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	<description>News, reviews and comment from Europe's largest gay news service. PinkNews.co.uk covers religion, politics, entertainment, finance, and community news for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community in the UK and worldwide. Founded to produce broadsheet quality journalism for the LGBT community, we cover politics to theology in an intelligent manner.</description>
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		<title>GB News hit with more than 9k Ofcom complaints after guest’s anti-Pride comments</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/gb-news-ofcom-complaints-anti-pride-caroline-farrow/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:39:33 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Pride]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Caroline Farrow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GB News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ofcom]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908145</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>GB News show Alex Armstrong Tonight has had more than 9,000 more Ofcom complaints, after guest Caroline Farrow linked Pride with paedophillia. The episode, which aired on 5 July, received 257 Ofcom complaints last week. This week, it received 9,058, bringing the total to 9,315. During the show, Farrow, a Catholic journalist and Manager in [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/gb-news-ofcom-complaints-anti-pride-caroline-farrow/">GB News hit with more than 9k Ofcom complaints after guest&#8217;s anti-Pride comments</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/gb-news">GB News</a> show <em>Alex Armstrong Tonight</em> has had more than 9,000 more Ofcom complaints, after guest <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/caroline-farrow/">Caroline Farrow</a> linked Pride with paedophillia.</p>



<p>The episode, which <a href="https://www.gbnews.com/shows/alex-armstrong-tonight/2026-07-05">aired on 5 July</a>, received <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/09/gb-news-based-and-bougie-caroline-farrow-ofcom-complaints/">257 Ofcom complaints last week</a>. This week, it received 9,058, bringing the total to 9,315.</p>



<p>During the show, Farrow, a Catholic journalist and Manager in Campaigns Global for CitizenGO, a platform “defending life, family, and freedom”, said: &#8220;The problem is that Pride is not about gay rights. It has become about celebrating every single sexuality that isn’t heterosexuality, including some very bizarre and unhealthy kinks and quirks, you know, like furries and bestiality and even minor attracted, they call themselves, minor attracted people. Paedophiles.&#8221;</p>



<p>Fellow guest Mathew Hulbert, a former Lib Dem councillor, could be heard saying: &#8220;Not at all.&#8221;</p>



<p>Host Alex Armstrong then said: &#8220;I went to Pride last year and filmed it for GB News. Actually, I would say the overwhelming amount of people at Pride were there for good reasons. I don’t think it was full of paedophiles and everything, I’m sure there are nefarious people.&#8221;</p>



<p>Linking the LGBTQ+ community with paedophilia, or &#8220;minor attracted people&#8221; as right-wingers claim, is an untrue, age-old homophobic trope, used by anti-LGBTQ+ individuals to demonise queer people.</p>



<p>GB News last week told PinkNews: “These comments were expressed within a live debate by a contributor. They&nbsp;were her own views, and&nbsp;do not reflect the&nbsp;views or&nbsp;editorial position of GB News. Anyone watching the debate would have noted the comments were robustly and repeatedly challenged by two other contributors. GB News takes its responsibilities as a regulated broadcaster seriously and complies&nbsp;with all of its obligations under the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alex-armstrong-s-response">Alex Armstrong&#8217;s response</h2>



<p>Following the outrage which Farrow&#8217;s comments caused on social media and with Ofcom, <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/gb-news-alex-armstrong-caroline-farrow-gay-pride/">Armstrong spoke to condemn her views</a>.</p>



<p>He said during the <a href="https://www.gbnews.com/shows/alex-armstrong-tonight/2026-07-12">12 July episode of <em>Alex Armstrong Tonight</em></a>: “Tonight I want to address outrage from the LGBT community and press over comments made by one of our guests last weekend. We welcome robust and difficult debates on this channel, and particularly on this show. It is not, and never will be, an echo chamber for anybody. That’s why we always have a dissenting voice on all of my shows, want you to hear all aspects of every debate.</p>



<p>“That’s made it even more important, when guests come on my show and make statements that are considered homophobic or deeply offensive, that they are challenged and balanced by me and my guests if they do that. But sometimes I feel it’s necessary to go a bit further, and I’m going to do that tonight.</p>



<p>“Comments made by guests last weekend conflated gay pride with the celebration of paedophilia. This is an age-old gay trope that’s been used over a number of years to demonise and slander gay people. And as I said to the guest during that segment, it is a statement I fundamentally reject and have not witnessed when attending Pride myself.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" height="513" width="1024" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gb-news-alex-armstrong.jpg?w=1024" alt="GB News host Alex Armstrong" class="wp-image-908084" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gb-news-alex-armstrong.jpg 1996w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gb-news-alex-armstrong.jpg?resize=150,75 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gb-news-alex-armstrong.jpg?resize=300,150 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gb-news-alex-armstrong.jpg?resize=768,385 768w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gb-news-alex-armstrong.jpg?resize=1024,513 1024w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gb-news-alex-armstrong.jpg?resize=1536,770 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GB News host Alex Armstrong (GB News)</figcaption></figure>



<p>“The debate we were meant to be having was around whether or not Pride was suitable for children. Those comments by guests had no place in that discussion, and in my opinion, were lazy and offensive arguments that don’t reflect my views or the views of this channel, where many LGBT people also work.</p>



<p>He continued: “What I do take serious issue with is when social media commentators and activist groups claim that I made those statements or deliberately try to misrepresent my views in other ways to try and paint me as homophobic. I will not be smeared by people and media who are politically motivated to try and cancel me for simply opposing their political ideology.</p>



<p>“As many of you already know, I am openly gay. I very, very rarely talk about it or discuss my sexuality because I believe it is such a small part of my character. And frankly, I don’t think you, the British public, care about it or have any interest in who I’m attracted to. Nor does being gay have any bearing on my politics, and nor should it ever.</p>



<p>“I maintain that Pride is not suitable for children. It contains adult material and products, even on so-called family day. I have witnessed it myself. There’s a lot of alcohol, scantily dressed individuals, and political propaganda-all things I don’t believe are suitable for children.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-complaints-for-gb-news">More complaints for GB News</h2>



<p>Two other GB News shows received more than 50 Ofcom complaints this week, too.</p>



<p>One was the <a href="https://www.gbnews.com/shows/the-saturday-five/2026-06-20">20 June episode of <em>The Saturday Five</em></a>, which received 447 complaints. That brings the total number of complaints for that episode to 2,374.</p>



<p>In the episode, guest Based And Bougie claimed that gay men were &#8220;not only prone to more domestic abuse amongst each other, but child sexual assault with their adopted children&#8221;.</p>



<p>Another guest challenged her, asking for her evidence, which she later shared on X. She posted a number of links to studies, most authored Paul Cameron, an American psychologist who was expelled from the American Psychological Association, and who is deemed an anti-gay extremist by the Southern Poverty Law Center.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.gbnews.com/shows/patrick-christys-tonight/2026-07-09">9 July episode of <em>Patrick Christys Tonight</em></a>, which was that day presented by Nana Akua, received 1,202 Ofcom complaints.</p>



<p>The complaints related to comments made by guest Sharron Davies, who, when speaking about schools, said: &#8220;We have teachers who are inside the system, who have extremely LGBT-driven agendas, and I worry about that. I worry about this potential for grooming. There&#8217;s grooming online and our kids are very susceptible to that. And then there&#8217;s grooming in the classroom and there is social contagion.&#8221;</p>



<p>A spokesperson for GB News told PinkNews: &#8220;GB News takes its responsibilities as a regulated broadcaster seriously and complies with its obligations under the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.&#8221;</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong>&nbsp;Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/gb-news-ofcom-complaints-anti-pride-caroline-farrow/">GB News hit with more than 9k Ofcom complaints after guest&#8217;s anti-Pride comments</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908145</post-id>
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			<media:title type="html">gb news alex armstrong</media:title>
			<media:description type="html">GB News host Alex Armstrong (GB News)</media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gb-news-alex-armstrong.jpg?w=150"/>
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		<item>
		<title>‘I was victim of homophobic attack, I’ve turned it into ridiculous comedy show’</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/exclusive-awkward-prods-linus-karp-was-hit-with-an-umbrella-edinburgh-fringe/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:11:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Exclusive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Theatre]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Awkward Productions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linus Karp]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908163</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In 2024, Linus Karp was the victim of a homophobic attack in London&#8217;s Soho, days before he and husband Joseph Martin were set to perform at Edinburgh Fringe. Now, Karp has turned the horrific ordeal into a stage show, and is returning to Edinburgh Fringe with it. The 60-minute show, called Linus Karp Was Hit [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/exclusive-awkward-prods-linus-karp-was-hit-with-an-umbrella-edinburgh-fringe/">&#8216;I was victim of homophobic attack, I&#8217;ve turned it into ridiculous comedy show&#8217;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>In 2024, <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/linus-karp/">Linus Karp</a> was the <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/07/26/queer-man-assaulted-in-homophobic-attack-saved-by-heroic-boyfriend/">victim of a homophobic attack</a> in London&#8217;s Soho, days before he and husband Joseph Martin were set to perform at Edinburgh Fringe.</p>



<p>Now, Karp has turned the horrific ordeal into a stage show, and is returning to Edinburgh Fringe with it.</p>



<p>The 60-minute show, called <em>Linus Karp Was Hit With an Umbrella</em>, is on at Underbelly, Bristo Square (Friesian) from 5 to 30 August, and tickets are <a href="https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/linus-karp-was-hit-with-an-umbrella">available now</a>. It is also running in London&#8217;s Park Theatre from 23 to 25 July, with <a href="https://parktheatre.co.uk/events/linus-karp-was-hit-with-an-umbrella/">tickets also on sale</a>.</p>



<p>Ahead of what is sure to be a hilarious, yet thought-provoking show, PinkNews spoke to Linus Karp, who, alongside <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/08/18/queer-wedding-ceremony-edinburgh-fringe-festival/">husband Joseph Martin</a>, have created other unforgettable shows, such as <em>Gwyneth Goes Skiing</em>, and <em>Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story</em>, together as <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/awkward-productions/">Awkward Prods</a>.</p>



<p><strong>PinkNews: What made you want to turn such a horrible moment in your life into a play for the public?</strong></p>



<p>Linus Karp: Like many queer people I have been very concerned about the rise of queerphobic rhetoric and politics in the last few years. After this attack and the investigation that followed, I was writing a lot about my experiences. I started feeling like I had an important story to tell with it, and after sharing it with my husband and a couple of friends they all told me, “this is your next show”.</p>



<p><strong>What can people expect from the show?</strong></p>



<p>A first-hand recounting of a homophobic attack and all the things that followed. How my husband tackled the attacker and held him until the police arrived. The public reaction, the police investigation that followed, performing at Edinburgh Fringe days after the attack, trying to find closure. Whilst it deals with many serious topics, it still has space for ridiculous comedy. Ultimately, I think it’s a show about legacy.</p>



<p><strong>How are you feeling about showcasing it at Edinburgh Fringe?</strong></p>



<p>I was so scared about announcing this show. I thought writing an autobiographical piece might be easier, but it’s been the most researched, most emotional, personal and by far the hardest script I’ve written. I am so grateful to have such a great team around me, and have had one of my favourite writers, Haley McGee, working on the show as a dramaturg which has been amazing. I feel proud of what we’re presenting, and I am so ready to bring this show to the stage.</p>



<p><strong>How have you dealt with the aftermath of the attack?</strong></p>



<p>You’ll have to see the show to find out! I am very grateful to have had many loving friends and family around me, and especially my husband Joseph who is just the most supportive person. I also had counselling after the attack, and writing this show, talking to people about it and talking to others who have been victims of queerphobic attacks has been very cathartic.</p>



<p><strong>You say you felt some sympathy for the attacker; can you explain what you mean?</strong></p>



<p>The best thing in the world is queer joy so, anyone who is filled with the opposite of that clearly can’t be happy. People who commit these acts must’ve had a pretty miserable existence. It’s difficult, but I do feel sorry for my attacker.</p>



<p><strong>Did it make you change anything about the way you present yourself or your relationship in public?</strong></p>



<p>In all honesty, it made me scared, and can still affect me, particularly if I am on my own. I think twice before wearing something that is visibly queer. I don’t like that these thoughts have entered my mind, but I don’t feel as safe as I used to.</p>



<p><strong>How important do you think queer visibility is in public spaces?</strong></p>



<p>None of us would dare to express our queerness in public if others hadn’t done it before us. In a time where queerphobia is on the rise and so much safety is taken away from us, it is paramount that we still have queer visibility. It’s why I felt the need to share this story so publicly as well.</p>



<p><strong>Awkward Prods shows are known for being very funny, how have you balanced the serious with the humour?</strong></p>



<p>We’ve always felt that comedy makes things more accessible and laughter helps us get through our darkest moments. This is my story to tell, which also means it’s my story to joke about, should I so wish. There’s a lot of light and comedy in the show, I wouldn’t want to make a show any other way.</p>



<p><strong>Your shows are also great examples of queer joy – have you ever faced backlash because of the content?</strong></p>



<p>Of course there has been backlash for making queer comedic shows. Sometimes bigots are upset that I dress as a woman in shows, sometimes that they are political. But it works in our advantage too – no five-star review has sold as many tickets as Daily Mail labelling us “repellent trash”. If you are going to hate us, we will monetise your hate.</p>



<p><strong>How do you think queer people can balance being visible and joyful, while also being safe?</strong></p>



<p>Ultimately the safety of queer people is not the responsibility of the queer individuals who are just living their queer lives. It is the homophobes and transphobes that need to be stopped, not us having to be more careful or tone down how we live our lives. Everyone in society deserves to live a safe life, given the horrific rise of LGBT hate crimes in the last few years we must demand that authorities do better.</p>



<p><strong>What is your message for the people out there still trying to attack queer visibility and joy?</strong></p>



<p>Firstly, I’d ask why you read PinkNews? Seems a bit fruity, I can&#8217;t lie… I’d maybe say – try and be more queer? I promise you, life is more fun that way.</p>



<p><strong><em>Linus Karp Was Hit With An Umbrella</em>plays Park Theatre, London, 23rd to 25th July, 8:30pm, information and tickets here: </strong><a href="https://parktheatre.co.uk/events/linus-karp-was-hit-with-an-umbrella/"><strong>https://parktheatre.co.uk/events/linus-karp-was-hit-with-an-umbrella</strong></a>.</p>



<p><strong>The show will then run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performing from 5th to 30th August at Underbelly Bristo Square (Friesian) at 8:20pm. Tickets here: </strong><a href="https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/linus-karp-was-hit-with-an-umbrella"><strong>https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/linus-karp-was-hit-with-an-umbrella</strong></a>.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/exclusive-awkward-prods-linus-karp-was-hit-with-an-umbrella-edinburgh-fringe/">&#8216;I was victim of homophobic attack, I&#8217;ve turned it into ridiculous comedy show&#8217;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908163</post-id>
<thumb>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/05/06/awkward-prods-linus-karp-was-hit-with-an-umbrella-edinburgh-fringe/linus-karp-was-hit-with-an-umbrella/</thumb>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Meet Elliot Page’s girlfriend, Overcompensating star Julia Shiplett</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/elliot-page-girlfriend-julia-shiplett-overcompensating/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:41:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Celebrity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Elliot Page]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Julia Shiplett]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Overcompensating]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908158</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Elliot Page stepped out this week with girlfriend Julia Shiplett on his arm at the New York premiere of his new film, The Odyssey. Page, who was previously married to dancer and choreographer Emma Portner from 2018 to 2021, went public with Shiplett in June 2025, before making their red carpet debut as a couple [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/elliot-page-girlfriend-julia-shiplett-overcompensating/">Meet Elliot Page&#8217;s girlfriend, Overcompensating star Julia Shiplett</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/elliot-page/">Elliot Page</a> stepped out this week with girlfriend <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/julia-shiplett/">Julia Shiplett</a> on his arm at the New York premiere of his new film, <em>The Odyssey</em>.</p>



<p>Page, who was previously married to dancer and choreographer Emma Portner from 2018 to 2021, went public with Shiplett in June 2025, before <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/09/25/elliot-page-makes-first-red-carpet-appearance-with-partner-julia-shiplett/">making their red carpet debut</a> as a couple in September that year.</p>



<p>The duo posed for photos at the New York premiere of <em>The Odyssey</em> on 14 July. In the film, Christopher Nolan&#8217;s adaptation of Homer&#8217;s ancient Greek epic of the same name, <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/03/all-we-know-on-elliot-pages-the-odyssey-role-after-right-wing-backlash/">Page plays Sinon</a>. Sinon is a Reek soldier and the cousin of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon.</p>



