Yes, the Reunion episodes mean the season is coming to an end, but the teaser promises plenty of drama still to come. The Real Housewives of London‘s final episode will be streaming from 9 November, with the two-part Reunion following on 16 and 23 November.

Comedian Katherine Ryan returns to host the show again, saying she needs to “book [herself] a trip to Antigua to recover” – and we don’t blame her.

In the trailer, the ladies – Amanda Cronin, Juliet Mayhew, Karen Loderick-Peace, Pantha Parker, Nessie Welschinger, Juliet Angus – get glammed up, ready to rip each other to shreds (verbally, of course).

Things start wholesome, with Angus and Parker talking about their fathers, after both had difficult scenes this series.

Cronin says she tries to “own” and “fix” things when she lets herself down, but it seems Loderick-Peace isn’t convinced, after their rocky season.

Welschinger later goes after one co-star’s “vicious mouth” and “slow brain”, as accusations of lying fly all over.

Another clip sees Loderick-Peace lock horns with Cronin, telling her: “You sleep with princes. You sleep with this. You only have one mews house. Low budget vagina, Amanda.”

Ouch!

Speaking of returning for the season two Reunion, Ryan said: “I genuinely didn’t think these women could outdo themselves after season one, but apparently I underestimated what six wealthy women with unresolved issues and unlimited access to caviar and champagne are capable of.

“The Reunion is my opportunity to ask the questions everyone at home needs to know the answers to.

“Hosting The Real Housewives of London Reunion for a second time is an honour, and with the episodes set to be spicier than one of the ladies’ spicy margaritas, I’m beginning to think I should book myself a trip to Antigua to recover asap. I can’t wait for Hayu fans to see it all unfold.”

Part One of the two-part Reunion will stream exclusively on Hayu from 16 November, followed by Part Two from 23 November.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Real Housewives of London’s Karen slams co-star’s ‘low budget vagina’ in explosive reunion appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The former Heartstopper star told fans on Instagram: “That’s a wrap at Emmerdale for now! A little time off before heading to pantoland.”

The 24-year-old actor plays Lewis Barton in the ITV soap, and is set to swap the Dales for the stage over the festive season, but is expected to return next year.

He added: “So excited for what’s ahead for Lewis in 2027. Feeling very lucky and grateful, as always. See you on your screens soon!”

Is Bradley Riches leaving Emmerdale?

Riches’ update suggests it is a temporary break rather than a permanent exit. It was first revealed back in May that he would be taking time out from the soap.

Riches joined Emmerdale last May, after revealing in April 2025 that he would be joining the soap.

On screen, his character Lewis relocated to the Dales to track down his half-brother Ross Barton. He has since settled into a job at the village cafe and had been in a relationship with Vinny Dingle, who was recently sent to prison after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

In August 2025, Riches responded to trolls mocking Lewis and spoke about the importance of better on-screen representation for neurodiverse people, as Lewis, like Riches, is autistic.

What panto is Bradley Riches starring in?

Over the festive season, Riches will play Peter Pan in Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook at Sunderland Empire.

The theatre announced the casting on Instagram, writing: “Bradley Riches from Netflix’s Heartstopper, Emmerdale and Big Brother is flying into Sunderland this Christmas as our thrill-seeking hero, Peter Pan!”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Emmerdale’s Bradley Riches says ‘that’s a wrap’ as he lands next role appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Audrict was found dead on 17 August by a city worker between an abandoned house and a church, according to her mother, Melissa Crawford.

St Louis police confirmed in a statement that she had suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

However, an autopsy later identified injuries “that could be inconsistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound”, according to KSDK. Police subsequently began investigating the death as a homicide.

What did Melissa Crawford say before Jhené Audrict was found?

Crawford told KMOV that she last spoke to Audrict on 15 August, when she was heading to her boyfriend’s house.

“She was kind of nervous about going to her boyfriend’s house because they were having issues,” Crawford said. Crawford added that, the following day, Audrict’s boyfriend rang her and told her Audrict was missing.

Crawford also questioned the initial apparent-suicide classification by pointing to her daughter’s eyesight.

“Jhené was legally blind. Unfortunately, when they did find Jhené, Jhené’s glasses were not located on her face. Jhené cannot see without her glasses,” she said.

“Literally, she can’t use a phone. She can’t go to the bathroom.”

Crawford said she was “proud” to be Audrict’s mother, describing her daughter as “very adventurous, a traveler, highly educated”.

She added: “The resolution for me is to get justice for Jhené. Also, to advocate for the trans community. Awareness for domestic violence. And also advocating for mental health. I will not rest. And I will not let this be swept underneath the rug. Jhené Cordelia Audrict will get justice.”

Advocates raise concerns about trans deaths being misclassified

A report titled A Crimson Record: Seven State Modern-Day Lynching Report 2000–2025 by civil rights group JULIAN catalogued more than 150 deaths across Mississippi, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama, with more than 50 involving transgender women.

Audrict’s case sits within a broader national context of violence against transgender people in the US, with trans women disproportionately affected.

Jill Collen Jefferson, founder of the social justice organisation JULIAN, said: “Back in the day, a lynching was called a suicide with a wink and a smile. In the present day, they’re still called suicides. But now people take that seriously.”

Similar doubts raised by families have surfaced in other cases too, including when relatives of Emily Garcia cast doubt on police’s initial theory after the 25-year-old trans woman was found dead inside a truck in Los Angeles in October 2024.

The post St Louis police investigate trans woman’s death after autopsy raised doubts appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The gender-critical feminist made the remarks on Times Radio while discussing the UK government’s proposed ban on conversion practices, and criticising the draft Conversion Practices Bill.

During the segment, Stock argued that while sexual orientation is not a choice, identifying with that sexuality is. Additionally, writing for The Times, she said: “Some will reply that sexual orientation is not a choice. I totally agree: you can’t choose who you fancy. But that point is irrelevant to what we are talking about, which is self-declared sexual orientation; or in other words, identity.”

Stock, who is a lesbian, added that a parent might raise concerns about the difficulties their child could face, including “potential homophobia”, and said the “really miserable life” conversation “should be a permissible conversation”.

Kathleen Stock on the draft Conversion Practices Bill

Stock described the proposed legislation as “very draconian”, and argued that violent and abusive conversion practices, such as electric shock therapy or “corrective rape”, were already covered by existing criminal laws.

The writer and philosopher also said the draft bill’s wording could be so broad that it might criminalise conversations between parents and children that were intended in “total good faith”. She said: “We need to allow parents to say, ‘No, I’m sorry, you’re girl,’ or even maybe, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t think you’re gay.'”

“It’s just not a criminal matter to have those conversations in good faith and yet this law, potentially, is so vague that it looks like it might cover those things,” Stock said.

‘It sounds like you’re going to have a really miserable life’

Stock, who has previously caused controversy due to her gender-critical views, also claimed the draft legislation does not require proof of intent, arguing that “even a parent acting in total good faith and well-meaning, well-intentioned behaviour could still count as abusive under the way this statute is drafted at the moment”.

She said she “wouldn’t personally” argue with a child who told her they might be gay, but suggested the “costs” of being gay, such as difficulties having a family, should be raised.

