From a blood-soaked horror comedy to a moving portrait of the AIDS crisis, the 79th edition has boasted some of the most anticipated films of the year.

Here are seven titles we can’t wait to see in the cinema:

The Black Ball

Los Javis, Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, may no longer be together, but their creative partnership is as strong as ever. The pair are back with The Black Ball, an epic drama following the interconnected lives of three gay men. The plot shifts between 1932, 1937, and 2017.

Loosely adapted from the work of renowned Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, The Black Ball stars some big names, like Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close. However, early reviews praise the film for its period-drama ambition and scale. 

Speaking to ScreenDaily, the pair emphasised their focus was honouring the queer community. Ambrossi shared: “One of the main driving forces was this question: as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, do we honour like we should the people who were murdered, who endured repression, who fought for our rights? Would they look at us and be proud? I ask myself this very often.”

Calvo also added: “We also wanted to explore the idea of inheritance – the inherited hatred and shame – and how that is pervasive even today.”

The Man I Love 

One of the most anticipated films in Cannes is The Man I Love from Passages director Ira Sachs. A musical fantasy drama set in the 1980s follows a New York theatre performer’s life after he’s diagnosed with AIDS. 

Rami Malek plays the theatre performer Jimmy George facing an impending death with so much live left to live. Malek has shared he was hesitant to be part of the film. He said he feared The Man I Love’s themes were “too similar” to his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody: “I started to really think about what I was afraid of.”

Malek also shared: “Was it the similarities? Was it the singing? Was it what was going on in the period? I knew I had to address the fear. If there’s anything Freddie taught me, it was address the fear.”

The film also stars Tom Sturridge as Jimmy’s boyfriend Dennis, Luther Ford, Rebecca Hall and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

Speaking to Dealdine, Sachs shared that the film felt like “an autobiography”. He explained: “Because the personal resonance of being in New York and being a young gay man in that time of incredible energy but also a lot of darkness is very close to me.”

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

Another highly anticipated title is Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, a horror comedy featuring The X-Files star Gillian Anderson and Hacks actress Hannah Einbinder. The film is the third feature from non-binary filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun, following We’re All Going to the World’s Fair and I Saw The TV Glow. The film premiered to a 100% Rotten Tomatoes critic rating, a very impressive feat. 

In Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, Einbinder plays a filmmaker who is handed the reins of a slasher franchise. Anderson plays the enigmatic woman who starred in the original films. The enthusiastic young director kickstarts the project, but then the original movie star, a reclusive actress shrouded in mystery, returns. The pair fall into a spiralling, blood-soaked universe of desire, fear, and delirium.

Speaking about their film, Schoenbrun shared that they aimed for this film to feel like: “We’re hanging out. We’re sharing a joint on the porch and eating candy and talking about real things — which isn’t like an academic lecture. It’s like a conversation with a friend. And that’s really how I hope the movie feels.”

Club Kid

One festival surprise has been how many critics have fawned over comedian Jordan Firstman’s Club Kid. The comedy drama follows washed-up underground party promoter Peter (Firstman) as his life takes an unexpected turn. Suddenly, he is forced to care for 10-year-old Arlo, his son, whom he never knew he had.

Firstman wrote, directed and stars in the film, alongside Cara Delevingne and Diego Calva. In typical comedic fashion, the director was elated that his film was premiering at the Théâtre Claude Debussy. He announced: “What an honour to play in the Debussy theatre. I love Debussy. I can’t wait for my film to screen in Debussy.”

Following the film’s screening, a bidding war erupted between six studio competitors for the film. In the end, Club Kid secured a $17million sale to A24. “A psychic told me last week it was going to be A24,” Firstman shared with Variety.

Coward

It’s 1916, in the midst of the First World War, and young soldier Pierre (Emmanuel Macchia) is serving at the Belgian front alongside his comrades. He is desperate to prove himself in the trenches, but one day, Pierre meets the flamboyant Francis (Valentin Campagne).

Francis is unlike the other men, and Pierre joins him to stage a theatre show to entertain the troops. A burgeoning romance blossoms in this unlikely location, where their lives are already on the line. Both seek an escape and a shared investment in theatrics gives them a reprieve, even if only for a moment.

