Good Law Project and a number of trans and intersex individuals have begun a legal challenge to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) ‘Interim Update’ following the For Women Scotland Supreme Court ruling.

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The claimants have sent a formal letter under the Pre Action Protocol for Judicial Review, which asks for a response within seven days. The challenge, against the EHRC and Bridget Phillipson, the Minister for Women and Equalities, is supported by a team of barristers including two KCs and two juniors (one of whom is trans) instructed by Good Law Project.

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The claimants say that the Interim Guidance, which requires toilet use based on ‘biological sex’, a position then adopted by the minister, is either wrong in law or, if right, breaches the UK’s obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998 and they ask the High Court to declare the UK in breach of its human rights obligations. The intersex claimant will also require the Minister and EHRC to explain what spaces intersex people should use and how that stance complies with the law. Jolyon Maugham KC, Good Law Project’s founder and executive director, said: “The stark and needlessly cruel position adopted by the Government and the EHRC humiliates trans people by forcing them to use the wrong toilets and obliges them to reveal deeply personal information about their gender to complete strangers just to take a wee.

Wales' biggest Pride event has banned political party involvement in solidarity with the transgender community.

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Pride Cymru said this was in "response to community feedback" and a request from the Trans Safety Network to "ensure the safety" of attendees in Cardiff. Earlier this week, Birmingham, Brighton, London, Glasgow and Manchester Prides announced that political parties would not be welcome at their events in an official capacity until they demonstrated a "tangible commitment to trans rights".

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The announcement comes after the Supreme Court ruled that the term "woman" in the Equality Act was defined by biological sex. Pride Cymru said individuals who belong to political parties can attend the event on 21 and 22 June, but not as representatives.

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In an open letter urging organisers to ban political involvement, the Trans Safety Network said: "Our trans, non-binary and intersex communities are under an ideological attack right now. Politicians are openly debating how to remove our basic human rights. "Pride is and always has been a protest. It is a chance for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community to show solidarity." A statement from the group of Pride organisers said there was a "disturbing global trend... where LGBTQ+ rights are being systematically rolled back".

Israel has qualified for Eurovision's grand final on Saturday, hours after protesters tried to disrupt the country's dress rehearsal. Yuval Raphael, 24, was performing New Day Will Rise during a preview show on Thursday afternoon when six people with whistles and "oversized" Palestinian flags obstructed her act. Under the arena rules, all flags are allowed but there are limits

on size.

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Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, which is organising the event, said the audience members were quickly ejected from the St Jakobshalle arena. Israel's participation in Eurovision has been a source of controversy, as its military intensifies its bombardment of Gaza, and enforces blockades of all food and other humanitarian supplies. Despite the ongoing tension, her song is currently among the favourites to win, according to bookmakers.

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9 other countries went through to the final from Thursday's second semi final.  The second semi-final also gave viewers their first chance to see the UK's act, Remember Monday. The girl band delivered a whimsical staging of their song, What The Hell Just Happened? - dancing around a fallen chandelier in Bridgerton-inspired outfits, as they sang about a messy night on the tiles. With effortless three-part harmonies, they put to rest the dodgy vocal performances that plagued Olly Alexander and Mae Muller in 2024 and 2023. And they were spared the public vote, for now. The UK automatically qualifies for the final as one of the "Big Five" countries who make outsized financial contributions to Eurovision.

The University of Warwick (UoW) has been criticised after mistakenly uploading a new proposal to their website, titled “trans inclusion code of conduct”, which would ban trans people from using their preferred toilets. 

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UoW has been reviewing its equality policies after last month’s anti-trans Supreme Court ruling that women should be defined by biological sex, not gender identity. It is thought the ruling will negatively affect trans people up and down the UK.

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The proposal, which has since been removed from the website, outlined that trans staff and students would not be permitted to use the toilets of the gender with which they identify, but instead should use the toilet for the sex they were assigned at birth. It is understood the policy was due to be considered by the university’s executive board, with a view to being officially adopted on 16 May. But staff are pushing the university to U-turn, claiming the policy is transphobic.

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A spokesperson for Warwick University and College Union (UCU), said they were “raging” after seeing the proposals. “If they turned around and said, ‘we’re going to have separate bathrooms for people of a different race’, that would be absolutely not acceptable. But because, somehow, being anti-trans is socially acceptable, they just think they can get away with this.”

Political parties have been banned from taking part in a Pride event in Scotland following the UK Supreme Court's ruling on the legal definition of a woman. Organisers of Glasgow's Pride said the decision was made due to "the lack of action and delay of comment from parties" after the landmark judgment last month.

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Following a long-running legal battle, judges unanimously decided the definition of a "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 refers to "a biological woman and biological sex". The ruling has caused concern among the transgender community and their supporters. The fallout includes transgender women being banned from the female toilets at the Scottish parliament and being disallowed from playing in women's competitive football.

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In a statement shared on social media, Glasgow's Pride said organisers had written to all political parties and related groups to inform them any planned involvement had been "suspended". As well as a ban on taking part in the parade and hosting any stalls, there will be no speeches from political parties during the event. Politicians planning on attending are expected to do so as an individual, elected representative of their local community. Glasgow's Pride said it is seeking "meaningful commitments and plans towards":

The UK has fallen to its lowest ever ranking on the European Rainbow Index of LGBTQ+ equality laws, which ranks European countries by their laws on LGBTQ+ equality. The UK, languishing in 22nd place, is now the second worst country for overall LGBTQ+ laws in all of western Europe and Scandinavia, with only Italy ranked lower. 

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The UK was in first place in 2015 but has slipped down the index every year since. According to figures, this year the UK fell seven places because of the recent Supreme Court judgment and the UK Government’s response, overturning two decades of recognition for trans people’s identities. The index is compiled annually by the European LGBTQ+ network ILGA-Europe, by analysing the laws in 49 European countries.

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For laws that relate to the recognition of trans people’s gender identity, the UK is now ranked 45th out of 49 countries, after the Supreme Court ruling. ILGA-Europe considers that the Court’s ruling constitutes a legal block on effective recognition of trans people’s identities, the only other European countries with such a legal block being Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary and Russia. The UK’s overall score on the Rainbow Index is 46%. The top five countries are Malta 89%, Belgium 85%, Iceland 84%, Denmark 80% and Spain 78%.