Bringing in Stonewall statistics, which she said she “doesn’t believe”, that 22 per cent of LGBTQ+ people have attempted suicide, she said: “If your child is saying, ‘Now, I’m gay,’ and you read that stat, you might say, ‘Well, hang on a minute, it sounds like you’re going to have a really miserable life.”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Kathleen Stock says parents should tell kids they ‘face misery’ if they come out appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The Associated Press called the result just after 11pm Eastern Time on 4 November, after Vermonters voted to approve the amendment.

Proposal 4 adds explicit equal protection language covering sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. It also lists race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability and national origin. The approved text adds a new article to the Vermont Constitution and includes a provision setting Tuesday (3 November) as the effective date after voters ratify it.

What does Vermont’s Proposal 4 change?

Supporters have argued that spelling out these protections in the constitution matters both symbolically and legally, because it makes the guarantee harder to roll back than an ordinary law and can shape how courts interpret rights in future cases.

“Proposal 4 is about constitutional clarity,” Rev. Mark Hughes, executive director of the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance, told Vermont Public in May. “It’s about ensuring that equal protection under the law is explicit and also that it’s enforceable.”

The approved text of Proposal 4 also preserves Vermont’s ability to adopt measures intended to provide equal treatment and opportunity for groups that have historically faced discrimination.

How did Proposal 4 get on the ballot?

The ballot question followed overwhelming support in the state legislature. In March, the Vermont Senate backed the proposal by 29-0, before the House voted 128-14 in May. In Vermont, a proposed constitutional amendment has to be passed by two consecutive legislatures before it can be put to voters.

When presenting the proposal in May, state Rep. Barbara Rachelson said: “The federal Constitution represents a floor, not a ceiling, of rights. It shows us the minimum we can do, not the maximum,” adding that Vermont should develop its own approach to equal protection rather than relying solely on the federal Constitution.

Vermont is widely seen as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly US states, and the vote lands at a moment when many advocates across the country have pushed for state-level safeguards amid uncertainty around federal protections.

A similar push played out in 2024, when New Yorkers passed an Equal Rights Amendment, Prop 1, to defend abortion and LGBTQ+ rights in the state.

The post Vermont votes to add LGBTQ+ equal protections to the state constitution appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, the 55-year-old said she has already started filming and has even gone on a cast trip, suggesting she will feature fairly frequently in the upcoming season.

“I’m doing some episodes for next season. I just went on a cast trip and that was fun and exciting,” Richards said.

She also teased what viewers can expect from the new run, adding: “It’s actually, you know, it’s silly drama and it was really nice to see a lot of the women.”

Richards is expected to appear as a “friend of” on the upcoming season, after having previously been a main “Housewife” for seasons nine and 10.

Denise Richards’ $200,000 facelift

Richards previously admitted to getting a $200,000 facelift last year.

She has said she “came clean” about the procedure after her ex-husband, Aaron Phypers, brought it up in court during their divorce proceedings. Richards said she decided to take control of the story herself, explaining: “I figured, you know what? I just need to be honest.”

Richards also said she worked with her publicist at the time, adding: “My publicist got me a really nice piece in Allure.”

The actress worked with Dr Ben Talei for a deep-plane facelift, and had additional procedures including a brow lift, an upper eye lift, a lip lift and fat grafting from her thighs into her neck and face.

Fans could not help but gush over Richards’ surgery, with one saying: “She did it right, she stayed natural for so long and then when it was time, she did the one perfect facelift and that’s how you do it. She looks like herself just a refreshed version.”

Another added: “Surgeon? Looks natural.” While a third wrote: “And she still looks like herself, not like most that are now unidentifiable.”

Denise Richards on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Richards, who rose to prominence in the late 1990s for roles in Wild Things and The World Is Not Enough, joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as a main cast member for seasons nine and 10.

She first appeared in a guest role in season five, before returning in season 13, and most recently in season 15.

Last month, Richards discussed the possibility of returning on The Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg Show. Asked if she would come back if invited, she replied: “Yeah! Actually, I did some episodes last season. But yeah, I would.”

Season 16 is currently filming, and Michelle Visage’s BFF Leah Remini has joined as a full-time cast member. The full main cast includes Kyle Richards, Erika Jayne, Dorit Kemsley, Bozoma Saint John-Watson, Rachel Zoe, Sutton Stracke, and newbie Tracy Tutor. Kathy Hilton and Jennifer Tilly will return alongside Richards as “friends of”.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Denise Richards confirms RHOBH return after incredible $200,000 facelift appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

As 2026 midterm results continued to come in, the incoming Congress is set to be the most LGBTQ+ Congress ever. There are currently 14 out LGBTQ+ members of Congress. Three are leaving, but at least six are coming in, taking the total to 17.

Which out House members won re-election?

All nine out House members who sought re-election won again: Reps. Becca Balint (D-VT), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Sarah McBride (D-DE), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Emily Randall (D-WA), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Mark Takano (D-CA), and Ritchie Torres (D-NY).

Three sitting House members will not return to Congress next year: Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), after running for the Senate and losing her primary; Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX), after being gerrymandered out of her district; and Rep. Everton Blair (D-GA) won a special election earlier this year, but later lost the primary for the general election.

Who are the new LGBTQ+ winners and what’s still undecided?

Of seven LGBTQ+ people challenging an incumbent or running in an open seat, seven were elected and one is projected to lose (Chris Gallant in New York). There are six winners: Cait Conley (New York), JD Ford (Indiana), JoAnna Mendoza (Arizona), Jeremy Moss (Michigan), Marnie von Wilpert (California) and, most recently announced, Scott Wiener (California).

In the Senate, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) was not up for re-election, but current Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) won his election to the Senate. The nonvoting Delegate to the US House of Representatives from the US Virgin Islands will be out lawmaker Janelle Sarauw.

The US Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it sets federal law and budgets. After the 2020 election, a total of 11 openly LGBT+ congresspeople was described as the most in US history, and in 2023, Congress was described as “the queerest its ever been, with 13 LGBTQ+ members of Congress”.

The post 2027 set to be most LGBTQ+ Congress ever with at least 17 out members appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Erivo’s role is described as a key one, with Afeni Shakur a former Black Panther activist and the subject of Tupac’s hit “Dear Mama”. The film is currently in production in southern California, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The film stars Jonathan Daviss as Snoop Dogg, with Camron Jones cast as Tupac Shakur. Craig Brewer is directing, and the latest script draft is based on Joe Robert Cole’s original script.

Who else is in the cast of Snoop?

As well as Daviss, Jones and Erivo, the ensemble includes Myles Bullock Be as Dr Dre, Lauren London as Snoop’s late mother Beverly Tate, Algee Smith as Warren G, Tre Hale as Suge Knight, Laya DeLeon Hayes as Snoop’s wife Shante Broadus, Olly Sholotan as Kurupt, Corey Champagne as Nate Dogg and Jonica Booth as The Lady of Rage.

The film will incorporate music from Snoop Dogg’s catalogue, and is being produced by Snoop Dogg alongside Brian Grazer, Allan Mandelbaum and Death Row Pictures president Sara Ramaker.

When is Snoop expected to be released?

Universal has dated Snoop for theatrical release on August 6, 2027.

The new role for Erivo comes after an incredible few years, playing Elphaba in both Wicked movies, performing in a one-woman production of Dracula in London’s West End, and landing the lead role in Prima Facie, a film adaptation of the hard-hitting stage show.

