The Saturday Scene: Trans healthcare, Senegal's crackdown, and the BBC pulls the plug
THE WORLD THIS WEEK
This week is just another week in 2026 dominated by the occupant of the Oval Office. The news cycle is in overdrive, and global politics feels like a rollercoaster with no brakes.
It feels like a lifetime ago that the United States captured Nicolás Maduro, the president of Venezuela. The release of the Epstein Files, the US government's threats to annex Greenland: all of it happened this year, yet each has been swallowed by whatever came next. The pace is relentless, and it is designed to be.
War chaos in Iran continues
The war in Iran continues to send shockwaves well beyond its borders. Oil prices climbed to levels not seen since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, rattling global markets. Donald Trump moved to calm things, telling the public that Operation Epic Fury would be brought to a successful conclusion soon, a statement that steadied oil markets, at least for now. Whether that calm holds remains to be seen.
Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to keep blocking the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical trade routes for oil. British Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed he has been in discussions with military planners and allies about the situation in the Strait, saying it had become clearer that Iran may have been mining the waterway.
The human cost of this war is becoming impossible to ignore. More than three million Iranians have been forced to flee their homes. In Lebanon, the death toll is nearing 500, with close to 700,000 people displaced, among them 200,000 children. These are not statistics to scroll past.
The conflict has also widened dramatically. At least 20 countries are now militarily involved in some capacity. Iran has attacked Gulf states including Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. A French soldier was killed when Iranian drones struck a French military base in Iraq, bringing a NATO member directly into the conflict. Drone attacks on Cyprus drew statements of collective defence from across Europe, with direct implications for the UK.
And then there is the story that should stop us all in our tracks. A Pentagon preliminary assessment this week determined that the United States was responsible for a missile strike on an Iranian girls' school on the first day of the war. One hundred and sixty-eight children and fourteen teachers were killed. Senators are now demanding accountability. There are no words adequate to that.
It's been almost two weeks since the war of choice began, and Trump and his administration are still struggling to present a coherent story about why they chose to invade Iran. It's remarkable, really.
I've chosen the word 'chaos' deliberately, not just because Trump's second term is equally chaotic. I've chosen it because the execution of 'Operation Epic Fury' is amateurish and dangerously chaotic, as demonstrated by the deadly attack on the Iranian girls' school. According to Reuters, the US used outdated targeting data to strike the school.
Although opinion polls suggest that US voters now support this war more than they did when it began, I believe it will greatly reduce the chances of Republican success in the midterm elections – and that is potentially positive news for democracy as a whole.
Greens win state election in Germany: Cem Özdemir set to become first state premier with Turkish roots
Baden-Württemberg, a traditionally conservative southwestern German state, home to Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Audi and long dominated by the CDU, delivered a remarkable result on 8 March. The Greens, who first broke the CDU's grip in 2011 under Winfried Kretschmann, have now consolidated their position as the state's largest party.
The 2026 election was a head-to-head between the Greens and Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU. The Greens, standing with Spitzenkandidat Cem Özdemir, narrowly won with 30.2% of the vote. The CDU took 29.7%, and the AfD, firmly in the right-wing populist camp, gained 18.8%.
Özdemir's career has been defined by historic firsts. He was among the first two members of Turkish descent elected to the German Bundestag, serving first from 1994 to 2002 and then continuously from 2013. He co-chaired the Greens with Claudia Roth from 2008 to 2018, sat in the European Parliament from 2004 to 2009, and served as Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture in Olaf Scholz's cabinet from December 2021 to May 2025. If he forms a government, he will become Germany's first state premier with Turkish roots.
Although state elections are not representative of federal elections, this election was a three-horse race and indicates a trend that has been reshaping German politics for some time. In a way, it is similar to what we experience in the UK. Germany's Labour Party, the SPD, only just made it over the five-percent threshold, while the market liberal party, the FDP, missed it again, as did the left-wing party, DIE LINKE.
Voters are increasingly turning away from traditional parties and, at the same time, showing a marked preference for parties that appeal to their gut feelings.
I'm worried about this because parties at opposite ends of the political spectrum indicate a move towards increasingly difficult-to-govern systems.
On a brighter note, I'm glad the Greens beat the AfD, and now have every chance of forming a coalition with the CDU.
South Sudan: a humanitarian crisis buried by the news cycle
Beyond Iran, one story has been almost entirely overlooked this week and deserves your attention. The UN Mission in South Sudan refused to comply with a government order to shut down its base in Akobo, an opposition stronghold where tens of thousands of civilians and refugees have sought shelter. The South Sudanese army has ordered UN peacekeepers and civilians to vacate ahead of a planned military assault on the area. The UN's refusal to leave is an act of extraordinary moral courage. What happens next could be catastrophic.