<p>Page has also had a number of other standout roles, including in films like <em>Inception</em> and <em>Juno</em> and as Kitty Pride in the <em>X-Men</em> movie franchise, as well as in Netflix series <em>The Umbrella Academy</em>.</p>



<p>He came out as transgender in December 2020, and is now one of the most well-known trans stars.</p>



<p>But who is his girlfriend, Julia Shiplett?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-is-julia-shiplett">Who is Julia Shiplett?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" height="513" width="1024" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett.jpg?w=1024" alt="Julia Shiplett" class="wp-image-908161" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett.jpg 1996w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett.jpg?resize=150,75 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett.jpg?resize=300,150 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett.jpg?resize=768,385 768w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett.jpg?resize=1024,513 1024w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett.jpg?resize=1536,770 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Julia Shiplett in 2024 (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Julia Shiplett, who is bisexual, is an actor, writer and comedian.</p>



<p>She is best known for playing Mimi in Benito Skinner&#8217;s Prime Video series <em><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/overcompensating">Overcompensating</a></em>, which recently <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/04/29/overcompensating-season-2-benito-skinner-instagram/">finished filming for its second season</a>. It was previously confirmed Shiplett would be back for season two, alongside other recurring or guest stars such as Connie Britton, Lukas Gage and Kyle MacLachlan.</p>



<p>Shiplett also has credits for <em>American Dad!</em>, <em>Happiness for Beginners</em>, <em>Love Life</em> and <em>Crashing</em>, among others.</p>



<p>Aside from acting, Shiplett is a comedian, having done a lot of stand-up work in the past.</p>



<p>Before entering comedy and acting, she was a senior copywriter and creative, working with a number of big clients.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-did-elliot-page-and-julia-shiplett-start-dating">When did Elliot Page and Julia Shiplett start dating?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="513" width="1024" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett-and-elliot-page.jpg?w=1024" alt="Julia Shiplett and Elliot Page" class="wp-image-908160" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett-and-elliot-page.jpg 1996w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett-and-elliot-page.jpg?resize=150,75 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett-and-elliot-page.jpg?resize=300,150 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett-and-elliot-page.jpg?resize=768,385 768w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett-and-elliot-page.jpg?resize=1024,513 1024w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett-and-elliot-page.jpg?resize=1536,770 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Julia Shiplett and Elliot Page went public in June 2025 (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>The couple went public in June 2025, with Elliot Page sharing a photo of them with a rainbow and heart emoji over it.</p>



<p>It marked Page&#8217;s first public relationship since coming out as trans.</p>



<p>Since, the couple have been seen at a number of red carpet events, including at Milan Fashion Week.</p>



<p>Shiplett also paid tribute to Page on his birthday on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVB3xzACQHZ/">Instagram</a>, writing: &#8220;Happy birthday E baby! How lucky I am to have such a sweet, patient, supportive boo thang who always wants to order fries. You&#8217;ve cracked my lil crone heart open and celebrating you is a breeze.&#8221;</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/elliot-page-girlfriend-julia-shiplett-overcompensating/">Meet Elliot Page&#8217;s girlfriend, Overcompensating star Julia Shiplett</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908158</post-id>
		<media:thumbnail url="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/julia-shiplett.jpg?w=150"/>
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			<media:title type="html">julia shiplett</media:title>
			<media:description type="html">Julia Shiplett in 2024 (Getty Images)</media:description>
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			<media:title type="html">julia shiplett and elliot page</media:title>
			<media:description type="html">Julia Shiplett and Elliot Page went public in June 2025 (Getty Images)</media:description>
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		<title>Katseye declare ‘new era, new aura’ in first trailer for Wild Hearts film</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/katseye-wild-hearts-film-cinema-tickets/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:58:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[KATSEYE]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908155</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Global girl group KATSEYE are laying it all on the table in their new film KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS, which hits cinemas on 12 August. The group, formed by labels HYBE and Geffen, have shot to international success since they debuted in June 2024, with the song &#8220;Debut&#8221;. They&#8217;ve played Coachella, Lollapalooza Chile and Brazil, been [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/katseye-wild-hearts-film-cinema-tickets/">Katseye declare &#8216;new era, new aura&#8217; in first trailer for Wild Hearts film</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>Global girl group <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/katseye">KATSEYE</a> are laying it all on the table in their new film KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS, which hits cinemas on 12 August.</p>



<p>The group, formed by labels HYBE and Geffen, have shot to international success since they debuted in June 2024, with the song &#8220;Debut&#8221;. They&#8217;ve played Coachella, Lollapalooza Chile and Brazil, been nominated for two Grammy Awards and performed around the world – as well as releasing smash hits like &#8220;Gabriela&#8221; and &#8220;Pinky Up&#8221;, and collaborating with K-Pop groups Illit and Le Sserafim on the song &#8220;Iconic By Mistake&#8221;.</p>



<p>But now, ahead of their third EP, <em>Wild</em>, the members are inviting fans, or EYEKONS, behind-the-scenes to see how they got ready for a bold new era.</p>



<p>In fact, member <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/06/02/katseye-lara-yoonchae-lgbtq-pride-month/">Yoonchae</a> says in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md5rZb2nEaM">trailer</a>: &#8220;New era, new aura.&#8221;</p>


<figure class="wp-block-embed wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio  is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper video-seo-youtube-embed-wrapper"><div class="video-seo-youtube-player" data-id="md5rZb2nEaM"></div></div></figure>


<p>The group also includes <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/06/25/katseye-lara-raj-queer-megan-skiendiel-bisexual/">Megan and Lara, who are both queer</a>, as well as Sophie and Daniella. Sixth member Manon is currently on hiatus from the group, but appears in the trailer for the film.</p>



<p>The film will feature never-before-seen footage, fan videos and interviews with group members and other notable people behind KATSEYE.</p>



<p>It is produced by the same team that created Netflix documentary <em>Pop Star Academy</em>, which followed the formation of the group. It is produced by Interscope Films and Boardwalk Pictures, in partnership with HYBE x Geffen, and directed by Nadia Hallgreen.</p>



<p>KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS will have a limited cinema release from 12 August, and <a href="https://www.katseyewildheartsfilm.com/">tickets are on sale now</a>.</p>



<p>The group will then release their third EP, <em>WILD</em>, on 14 August, before their &#8220;<a href="https://www.katseye.world/live/">WILDWORLD TOUR</a>&#8221; starts on 1 September.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/05/13/katseye-uk-tour-2026-tickets/">group have four dates in the UK and Ireland</a>. They will play Dublin&#8217;s 3Arena on 1 September, London&#8217;s The Oe on 3 and 4 September, and Manchester&#8217;s Co-op Live on 6 September.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/katseye-wild-hearts-film-cinema-tickets/">Katseye declare &#8216;new era, new aura&#8217; in first trailer for Wild Hearts film</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908155</post-id>
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		<title>Trump administration formally ends Biden-era LGBTQ+ foster care protections</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/lgbtq-foster-care-trump-biden/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[PN Freelancer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:36:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[US]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Donald Trump]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[foster care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Biden]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908150</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Trump administration has officially rescinded a Biden-era rule that was designed to help ensure LGBTQ+ children in foster care could access safe, supportive, and affirming placements. Originally introduced in April 2024, the rule required child welfare agencies receiving federal funding to identify designated foster placements equipped to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ young people. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/lgbtq-foster-care-trump-biden/">Trump administration formally ends Biden-era LGBTQ+ foster care protections</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/donald-trump">Trump</a> administration has officially rescinded a <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/joe-biden">Biden</a>-era rule that was designed to help ensure LGBTQ+ children in foster care could access safe, supportive, and affirming placements.</p>



<p>Originally introduced in April 2024, the rule required child welfare agencies receiving federal funding to identify designated foster placements equipped to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ young people.</p>



<p>It also included training requirements for agencies and sought to ensure LGBTQ+ children had access to age-appropriate support and services. Although the rule never took effect after a federal judge vacated it in 2025, the administration has now formally removed it altogether.</p>



<p>The Department of Health and Human Services&#8217; Administration for Children and Families (ACF) argued that the removal of the regulation would help recruit more foster families across the country, with HHS Secretary Alex Adams telling right-wing media outlet <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-trump-admin-nukes-biden-rule-pushing-foster-kids-into-lgbtq-homes">The Daily Wire</a> in a 14 July statement: “The message that we think it sends is that all families are welcome. We have too few foster families nationally. We must roll out the red carpet, and we must ensure that there’s homes waiting on kids, not kids waiting on homes.&#8221;</p>



<p>Congressional Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Takano condemned the decision in a 14 July press release, warning that eliminating the protections without replacing them &#8220;puts children at risk, plain and simple&#8221;.</p>



<p>&#8220;Every child in foster care – including LGBTQI+ children – deserves a safe home, which is exactly what the Biden Administration sought to accomplish with this rule,&#8221; Takano said. &#8220;Rescinding this rule without putting forward an alternative to protect LGBTQI+ foster children puts children at risk, plain and simple.&#8221;</p>



<p>Equality Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Angie Craig, an adoptive mother, also criticised the move, calling it &#8220;yet another disgraceful attack on LGBTQ+ foster youth&#8221;.</p>



<p>&#8220;The Trump Administration&#8217;s decision to rescind this rule with no clear alternative is yet another disgraceful attack on LGBTQ+ foster youth and on families across this country,&#8221; Craig said. &#8220;As an adoptive mother myself, I won&#8217;t stop fighting to ensure that foster youth have the chance to land in a safe and supportive home.&#8221;</p>



<p>The administration has not announced a replacement policy specifically addressing protections for LGBTQ+ children in the foster care system.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/lgbtq-foster-care-trump-biden/">Trump administration formally ends Biden-era LGBTQ+ foster care protections</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908150</post-id>
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		<title>Gay couple who gave 180,000 backpacks to those in need die within days of each other</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/gay-couple-jeffrey-newman-jayson-conner-backpacks-for-the-streets/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Poppy-Jay St. Palmer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:19:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Activism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[US]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tribute]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908146</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A gay couple who spent years donating up to 180,000 backpacks of essentials to houseless people have died within a few days of each other. Before their deaths, Jayson Conner and Jeffrey Newman dedicated much of their lives to helping those in need, handing out thousands of backpacks filled with essential supplies like toiletries, underwear [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/gay-couple-jeffrey-newman-jayson-conner-backpacks-for-the-streets/">Gay couple who gave 180,000 backpacks to those in need die within days of each other</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>A gay couple who spent years donating up to 180,000 backpacks of essentials to houseless people have died within a few days of each other.</p>



<p>Before their deaths, Jayson Conner and Jeffrey Newman dedicated much of their lives to helping those in need, handing out thousands of backpacks filled with essential supplies like toiletries, underwear and stationery to unhoused people in <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/new-york-city">New York City</a>.</p>



<p>Conner died on June 28 from a heart attack at their Manhattan home at the age of 48, while Jeffrey Newman, who was 58, died on 2 July. However, the exact location and cause of Newman’s death have not yet been made public, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/nyregion/jeffrey-newman-jayson-connor-dead.html">The New York Times</a>.</p>



<p>The couple began their charitable efforts together in 2018, handing out backpacks here and there. But by 2026, they had almost 40 other volunteers helping them distribute the packs in the thousands through their charity, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/backpacksforthestreet">Backpacks For The Streets</a>.</p>



<p>Conner and Newman would have been together for 22 years on 7 July.</p>



<p>In a 2024 Instagram post celebrating their anniversary, Newman <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9QA5OVObsw/">wrote</a>: “Two decades ago I went on a date with a quirky, goofy, unbelievably adorable guy, who I&#8217;d casually known for a few months. He was homeless and trying to find himself. I was going through some life turbulence.”</p>



<p>He continued: “On paper we were probably the last two people who seemed destined for a full-fledged romance. Many predicted we&#8217;d never last. Little did we know it was kismet. Our serendipitous encounter soared to heights I never expected. I can&#8217;t imagine my life without my beautiful Jayson, or having anyone else on this crazy [rollercoaster] of life.</p>



<p>“I am a better man with him by my side every day, through all the ups and downs and loving me, warts and all.”</p>



<p>Alongside his homelessness advocacy with Conner, Newman was also an advocate for people living with HIV.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/gay-couple-jeffrey-newman-jayson-conner-backpacks-for-the-streets/">Gay couple who gave 180,000 backpacks to those in need die within days of each other</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<title>GK Barry and Charley Marlowe join BBC Radio 1 as Dean McCullough exits in shake-up</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/radio-1-presenter-shakeup-gk-barry-charley-marlowe-dean-mccullough/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:35:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charley Marlowe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dean McCullough]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GK Barry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[radio 1]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/radio-1-presenter-shakeup-gk-barry-charley-marlowe-dean-mccullough/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Rickie Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom say their final show will be at the end of August, ahead of new shows starting in September.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/radio-1-presenter-shakeup-gk-barry-charley-marlowe-dean-mccullough/">GK Barry and Charley Marlowe join BBC Radio 1 as Dean McCullough exits in shake-up</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-size:0.85em; color:#666; margin-bottom:1em;">GK Barry and Charley Marlowe have been announced as part of a new Radio 1 line-up (Image: Getty Images)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/bbc" target="_blank">BBC</a> Radio 1 has announced a schedule shake-up that will see six presenters leave, with influencer-led talent including <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/gk-barry/" target="_blank">GK Barry</a> joining the station from September.
</p>
<p>Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom, <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/dean-mccullough/" target="_blank">Dean McCullough</a>, Nat O’Leary, James Cusack and Swarzy will be leaving the Radio 1 schedule. In the announcement, Radio 1 <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2026/radio-1-schedule-changes-2026" target="_blank">said</a>: “We thank them for their passion, creativity and dedication and wish them all the very best for whatever comes next.”
</p>
<p>New and replacement names confirmed across the updated line-up include queer social media stars GK Barry and <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/charley-marlowe" target="_blank">Charley Marlowe</a>, Mylo &amp; Rosie and Emil Franchi. Charlie Hedges will remain at Radio 1 and will host the Live Lounge with Jeremiah Asiamah.
</p>
<p>McCullough, who is gay, said: &#8220;This has been such a hard decision for me but it’s time to spread my wings after the most incredible six years at Radio 1. A huge thank you to the brilliant Radio 1 listeners who have been with me from Christmas cover to weekends to afternoons and for the last 2 years of Early Breakfast. It’s been a pleasure.</p>
<p>&#8220;I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with some of the best people in the business and I’ll cherish the amazing times we had making radio together, thank you &#8211; you’re all stars! It’s time for a change, I’m ready and very excited for the future!&#8221;
</p>
<figure style="margin:1.5em 0;"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gk-barry-charley-marlowe-bbc-radio-1-shakeup.jpg" alt="Dean McCullough" style="width:100%; height:auto; display:block;"><figcaption style="font-size:0.85em; color:#666; margin-top:0.4em;">Dean McCullough (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
</p>
<h2>Who’s leaving and who’s joining</h2>
<p>Dean McCullough began working at Radio 1 in 2020 in cover roles, took over the <em>Afternoon Show</em> in 2022, and moved to <em>Early Breakfast</em> in July 2024.
</p>
<p>GK Barry is set to begin a six-week run of Radio 1 shows at 1pm starting 10 September. She said: “I am really excited to be back hosting a series of my own BBC Radio 1 shows from this September.</p>
<p>&#8220;You’ll be hearing my favourite songs, we&#8217;ll be speaking with some really exciting guests and as always, in true GK Barry style, I promise a lot of humour, chaos and embarrassing stories along the way!&#8221;</p>
<p>Charlie Marlowe, fresh from lending her voice to <em>I Kissed A Girl</em>, said: &#8220;I am thrilled to be joining the Radio 1 family! I will captivate your ears, not so much your eyes due to it being radio but we’re going to have a frabjous time I can promise you that.&#8221;</p>
<p>She joins Vicky Hawkesworth to present Friday to Sunday, from 10.30am to 1pm.</p>
<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/radio-1-presenter-shakeup-gk-barry-charley-marlowe-dean-mccullough/">GK Barry and Charley Marlowe join BBC Radio 1 as Dean McCullough exits in shake-up</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908143</post-id>
		<media:thumbnail url="https://www.thepinknews.com/www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gk-barry-charley-marlowe-bbc-radio-1-shakeup.jpg"/>
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			<media:title type="html">Dean McCullough</media:title>
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		<title>DOJ releases key evidence in ICE killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/doj-ice-renee-good-alex-pretti-killings/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[PN Freelancer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:44:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Crime]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[US]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DoJ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Renée Good]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908138</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>After months of non-cooperation with Minnesota investigators, the US Department of Justice has finally begun handing over key evidence related to the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, two US citizens killed by ICE agents during a January immigration operation. Over the past two weeks, federal prosecutors have transferred hard drives containing body [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/doj-ice-renee-good-alex-pretti-killings/">DOJ releases key evidence in ICE killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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<p>After months of non-cooperation with Minnesota investigators, the US Department of Justice has finally begun handing over key evidence related to the fatal shootings of <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/renee-good/">Renée Good</a> and Alex Pretti, two US citizens <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/01/08/renee-good-ice-minneapolis-minnesota/">killed by ICE agents</a> during a January immigration operation.</p>