Lukas Dhont, director of Girl and Close, received a 12-minute standing ovation following the premiere. The film holds a personal connection to him, having grown up in Belgium, surrounded by cemeteries from the war. 

“I found out that throughout many wars, not only the World War I in all the armies, men, while they were waiting to fight, they created these small performances for one another,” Dhont said of the film’s plot. “These men live in a time where their love had to ‌be unspoken, had to be incredibly silent.”

Another Day

Jeanne Herry’s French drama spans eight years in its tale of Garance (Adèle Exarchopoulos), a struggling actress with an alcohol addiction. The film charts Garance embarking on a journey of self-transformation. Her journey kickstarts an intimate and sexual revolution in her life.

The film has received some mixed reviews from critics. However, there has been unanimous praise for Exarchopoulos’s performance as a troubled actor.

Exarchopoulos shared with Deadline: “Jeanne was very careful to avoid any sensational effect and she wanted to really show the reality.

“I went to the hospital in Paris and I sat with a support group for substance abuse addicts to listen to their stories and that inspired my a lot and showed me what an uphill battle it is and the feat that they have of going back into it.”

Bitter Christmas

Legendary gay filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar returns to the big screen with Bitter Christmas. The Spanish tragicomedy follows cult filmmaker Raúl (Leonardo Sbaraglia) experiencing a creative crisis. When Elsa’s (Bárbara Lennie) mother dies and her life is thrown into crisis, Raúl uses it as a source of inspiration. 

Raúl places himself in Elsa’s shoes and begins to write a journey that mirrors hers. Elsa becomes Raúl’s alter ego, two filmmakers mirroring one character. However, this work of autofiction may create a life, but it also has the power to destroy it.

At Cannes, film is just the start of a conversation. Almodóvar has said that filmmakers have a “moral duty” to speak up about politics.

“I don’t want to judge anyone, but I think artists have to speak out about the situation in which they live in contemporary society,” he also said.

“Silence and fear is a symptom that things are going badly, it’s a serious sign democracy is crumbling,” he continued. “In Europe we have laws […] we have to act as a shield against this madness.”

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

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Production for season six has officially begun, with the streamer releasing images of star Lily Collins posing in Greece. 

Collins plays Chicago marketing executive Emily Cooper as she navigates the pitfalls of work, romance, friendship and fashion in Paris.

The romance comedy-drama is set to shoot in Greece, Monaco and Paris – it’s a jet-setting finale for Emily!

“After six unforgettable years, I’m here to share that this upcoming sixth season will be our final,” Collins shared.

“Season six will bring you everything you love about the show and serve as the final chapter in Emily’s adventure of a lifetime.

“I can’t wait for all the magic ahead and to celebrate our final season with you in the most chic way yet! I’m so incredibly grateful.” 

Last season, Emily was swept off her feet in Rome by an Italian cashmere heir, Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini). However, though Rome was beguiling, her heart belongs to Paris.

‘We can’t wait to share this last chapter with you’

Also in season five, Emily’s best friend, Mindy (Ashley Park), got engaged to fashion designer Nicolas de Léon (Paul Forman). But she can’t deny the spark that she shared with Englishman Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) that won’t go away. 

Additionally, Agence Grateau – the ad agency run by Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) that Emily works for – is in financial trouble.

With all this to wrap up, writer, creator, and executive producer Darren Star is ensuring the show goes out with a bang. 

“Making Emily in Paris with this extraordinary cast and crew has been the trip of a lifetime,” Star shared.

“As we embark on the final season, I am so grateful to Netflix, Paramount, and, most importantly, the fans who have taken this incredible journey with us,” he also said.

“We can’t wait to share this last chapter with you. Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives, inspiring your dreams of travel and your love of Paris. We will always have Emily in Paris!” 

Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), Julien (Samuel Arnold), Luc (Bruno Gouery), Antoine (William Abadie) are also set to return.

Emily in Paris is streaming now on Netflix.

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Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) stars Syd Colson, Theresa Plaisance, and Gabby Williams are attached to the project. 

The film is set in the world of the WNBA, where there are many out players and lesbian couples. The movie will tell the story of “an injury-plagued women’s hoops superstar whose championship ambitions are upended when she falls for her teammate.”

Sports stars in close proximity, heated games and burning competitiveness – Courtside promises an adrenaline-fuelled rom-com.