Erivo, who is queer, joins the Snoop Dogg biobic after he has previously drawn headlines for making homophobic remarks and later for including an LGBTQ+ couple in a kids’ series after criticism about LGBTQ+ inclusion in children’s films.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Cynthia Erivo to play rap legend’s mother in Snoop Dogg biopic appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Jones unseated Turner, a two-term Republican, after campaigning on jail reform and ending the sheriff’s office contracts for Flock licence plate reader cameras, a form of automated surveillance technology used by law enforcement. Jones argued that access to people’s movements through the cameras raises privacy concerns, and pledged to end the office’s Flock contracts. He also said he would require warrants for the use of licence plate readers he could not remove.

More about Brett Jones

Jones also made transparency and accountability in the county jail and sheriff’s department central to his pitch. The SPLC Action Fund said his platform called for each death in custody to be examined through an independent public review, for deputies to meet tougher training requirements, and for more support to be provided to people after they leave the county jail.

On his campaign website, Jones framed his message around public safety, writing: “My goal is simple: help make Madison County one of the safest counties in America.”

His campaign website also says his SEAL team deployed two weeks after the 9/11 2001 terror attacks, and that he later worked with the CIA’s Global Response Staff providing protection overseas.

That work previously brought Jones national attention under different circumstances. Jones lodged an Equal Employment Opportunity complaint in 2015, alleging he faced antigay harassment while deployed to Afghanistan, which he said made him fear for his life. Months later, he told ABC News: “All the issues have been resolved to our mutual satisfaction.”

Another LGBTQ+ first in Madison County

Jones’ victory was not the only LGBTQ+ breakthrough in the Huntsville-area county on election night. Democrat Allison Montgomery defeated Republican incumbent Phillip Rigsby in Alabama House District 25, becoming the first out transgender person elected to the Alabama Legislature.

Montgomery’s win also flipped the seat from a Republican incumbent to a Democrat, as covered in our report on Alabama’s first out transgender state lawmaker.

The post Brett Jones becomes Alabama’s first openly gay sheriff after defeating two-term Republican appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Johnson made the decision on a Wednesday morning call, according to sources familiar with the matter. Democrats are projected to take control of the House in January, which would have left Johnson in line to serve as minority leader if he stayed on.

Liz Elkind, covering the House of Representatives for Fox News digital, confirmed the news via X.

Scalise and Jordan moved quickly, each circulating letters to colleagues saying they want to lead House Republicans as the party tries to regroup after a bruising election night.

Scalise wrote: “My number one goal as Republican Leader will be to win back the majority and I expect you to hold me accountable to that mission,” adding: “To succeed, we will need to be effective in both the oversight and legislative fights ahead.”

Jordan opened his pitch: “This is a staggering day for our Conference,” before arguing he was “battle-tested on the oversight front” and telling colleagues: “I know the Democrats’ playbook.”

When will House Republicans vote on a new leader?

House Republicans are expected to hold internal leadership elections on Tuesday, 10 November, according to a GOP aide familiar with the planning.

Johnson had previously suggested he might not stay in leadership if Republicans lost the House. In an 8 October Fox News interview, he said: “If heaven forbid, if we lose this majority or whatever, I don’t know what my next chapter of life is. I’m just open to it.” He added: “If God moves on our hearts and says we should go back to my hometown of Shreveport and start a lawn business, I’ll do that with equal fervor.”

Calls for a wider shake-up inside the House GOP

The leadership fight is already fuelling demands for a broader reset. One senior GOP lawmaker said: “We need a complete reset of all leadership,” while Florida congressman Greg Steube wrote on X: “You have been embarrassingly weak and more afraid of governing conservatively than of disappointing the voters who put us in office,” urging leaders to “step aside”.

Johnson first became speaker in October 2023 after Kevin McCarthy’s ouster and a chaotic Republican deadlock. The internal pressure on his leadership continued into 2024, when Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to oust Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson over trans-related provisions in a government funding package.

The post House Speaker Mike Johnson steps down to avoid demotion to Minority Leader appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Ahead of the vote, the drag artist and activist wrote that they would be “posting a n*de if Democrats/Democratic socialists win a majority of the midterms.”

The post landed as social media filled with “blue wave” celebrations after Tuesday’s results. Democrats took over both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the party secured control of both chambers in Tuesday’s elections, including a historic win in Texas for James Talarico.

Pattie Gonia’s ‘blue moon’

After the results came in, and Pattie realised the so-called “blue tsunami” was happening, they shared a shirtless Instagram Reel and wrote: “In a powerful way, YAY. But in another powerful way, oh no.”

Tugging down their underwear, the activist laughed and shook their head.

However they did follow through with their promise in another Instagram Reel, writing: “I’m a person of my word. Happy blue wave. I’m so proud of all of us for making our voices heard.”

The video started with Pattie shirtless and covering their face with their hand, before it cut to a very cheeky photo.

They could be seen surrounded by nature, flashing their bum to the camera.

In the comments, they added: “Blue moon btw.”

One person commented: “We wanted the sun and settled for the moon.” Another wrote: “Thank you for these Pattie Cakes!” As someone else joked: “We need to demand accountability from our politicians and drag queens! Show pole!”

Who is Pattie Gonia?

Pattie Gonia is a drag queen, best known for their environmental and climate activism, who blends queer performance with outdoors and sustainability messaging. Their online presence often leans into tongue-in-cheek, sex-positive provocation to pull attention towards political and environmental causes.

They have also become a familiar target in US “culture-war” politics. In 2024, Gonia said they were considering legal action after their image was used in a Trump campaign anti-trans attack ad, and denounced the Republican campaign for using it without their consent.

They have more recently found themselves locked in a legal band with outdoors brand Patagonia, who demanded they stop selling merch that featured similar trademarked material.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Drag activist Pattie Gonia delivers promised nude after Democrat victory appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Decision Desk HQ’s latest returns showed Wiener leading Chan by 55.46% to 44.54% in California’s 11th Congressional District.

Chan said she expected the margin to narrow as more ballots were counted, but that her campaign’s review of the outstanding vote persuaded her to concede.

In a statement, she said: “I congratulate Scott Wiener on his election and wish him success in serving San Francisco.”

Pelosi, who endorsed Chan, congratulated Wiener on Wednesday and said her office was ready to assist with the transition in a statement.

“Representing San Francisco is an extraordinary honor and a profound responsibility. My office stands ready to assist in the transition, and I wish him success in service for the people of our city,” she said.

Why Scott Wiener’s projected win matters

Wiener’s expected victory would mark a milestone for LGBTQ+ political representation in a city closely associated with queer history and activism.

Pelosi first won the seat in 1987, at the height of the AIDS crisis in San Francisco, defeating Harry Britt, a gay former city supervisor and ally of Harvey Milk. Recalling her first speech on the House floor pledging to fight AIDS, Pelosi said people asked: “Why’d you say you came here to fight AIDS?” Her answer was: “Because I did.”

Wiener and Chan, both Democrats, advanced from California’s top-two primary in June.

Wiener’s LGBTQ+ policy record in California

Wiener has represented San Francisco in the California State Senate since 2016, after serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He has built a national profile through pro-housing and transit policy fights, often drawing both strong support and vocal opposition.

