The Saturday Scene: IDAHOBIT, a health secretary's exit, and what Reform UK did to Durham Pride within days of winning

This Saturday Scene is, in fact, a Sunday Scene. Those who know me will know I really dislike breaking with routines, especially ones named after a weekday. This time, though, I think the reason justifies it.

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, IDAHOBIT. First celebrated in 2005, it has grown into something marked by communities and governments alike around the world. It is grassroots, and it is more needed than ever.

Each year, a theme is developed by LGBTQ+ leaders and communities. This year's theme is "At the heart of democracy." A more fitting choice for the times we are living in is hard to imagine.

Today is an opportunity to shine a light on the progress LGBTQ+ people in all walks of life continue to make. There are thousands of deeply committed activists, civic leaders and politicians giving everything they have to fight for queer rights and to educate wider society about the struggles we face.

IDAHOBIT events up and down the country will mark the day in different ways. I'd encourage you to find out what is happening in your local community and to join in, as I will be doing later this afternoon in my hometown of Brighton and Hove.

🌍 The World This Week

• Trump-Xi Summit: President Trump concluded a high-stakes visit to Beijing to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Key takeaways included discussions on AI safety and trade.
  
• Taiwan Warning: During the summit, Xi Jinping warned the US not to "mishandle" the situation in Taiwan, while Taiwan reaffirmed its independence following the meeting.
  
• UK Leadership Race: In the UK, the race to replace Keir Starmer has begun. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced his candidacy to challenge Andy Burnham.
  
• Raúl Castro Charges: The US announced plans to charge former Cuban leader Raúl Castro in relation to the 1996 downing of civilian planes.
  
• Middle East Escalation: Despite a 45-day extension of the Lebanon ceasefire, Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon. A Pentagon official reported the cost of the Iran war has reached $29 billion.
  
• Russia-Ukraine War: Russia launched one of its largest drone attacks on Ukraine, while Kyiv and Moscow carried out a prisoner swap.
  
• Ebola Outbreak: A new outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed at least 80 people, with cases also reported in Uganda.

This week on Scene

🏛️ Politics

Wes Streeting resigns from government

The Health Secretary, who said an indefinite ban on puberty blockers for trans youth was "uncomfortable" but "ultimately right," has resigned from government. His departure is significant on multiple fronts and the timing, on IDAHOBIT weekend, is striking.

Publisher's Comment
Wes Streeting's reputation within progressive LGBTQ+ circles has suffered as it has become clear that his support for trans+ people did not survive the shift from opposition to government. Not only have Streeting's actions tarnished his own reputation, they have also damaged the relationship between the Labour Party and queer communities.

What was viewed with much more enthusiasm a few years ago will now be met with anger and fear by many if he wins a leadership bid and thus the keys to 10 Downing Street. James Murray, the new Health Secretary, is similar to Streeting in that he is also a gay man.

He must now decide whether to follow Streeting's divisive policies or change course and repair the damage caused. Labour has a proud history of driving forward LGBTQ+ equality. Murray now has the opportunity to continue this tradition by ignoring the small but vocal gender-critical faction within the party.

Nigel Farage backs Christian street preacher who called homosexuality an "abomination"

Farage has publicly backed a Christian street preacher whose sermons described homosexuality as an abomination and warned of eternal punishment. Not ambiguous, not nuanced. Worth recording clearly.

Durham Pride to go ahead despite Reform UK withdrawing council funding

Following last week's local elections, Reform UK has wasted no time, withdrawing council funding from Durham Pride. The organisers have confirmed the event will go ahead regardless. A foretaste of what life under Reform-controlled councils may look like for LGBTQ+ communities.

Publisher's Comment
This story fits the IDAHOBIT theme incredibly well and serves as a reminder that Reform UK are not our friends. Despite the evident rollback of LGBTQ+ rights globally championed by his own party, Durham County Council’s deputy leader Darren Grimes, a gay man himself, doesn't believe that Pride is still needed.

It's hard to fathom how someone who has benefited from progress can be so wilfully blind to the fact that, without the efforts of those he dismisses as 'noisy' identity politics pushing queers, he would never have been welcomed into the ranks of a right-wing populist party.

It's also worrying that someone in a leadership position in local government can't see the value of nurturing community and cohesion. They withdrew £2.5k from Durham Pride to spend on other public services. In my view, councillors who cannot see the value of investing in community cohesion are on the wrong path.

Gay pornstar Reform UK councillor quits

The Reform UK drag queen who won a council seat in Salford last week has been followed in the news by another story: a gay pornstar Reform UK councillor with an interest in bears and stocky blokes has resigned. The party contains multitudes. Not all of them coherent.

🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Rights

Hampstead ponds to remain trans-inclusive

Following sustained pressure from gender-critical campaigners, it has been confirmed that Hampstead ponds will remain open to trans swimmers on the basis of their gender identity. A meaningful win for trans inclusion in a case that attracted significant national attention.

Trans woman Roxanne Tickle wins historic appeal in Australia's Giggle for Girls case

Roxanne Tickle has won her appeal in the long-running Australian discrimination case, in which she was excluded from the Giggle for Girls app on the basis of being trans. A landmark ruling for trans rights in Australia with implications well beyond the case itself.

🇪🇺 Europe and the World

Germany accused of failing to protect queer people from rising hate crime

A new report accuses Germany of systemic failure to protect LGBTQ+ people from escalating hate crime, pointing to both the scale of the problem and the inadequacy of the official response.

🌈 Pride

Brighton Pride Street Party unveils 2026 lineup led by Bimini and Gok Wan

The Brighton Pride Street Party lineup for 2026 has been revealed, headlined by Bimini and Gok Wan. More details to follow as we get closer to August.

Trans Pride Hastings launches Pockets of Joy participatory project

Trans Pride Hastings has launched a new community project called Pockets of Joy, inviting trans and non-binary people to contribute to a shared creative archive. A lovely initiative.

🎭 Culture

Paris named top destination for queer travellers in 2026, just ahead of London

Paris has topped a new ranking of the world's best destinations for queer travellers this year, with London in second place. Useful reading as Pride season approaches.

Social night for queer gamers to launch in Brighton

A new monthly social night aimed at queer gamers is launching in Brighton this month, offering a welcoming space for a community that does not always have one. Worth a mention for our local readers.

Until next Saturday

Thank you, as always, for joining me in reflecting on the events of the past week. It's been a busy week, dominated by speculation about leadership, ministers resigning, and MPs pressuring Keir Starmer to leave Downing Street.

On top of your personal life and challenges, the news cycle can feel like a heavy weight around your neck in times like these. Please take time to look after yourself and disengage whenever you need to.

I hope you can celebrate IDAHOBIT in some way and I wish you a fantastic rest of your weekend.