The film arrives during hyped for the Cleat Cute, a sapphic soccer romance in development for TV.  A new wave of LGBTQ+ sports romances is following the global success of Heated Rivalry. Though there have been many beloved queer shows, such as A League of Their Own.

Courtside is written by Abbott Elementary’s Brittani Nichols and directed by Suicide Kale’s Carly Usdin.

‘I’m elated to see a new generation of women’s sports films’

“It feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for this kind of excitement to surround women’s basketball, and I’m excited to blend my love of sports, lesbian tension, and comedy into one project,” Nichols told Deadline.

Colson, a lesbian player for Indiana Fever, also shared she’s never “said yes to an opportunity faster”.

“I respect Carly and Brittani’s sense of humour so much and being involved with this in any capacity sounded amazing!

“I’m elated to see a new generation of women’s sports films. I can already feel how transformative this movie will be in terms of representation on screen for minorities, queer people, and women’s basketball players and fans alike.” 

Colson will be joined by fellow players Plaisance and Williams. Plaisance last played for the Seattle Storm team.

Colson and Plaisance are off-court besties who starred in The Syd + TP Show together. The buddy comedy series follows Syd and TP on their quest to become the most famous basketball players on earth. Furthermore, the show saw them engage in a mix of stunts, interviews, hijinks, and a complete lack of shame.

Williams, of the Golden State Valkyries, is said to be in a relationship with French basketball player Marine Johannès of the New York Liberty.

“This is exactly the kind of story we want to be telling at Run-A-Muck,” Run-A-Muck co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Ilene Chaiken noted.

“Women’s sports are driving culture in a way that feels undeniable, and there’s a real appetite for character-driven queer stories that reflect that world authentically.”

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

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While the first season focused on the illicit romance between ice hockey rivals Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams), the highly anticipated next season will see external pressures put their relationship under strain.

There’s one person in particular who comes across as the villain: Major League Hockey Commissioner Roger Crowell.

Based on Rachel Reid’s The Long Game, the show’s second season sees Ilya and Shane face the wrath of Crowell’s strict orders. Subsequently, those in the NHL are concerned that the fictional hatred could reflect on real-life NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

Speaking to PR Week, Kim Davis, the NHL’s executive vice president, said more should be done to welcome new fans. 

Davis also noted Bettman has “shared with the co-producers that what they say about him [in the show] is not at all the way he would react”.

Davis added: “We have work to do in preparation for that.” 

Previously, Bettman has said he binge-watched Heated Rivalry in one sitting. The 73-year-old also added he thought it was “a wonderful story.”

‘We have work to do.’

He continued: “The content — particularly for young people — may be a little spicy, so you have to balance that out.

“I thought the storyline was very compelling. And a lot of fun, because I could see where they were picking at things we [as a league] had done in the past, whether or not it was being in Sochi or the All-Star Game in Tampa. It was very well done.”

Under Bettman’s control, the NHL has a mixed reputation among LGBTQ+ hockey fans.

Bettman, commissioner since 1993, has overseen the league’s LGBTQ inclusion efforts, including the You Can Play project.

However, Pride nights and Pride tape were banned in 2023. These were overturned but the sentiment has lingered in the minds of ice hockey fans. 

Additionally, the popularity of Heated Rivalry has introduced a host of new fans to the 2025-26 NHL season. In turn, this has spurred on greater LGBTQ+ awareness at matches.

When the Pride-related banning did occur, Bettman states it wasn’t about Pride jerseys or Pride night. He shared: “It was about the fact of bringing things into the game that might not be embraced by the players wearing the jerseys.

“It’s a misrepresentation of what we did to suggest that it was about Pride jerseys; it was about the whole issue of what you put on the ice and how, when players don’t embrace the cause, whatever it is, then you create distraction, and it doesn’t fulfil the purpose in terms of embracing Pride nights.”

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HR 2616, also known as the ‘Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act’, was passed in the House of Representatives on 20 May.

If approved by the Senate and signed into law by Donald Trump, it would prohibit any school that receives federal funding from teaching “concepts related to gender ideology”, effectively ban state-funded schools across the United States from acknowledging the existence of trans people.

The House Equality Caucus has dubbed the bill the ‘Don’t Say Trans’ bill. Additionally, HR 2616 would also force teachers to notify parents and caregivers if students identified as trans at school.

