La Voix, star of season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, has been announced as one of the headliners of Isle of Wight Pride, which takes place on Saturday, July 19. The global superstar, who is also a Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist, will bring her dazzling talent to the IW Pride stage. Expect razor sharp comedy and powerhouse vocals from the UK’s funniest redhead. 

IW Pride returns to its iconic Harbour Beach location this year from 11am – 10pm. While tickets are required to access the entertainment area, the parade and community village remain free for all to enjoy. An IW Pride spokesperson said: “For the first time, in 2025, general admission tickets for the beach entertainment will no longer be free. “This decision has not been made lightly.  “Increasing operational costs, companies reducing and spreading sponsorship more widely, and attendance never guaranteed due to the weather and the resulting impact on income, have been factored into this decision.” Other acts headlining IW Pride include dance music diva Rozella, bringing her anthems Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good), Faith (In The Power Of Love) and Are You Ready To Fly, and N-Trance, one of the biggest dance acts of the 1990s with legendary hits including like Set You Free, Stayin’ Alive and Do Ya Think I’m Sexy.

The 69th Eurovision Song Contest is set to be hosted by three talented women who embody Switzerland's adopted motto for Basel 2025 – 'Welcome Home'.  Hazel Brugger, Sandra Studer and Michelle Hunziker will present the Grand Final, which will take place on Saturday 17 May at St. Jakobshalle in Basel. And from the same venue, Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer will also host the First Semi-Final on Tuesday 13 May and the Second Semi-Final on Thursday 15 May. According to Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, the choice of the host trio for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 symbolises the values that define Switzerland: openness, diversity, multilingualism and a sense of togetherness.  In May, the trio will not only aim to celebrate Europe’s diversity, but also to bring the true values and spirit of Switzerland to the stage – a country known for its openness, integration and community. Hazel Brugger, 31, is an award-winning stand-up comedian and presenter. Born in the USA, she grew up near Zurich and now lives in the Darmstadt region of Germany. Michelle Hunziker, 47, grew up in Ostermundigen near Bern and is one of Switzerland’s best-known international personalities. She is one of Europe’s most beloved entertainers, known for numerous shows on German and Italian television, Sandra Studer, 55, started her career in 1991 as Switzerland's Eurovision Song Contest participant.  Under the stage name Sandra Simó, she secured 5th place in the contest. 

President-elect Donald Trump is to sign an executive order on gender stating ‘woman’ means ‘adult human female’ soon after his inauguration, according to reports. Titled ‘Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government’, the order will reportedly be given within hours of today’s swearing in ceremony. An executive order acts as an instruction from the President to federal government agencies on how to enforce laws or policies, without needing approval from Congress. The 78-year-old is expected to sign as many as 100 executive orders this week, with his plan to legislate “the biological reality of two sexes” expected as one of his first major policy actions.  Independent media company The Free Press first reported details of the executive order today after speaking with two incoming senior administration officials.  “Women deserve protections, they deserve dignity, they deserve fairness, they deserve safety,” an official told the outlet. “And so this is going to help establish that in federal policy and in federal laws.”  The move will reverse gender and sex-based laws from the Joe Biden era such as making the use of preferred pronouns mandatory and using self-ID when applying for passports.  Other key provisions include prohibiting women who are trans from being housed in women’s prisons or from participating in women’s sports.

Apple has rolled back an AI tool after it wrongly claimed former professional tennis player Rafael Nadal had come out as gay in an update of summarised news stories.  “Brazilian tennis player, Rafael Nadal, comes out as gay” read the push notification published earlier this month, and captured and recently reported on by The Telegraph. Nadal, who was born in Manacor on the island of Mallorca, Spain, is married to Mery Perelló, with whom he is a parent to an infant son, Rafael. According to the newspaper, the alert also told a number of iPhone users that the BBC had reported that Luke Littler was the winner of the PDC World Darts Championship final before it had commenced.  These are among a slew of inaccuracies that have reportedly plagued the tech giant since a recent update.  Last month, the BBC publicly complained about the AI feature after it cited a non-existent BBC report that Luigi Mangione, who stands accused of killing healthcare boss Brian Thompson, had taken his own life.  Apple previously said it would update the feature, but this has now been suspended. Said a spokesman: “With the latest beta software releases of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, notification summaries for the News & Entertainment category will be temporarily unavailable. “We are working on improvements and will make them available in a future software update.” A BBC rep meanwhile responded: “We look forward to working with them constructively on next steps.

Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill was officially written into law on Sept. 24, after it was endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.  LGBTQ+ couples will be able to register marriages this week when it takes effect on Thursday, making Thailand the third place to do so in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal.  Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusivity, but has struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law. Thai society has broadly conservative values, and members of the LGBTQ+ community say they face discrimination in everyday life. The government led by the Pheu Thai party has made marriage equality one of its main goals. It had a major presence at the annual Bangkok Pride parade in June, in which thousands of people celebrated in one of Bangkok’s busiest commercial districts.  A grand celebration is planned in central Bangkok to facilitate hundreds of same-sex couples who plan to register their marriages on the very first day.  Patherine Khunnares, 37, web designer, and Vivian Chullamon, 36, researcher said  We’re quite fortunate. We have a supportive social circle, friends, and family who accept us for who we are and accept the person we love. Marriage, it seems, isn’t everything that fulfils us emotionally. “However, ultimately, we believe that as two human beings, we should be granted the same basic legal rights as heterosexual couples. We are a complete family in spirit, but legal recognition would alleviate our future anxieties. 

TikTok is resuming services to its 170 million users in US after President-elect Donald Trump said he would issue an executive order to give the app a reprieve when he takes office on Monday. On Saturday evening, the Chinese-owned app stopped working for American users, after a law banning it on national security grounds came into effect. Trump, who had previously backed a ban of the platform, promised on Sunday to delay implementation of the law and allow more time for a deal to be made. TikTok then said that it was in the process of "restoring service". Soon after, the app started working again and a popup message to its millions of users thanked Trump by name. In a statement, the company thanked the incoming president for "providing the necessary clarity and assurance" and said it would work with Trump "on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States". TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump's inauguration Monday.  Posting on Truth Social, a social media platform he owns, Trump said on Sunday, "I'm asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law's prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security." TikTok's parent company, Bytedance, previously ignored a law requiring it to sell its US operations to avoid a ban. The law was upheld by Supreme Court on Friday and went into effect on Sunday.

Thailand’s first-ever same-sex marriage registrations will take place on January 23 at Paragon Hall, fifth floor, Siam Paragon. The event will run from 8am to 6pm, allowing couples to register their unions officially. 