In Sacramento, he expanded access to HIV prevention medication and helped secure recognition for non-binary Californians on official documents. He also authored a 2022 law designed to protect transgender young people and their families who travel to California for gender-affirming care, limiting when California authorities can share medical information or cooperate with another state seeking to arrest a provider or remove a child from a parent’s custody over care that is legal in California.

In 2022, after the Club Q shooting, he wrote on X that “the word ‘groomer’ is categorically an anti-LGBTQ hate word.”

The post Scott Wiener set to become San Francisco’s first out gay member of Congress appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The reality show, which sees strangers get fake married and then start their relationships from there, was hit by a number of serious sexual allegations by some previous participants, bringing the welfare protocols on the show into question. The allegations have been denied by the contributors they concerned.

In April, following the allegations which were broadcast on BBC’s Panorama, Channel 4 Chief Executive Priya Dogra commissioned an external review, which had two parts. Neither part of the review aimed to bring a judgement on the serious allegations, which remain with the relevant authorities.

Review into Married at First Sight UK

Law firm Clyde & Co looked at the welfare protocols which were in place at the time of the allegations, and how Channel 4 and production company CPL handled them.

Clyde & Co found that CPL’s welfare protocols were compliant with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, and that there were no findings of a breach of the Code in terms of how complaints were handled.

The firm noted that there were separate isolated incidents when the welfare framework was not fully implemented, and that Channel 4 and CPL could have done a more structured longer-term review across multiple series of the show. Recommendations were made to how contributor welfare framework could be strengthened more.

The second part of the review saw former BBC One Controller Lorraine Heggessey examine how welfare protocols could be strengthened.

Heggessey’s review found the welfare protocols on the show were “extensive, extremely thorough and of a high standard from which other productions in the industry have learnt”, as per a Channel 4 release.

The review also made recommendations for the future of the show, concluding that with some changes in place, the show could continue.

Married at First Sight UK will not return

However, Dogra has confirmed the show will come to an end, as the recommendations from the review would change the format too much. Instead, the show’s budget will be allocated to commission new shows.

MAFS UK series six was in production at the time, and spin-off Second Married At First Sight was in pre-production. Both have been scrapped.

Dogra said: “I want to thank Lorraine Heggessey and Clyde & Co for their thorough and incisive work over the last few months. Welfare across all our programmes is a primary concern, so we welcome the review, its findings and recommendations.

“MAFS UK has been enjoyed by millions of viewers, made possible by the willingness of its contributors to embrace the social experiment at the heart of the show and the many talented people involved in its production. I am grateful to everyone at Channel 4 and CPL Productions who has worked on the show and want to thank them for their significant efforts to protect the welfare of contributors, something which was recognised in both reviews.

‘Channel 4 has always thrived on reinvention’

“Whilst the review praised the welfare protocols in place and made no findings that Channel 4 breached the Ofcom Code or that the format is inherently unsafe, I have to consider when is the right time for Channel 4 to move on from a format. The recommendations are eminently sensible and feasible, but considering their wholesale implementation provoked fundamental questions about the editorial proposition of a show that, I believe, has now run its course over 10 years.

“Channel 4 has always thrived on reinvention and this is a moment to kickstart a new era of creative renewal, using the considerable budget to find the next generation of distinctive and disruptive British television.

“This review did not have the authority to adjudicate on the very serious allegations made by three women in the Panorama programme, but I would like to repeat that I am very sorry for the distress those women have clearly felt. I hope our actions – in swiftly commissioning the review and taking clear, decisive steps – demonstrate our commitment to the wellbeing of all contributors and our desire to relentlessly strengthen industry standards.”

Channel 4 has said it intends to share the learnings from the review with other broadcasters to encourage the industry to reinforce welfare protocols across reality television together.

The post Channel 4 confirms MAFS UK future as external review results released appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The research examined more than 770 LGBQ+ voluntary and community organisations. It found that, in real terms, funding for the sector fell by 8.6% between 2023 and 2025.

The findings were published by the LGBT+ Fund and Consortium, a membership body for LGBT+ organisations. Emma Miller-McCaffrey, the LGBT+ Fund’s development manager, said the figures showed the scale of what services are delivering with limited resources. “We often hear the LGBT+ voluntary sector talk about how much they do with so little resource, but the LGBT+ Fund Report truly backs this up,” she said.

How much funding is reaching LGBT+ charities?

Identified financial support totalled £53.3 million in 2025. That totalled 5p of every £100 donated to charities across the UK, compared with 6p in every £100 two years earlier.

It also highlighted how concentrated LGBT+ sector funding has become. Just 20 funders were responsible for 88% of all identified funding, raising concerns about how exposed services could be if a small number of backers change priorities.

Why are LGBT+ services under growing pressure?

The LGBT+ Fund and Consortium found demand is rising, with 72% of LGBTQ+ organisations reporting an increase in people seeking help.

For smaller grassroots groups, the strain is especially acute. Six in ten of the smallest organisations surveyed said they often dipped into their own personal funds to pay for activities and deliver support.

Alongside the financial pressures, the report highlighted concerns about staff and volunteer safety, deteriorating wellbeing and burnout, set against what it described as an increasingly hostile climate towards LGBTQ+ communities.

Miller-McCaffrey said: “Organisations are doing amazing work, relying heavily on volunteers to provide a whole range of support and activities to the communities it serves across the UK, but the reality of decreasing funding is stark.”

In January, Heather Paterson, head of partnerships and development for LGBT+ Consortium, described an “incredibly tough environment” for LGBTQ+ charities and said some funders had faced increasing negative feedback for donating to LGBTQ+ causes.

Miller-McCaffrey added: “We need more investment into the sector, and we need it now more than ever.”

The post LGBTQ+ charities warn they are at ‘breaking point’ as funding falls and demand rises appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Frankie, was was given the boot in a back door eviction, right after most complained about housemate Omar El Mayer, spoke to Big Brother: The Group Chat hosts GK Barry (real name Grace Keeling) and Kate Lawler, who asked him to clear up the confusion.

At the start of the series, he said he had recently split from his girlfriend, and he came out as bisexual in the Diary Room. As the weeks went by, he said that he was still with his girlfriend, and eventually told some of his co-stars he was bisexual, but that he would never be with a man.

It left to confusion from fans, who questioned if he was telling the truth, or if it was all part of a game plan. And while it’s his story to tell as he feels comfortable to do so, it hasn’t stopped social media users dissecting every single comment he has made.

‘I didn’t know … whether I was going to be gay, bi, whatever’

He said on The Group Chat: “I didn’t know after I come out, what was going to be the case, whether I was going to be gay, bi, whatever.”

Of his girlfriend, he added: “I was saying that I wasn’t with her because I generally just didn’t know what was going to happen when I come out on the show, but we were basically together.”

He explained that he had already told his girlfriend about his sexuality before he came on the show.

Taber added: “Even if I was to come out on the show, and let’s say I was fully gay or whatever, I wouldn’t have got with anyone or done anything either way.”

Lawler pushed for more clarity, saying: “You were debating how you came out as bi or gay?”

He said: “When I was on the show, I didn’t know after I come out if I was gonna be fully gay or bi. I just didn’t know. I had an idea, but I just generally didn’t know if I was going to be bisexual or fully gay.

“There was a lot of confusion before coming into the house.”

‘I’m still sort of coming to terms with it’

The Group Chat hosts, including Keeling who is also LGBTQ+, said Taber was “very brave” to come out on the show.