All 209 Republicans who voted supported the bill, while 198 out of 206 Democrats voted against it, as reported by The Advocate.

The eight Democrats that supported the measure include: Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Rep. Don Davis of North Carolina, Rep. Cleo Fields of Louisiana, Rep. Laura Gillen of New York, Rep. Vicente González of Texas, Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington and Rep. Eugene Vindman of Virginia.

Notably, Rep Vindman previously spoke about the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion, so his vote in favour of the measure has caused some raised eyebrows.

In a statement posted online, the National Director for Policy & Government Affairs for the American Civil Liberties Union, Mike Zamore, condemned the bill.

“Every child in this country deserves the same opportunity to thrive as their peers, and that includes transgender students,” he said.

“Instead of strengthening that basic promise for all students, a narrow majority of the House opted to single out and endanger some of the most vulnerable youth in our schools today.”

He went on to say that the bill “doesn’t create a safe learning environment for anyone.”

“But it does inject politics into every classroom across the country, which harms education for all students,” Zamore continued. “Censorship and discrimination have no place in our schools, and we call on the Senate to reject this bill.”

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The legislation, titled H.550, which was passed yesterday (21 May), acknowledges that trans incarcerated people face heightened risks of abuse, harassment and sexual violence, and requires prison staff to respect inmates’ gender identities and undergo gender-responsive training, as reported by Transitics via Substack.

The bill also allows incarcerated trans people to request transfers to facilities that align with their gender identity, with reviews conducted alongside medical and mental health professionals experienced in gender-affirming care. In some cases, Vermont could even transfer prisoners to facilities in other states, including Colorado, which recently established dedicated housing units for trans women.

The move comes as the Trump administration continues pushing policies that advocates warn endanger trans people in federal custody, including attempts to strip access to gender-affirming care, weaken Prison Rape Elimination Act protections and house trans women in men’s prisons. Vermont’s bill explicitly directs the state to continue complying with pre-Trump federal protections for trans inmates and lays the groundwork for future legal protections for gender-affirming care in prison settings.

The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support, including backing from most Republican senators, and now heads to Republican Governor Phil Scott’s desk. Scott, who has previously supported LGBTQ+ rights protections, is expected to sign the bill into law.

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

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Malek, who previously dated non-binary star Emma Corrin, said there “was a certain sense of fear” when it came to taking on the role.

Speaking at Cannes Film Festival after The Man I Love‘s premiere, as per Variety, he said: “I started to really think about what I was afraid of. Was it the similarities? Was it the singing? Was it what was going on in the period?

“I knew I had to address the fear. If there’s anything Freddie taught me, it was address the fear.”

Set in the 1980s, the movie follows a New York theatre performer’s life after he’s diagnosed with AIDS.

Eventually, Malek decided to go with it, after realising that director Ira Sachs “makes unique cinema unlike any other”.

Speaking of his two, similar roles, Malek added: “When I raced into it, I started to discover that these men were similar, but they were also worlds apart.”

While he does sing as Jimmy in The Man I Love, the performances are vastly different to those he did as Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody.

Malek said: “Was it ever going to be perfect? Didn’t have to be. It was just about this element of creating and living and joy.”

The actor now sees Jimmy and Freddie as “two radically different figures altogether”.

The Man I Love also stars Tom Sturridge as Jimmy’s boyfriend Dennis, Luther Ford, Rebecca Hall and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

It debuted at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on 20 May, and further release dates are set to come.

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

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On Wednesday (20 May), Birch attended the 35th anniversary of legendary West Hollywood queer hotspot The Abbey.

“As a hometown girl, I’m always here to show my support for the community, which shaped so much of who I am and my identity as well, being a bi person,” Birch said to Us Weekly.

“I don’t want to get too political, but find your community where you can, and stand with them, and stick with them, and share that love that you share together, and reach it toward others.”

She also added: “That’s the only way we’re going to get through all this madness, is just embracing one another. We have to stop fighting.”

Brich’s representative also commented to the outlet that The Abbey has always felt like a home for the actor.

In 2018, Birch married talent manager Michael Benton Adler.

‘We have to stop fighting.’