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Participating couples are encouraged to pre-register via the Bangkok Pride website for a smoother process. Walk-in registrations will also be available but will depend on queue availability and staff discretion. The registration will be divided into five time slots, 8am, 10am, 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm, with each round accommodating 50 couples.  In total, 250 couples will be registered throughout the day. An additional round at 7pm is reserved exclusively for those who pre-registered. 

Couples who have signed up in advance will receive a confirmation email, which they must present as proof of registration.

Participants must also bring their ID documents and two witnesses. There is a 200-baht fee for registration.

TikTok has gone offline in the US, hours before a new law banning the platform was due to come into effect.  A message appearing on the app for US users said a law banning TikTok had been enacted, meaning "you can't use TikTok for now". "We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office," it read. It comes after the social media platform warned it would "go dark" on Sunday unless the outgoing Biden administration gave assurances the ban will not be enforced.  President-elect Donald Trump has said he would "most likely" give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a ban once he takes office on Monday. Users reported the app had also been removed from both Apple and Google's US app stores and TikTok.com was not showing videos. "The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it's appropriate," Trump told NBC News on Saturday.  "If I decide to do that, I'll probably announce it on Monday." The White House said that it was up to the incoming administration to take action.  "We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday," press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the law, passed in April last year, banning the app in the US unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sold the platform by Sunday, which it has not done.

The White House has said a threat by TikTok to shut down in the US on Sunday unless tech firms get assurances they will not be punished for violating a law that bans the app is a "stunt". Late on Friday, the social media platform said it needed a commitment from the outgoing Biden administration that companies such as Apple and Google will not face prosecution for ignoring the looming ban. "It is a stunt, and we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday," said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Instead the Biden administration has said it will be up to President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Monday, to decide how and if it wants to implement the law. TikTok said it would be forced to "go dark" in the US on Sunday because the White House and the Department of Justice had "failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok's availability". It follows a Supreme Court ruling on Friday morning that upheld a law banning the app in the US unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform by Sunday. ByteDance has repeatedly said it will not seek a buyer for the platform.  Under the law, the US version of the app would be removed from app stores and web-hosting services in the coming days.

Durk Dehner, a co-founder of the Tom of Finland Company and Foundation, has been dropped as a judge at the International Mr. Leather competition in light of a scandal surrounding photos of him wearing Nazi regalia. The decision to distance itself from Dehner has come after social media posts by Pup Diego Onyx, who was crowed Mr. Bullet Leather in 2024, began to circulate which included old photos of the businessman donning attire which featured the swastika and the Nazi eagle symbols. As the posts gained traction online, Dehner was removed from his position as a judge for the upcoming competition. In a statement posted on the IML Facebook page the company’s executive director David Ronneberg said that he was “very angry” at the recent evidence which “clearly indicates [Dehner] is not fit to be part of our organisation.” He elaborated saying: “Hate has no place at IML. Period, full stop. Anyone who wears hate-based imagery or symbols, whether Nazi regalia or a fucking MAGA hat – has NO place at the table, NO voice in the conversation, and can fuck right off. “There is no grey area here,” he went on to say. Following the decision, the Tom of Finland Foundation, which aims to celebrate and preserve the homoerotic art of artist Touko Valio Laaksonen (known as Tom of Finland), also took to social media, sharing a statement on Instagram which reads: “Tom of Finland Foundation unequivocally condemns all racism and hatred,

TikTok has said it will be forced to "go dark" in the US on Sunday unless the government intervenes before a ban takes effect.  In a statement late on Friday, it said the White House and the Department of Justice had "failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok's availability". It said that unless the government immediately stepped in to assure the video app it would not be punished for violating the looming ban, it would be "forced to go dark on January 19". The statement follows a Supreme Court ruling earlier on Friday which upheld a law banning the app in the US unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform by Sunday. Passed in April last year, the law says ByteDance must sell the US version of the platform to a neutral party to avert an outright ban.  TikTok challenged the law, arguing it violates free speech protections for its 170 million users in the country.  But the Supreme Court's ruling means the US version of the app will be removed from app stores and web hosting services unless a buyer is found in the coming days. It had been thought the ban would not impact TikTok users who already have the app downloaded on their phones. But given updates would become unavailable once the ban comes into force, the app would eventually degrade and become unusable over time.

President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural address on 20 January will take place indoors due to dangerously cold weather being forecast next week in Washington, he has confirmed. The address, as well as other speeches, will now take place inside the US Capitol's rotunda, rather than outside the building.  The inaugural parade will also be held indoors at Washington's Capitol One Arena, along with all three inaugural balls. 

The last president to be sworn-in indoors was Ronald Reagan in 1985, when cold weather also plagued the US Capitol. In a statement posted to his Truth Social social media platform, Trump said that he does not "want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way" amid the freezing temperatures. "It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of law enforcement, first responders, police K9s and even horses" as well as "hundreds of thousands" of supporters. "In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly," he added.  

The Capitol One Arena will also be open for a live viewing of the inaugural address.

TikTok is to be banned in the US from Sunday if it is not sold by its Chinese parent company, the Supreme Court has ruled.  However, President Joe Biden has said he will not enforce the ban for the few remaining hours he is in office, leaving it up to Donald Trump to decide what to do when he enters the White House on Monday.  After the Supreme Court ruling, the White House released a statement saying TikTok should remain available to Americans. "TikTok should remain available to Americans, but simply under American ownership or other ownership that addresses the national security concerns identified by Congress in developing this law," the White House said in a statement. The US's top judges were deciding whether to overturn the ban after hearing appeals from TikTok creators and its lawyers.  TikTok's owners Bytedance have repeatedly said they won't sell the app - if they did, it would stop the ban coming into force. President-elect Trump also tried to get the ban delayed, so he could make a decision on it once he was in office. But, the Supreme Court has decided to stick with the original ban.  Now, one day before Donald Trump returns to the White House, the social media app used by 170 million Americans will be banned. Donald Trump gets into the White House the day after the ban begins. He is now a big fan of TikTok with more than 14.7 million followers. He even credited the app with helping him win back the presidency.

Brighton & Hove City Council‘s Cabinet is set to discuss recommendations around a potential sale of the Brighton i360 on Thursday, 23 January.  Following the decision of the board of Brighton i-360 Limited to file for administration on 20 December, a prospective buyer has come forward with a bid for the attraction. While the sale is a decision for the administrators, Interpath Advisory, BHCC has said they “must act in the best interests of creditors. As the largest creditor, the council needs to agree to the release of the debt owed by the Brighton i360 company”. At the January meeting, Cabinet members are being asked to agree to recommendations to release the council’s security on its £51million loan debt and rolled-up interest to the potential buyer. Councillor Jacob Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Finance and City Regeneration, said: “The offer proposed is the best value we’ll get from the market. “We worked with the i360 and their administrators for months while they explored investment and we have spoken to lots of interested buyers. But offers have not materialised and it’s only now that viable offers have been put forward. Understandably, none include a significant purchase price or taking over any outstanding debt. “While the council is disappointed not to recoup more of taxpayers’ money, I’m pleased there is potential for the council to receive a future share of revenue.