They then pushed him on what he had meant when he said he wouldn’t ever be with a man.

He said: “I think it’s more so the fact that I haven’t come to terms with it yet. Even though I’ve come out, I’m still sort of coming to terms with it, and that’s the reason why I said that.

“Maybe in a year, maybe in two years, maybe as I process the emotions a lot more, then that will change. But for now, I haven’t fully come to terms with it still.”

He said that, while he had a girlfriend, he “obviously” wouldn’t explore with other people, adding: “If I wasn’t with my girlfriend, unless I process the emotions and I’m not so harsh on myself, then things may be different.”

‘I’m a lot more happier’

Lawler asked Taber why he decided to come out on Big Brother.

“My main worry wasn’t necessarily the outside world knowing about my sexuality,” he explained. “To be honest, I don’t really care what people say who I don’t know.

“I think I had a big fear around people that were necessarily my friends, because a few of my close friends know, but friends of friends and in the area… I was worried about people knowing from who was around my area.

“It felt more comfortable. I generally didn’t know how I was going to do it any other way, and Big Brother, I could do it all in one go and get it out the way with them, so it felt comfortable, it felt easier.”

He said it had been a “big, big weight of [his] shoulders”, adding he had “a lot of shame around it” which has now “been cleared”. “I’m a lot more happier,” he added.

Big Brother continues with tonight’s live final at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Big Brother’s Frankie says he ‘didn’t know if he was gay or bi’ amid backdoor exit appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The actor, who played George Goss in Channel 4’s five-part drama written by Russell T Davies, spoke to BBC Manchester in a clip posted on Instagram.

Connor said being recognised at work has taken some getting used to. “A couple of people have been sort of looking at me. I had some people just just stare, and I’m like thinking, what are they thinking? And some people have said it,” he said.

He added: “I’ve had one person ask for a picture whilst I was in surgery, which was funny.”

‘People did really connect with it’

Connor said he has enjoyed meeting viewers who connected with the series.

“I think it’s great to meet people who love the show and really connected with it because people did really connect with it,” he said.

The show’s opening episode attracted 2.2million viewers across television and streaming in its first seven days.

He also credited his workplace for helping him balance acting with shifts at the dental practice.

“I’m forever grateful to my boss at work because she understands that, at a moment’s notice, the next day I need to be up in London or in Manchester, and they’re they’re always covering my back, so it’s really helpful,” Connor said.

What is Tip Toe and who does Connor play?

If you somehow missed the series, or just haven’t got round to watching it yet, Tip Toe aired across May and June 2026. It starred Alan Cumming as Leo, a gay bar owner on Manchester’s Canal Street, and David Morrissey as Clive Goss, Leo’s neighbour, whose online radicalisation fuels a dangerous feud.

Connor played Clive’s 16-year-old son George, who is closeted and secretly connects with Leo online. The series explored themes of homophobia, social division, and what can result from hostility directed at the LGBTQ+ community.

Show creator Davies described it as the “toughest thing” he had “ever written”, later adding that Cumming was “delighted it was over” after filming ended.

The “harrowing” finale left viewers devastated, as poor Leo’s tragic fate was revealed in scenes that have stuck with them months later.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Tip Toe star returns to day job as he says fan asked for photo in surgery appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

In the book (2019) and movie (2023), main character Alex Claremont-Diaz (played by Taylor Zakhar Perez) is the son of the President of the United States, who manages to flip Texas blue. It’s a plot point that has been slammed as being unrealistic, with the red Republican Party controlling Texas since 1988.

But with James Talarico’s defeat of Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race on 3 November, the Democrats have won control of the state, and flipped it blue.

Following the results, McQuiston shared a number of posts on their Instagram story showing the state turning blue.

One featured an image of Zendaya wearing a T-shirt which read “I TOLD YA”. In another, McQuiston wrote: “Blexas not so silly now is it.” Over the top of a still from Red, White and Royal Blue, they added: “It was all in the binder.”

How did Texas turn blue?

As Tuesday’s Election Day approached, polls suggested Democrat Talarico was leading Republican Paxton by a small margin. However, Talarico ended up winning comfortable with 55 per cent of the vote.

In a video he posted on X afterwards, he said: “We just took back Texas. We just proved that all the money in the world is no match for the people of Texas. We just showed that a politics of division, is no match for a politics of love.”

It’s estimated that the Texas Senate race was the most expensive ever, with more than half a billion dollars spent.

Elon Musk reportedly poured millions into a political action committee, which contributed $47million (£35m) to Paxton’s campaign.

Musk wrote on X after: “Guess my election-interfering space lasers didn’t work this time.”

Red, White and Royal Wedding

Casey McQuiston’s story is set to be continued in an upcoming movie sequel, titled Red, White and Royal Wedding.

Zakhar Perez will return as Alex, as will Nicholas Galitzine as his co-lead and love interest Prince Henry.

The film recently got an R-rating for “sexual content and nudity”, however exact details of the plot have not yet been released.

Filming started in January 2026, and was finished by March. A release date has not yet been announced.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Red, White And Royal Blue author Casey McQuiston pokes fun at doubters as Texas turns blue appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

A small group of protesters stood near the entrance with megaphones and placards. One sign read: “Trans kids deserve to grow up. Trans adults deserve to grow old.” Another demonstrator was seen holding a transgender flag featuring the Hufflepuff crest.

Other signs read “protect trans lives” and “trans rights are human rights”. Footage was shared on social media.

Around 10 Metropolitan Police officers were reportedly at the scene, while private security in high-visibility vests kept crowds under control.

A Harry Potter store spokesperson said: “Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street is thrilled to open our doors and welcome in hundreds of fans. We support everyone’s right to the peaceful expression of personal viewpoints and look forward to a day full of magic.”

The Oxford Street store is the largest Harry Potter shop in the UK. It spans two floors, is inspired by Diagon Alley, and includes a Butterbeer bar.

Why did people protest?

According to Deadline, one protestor, identified as West, said they wanted to raise awareness for Harry Potter author JK Rowling’s “disdain” for the trans community.

The protester also said Rowling was “personally funding transphobia from the ground up”, citing a donation she made to a UK campaign seeking to keep the legal definition of a woman tied to biological sex.

West spoke to Variety too, saying: “Considering the impact that JK Rowling has on trans rights, it would be a disappointment if trans people weren’t here to have their voices heard.

“It is largely JK Rowling making the biggest impact on people’s lives, I think, unfortunately. People don’t realise that, so that’s why we’re here today.”

The Oxford Street protest follows another incident at a gala performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in October. The child stars of the upcoming HBO reboot were also pulled from another Oxford Street event that was scheduled.

JK Rowling denies transphobia

JK Rowling has a long history of speaking about women’s rights, claiming trans people damage them. Last month, she doubled down on previous comments, saying trans activism is “elitist to its core”.

Referring to trans women as “trans-identified men”, she wrote in an essay: “Men as a group pose a risk to women and girls, as a group.” Rowling added: “Of course, all men aren’t rapists, voyeurs or flashers, but enough are to make safeguarding necessary.”

She denies being transphobic, though. Her website FAQ states: “JK Rowling is not transphobic”, adding she “clearly states trans people need and deserve protection”.