NatWest bank responded to a customer who complained about Pride flags and paraphernelia in a local branch by telling him to simply bank online. The man, who has been identified only as Mr J, said that he was offended by the flags due to both his disabilities and religious beliefs. When the bank refused to remove the display, Mr J filed a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman, suggesting that his rights under the Equality Act 2010 were breached, reports the Telegraph. 

 

 The Act states that discrimination based on a number of personal characteristics is prohibited. The Ombudsman ultimately ruled in NatWest’s favour. “NatWest is a bank that has chosen to display Pride materials along with other paraphernalia at certain times of the year,” Ombudsman Danielle Padden wrote. “As a service, we wouldn’t be able to tell them not to do that, as they are entitled to celebrate and raise awareness of the communities they serve.” “I’m not able to decide that NatWest have acted unfairly here,” NatWest is an institution which has sought to align itself with the LGBTQ+ community for many years. Its website currently states: “We aim to continue to deliver a better LGBT+ colleague and customer experience through continuously challenging the status quo “We have worked hard to understand the issues our LGBT+ colleagues and customers face and engage with them regularly to demonstrate that NatWest Group is a welcoming place, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Céline Dion made a rare appearance during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest with a brief, pre-recorded message.

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The star won the contest for Switzerland in 1988, and it had been rumoured she would take the stage as the ceremony returns to the country this year. The star won the contest for Switzerland in 1988, and it had been rumoured she would take the stage as the ceremony returns to the country this year.

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The semi-final saw 10 acts qualify for Saturday's grand finale, including Swedish entrants KAJ, whose song Bara Bada Bastu is the runaway favourite. Their song, an accordion-led comedy number whose title translates to "let's take a sauna", has a 40% chance of winning, according to bookmakers. If the prediction comes true, it would be Sweden's eighth Eurovision title - making them the most victorious country in the contest's history (they are currently tied with Ireland, on seven wins each).

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Although she was unable to be there in person, it was a coup for organisers. However, organisers said they had not given up hope of the star appearing at the final this weekend. "We are still in close contact with her," they said in a statement.

EastEnders actress Heather Peace has revealed she has had surgery and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

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The 49-year-old has played Eve Panesar-Unwin in the BBC soap since 2021, and has also starred in shows including Holby City, Waterloo Road and London's Burnin

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"I've been on quite a road for many months now," she wrote on Instagram on Monday alongside a video of having a wig fitted. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of October.

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"Since then I've undergone surgery and recovery over the Christmas period and today my chemotherapy journey ended." She likened the end of her treatment to reaching the finish line in the London Marathon. "To conclude - I've just picked up my medal," she wrote. "But I'm forever changed. During this time I've narrowed my world."

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She said she had spent "the most precious time" with her wife and three daughters, "just trying to appreciate every moment of them". Peace has also continued to appear on screen in recent months, and thanked the EastEnders team for "going above & beyond".

Russell Tovey has addressed the recent Supreme Court ruling on the word ‘woman’, calling the climate of transphobia in 2025 “horrific”.  The Looking actor was said by a journalist to be “visibly emotional” while discussing the matter in a recent interview with i paper. ​Tovey’s comments follow Pride In London, Brighton Pride, Birmingham Pride and Manchester Pride announcing in a joint statement that they have suspended political parties from participating in their events over institutional transphobia in the political system.

 

 

Speaking to i, Tovey – currently starring in Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes on Disney+– said: “[The filmmaker] Derek Jarman said in the late 80s that if you wait long enough the world moves in circles. Speaking to i, Tovey – currently starring in Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes on Disney+– said: “[The filmmaker] Derek Jarman said in the late 80s that if you wait long enough the world moves in circles. The Plainclothes actor furthermore added: “No feeling is finite. The world keeps spinning. You have to hope that it will turn around again. […] It’s fucking horrible at the minute. It’s just horrible.” “Section 28 fucked me up,” he said. “Coming of age, realising that I liked men at the same time as Aids, I would constantly mix sex and death. To have a generation that doesn’t even consider death around sex blows my mind.”

Pride In London, Brighton and Hove Pride, Birmingham Pride and Manchester Pride has announced in a joint statement that they have suspended political parties from Pride marches. In a statement released today (Monday 12 May 2025) reps for the four organisations said: “We are united not only in message, but in purpose.”  The move follows the recent Supreme Court ruling that the term ‘woman’ in UK law refers only to ‘biological women’.

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The statement reads - As the organisers of the UK’s largest Pride events in Birmingham, Brighton, London and Manchester, we come together today in unequivocal solidarity with our trans community. We are united not only in message, but in purpose. At a time when trans rights in the UK are under growing attack, our resolve has never been stronger: we will not allow progress to be undone. We will not stand by as the dignity, safety, and humanity of our trans siblings are debated, delayed, or denied.

 

The statement goes on to say - The recent ruling by the UK Supreme Court to exclude trans women from the definition of the term ‘woman’ underscores the urgent need for immediate action. In this moment, we choose to stand firmer, louder, and prouder in demanding change that protects and uplifts trans lives. That is why this year, we are collectively suspending political party participation in our Pride. 

Reigning Eurovision champion Nemo has backed calls for Israel to be excluded from the song contest.  During their winner’s press conference in 2024, the star cited that “Eurovision needs fixing a little bit” following the highly controversial events amid Israel’s participation. Now, as the Swiss star gets ready to hand over the crown, they have spoken up more candidly about how the contest seemingly remains broken. During an interview with the HuffPost UK, “The Code” hitmaker was asked whether they had an opinion on Israel’s ongoing presence at Eurovision:  “Yeah, I do. I personally feel like it doesn’t make sense that Israel is a part of this Eurovision. And of Eurovision in general right now. “I don’t know how much I want to get into detail, but I would say, I don’t support the fact that Israel is part of Eurovision at the moment.”

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The singer’s comments match those of more than 70 other past Eurovision participants who signed an open letter to Eurovision organisers at the EBU. The signatories from 12 different countries accuse Israeli broadcaster Kan of being “complicit in Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza”. The artists note that “by continuing to platform the representation of the Israeli state, the EBU is normalising and whitewashing its crimes”.

The Capital Pride Alliance, in partnership with Think Nimble and The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs have today announced the launch of the Pride365 mobile app. Developed specifically to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, the Pride365 app is launching in anticipation of World Pride Washington, DC 2025. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital, World Pride programs are ongoing from May 17 through June 8.

