Hampstead Heath swimming ponds The City of London Corporation (CLC) has launched a public consultation on access to Hampstead Heath’s swimming ponds, following a Supreme Court ruling that has prompted a reassessment of policies affecting trans users. Since 2019, the Corporation has operated a trans-inclusive policy, allowing individuals to swim in the pond By Graham Robson • 1 min read
📸Diana Thompson Community Corner INTERVIEW: Say hiiii to Brighton’s own drag prince and the UK’s no.1 gay Tinky Winky impersonator, Alfie Ordinary! "We’re a community and we’re a community that knows how to pull together in the face of adversity." By Dale Melita • 9 min read
UK Big Brother UK contestants spark vital conversation on transphobia Big Brother UK housemates have engaged in a candid conversation about transphobia, shedding light on the complex ways it affects both transgender and cisgender individuals. The discussion was led by Feyisola, a 33-year-old cisgender financial investigator, who shared her experiences of being misgendered and verbally abused due to her bald By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Community Corner Drag Bus – spreading Brighton magic across the UK Drag Bus, the party experience launched in Brighton just over two years ago, is currently celebrating their launch in a fifth UK city, with a further seven cities seeing their inaugural trip before Christmas. Initially set-up as a limited run of 20 events in Brighton in 2023 by founder Kevin By Graham Robson • 4 min read
Culture Netflix cancels 'The Ultimatum: Queer Love' after two seasons Netflix has officially pulled the plug on its LGBTQ+ dating reality series The Ultimatum: Queer Love, confirming that the show will not return for a third season. A spin-off of the popular The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, Queer Love premiered in May 2024 and featured couples made up of By Graham Robson • 1 min read
North America FBI Director Kash Patel dismisses trainee for having Pride Flag on his desk FBI Director Kash Patel has come under scrutiny following the dismissal of a trainee agent who displayed a Pride Flag at his desk during a previous assignment in California. The termination, which took place on 1 October, coincided with the first day of a nationwide government shutdown and has sparked By Graham Robson • 1 min read
UK Camp icon Dame Patricia Routledge dies aged 96 Dame Patricia Routledge, the legendary British actress best known for her role as the indomitable Hyacinth Bucket in the beloved sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, has died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 96. Her passing marks the end of an era for generations of fans, including many in By Graham Robson • 1 min read
UK Brighton & Hove communities unite in condemnation of Manchester Synagogue Attack Communities across Brighton & Hove have come together in solidarity following the terrorist attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester. The assault, which occurred on Yom Kippur - the holiest day in the Jewish calendar - left two worshippers dead and several others injured. In response, the By Graham Robson • 2 min read
UK Sarah Mullally becomes first female Archbishop of Canterbury but what's her record on LGBTQ+ rights? Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury - the first woman to hold the role in its 1,400-year history. The announcement follows nearly a year of vacancy after Justin Welby stepped down amid criticism over his handling of a safeguarding scandal. Mullally, currently Bishop By Graham Robson • 1 min read
UK Equal marriage in Welsh churches "years away", says lesbian Archbishop Cherry Vann The newly appointed Archbishop of Wales, Cherry Vann - who was the first lesbian bishop in the Church in Wales - has said that the introduction of equal marriage within the Church in Wales remains “a number of years away”, despite growing support for change. Speaking to LBC, Archbishop Vann By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Culture The Coast Is Queer returns to Brighton with Juno Dawson, Damian Barr and Yael Van Der Wouden The UK’s biggest festival of LGBTQ+ literature - The Coast Is Queer - returns to Brighton’s Attenborough Centre from 9 - 12 October. Headline writers include Yael Van Der Wouden, Juno Dawson, Munroe Bergdorf, Ali Smith, Jackie Kay, Travis Alabanza, Damian Barr and Joelle Taylor. Panel sessions will By Brian Butler • 2 min read