She continues: “I stand alongside the brave women and men, gay, straight and trans, who’re standing up for the freedom of speech and thought, and for the rights and safety of some of the most vulnerable in our society: young gay kids, fragile teenagers, and women who’re reliant on and wish to retain their single sex spaces.”

The post London’s Harry Potter Oxford Street store opens to trans rights protest appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Speaking on board HMS Wellington at a defence rally on Tuesday, Badenoch described Labour as “a student union Government” and said: “This Labour Government is a student union Government. All of the silly ideas which they’ve wasted time on is what they’re bringing in. They don’t know how to make anyone’s lives better. This is something that’s going to mean that parents start getting arrested for parenting their children.”

Badenoch also said: “I looked at this bill when we were in government. It is unworkable.” She argued she had reviewed the proposals when she was equalities minister in the last Conservative government, and claimed it was unnecessary because laws are already in place to prevent abuse or discrimination against vulnerable people.

In March 2023, Badenoch avoided giving a date for when legislation banning conversion therapy would be introduced, while saying it needed to be “robust”.

She added: “The reason why it’s a waste of time is in yet another pretend bit of legislation that’s going to confuse and complicate and mean that we lose common sense, people are afraid to speak to their children and tell the truth, and that’s why we don’t support what Labour is doing.”

What does Labour’s draft Conversion Practices Bill cover?

The draft Conversion Practices Bill is described as aiming to shield gay and transgender people from efforts to alter their sexuality or gender identity.

Downing Street insisted the draft legislation “doesn’t touch regular parenting”, and would not “prevent open, exploratory or challenging conversations between young people, or with parents, teachers, clinicians, or pastoral leaders”.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman also said: “LGBT+ people should never, without exception, have to suffer coercion or abuse in an effort to change who they are.”

Why is the bill scrutiny committee facing criticism?

Conversion practices are widely understood as efforts to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and attempts to draft an effective ban have been politically contentious for years.

A joint committee has been set up to consider and report on the government’s draft bill, but its make-up has already drawn criticism.

Former Labour MP Rosie Duffield said Olivia Bailey would be judging her own work by serving on the committee after drafting the bill as a junior equalities minister. Duffield said: “The new Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee is the former minister who drafted the Bill, and by also serving as a member on it, she is essentially marking her own homework.”

A spokesman for the bill committee said members are appointed by both Houses and that it includes members with “a range of views” to scrutinise the draft bill “in a balanced way” and propose amendments where appropriate.

The post Kemi Badenoch says Labour conversion therapy ban is ‘unworkable’ and could see parents arrested appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The Vice President shared photos and videos of himself dressed up as characters from JK Rowling’s literary world, alongside his family. He could be seen in a shaggy grey wig and silver robes.

His costume choice became a hot topic on social media, with many pointing out he was dressed as a canonically gay character (according to Rowling, after the books came out).

Vance has now spoken about the costume and questions. He said at a campaign rally: “People said, ‘Why did you go as Dumbledore?’ And I said, ‘Well, because I lost a bet with my children, that’s why.’ Why else would a grown man dress up in an ugly wig? Which was very uncomfortable, by the way.”

In true JD Vance style, he continued: “I looked more like an Iranian sheikh than I did an American vice president in that costume.”

Social media mocks JD Vance

Social media users were quick to pick at Vance as Dumbledore, considering he previous comments about the LGBTQ+ community.

One said: “You know Dumbledore was gay, right?” Another suggested he was dressing in drag, which the Trump administration has targeted previously. They said: “A drag queen?? In front of children?? Arrest this man!!”

Another, referencing his floor-length, swishy robes, added: “We thought you had an issue with men wearing dresses?”

Is Professor Dumbledore gay?

In 2007, after the final Harry Potter book was published, JK Rowling confirmed Dumbledore is canonically gay, though it isn’t referenced in the novels.

It came long before her very public views on the trans community, which have since caused protests at Harry Potter events, such as at a Cursed Child gala performance, and even the opening of a flagship Potter shop on London’s Oxford Street.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post JD Vance claims ‘gay wizard’ costume was the result of losing a bet appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

In a BuzzFeed UK TikTok interview, the actor, who won this year’s Celebrity Traitors with Romesh Ranganathan, said he had seen an online post about the show’s run of queer winners and found himself agreeing with the idea behind it.

“I saw a post about how, you don’t have to be gay to win The Traitors, but, it’s kind of mad that so many people are,” Croft said.

He continued: “One of the top comments was about, which I think is true, about how you learn to read rooms, and you learn to, try and survive.”

Croft added: “You learn to try and get on with people. So it is interesting, the subconscious skill sets, I guess. If being gay means winning The Traitors, then I guess I’m grateful.”

Queer contestants on The Traitors

Croft’s comments have fed into a wider conversation about why LGBTQ+ contestants appear to do well on the BBC reality hit, where trust, alliances and suspicion can decide who makes it to the end.

Croft is the fourth gay person to win a UK version of The Traitors, after Alan Carr won Celebrity Traitors, and Stephen Libby Leanne Quigley won their civilian series. He and Ranganathan split an £83,000 prize pot after winning series two of the celebrity edition last week.

Croft was ‘terrified’ to enter the castle

Croft has also spoken about how daunting it felt to take part, even as a self-confessed superfan.

He said on the Capital Breakfast Show that he was “terrified” because he knew he would be “one of the less-known people” among “so many national treasures”, calling it a “sink or swim situation”.

Croft is known to many viewers as Ben Hope in Netflix’s Heartstopper, a series widely regarded as a landmark of LGBTQ+ teen representation on UK TV.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Sebastian Croft says gay people win Traitors by learning to ‘read rooms’ to ‘survive’ appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The initiative, titled the “Protect Girls Sports in Arizona Act”, passed with an estimated 57.2% voting yes and 42.8% voting no. Under the measure, K-12 schools and private sports leagues will have to decide which sports are sex-segregated, then determine eligibility based on the sex listed on a player’s birth certificate.

It also creates a legal route for enforcement, allowing athletes to sue schools or leagues that violate the proposition’s provisions.

What does Arizona’s Prop 318 require schools and leagues to do?

Prop 318 goes beyond team eligibility. It says schools and private leagues must ban trans athletes from “restrooms, showers, and locker rooms” that do not match the sex they were assigned at birth.

Darrell Hill, policy director for the ACLU of Arizona, told KTAR he was concerned facilities and cities might apply the law more widely than intended, limiting trans children’s and adults’ access to restrooms and locker rooms in circumstances not connected to taking part in sport.

“It can really act as a big barrier for trans people to participate in public life,” Hill said.

Critics warn of ‘gender policing’ and invasive scrutiny

Democratic state senator Mitzi Epstein said the proposition could encourage intrusive scrutiny of girls’ bodies and identities. She said it would “subject girls to invasive inspections and questions about their gender”, describing it as “an effort to score political points by discriminating against trans girls.”

Prop 318 is based on a 2022 Arizona law restricting trans students’ sports participation that federal courts had blocked from enforcement at the time, before the US Supreme Court ruled such bans constitutional last June.

The push to restrict trans girls’ participation in school sport has been building in Arizona for years. In March 2022, Arizona lawmakers approved a bill that would have prohibited trans youth from taking part in girls’ sports, as civil liberties groups warned of the harm such bans can cause.