The LGBTQ+ community of Forest Gate in London have reacted after the local council was forced to remove Pride flags after they were repeatedly vandalised.  Flags, including the Progress Pride flag and Trans Pride flag, painted on the ground outside Forest Gate station, were vandalised four separate times in June and July 2024. Rob Desroches, founder of Forest Gate Pride, said: ‘It’s really tragic it happened – it felt like we were being attacked everytime we walked to the Co-op. ‘The flags were in place for four years before it all started, but a month after they were put in someone wrote “save our children” on top of one. ‘After the fourth time, we and the council agreed we should just remove them and look to install something different. ‘It’s really unfortunate that one person has ruined it. Before this the area didn’t feel homophobic, but now we are noticing a lot more derogatory comments online. It’s like people feel they now have permission to be horrible. ‘But this has brought the queer community closer together. On the day they were taken off we had the wraps installed on the lampposts so there wasn’t any point there wasn’t pride imagery in the area.’ Detectives launched an appeal to find a man, wearing a hoodie and face covering, caught on CCTV covering the flags in black, white and red paint.  But police have said after being unable to identify any suspects they have closed the investigation, and the council has given up restoring the flags.

A PhD scholarship focused on trans and non-binary inclusion has been launched by the University of Brighton in collaboration with the Paul Cottingham Trust.  The scholarship will provide a researcher with financial support and access to world-class resources to develop a project focusing on trans and non-binary inclusion within the broad remit of supporting health, wellbeing, and dignity in health and social care. It will be awarded to a candidate who is committed to making a difference to the wider trans community and will provide an  opportunity for in-depth research that can explore the issues and opportunities for trans people. The scholarship is overseen by the University’s Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender (CTSG), a research centre known for its work on LGBTQ+ lives and communities. The centre’s researchers employ innovative methods and creative approaches to produce work that informs policy and practice. The centre also champions anti-racist and gender-inclusive research, providing a vibrant and inclusive environment for its thriving community of early-career researchers and students. Professor Nigel Sherriff, Professor of Public Health and Public Promotion and Director of CTSG at the University of Brighton said: “The scholarship represents a unique opportunity to contribute to a vision for the future that transforms trans and non-binary inclusion at every level.

National Student Pride has revealed first details of their 202th anniversary edition which takes place from Friday 28th February to Sunday 2nd March 2025. National Student Pride’s Festival is the ultimate event for LGBTQ+ students to connect, share, and celebrate in London. Packed with inspiring panels, amazing performances, and loads of opportunities - including the UK’s biggest LGBTQ+ student careers fair - it’s a weekend where you can be yourself, meet new people, and discover what’s possible. Weekend and FREE daytime tickets are available on the National Student Pride website.  A weekend wristband includes access to all night-time events, queue jump, free entry, and £3 drinks all weekend at G-A-Y Heaven. Accommodation packages with Generator London are also available, offering a safe and inclusive place to stay during the weekend.. Performers and speakers are confirmed and will soon to be announced. Saturday’s festival is packed with performances and discussions, including a  star-studded line-up  of drag artists, celebrities, and experts, hosted by Drag Race UK vs The World winner Tia Kofi and activist Charlie Craggs. The Drag finale lineup features iconic drag mother and daughter Freida Slaves & Rileasa Slaves with contestants Don One, Ula Lah, Sophia Stardust and Miss Leigh Ding. g10 as one of the official media partners of the event will bring you extensive coverage of the event including bring you g10 live from Student Pride on Saturday. 

Villads Raahauge Jensen, the Danish handball player and podcaster, has come out of the closet in an emotional post on Instagram.  “I am gay,” wrote Jensen. “Three words that in reality should be easy to say, but which for many years I’ve been afraid to be open about. “I’ve been thinking of posting a post like this for a long time, and have been thinking if this was the right way to come out. But there is probably no right or wrong way.” “Those who know me, also know that handball has always been my number one priority in every aspect of my life,” wrote Jensen, who plays for Lugi HF in the second-tier Swedish Allsvenskan league. “But the idea that the whole narrative of who I was as a person should change solely based on my sexuality has been something I have not dared to take a chance on. I’ve been terrified about how people, teammates, coaches and anyone around handball would react.” “Would they look at me any different? Would they think I was wrong? Would I no longer be a part of the team, in the same way I was before?” Jensen, aged 28, pondered. “Being gay in sports is in many ways still taboo without me quite having the explanation as to why. I just know that it’s been really hard for me to be open about who I am.” In spite of the player’s fears about coming out, Omni reported that the news was met with love and acceptance from his teammates, with them all “giving him high fives and pats on the back.”

Southwark Council has announced plans to invest £1.5 million into the former site of popular gay club night XXL to create a new LGBTQ+ venue.  The space, located in two railway arches at Bankside Yards, will reportedly feature a theatre and workspace, as per Southwark News. XXL closed its doors in 2019 despite a nearly 6,000 signature strong petition to keep its doors open.  The space will reportedly be ready for use in 2026, having previously committed to a 2022 opening. “These are major projects that will directly benefit residents and businesses and help us to build a better and fairer Southwark for all,” Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development said of the investments. “Our LGBTQ+ community will massively benefit from the new space and the facilities on offer, and we’re also investing to make sure that both a new site with 100 per affordable housing and the Bakerloo Line Extension can happen. “Making sure money from developers is reinvested back into our communities is a vital part of what we do and we’ll keep ensuring that money goes towards making a real difference and improving life for the people of Southwark.” Following the closure of the XXL in 2019, the council pledged space for a new queer venue following much criticism surrounding the closure. James McNeill, one of XXL’s co-founders, said at the time: “We are going to close and that’s it. Southwark Council haven’t provided us with any help.

Brighton-based HIV charity the Sussex Beacon has announced a restructure of its service provision, effective April 2025.  According to the Sussex Beacon, care for people who live with HIV has changed immeasurably in recent decades. Earlier diagnosis and the introduction of effective anti-retroviral treatments helps people live healthy lives, with HIV now considered a long-term condition. In response, the Sussex Beacon will be working to move elements of its nursing provision into the community, alongside services already provided. This new model will complement the existing Community Services Team and the high-quality support that they provide across Sussex to people living with HIV, their families and friends. This will mean that the Sussex Beacon’s Inpatient Unit will cease to operate in its current form, in line with services in other areas of high prevalence which have already moved away from Inpatient support to community HIV teams in people’s own homes. All other Sussex Beacon services remain unaffected by this change. NHS Sussex recognises the value of the clinical offer that the Sussex Beacon’s Inpatient Unit has provided since the Beacon was founded in the early 1990s and is committed to working with the Sussex Beacon to consider what this new model of care could look like in collaboration with other system partners. This will coincide with the publication of the government’s new HIV Action Plan, due in the summer.