The 44-year-old American actor played Dani Dennison in Hocus Pocus. The character is the eight-year-old sister of Max (Omri Katz) and she fiercely protects her older brother.

Birch’s character was not featured in the sequel. Though, she’s keeping her fingers crossed for the recently announced Hocus Pocus 3.

“I feel like so many of my fans kind of wonder about, obviously, Dani [from] Hocus Pocus,” Birch shared.

“I feel like Teeny, we know what happened with her, so that’s good, but it would be intriguing to see some of the other old standbys, like Enid from Ghost World.

“Who knows what she’s up to? She’s alive, probably. I think there’s also something nice about having them encapsulated.”

Additionally, Birch is recognisable as Jane Burnham in American Beauty, for which she was nominated for the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress.

Furthermore, Birch received acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for playing Enid in the cult hit Ghost World.

She returned in 2016 and has since appeared in various independent films, like The Last Black Man in San Francisco and The Chronology of Water.

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The Price Tag singer shared the news in an Instagram video posted on 21 May.

“RESULTS ARE IN AND I AM CANCER FREE!” she wrote in the caption, with a string of crying emojis. “I sobbed for hours and then exhaled for the first time in a year.”

The video shows her in a hospital gown with a cannula in her arm as she waits for an MRI.

“So I’m back for my yearly check-up,” she says nervously. “I’m actually s******* myself, I’m not going to lie.

“They told me there’s no contrast but I think there is based on this,” she continues, gesturing to her cannula.

“Gotta go in for my MRI, pretend I’m not claustrophobic. And if you haven’t heard, for a breast MRI you have to lay on your front and put your arms in the air like Superman. I might have to have a bigger bucket this time for these big old…”

She then gestures to her breasts, which she previously shared she’d had reconstructed for appearance following her mastectomy last year.

“But fingers crossed,” Jessie continues. “All good, all good, good vibes.” She then starts singing the first line to Three Little Birds by Bob Marley.

The singer quickly received a string of congratulatory messages from friends, fans and other celebrities, including Rita Ora, Michelle Visage and Gaby Roslin.

Jessie J first revealed her early breast cancer diagnosis in June last year through another video posted to her Instagram.

“Cancer sucks in any form but I’m holding onto the word ‘early’,” she said. “I just wanted to be open and share it. One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard.”

She continued: “I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I’m an open book.

“It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse – that’s the bit that kills me.”

She went on to make a joke about getting surgery, explaining that she would be “getting to keep [her] nipples” and the procedure was “a very dramatic way to get a boob job”.

In the caption, she shared another quip, asking whether it was “too soon” to create a remix of her recent single “Living My Best Life” entitled “Living My Breast Life”.

“All jokes aside (you know it’s one of the ways I get through hard times), these last 2 months have been so amazing, and having this go on alongside it on the sidelines has given me the most incredible perspective,” she wrote.

“BUT… Your girl needs a hug. Also not getting massive t***. Or am I? No no… I must stop joking.”

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I recently wrote an article about the health benefits of peas.

If I am honest, I did not expect it to generate much interest, let alone controversy. In fact, the biggest issue I anticipated was being called a hypocrite by my family, because despite writing about their nutritional benefits, I do not actually like peas very much myself. My children love them though, so they still regularly appear on our dinner table.

So when I opened my emails the morning after publication and saw a flood of comments, I was surprised. For a brief moment, I thought perhaps people were more passionate about peas than I had realised.

Sadly, very few of the comments had anything to do with peas.

Instead, commenters had become fixated on a single phrase I used while discussing iron deficiency anaemia, which I described as being more common in “people who menstruate”. One commenter accused me of having “a pea for a brain”. Another accused me of “neutering women”. Comments continued throughout the weekend until they were eventually removed under the publication’s moderation policy.

‘Women were never excluded from that statement’

What struck me most was not that debates around gender exist. I was already aware of the hostility that sadly often surrounds trans inclusion. What surprised me was how little it took to provoke that debate. A small, scientifically accurate phrase in an article about vegetables was enough to provoke days of outrage.

I used the phrase deliberately, although without anticipating it would become controversial. Iron deficiency anaemia is more common in people who menstruate because menstruation involves blood loss. That is the relevant biological factor, not gender identity.