The post Arizona voters pass trans sports ban that also targets bathrooms and locker rooms appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Knutson was found dead on 10 November, 2024, as reported by The Ithaca Voice, and later identified as the child of Cornell mathematics Professor Allen Knutson, according to The Cornell Daily Sun.

On 26 October this year, Winter’s mother Sofia Akber filed a lawsuit, alleging they took their own life after a series of incidents between 14 September to 10 November, 2024, which school administrators failed to look into.

Knutson lived in the university’s Loving House, which aims to “create an environment that protects and supports Cornell University’s community of LGBTQIA+ students”.

There, Knutson reportedly became friends with a girl and her roommate, who have been named as defendants alongside the school and 10 other anonymous individuals, the Daily Mail reports.

According to Akber, Knutson and the friend developed a romantic relationship, but the girl allegedly admitted she did so “to manipulate and lead Winter on”.

The friend and her roommate allegedly started a campaign of harassment against Knutson, including falsely accusing them of sexually assaulting a friend, and “drugging people”. The person reportedly withdrew the sexual assault allegation after Knutson’s death.

The lawsuit, filed under Title IX which stops sex discrimination in education, alleges there were “six escalating episodes” involving Knutson, led by the friend and her roommate.

The school has been accused of failing to provide an “inclusive residential space” which is what Loving House claims to be.

The lawsuit reportedly reads: “Cornell made these promises in writing, on its public website, in its program-house recruitment materials, and through the formal program-house acknowledgement that every Loving House resident – including Winter – was required to sign. Cornell did not merely promise affirmation; it promised protection, support, and safety.”

Akber is seeking unspecified damages, including for negligence, violations of state Human Rights Law, and wrongful death.

Her lawyer, Reza Yassi, said: “We look forward to proving Winter’s claims in court and holding Cornell and the individual defendants accountable. We also hope this case brings meaningful, lasting change at Cornell, so that no one else has to go through what Winter did.”

A Cornell University spokesperson said: “The loss of Winter Knutson was a tragedy. We will not comment on the pending litigation.”

Readers affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans free on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.

The post Non-binary Cornell University student took own life after ‘conflict at LGBTQ+ dorms’ appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Sources told Page Six that Geffen, 83, and Michaels, 33, looked “very much back together” during an October outing on Geffen’s 454-foot mega-yacht, Rising Sun. One said: “The heart wants what the heart wants.”

The reported reunion follows a split that spilled into court. Michaels, also known as David Armstrong, filed a civil lawsuit against Geffen in Los Angeles Superior Court in July 2025, before dropping it in October 2025. A confidential settlement was reached the following month, and the divorce was finalised in April 2026.

The pair were later photographed together on the yacht in June 2026.

What did Donovan Michaels’ lawsuit allege?

Michaels’ 33-page complaint included a series of allegations about how the relationship began and what life around Geffen was like.

The lawsuit alleged Geffen paid Michaels $10,000 for sex during their first encounter, after they first met in 2016 via SeekingArrangements.com.

It also alleged Michaels was expected to use drugs including cocaine, MDMA and cannabis with Geffen and his friends aboard Rising Sun. The complaint further alleged Geffen demanded Michaels undergo laser hair removal and dental procedures to meet standards of “physical perfection”.

On sobriety, the complaint alleged: “Geffen did not want a healthier Michaels. He wanted control and submission.”

Geffen denied the allegations. His attorney Patricia Glaser dismissed the lawsuit as “pathetic.”

Who is David Geffen?

Geffen is a US music and film executive and founder of Geffen Records, and later co-founded DreamWorks SKG with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg. He is also a major philanthropist in arts, education and healthcare, with high-profile donations to museums and universities.

Geffen previously dated Cher before he came out as gay in 1992.

The post Billionaire David Geffen, 83, ‘back with’ model ex, 33, months after divorce appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The exchange, on 60 Minutes, aired 1 November and has been widely recirculated as the Democrat has now beat Republican Mike Rogers to win the US midterm Senate race.

Conservative columnist Ross Douthat pressed El-Sayed on whether his faith created tension with “a very socially liberal and culturally liberal party”, listing “abortion, same-sex marriage, transgenderism”.

El-Sayed rejected the framing, saying: “I believe in rights. And even though somebody might use rights that you don’t understand, you never mean to use yourself, you still got to show up and fight for those rights.”

He also warned against giving the government any opening to strip rights from one group, adding: “The minute you ascent to government taking anybody’s rights, whether you use them or you don’t, you are assenting to government taking everybody’s rights.

“So whether people are trying to take your rights to put your face on the ground 34 times a day at a mosque or people are taking away your rights to love who you love, I think we all have got to come together and, ‘No, no no. We are not going to allow government to take rights, because that’s what the Constitution protects.’”

What did Abdul El-Sayed say about trans kids and schools?

Pressed on “the rights of parents” and questions around trans kids in schools and sports, El-Sayed argued that the idea of shielding children from information no longer matches reality.

“The notion somehow that you are going to prevent your child from being exposed to something that you may find disagreeable, and that that is going to be because of school, is so profoundly outdated, because of course you have all the information and they have all the information,” he said.

El-Sayed added that “the free flow of information is actually a beautiful thing”, and argued that parents should engage with their children about beliefs and choices rather than trying to block what they might see.

How did he respond on trans athletes and ‘rights in conflict’?

When Douthat suggested “rights are in conflict” on issues like trans athletes’ participation in sports, El-Sayed pushed back: “I think we manufacture these social issues.”

He also tried to pull the conversation back to what he said he was actually running to do. “I’m not running to govern sports,” El-Sayed said.

The 60 Minutes segment is one of the latest times the programme has faced criticism over its handling of trans issues. In 2021, Laverne Cox spoke out after condemning a 60 Minutes segment she said was “fundamentally dehumanising” to trans people.

The post Abdul El-Sayed refuses to back down on trans rights in combative 60 Minutes clash appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The ballot measure would also have repealed Missouri’s 2024 voter-approved abortion-rights amendment, pairing an abortion rollback with a constitutional clampdown on transgender healthcare.

Amendment 3 failed after receiving only 44 per cent support. The Associated Press called the measure’s defeat on Tuesday, with opposition exceeding 55 per cent of the vote.

What was Missouri Amendment 3?

Amendment 3 was designed to do two things at once: undo the abortion protections voters backed in 2024, and add restrictions on transgender minors’ medical care to Missouri’s constitution.

The attempt to add the restrictions to the constitution would have made them hard to undo, as constitutional language is far harder to unwind than ordinary state law. The defeat leaves Missouri’s current restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors in place, but stops them from being written into the constitution, where reversing them would have been more difficult.

Amendment 3 was put forward by Republican lawmakers, Missouri’s first lady, Claudia Kehoe, serving as treasurer for the campaign in an attempt to pass it.

Tom Estes, described as a Republican state Senate staffer working on the pro-Amendment 3 campaign, told The 19th: “There are several pieces of this that resonate really well, that we may not have gotten last time. The number one piece of that is the trans issue.”

What happens to trans healthcare now?

Missouri is a politically conservative US state where abortion and trans healthcare have been major flashpoints since the fall of Roe v. Wade. Across the US, Republican-led states have pursued restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors, often alongside broader culture-war messaging.