Campbell Johnstone, the first openly gay All Black, has tied the knot with his partner Ben Thomson.  In January 2023, Campbell revealed in an interview on New Zealand TV show Seven Sharp that he is gay, Speaking at the time, Campbell said: “If I can be the first All Black that comes out as gay and take away the pressure and stigma surrounding the issue it can actually help other people.” The wedding of Campbell, 44, and Ben, 37, wasn’t exactly traditional – the biggest surprise was that the grooms wed secretly back in October  Ben said: “We had a day with just the two of us, when photographers videoed and photographed us getting ready together in a hotel. Then we went out to Castle Hill Station and held our ceremony on top of a mountain.” “It was literally just us, the two photographers and the videographer on that hill, so it was quite cool,” recalls Ben. “We didn’t even have a celebrant.” The 165 guests who gathered in Oxford, New Zealand for champagne, food and tunes did get to see the video, which the grooms projected on a big screen. “We meant it to look like we came straight from the video,” says Campbell. “I think some people thought it was live.” Life been a whirlwind since Campbell – who played three tests for the All Blacks in 2005 – became the first All Black to come out as gay.  While he expected his story would resonate in New Zealand, he had no idea his admission would go global, with media coverage of the interview airing in countless countries.

Emilia Perez has received 11 nominations at the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards, it has been announced.  Among them: a nomination for Best Actress for its lead star, Karla Sofía Gascón, making her the first woman who is publicly trans to receive an acting nod.  She will be competing against Wicked star Cynthia Erivo who also received a nomination in the category, alongside Mikey Madison (Anora), Saoirse Ronan (The Outrun), Marianne Jean-Baptise (Hard Truths) and Demi Moore (The Substance). The Spanish actress is now widely tipped to receive a Best Actress Oscar nod for her titular tole in the film. The Netflix movie – about a drug dealer who transitions gender – is also up for Best Film, Adapted Screenplay, Film Not In The English Language. Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña are both up for Supporting Actress, while Jacques Audiard is up for the Director award. Speaking in an interview with Attitude last month, Karla said: “We shouldn’t be treated differently because of our tastes, our sexual orientation. As long as we’re not harming others, there’s no reason for treating anyone differently. I think the work the film does is very important in that sense, because it allows audiences to see these people respected on-screen. And to see their actions through what they’re doing; to see everyone reflected in real life. The Bafta Film Awards, hosted by David Tennant, will take place on 16 February at London's Royal Festival Hall.

Conclave, a film about a gossipy and scheming group of cardinals who gather in Rome to elect a new Pope, leads this year's Bafta film award nominations with 12 nods. It is followed closely by Netflix's Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez, which tells the story of a Mexican cartel leader who leaves the world of crime to live a new life as a transgender woman.  The frontrunners in the Bafta acting categories include Cynthia Erivo and Demi Moore for lead actress and Adrien Brody and Timothee Chalamet for lead actor. But Denzel Washington and Daniel Craig failed to make the shortlist for Gladiator II and Queer respectively.  Hugh Grant's nomination in the lead actor category for horror film Heretic, and Saoirse Ronan as leading actress for The Outrun, are among some of the surprises. Jamie Lee Curtis is nominated in the supporting actress category for The Last Showgirl, but the film's main actress Pamela Anderson, who plays an ageing Las Vegas performer, missed out on a nomination. Another film tipped for success in the current awards season is Anora, which has seven Bafta nominations including best film.  It follows the whirlwind romance between a New York sex worker and the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. Mikey Madison is nominated as leading actress and is also up for the rising star award, which is voted for by the public. The Bafta Film Awards, hosted by David Tennant, will take place on 16 February at London's Royal Festival Hall.

Sky has announced a new three-part documentary series entitled Boyzone: No Matter What on the Irish boyband Boyzone which is set to drop on 2 February.  The trailer, which was released this morning, shows the four surviving members of the band and their estranged former manager Louis Walsh speaking to camera about their meteoric rise to fame in the nineties, as well as their bandmate and friend Stephen Gately. Gately, who tragically died in 2009 of a congenital heart defect aged just 33, was famously forced to come out in 1999 after learning that an acquaintence was planning to sell a story on his sexuality to The Sun newspaper. “Stephen was living the dream – but he had a big secret,” Walsh is heard saying in the documentary’s trailer. “He got the front page!” “It’s absolutely scandalous what the newspaper did to Stephen,” Keith Duffy can be heard saying. Later in the trailer, Ronan Keating says: “I made choices that I’m not proud of. I think now after 30 years is the time to talk about it.”  The documentary follows the release of Boybands Forever, a three-part documentary series produced by the BBC which came out last year and covered the rise of a plethora of boybands including Take That, Westlife, Blue and East 17. Following Gately’s coming out in 1999, Walsh admitted in an interview with the Irish Independent that he may not have selected him for the band had he been aware of his sexuality as “it wasn’t cool then to have a gay guy in a band.”

Sir Stephen Fry has led the tributes to British actor and comedian Tony Slattery, who has died aged 65 following a heart attack Slattery was known for his quick-witted improvisations on the popular Channel 4 show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, from 1988 onwards. Sir Stephen, who also featured on the show as well as with Slattery in Cambridge University's Footlights group, described his old friend on Instagram as "the gentlest, sweetest soul" and "a screamingly funny deeply talented wit and clown". Londoner Slattery also played comedic and serious roles in films such as crime thriller The Crying Game, Peter's Friends and the dark comedy How to Get Ahead in Advertising. He earned an Olivier Award nomination for best comedy performance for his role as Gordon in Tim Firth's play Neville's Island.  A statement on behalf of Slattery's longstanding partner, actor Mark Michael Hutchinson, said: "It is with great sadness we must announce actor and comedian Tony Slattery, aged 65, has passed away today, Tuesday morning, following a heart attack on Sunday evening." In his tribute on Instagram, Sir Stephen noted, external the "cruel irony that fate should snatch him from us just as he had really begun to emerge from his lifelong battle with so many dark demons".  Slattery's Whose Line co-star Josie Lawrence added:, external "Memories of just laughing a lot. Being silly and laughing. He was talented kind funny and beautiful. Sending love and condolences to wonderful Mark. 