<p>Over the past two weeks, federal prosecutors have transferred hard drives containing body camera footage, witness statements and other investigative materials, along with <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/04/29/renee-good-wife-becca-suv/">the SUV Good was driving</a> when she was shot, as reported by the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-alex-pretti-renee-good-21835226891f2a8d91710519b457031d">Associated Press</a>.</p>



<p>Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said at a Monday (13 July) press conference: “The wonderful thing now is we have all the evidence. We don’t have to speculate about what we don’t have, so that certainly makes our analysis easier.”</p>



<p>Attorneys representing both families welcomed the development, though they also criticised the prolonged delay. A spokesperson for Steve Schleicher, who represents the Pretti family, accused US Attorney for Minnesota Daniel Rosen of failing to provide even basic answers about the case, as per the <a href="https://www.startribune.com/renee-good-alex-pretti-federal-evidence-shared-with-minnesota-investigators/601866776">Minnesota Star Tribune</a>. Schleicher also said in a statement that no family &#8220;should be required to beg federal authorities to do their job.&#8221;</p>



<p>Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison was even more direct, saying in a Monday statement that he was &#8220;deeply troubled that the federal government spent more than half a year attempting to conceal this evidence from state investigators&#8221;.</p>



<p>In March, Minnesota sued the Trump administration, arguing that federal agencies were deliberately withholding evidence to shield law enforcement officers from scrutiny while the state independently investigated possible criminal violations. At the time, officials described the federal government&#8217;s refusal to cooperate as unprecedented.</p>



<p>Good and Pretti were both killed during Operation Metro Surge, described as the largest immigration enforcement operation in US history. Neither had a criminal record, and both were US citizens. According to the Associated Press, at least nine people have been killed during the Trump administration&#8217;s immigration enforcement operations since last year, yet no ICE agent has been criminally charged in connection with any of those deaths.</p>



<p>The evidence transfer comes as fresh questions are being raised about two more recent fatal ICE shootings. Prosecutors in Houston, Texas, say federal authorities are again refusing to provide key information following the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo last week, while on Monday, federal agents in Maine fatally shot 26-year-old Colombian father Joan Sebastian Guerrero, who reports indicate was not even the intended target of the operation.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/doj-ice-renee-good-alex-pretti-killings/">DOJ releases key evidence in ICE killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908138</post-id>
<thumb>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/doj-ice-renee-good-alex-pretti-killings/renee-good-alex-pretti/</thumb>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Megan Rapinoe says she lost brand deal after AI software flagged her trans allyship as ‘risk’</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/megan-rapinoe-trans-ally-world-cup/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom Hutt-Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:20:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Activism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Celebrity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Megan Rapinoe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trans ally]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trans athletes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World Cup]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908136</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Megan Rapinoe has revealed that a brand pulled her from a World Cup advertisement after AI software flagged her support for transgender rights as a &#8220;risk&#8221;. The women&#8217;s football star made the claim in a 13 July op-ed for Marie Claire condemning anti-trans legislation passed under the guise of &#8220;protecting girls&#8221;. She said the brand [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/megan-rapinoe-trans-ally-world-cup/">Megan Rapinoe says she lost brand deal after AI software flagged her trans allyship as &#8216;risk&#8217;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/megan-rapinoe">Megan Rapinoe</a> has revealed that a brand pulled her from a <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a> advertisement after AI software flagged her support for transgender rights as a &#8220;risk&#8221;.</p>



<p>The women&#8217;s football star made the claim in a 13 July op-ed for <a href="https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/megan-rapinoe-op-ed-supreme-court-ruling-transgender-athletes/">Marie Claire</a> condemning anti-trans legislation passed under the guise of &#8220;protecting girls&#8221;.</p>



<p>She said the brand had used AI software to assess the &#8220;risk&#8221; of potential talent, and that hers was flagged. &#8220;Mine was that I spoke in support of trans rights,&#8221; she wrote.</p>



<p>&#8220;Anti-inclusion politicians have made the conversation around <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/trans-athletes">trans athletes</a> in sports so muddied and full of false fearmongering that brands lacking moral clarity are running from mere association.&#8221;</p>



<p>Rapinoe, who <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/04/20/megan-rapinoe-sue-bird-split/">split from partner Sue Bird in April</a>, argued that the right&#8217;s focus on trans athletes is a distraction from issues causing real harm to the women and girls they claim to protect, pointing to abortion bans and attacks on reproductive healthcare.</p>



<p>&#8220;The truth is, trans people have been competing in sports for decades, and will continue to participate as this smoke screen from bad faith legislators and anti-LGBT groups cloak the real damage being done,&#8221; she wrote. &#8220;As with so many other manufactured issues we fall for, women and girls will suffer the most.&#8221;</p>



<p>Her comments follow the Supreme Court&#8217;s decision on 30 June to <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/06/30/scotus-supreme-court-trans-athlete-ruling/">leave state-level bans on trans athletes in place</a>.</p>



<p>Rapinoe also cited a ballot measure in her home state of Washington, Measure I-638, due to be voted on in November, which would require all girls to be medically certified to play sports and could subject girls, but not boys, to invasive genital exams.</p>



<p>&#8220;These laws are some of the most intense political assaults on LGBTQ+ people in recent years, and they are turning back the clock on our rights, including revived threats against marriage equality,&#8221; she concluded.</p>



<p>&#8220;These policies make all girls and women less safe. They create new ways to question and control women and girls, and that affects all of us.&#8221;</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/megan-rapinoe-trans-ally-world-cup/">Megan Rapinoe says she lost brand deal after AI software flagged her trans allyship as &#8216;risk&#8217;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908136</post-id>
<thumb>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/04/06/megan-rapinoe-olympics-trans-women/megan-rapinoe-4/</thumb>	</item>
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		<title>Are the I Kissed A Girl season 2 couples together now as show ends?</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/i-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast-elisha-elisa-nikita-pippa-now/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:50:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Lesbian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Non-Binary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Queer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[I Kissed a Girl]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908128</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Dry your eyes, because we have some very good news after BBC&#8217;s I Kissed A Girl has come to an end. While queer people around the country are mourning the loss of the show, which was axed in March, there is some happiness to come out of it. The last two episodes aired on 14 [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/i-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast-elisha-elisa-nikita-pippa-now/">Are the I Kissed A Girl season 2 couples together now as show ends?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Dry your eyes, because we have some very good news after BBC&#8217;s <em><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/i-kissed-a-girl">I Kissed A Girl</a></em> has come to an end.</p>



<p>While queer people around the country are mourning the loss of the show, <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/03/11/bbc-axes-lgbtq-dating-shows-i-kissed-a-boy-and-i-kissed-a-girl-due-to-funding-challenges/">which was axed in March</a>, there is some happiness to come out of it.</p>



<p>The last two episodes aired on 14 July, with the remaining couples taking part in the final kiss-off.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, only two couples decided to seal their relationships with a kiss – Elisha and Elise, and Nikita and Pippa.</p>



<p>This series did not conclude with a reunion special, and, to be honest, we&#8217;re devastated, as that&#8217;s when us viewers get all the tea about who&#8217;s with who, who split up, and all the drama since leaving the show.</p>



<p>Thankfully, the girls themselves have revealed all on Instagram – and there is some good news.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-elisha-and-elise-still-together-now">Are Elisha and Elise still together now?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="513" width="1024" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-elisha-and-elise.jpg?w=1024" alt="i kissed a girl elisha and elise" class="wp-image-908130" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-elisha-and-elise.jpg 1996w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-elisha-and-elise.jpg?resize=150,75 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-elisha-and-elise.jpg?resize=300,150 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-elisha-and-elise.jpg?resize=768,385 768w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-elisha-and-elise.jpg?resize=1024,513 1024w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-elisha-and-elise.jpg?resize=1536,770 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Elisha and Elise have split up since filming (BBC)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Sadly, despite being one of the strongest couples on the show, Elisha and Elise have confirmed on Instagram that they are no longer together.</p>



<p>Elisha said: &#8220;Me and Elise aren&#8217;t together but there is still sooo much love there and I am so grateful to have experienced <em>I Kissed A Girl</em> with her, a magical journey to say the least.</p>



<p>In her own statement, Elise wrote: &#8220;Me and Elisha are no longer together, but there is still so much love and admiration there. We were by each other&#8217;s sides from the start and I couldn&#8217;t have done it without her.</p>



<p>&#8220;I wish Elisha all the best for her future as not only the Queen of Wales (watch out Catherine) but also the Queen of Barbie lesbians.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-nikita-and-pippa-still-together-now">Are Nikita and Pippa still together now?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="513" width="1024" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-pippa-and-nikita.jpg?w=1024" alt="i kissed a girl pippa and nikita" class="wp-image-908131" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-pippa-and-nikita.jpg 1996w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-pippa-and-nikita.jpg?resize=150,75 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-pippa-and-nikita.jpg?resize=300,150 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-pippa-and-nikita.jpg?resize=768,385 768w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-pippa-and-nikita.jpg?resize=1024,513 1024w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-pippa-and-nikita.jpg?resize=1536,770 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pippa and Nikita are still loved up (BBC)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Love really does win! Nikita and Pippa confirmed they were still going strong in the cutest Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaydazgM0hj/">video</a> after the finale aired.</p>



<p>The video started with Nikita putting on mascara, with the words &#8220;thanking the masseria for this one&#8221; over the top.</p>



<p>Soon, Pippa appears behind her, pulling her into a hug before the happy couple kiss.</p>



<p>&#8220;Secret&#8217;s out,&#8221; Nikita wrote, adding: &#8220;I love you.&#8221;</p>



<p>In the comments, Pippa, who <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/02/exclusive-bbc-i-kissed-a-girl-season-2-elisha-kayleigh-pippa/">spoke of their journey with being non-binary</a> on the show, wrote in the comments: &#8220;I love youuu.&#8221;</p>



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<p>Their co-stars couldn&#8217;t help but comment, with Elisha writing: &#8220;My heart is so warm.&#8221; Imogen said: &#8220;I am crying right now.&#8221;</p>



<p>Kayleigh said: &#8220;Crying I love you guys so much.&#8221; Tyra added: &#8220;Hell yeah.&#8221;</p>



<p>Ashlea said: &#8220;Eeee my God the most beautiful souls.&#8221;</p>



<p>Even host Dannii Minogue got involved, writing: &#8220;So happy for you both. The masseria delivered.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-the-rest-of-the-cast">What about the rest of the cast?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="574" width="1024" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/I-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast.jpg?w=1024" alt="I Kissed a Girl series 2 cast" class="wp-image-906912" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/I-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast.jpg 1996w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/I-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast.jpg?resize=150,84 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/I-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast.jpg?resize=300,168 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/I-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast.jpg?resize=768,431 768w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/I-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast.jpg?resize=1024,574 1024w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/I-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast.jpg?resize=1536,861 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I Kissed a Girl series 2 cast (L-R) Faye, Nikita, Elise, Tyra, Elisha, Lindsey, Ashlea, Ebony, Renee, Imogen (BBC/Two Four/James Stack)</figcaption></figure>



<p>You see, this is why we need a reunion, BBC!</p>



<p>But there isn&#8217;t much to report on the rest of the cast (yet!), as none of them have publicly commented on their love lives since the show.</p>



<p><em>I Kissed A Girl</em> is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/i-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast-elisha-elisa-nikita-pippa-now/">Are the I Kissed A Girl season 2 couples together now as show ends?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908128</post-id>
		<media:thumbnail url="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-elisha-and-elise.jpg?w=150"/>
		<media:content medium="image" url="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-elisha-and-elise.jpg">
			<media:title type="html">ikag elisha and elise</media:title>
			<media:description type="html">Elisha and Elise have split up since filming (BBC)</media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-elisha-and-elise.jpg?w=150"/>
		</media:content>
		<media:content medium="image" url="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-pippa-and-nikita.jpg">
			<media:title type="html">ikag pippa and nikita</media:title>
			<media:description type="html">Pippa and Nikita are still loved up (BBC)</media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ikag-pippa-and-nikita.jpg?w=150"/>
		</media:content>
		<media:content medium="image" url="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/I-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast.jpg">
			<media:title type="html">567106,TITLE:I Kissed a Girl s2</media:title>
			<media:description type="html">I Kissed a Girl series 2 cast (L-R) Faye, Nikita, Elise, Tyra, Elisha, Lindsey, Ashlea, Ebony, Renee, Imogen (BBC/Two Four/James Stack)</media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/I-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast.jpg?w=150"/>
		</media:content>
<thumb>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/i-kissed-a-girl-season-2-cast-elisha-elisa-nikita-pippa-now/i-kissed-a-girl-finale/</thumb>	</item>
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		<title>Cara Delevingne makes Playboy history as first out ‘proud’ lesbian cover star</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/cara-delevingne-playboy-cover-lesbian/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:22:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Celebrity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lesbian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cara Delevingne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Playboy]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/cara-delevingne-playboy-cover-lesbian/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Summer 2026 issue features a Zoey Grossman-shot nude pictorial and an Ottessa Moshfegh-written profile, with Delevingne calling the shoot empowering.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/cara-delevingne-playboy-cover-lesbian/">Cara Delevingne makes Playboy history as first out &#8216;proud&#8217; lesbian cover star</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-size:0.85em; color:#666; margin-bottom:1em;">Cara Delevingne (Image: Getty Images)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/cara-delevingne" target="_blank">Cara Delevingne</a> has become Playboy’s first out lesbian print cover star, appearing in the magazine’s Summer 2026 issue.
</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.playboy.com/read/celebrities/cara-delevingne-is-our-summer-cover-star?srsltid=AfmBOorKnm_UhwvWZyveeyEIMaruMNzBsZzi1nj86KQzxUYLrDimwDoX" target="_blank">shoot</a> was photographed by Zoey Grossman, with a profile written by Ottessa Moshfegh, author of <em>My Year of Rest and Relaxation</em>. Delevingne also wears the iconic Bunny Suit, making her the first supermodel to do so on a Playboy cover since Kate Mass in 2014.
</p>
<p>Delevingne said the experience felt different to earlier nude work because it was on her own terms.</p>
<p>“I’ve been naked before in shoots, in movies. But it always made me feel a bit gross when it was for someone else, of course, it was my choice and I agreed to it, but it never felt empowering,” she said.</p>
<p></p>
</p>
<figure style="max-width:550px; margin:1.5em auto;">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/_MagazineCovers/status/2077043093052989836">View on Twitter</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></figure>
</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I didn’t feel great after it. But today I had so much fun. I’ve never felt more comfortable in my body and in my sexuality. I feel like I’m in more of my prime as a woman and as a sexual being.”
</p>
<h2>Cara Delevingne&#8217;s relationship with Minke<br />
</h2>
<p>In the profile, Delevingne talks about her relationship with Minke, her girlfriend since 2022, calling the musician a “normie” and “the most incredible person”.</p>
<p>“We’re best friends, obviously, lovers, and everything else, but I’ve never had a relationship like it and felt so close to someone and felt so seen,” Delevingne said.
</p>
<p>The issue follows Delevingne’s recent public shift in how she describes her sexuality.</p>
<p>After previously identifying as pansexual, she <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/06/02/cara-delevingne-lesbian-pansexual-labels/" target="_blank">announced she was a &#8220;proud&#8221; lesbian</a> in May 2026 by whispering it to Rosalía while mic’d up on the singer’s LUX World Tour.</p>
<p>“If you don’t know this already, I’m a lesbian, and my weakness used to be straight women,” she said. “Because they weren’t really straight. I don’t think anyone’s really straight. That’s the point.”
</p>
<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/cara-delevingne-playboy-cover-lesbian/">Cara Delevingne makes Playboy history as first out &#8216;proud&#8217; lesbian cover star</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908127</post-id>
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		<title>Botswana’s bid to legalise equal marriage met with religious pushback</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/botswana-equal-same-sex-marriage-pushback/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Poppy-Jay St. Palmer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:58:23 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Weddings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Botswana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[equal marriage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[same-sex marriage]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908123</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A bid to legalise same-sex marriage in Botswana has been met with opposition from the church and cultural groups. Appearing in court on 14 July, gay couple Bonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile challenged the government in an attempt to overturn the current ban on same-sex marriage. They argued that Botswana’s Marriage Act is unconstitutional as [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/botswana-equal-same-sex-marriage-pushback/">Botswana&#8217;s bid to legalise equal marriage met with religious pushback</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>A bid to legalise same-sex marriage in <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/botswana">Botswana</a> has been met with opposition from the church and cultural groups.</p>



