Community New rules to allow gay and bi men in long-term relationships to donate blood Recommendations from the FAIR steering group, to enable a more individualised way of assessing safe blood donations, have been accepted in full by the Department of Health and Social Care, which means men who have sex with men in a long-term relationship will be able to give blood from summer 2021 By Graham Robson • 4 min read
General News Support for teen suspended for wearing nail polish Over 220,000 have signed a change.org petition in support of 17-year-old Trevor Wilkinson, who was suspended from Clyde High School, Texas, for wearing nail polish. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Bolivia recognises same-sex civil union Bolivia, South America, has recognised a same-sex civil union for the first time after David Aruquipa, 48, and Guido Montaño, 45, campaigned for two years to have their relationship be legally acknowledged. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News Cast of Drag Race season 13 announced On Wednesday December 9, the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13 (US) was announced, and it features the first transmasculine contestant in the show’s history. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
Community News PDSA warns pets will be the only companion for millions of people this Christmas Millions of people in the UK may be completely reliant on their pets for companionship this Christmas, according to research from vet charity PDSA. By Graham Robson • 3 min read
Queer Jam Arts Queer Jam #5: our purveyor of perfect pop pounces on Jack Panther’s new music vid POP in for the freshest LGBTQ+ tunes and talent… By Graham Robson • 1 min read
General News Update: court ruling to limit access to puberty blockers ‘a terrible blow’ to trans youth A new ruling from the British high court means trans people under 16 will require legal approval before accessing puberty blockers, causing nationwide dismay for trans youth. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
Community News Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust to receive £6 million to upgrade and refurbish local hospitals The Trust will receive £6 million to carry out the work, which could include building new or refurbishing buildings to deliver key services, upgrading electrical infrastructure, improving ventilation systems and fire safety, and replacing hospital lifts. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Community News Scottish Trans joins legal challenge to protect gender equality on public authority boards Scottish Trans is given permission to intervene in a legal case which is seeking to throw out legislation passed two years ago, ensuring greater involvement of women in public life in Scotland By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Arts Assigned Female at Birth: new web-series addresses grief, identity, and oppression Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB) is the new web-series on YouTube which “weaves the stories, based on 31 interviews with POC, LGBTQ people, trans and non-binary people, people living with disabilities, seniors, cis gendered mothers and daughters” By Queer Jam • 2 min read
General News European council calls on Slovakia to protect LGBTQ+ community In a report published on December 8, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), of the Council of Europe, has urged the Slovak Republic to improve education access for the country’s Roma population and to develop policies which protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination and By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
Community Covid rates “stable” in Brighton & Hove Brighton & Hove City Council has revealed that in the seven days up to December 4 (based on data published on December 9) there were 173 confirmed new Covid-19 cases in the city, which is similar to the rate in the previous week. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