Social media influencers Max Emerson and Andrés Camilo have announced their decision to call it quits on their relationship in the aftermath of their house burning down in the Los Angeles fires.  The couple, who had been together nine years, took to Instagram in a joint post, writing: “After nine years together we’ve decided to separate. The fire that took our home accelerated this decision by giving us clarity and simplicity. We were already beginning to explore different paths- this tragedy is serving as a catalyst for a clean break. “It’s time to start again, as individuals,” they continued.  “Our time together wasn’t wasted. We still love each other fully, deeply, and unconditionally. That love doesn’t end; it evolves,” the statement went on. “We part ways [sic] with respect and gratitude, carrying forward all that we’ve learned.” Prior to the couple’s break up they had announced their engagement in 2023. Last June they confirmed they were starting the process of seeking to adopt a child. Many of the stars’ friends and fellow public personalities shared their messages of support for the one-time couple in the comments beneath their joint post.  Drag Race alum Derrick Barry commented: “Thought you guys were going to be forever. ‘It evolves’ got me all teary eyed. And I’m so sorry to hear about your home too. Wishing you both a healing & happy journey ahead.” Fitness influencer Ken Clarke also wished them well writing: “Best wishes on your separate journeys fellas.”

Five men who used dating app Grindr to target and attack men in a series of robberies have been jailed. Demalji Hadza, 21, Abubaker Alezawy, 21, Ali Hassan, 20, Wasim Omar, 24, and Mohammed Sharif, 22, lured each man into a meeting before assaulting them and stealing their belongings. The gang were convicted last year of stealing £100,000 from men in Birmingham and Derby over a 10-month period.  The group were given  sentences ranging from 12 to 17 years at Birmingham Crown Court. Police said some victims were encouraged to come to a location under the pretence of meeting with a legitimate user on dating apps including Grindr, a dating app for the LGBT+ community.  When they arrived they were set upon by the gang, who sought to steal money, vehicles, house keys and identification documents.  They also tricked other victims who were members of the public into coming to their aid when they pretended to have an injury, police said.  Some victims were held for hours against their will and left fearing for their lives while their accounts were raided, detectives added. Judge Sarah Buckingham said: "It is clear that there has been long lasting consequences on the men who have done nothing to deserve what happened to them.  Some of the injuries victims suffered included a broken eye socket, a dislocated shoulder and a broken nose. The men were held captive while their phones were used to transfer large sums of money from their bank 

Gay men will be permitted to train as priests in Roman Catholic seminaries, Italian bishops have said – so long as they don’t have sex.  Seminaries are educational institutions usually associated with religious organisations. The new guidelines, approved by the Vatican‘s clergy office, were shared at the Italian Bishops Conference [CIE] late last week.  The guidelines were reportedly adopted by the Italian Bishop’s Conference in November and are to be trialled for three years after going into effect last Thursday. “In the formative process, when reference is made to homosexual tendencies, it is appropriate not to reduce discernment to this aspect alone,” the CIE said on Friday (10 January 2025).“The objective of the training for priesthood in the emotional-sexual sphere is the ability [to] welcome chastity in celibacy as a gift, to freely choose and to responsibly live it,” the CIE continued. As per the New York Times, the guidelines do not change standard Roman Catholic Church teaching that men with “deep-seated” gay tendencies should not become priests, or that “homosexual tendencies” are “intrinsically disordered.”  Responding to the news, the New York-based Rev. James Martin told the NYT: “This is the first time I’ve seen in a Vatican-approved document the suggestion that discernment about whether a gay man may enter the seminary cannot be determined simply by his sexual orientation.”

The UK’s only LGBTQ+ hockey club, London Royals Hockey Club, has urged England Hockey to think again after the governing body announced trans players will be banned from competing in the women’s game for the 2025/26 season.  England Hockey announced in January 2025 that protection of “fair competition” was behind the decision that will see the introduction of separate female and open categories, thus ending trans participation in the women’s game. “We are deeply concerned by England Hockey’s 2025 Trans and Non-binary Participation Policy. We strongly feel that this policy is exclusionary and divisive,” the London Royals Hockey Club said in a statement. “As the UK’s only LGBTQ+ hockey club, England Hockey approached us as part of the policy review and we made our stance incredibly clear: trans and non-binary players should be able to play for the team with which they identify, or where they feel most comfortable.  “Our feedback and the feedback of trans and non-binary hockey players and LGBTQ+ organisations has clearly been disregarded in the creation of this policy.” The London Royals are calling on its supporters, club members and hockey family to take action to support the trans and non-binary community by “amplifying our message, and letting England Hockey know your views on their new policy.” The changes will come into effect on September 1 in time for the start of next season,

The family of drag icon The Vivienne said they "brought the sparkle to life" and will be missed "for eternity" during an emotional vigil in Liverpool on Sunday night.  Hundreds gathered on the steps of St George's Hall to pay their respects to the TV star, also known as James Lee Williams, who died last week aged 32.  The landmark was lit up in green to honour The Vivienne's role in Wizard of Oz and crowds swayed with their phone torches shining to a moving rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. The Vivienne was catapulted to fame after winning the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019.  "As a family we are completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for James, The Vivienne," the family said in a statement read by The Vivienne's friend Bobby. The family paid tribute to a "son, brother, uncle and true icon". "From an early age it was evident he was destined for the stage... he was determined to pave his own way in this world," they said.  "The road was not easy but the dream never, ever changed and James would always tell us that they would make it happen and they did." The family said they were "so unbelievably proud of everything they achieved".  Danny Beard, winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK series four, called The Vivienne a "truly larger than life" character who could "never be confined by the ordinary". The vigil was organised with the help of Sahir House, Liverpool's oldest LGBTQ+ charity. The Vivienne was an ambassador of the charity.

Liverpool is set to pay its respects to 32-year-old drag icon The Vivienne today with a vigil in honour of the star, who tragically passed away on Sunday, January 5.  In a touching Instagram post, their publicist, Simon Jones, paid tribute to the Drag Race icon, saying: “James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted, and amazing person.  “Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career.”  Sahir House, the LGBTQ+ charity in Liverpool, and one that The Vivienne proudly supported as an ambassador, is collaborating with the celebrity’s family to organise the event. John Hyland, Sahir’s community partnerships lead and a close friend of The Vivienne, told the Liverpool ECHO: “Liverpool is synonymous for its ability to come together in difficult times and support one another.  “We have been working closely with James’ family and close friends to create a space where Liverpool and our friends across the country can come together to grieve, celebrate James’ life and say goodbye. We ask that all who are able to join us continue to respect his family’s wishes and their privacy.”