<p>Appearing in court on 14 July, gay couple Bonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile challenged the government in an attempt to overturn the current ban on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/same-sex-marriage">same-sex marriage</a>. They argued that Botswana’s Marriage Act is unconstitutional as it details that only a “bride” and “bridegroom” can marry.</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://www.dailymail.com/wires/afp/article-15977107/Botswana-bid-legalise-sex-marriage-draws-church-cultural-opposition.html">AFP</a>, court papers confirm that the couple were denied permission to register their marriage in 2025 and were told by officials to marry in South Africa instead.</p>



<p>The bid from the couple has received a certain amount of pushback from religious and cultural groups.</p>



<p>Dingwetsi Association, a non-profit that champions traditional marriage and opposes divorce, said that the case was “likely to have a cultural impact because the country&#8217;s customary law only recognises marriage between a man and a woman”.</p>



<p>A lawyer for the Evangelical Fellowship of Botswana also weighed in on the case, saying the group believes same-sex marriage “goes against the beliefs of their members who are Christians”.</p>



<p>Same-sex relationships in the country were <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/06/11/botswana-celebrates-historic-decriminalisation-gay-sex/">decriminalised by Botswana’s High Court back in 2019</a>. Before then, it was punishable by up to seven years in prison.</p>



<p>Botswana is one of the 22 African countries, including Mozambique, Namibia and Rwanda, that have legalised same-sex relations, reversing colonial-era laws.</p>



<p>Botswana is only one of three countries in the continent that have anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in place, alongside Mauritius and South Africa. The latter is also the only African country that allows same-sex marriages.</p>



<p>In April this year, <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/04/28/botswana-anti-sodomy-law-lgbtq/">Botswana officially removed its anti-sodomy law</a>, closing the chapter on a colonial-era provision that criminalised same-sex intimacy.</p>



<p>Section 164 of the country’s Penal Code had already been ruled unconstitutional in 2019 by the High Court of Botswana, with Judge Michael Leburu saying at the time: “Human dignity is harmed when minority groups are marginalised.”</p>



<p>An appeal was dismissed in 2021, rendering the law unenforceable, but it had since been formally repealed, according to <a href="https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/04/25/historic-move-botswana-officially-removes-same-sex-ban-from-law/">Mamba Online</a>.</p>



<p>The update, carried out by Attorney General Dick Bayford, removed the sections targeting same-sex relations, leaving only provisions relating to bestiality.</p>



<p>LGBTQ+ advocacy group LeGaBiBo welcomed the move, calling it a clear signal that queer people “are not criminals” and deserve protection.</p>



<p>They added: “For many, these provisions were not just words on paper – they were lived realities. They affected access to healthcare, safety, employment, and the freedom to love and exist openly.”</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/botswana-equal-same-sex-marriage-pushback/">Botswana&#8217;s bid to legalise equal marriage met with religious pushback</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908123</post-id>
<thumb>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/botswana-equal-same-sex-marriage-pushback/botswana-lgbt/</thumb>	</item>
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		<title>Hudson Williams thanks his bodyguard after viral Paris confrontation</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/hudson-williams-bodyguard-viral-paris-confrontation-video/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:33:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Celebrity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heated Rivalry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson Williams]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908119</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams has paid tribute to his bodyguard, days after a viral video showed him confronting autograph sellers in Paris. In footage which spread on social media, the actor could be seen asking a group of men to stop following him, as they handed him images to sign. He refused, telling them: [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/hudson-williams-bodyguard-viral-paris-confrontation-video/">Hudson Williams thanks his bodyguard after viral Paris confrontation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><em><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/heated-rivalry/">Heated Rivalry</a></em> star <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/hudson-williams/">Hudson Williams</a> has paid tribute to his bodyguard, days after a viral video showed him confronting autograph sellers in Paris.</p>



<p>In <a href="https://x.com/dreamofbuswell/status/2076568307121922471">footage</a> which spread on social media, the <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/13/heated-rivalry-hudson-williams-paris-argument/">actor could be seen asking a group of men to stop following him</a>, as they handed him images to sign. He refused, telling them: &#8220;You&#8217;re not fans.&#8221;</p>



<p>He could be seen attempting to light a photo on fire before walking away, before one of the men continued to follow him and started shouting at him.</p>



<p>Since then, Williams reshared <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DavqyLpEdkD/?img_index=1">a post which his bodyguard Brad had shared</a>. In the photo, the two men could be seen looking casual as they threw up a peace sign for the camera.</p>



<p>Over the top, the Shane Hollander star wrote: &#8220;Khoya,&#8221; which is reportedly a slang Arabic term meaning &#8220;my brother&#8221;.</p>



<p>The initial post from Brad also included a black and white image of the pair walking through a museum.</p>



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</div></figure>



<p>He wrote: &#8220;Thank you for your trust and for welcoming me to your team.&#8221; Brad also tagged Williams&#8217; celebrated makeup artist Aika Flores, who was behind his iconic Met Gala look, and Leilani Houston, Williams&#8217; agent.</p>



<p>His comments section was full of Williams&#8217; fans thanking him for keeping the rising star safe on his travels.</p>



<p>Williams is set to return to Canada to film <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/02/27/everything-we-know-about-heated-rivalry-season-2-release-date/"><em>Heated Rivalry</em> season two</a>, which is due to go into production this month.</p>



<p>The second season will follow his character, Shane, and Connor Storrie&#8217;s Ilya Rozanov as they navigate a secret romance while being star hockey players.</p>



<p>The show is based on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/04/27/heated-rivalry-novels-game-changers-books-rachel-reid/">Rachel Reid&#8217;s <em>Game Changers </em>novel series</a>, with Shane and Ilya&#8217;s story continued in book six, <em>The Long Game</em>.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/hudson-williams-bodyguard-viral-paris-confrontation-video/">Hudson Williams thanks his bodyguard after viral Paris confrontation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<title>Scott Mills was highest paid BBC presenter before he was fired</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/scott-mills-bbc-pay-list-2026/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:11:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Celebrity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Radio 2]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scott Mills]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/scott-mills-bbc-pay-list-2026/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The annual figures also show TV licences fell by 539,000 last year, dropping from 25.3 million in 2020-21 to 23.3 million.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/scott-mills-bbc-pay-list-2026/">Scott Mills was highest paid BBC presenter before he was fired</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-size:0.85em; color:#666; margin-bottom:1em;">Scott Mills (Image: Getty Images)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/scott-mills" target="_blank">Scott Mills</a> was the BBC’s highest-paid on-air presenter in 2025/26, earning £745,000–£749,999 in the year before he was sacked from Radio 2 in March.
</p>
<p>The figure appears in the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn750p4gyjgo?at_medium=RSS&amp;at_campaign=rss" target="_blank">BBC’s annual report for the year</a> ending March 2026. <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/03/30/scott-mills-bbc-fired-radio-2/" target="_blank">Mills was sacked</a> just before the end of the financial year, so the figure published represents almost his full annual BBC earnings.
</p>
<p>Mills, who is <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/03/30/scott-mills-husband-sam-vaughan/" target="_blank">married to Sam Vaughan</a>, took over Radio 2’s Breakfast Show from Zoe Ball in January 2025. In the previous year’s report, he earned £355,000–£359,999.</p>
<p>The BBC only publishes the names and pay bands of stars and executives who earn above £178,000, and the list does not include those paid via independent production companies or the BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Studios.
</p>
<h2>Why Mills was sacked</h2>
<p>Mills was sacked in March after it was revealed he had been <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/03/31/scott-mills-police-questioned-sexual-offences-teen/" target="_blank">accused of historical sexual offences</a>. He co-operated with a police investigation and was never charged. The investigation was launched in 2016 and closed in 2019 as prosecutors decided there was not enough evidence to bring charges.
</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/04/02/scott-mills-police-investigation-bbc/" target="_blank">statement</a> in April, Mills said: “The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation.” He added: “An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018.”
</p>
<h2>Other key names on the list</h2>
<p>Greg James was the second highest paid presenter on the list, earning £440,000.</p>
<p>In fourth place was Laura Kuenssberg, the highest paid woman on the list, with £405,000. Vernon Kay rounded out the top five, also on £405,000.</p>
<p>Gay presenter Nick Grimshaw was paid £335,000-£339,999 for his work on the <em>Sidetracked</em> podcast and 6 Music <em>Breakfast</em> shows.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/15/scott-mills-bbc-pay-list-2026/">Scott Mills was highest paid BBC presenter before he was fired</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<title>Strictly Come Dancing 2026 celebrity line-up as gay ‘pin-up’ joins</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/all-the-confirmed-strictly-come-dancing-celebrities-for-the-2026-line-up/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Emily Maskell]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:05:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delta Goodrem]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strictly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strictly Come Dancing]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=906794</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Here are the confirmed celebs (so far!) for the 2026 Strictly Come Dancing line-up ahead of the revamped show’s return, with Will Best the latest to be announced. The BBC staple returns to iPlayer and BBC One in September with presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe as the new hosts.&#160; [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/all-the-confirmed-strictly-come-dancing-celebrities-for-the-2026-line-up/">Strictly Come Dancing 2026 celebrity line-up as gay &#8216;pin-up&#8217; joins</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Here are the confirmed celebs (so far!) for the 2026 <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/strictly-come-dancing/"><em>Strictly Come Dancing</em></a> line-up ahead of the revamped show’s return, with Will Best the latest to be announced.</p>



<p>The BBC staple returns to iPlayer and BBC One in September with presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/05/20/gay-strictly-star-johannes-radebe-is-he-in-a-relationship-kinky-boots/">Johannes Radebe</a> and comedian Josh Widdicombe as <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/05/19/strictly-come-dancing-hosts-emma-willis-josh-widdicombe-johannes-radebe/">the new hosts</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The judging panel remains the same – Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas&nbsp;–&nbsp;to offer their expert opinions and scores of the dancing celebs and their <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/05/07/strictly-pro-dancers-returning-for-2026-whos-in-and-whos-out/">professional partners</a>.</p>



<p>There has also been a shake-up with the pro dancer line-up. Fan favourites&nbsp;Nadiya Bychkova,&nbsp;Luba Mushtuk,&nbsp;Karen Hauer,&nbsp;Michelle Tsiakkas&nbsp;and&nbsp;Gorka Márquez&nbsp;have departed. Meanwhile,&nbsp;Neil Jones&nbsp;and&nbsp;Nancy Xu&nbsp;will be without a partner for this series.</p>



<p>Here are the confirmed celebs for this year’s <em>Strictly</em>:</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-will-best">Will Best</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="513" width="1024" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/will-best-strictly.jpg?w=1024" alt="Will Best" class="wp-image-908113" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/will-best-strictly.jpg 1996w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/will-best-strictly.jpg?resize=150,75 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/will-best-strictly.jpg?resize=300,150 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/will-best-strictly.jpg?resize=768,385 768w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/will-best-strictly.jpg?resize=1024,513 1024w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/will-best-strictly.jpg?resize=1536,770 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Will Best (BBC)</figcaption></figure>



<p><em>Big Brother</em> host Will Best was announced on 14 July, and looks set to be one of the main sources of eye-candy for the mums (and gay fans, obv).</p>



<p>Best, who also presents Hits Radio&#8217;s <em>Breakfast Show</em>, said: &#8220;I can&#8217;t quite believe it&#8230; I&#8217;m doing <em>Strictly</em>! What an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one.</p>



<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!&#8221;</p>



<p>The TV star, who has amassed a legion of gay fans thanks to his often minimal clothing on <em>Big Brother</em> and Instagram, added: &#8220;I have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dance floor! I&#8217;m going to try to enjoy every minute of it.&#8221;</p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="513" width="1024" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/strictly-cach-love-island.jpg?w=1024" alt="Cach Mercer" class="wp-image-907864" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/strictly-cach-love-island.jpg 1996w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/strictly-cach-love-island.jpg?resize=150,75 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/strictly-cach-love-island.jpg?resize=300,150 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/strictly-cach-love-island.jpg?resize=768,385 768w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/strictly-cach-love-island.jpg?resize=1024,513 1024w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/strictly-cach-love-island.jpg?resize=1536,770 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cach Mercer (BBC)</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cach-mercer">Cach Mercer</h2>



<p><em>Love Island</em> 2025 winner Cach Mercer was confirmed for the show on 9 July, less than a year after taking the crown on the dating show alongside then-girlfriend Toni Laites.</p>



<p>Coming from a dancing background, and having more than 50million views on TikTok, Mercer is sure to be one to watch on the dance floor later this year.</p>



<p>He says: &#8220;I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!&#8221;</p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="944" height="531" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Chris-Appleton.jpg?w=944" alt="Chris Appleton in front of a colourful firework explosion" class="wp-image-907091" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Chris-Appleton.jpg 944w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Chris-Appleton.jpg?resize=150,84 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Chris-Appleton.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Chris-Appleton.jpg?resize=768,432 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 944px) 100vw, 944px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chris Appleton is taking to the floor. (BBC)</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chris-appleton-nbsp"><strong>Chris Appleton&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>World-renowned hair stylist <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/chris-appleton/">Chris Appleton</a> was the first man announced for this year’s <em>Strictly</em> line-up.</p>



<p>The 43-year-old has styled some of the biggest names in the entertainment world, including Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.</p>



<p>“I’m thrilled to be joining <em>Strictly Come Dancing</em> and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience,” he shared about his casting.</p>



<p>“I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story &#8211; and I can’t wait to get started.</p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="944" height="531" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lacey-Turner.jpg?w=944" alt="Lacey Turner in front of a colourful firework explosion" class="wp-image-906799" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lacey-Turner.jpg 944w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lacey-Turner.jpg?resize=150,84 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lacey-Turner.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lacey-Turner.jpg?resize=768,432 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 944px) 100vw, 944px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lacey Turner is swapping <em>Eastenders</em> for <em>Strictly</em>. (BBC)</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lacey-turner"><strong>Lacey Turner</strong></h2>



<p><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/02/19/ranked-eastenders-gay-most-iconic-lgbtq-moments/"><em>EastEnders</em></a> star Lacey Turner, who has played Stacey Slater on the soap since 2004, was the first contestant announced. Her performance has won her numerous accolades, including several British Soap Awards and National Television Awards.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Now, the 38-year-old actor is swapping the film set for the dance floor.</p>



<p>In a statement about her appearance, Turner shared: “I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing!</p>



<p>“I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!</p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="944" height="531" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dani-Dyer.jpg?w=944" alt="Dani Dyer in front of a colourful firework explosion" class="wp-image-906796" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dani-Dyer.jpg 944w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dani-Dyer.jpg?resize=150,84 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dani-Dyer.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dani-Dyer.jpg?resize=768,432 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 944px) 100vw, 944px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dani Dyer is giving <em>Strictly</em> another go. (BBC)</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dani-dyer"><strong>Dani Dyer</strong></h2>



<p>Former <em><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/love-island/">Love Island</a></em> contestant Dani Dyer was part of the <em>Strictly</em> 2025 cast. However, her time on the show was just one week long before she was forced to withdraw due to an ankle fracture.</p>



<p>Dyer, the 29-year-old daughter of actor <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/03/12/danny-dyer-condemns-rising-homophobia-and-bigotry-its-petrifying/">Danny Dyer</a>, was originally partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, but it’s unclear whether they’ll be paired up this year.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September!” Dyer said of her second chance on <em>Strictly</em>.</p>



<p>“I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one! I’m just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!”</p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="944" height="531" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Delta-Goodrem.jpg?w=944" alt="Delta Goodrem in front of a colourful firework explosion" class="wp-image-906797" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Delta-Goodrem.jpg 944w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Delta-Goodrem.jpg?resize=150,84 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Delta-Goodrem.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Delta-Goodrem.jpg?resize=768,432 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 944px) 100vw, 944px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Will Delta Goodrem beat her 4th <em>Eurovision</em> place on <em>Strictly</em>? (BBC)</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-delta-goodrem"><strong>Delta Goodrem</strong></h2>