In Akobo, South Sudan I met people newly displaced by violence – children who have lost entire families, persons with disabilities and new mothers. Many fled with nothing, pushing those who couldn’t walk in wheelbarrows for days. Urgent support is needed. We're ready to deliver.
— Tom Fletcher (@tomfletcherun.bsky.social) 2026-02-24T19:51:03.475Z
POLITICS & LAW
Emily Thornberry says Keir Starmer 'in the wrong place' on trans rights
Labour grandee Emily Thornberry publicly broke ranks with her party leader this week, saying Keir Starmer is 'in the wrong place' on trans rights. The intervention is significant. Thornberry is not a backbench rebel, and her willingness to say this openly reflects a growing unease within Labour about the direction the party has taken on the issue.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/emily-thornberry-says-keir-starmer-in-the-wrong-place-on-trans-rights
Reform UK accuses West Norfolk Council of 'pushing Pride down people's throats'
Reform UK councillors attacked West Norfolk Council this week over its plans to fly the Progress Pride flag at its King's Lynn headquarters, accusing the borough of, in their words, 'pushing Pride down people's throats.' It is a reminder, if one were needed, of where Reform stands on LGBTQ+ visibility in public life.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/reform-uk-accuses-west-norfolk-council-of-pushing-pride-down-peoples-throats
More in Common poll suggests Reform UK leading amongst gay and bisexual men
A poll by More in Common found that Reform UK is now leading among gay and bisexual men, a finding that has prompted considerable debate. It is a complex and uncomfortable data point that deserves serious analysis rather than dismissal.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/more-in-common-poll-suggests-reform-uk-leading-amongst-gay-and-bisexual-men
Unsurprisingly, LGBTQ+ people are not immune to or isolated from wider societal trends. Reform UK's ability to attract demographics that will evidently not benefit from any of its policies is a phenomenon that currently cannot be replicated by any other party.
I'm deeply worried about the unity of our communities and the influence that external forces, such as Reform, have. While there is no definitive answer to the data the More in Common poll presents, from my perspective, it is rather alarming.
TRANS RIGHTS
NHS England halts new prescriptions of cross-sex hormones for under-18s
NHS England announced this week that it is halting new prescriptions of cross-sex hormones for under-18s. The decision marks another significant tightening of trans healthcare for young people in England, and follows the ban on puberty blockers introduced last year. Campaigners warned the move will cause serious harm to trans young people with nowhere left to turn.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/nhs-england-halts-new-prescriptions-of-cross-sex-hormones-for-under-18s
Landmark EU court ruling forces Member States to guarantee legal gender recognition for mobile citizens
The Court of Justice of the European Union issued a landmark ruling this week requiring all EU member states to provide legal gender recognition procedures for citizens who have exercised their right to move and reside freely across the bloc. It is a significant step forward for trans rights across the EU, and a stark contrast to the direction of travel in the UK.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/landmark-eu-court-ruling-forces-member-states-to-guarantee-legal-gender-recognition-for-mobile-citizens
Olly Alexander hits out at UK government's anti-trans rhetoric ahead of huge fundraiser
Olly Alexander publicly criticised the UK government's anti-trans rhetoric this week, ahead of a major fundraiser for the trans community. His willingness to use his platform on this has been consistent and, given the current climate, genuinely courageous.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/olly-alexander-hits-out-at-uk-governments-anti-trans-rhetoric-ahead-of-huge-fundraiser-for-trans-community
Cheshire Women's Institute branch to close in solidarity with trans women
A Cheshire WI branch announced it is closing in solidarity with trans women, following the national organisation's decision to exclude trans women from membership. It is a quietly powerful act of principle from a community group that could simply have kept its head down.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/cheshire-womens-institute-branch-to-close-in-solidarity-with-trans-women
Green MP Hannah Spencer targeted by anti-trans activists in Manchester
Green MP Hannah Spencer was targeted by anti-trans activists in Manchester this week. The escalating harassment of elected politicians who support trans rights is something that needs to be named and challenged. It is an attempt to silence political voices through intimidation.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/green-mp-hannah-spencer-targeted-by-anti-trans-activists-in-manchester
GLOBAL
Senegal MPs back law doubling prison terms for same-sex relations
Senegal's parliament backed legislation this week that would double prison sentences for same-sex relations. The news was accompanied by a chilling statement from one MP: 'Homosexuals will no longer breathe in this country.' The violence of that language deserves to be heard clearly.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/homosexuals-will-no-longer-breathe-in-this-country-senegal-mps-back-law-doubling-prison-terms-for-same-sex-relations
Moroccan LGBTQ+ activist faces arm amputation after being jailed over T-shirt
A Moroccan LGBTQ+ activist is facing the possibility of arm amputation after being imprisoned in connection with wearing a T-shirt bearing the words 'Allah is a lesbian.' The case is harrowing and has drawn international condemnation.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/moroccan-lgbtq-activist-faces-arm-amputation-after-being-jailed-over-allah-is-a-lesbian-t-shirt
CULTURE
Natasha Hamilton: new single, creative freedom and her vision for Morpho Records
Our interview with Natasha Hamilton is well worth your time this week. The former Atomic Kitten member talked openly about life as an independent artist, her new single Fantasy, and what it means to finally have full creative control. She also spoke warmly about feeling embraced by the LGBTQ+ community throughout her career.
