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
Europe Dutch Parliament votes to criminalise so-called 'conversion therapy' – as UK lags behind on promised ban In a landmark move hailed as a victory for LGBTQ+ rights, the Dutch parliament has voted to criminalise so-called "conversion therapy" - practices aimed at changing or suppressing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill, passed on 9 September, marks a significant step forward in By Graham Robson • 1 min read
News Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ announces it will withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates in 2026 Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ has announced it will withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is permitted to participate, citing grave humanitarian concerns over the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a statement released today, RTÉ said that Ireland’s involvement in the contest would be “unconscionable” given By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Europe France’s new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu faces backlash over past opposition to gay marriage The appointment of Sébastien Lecornu as France’s new Prime Minister has sparked controversy, particularly among LGBTQ+ advocates and left-wing politicians, due to his past opposition to same-sex marriage. Lecornu, a long-time ally of President Emmanuel Macron and former Defence Minister, was named Prime Minister on 9 September following the By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Europe Over 1,000 LGBTQ+ Catholics join historic LGBTQ+ Jubilee at the Vatican Over 1,000 LGBTQ+ Catholics, including many from trans communities, participated in the first officially recognised LGBTQ+ pilgrimage to the Vatican at the weekend. The event, part of the Church’s Jubilee Holy Year, marked the first time such a pilgrimage was listed on the Vatican’s official calendar. Organised By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Europe Paris rally honours Caroline Grandjean, the French headmistress driven to suicide by homophobic harassment Around a hundred people gathered outside the French Ministry of Education this week to honour the memory of Caroline Grandjean, a school headmistress who tragically took her own life after enduring years of homophobic abuse. The rally, organised by SOS Homophobie and Inter-LGBT, was a solemn call for justice and By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Culture INTERVIEW: Agnes dishes on her new single EGO, shares the relatable awkwardness of hearing her own music in public, and reflects on the excitement of new album and launching her first tour EGO is out today btw, on all streaming platforms By Dale Melita • 4 min read
Europe French lesbian school principal commits suicide after prolonged campaign of homophobic harassment This article includes language many may find offensive A French school principal has died by suicide after enduring a prolonged campaign of homophobic harassment, sparking outrage and calls for institutional accountability across the education sector. Caroline Grandjean, 42, jumped to her death from a cliff near Anglards-de-Salers in the Cantal By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Europe Ban on 'conversion therapy' edges closer to becoming law in the Netherlands The Netherlands is on the brink of criminalising so-called 'conversion therapy', as a revised bill gains momentum in the Dutch parliament. MPs are expected to vote next week on legislation that would make the controversial practice a criminal offence, following years of campaigning by progressive parties and LGBTQ+ By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Europe Trailblazing openly gay Czech footballer Jakub Jankto retires at just 29 Jakub Jankto, the openly gay Czech footballer, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of just 29. Jankto, who played for clubs including Udinese, Sampdoria, Getafe, and most recently Cagliari, cited a serious ankle injury and a desire to be closer to his son in Prague as By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Europe Trans American, Veronica Clifford-Carlos, challenges Dutch asylum rejection in landmark case A 28-year-old trans woman from California has launched a legal battle in the Netherlands after her asylum application was rejected, marking the first case of its kind in Dutch courts. Veronica Clifford-Carlos, a visual artist, fled the United States citing fears for her safety under the administration of President Donald By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Europe Swedish 'Christian' bakers found guilty of discrimination after refusing to bake wedding cake for same-sex couple A 'Christian'-owned bakery in Stockholm has been found guilty of discrimination after refusing to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. The ruling was handed down by Sweden’s Anti-Discrimination Ombudsman (DO), following a two-year investigation into the incident which occurred in 2023. The bakery, run By Graham Robson • 1 min read