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The Pride365 App will serve as a local World Pride guide. It will offer updated information on the parade and free two-day street festival, curated event itineraries based upon specific interests, and real-time alerts from World Pride leadership. The app will be a handy tool to ensure everyone has the best and safest World Pride experience possible the partnership says. 

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"With a deep understanding of our community’s need for safe, secure, and instant access to World Pride information, we’ve launched the Pride 365 app to enable the creation of a curated Pride experience, unique to you. This collaborative effort with Think Nimble ensures every user has the information they need at their fingertips to confidently engage in Pride celebrations for World  Pride and beyond,” said Michael Edmonson, Technology Committee Co-Chair, World Pride 2025.

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"By providing instant access to event information and community resources, we're creating a safer, stronger, and more connected LGBTQ+ community," said Ryan Bos, Executive Director, the Capital Pride Alliance. 

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago has been elected Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church.

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The 69-year-old was chosen by the College of Cardinals and made his first public appearance from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday evening, telling the crowd: “Peace be with you all.” In his brief address, he called for a Church that builds “bridges” and remains “open to receive everyone… in charity, dialogue and love”. 

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But while his election marks a historic moment for the Church, his past public comments about LGBTQ+ people have resurfaced and drawn scrutiny from Catholic advocacy groups. In a 2012 address at the Synod of Bishops in Rome, Prevost criticised what he called the “homosexual lifestyle” and the “redefinition of marriage,” saying both were “at odds with the Gospel,” the Guardian reported. The remarks were part of a filmed address published by Catholic News Service, a US-based Catholic media outlet. “Western mass media is extraordinarily effective in fostering within the general public enormous sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel – for example abortion, homosexual lifestyle, euthanasia,” he’s reported to say in the addres

Thousands of people are expected at Exeter Pride on Saturday, organisers say. The event takes place in the city centre and organisers want it to be more inclusive than ever before.

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They said they expected nearly 10,000 people to attend the festivities with almost 2,000 members of the LGBTQ+ community expected to march through the High Street at lunchtime. Organisers said the family-friendly event included a "fun afternoon of live performances, inclusive workshops, and activities" with many "designed specifically for LGBTQ+ people with disabilities and neurodivergence, along with their friends and allies".

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Chair of Exeter Pride, Russell Buck, said: "Pride's not one day. It's about welcoming, including, love, joy and celebration, but it's a whole year long thing.  "It's great to have that one day where we come together and all feel seen, but it's about making sure we feel welcome within our community in order to lead our full brilliant lives."

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The day starts with a march from St Sidwell Street at 12:00 with activities then taking place in Rougemont Gardens, at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery and at the Exeter Phoenix throughout the afternoon. Mr Buck said it was "so important... seeing other people who aren't members of the LGBTQ+ community showing their solidarity and support" for Pride.

Dylan Tippetts – one of Labour’s only trans councillors – has quit the party, accusing it of “throwing trans people under the bus”.  The councillor, who has sat on Plymouth City Council since 2022, wrote in a post on X: “I cannot continue to represent a party that does not support my fundamental rights. I cannot as a trans person continue to support the Labour party.”

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Tippetts, who will now sit as an independent and confirmed he would not seek re-election, added: “The Labour party nationally has thrown transgender people under the bus and has taken us backwards decades. Everyone deserves the right to live peacefully, and the Labour party continues to deny transgender people that basic right.”

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Tippett’s resignation comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the “clarity” provided by the Supreme Court’s ruling on biological sex, which will affect trans people up and down the country. The ruling was followed by subsequent advice from the Equality and Humans Rights Commission, which slipped out with minimal consultation with affected communities, and suggests blanket exclusions for trans women from women’s spaces – a stance that legal experts warn may itself violate existing equality protections and human rights standards. The prime minister had previously said that “trans women are women”, but asked to repeat that statement on Tuesday, 22 April he said the ruling had “answered that question”.

Bangkok is preparing to stage the Bangkok Pride Festival 2025, a major event that city officials hope will attract visitors from across the globe and inject significant revenue into the local economy. 

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The festival, themed "The Celebration: Right to Love 2025," will run from 30th May culminating in a large-scale Pride parade on 1st June. ​The announcement came at a press conference held on Tuesday at Siam Paragon, where Bangkok's Deputy Governor, Mr. Sanon Wangsrangboon, emphasised the city's commitment to inclusivity and its readiness to support the event. He highlighted Bangkok's role in fostering equality and diversity, stating that the city's priority is to ensure the festival runs smoothly and welcomes as many participants as possible.

 

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is collaborating with the Siam Piwat Group, a prominent destination developer, alongside a coalition of public and private sector partners including Bangkok Pride, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), the United Nations in Thailand, and Drag Bangkok. 

The centrepiece of the festival will be the Bangkok Pride Parade on 1st June 2025. This promises to be the largest and most vibrant rainbow procession in Thailand, making its way along Rama I Road. The parade will serve as a powerful statement in support of diversity, equality, and inclusion.

The LGBTQ+ military community is in mourning today following the announcement that Lord Terence Etherton has passed away. Lord Etherton, aged 73, died yesterday it has been confirmed. In his lifetime, he became the first openly gay man to hold such a high judiciary post when he became Master of the Rolls, the second most senior judge in England and Wales from 2016 to He is perhaps best remembered as the author of the groundbreaking Etherton Report, following his review of into the treatment of LGBTQ+ veterans in the UK.  The review focussed on the the ban on LGBT+ people serving in the armed forces which remained in place from 1967 until January 2000. 2021.In his report, Lord Etherton made 49 recommendations for how the UK government ought to repair relations with the LGBTQ+ community in the armed forces, including recommendations of a formal apology from the prime minister and financial awards to those who suffered under the ban. The report resulted in then-prime minister Rishi Sunak issuing a formal apology in the House of Commons in July 2023. Sunak spoke then of the “appalling failure of the British state” in its treatment of LGBTQ+ people in the armed forces. He went on to apologise for “the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment,” endured by many, “all while bravely serving this country.”

 

 Fighting With Pride also issued a statement on Lord Etherton’s passing. “It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Lord Etherton today,” the statement reads. 

Former first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has spoken out against the recent Supreme Court ruling which determined that the words ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ refer only to “biological women” in the context of the Equality Act 2010. 

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Sturgeon, who is a longterm supporter of trans rights and was famously a proponent for Scotland’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill, spoke to press about the recent court ruling for the first time yesterday. In particular Sturgeon raised concern over the interim guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. “The question for me, and I think for a lot of people, is how that is now translated into practice,” she said. “Can that be done in a way that of course protects women but also allows trans people to live their lives with dignity and in a safe and accepted way,” Sturgeon queried. “I think that remains to be seen.”