Liza Minnelli at 80: Hollywood legend and gay icon marks milestone
Liza Minnelli turned 80 this week, marking the occasion with a memoir and a wave of tributes. Whatever one thinks of the cultural weight placed on gay icons, Minnelli's relationship with queer audiences is something genuine. It was built over decades, not manufactured.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/liza-minnelli-at-80-hollywood-legend-and-gay-icon-marks-milestone-with-memoir-and-major-tributes
BBC pulls plug on 'I Kissed A Boy' and 'I Kissed A Girl' amid funding squeeze
The BBC has cancelled both of its LGBTQ+ dating shows, I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl, citing funding pressures. It is a dispiriting development. Both shows offered something genuinely rare: queer romance treated as mainstream primetime entertainment.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/bbc-pulls-plug-on-lgbtq-dating-shows-i-kissed-a-boy-and-i-kissed-a-girl-amid-funding-squeeze
All-drag Macbeth set in Soho's queer underground
Kyran Thrax and Ginger Johnson are set to star in an all-drag production of Macbeth, staged in Soho's queer underground. Camp, political, and almost certainly chaotic. This is the kind of creative risk-taking that makes queer theatre worth following.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/kyran-thrax-and-ginger-johnson-to-star-in-all-drag-macbeth-set-in-sohos-queer-underground
X Factor winner Matt Terry claims his look was 'too gay' for live shows
Matt Terry, who won The X Factor in 2016, revealed this week that he was told his look was 'too gay' for the live shows during his time on the programme. It is a reminder of how recently, and how casually, LGBTQ+ identity was treated as something to be managed and minimised in mainstream entertainment.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/x-factor-winner-matt-terry-claims-his-look-was-too-gay-for-live-shows
Cynthia Erivo, Kate Nash and Andrew Scott make Rainbow Honours shortlist
The Rainbow Honours shortlist was revealed this week, featuring Cynthia Erivo, Kate Nash and Andrew Scott among the nominees. The awards celebrate LGBTQ+ people and allies making a mark in the arts and entertainment. A welcome moment of recognition.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/cynthia-erivo-kate-nash-and-andrew-scott-make-rainbow-honours-shortlist
PRIDE
Swindon & Wiltshire Pride secures £69,500 to explore the county's LGBTQ+ history
Swindon & Wiltshire Pride has been awarded a £69,500 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a project called We Were Always Here, an effort to document two centuries of LGBTQ+ history in the county. Community-led heritage work like this matters enormously, and not just for the communities it documents.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/swindon-wiltshire-pride-secures-69-500-from-national-lottery-to-explore-countys-lgbtq-history
Pride in Luton to close
Pride in Luton announced this week that it is closing, bringing to an end both its annual festival and its wider community work. Every Pride organisation that closes is a loss of infrastructure that is genuinely hard to replace. Our thoughts are with everyone who gave their time to make it work.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/pride-in-luton-to-close-bringing-an-end-to-annual-pride-festival-and-wider-community-work
COMMUNITY
Brighton Half Marathon raises more than £300,000 for Sussex Beacon
Runners at the Brighton Half Marathon this week collectively raised more than £300,000 for the Sussex Beacon, the HIV charity that has been supporting people in our community for decades. A record-breaking total, and a genuinely heartwarming reminder of what community fundraising can achieve.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/record-breakers-brighton-half-marathon-runners-raise-more-than-300-000-for-sussex-beacon
Portrait of drag legend David Raven to feature in National Portrait Gallery exhibition
A portrait of David Raven, known to generations of Brighton audiences as Maisie Trollette, is to feature in a National Portrait Gallery exhibition. A fitting tribute to a performer who has meant so much to so many.
Read on Scene → scenemag.co.uk/portrait-of-drag-legend-david-raven-aka-maisie-trollette-to-feature-in-national-portrait-gallery-exhibition
Until next Saturday
That is your week. A heavy one in places. The NHS hormone decision and the stories from Senegal and Morocco deserve more space than a newsletter summary can give them. But there were also moments of warmth, creativity and community doing what it does best.
If something this week struck you, or if there are stories you think we should be covering, please do write back. I read everything.
Leslie Clarke
Publisher, Scene Magazine
CEO, Pride Community Foundation
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