Europe ‘I Wanted to Live My Life’: Leo Varadkar reflects on coming out as gay Former Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar has opened up about the deeply personal decision to come out as gay in 2015, describing it as a moment driven by a desire for authenticity and honesty during a pivotal time in Irish history. Speaking on The Pat Kenny Show to mark the release By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Politics Danny Kruger, who has consistently voted against LGBTQ+ rights, defects to Reform UK Danny Kruger, MP for Devizes, has defected from the Conservative Party to join Reform UK. Kruger, known for his socially conservative views, announced his move in a statement citing dissatisfaction with the Conservative Party’s “abandonment of traditional values” and its “failure to uphold national sovereignty and cultural integrity.” His By Graham Robson • 1 min read
UK Suspended Pride in London chief ordered to relinquish control amid misconduct allegations The chief executive of Pride in London, Christopher Joell-Deshields, has been ordered by the High Court to surrender control of the organisation’s bank accounts, digital assets, and company devices following allegations of financial misconduct and workplace bullying. Joell-Deshields, 54, who has led the LGBTQ+ event since 2021, is currently By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Culture Michelle McManus calls Drag Race UK appearance “greatest honour of my life” Glasgow singer and radio presenter Michelle McManus has described her upcoming appearance on the new series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK as “the greatest honour of my life”. The popular reality show returns to screens on 25 September, with McManus set to feature as a special guest in a By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Features & Longread Let’s talk about the valley of the TERFS Recently, Jordan Jensen went on Stavros Halkias’ Podcast Stavvy’s World to promote her new Netflix special Take Me With You alongside some TERF ideology. Amidst referring to women as “cumgoblins” and stating being a woman was not hard but “stupid” and “our fault” she also said, “If you are By Hannah Simpson • 4 min read
Features & Longread Bisexual Awareness Week: "I am bisexual, I am proud." For years, Manchester-based entrepreneur and mum-of-one Nicky Wake, 53, felt her bisexual identity was being quietly erased. Not because she hid it, but because life placed her in a long-term heterosexual marriage that overlooked a fundamental part of who she was. Now, five years after the tragic death of her By Graham Robson • 5 min read
Culture "I have a duty to speak out": Alan Cumming wins Emmy and makes bold statement with Trans Pride pin Scottish actor and presenter Alan Cumming made headlines at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards not only for his historic win but also for his powerful show of solidarity with the trans community. Cumming took home the Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program for his role By Graham Robson • 2 min read
News Lawyer with history of opposing LGBTQ+ rights launches legal action against Brighton practice treating young trans people A Brighton GP practice offering gender-affirming care to young trans people is facing a legal challenge that could lead to further restrictions on access to vital healthcare. WellBN, which operates in Brighton & Hove, is under investigation by NHS Sussex following legal action initiated by Paul Conrathe, a lawyer with By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Community Corner INTERVIEW: The look queen of the Brighton scene, Mary O'Kart discusses finding drag, living in a fundamentally queer city and Ready Player 2? EP "To make it as a drag queen in Brighton takes balls." By Dale Melita • 8 min read
News Queer actors, including Elliot Page, Joe Locke and Miriam Margolyes, join growing boycott of Israeli film institutions A growing number of queer actors have joined nearly 4,000 film industry professionals in signing a pledge to boycott Israeli film institutions accused of complicity in what signatories describe as genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people. The open letter, published by the campaign group Film Workers for Palestine By Graham Robson • 1 min read
“Charlie Kirk” by Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0 Features & Longread What Charlie Kirk’s death tells us about rhetoric, extremism and risks for LGBTQ+ people Charlie Kirk’s assassination is a tragic reminder of spiralling political violence. His anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric was deeply harmful, yet celebrating his death is wrong. We must turn down the heat before words breed more violence. By Leslie Clarke • 6 min read
Community Corner Stonegate Group raises £80,000 for Stonewall Housing Stonegate Group has raised £80,000 for Stonewall Housing, the UK charity supporting LGBTQ+ individuals who are homeless or living in unsafe conditions. The fundraising total reflects a growing partnership between the pub and bar operator and the charity, which began in January 2022. Since then, Stonegate has supported Stonewall By Graham Robson • 3 min read