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“I think some of the early indications would raise concerns in my mind that we are at risk of making the lives of trans people almost unliveable and I don’t think the majority of people in the country would want to see that.” The former SNP leader also took pause to note that she believes the primary threat to women is men. “It certainly doesn’t make a single woman any safer to do that because the threat to women, as I think we all know, comes from predatory and abusive men.” Sturgeon’s comments echo the sentiments of statements she made earlier this year 

The organiser of a LGBTQ+ event celebrating the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day says it will be "a really gorgeous opportunity to come together". Dr Adam Perchard will perform in Liberation Sensation, which will be held in Jersey Arts Centre on Friday and Saturday.

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It would focus on the challenges the LGBTQ+ community faced during the World War Two occupation by German forces and share messages of hope for the future, he said. It would will also host the debut performance of the island's first LGBTQ+ community choir as well, he added. The Jersey-born cabaret star's show is sharing his family's experiences of life during German rule in World War Two.

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He said: "I also want to think about what the island is like now, thanks to Liberation... I think this is a huge moment".  "We're going to honour the sorrow people went through the occupation but the overwhelming emotion I want people to come away with is joy at this vibrant island that we've become." Most of Jersey's pantomime dames are also due to join Dr Perchard for the performance. Esther Rose Parkes is leading the LGBTQ+ community choir and said she had been impressed with how far members had come in a few rehearsals. Kaye Nicholson, CEO of the equality charity Liberate Jersey and choir singer, saidit was "really exciting "It's a great from Adam and Esther to do this to shine a light on this community group which was persecuted by the Nazis, and it's really colourful."

Rehearsals for Eurovision 2025 are now in full swing for this year’s 37 competing nations. But over 70 participants of previous contests have come together to call for the exclusion of one of those — Israel.  In an open letter to Eurovision organisers at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the signatories from 12 different countries accuse Israeli broadcaster Kan of being “complicit in Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza”. The artists note that “by continuing to platform the representation of the Israeli state, the EBU is normalising and whitewashing its crimes”.

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The list of singers, songwriters, lyricists and other creatives that have signed the letter includes previous Eurovision winners Salvador Sobral (Portugal 2017) and Charlie McGettigan (Ireland 1994). Participants from Iceland — including Daði Freyr, Sylvia Night, Pollapönk, Systur, Svala, Paul Oscar and Hatari — comprise the largest proportion of signatories. 

 

 It comes after Iceland’s RÚV became the most recent competing broadcaster to share its opposition to Israel’s participation with the EBU. Slovenia’s RTVSLO and Spain’s RTVE have previously called for an open debate on Kan’s appearance at the contest.

Brighton & Hove Pride has announced it is teaming up with local LGBTQ+ venues to create an “uplifted, reimagined celebration” for this year’s Pride Street Party. According to Pride, this “exciting evolution will allow us to provide a safe and sustainable Pride Street Party for the future in addition to supporting our essential LGBTQ+ venues who provide community spaces throughout the year”.

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This year’s Pride Village Party will take place on Saturday, 2 August and Sunday, 3 August on Marine Parade and feature multiple stages and areas, including drag stages, music zones, bars and food catering. There will also be enhanced headline entertainment across the two days, daytime clubbing and community spaces and a stage on New Steine Gardens. 

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New for this year is the Street Party Stage curated by the Queens Arms in partnership with all your favourite cabaret venues. It will feature favourite local LGBTQ+ entertainers, plus some headline acts and a “spectacular final show” on Sunday evening. Centre Stage will host a new outside stage with camp classics and an array of fantastically fun talent. Revenge and Charles Street Tap will host the Pop Dance Stage, while Patterns will provide an outdoor Ibiza terrace style vibe and daytime dancing for the clubbing crowd, and the Camelford Arms will host the popular Bears Zone!

Councils controlled by Reform UK will be banned from displaying LGBTQ-themed rainbow flags in council buildings, it has emerged. 

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The news follows the Nigel Farage-fronted party winning 677 seats across all contested councils in last week’s local elections.  Reform UK will now take control of 10 councils, including Kent and Nottinghamshire. Union Jack, St George’s and county flags will be allowed to be displayed, under the new rules.

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“Reform-controlled English councils will move at speed to resolve that the only flags permitted to be flown on or in its buildings will be the Union Jack and St George’s flag,” chairman Zia Yusuf reportedly said in a statement yesterday. “No other flags will be permitted to be flown on its flagpoles, balconies, reception desks or council chamber walls,” he added.

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Responding to the news Labour MP Mike Tapp said: “As VE Day reminds us, Britain has a proud history of working with allies to defeat dictators and tyrants. “It tells you all you need to know about Nigel Farage’s Reform that their very first act after winning elections is to ban the Ukrainian flag from our town halls, in this of all weeks.

Mother Monster aka Lady Gaga gave the biggest concert of her career over the weekend, Saturday, 3 May, when she brought ‘Mayhem on the Beach’ to over 2.1 (or 2.5 according to some websites) million fans on Rio de Janeiro‘s Copacabana Beach.

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The free concert (paid for by the city in an attempt to revitalise Rio’s economy) became the highest attended concert ever by a female artist, the Queen of Pop Madonna, set this record last year with her final performance of her Celebration Tour at the same location in Brazil for 1.6 million fans oh and Rio’s biggest show of all time is Rod Stewart’s New Year’s Eve concert at Copacabana Beach in 1994, with over 3.5 million in attendance omg.

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As the opening chords of the iconic Born This Way reverberated, a goosebumps moment unfolded. In unison fans raised vibrant rainbow-coloured fans, the rhythmic snapping echoing the beat of the music as they moved them through the air and Gaga said “Tonight, we’re making history, but let me tell you, no one achieves this alone. Without every single one of you incredible people here in Brazil, this moment wouldn’t exist. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making history with me.” Brazilian police announced in a statement yesterday the arrest of two individuals following the discovery of plot to detonate a bomb at the concert. he police also revealed that the group behind the planned attack wanted to target LGBTQ+ community 

President Donald Trump has plans to cut suicide prevention and crisis services for LGBTQ+ youth, according to a leaked budget proposal from the White House.

