North America Queer anthems, boy bands, and powerhouse divas: JD Vance's alleged Spotify playlists leak! Newly leaked Spotify playlists, allegedly belonging to United States Vice President JD Vance, has ignited a wave of online chatter after revealing a surprising fondness for queer anthems, boy bands, and powerhouse divas. The leak, published by an anonymously run website dubbed Panama Playlists, claims to have uncovered the real By Graham Robson • 1 min read
North America Trump chastises crowd for not applauding trans sports ban President Donald Trump has chastised journalists and attendees for failing to applaud his administration’s ban on trans women competing in female sports categories. Speaking on 5 August, Trump highlighted his executive order titled Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports, which mandates that athletes must compete based on their By Graham Robson • 1 min read
North America LGBTQ-affirming church in South Austin, Texas, vandalised and Pride Flag torn down A church known for its inclusive stance towards the LGBTQ+ community has been vandalised in South Austin, United States, prompting a wave of support and solidarity from local residents. Life in the City United Methodist Church (UMC) was targeted late Thursday night. Vandals defaced the building with spray paint, scrawling By Graham Robson • 1 min read
North America Amy Bradley’s brother defends family amid homophobia allegations More than two decades after Amy Bradley vanished from a Caribbean cruise, her brother Brad Bradley has spoken out against what he describes as a wave of online hostility and misrepresentation - sparked by the release of a new Netflix documentary. The three-part series, Amy Bradley is Missing, revisits the By Graham Robson • 3 min read
News Problematic rapper Azealia Banks claims that being gay or trans is “not natural” Problematic rapper Azealia Banks is once again under fire after posting inflammatory comments on social media claiming that being gay or trans is “not natural.” The remarks, made on X (formerly Twitter), have sparked widespread condemnation from fans, LGBTQ+ advocates, and health professionals. Banks wrote: “Being gay and transgender is By Graham Robson • 2 min read
North America Trans congresswoman Sarah McBride condemns Trump’s anti-trans military ban in powerful speech US Representative Sarah McBride, the first openly trans member of Congress, has delivered a scathing rebuke of President Donald Trump’s ban on trans military personnel, calling the policy “immoral,” “unfair,” and “un-American.” Speaking passionately on the House floor, McBride denounced the Trump administration’s decision to expel trans service By Graham Robson • 1 min read
North America US bans trans athletes from Olympics ahead of LA 2028 In a move that has sparked international controversy, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has announced a ban on trans women competing in women’s categories at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The decision comes just three years before the 2028 Summer Olympics are set to be held By Graham Robson • 1 min read
North America Reclaim the Flag? LGBTQ+ leaders and luminaries share divided views on the American flag in new documentary A new short documentary, Reclaim the Flag, has ignited conversation as LGBTQ+ leaders and luminaries offer candid, and at times conflicting, reflections on the symbolism of the American flag. The 30-minute film, which premiered on YouTube on 17 July, features over 50 voices from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum - including By Graham Robson • 2 min read
North America Barack Obama champions gay friendships as pathway to empathy and kindness Former US President Barack Obama has been praised after advocating for the importance of gay friendships in fostering empathy and emotional intelligence among men. Speaking on the latest episode of IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, a podcast hosted by his wife and brother-in-law, Obama reflected on the emotional By Graham Robson • 2 min read
North America Trans sprinter Sadie Schreiner sues Princeton University over alleged trans discrimination Trans sprinter Sadie Schreiner has filed a lawsuit against Princeton University, alleging discrimination after being barred from competing in a women’s race in May. The suit, lodged in Mercer County civil court, claims Schreiner was removed from the final heat sheet of the women’s 200-metre event just 15 By Graham Robson • 1 min read
North America Trump administration shuts down lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth In a move that has drawn widespread condemnation from mental health advocates and LGBTQ+ organisations, the Trump administration has officially terminated the specialised LGBTQ+ youth service within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The decision, enacted on Thursday, ends a vital support channel that has served nearly 1.5 million By Graham Robson • 2 min read
News Gay man awarded compensation after ‘exorcism’ at Sheffield church in the US A gay man has received a five-figure settlement from a Church of England-linked congregation in Sheffield after being subjected to a so-called “exorcism” intended to change his sexual orientation. Matthew Drapper, 37, was volunteering at St Thomas Philadelphia (STP) church in 2014 when he was told by prayer leaders that By Graham Robson • 1 min read