The Vivienne’s last Instagram post was dedicated to Sahir House, in which they asked fans to give back to the charity to continue with their work.

Sir Elton John's career-spanning greatest hits collection, Diamonds, has reached number one - after 374 weeks on the charts.  Featuring signature songs like Tiny Dancer, I'm Still Standing and Rocket Man, the 51-track collection has given the star his ninth number one album, at the age of 77. "I'm so excited and thrilled that Diamonds is the number one album in the UK this week," he said. "What a great start to the new year. I could not be happier." Originally released in 2017, Diamonds has been a permanent fixture on the charts ever since. It received a sales boost last week after being re-released as a super deluxe edition on Blu-ray, cassette and diamond-effect vinyl. There has also been a surge in the star's streaming numbers, thanks to the Disney+ documentary Never Too Late, which premiered last month. Featuring previously unseen footage, it traces the star's journey from jobbing session musician to global superstar, as well as his struggles with addiction, becoming a father and the conclusion of his farewell tour in 2023. Co-directed by his husband David Furnish, the film was included on the Bafta longlist for best documentary last week.  Diamonds was originally released in 2017 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sir Elton's songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin.  The double album has subsequently sold more than 1.5 million copies in the UK, but never managed to climb higher than number two in the charts.

RuPaul's Drag Race UK star The Vivienne was a "true talent" and a "genuinely nice person", the organiser of a city's pride event has told the BBC.  The drag queen, whose real name was James Lee Williams, had been due to appear at an Oxford Pride event in February before her death last weekend.  Rob Jordan, the chair of Oxford Pride, said he had spoken to the performer just days before about her upcoming visit to the city. It was going to be announced at the February event that The Vivienne would also headline the city's main pride celebrations in June, Mr Jordan said. "James was a true talent - I was lucky enough to be able to call him James, and it's very sad," he said.  "He was one of the few drag queens that was able to cross boundaries into mainstream entertainment - I genuinely think he could have been the next Paul O'Grady." The Vivienne, who starred in musical theatre and TV productions, won the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019.  Mr Jordan said the performer had been "so kind and supportive" to the Oxford LGBTQ+ community, adding that she was "just a genuinely nice person". Whilst speaking to BBC Radio Oxford, Mr Jordan also revealed plans for the city's next pride event on 7 June. The circus-themed affair will take place in South Park, which Mr Jordan said gives it the ability to " expand and grow our footprint".  The event, which was first held in 2003, will remain free, but patrons will be asked for donations.

The winning design for a memorial dedicated to the military service of LGBTQ+ people has been unveiled 25 years after the ban on gay people serving in the armed forces was lifted.  Overseen by Fighting with Pride, the LGBTQ+ veterans’ charity, the design of the monument, which will be called Opened Letter, shows a letter written by a service person about their hidden love and is set to be unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum this summer.  Alistair Carns, Minister for Veterans and People, said: “When I joined the Royal Marines in 1999, this abhorrent ban on homosexuality in the armed forces was still in place. A quarter of a century later, we turn a page on that shameful chapter in our national story. “This government is committed to renewing the contract with those who serve and have served, and we will continue to drive this forward until every recommendation of Lord Etherton’s review is completed.  “I thank the LGBT+ community and the charities that supported it, particularly Fighting With Pride, for their courage and continued efforts to bring this to a resolution, and urge everyone affected to visit the LGBT veterans page on the gov.uk website for support.” 

Created by Abraxas Academy, the construction is being funded by a £350,000 grant from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs in the MOD.

Meta and Amazon are axing their diversity programmes, joining firms across corporate America that are rolling back hiring and training initiatives criticised by conservatives, citing legal and political risks.  The move comes just days after Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, said it was ending a fact-checking programme criticised by President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans. In a memo to staff about its decision, which affects, hiring, supplier and training efforts, Meta cited a "shifting legal and policy landscape". Walmart and McDonalds are among the other companies to have made similar decisions regarding diversity efforts since Trump won re-election. In its memo to staff, which was first reported by Axios, external and confirmed by the BBC, Meta - the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - cited a Supreme Court ruling concerning race in college admissions, while also noting that the term "DEI" (diversity, equity and inclusion) had become "charged".  The tech giant said it would continue to look for diverse staff, but end its current approach, which seeks to make selections from a pool of diverse candidates. In a December memo to employees, Amazon said it was "winding down outdated programs and materials" related to representation and inclusion, aiming to complete the process by the end of 2024.

Anita Bryant, the singer and infamous anti-gay rights campaigner, has died at the age of 84, it has been announced.  Bryant, who was Miss Oklahoma and a Florida Citrus spokesperson, died in her home of Edmond, Oklahoma, on 16 December 2024, according to family. News of Bryant’s death was confirmed in a family statement on Thursday (9 January 2025). “May Anita’s memory and her faith in eternal life through Christ comfort all who embraced her,” they said.  Responding to the news today, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said in a statement that Bryant’s bigotry “united people in defiance.”  His statement in full reads: “Anita Bryant’s campaigns of hate caused immense harm to LGBT+ people, but they also sparked a new era of activism and solidarity. Her legacy is a cautionary tale of the damage homophobia can inflict, and a reminder of the power of resilience and love in overcoming hate. “She inspired a wave of activism that transformed the fight for LGBT+ equality. Her bigotry united people in defiance, igniting a movement that stood up to hate and laid the foundations for the rights we cherish today.” Born on 25 March 1940, Bryant was known for hits songs including ‘Till There Was You’, and ‘Paper Roses’. Speaking in a 1978 issue of Playboy, Bryant said of her opposition to legal protections for gay people in Florida: “I got involved only because they [LGBTQ activists]were asking for special privileges that violated the state law of Florida, 

Temperatures in a hamlet in northern Scotland dropped to -18.7C on Friday - the UK's coldest January night in 15 years.  The mercury in Altnaharra, which is in the most northern region of the Highlands, plummeted at around 22:00 GMT, the Met Office said. It is the coldest January overnight temperature since 2010, when temperatures dropped below -15C several times at locations across the UK, including -22.3C on 8 January in Altnaharra. The average low in northern Scotland for this time of year is about 0.3C, while for England, overnight lows are about 1.5C to 1.6C. Temperatures had fallen to -14.5C in Altnaharra on Thursday night. The average low in northern Scotland for this time of year is about 0.3C. More than 50 schools were closed in the Highlands on Friday, with 13 shut in Aberdeenshire. Hundreds of other pupils have also had another day off due to closures in Moray, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.  Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Tuesday. Amber alerts have been extended and will now run until 14 January, meaning a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, is likely, the agency said. Much of the UK endured below freezing temperatures into Saturday morning, with -11C recorded in Shap, Cumbria, and Heathrow recording -5C. Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said: "Friday night /Saturday morning may well be the peak of this current cold spell."