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The 988 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline, funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, could end as soon as 1 October if approved by Congress. IYG, an organisation aimed at providing safe spaces and programming for LGBTQ+ youth, has said it is “deeply alarmed”.

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Zoe O’Haillin-Berne, IYG’s director of engagement, said the cuts threaten essential support systems for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults who already face higher rates of mental health challenges and suicidal ideation. “At a time when marginalised youth continue to face overwhelming obstacles, our focus should be on expanding access to care and reinforcing the support systems that serve as lifelines — not dismantling them,” O’Haillin-Berne said. “IYG remains steadfast in its commitment to uplifting and advocating for LGBTQ+ young people, and we will continue working to ensure they have the support and resources they deserve.” The Trevor Project, a charity focused on suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ+ youth, stated in a news release the programme has helped more than 1.2 million people in crisis since it was implemented in 2022.

London Trans+ Pride will return to central London on Saturday 26 July, with organisers announcing this year’s theme: ‘Existence and Resistance’. Now in its seventh year, the annual protest march is expected to bring thousands to the streets in a show of solidarity with trans+ people across the UK. The event follows a record-breaking turnout in 2024, when over 60,000 people attended, making it the largest Trans Pride gathering in history. In 2025, more than 30 Trans Pride events are scheduled across the UK and Ireland, with London remaining one of the most prominent.   “Marching to reclaim our streets is more important now than ever, as our community has continually seen its rights rescinded in the UK and across the world for years,” Adam Khan, a member of the London Trans+ Pride organising team, said in a statement. Lewis G. Burton, co-founder of London Trans+ Pride, said: “This year’s Supreme Court ruling has caused confusion, grief, and real harm…

 

 

The judgement erases the realities of intersex people, ignores the lived experience of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people, and reinforces the idea that only a narrow, outdated definition of womanhood deserves legal In light of this, the event has drawn vocal support from a wide range of community members and allies, including Jessie Ware, Jeremy Corbyn, Munroe Bergdorf, Eddie Suzy Izzard, Jake Shears, and more. protection.”

Hundreds of trans rights campaigners gathered outside the Glasgow office of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on 2 May to protest against the recent anti-trans Supreme Court ruling. 

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Backed financially by JK Rowling, who’s now known for spouting controversial posts on social media about the trans community, the gender critical campaign group For Women Scotland said the Equality Act’s definition of a woman was limited to people born biologically female. Five judges from the UK supreme court agreed – ruling that the legal definition of a woman in the Equality Act 2010 does not include trans women who hold gender recognition certificates (GRCs).

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This decision means trans women can no longer sit on public boards in places set aside for women. It could have far wider ramifications by leading to much greater restrictions on the rights of trans women to use services and spaces reserved for women, and spark calls for the UK’s laws on gender recognition to be rewritten.

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​Dr Kirstie Ken English, who researches LGBTQ+ populations for University of Glasgow, said: “We see this ruling and the EHRC guidance as extremely harmful, impractical as well, and violates trans people’s right to privacy.

Brazilian police said they thwarted a bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga's concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. 

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The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro state, in co-ordination with the justice ministry, said suspects had recruited participants to carry out attacks using improvised explosives and the plan was aimed at gaining notoriety on social media.  The person responsible for the plan and a teenager were arrested, the police said on X.

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A crowd of more than two million people gathered for the concert, which was free to attend.  Police said the group that planned the attack had been spreading hate speech, mainly against children, adolescents and the LGBTQIA+ community.

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The alleged mastermind was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, while the teenager was detained for storing child pornography in Rio. Those responsible were also promoting the radicalisation of teenagers, including self-harm and violent content "as a form of belonging and challenge among young people".

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The justice ministry said the suspects had identified themselves as Lady Gaga fans, known widely as "Little Monsters". The concert was paid for by the city in an attempt to revitalise Rio's economy, with expectations it could bring in $100m (£75m).

Perth in Australia and Denver in the United States have moved one step closer to hosting the 2030 Gay Games, after Auckland in New Zealand withdrew from the selection process, citing a lack of government funding.

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Writing before the withdrawal of Auckland, Laurie Butterfly, co-chair of the team in charge of Perth’s bid for the games, said: “We’re incredibly excited to move into the Top 3 to host Gay Games 2030. “Perth’s bid is from ground up; directly from Perth’s LGBTQ+ sporting teams. We want the world to share in our dynamic, vibrant and inclusive community.”

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Despite Auckland’s withdrawal, the Federation of Gay Games (FGG), which oversees the selection process, confirmed the site selection process will continue “on its planned trajectory”. That includes an international site inspection tour in July 2025, where dedicated inspectors will visit both Perth and Denver to assess infrastructure, venues and cultural offerings.

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The host city for the 2030 Gay Games will be announced at the FGG’s Annual General Assembly in October 2025. The Gay Games is the world’s largest sporting and cultural event celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion. Held every four years, the 10-day celebration features up to 40 sports, opening and closing ceremonies, and a rich cultural programme. The 2023 Gay Games were hosted by Hong Kong with Guadalajara announced as the co-hosting country for the year. Over 5,000 people attended the 2023 event, which takes place across 10 days, every four years. The 2026 Gay Games will be hosted in Valencia, Spain.

Fourteen LGBTQ+ charities, including Stonewall, Scottish Trans and TransActual have written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeking an urgent meeting to discuss “a genuine crisis for the rights, dignity and inclusion of trans people in the UK” after the Supreme Court’s anti-trans ruling on biological sex, which will negatively affect trans people across the UK.

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​The letter to the prime minister said the judgment had created “confusion and a significant lack of clarity about what this means for businesses, services and civil society and most importantly the impact on trans people”. The text suggests the judgment turns previous understanding of the Equality Act “completely on its head”, creating “a legal framework that simply cannot uphold the dignity, protection and respect of trans people”. Nonprofit legal organisation Good Law Project (GLP), which has raised more than £284,000 to challenge the supreme court’s judgment, said it was working on about 20 related legal initiatives, including one case already before the courts. In an update to donors, GLP added it had instructed an expert team to produce legal advice on what the court’s decision meant and would produce guidance for the trans community on what to do if they are challenged for using the spaces that align with their gender.

Labor's Anthony Albanese has defied the so-called "incumbency curse" to be re-elected Australia's prime minister in a landslide

 

Official vote counting won't finish for days, but Albanese's centre-left government will dramatically increase its majority after the conservative Liberal-National coalition suffered a thumping defeat nationwide. "Today, the Australian people have voted for Australian values: for fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all; for the strength to show courage in adversity and kindness to those in need," Albanese said.