Missouri’s statutory ban on transition-related surgeries for minors doesn’t have an expiry date; however, limits on puberty blockers and hormone therapy are due to lapse in August 2027. The ballot measure would have meant that those restrictions were placed in the state constitution without that expiration date, and voters declined to do so.

In 2023, Missouri’s attorney general launched an online form urging residents to “submit a complaint or concern” about gender transition intervention they had “experienced or observed” in the state.

The post Missouri voters reject ballot measure seeking to add trans youth care restrictions to constitution appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The referendum was passing by a 56.2 to 43.8 per cent margin with 76 per cent of the vote counted. Other election-night snapshots also showed the measure ahead: NBC News results put “yes” at 56.2 per cent and “no” at 43.8 per cent with 78.2 per cent reporting, while Decision Desk HQ data had it at 57.3 per cent for and 42.7 per cent against with more than 95 per cent counted, and said the Associated Press had called the race.

What does Virginia’s Question 2 change?

Virginia’s previous ban is removed by the amendment and replaced with safeguards for legal marriages between any two adults, irrespective of sex, gender or race. It further mandates that those marriages must be treated equally under state law.

Virginia’s ban had already been unenforceable since the US Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision established marriage equality nationwide. Supporters of Question 2 argued that writing protections into the state constitution would make them harder to undo if federal precedent changes.

That concern has sharpened in the years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. At the time, 31 states still had dormant statutes and/or constitutional amendments banning marriage equality, affecting around 433,000 married same-sex couples and 305,000 unmarried same-sex couples living in those areas.

Democratic governor Abigail Spanberger signed legislation in February sending the referendum to voters.

How did LGBTQ+ groups respond to the result?

Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson welcomed the vote, saying: “At long last, one more relic of past discrimination is being wiped from the lawbooks, and now marriage equality is cemented as a foundational right in Virginia.”

Equality Virginia executive director Narissa Ramen said: “Tonight’s victory belongs to generations of Virginians who organised, advocated and fought for equality, often without knowing whether they would live to see this day.”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Virginia votes to scrap same-sex marriage ban and lock in marriage equality appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Speaking on the Friends Keep Secrets video podcast episode on Tuesday (3 November), Domingo, 56, introduced himself with: “West Philly, born and raised,” before looking back on their school days.

“I went to high school with Will… We had gym class and science class together,” he said, recalling that they attended Overbrook High School in Philadelphia at the same time. Smith, now 58, was enrolled one year above Domingo.

Domingo said Smith “really was the most popular kid in high school,” adding that he was already “a local rapper with Jazzy Jeff” and that “all the cool kids went to see them”.

He also stressed that sharing classes did not mean they were close. “We were never friends,” Domingo said. “He was the cool kid and I was the nerd.”

What did Colman Domingo say about meeting Will Smith again?

Domingo said the last time they crossed paths was years later, when Smith had already become “very successful” in music and acting.

“I was working at El Torito restaurant in Philadelphia as a waiter,” Domingo recalled. He said Smith did not recognise him at first, but once his memory was jogged, the moment was brief.

They “hugged and that was it,” Domingo said.

Domingo added: “The weirdest thing is throughout our careers now, I’ve never run into him.”

He also suggested there is still warmth between them, saying he is sure they will see each other again “at some point”, with “a shared history from Philadelphia”.

From Overbrook High School to Hollywood

Domingo has since built a major career across film, TV and theatre, and has become known for roles including Ali in HBO’s Euphoria and acclaimed performances in films such as Rustin and Sing Sing. He is gay and married to Raúl Domingo, and has spoken about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation and queer visibility in Hollywood.

The post Colman Domingo says Will Smith was the ‘popular kid’ in high school: “I was the nerd” appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Decision Desk HQ called the race at 8:19pm Eastern time on 3 November, with Hudgins leading Republican Samantha Boston by 94 per cent to 6 per cent with 84 per cent of votes counted. That was later updated to Hudgins winning with 92.45 per cent of the vote, to Boston’s 7.55 per cent.

Hudgins, a Democrat who uses they/them pronouns, is a longtime organiser and a 2026 Out100 honouree. According to the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, they will also be the Georgia legislature’s first Japanese-American member.

Their campaign focused on everyday issues including reliable water, affordable housing, transit, wages and investment in neglected neighbourhoods.

What did Bentley Hudgins campaign on?

In a May interview with The Advocate, Hudgins spoke about wanting to connect with voters on shared realities, including their own experiences of housing insecurity and years of hearing loss before receiving treatment.

“I wanted to really resonate with the shared experiences that I have with my neighbors,” Hudgins said.

Hudgins was previously the Human Rights Campaign’s Georgia state director, and their organising work has included helping residents document gun violence and push officials for neighbourhood improvements.

How did HRC react to Hudgins’ win?

HRC president Kelley Robinson praised Hudgins in a statement, saying: “The folks in Georgia’s 90th District have come to learn what we at HRC have known for years – that Bentley Hudgins is a fierce advocate, an inspiring leader, and a champion of equality,” adding that Hudgins “will become the first trans state legislator elected from the South”.

Robinson added: “We’ll never stop rooting for our former colleague, and we are so excited to continue working with them in their new role. Congratulations, Bentley!”

Trans and nonbinary candidates have increasingly run for state office in the past decade, with representation often becoming part of the political story amid ongoing legislative battles over trans rights. In 2022, New Hampshire’s James Roesener made history as the first out trans man elected to the US state legislature.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Georgia elects Bentley Hudgins as first out trans and nonbinary state lawmaker appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

If it were brought into force as planned, the amendment would embed in the constitution a 2025 law that obliges athletes in public K-12 schools and colleges to compete on teams aligned with their sex at birth.

Measure 442 defines sex at birth in biological terms, saying a person’s sex is tied to having a reproductive system that “does or at some point will produce, transport, and utilize” either eggs (for those assigned female at birth) or sperm (for those assigned male at birth).

The measure also sets out a wide scope. It applies to any sport or athletic team that is sponsored by a public school, a postsecondary educational institution, a private school, or an educational institution that competes against public schools.

What would Measure 442 do?

Supporters have framed the amendment as a protection for girls’ and women’s sport. The ballot language states: “The object of this petition is to amend the Nebraska Constitution to establish constitutional protections for sex-separate athletics to ensure equal access to athletic opportunities for females.”

Opponents challenged that wording in court. A plaintiff alleged the language failed to properly describe the “legal effect of the filing of the petition and the object sought to be secured by submitting the measure to the voters,” and that it “omits major provisions contained in the Initiative’s text and does not accurately reflect the text of the Initiative.”

Why did the Nebraska Supreme Court reject the challenge?

The Nebraska Supreme Court rejected claims that the initiative’s language was deliberately misleading. In its ruling, the justices wrote that the state ballot language law “does not require an initiative’s object statement to set forth every consequence that would result from the initiative measure should it be adopted by voters.”

Debates over trans inclusion in sport have become a recurring national political issue in US elections and ballot initiatives, with multiple states passing restrictions framed as “fairness” or “women’s sports” measures.

In Nebraska, the underlying 2025 law was sponsored by Republican state senator Kathleen Kauth. In 2023, she also backed legislation that would have banned gender-affirming care for under-18s in the state, prompting Democratic senator Megan Hunt, who has a trans son, to vow to filibuster every bill after it advanced.

The post Nebraska voters pass ‘Fairness for Girls’ measure to put trans sports ban in constitution appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.