Of course, many women menstruate. But not all women do, including post-menopausal women and trans women. Equally, some people who menstruate are not women, including some adolescents, some trans men and some non-binary people. “People who menstruate” was simply the clearest and most accurate description of the group being discussed. Women were never excluded from that statement. Women are people.

In science communication, precision matters. If I had simply written that women are at increased risk of iron deficiency anaemia, it would have been less accurate. The biological mechanism involved is menstruation, not womanhood itself. Scientific language should aim to describe reality as clearly as possible, even when that reality is more nuanced than people expect.

This approach is also consistent with NHS guidance on inclusive communication, which recommends using gender-neutral language where appropriate.

This type of accuracy and inclusivity is particularly important in healthcare communication. If public messaging only refers to “women’s health” in situations where the actual issue relates to specific anatomy or biological processes, some people may incorrectly assume information does not apply to them. This can have real consequences.

‘Biology was not being denied’

For example, NHS guidance already recognises that trans and non-binary people may miss important screening invitations depending on how their sex or gender is recorded within healthcare systems. Some may receive invitations for screenings that are not relevant to them, while others may not receive invitations for screenings they do need. Trans communities already experience significant health inequalities and barriers to care, making clear and inclusive communication even more important.

Much of the backlash I received framed inclusive language as a denial of biology. But biology was not being denied. If anything, it was being described more precisely. Gender is a social construct relating to identity and lived experience rather than biological traits. Acknowledging this does not erase biology, it simply reflects the reality that human beings are more diverse and complex than labels sometimes allow.

Even within biology, sex is not as simple as it is sometimes presented. None of this will be new to many readers, but it is worth restating because public conversations about trans inclusion so often rely on an oversimplified version of biology. 

While most people can broadly be categorised as male or female, biological sex does not always fit into binary categories. Chromosomes, hormones, reproductive anatomy, and secondary sex characteristics do not always align, and intersex variations are a naturally occurring part of human biology. This is exactly why medical communication often focuses on specific biological processes (such as menstruation) rather than less precise labels.

After all of this, I was left feeling unexpectedly guilty. I use inclusive language precisely because I do not want people to feel excluded. Yet I found myself wondering whether the hostility in the comments section would ultimately be more upsetting to some readers than the original wording would have been if I had simply written “women”.

At the same time, I do not think the solution is to retreat into less accurate language just because inclusion makes some people uncomfortable. Trans people and non-binary people are part of the population we serve, and they have just as much right to be included in science and healthcare communication as anyone else.

‘Accuracy and inclusion matter’

Science has historically excluded many minority groups. Medicine has often been built around assumptions about whose bodies, identities and experiences are considered “standard”. We should be making active efforts to improve that, not avoiding inclusive language to appease those who object to it most loudly.

As a medical educator, I also think carefully about the example we set for future healthcare professionals. Inclusive terminology is not about policing everyday conversation. No one is suggesting a doctor should refuse to call an individual patient a woman if that is how she identifies. But when producing broad public-facing information for diverse populations, accuracy and inclusion matter.

I know this because I have had to consciously adjust my own language over time, and I am still doing so. It would have been much easier if I had been taught to use inclusive language from the start of my education. That is not a criticism of those who taught me, but it does shape how I approach teaching now. During my own education, terms like “pregnant women” were used universally and largely unquestioned in teaching materials. Today, many educators consider whether phrases like “pregnant people” may be more appropriate in contexts intended to include everyone affected by that healthcare issue. That is not the erosion of science, just an attempt to communicate more accurately and respectfully.

All of this arose from an article intended simply to encourage people to eat more peas. Which, in case it has been lost in the discourse, remains good advice.

A single inclusive phrase in an 800-word nutrition article became enough to provoke an entire weekend of arguments about gender identity. Yet inclusion itself should not be remarkable. It should be ordinary. Routine. Uncontroversial.

As a science communicator, I see accuracy not as optional, but as essential, and I recognise that getting it right means being inclusive in how we communicate. The language we choose shapes who feels reflected in science and healthcare, and who feels left out. Biology does not exist in isolation from society, and ensuring science and medicine reach those who need them depends on how clearly and inclusively we communicate them. Science, healthcare and their communication are meant to serve everyone, and ensuring that they do is part of our responsibility.