 

Coalition leader Peter Dutton, who lost his own seat of 24 years, said he accepted "full responsibility" for his party's loss and apologised to his MPs. Following the result, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio both said they looked forward to deepening their bilateral relationships with Australia..

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Cost-of-living concerns - particularly the affordability of healthcare and housing - dominated the five-week campaign, but international relations also reared its head, with the issue of how to deal with Donald Trump looming large over the election. Dutton was seen by many as Australia's Trump, which appeared to go down badly with voters,

The Duke of Sussex has told the BBC he "would love a reconciliation" with the Royal Family, in an emotional interview in which he said he was "devastated" at losing a legal challenge over his security in the UK.

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Prince Harry said the King "won't speak to me because of this security stuff", but that he did not want to fight anymore and did "not know how much longer my father has". The prince spoke to BBC News in California after losing an appeal over the levels of security he and his family are entitled to while in the UK.

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"I can't see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point," he said after the defeat. "There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family," he said, but had now "forgiven" them.

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The prince had wanted to overturn changes to his security that were introduced in 2020 as he stepped down as a working royal and moved to the United States. Saying that he felt "let down", he described his court defeat as a "good old fashioned establishment stitch up" and blamed the Royal Household for influencing the decision to reduce his security.

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Prince Harry spoke to the BBC shortly after losing his latest legal challenge against the UK government over the level of security he and his family are entitled to when visiting.

Transgender women have been banned from competing in all levels of women's cricket with immediate effect, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced.  In an update to its transgender regulations, the ECB said "only those whose biological sex is female" will be able to participate in women's and girls' cricket.

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The ECB say transgender women and girls can continue playing in open and mixed cricket categories. The policy change follows a UK Supreme Court ruling on 15 April which said the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. "Our regulations for recreational cricket have always aimed at ensuring that cricket remains as inclusive a sport as possible," the ECB said in a statement.

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"These included measures to manage disparities, irrespective of someone's gender, and safeguard the enjoyment of all players. "However, given the new advice received about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling, we believe the changes announced today are necessary." The ECB added that abuse and discrimination "has no place in our sport" and that it is committed to ensuring cricket is "played in a spirit of respect and inclusivity".

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The decision follows an announcement from the English Football Association (FA) on Thursday that transgender women will no longer be able to participate in women's football in England from 1 June.

Chris Gull has shared that he was diagnosed with colon cancer in January, and is stepping down from his roles to focus on his recovery, and retirement. Chris has issued the following statement: “The last year has been particularly tough, after more than five years since the death of James Ledward, juggling to keep the Brighton Rainbow Fund, Scene Magazine and the Ledward Centre going through COVID, and some difficult years for Pride. It became clear last summer that, as the Trustee responsible for making financial decisions for the Brighton Rainbow Fund, that we would be unable to make the grants which had been promised to some LGBTQ+ and HIV organisations. “I have written previously about this, and my profound regret for the position this put these organisations, and those they support,

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“The Trustees of the Brighton Rainbow Fund asked the Charity Commission to investigate the situation, and their report is expected to be published soon. We have cooperated fully with the Commission. “Following on from the events of last year, Community Works has been working with the affected groups, and with Pride, and due to the loss of Trust from those groups, the Trustees of Brighton Rainbow Fund made the decision to close the charity. 

In response to the recent Supreme Court ruling and the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s interim guidance on the Equality Act, Pride in Education is hosting an online panel: Beyond the Supreme Court Ruling: Upholding Inclusive Education for ALL.

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This free event will take place on Friday, 16 May at 3pm via Zoom, and is open to educators, youth workers, activists, parents, carers, legal guardians, and all allies committed to affirming and inclusive educational environments. This discussion will unpack the legal and social implications of the recent developments and examine how these changes may affect the inclusion of trans, non-binary, and intersex people in education and community spaces. Most importantly, it will provide practical insights and solidarity for those continuing to champion inclusive education amid growing concern and confusion.

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“As shifts in legal guidance raise concern and confusion across the education sector, this event aims to bring clarity, empower community voices, and reaffirm our collective commitment to safe, inclusive spaces for all learners,” said Laila El-Metoui, Founder of Pride in Education. Beyond the Supreme Court Ruling: Upholding Inclusive Education for ALL on Friday, 16 May at 3pm (UK time) via Zoom

Organizers of the World Pride 2025 Human Rights Conference began announcing speakers and program tracks that include workshops, engaging presentations and conversations around the important legislative and cultural issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. and around the world. The event provides a powerful gathering place to inspire global action on LGBTQ+ rights, set in the heart of the U.S. capital city. 

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Speakers announced today range from outspoken allies including The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Church House-Diocese of Washington, D.C.; to activists from around the world including Dr. Lady Phyll, T.S. Madison, Richa Tripathi and Yasmin Benoit; dignitaries including Her Excellency Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, Iceland’s Minister of Industries; academic leaders Paula Gerber, Ph.D., Professor of Law at Monash University and M. V. Lee Badgett, Ph.D., Economics Professor at the Williams Institute at UCLA; and artists like Courtney Act, Bob the Drag Queen, Peppermint, and Mrs. Kasha Davis. Advocacy groups including GLAAD, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, and Human Rights Campaign will also participate, highlighting their leadership on domestic issues and to use the moment to rally global support. 

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The conference takes place from Wednesday, June 4 - Friday, June 6 at JW Marriott 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

The LGBTQ+ community, including activists and city leaders, gathered in West Hollywood on Wednesday, 30 April to protest the deportation of a gay Venezuelan makeup artist to a maximum security prison in El Salvador. 

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According to supporters of Andry Hernandez Romero, 31, he had no criminal history and was escaping persecution for various reasons, including his sexuality. He arrived at the US border at a legal port of entry with an appointment and asked for asylum. However, he was detained and held for several months before being deported and transferred to the notorious prison, named the Terrorism Confinement Centre.

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Loved ones of Andry have said Romero was deported without a fair hearing and that he was falsely accused of having gang ties. The last time they spoke with him was from a US detention facility on 14 March. After he was moved overseas, he has not been heard from since. “Andry, a gay Venezuelan man seeking asylum, came to this country believing in the promise of safety and dignity,” said Joe Hollendoner, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Centre. “Instead, he was met with detention, dehumanisation and ultimately deportation.” “This is the most shocking thing I’ve ever seen happen to a client of ours,” said Lindsay Toczylowski, Andry’s attorney.