<p>Australian singer and actor <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/delta-goodrem/">Delta Goodrem</a> will be bringing her Australian charm to the <em>Strictly</em> dance floor.</p>



<p>Goodreem represented Australia at this year’s <em><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/eurovision/">Eurovision Song Contest</a></em>, finishing fourth, and previously starred on the beloved soap opera <em>Neighbours</em>.</p>



<p>The 41-year-old has also been a judge on <em>The Voice Australia</em>; time will tell if adding dancing will make her a triple threat.</p>



<p>“I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career &#8211; from TV, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!” she shared.</p>



<p>“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!”</p>



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<p>These are all the names confirmed so far. But, as is always the case, there are plenty of rumours about who else will be joining the cast.</p>



<p><em>X Factor</em> contestant Jake Quickenden is said to be joining the confirmed 2026 celeb line-up.</p>



<p>Also, Paralympian cyclist Dame Sarah Storey is tipped to join this year’s pool of <em>Strictly</em> stars.</p>



<p>Further news about <em>Strictly</em> will be revealed throughout the summer.</p>



<p>The brand-new series of <em>Strictly Come Dancing</em> 2026 will be getting underway on BBC One and iPlayer this September.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong>&nbsp;Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/all-the-confirmed-strictly-come-dancing-celebrities-for-the-2026-line-up/">Strictly Come Dancing 2026 celebrity line-up as gay &#8216;pin-up&#8217; joins</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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			<media:title type="html">will best strictly</media:title>
			<media:description type="html">Will Best (BBC)</media:description>
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			<media:description type="html">Cach Mercer (BBC)</media:description>
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			<media:title type="html">Chris Appleton</media:title>
			<media:description type="html">Chris Appleton is taking to the floor. (BBC)</media:description>
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			<media:title type="html">Lacey Turner</media:title>
			<media:description type="html">Lacey Turner is swapping Eastenders for Strictly. (BBC)</media:description>
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			<media:title type="html">Dani Dyer</media:title>
			<media:description type="html">Dani Dyer is giving Strictly another go. (BBC)</media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dani-Dyer.jpg?w=150"/>
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			<media:title type="html">Delta Goodrem</media:title>
			<media:description type="html">Will Delta Goodrem beat her 4th Eurovision place on Strictly? (BBC)</media:description>
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		<title>Ariana Grande seems to confirm she’s back with ex with ‘Thank U, Next’ lyric change</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/ariana-grande-thank-u-next-lyric-change-ricky-alvarez/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:50:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ariana Grande]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/ariana-grande-thank-u-next-lyric-change-ricky-alvarez/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Fans clocked the on-stage switch during the Eternal Sunshine tour, with the 2018 track’s Ricky reference suddenly taking on a new meaning.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/ariana-grande-thank-u-next-lyric-change-ricky-alvarez/">Ariana Grande seems to confirm she&#8217;s back with ex with &#8216;Thank U, Next&#8217; lyric change</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-size:0.85em; color:#666; margin-bottom:1em;">Ricky Alvarez and Ariana Grande (Image: Getty Images)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/ariana-grande/" target="_blank">Ariana Grande</a> has sparked reunion rumours with ex Ricky Alvarez after changing a key line in &#8220;Thank U, Next&#8221; during her Eternal Sunshine tour stop in Brooklyn on Monday evening.
</p>
<p>The lyric change, as heard in <a href="https://x.com/BuzzingPop/status/2076834762371523037" target="_blank">videos on X</a>, was: “Wrote some songs about Ricky, we always find our way back”. The original line in the 2018 track is: “Wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh.”
</p>
<p>Fans have taken the on-stage switch as a pointed nod to Alvarez, 35, who is one of the exes name-checked in the song,<em> </em>as well as Pete Davidson and the late Mac Miller. Grande, 33, and Alvarez have also been spotted together in recent weeks, adding to the speculation.
</p>
<p>The lyric change follows reports that <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/06/09/ariana-grande-and-ethan-slater-split-after-nearly-three-years-together/" target="_blank">Grande split from actor Ethan Slater</a> earlier this year after three years together. Slater and Grande both appear in the two <em>Wicked</em> films.
</p>
<h2>Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez&#8217;s history<br />
</h2>
<p>Grande and Alvarez are believed to have began dating in April 2015 after meeting when he worked as a backup dancer on her Honeymoon Tour. They are said to have split just over a year later, parting ways in mid-2016.
</p>
<figure style="margin:1.5em 0;"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ariana-grande-thank-u-next-lyric-change_2a1262.jpg" alt="Ricky Alvarez was a dancer for Ariana Grande" style="width:100%; height:auto; display:block;"><figcaption style="font-size:0.85em; color:#666; margin-top:0.4em;">Ricky Alvarez was a dancer for Ariana Grande (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
</p>
<p>Alvarez has kept a lower public profile than some of Grande’s other high-profile relationships, but his name remains part of the pop-cultural “lore” around &#8220;Thank U, Next&#8221;, a song built around looking back at past relationships.
</p>
<h2>Ariana Grande on public relationships<br />
</h2>
<p>Grande has previously spoken about the impact of public narratives around her relationships. When rumours emerged that Grande was dating Slater, questions were raised about the timing, as Slater split from his wife shortly before their romance was revealed.</p>
<p>In a 2024 <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/wicked-ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo-cover" target="_blank">Vanity Fair</a> interview, she said of Slater: “No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about.” She added: “The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it.”
</p>
<p>Grande has cultivated a strong queer fan following thanks to her lengthy music career and camp television appearances, such as in <em>Scream Queens</em>. She recently <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/06/15/ariana-grande-brighter-days-ahead-foundation/" target="_blank">launched the Brighter Days Ahead Foundation to support the LGBTQ+ community</a>, and has also <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/06/12/ariana-grande-slams-ice-for-using-her-song-to-promote-deportations-barbaric-inhumane-heinous-nonsense/" target="_blank">criticised ICE for using her music in deportation messaging</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/ariana-grande-thank-u-next-lyric-change-ricky-alvarez/">Ariana Grande seems to confirm she&#8217;s back with ex with &#8216;Thank U, Next&#8217; lyric change</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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			<media:title type="html">Ricky Alvarez was a dancer for Ariana Grande</media:title>
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		<title>JK Rowling offers legal funding to groups called ‘anti-rights’ by Amnesty International UK</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/jk-rowling-amnesty-international-uk-legal-funding/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[PinkNews Staff Writer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:26:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Celebrity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Amnesty International UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JK Rowling]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908104</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>JK Rowling has offered groups branded &#8220;anti-rights&#8221; by Amnesty International UK legal funding should they choose to take action against the human rights organisation. The row centres on an Amnesty International UK report published last week on what it called the &#8220;rise of an anti-rights movement targeting the rights of women and LGBT+ people in [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/jk-rowling-amnesty-international-uk-legal-funding/">JK Rowling offers legal funding to groups called &#8216;anti-rights&#8217; by Amnesty International UK</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/jk-rowling">JK Rowling</a> has offered groups branded &#8220;anti-rights&#8221; by <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/amnesty-international-UK/">Amnesty International UK</a> legal funding should they choose to take action against the human rights organisation.</p>



<p>The row centres on an <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/10/amnesty-international-jk-rowling-sexual-assault-crisis-centre-beiras-place/">Amnesty International UK report published</a> last week on what it called the &#8220;rise of an anti-rights movement targeting the rights of women and LGBT+ people in the UK&#8221;, which added 51 groups to a list of &#8220;anti-rights&#8221; organisations.</p>



<p>Among them were For Women Scotland, the LGB Alliance, and Beira&#8217;s Place, a &#8220;women-only&#8221; sexual abuse support service founded by Rowling in 2022 that does not provide services to trans women.</p>



<p>Amnesty International UK said the groups &#8220;visibly oppose the rights&#8221; of LGBT+ people.</p>



<p>Following response from Rowling and other campaigners, <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/13/amnesty-international-uk-jk-rowling-beiras-place/">the report was removed</a> due to what Amnesty International UK described as an &#8220;internal review&#8221;.</p>



<p>Rowling has now offered funding to groups who may want to pursue legal action. Writing on X, she <a href="https://x.com/jk_rowling/status/2076759530134753736">said</a>: &#8220;Should any of the women&#8217;s organisations targeted by @AmnestyUK&#8217;s recent &#8216;anti-rights&#8217; blacklist wish to take legal action, applications can be made to the JK Rowling Women&#8217;s Fund.&#8221;</p>



<p>She added that &#8220;gay men&#8217;s organisations named on the list&#8221; were welcome to contact her directly, and that while the fund was set up to support women, she was &#8220;more than happy to donate&#8221; to their legal costs.</p>



<p>The offer came in response to the group Trans Widows&#8217; Voices, which said mainstream coverage had focused on Rowling and Beira&#8217;s Place at the expense of &#8220;smaller groups listed who do not have the same power or influence to defend ourselves&#8221;.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amnesty-international-uk-s-response">Amnesty International UK&#8217;s response</h2>



<p>Amnesty International UK said in a statement: &#8220;We regret that this briefing was uploaded to our website without going through the established internal review processes that are in place to ensure consistency, accuracy and alignment with Amnesty International UK&#8217;s positions.</p>



<p>&#8220;Its use of language does not reflect the position of Amnesty International UK which is why it was promptly removed.</p>



<p>&#8220;We remain committed to defending human rights, including both the rights of women and the rights of trans people.&#8221;</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/jk-rowling-amnesty-international-uk-legal-funding/">JK Rowling offers legal funding to groups called &#8216;anti-rights&#8217; by Amnesty International UK</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<title>Alex Armstrong says he ‘fundamentally rejects’ GB News guest’s comments linking Pride to paedophilia</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/gb-news-alex-armstrong-caroline-farrow-gay-pride/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:17:19 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Pride]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alex Armstrong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Caroline Farrow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GB News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908080</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>GB News host Alex Armstrong has said he &#8220;fundamentally rejects&#8221; the comments which guest Caroline Farrow shared about gay Pride in a recent episode. On a 5 July episode of Alex Armstrong Tonight, the presenter was joined by former Lib Dem councillor Mathew Hulbert, and Farrow, a Catholic journalist and Manager in Campaigns Global for [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/gb-news-alex-armstrong-caroline-farrow-gay-pride/">Alex Armstrong says he &#8216;fundamentally rejects&#8217; GB News guest&#8217;s comments linking Pride to paedophilia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/gb-news">GB News</a> host Alex Armstrong has said he &#8220;fundamentally rejects&#8221; the <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/07/gb-news-ofcom-lgbtq-pride/">comments which guest Caroline Farrow shared about gay Pride</a> in a recent episode.</p>



<p>On a <a href="https://www.gbnews.com/shows/alex-armstrong-tonight/2026-07-05">5 July episode of <em>Alex Armstrong Tonight</em></a>, the presenter was joined by former Lib Dem councillor Mathew Hulbert, and Farrow, a Catholic journalist and Manager in Campaigns Global for CitizenGO, a platform &#8220;defending life, family, and freedom&#8221;.</p>



<p>During a discussion about Pride, Farrow said: &#8220;The problem is that Pride is not about gay rights. It has become about celebrating every single sexuality that isn’t heterosexuality, including some very bizarre and unhealthy kinks and quirks, you know, like furries and bestiality and even minor attracted, they call themselves, minor attracted people. Paedophiles.”</p>



<p>Hulbert could be heard saying: &#8220;Not at all.&#8221;</p>



<p>Armstrong then said: &#8220;I went to Pride last year and filmed it for GB News. Actually, I would say the overwhelming amount of people at Pride were there for good reasons. I don&#8217;t think it was full of paedophiles and everything, I&#8217;m sure there are nefarious people.&#8221;</p>



<p>GB News last week told PinkNews: &#8220;These comments were expressed within a live debate by a contributor. They were her own views, and do not reflect the views or editorial position of GB News. Anyone watching the debate would have noted the comments were robustly and repeatedly challenged by two other contributors. GB News takes its responsibilities as a regulated broadcaster seriously and complies with all of its obligations under the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alex-armstrong-addresses-outrage">Alex Armstrong addresses &#8216;outrage&#8217;</h2>



<p>During the <a href="https://www.gbnews.com/shows/alex-armstrong-tonight/2026-07-12">12 July episode of <em>Alex Armstrong Tonight</em></a>, he addressed what Farrow had said.</p>



<p>He told viewers: &#8220;Tonight I want to address outrage from the LGBT community and press over comments made by one of our guests last weekend. We welcome robust and difficult debates on this channel, and particularly on this show. It is not, and never will be, an echo chamber for anybody. That&#8217;s why we always have a dissenting voice on all of my shows, want you to hear all aspects of every debate.</p>



<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s made it even more important, when guests come on my show and make statements that are considered homophobic or deeply offensive, that they are challenged and balanced by me and my guests if they do that. But sometimes I feel it&#8217;s necessary to go a bit further, and I&#8217;m going to do that tonight.</p>



<p>&#8220;Comments made by guests last weekend conflated gay pride with the celebration of paedophilia. This is an age-old gay trope that&#8217;s been used over a number of years to demonise and slander gay people. And as I said to the guest during that segment, it is a statement I fundamentally reject and have not witnessed when attending Pride myself.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="573" width="1024" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/alex-armstrong-tonight-5-july.jpg?w=1024" alt="Mathew Hulbert, Alex Armstrong and Caroline Farrow on 'Alex Armstrong Tonight' on 5 July " class="wp-image-908085" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/alex-armstrong-tonight-5-july.jpg 1996w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/alex-armstrong-tonight-5-july.jpg?resize=150,84 150w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/alex-armstrong-tonight-5-july.jpg?resize=300,168 300w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/alex-armstrong-tonight-5-july.jpg?resize=768,429 768w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/alex-armstrong-tonight-5-july.jpg?resize=1024,573 1024w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/alex-armstrong-tonight-5-july.jpg?resize=1536,859 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mathew Hulbert, Alex Armstrong and Caroline Farrow on &#8216;Alex Armstrong Tonight&#8217; on 5 July (GB News)</figcaption></figure>



<p>&#8220;The debate we were meant to be having was around whether or not Pride was suitable for children. Those comments by guests had no place in that discussion, and in my opinion, were lazy and offensive arguments that don&#8217;t reflect my views or the views of this channel, where many LGBT people also work.</p>



<p>He continued: &#8220;What I do take serious issue with is when social media commentators and activist groups claim that I made those statements or deliberately try to misrepresent my views in other ways to try and paint me as homophobic. I will not be smeared by people and media who are politically motivated to try and cancel me for simply opposing their political ideology.</p>



<p>&#8220;As many of you already know, I am openly gay. I very, very rarely talk about it or discuss my sexuality because I believe it is such a small part of my character. And frankly, I don&#8217;t think you, the British public, care about it or have any interest in who I&#8217;m attracted to. Nor does being gay have any bearing on my politics, and nor should it ever.</p>



<p>&#8220;I maintain that Pride is not suitable for children. It contains adult material and products, even on so-called family day. I have witnessed it myself. There&#8217;s a lot of alcohol, scantily dressed individuals, and political propaganda-all things I don&#8217;t believe are suitable for children.&#8221;</p>



<p>PinkNews has contacted GB News for further comment.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/gb-news-alex-armstrong-caroline-farrow-gay-pride/">Alex Armstrong says he &#8216;fundamentally rejects&#8217; GB News guest&#8217;s comments linking Pride to paedophilia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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			<media:description type="html">Mathew Hulbert, Alex Armstrong and Caroline Farrow on 'Alex Armstrong Tonight' on 5 July (GB News)</media:description>
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		<title>Religious parents sue school district over staff using child’s chosen pronouns</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/maryland-school-districts-lawsuit-pronouns-chosen-name/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[PN Freelancer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:04:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Non-Binary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[US]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maryland]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908096</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A pair of religious parents have filed a lawsuit against a Maryland school district after teachers respected their child&#8217;s request to use a masculine name and pronouns at school without first informing them. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday (8 July) in federal court against Anne Arundel County Public School District, seeks to force educators to stop [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/maryland-school-districts-lawsuit-pronouns-chosen-name/">Religious parents sue school district over staff using child&#8217;s chosen pronouns</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>A pair of religious parents have filed a lawsuit against a <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/maryland">Maryland</a> school district after <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/teachers/">teachers</a> respected their child&#8217;s request to use a masculine name and pronouns at school without first informing them.</p>