RuPaul has spoken publicly about the untimely passing of Drag Race UK season one champ The Vivienne. The star’s death was confirmed by loved ones on Sunday 5 January 2025. RuPaul addressed the matter at DragCon in London today (Friday 10 January 2025), after issuing an indirect but scathing response to fellow Drag Race star Tyra’s distasteful jokes about The Vivienne earlier this week.  “We are here to celebrate life and celebrate love and to spread it around,” Ru told DragCon attendees this morning in speech. “We want to focus on love.” “We are going to remember our dear The Vivienne with love and life,” he continued. “Because that’s what she was all about and she would love for you to live your lives and to be free and to have a lot of fun and spread it around.” The drag extravaganza at London’s ExCel centre, where fans can meet their favourite queens from around the world, also featured a memorial wall for The Vivienne, where people could write tributes. The Vivienne’s death was confirmed in a statement posted on Sunday by her publicist Simon Jones. “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend,” he wrote. “James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person.  “Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career.

The planet has moved a major step closer to warming more than 1.5C, new data shows, despite world leaders vowing a decade ago they would try to avoid this.  The European Copernicus climate service, one of the main global data providers, said on Friday that 2024 was the first calendar year to pass the symbolic threshold, as well as the world's hottest on record. This does not mean the international 1.5C target has been broken, because that refers to a long-term average over decades, but does bring us nearer to doing so as fossil fuel emissions continue to heat the atmosphere. Last week UN chief António Guterres described the recent run of temperature records as "climate breakdown". "We must exit this road to ruin - and we have no time to lose," he said in his New Year message, calling for countries to slash emissions of planet-warming gases in 2025. Global average temperatures for 2024 were around 1.6C above those of the pre-industrial period - the time before humans started burning large amounts of fossil fuels - according to Copernicus data. This breaks the record set in 2023 by just over 0.1C, and means the last 10 years are now the 10 warmest years on record.  The Met Office, Nasa and other climate groups are due to release their own data later on Friday. All are expected to agree that 2024 was the warmest on record, although precise figures vary slightly.

Social media giant Meta has updated its user guidelines around hate speech to now allow users to say that someone is mentally ill based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.  In a video announcement posted earlier this week, Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg explained: “The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point towards once again prioritising speech.” The new guidelines still prohibit users from insulting each other based on their mental health except for in instances related to sexuality and gender identity.  The updated guidelines state: “We do allow allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality and common non-serious usage of words like ‘weird’.” In response to the updated guidelines, Stonewall chief executive Simon Blake spoke to Sky News saying: “Online hate and disinformation damages how society views and treats marginalised groups, and undermines societal cohesion.  “Meta’s approach puts politics above people when many are already concerned about the toxicity of online discourse, risking furthering division instead of fostering community.” He continued to say that he is “deeply troubled Meta is rolling back policies designed to protect people using their platforms”. The update follows news that the company would scrap the use of third party fact checkers,

Singer Liam Payne's medical cause of death has been confirmed in a UK inquest opening as "polytrauma".  The One Direction star died on 16 October after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires.  Polytrauma is a term for multiple traumatic injuries which have been sustained to a person's body and organ systems. The hearing, which was held at Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court on 17 December, was told it may take "some time" to formally ascertain how the 31-year-old died.  The inquest into Payne's death in the UK has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review on 6 November, the coroner's court said.  His medical cause of death was confirmed by Dr Roberto Victor Cohen as "polytrauma". The hearing was also told Payne was formally identified "with the assistance of the funeral directors in Buckinghamshire".  Senior Coroner Crispin Butler said during the hearing: "Whilst there are ongoing investigations in Argentina into the circumstances of Liam's death, over which I have no legal jurisdiction, it is anticipated that procuring the relevant information to address particularly how Liam came by his death may take some time through the formal channel of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office." Five people in Argentina have been charged in connection with the death of the 31-year-old star. Payne became one of the most recognisable names in pop after appearing on The X Factor and rising to fame with the boyband One Direction 

RuPaul's Drag Race UK's Bimini Bon Boulash has paid tribute to fellow star of the show The Vivienne after their sudden death at the weekend.  Bimini, originally from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, was a finalist in the second series of the BBC show after James Lee Williams, better known as drag queen The Vivienne, lifted the crown in 2019's first season. Their death at the age of 32 was announced on Sunday.  In a social media post, Bimini said: "My heart is heavy. The Vivienne was truly loved."  The performer, now based in London, went on to say on X,  "A unique talent, sharp tongue and kind soul. "I am sending my love to every person in our community today. "Tell the people you love how special they are. "Loss is one of the cruelest [sic] parts of the human experience. Rest in peace."  Williams was born in Wales and adopted the drag name because of their love for Vivienne Westwood clothing.  The Vivienne and Bimini shared a publicist, Simon Jones, who announced on social media that The Vivienne had died.  He asked for privacy for the star's family, before sharing his favourite memories of them.  "No one has ever made me laugh in my life as much as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other," Mr Jones wrote in his tribute. Williams, who toured the UK and Ireland with a production of the Wizard of Oz, appeared on TV screens over Christmas on a celebrity version of the BBC's Blankety Blank.

Meta is abandoning the use of independent fact checkers on Facebook and Instagram, replacing them with X-style "community notes" where commenting on the accuracy of posts is left to users.  In a video posted alongside a blog post, external by the company on Tuesday, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said third-party moderators were "too politically biased" and it was "time to get back to our roots around free expression".  The move comes as Zuckerberg and other tech executives seek to improve relations with US President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office later this month. Trump and his Republican allies have criticised Meta for its fact-checking policy, calling it censorship of right-wing voices. Campaigners against hate speech online reacted with dismay to the change - and suggested it was really motivated by getting on the right side of Trump. Meta's current fact checking programme, introduced in 2016, refers posts that appear to be false or misleading to independent organisations to assess their credibility. Posts flagged as inaccurate can have labels attached to them offering viewers more information, and be moved lower in users' feeds. That will now be replaced "in the US first" by community notes.  Meta says it has "no immediate plans" to get rid of its third-party fact checkers in the UK or the EU. The new community notes system has been copied from X, which introduced it after being bought and renamed by Elon Musk.