A new record was set for the hottest start to any May on record on Thursday, with temperatures reaching 29.3C (84.7F) in London

That high, which was recorded at Kew Gardens, beat the previous record of 27.4C (81.3F), which was set in Lossiemouth, Scotland, in 1990, the Met Office said.

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Much of the UK basked in heat well above the average for the time of year, though conditions were cooler in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The spell of hot weather was triggered by an area of high pressure which had become blocked over the UK, leading to a sustained south-easterly air flow bringing warm conditions. 

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Thursday was also the hottest day of the year so far, beating the previous high of 26.7C recorded in Wisley, Surrey earlier this week. Temperatures in London soared above several European cities, including Athens and Rome. The capital was also hotter than Cairo (27C), Marrakesh (27C) and Los Angeles (21C).

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While not expected to hit the same sort of peaks as Thursday, temperatures are on course to remain high for many on Friday. However, conditions are forecast to return to closer to seasonal averages across the Bank Holiday weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach the low twenties in the south of England, with highs only reaching the mid-teens  further north and in Scotland.

Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women's football in England from 1 June, the Football Association has announced. It amended its rules on 11 April, applying stricter eligibility criteria for transgender women to continue playing in women's football at all levels.

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However, following the UK Supreme Court's ruling on 15 April that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex, the FA has scrapped that policy and says only those born biologically female will be permitted to play. "This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary," the FA said. 

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"We understand that this will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify, and we are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game." 

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The FA said on Thursday that there were fewer than 30 transgender women registered among millions of amateur players. There are no registered transgender women in the professional game across the Home Nations. The Scottish FA on Thursday also announced it was banning transgender women, from women's football in Scotland.

Dr Victoria McCloud, the UK‘s first publicly transgender judge, has taken legal action against the UK over the recent Supreme Court ruling on the definition of the words ‘woman’ and ‘sex’. 

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Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that, in the context of the Equality Act 2010, the terms ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ refer only to “biological women”. Following this ruling, the equality watchdog issued guidance which banned trans people from using the toilet of the gender they identify as. McCloud, who earlier this year was included in our Attitude 101 list of influential figures, previously sought leave from her position as a judge in order to join the litigation in the case which led to the Supreme Court ruling, however this request was denied. As a result, she retired from the bench after 14 years as a judge and now works as a litigation strategist at W-Legal. Now the retired judge is applying to the European court of human rights to bring action against the UK for infringement of her article 6 rights which, as per the European Convention on Human rights (ECHR), should have guaranteed her the right to a fair trial in criminal and civil matters.

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“The basis is that the supreme court refused to hear me, or my evidence, to provide them with information about the impact on those trans people affected by the judgment and failed to give any reasons,” McCloud recently explained to The Guardian. “Those are two basic premises of normal justice. There were protest groups speaking on behalf of women in this court case, but ordinary women were not actually represented as a whole,” she went on to say.

Today, Soho’s iconic LGBTQ+ venue the Admiral Duncan held an Act of Remembrance to remember those who lost their lives and were affected by a bombing which tore through the heart of London’s LGBTQ+ community on 30 April 1999. restaurants, 

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It was a warm April evening and revellers had gathered at the Soho hotspot. Unbeknownst to them, self-confessed neo-Nazi David Copeland had visited the pub and placed a bomb laced with 1,500 nails at the foot of the bar. At 6.37pm, the bomb exploded, tearing through the popular Soho bar, killing four and injuring 79 people. The Admiral Duncan bombing thus became the largest terror attack on an LGBTQ+ venue in the UK. Those who died would be later named as John Light, 32, Nick Moore, 31, and Andrea Dykes, 27, who was pregnant at the time.

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Copeland also detonated bombs in Brixton and Brick Lane – targeting the British Black, Bangladeshi and LGBTQ+ communities. At the Admiral Duncan there is a memorial chandelier with an inscription and a plaque in the bar to pay respects to the people that lost their lives and were injured.

The UK's only ever judge to publicly say they are transgender is planning to take the government to the European Court of Human Rights over the Supreme Court's ground-breaking ruling on biological sex.

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Dr Victoria McCloud, who stepped down from court last year, said the judgement and equality watchdog's new guidance violated her human rights and she felt "contained and segregated". She said the court had failed to consider human rights arguments that would have been put by trans people and the judgement had left her with the legal "nonsense" of being "two sexes at once".

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Two weeks ago, judges at the Supreme Court unanimously ruled a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law. It was asked to decide on the proper interpretation of the 2010 Equality Act, which applies across Britain. Lord Hodge said the central question was how the words "woman" and "sex" are defined in the legislation.

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Since then, interim guidance says in places like hospitals, shops and restaurants, "trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women's facilities".

A massive power cut hit large parts of Spain and Portugal on Monday, causing widespread chaos and disruption. 

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The outage left millions of people without electricity, while internet and phone networks were also down. Trains were cancelled and evacuated in some regions, and traffic lights stopped working as delays mounted at airports. With shops, homes and restaurants plunged into darkness - and some people stuck in lifts - Spain's electricity network said by mid-afternoon that restoring power could take several hours.

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Spain's political leaders said the cause of the disruption was still unknown but there was no indication of a cyber attack.  The first reports of an outage began around midday (10:00 GMT) on Monday and its impact quickly escalated. As the scale of the disruption became clear, residents of Madrid were warned to stay put, keep off the roads and not to call emergency services unless "truly urgent". A Spanish operator said power restoration would take up to 10 hours, while Portugal's power firm REN said getting back to full power could take up to a week.

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Aviation data company Cirium said 96 flights departing from Portugal - and 45 from Spain - had been cancelled.  Elsewhere, Andorra and parts of France were also hit, but the Balearic and Canary Islands were not affected.

Snooker's governing body will review its transgender inclusion policy following the landmark UK Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex under equalities law.

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The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) said in a statement that its position "has always been that its policy would be subject to immediate review should there be a change in circumstances".

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Trans women can currently compete in women's snooker events provided their testosterone levels have remained below a certain level for a period of 12 months before competing. Judges at the country's highest court last week determined that the "concept of sex is binary" and a person with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) in the female gender "does not come within the definition of a woman".