<p>The lawsuit, filed Wednesday (8 July) in federal court against Anne Arundel County Public School District, seeks to force educators to stop using the student&#8217;s chosen name and pronouns, instead requiring staff to refer to the child by their birth name and the pronouns associated with their sex assigned at birth.</p>



<p>The parents, identified in court only as John and Jane Doe, are being represented by the conservative legal organisation America First Legal, which was founded in 2021 by Trump adviser Stephen Miller and has repeatedly challenged LGBTQ+ protections in courts across the US.</p>



<p>The parents only became aware that school staff had been using their child&#8217;s chosen name on 10 December after a teacher accidentally emailed them using the student&#8217;s masculine name before attempting to recall the message. After confronting school officials, the parents reportedly demanded that staff revert to their child&#8217;s legal name, but administrators declined, citing district policy, as reported by <a href="https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/arundel-schools-transgender-children-policies-lawsuit-6BKCHH25O5HP7FLPPGNF7RQFWU/">The Baltimore Banner</a>.</p>



<p>Anne Arundel County Public Schools states that students have &#8220;the right to be addressed by a name and pronoun that correspond to the student&#8217;s gender identity&#8221;. The parents argue that the policy violates their constitutional rights and conflicts with their religious beliefs, which they say teach that &#8220;God creates each person as male or female&#8221; and that biological sex cannot be changed. They are asking the court not only to use their child’s original name and pronouns, but also to declare the district&#8217;s broader policies protecting transgender and gender-diverse students unlawful.</p>



<p>While a growing number of states have passed laws requiring schools to notify parents if a student requests a different name or pronouns, others have adopted policies allowing educators to respect students&#8217; gender identities without automatically informing families, citing concerns that some young people could face rejection, abuse or homelessness if outed before they are ready. According to the Movement Advancement Project, 15 US states currently require schools to out transgender and non-binary students to parents.</p>



<p>A spokesperson for the school district has declined to comment on the case but said officials were aware of the complaint, as per The Baltimore Banner.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/maryland-school-districts-lawsuit-pronouns-chosen-name/">Religious parents sue school district over staff using child&#8217;s chosen pronouns</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<title>Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal ‘homoerotic’ box office flop flying on streaming</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/henry-cavill-jake-gyllenhaal-in-the-grey-watch-online/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:52:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Henry Cavill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jake Gyllenhaal]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908094</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal&#8216;s movie In The Grey is doing well on streaming, despite what has been described as a flop at the box office. The film, directed by Guy Ritchie, sees Cavill and Gyllenhaal as mercenaries who are hired to recover a huge debt from a dictator. Early reviews noted some homoerotic themes, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/henry-cavill-jake-gyllenhaal-in-the-grey-watch-online/">Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal &#8216;homoerotic&#8217; box office flop flying on streaming</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/henry-cavill/">Henry Cavill</a> and <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/jake-gyllenhaal/">Jake Gyllenhaal</a>&#8216;s movie <em>In The Grey</em> is doing well on streaming, despite what has been described as a <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/05/19/in-the-grey-jake-gyllenhaal-henry-cavill/">flop at the box office</a>.</p>



<p>The film, directed by Guy Ritchie, sees Cavill and Gyllenhaal as mercenaries who are hired to recover a huge debt from a dictator.</p>



<p>Early reviews noted some homoerotic themes, with Cavill&#8217;s character Sig and Gyllenhaal&#8217;s Bronco pretending to be a married couple so they could get into a hotel. Similarly, Bronco refers to Sig as &#8220;my husband&#8221;, something which gets no reaction from those around them.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/may/15/in-the-grey-movie-review-guy-ritchie">The Guardian</a>&#8216;s Benjamin Lee said the duo &#8220;are for all intents and purposes playing a gay couple&#8221;.</p>



<p>Despite the film having two major male leads – and subtle nods to gay themes, also including having sex in prison – it failed to ignite the box office, making just $3million around its opening weekend, and a reported total of $13million.</p>



<p>However, according to <a href="https://collider.com/henry-cavill-guy-ritchie-in-the-grey-prime-video-streaming-success-july-2026/">Collider</a>, <em>In The Grey</em> is doing better after hitting streaming services in the US.</p>



<p>It is available to pay to rent or buy on streaming services including Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango.</p>



<p><em>In The Grey</em> has reached No6 in Prime Video&#8217;s charts, as per <a href="https://flixpatrol.com/title/in-the-grey/">FlixPatrol</a>, in the US, Mexico and Brazil. It has also reached No9 in Australia.</p>



<p>Similarly, it has broken into the top 10 on the Apple TV Store in Brazil (where it reached No3), Mexico, New Zealand and the US.</p>



<p>There is currently no word on when the film will be released on streaming in the UK.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/henry-cavill-jake-gyllenhaal-in-the-grey-watch-online/">Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal &#8216;homoerotic&#8217; box office flop flying on streaming</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<title>Girl group made of former Katseye hopefuls sees member quit before debut</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/lexie-levin-saint-satine-hybe-geffen/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:29:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[KATSEYE]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/lexie-levin-saint-satine-hybe-geffen/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Swedish singer told fans she felt “heavy-hearted” but had “found peace” after deciding to move forward separately.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/lexie-levin-saint-satine-hybe-geffen/">Girl group made of former Katseye hopefuls sees member quit before debut</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-size:0.85em; color:#666; margin-bottom:1em;">Emily Kelavos, Lexie Levin and Samara Siqueira (Image: Getty Images)</p>
<p>Lexie Levin has left HYBE and Geffen’s pre-debut girl group Saint Satine, telling fans she and the project had “different ways of operating”.</p>
<p>The change was confirmed in a label statement <a href="https://x.com/saint_satine/status/2076713422348292277" target="_blank">shared</a> on X. HYBE and Geffen said: “Following extensive and thoughtful discussions with Lexie regarding the group’s future activities, both parties have mutually agreed to part ways,” describing the split as a mutual decision after talks about what comes next.</p>
<p>Levin also addressed her departure on Instagram Stories. “When I joined Project SAINT SATINE, I truly believed it was the right place for me. I was excited by the presented vision and future plans we were going to be working towards together,” she wrote. “But now we have come to the mutual decision that this is the right time for us to move forward separately.”
</p>
<p>She added: “While it feels heavy-hearted, I have found peace in that some things in life aren’t destined.” Levin continued: “I have nothing but respect and appreciation for the team, but we have different ways of operating, and that’s okay!”
</p>
<h2>Saint Satine line-up change<br />
</h2>
<p>Saint Satine is a HYBE and Geffen girl group project linked to the same label pipeline that produced <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/katseye" target="_blank">Katseye</a>.</p>
<p>Levin, Emily Kelavos and Samara Siqueira previously competed on <em>The Debut: Dream Academy</em> for a place in Katseye, with Levin leaving the show for personal reasons.
</p>
<figure style="margin:1.5em 0;"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/girl-group-katseye-member-quit_8590e3.jpg" alt="Dream Academy cast" style="width:100%; height:auto; display:block;"><figcaption style="font-size:0.85em; color:#666; margin-top:0.4em;">Emily, Lexie and Samara were among the girls competing for a place in Katseye (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
</p>
<p>HYBE later brought Levin, Kelavos and Siqueira back for a new group, and held a separate competition to select the fourth member. Japanese singer Tobi Sakura won <em>World Scout: The Final Piece</em> in May 2026.
</p>
<p>Levin’s last video with the group was in mid-June. Fans began to notice she was missing from recent posts featuring Sakura, Kelavos and Siqueira, including a Shark Beauty <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DanrTrIP66_/?hl=en" target="_blank">sponsored post</a>.
</p>
<h2>What fans are saying</h2>
<p>Fans have shared their confusion on social media, especially considering the girl group has not yet officially debuted.</p>
<p>&#8220;Wait, they haven&#8217;t even debuted yet, right?&#8221; one asked. Another, seemingly referencing Manon&#8217;s hiatus from Katseye, said: &#8220;Is this like a tradition or something?&#8221;</p>
<p>A third wrote: &#8220;She&#8217;s so real she walked out on them again.&#8221; And someone else added: &#8220;So she left <em>Dream Academy</em> because she couldn&#8217;t handle a competition just to join Saint Satine just to leave again before they even debut.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/lexie-levin-saint-satine-hybe-geffen/">Girl group made of former Katseye hopefuls sees member quit before debut</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<title>Gay GOP congressional candidate sues fellow Republicans for calling him a ‘paedophile’</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/gay-republican-congress-reid-rasner-lawsuit/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Poppy-Jay St. Palmer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:13:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Gay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[US]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Republicans]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908087</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A gay Republican candidate for Congress is suing after fellow Republicans accused him of sexual misconduct and called him a paedophile. Reid Rasner, who is currently running for election to Congress in Wyoming, is pursuing a case against former state senator Austin “Kit” Jennings, who allegedly began a “whisper campaign” saying that Rasner had committed [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/gay-republican-congress-reid-rasner-lawsuit/">Gay GOP congressional candidate sues fellow Republicans for calling him a &#8216;paedophile&#8217;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>A gay Republican candidate for Congress is suing after fellow <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/republicans">Republicans</a> accused him of sexual misconduct and called him a paedophile.</p>



<p>Reid Rasner, who is currently running for election to Congress in Wyoming, is pursuing a case against former state senator Austin “Kit” Jennings, who allegedly began a “whisper campaign” saying that Rasner had committed sexual misconduct, <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/07/10/2026/gay-wyoming-republican-sues-members-of-his-own-party-for-pedophile-slur">Semafor</a> reported.</p>



<p>Rasner said of the accusations: “I’ve never experienced anything like this in my entire life. This just isn’t the Wyoming I knew or thought I knew. The state needs to come to terms with the hate and ignorance that’s fueled death threats and violence against me, all because of my sexuality.”</p>



<p>In addition to the case against Jennings, Rasner is also settling a case against an Iowa Republican who allegedly repeatedly accused Rasner of being a paedophile on a number of his social media posts.</p>



<p>In the aftermath of the accusations, Rasner reportedly shared a video that endorsed “the ultimate punishment” for “anyone convicted of paedophilia”.</p>



<p>Other LGBTQ+ Republicans have praised Rasner for suing for defamation, including Ross Hemminger, who is the president of the LGBTQ+ group Log Cabin Republicans.</p>



<p>Semafor reported that Hemminger said that the suggestion that an out gay candidate was a paedophile “struck him as the sort of discriminatory rhetoric he thought both parties had moved past”.</p>



<p>“I am surprised, because Reid is a very, very conservative person,” Hemminger continued. “Policy-wise, he probably outflanks most people who hold office in Wyoming.”</p>



<p>Rasner shared with Semafor that the rumours had caused him to be shut out of various candidate forums, including the one run by Wyoming Family Alliance, which is opposed to equal marriage.</p>



<p>Rasner is a staunch opponent of trans rights, and previously called gender-affirming care for trans children “child abuse”.</p>



<p>In a video he posted to his official Facebook page on 23 June, he said: “If you’re transitioning your children, that is child abuse and you should lose your parental rights, and that’s pretty cut and dry. Don’t transition your children. They have a voice and a choice. Boys are boys and girls are girls.”</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/gay-republican-congress-reid-rasner-lawsuit/">Gay GOP congressional candidate sues fellow Republicans for calling him a &#8216;paedophile&#8217;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<title>LDS Church accidentally promotes brand aimed at gay and ex-Mormons</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/lds-church-gay-ex-mormon-church-of-martin/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom Hutt-Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:45:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Gay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[US]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LDS church]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mormon]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908081</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has accidentally promoted a fashion designer whose brand is aimed at gay and ex-Mormons. The church shared a photo and interview with New York-based designer Pono Skousen on its official Instagram and Facebook accounts, unaware that one of his biggest projects is &#8216;Church of Martin&#8216;, a brand [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/lds-church-gay-ex-mormon-church-of-martin/">LDS Church accidentally promotes brand aimed at gay and ex-Mormons</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>The <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/lds-church/">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> has accidentally promoted a fashion designer whose brand is aimed at gay and ex-Mormons.</p>



<p>The church shared a photo and interview with New York-based designer Pono Skousen on its official Instagram and Facebook accounts, unaware that one of his biggest projects is &#8216;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/church.ofmartin">Church of Martin</a>&#8216;, a brand aimed squarely at gay Mormons and former members.</p>



<p>Skousen told <a href="https://www.queerty.com/lds-churchs-official-social-page-accidentally-promotes-brand-geared-toward-gay-ex-mormons-20260710/?utm_source=lgbtqnation&amp;utm_medium=directlink&amp;utm_campaign=directlink&amp;utm_content=LDS+Church%E2%80%99s+official+social+page+accidentally+promotes+brand+geared+toward+gay+%26amp%3B+ex-Mormons">Queerty</a>, it was &#8220;actually a funny timeline&#8221;. &#8220;The interview was filmed over a year before it was published… Church of Martin didn&#8217;t even exist yet. [We] launched the brand months later while the interview was still sitting in production.&#8221;</p>



<p>Founded by Skousen and fellow gay Mormon Charles Robertson, &#8216;Church of Martin&#8217; describes itself as &#8220;the brand that struggles with same-sex attraction&#8221;.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
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</div></figure>



<p>Its designs include a t-shirt showing two women kissing captioned &#8220;Love One Another&#8221; and a &#8220;Gay Scouts of America&#8221; hoodie. They say it&#8217;s about &#8220;reclaiming your past, not with resentment, but with joy&#8221;.</p>



<p>The church&#8217;s comments saw members react alarmingly, one writing: &#8220;Please just stop. Please act saintly.&#8221;</p>



<p>Many offered support, with one saying: &#8220;Not sure why people are leaving hate comments when we could just be celebrating all the members of the church that want to be part of it.&#8221;</p>



<p>Skousen said the mixed response was nothing new. &#8220;Growing up gay and Mormon, I&#8217;m pretty familiar with criticism from both sides,&#8221; he said, adding that he was &#8220;not interested in becoming a symbol for either side of a culture war&#8221;.</p>



<p>He described the brand as &#8220;a silly gay fashion brand&#8221; rather than an anti-Mormon statement, adding: &#8220;We hope LGBTQ+ people know they don&#8217;t have to reject every part of where they came from in order to embrace who they are.&#8221;</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/lds-church-gay-ex-mormon-church-of-martin/">LDS Church accidentally promotes brand aimed at gay and ex-Mormons</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908081</post-id>
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		<title>This is why Drag Race All Stars 11’s A’Keria C Davenport and Silky Nutmeg Ganache are beefing</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-11-akeria-c-davenport-silky-nutmeg-ganache/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:19:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Drag]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[A'Keria C Davenport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 11]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Silky Nutmeg Ganache]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908068</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Tensions were at an all-time high in the RuPaul&#8217;s Drag Race: All Stars 11 werkroom, with it clear A&#8217;Keria C Davenport and Silky Nutmeg Ganache were not on good terms. The former friends did not speak to each other, despite previously being close. Now that the season is airing, the feud has been brought back [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-11-akeria-c-davenport-silky-nutmeg-ganache/">This is why Drag Race All Stars 11&#8217;s A&#8217;Keria C Davenport and Silky Nutmeg Ganache are beefing</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Tensions were at an all-time high in the <em><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-11/">RuPaul&#8217;s Drag Race: All Stars 11</a></em> werkroom, with it clear <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/akeria-c-davenport/">A&#8217;Keria C Davenport</a> and <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/silky-nutmeg-ganache/">Silky Nutmeg Ganache</a> were not on good terms.</p>



<p>The former friends did not speak to each other, despite previously being close. Now that the season is airing, the feud has been brought back to the surface and has made it to social media.</p>



<p>The two queens competed on both <em>Drag Race</em> season 11 and <em>All Stars 6</em> together, before <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/04/23/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-11-cast-out-of-drag/">reuniting once again for <em>All Stars 11</em></a>. But that friendship they had has done a death-drop in reverse, and dropped dead.</p>



<p>It appears their beef stems from a television, which A&#8217;Keria publicly accused Silky of stealing.</p>



<p>She wrote in a June 2025 social media post: &#8220;You can&#8217;t be a Reverend and a thief,&#8221; referencing Silky&#8217;s catchphrase, before adding: &#8220;Give me my s***.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-have-they-said-on-all-stars-11">What have they said on <em>All Stars 11</em>?</h2>



<p>Neither went into much detail when they both entered the werkroom in episode 10 of <em>All Stars 11</em>, after the initial bracket stages.</p>



<p>A&#8217;Keria made it clear it was not a friendship she wanted back, with Silky saying A&#8217;Keria&#8217;s social media posts were the end of it for her.</p>