RuPaul has said his heart is "broken" after the death of James Lee Williams, better known as drag queen The Vivienne. "I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne, an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being," he wrote on Instagram.  The Vivienne, who was 32 and won the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019, died over the weekend. Tributes have been pouring in to the drag star on social media, with the show saying they were "deeply saddened" by the news. In a post on X earlier, RuPaul's Drag Race show also paid tribute: "She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will live on as a beacon of creativity and authenticity - she embodied what it means to be a true champion". It added: "Our hearts go out to her family and fans during this difficult time."  Dexter Clift, better known as River Medway, competed on the third series of Drag Race UK and went on to perform with The Vivienne in various projects including shows and music videos. They told the BBC: "He was the blueprint of a drag superstar. So talented, so funny, so entertaining. I used to love getting a gig with Viv because it meant I would get to watch her. Williams' ex-husband, David Ludford, paid tribute on Instagram. He wrote: "My heart literally sank when I got the call! My heart is shattered!"  Williams was born in Wales, and adopted the drag name because of a love for wearing Vivienne Westwood clothing.

Liverpool and London have missed out on the opportunity to host the Gay Games 2030, a sporting and cultural event which sees up to 10,000 LGBTQ+ participants and allies come together to celebrate Pride in sports.  Built upon the principles of participation, inclusion, and personal best since 1982, the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) promotes equality for all. The ECHO previously reported how the FGG announced the results of the first phase of bidding for the 2030 event with the UK cities, alongside 24 others across six continents, expressing an interest in being the host. At the time, Andi Herring, CEO of Liverpool City Region Pride Foundation, said: “Five years later, it is great to see our city region listed on the long list for the 2030 Games, and we are delighted to be among such a good company. “Our commitment to making Liverpool City Region the most LGBTQ+ friendly region in the UK has gone from strength to strength in the past five years, combined with the region’s rich sporting history and renowned reputation worldwide, makes the city region a fitting host.” However, Liverpool is no longer in the running and neither is London, the only two UK cities to initially make the shortlist. The final three sites are Auckland, Denver, and Perth. The Gay Games, conceived by Dr Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, was first held in San Francisco. Similar to the Olympics, the event happens every four years, with the next being held in Valencia in 2026.

Trans thriller Emilia Pérez, which is centred around four remarkable women pursuing their individual happiness in Mexico, won top honours at the Golden Globes 2025 on Sunday, January 5.  The film earned the most awards on the night with four but truly had its crowning moment at the end of the night when it scooped Best Film – Musical or Comedy over Anora, Challengers, A Real Pain, The Substance, and Wicked.

Leading actress Karla Sofia Gascon – who is a trans woman – gave a powerful speech to conclude the event as she said: ‘Thank you so much. I chose these colours tonight because I have a message. The light always wins over darkness. ‘I have a lot of things to say to you, because you can maybe put us in jail, you can beat us up, but you never can take away our soul, our existence, our identity. I want to say to you, raise your voice. And say, I am who I am. No who you are. Thank you so much.’ Zoe Saldana won the Best Supporting Actress – Musical or Comedy award for her portrayal of Rita Mora Castro in the film, which sees cartel leader Emilia (Karla Sofia Gascon) enlist Castro, an unappreciated lawyer, to help fake her death so that she can finally live authentically as her true self.

Tributes have started pouring in following the death of RuPaul's Drag Race star The Vivienne at the age of 32.  RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage said she was "utterly heartbroken" at the news of The Vivienne's death. 

Writing on social media, Visage wrote: "I don't have the words. Utterly heartbroken." RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Bimini Bon Boulash reacted to the news, writing on Instagram: "I'm so sorry I'm in total shock". 

Cheryl The Queen - who used to go by Cheryl Hole - took part in the same series of Drag Race as The Vivienne. She also shared the statement on Instagram, writing: "I will love you forever Viv." Mr Jones said these were words he "never ever wanted to write". "No one has ever made me laugh in my life as much as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other," he said. "I'm so proud and lucky that Viv was such a big part of my life every day for the last 5 years."

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star James Lee Williams, known professionally as The Vivienne, has passed away at the age of 32. The heartbreaking news was announced on social media today (5 January), in a statement shared by publicist Simon Jones. The statement described James as “an incredibly loved, warm-hearted, and amazing person” and confirmed that the family is devastated by the loss of their beloved son, brother, and uncle. It also requested privacy as they process their grief.  No further details about the cause of death have been released. Born in Colwyn Bay, Wales, in 1992, The Vivienne rose to prominence as the winner of the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019. She quickly became a household name, celebrated for her sharp wit, charisma, and impeccable impersonations, including her viral portrayal of Donald Trump.  Beyond drag, The Vivienne explored music and acting. In 2022, she released her debut EP Bitch on Heels and starred as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. She reprised the role in London’s West End in 2023. Most recently, she competed on the seventh series of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2022 and dazzled audiences on Dancing on Ice in 2023. Fans and fellow performers have been quick to pay tribute, remembering The Vivienne as a beloved icon of the drag community.Fellow Drag Race UK alum Jonbers Blonde commented on the statement: “Im so sorry, sending so much love. She was a gem.”

A referee has spoken of his pride at becoming the first openly gay man to officiate a PDC World Darts Championship final as he oversaw Luke Littler's victory.  Huw Ware, from Cardiff, took charge of the second half of the match as Littler demolished Michael Van Gerwen to become the youngest ever PDC World Championship winner. Huw hopes his success will help to break down barriers after "struggling at times" in the early stages of his career.  He said he wants to "inspire the next generation" of players, officials or even fans and ensure that the sport he loves is a welcome space for everybody.  Huw has been with the Professional Darts Corporation for eight years. He said it had been a "tough journey" at times as one of the few openly gay figures in the sport.  "Especially in my early years I went through a lot and it was a big struggle at times. But what has been amazing to me is to have seen the changes that darts has gone through over the years, to a place now where it is a lot better than what it was when I first joined." Huw said that despite the issues he faced "days like yesterday mean it was worthwhile", adding that it was "the biggest day of my life". "It was one of the biggest honours of my life to take charge of the second half and call in the champion."  The 31-year-old said it was important to see people from the LGBTQ+ community in high profile positions at sporting events.

Trans Pride Brighton & Hove will return this year on Saturday, July 19 with organisers promising “the biggest year for Trans Pride yet”.  Organisers have just started the planning and preparation for Trans Pride in 2025 with more info coming soon.

In the meantime, they have said: “Calling 2024 a tough year for trans rights is an understatement, but our community is a force to be reckoned with. “We’re standing stronger and louder than ever. Let’s make sure that 2025 is a year of resilience, rebellion and apologetic pride. See you on July 19.” 

 Last year, Brighton & Hove was filled with Trans Joy on July 20 when Trans Pride Brighton & Hove 2024 unfolded in a spectacular display of solidarity, joy, and resilience. The city’s streets came alive with a sea of TNBI & LGBTQ+ flags as an estimated 45,000 people gathered to celebrate the transgender and non-binary community in a triumphant showcase of love and acceptance.