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The WPBSA said: "This is a complicated issue as the WPBSA is a world body and has to ensure it complies with equality legislation around the world as well as in the UK." Last week transgender women were banned from the female category of Ultimate Pool Group (UPG) in response to the Supreme Court ruling. 

London Marathon organisers say they will wait for reports from the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Sport England before making any decisions on the categorisation of transgender runners.

Interim guidance on single-sex spaces is "ill-considered and impractical" and should be withdrawn, the Green Party has said.

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The guidance, issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC),  followed the UK Supreme Court's ruling that a woman is defined by biological sex under the Equality Act.

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In places like hospitals, shops and restaurants, trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use women's facilities but they should not be left with no facilities to use, the guidance says. 

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Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer told the BBC the guidance puts trans people at risk of discrimination, while Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said there were questions over how it would be enforced. Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said the "logical consequence" of the Supreme Court ruling and EHRC guidance was that "people use the facilities of their biological sex".

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Asked if the government would ban trans people from using changing rooms or toilets they wish to use in its own buildings, he told the BBC: "In reality, when you say ban, am I going to be standing outside toilets? I'm probably not. "There isn't going to be toilet police but that is the logical consequence of the court ruling and the EHRC guidance." The UK government has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling, saying it brings "clarity" for women and service providers.

An investigation has been launched after three people were attacked during a trans rights rally in Birmingham.  The man pushed and spat at three attendees during a march in New Street at about 13:00 BST on Saturday, police said. They added that officers were checking CCTV and were keen to hear from anyone with information about what happened.

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Campaigners said the rally - one of two in the city on Saturday - had been organised in response to the Supreme Court's decision regarding the legal definition of a woman. Judges ruled earlier this month that when the term "woman" is used in the Equality Act it means a biological woman, and "sex" means biological sex.

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The rally began as a static protest at 13:00, campaigners said, with speakers and chants in Victoria Square before, attendees took part in a march down New Street. Video showed a passer-by attacking them, assaulting several individuals and repeatedly spitting on others. Local security staff pulled him away from the crowd, they added.

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Violet Corrigan, one of the organisers of the protest, said they were among those attacked. "I personally was pushed and nearly fell over but I've had a lot worse," they said. "It's not surprising. People get angry when they don't understand something, people get angry when they don't agree with something, instead of having a conversation with people.

Drag star Bianca Castro-Arabejo, who performed as Jiggly Caliente, has died aged 44, her family has said.

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The performer, who found fame on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, had part of her leg amputated on Thursday after suffering a "severe infection". Caliente had served as a judge on the show's Philippines spin-off, and also appeared in the hit US TV series Pose. Her family wrote in a statement on Instagram: "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Bianca Castro-Arabejo, known to the world and cherished by many as Jiggly Caliente."

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They said she died in the early hours of Sunday morning "surrounded by her loving family and close friends". Caliente's family paid tribute to her "infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity", adding that she left a legacy of "love, courage and light". "She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism, and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world," they said.

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Laganja Estranja, who appeared on the sixth season of the US reality TV programme, said Caliente was a "kind, caring soul". RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Baga Chipz described Caliente as "one of the kindest, sweetest souls I've ever met". Cheryl The Queen, who also competed in the UK version of the show, wrote: "We will love you forever and always Jiggly."

Trans cyclist Emily Bridges has spoken out about the recent Supreme Court ruling on the term ‘woman’.

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Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that, in the context of the Equality Act 2010, the term ‘woman’ refers only to ‘biological women’. The Court’s decision caused over 20,000 people to protest on the streets of London last weekend in defence of trans rights. Speaking about the aftermath of the court’s ruling, Bridges told ITV News: “It increases levels of vulnerability. You go out of the house thinking ‘is this the day that someone is going to shout at me, attack me?'”

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She went on to say: “I felt, like it has painted, like, more of a kind of target on our back since because it’s…..been wall to wall coverage across social media and across the news and, of course, the newspapers.” The cyclist, who has multiple national medals in track cycling under her belt, made headlines in 2022 after she was excluded from cycling as a woman in the National Road Championships due to her testosterone levels. Bridges told ITV News she feels the level of disdain for trans people has singificantly increased in recent years. “The public expression on both sides has increased in intensity and vitriol,” she said. “People are now feeling more comfortable to express hateful views. Not just trans people but about people of colour, immigrants, religious minorities and there’s been a massive rise in sexism.

Pope Francis has been buried in Rome after a funeral ceremony and procession attended by hundreds of thousands of people and many heads of state. The first South American pontiff passed away on Monday aged 88, marking the end of a 12-year pontificate.

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As the Italian capital woke up to a hazy morning, teenage pilgrims, nuns and priests of all denominations filed silently down the streets leading to the Vatican.

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Many of the streets around St Peter's Basilica were closed - both to allow the flow of visitors and for security reasons, as more than a hundred foreign dignitaries were expected to join the funeral mass. More than 8,000 Italian police of different branches were out in force, as well as firefighters, medics, canine unit handlers, volunteers, members of the armed forces and even park guards. Many had been called in from all sides of Italy to be in Rome today - resulting in a rather joyous blend of accents from across the country, from the Sicilian to the Milanese. The service's structure was very similar to that of any Catholic funeral mass, although the readings were done in many different languages and all hymns were sung in Latin. Pope Francis was buried in the righthand side of the church, near a beloved icon of the Virgin Mary, at around 15:00.

The Kennedy Centre in Washington DC has cancelled a week’s worth of World Pride events celebrating LGBTQ+ communities, amid President Donald Trump‘s purge of the centre’s leadership and being installed as the centre’s new chairman.

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Multiple artists and producers involved in the centre’s Tapestry of Pride, which was planned for 5-8 June, said their events had been quietly cancelled or transferred to other venues. Washington’s Capital Pride Alliance disassociated itself from the Kennedy Centre in response to the cancelled events. “We are a resilient community, and we have found other avenues to celebrate,” the alliance’s deputy director June Crenshaw said. “We are finding another path to the celebration … but the fact that we have to manoeuvre in this way is The cancellations come in the wake of big changes at the Kennedy Centre, including Trump’s firing both the president and chairman in early February. Trump replaced most of the board with loyalists, who subsequently elected him the new chairman of the institution. disappointing.”

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The World Pride event is held every two years and this year’s event runs from 17 May – 8 June with performances and celebrations planned across the nation’s capital. But concerns arose about what kind of reception attendees will receive due to Trump administration policies targeting trans people and comments about Kennedy Centre drag performances.