<p>Since then, the argument has hit social media yet again.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-what-actually-happened">So, what actually happened?</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s thought that A&#8217;Keria had been staying with Silky while they were friends. However, what was meant to be a three-month stay turned into nine months, which they caused frustration from Silky over things like helping paying for rent and bills.</p>



<p>Silky appeared on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZmAZc59zpg">Mistress Isabelle Brooks&#8217; YouTube channel</a> on 13 July, and <a href="https://x.com/itssimplyangel/status/2076788136923865534?s=46">said</a>: &#8220;The nail in the coffin for me is, and this is what a lot of you do not know, A&#8217;Keria sued me for $900. I was served at my home. At this point, I had stolen a TV and a sewing machine. This lawsuit was filed a couple of days after we got back from <em>All Stars </em>filming, after the merge.&#8221;</p>



<p>After the video was published, <a href="https://x.com/DragBasee/status/2076832305566416918">A&#8217;Keria went live</a> on social media to address the situation, saying Silky had asked her to come and stay.</p>



<p>She went on to confirm that she had filed a lawsuit over a television which she alleged Silky did not give back to her after her stay.</p>



<p>The lawsuit was eventually dismissed when A&#8217;Keria did not show up to a scheduled court hearing, she she blamed on missing the summons due to moving home.</p>



<p>&#8220;Our friendship is done, it is what it is, boom,&#8221; she said.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>



<p></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-11-akeria-c-davenport-silky-nutmeg-ganache/">This is why Drag Race All Stars 11&#8217;s A&#8217;Keria C Davenport and Silky Nutmeg Ganache are beefing</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908068</post-id>
<thumb>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-11-akeria-c-davenport-silky-nutmeg-ganache/akeria-c-davenport-silky-nutmeg-ganache/</thumb>	</item>
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		<title>Saudi Arabia reassures LGBTQ+ visitors ahead of 2034 World Cup</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/saudi-arabia-world-cup-2034-lgbtq-visitors/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom Hutt-Dixon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 09:50:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World Cup]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908075</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Saudi Arabia is attempting to reassure LGBTQ+ visitors ahead of hosting the 2034 World Cup, even though homosexuality remains criminalised and potentially punishable by death in the kingdom. The Gulf state has spent recent years softening its image under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, allowing women to drive, reopening cinemas and welcoming non-Muslim tourists. US [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/saudi-arabia-world-cup-2034-lgbtq-visitors/">Saudi Arabia reassures LGBTQ+ visitors ahead of 2034 World Cup</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/saudi-arabia/">Saudi Arabia</a> is attempting to reassure LGBTQ+ visitors ahead of hosting the 2034 <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a>, even though homosexuality remains criminalised and potentially punishable by death in the kingdom.</p>



<p>The Gulf state has spent recent years softening its image under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, allowing women to drive, reopening cinemas and welcoming non-Muslim tourists.</p>



<p>US LGBTQ+ travel company VACAYA has announced an &#8220;Arabian Nights&#8221; cruise for spring 2027, sailing from Jeddah to Egypt.</p>



<p>As per <a href="https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/07/saudi-arabia-opens-door-to-lgbtq-visitors-ahead-of-2034-world-cup/amp/">Vanguard</a>, the company said &#8220;for decades, LGBTQ+ visitors could scarcely imagine setting foot in the Kingdom,&#8221; but argued a &#8220;quiet but notable shift&#8221; had emerged ahead of the tournament.</p>



<p>Officials insist everyone will be welcome at the World Cup, with the <a href="https://www.visitsaudi.com/en">official Visit Saudi website</a> stating: &#8220;Everyone is welcome,&#8221; while asking visitors to &#8220;respect our culture and traditions and follow our laws&#8221;.</p>



<p>&#8220;There are two Saudi Arabias: one meant for foreigners, more tolerant and more open, and another meant for citizens,&#8221; said Saudi activist and lawyer Tariq Aziz, who says he was detained in 2021-22 for &#8220;promoting homosexuality&#8221; before being granted refugee status in the US.</p>



<p>Observers say authorities tend to turn a blind eye to same-sex relationships as long as they stay private. Still, Amnesty notes that publicly supporting LGBTQ+ rights &#8220;is criminalised and could land you in prison&#8221;.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/saudi-arabia-world-cup-2034-lgbtq-visitors/">Saudi Arabia reassures LGBTQ+ visitors ahead of 2034 World Cup</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908075</post-id>
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		<title>Essex Reform UK leader says Pride library books could ‘upset’ parents</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/essex-reform-uk-peter-harris-pride-library-books/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[PN Freelancer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 09:34:13 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Essex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[libraries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pride]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reform UK]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908072</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The leader of Essex County Council has defended his administration&#8217;s review of Pride Month displays in the county&#8217;s public libraries, saying some of the books and materials he saw were &#8220;inappropriate&#8221; and could have been &#8220;upsetting&#8221; for parents. Peter Harris, whose Reform UK administration took control of the council on 8 May, told the BBC [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/essex-reform-uk-peter-harris-pride-library-books/">Essex Reform UK leader says Pride library books could &#8216;upset&#8217; parents</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>The leader of <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/essex">Essex</a> County Council has defended his administration&#8217;s review of Pride Month displays in the county&#8217;s public libraries, saying some of the books and materials he saw were &#8220;inappropriate&#8221; and could have been &#8220;upsetting&#8221; for parents.</p>



<p>Peter Harris, whose <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/reform-uk">Reform UK</a> administration took control of the council on 8 May, told the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e2zrl4k78o">BBC</a> that the authority is still reviewing its policy on themed library displays after several branches continued marking Pride Month despite guidance issued.</p>



<p>As reported by the BBC, at the start of June, <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/06/03/reform-uk-essex-council-lgbtq/">library employees were instructed not to promote events</a> outside their day-to-day activities, following comments from cabinet member Chris Hossack that the council&#8217;s 74 libraries would no longer promote themed events. However, libraries, including Chelmsford Central, Writtle and Harlow, still created Pride displays throughout the month. Weeks later, the council clarified there was &#8220;no ban&#8221; on Pride events in libraries, saying only the social media promotion of some themed days, weeks and months had been paused.</p>



<p>Speaking about the displays to the BBC in a 13 July statement, Harris said libraries should &#8220;represent and display things for all residents and not just for something that might be deemed as ideological and something that is potentially upsetting for parents of children&#8221;. He added that &#8220;some of the items that I saw, I felt were inappropriate&#8221;, but did not identify any specific books or displays when asked.</p>



<p>Harris also said future guidance for library staff &#8220;needs to be clarified&#8221; and that any displays should be &#8220;age appropriate.&#8221; He confirmed that libraries would continue to recognise occasions such as International Women&#8217;s Day, Black History Month and Windrush Day.</p>



<p>The council&#8217;s handling of the issue has drawn criticism from opposition councillors and campaigners. Liberal Democrat councillor David King described the administration&#8217;s response to Pride materials as &#8220;chilling&#8221; for LGBTQ+ people who see Pride as an important symbol of belonging and inclusion.</p>



<p>Conservative group leader Lee Scott also disputed Harris&#8217; suggestion that there had been significant public concern, saying no complaints about Pride displays had been received while the Conservatives ran the council. Harris, however, said he had received &#8220;countless emails and countless calls&#8221; from residents supporting the review.</p>



<p>The issue is expected to be debated at a full Essex County Council meeting today (14 July), where councillors will also receive petitions signed by thousands of residents. Campaign group Save Our Libraries Essex has organised a protest outside County Hall ahead of the meeting, with councillors from the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties expected to attend.</p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong> Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/essex-reform-uk-peter-harris-pride-library-books/">Essex Reform UK leader says Pride library books could &#8216;upset&#8217; parents</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908072</post-id>
<thumb>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/essex-reform-uk-peter-harris-pride-library-books/reform-uk-peter-harris/</thumb>	</item>
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		<title>Gay mayor who opposed same-sex marriage shot and killed while getting ice cream</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/benjamin-medrano-quezada-mexico-mayor-gay-shot/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Poppy-Jay St. Palmer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 09:22:41 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Americas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Benjamín Medrano Quezada, Mexico’s first out gay mayor, was shot and killed last week while out getting ice cream in the Jalisco city of Guadalajara. The 59-year-old served as the mayor of Fresnillo, Zacatecas, between 2013 and 2015. Following his tenure, he served as a federal deputy in the Mexican Congress Chamber of Deputies, representing [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/benjamin-medrano-quezada-mexico-mayor-gay-shot/">Gay mayor who opposed same-sex marriage shot and killed while getting ice cream</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Benjamín Medrano Quezada, <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/mexico">Mexico</a>’s first out gay mayor, was shot and killed last week while out getting ice cream in the Jalisco city of Guadalajara.</p>



<p>The 59-year-old served as the mayor of Fresnillo, Zacatecas, between 2013 and 2015. Following his tenure, he served as a federal deputy in the Mexican Congress Chamber of Deputies, representing Zacatecas’s first district.</p>



<p>According to a report from Mexican outlet <a href="https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/estados/2026/07/10/asesinan-en-guadalajara-a-benjamin-medrano-exalcalde-de-fresnillo-buscado-por-presunto-fraude/">El Financiero</a>, Medrano was shot multiple times in the face on 7 July. The motive is currently unclear, as is the number of attackers that targeted him. Authorities are currently investigating the crime.</p>



<p>The city of Fresnillo said in a statement: “We express our deepest condolences to their family and friends, respectfully accompanying them in this moment of grief and wishing them strength in the face of this irreparable loss. Rest in peace.”</p>



<p>Medrano was reportedly under investigation for alleged fraud. However, <a href="https://www.sdpnoticias.com/estados/muere-benjamin-medrano-el-exalcalde-de-fresnillo-enfrentaba-acusaciones-de-fraude-por-mas-de-60-mdp/">sdpnoticias</a> has reported that his family believe the fraud accusations were a political hit job.</p>



<p>Before he entered politics, Medrano was known for his music, having recorded several albums of ballads and ranchera music, as well as for establishing a gay bar in 1994.</p>



<p>He originally began his political career in 1995 when he became a councillor for the city of Zacatecas. He slowly rose up the ranks before being elected mayor of Fresnillo.</p>



<p>In 2022, Medrano was accused of embezzling public funds while in his post as president of the Board of Trustees of the National Fair of Zacatecas in 2019.</p>



<p>The complaint, which was filed by the Zacatecas State Public Administration Secretariat, alleged that he had embezzled more than 60million pesos (around £2.5million).</p>



<p>A warrant was issued for his arrest when he did not appear at a court hearing. It is unclear whether or not the warrant was still active when he was killed, but Zacatecas attorney general told <a href="https://www.mundonow.com/en/benjamin-medrano-assassination-in-guadalajara/">Mundo Now</a> on 7 July that a judge overturned the warrant in 2025.</p>



<p>Medrano, who was Catholic, was always vocal about his sexuality throughout his political career but he also publicly opposed same-sex marriage and adoption rights, as well as LGBTQ+ pride parades.</p>



<p>He told <a href="http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/primer-edil-gay-del-pais-gobernara-en-fresnillo-936826.html">El Universal</a> in 2013: “Our idiosyncrasies do not allow it because we are not prepared for it. Not because we lack the capacity to do it, but we cannot go against doctrines and customs either.”</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/benjamin-medrano-quezada-mexico-mayor-gay-shot/">Gay mayor who opposed same-sex marriage shot and killed while getting ice cream</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<title>Florida LGBTQ+ community leader arrested for allegedly using company card for Uber and haircuts</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/florida-lgbtq-arrest-misuse-funds-2026/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Wetherill]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:45:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Crime]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[US]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Florida]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/florida-lgbtq-arrest-misuse-funds-2026/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Police allege funds were diverted via Zelle and Apple Cash, and cite a $7,500 transfer described by the chamber as “of unknown origin”.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/florida-lgbtq-arrest-misuse-funds-2026/">Florida LGBTQ+ community leader arrested for allegedly using company card for Uber and haircuts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-size:0.85em; color:#666; margin-bottom:1em;">A man was arrested in Florida over alleged misuse of company funds (Image: Getty Images, stock)</p>
<p>Jason Nunez, the former director of the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce, was arrested in <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/topic/florida/" target="_blank">Florida</a> last Monday after allegedly misusing nonprofit funds for personal spending including Uber rides, gas and haircuts.
</p>
<p>Nunez is accused of spending $11,097 of the organisation’s funds on those purchases, as reported by <a href="https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/ex-fort-lauderdale-lgbt-chamber-of-commerce-director-arrested-for-grand-theft-cops-say/3830565/" target="_blank">NBC6</a>. The money was allegedly spent at Brightline, Target, Walmart, Shell, and a local barbershop in Wilton Manors.
</p>
<p>Police also allege Nunez used Zelle and Apple Cash to divert funds, and that cash was withdrawn from the chamber’s account. The chamber referenced a transfer of $7,500 “of unknown origin” to the chamber’s account that was later withdrawn in cash.
</p>
<p>Nunez has pleaded not guilty, and was released on bond.
</p>
<h2>Police allegations and timeline</h2>
<p>Police said Nunez used his business credit card at least once a day starting in October 2025, using it multiple times a day in December. The alleged misuse of funds reportedly stopped in January 2026 after he was fired by the Chamber.
</p>
<p>Nunez also filed a lawsuit against the chamber for breach of contract, reportedly alleging he was not paid from October 2025 until he was fired, which the chamber denied.</p>
<p>NBC6 reported that neither Nunez nor the Chamber provided comment on the allegations.</p>
<h2>Impact on an LGBT community organisation</h2>
<p>LGBTQ+ chambers of commerce typically focus on networking, advocacy and economic development for LGBTQ+ and allied businesses, and many operate as nonprofits supported by member dues, sponsorships and community fundraising. Allegations involving spending and withdrawals can have serious reputational consequences for community institutions that rely on trust.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/florida-lgbtq-arrest-misuse-funds-2026/">Florida LGBTQ+ community leader arrested for allegedly using company card for Uber and haircuts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<title>Inside the very lonely world of trans conservatives</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/13/uncloseted-media-trans-conservatives-maga/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[PN Freelancer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 13:46:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[US]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conservatives]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[maga]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Republicans]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908054</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This story was originally published by Uncloseted Media, an LGBTQ focused investigative news outlet, in partnership with Gay Times Magazine. After spending the first 82 years of her life keeping her trans identity a secret, Sandra Kaye finally came out last year. But it wasn’t long before Kaye –&#160;a lifelong Republican who lives in Texas [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/13/uncloseted-media-trans-conservatives-maga/">Inside the very lonely world of trans conservatives</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><em><a href="https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/p/inside-the-very-lonely-world-of-trans">This story</a> was originally published by <a href="https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/">Uncloseted Media</a>, an LGBTQ focused investigative news outlet, in partnership with <a href="https://magazine.gaytimes.com/">Gay Times Magazine</a>.</em></p>



<p>After spending the first 82 years of her life keeping her trans identity a secret, Sandra Kaye finally came out last year. But it wasn’t long before Kaye –&nbsp;a lifelong Republican who lives in Texas –&nbsp;found herself dealing with tension between her gender and her political views. A conversation with a left-leaning friend led Kaye to feel confused and unsure about her longstanding affiliation with the GOP.</p>



<p id="h-my-friend-has-always-been-a-little-bit-left-and-i-ve-always-been-a-little-bit-right-so-she-asked-me-a-question-one-day-how-can-i-be-trans-and-a-republican-kaye-told-uncloseted-media-and-gay-times-i-was-not-prepared-for-that-question">“[My friend] has always been a little bit left, and I’ve always been a little bit right. So she asked me a question one day: How can I be trans and a Republican?” Kaye told Uncloseted Media and GAY TIMES. “I was not prepared for that question.”</p>



<p>Since this conversation, Kaye has moved further towards the centre and now considers herself an independent. However, she is still proudly conservative, and voted in Texas’ Republican primary on March 3.</p>



<p>Kaye is in the small minority of trans people who hold conservative views.</p>



<p>According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/other-health/trans-people-in-the-u-s-identities-demographics-and-wellbeing/">2022 survey</a>&nbsp;conducted by KFF and The Washington Post, 10% of trans US adults identify as Republican. These numbers are likely continuing to dwindle as the Republican party pushes transphobic rhetoric and policies. During the 2024 presidential election, Trump and the GOP&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/p/every-move-the-trump-administration">spent</a>&nbsp;more than $215 million on anti-trans ads. And as president, he has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/p/every-move-the-trump-administration">eliminated the federal recognition</a>&nbsp;of transgender identities and introduced a counterterrorism strategy that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/p/trumps-counterterrorism-strategy">vows</a>&nbsp;to crack down on “radically pro-transgender” extremists.</p>



<p>Still, some trans Americans stand by their conservative beliefs.</p>



<p id="h-when-you-get-right-down-to-it-i-don-t-think-the-republican-party-itself-is-anti-trans-i-think-the-anti-trans-comes-from-donny-boy-says-kaye-referring-to-trump">“When you get right down to it, I don’t think the Republican Party itself is anti-trans. I think the anti-trans comes from Donny Boy,” says Kaye, referring to Trump.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-these-trans-women-voting-conservative-makes-sense"><strong>For these trans women, voting conservative makes sense</strong></h2>



<p>Kamryn Wilson, a 25-year-old trans woman in Iowa, also holds right-wing beliefs. She is a member of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/p/campus-conservatives-see-resurgence">Young America’s Foundation</a>&nbsp;(YAF), an organisation dedicated to helping young conservatives spread right-wing values on university campuses. Sen. Ted Cruz has&nbsp;<a href="https://yaf.org/news/yafcon-day-4-senators-ceos-and-activists-galore/">spoken</a>&nbsp;at YAF events, and the organisation’s president, Scott Walker, has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/scott-walker-cant-escape-his-long-history-opposing-lgbt-equality">a track record</a>&nbsp;of supporting anti-LGBTQ policy.</p>



<p>Though Wilson believes there are transphobic voices within the Republican Party, she does not see them as fundamental to the ideology of the GOP. “The conservative party is not a party that is designed to hate trans people,” Wilson told Uncloseted Media and GAY TIMES. “There are people in higher-up positions in the [GOP] that are not fond of trans people, and they voice those opinions very loudly. But it is not a consistent [ideology].”</p>



<p>Wilson thinks concerns that Trump is curtailing trans rights are overblown. She believes the president is exclusively concerned with trans people on the far left, who she sees as having a tendency to exaggerate. “He’s coming for a subset of the trans community. The same people that have constantly said that misgendering someone is violence are the same people saying Trump is coming after [them],” she says. “Trump is coming after far-leftism.”</p>



<p>Though Wilson believes Trump’s threats are overblown, the president has passed a litany of<a href="https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/p/every-move-the-trump-administration">&nbsp;anti-trans policies</a>. These include banning trans and nonbinary people from military service, removing the T from LGBT on government websites and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.them.us/story/how-trumps-anti-trans-passport-ban-impacts-you">banning trans people</a>&nbsp;from receiving passports with the correct gender marker.</p>



<p>Despite this, Wilson says she hasn’t faced significant hardship under the Trump administration. “Nothing of note has really happened to my rights.”</p>



<p>While Wilson may feel protected under Trump, a&nbsp;<a href="https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Trans-Election-Perceptions-Mar-2025.pdf">2024 survey</a>&nbsp;of trans Americans found that 42% had taken steps to legally protect themselves following the 2024 presidential election. Meanwhile, 83% had increased concerns about their mental health.</p>



<p>As a right-leaning trans woman, Wilson believes she is able to influence those around her who may be skeptical about trans people.</p>



<p id="h-i-find-that-they-tend-to-listen-to-someone-like-me-a-lot-better-not-because-i-m-bowing-down-to-them-but-because-i-can-share-ideas-with-them-she-says-adding-that-people-who-have-doubts-about-trans-rights-are-misguided-it-s-not-really-transphobia-that-is-going-around-it-s-trans-stereotypes-that-are-being-inflated-by-these-hyper-vocal-groups-and-that-s-where-conservatives-get-these-ideas-of-what-the-lgbt-community-in-general-is-about">“I find that they tend to listen to someone like me a lot better, not because I’m bowing down to them, but because I can share ideas with them,” she says, adding that people who have doubts about trans rights are misguided. “It’s not really transphobia that is going around, it’s trans stereotypes that are being inflated by these hyper-vocal groups, and that’s where conservatives get these ideas of what the LGBT community in general is about.”</p>



<p>Wilson feels that some trans women are spreading misleading and harmful perceptions of the community. “A lot of people on the left love to over-embellish things and make it seem like anyone that has any sort of opposition to trans people is immediately this bigoted transphobe,” she says.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-they-don-t-always-agree-with-trump"><strong>They don’t always agree with Trump</strong></h2>



<p>Though Kaye voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, she says she did so “under duress” and was never fully a Trump supporter.</p>



<p>Her vote was instead a response to her wariness of the left. “I am of the anti-communist age. That was drilled in my head for years and years and years,” she says. “It’s still there, and I still believe it. I could not vote for Joe Biden.”</p>



<p>When the 2024 election came around, Kaye saw the same “communist” messaging from Kamala Harris. “When we got around to the young lady that ran this last time, all I could hear coming out of her mouth was communist leanings,” she says. While Biden and Harris are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/commentisfree/article/2024/sep/05/communism-meaning-republicans">not communists</a>, Kaye’s views reflect a<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/retread-scare-trump-and-other-republicans-evoke-another-era-by-calling-democrats-communists">&nbsp;popular right-wing political tactic</a>&nbsp;involving painting those on the left as such.</p>



<p>Despite having voted for Trump twice, Kaye does not support the administration’s crackdown on immigration. “We should not have the SS out there grouping people,” she says, comparing ICE to Schutzstaffel, a major Nazi paramilitary group abbreviated as SS. “The leadership of the United States is so close to the fascism of Germany and World War II. It is downright scary.”</p>



<p>A key issue fuelling Kaye’s and Wilson’s conservatism lies in access to guns, which both women believe are critical to their freedom and self-defence. “You’ve got people on the far left who do not want you to be able to defend yourself,” says Kaye, who is a former firearms instructor. “I believe in the Second Amendment.”</p>



<p>Wilson believes guns are necessary in order for Americans to keep their governments in check. “I’m an American. Our nation was founded on the idea that we have the ability to stand up to our own governments, and we cannot [do that] if we are not equipped,” she says.</p>



<p>In April, the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-atf-transgender-gun-owners-rules-b2965843.html">proposed</a>&nbsp;a rule which would make it harder for trans people to access guns by requiring them to list their assigned sex at birth on purchase paperwork. The National Rifle Association&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/05/politics/nra-transgender-gun-control">publicly opposed</a>&nbsp;an earlier version of the rule, which would have classified trans people as mentally ill and thus banned them from owning guns outright.</p>



<p>While most of the trans people Uncloseted Media and GAY TIMES spoke with for this article weren’t outright Trumpers, they were all conservative. Barbara Minney, a 73-year-old trans woman in Ohio who has doubts about Trump, describes herself as a “conservative/moderate/common-sense transsexual woman”.</p>



<p>“I was 63 when I transitioned, and when you transition that late in life, most of your core beliefs and values have been ingrained over that period of time. It’s hard to change those beliefs and values … after suddenly becoming part of a new community,” says Minney. After voting for Trump in 2016 and 2020, Minney chose not to vote in 2024 because of pressure she felt from Democrats in her life.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="598" src="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Barbara-Minney-1.jpg?w=400" alt="Barbara Minney, a poet based in Ohio." class="wp-image-908062" srcset="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Barbara-Minney-1.jpg 400w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Barbara-Minney-1.jpg?resize=100,150 100w, https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Barbara-Minney-1.jpg?resize=201,300 201w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Barbara Minney, a poet based in Ohio.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Without that influence, she says she likely would have voted for Trump in part because of his immigration policy. “I believe that people who came into this country illegally committed a criminal act and should be dealt with,” she says.</p>



<p>Still, Minney doesn’t like the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric from the administration.</p>



<p>“But he does have LGBTQ people as part of his cabinet, so I respect that,” she says. “Trump sends a lot of mixed messages, and it’s hard to read and understand what his true thoughts are.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-they-view-trans-rights"><strong>How do they view trans rights?</strong></h2>



<p>Minney’s views on trans rights differ from the majority of trans women. “I always describe myself as a transgender woman. I’m not just a woman, because I understand that I’m not a woman,” explains Minney. “I present as one. I am perceived as one, but deep down, I know that I will always be different.”</p>



<p>Alaina Kupec, a former Republican and the current leader of Gender Research Advisory Council + Education, a trans advocacy nonprofit, says that while she understands people like Minney’s desire to “give space” to cisgender women, other trans people shouldn’t be expected to view themselves the same way.</p>



<p>“If she wants to identify that way for herself, she’s entitled to that perspective,” Kupec, a Navy veteran, told Uncloseted Media and GAY TIMES. “I don’t think that she can use that same rationale for anybody else outside of herself, because the community is so broad. … I don’t think that it’s correct to say that any woman who is transgender is any less of a woman.”</p>



<p>Minney also differs from most trans people when it comes to policies surrounding bathrooms. While she does use women’s restrooms and locker rooms, she understands if some cisgender women don’t feel comfortable in her presence. “I believe that we have to be mindful of the spaces that women want to preserve for themselves,” Minney told Uncloseted Media and GAY TIMES. “I would respect their desire to have a biological women-only space.”</p>



<p>Similarly to Minney, Wilson believes transgender people should be able to use bathrooms that correspond to their gender, but she thinks this access should only be granted to trans people who “pass”, meaning their appearance is perceived as aligning with their gender.</p>



<p>“People that have been transitioning for one to three years, then we can talk about using the women’s restroom. Those people start to have more estrogen in their system than testosterone, and they tend to live life very femininely,” she says.</p>



<p>Because Wilson herself is early in her transition, she chooses to use the men’s restroom. “I think that there should be a passability line,” she says. “I started HRT about a month and a half ago. I’m nowhere near that line yet.”</p>



<p>Kupec says that, while she respects Wilson’s decision, the notion of passing is too complex and subjective to impose on other people. She also says that inviting legal regulation on such an issue is actually antithetical to the traditional conservative value of small government.</p>



<p>“If she doesn’t feel safe going into a women’s restroom, then she should not go into a women’s restroom, and any trans person should have that same autonomy to make that decision for themselves based on their situation and their personal feeling of safety,” Kupec says. “I don’t think there’s a litmus test that you can put out there that’s a line in the sand because everyone’s going to be different. … By arbitrarily putting lines in the sand, you’re inviting more regulation into something that common sense could take care of anyway.”</p>



<p>Another area in which Wilson is likely to disagree with other trans women lies in access to gender-affirming care. “That’s something that I think [Trump] has done really well is up the age for puberty blockers to 19. Personally, I still think it should be older than that.”</p>



<p>Despite Trump having&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/p/every-move-the-trump-administration">barred federal funding</a>&nbsp;for youth gender-affirming care,&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35212746/">a study</a>&nbsp;published in 2022 found that such care has been associated with lower odds of depression and suicidality in American children.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-backlash-from-ithers-in-the-lgbtq-community"><strong>Backlash from ithers in the LGBTQ community</strong></h2>



<p>Wilson says she faces backlash “all the time, literally every single day” from others in the LGBTQ community for her political views. She says being conservative has made it hard to get past a first date; a recent phone call with a crush didn’t pan out after Wilson mentioned her political affiliation.</p>



<p>“We had a call and we talked for an hour, and at the end, I had mentioned something about being Republican. It went from ‘She seems very interested in me,’ to ‘Now she’s becoming very standoffish,’” Wilson remembers.</p>



<p>Wilson has also been banned from various online LGBTQ communities after revealing her politics. “I’ve had people literally kick me out of Reddit communities, Discord communities, Twitter communities, Facebook, you name it, all of the above because I have political views that differ from others.”</p>



<p>Minney says she has learned to stay quiet about her politics in queer spaces. “I very rarely talk about my political beliefs. But when I did, I was called a monster, an enemy of humanity, and other names that I can’t even repeat,” she says.</p>



<p>Minney believes many trans conservatives stay quiet about their beliefs and questions the extent to which she is a political minority. “I think that you would be surprised at the number of transgender women and men who identify themselves as conservative,” she says. “There are probably more of us than you would think.”</p>



<p>Kupec has a different outlook. She says that while it may be true that some trans people hold conservative beliefs but keep it to themselves for fear of backlash, many, including herself, have been pushed away from American conservatism because of the Republican Party’s mounting transphobia.</p>



<p>“I am an independent who used to be a Republican until Republicans went away from their true conservative values and started getting involved with issues that personally affect me and my ability to live my life freely,” Kupec says. “Government doesn’t have a place in the bedroom and doesn’t have a need to regulate everything, which is not what we’re seeing in today’s Republican Party and what some people call conservatism.”</p>



<p><em>Additional reporting by Hope Pisoni.</em></p>



<p><strong>Share your thoughts!</strong>&nbsp;Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/13/uncloseted-media-trans-conservatives-maga/">Inside the very lonely world of trans conservatives</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">908054</post-id>
		<media:thumbnail url="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Barbara-Minney-1.jpg?w=100"/>
		<media:content medium="image" url="https://www.thepinknews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Barbara-Minney-1.jpg">
			<media:title type="html">Barbara Minney</media:title>
			<media:description type="html">Barbara Minney, a poet based in Ohio.</media:description>
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		<title>Brothers sentenced for 1984 murder during campaign targeting gay men</title>
		<link>https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/13/anthony-littler-murder-michael-anthony-stewart/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[PN Freelancer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 13:20:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Crime]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[London]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[murder]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.thepinknews.com/?p=908051</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>More than four decades after the murder of Anthony Littler, two brothers have been jailed for killing the 45-year-old civil servant during what a judge described as a sustained campaign of violence targeting men they believed were gay. Michael Stewart, 57, and Anthony Stewart, 60, were convicted of Littler&#8217;s murder following a trial at the [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/13/anthony-littler-murder-michael-anthony-stewart/">Brothers sentenced for 1984 murder during campaign targeting gay men</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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<p>More than four decades after the <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/04/21/man-murder-michael-anthony-stewart-brothers-london/">murder of Anthony Littler</a>, two brothers have been jailed for killing the 45-year-old civil servant during what a judge described as a sustained campaign of violence targeting men they believed were gay.</p>



<p>Michael Stewart, 57, and Anthony Stewart, 60, were convicted of Littler&#8217;s murder following a trial at the Old Bailey in London this June. On Friday (10 July), Anthony Stewart, whom the judge said likely delivered the fatal blow, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Michael Stewart, who acted as a lookout during the attack, received a 10-year sentence. The brothers had denied any involvement, as reported by <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/brothers-jailed-for-1984-murder-in-violent-spree-against-men-they-thought-were-gay-13559871">Sky News</a>.</p>



<p>Michael and Anthony Stewart allegedly ambushed 45-year-old civil servant Anthony Littler as he walked alone down an alleyway in East Finchley in the early hours of 1 May 1984. The brothers were aged 15 and 18 at the time of Littler’s death.</p>



<p>Littler was heading home after an evening in a Surrey pub for a meeting of &#8220;The Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood&#8221; when he was hit twice over the head with blunt weapons.</p>



<p>He was found mortally wounded from two skull fractures and a “catastrophic brain injury” half an hour after the attack. His briefcase, credit cards and £80 in cash were still on him when he was found.</p>



<p>The case remained cold for almost 30 years, despite police efforts to catch the culprits and an appeal for leads from <em>BBC Crimewatch</em> and ITV’s <em>Police 5</em>.</p>



<p>The Stewart brothers told police, who were going house-to-house for information, in 1984 that they were both at home at the time of the attack and that they never used the alleyway in which his body was found.</p>



<p>However, new information came to light on the 29th anniversary of Littler’s death when Michael and Anthony Stewart’s younger brother, Daniel, came forward following a family argument. Police reopened the investigation in 2022 and began a covert investigation into the brothers.</p>



<p>Jurors at the Old Bailey trial on 20 April heard that Daniel Stewart told police that his brothers had confessed to killing Littler and had boasted about “queer bashing”.</p>



<p>Michael Stewart also allegedly confessed to a girlfriend and had even shown her the scene of the crime, with the court hearing that Michael had a “loose tongue” surrounding Littler’s killing.</p>



<p>“You will hear that this was not the only time that Michael Stewart, Anthony Stewart and others associated with them used violence on a solitary man they did not know, in a public place,” Prosecutor John Price KC told jurors.</p>



<p>“By the spring of 1984, it is alleged by the prosecution that for quite a while this had been a habit or hobby of theirs,” he continued. “It was something they enjoyed doing. They had begun by targeting men whom they thought might be homosexual men.”</p>



<p>After 41 years, the family of Anthony Littler – there was no evidence he was gay – has finally seen those responsible held accountable.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/13/anthony-littler-murder-michael-anthony-stewart/">Brothers sentenced for 1984 murder during campaign targeting gay men</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.thepinknews.com">PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news</a>.</p>
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