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The Late Show’s final instalment comes after Colbert criticised the network’s parent company, Paramount, over a $16million settlement with President Donald Trump. The final show saw the 62-year-old host welcome a plethora of guests, including Paul McCartney and Tig Notaro. 

Always one to stand on his morals, Colbert has also used his show as a vessel for LGBTQ+ allyship.

Here are some of the show hosts’ most memorable moments of allyship:

Pride Month News Parade

Throughout the years, Colbert has repeatedly shown up as a vocal LGBTQ+ ally.

His annual ‘Pride Month News Parade’ on The Late Show to celebrate Pride Month is just one example. 

The segment saw Colbert celebrate uplifting LGBTQ+ stories and spotlight important moments in queer culture. 

Throughout the years, the ‘Pride Month News Parade’ has been a reminder of seeking out positive news amongst a sea of anti-LGBTQ+ negativity.

The Pedro Pascal kiss

Earlier this month, Colbert and actor Pedro Pascal locked lips. The viral moment occurred when Pascal asked for a cheek kiss from Colbert after becoming jealous of Colbert kissing Jimmy Fallon the night prior.

Pascal pointed to his lips before Colbert leaned in and met him. “I got jealous,” the actor told the host.

Many online responded enthusiastically, one commenting: “Colbert is having so much fun kissing the fine men on this show. First it was Andrew Garfield now Daddy Pedro.”

Supporting same-sex marriage

Over a decade ago, Colbert utilised his show’s popularity to spotlight same-sex marriage.

During the broadcast, Colbert highlighted then-Wisconsin governor Scott Walker’s oppositional stance to gay marriage.

The host said: “I believe we all must respect Walker’s privacy at this difficult time to be against gay marriage.

“This is a personal matter between him and his pollster. It is none of the public’s business what Walker decides in the privacy of his own governor’s mansion.”

This spotlighting of the topic came one year before marriage equality was legalised in the US. It’s a showcase of Colbert’s commitment to being on the right side of history.

Standing up for trans youth

Throughout the history of The Late Show with Colbert, the show has featured numerous LGBTQ+ guests. One of which was then-Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. 

In 2021, the interview with Colbert and Buttigieg included a discussion about the attack on LGBTQ+ people, especially trans youth.

“These kids have the courage to be who they are, and they just want to be accepted and go to the bathroom like everybody else, and play sports like everybody else,” Buttigieg said.

The conversation highlighted the very real risk of anti-trans legislation and the waves of hurt such bills can cause.

Using the show as a platform to defend trans youth, Colbert has proved himself a valiant ally.

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The update, which essentially treats trans people as a “third gender”, as Not A Phase describes it, has been condemned by a number of charities and organisations.

TransActual have said the updated guidelines leave “trans people in the UK today with less rights than they had prior to last year’s Supreme Court ruling”.

Their statement continued: “Not only does this new guidance fail to protect the rights and dignity of transgender people, but appears to have weakened protections for the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. Rather than engage with our community with respect, the Government has instead withheld publishing its new Code of Practice until as late as possible.

“TransActual will continue to right for equal access to public life for all trans people, and will publish our full thoughts on the new Code once we have had the time to properly scrutinise it – something that the Government seems keen to avoid.”

Similarly, Stonewall said they would respond in full once they had “time to read and digest it, and fully understand how services, public functions and associations can be inclusive in line with the law”.

‘We condemn this outcome’

Not A Phase laid out the updates on Instagram, simply explaining what it meant for trans people. They include the guidance that a third or gender-neutral space should be provided by service providers for trans people to use if separate sex spaces are provided, trans people are advised to use bathrooms and other gendered spaces which align with their sex at birth regardless of whether they have a Gender Recognition Certificate, and a service or venue can be accused of discrimination if they do not have a gender-neutral or third space that trans people can use.

They said: “We condemn this outcome. The forthcoming media cycle reporting on this topic is likely to be very intense for our community. Please be gentle with yourselves and take any time you need away from your phones, news, and social media.”

The organisation also advised that the code “does not change the law” and “there is no criminal law prohibiting trans+ people from gendered spaces such as bathrooms”.

‘Hospitality venues are not border checkpoints’

Revolting Spaces, who operate London LGBTQ+ venues The Rising and The Arzner have also condemned the updated guidance.

Revolting Spaces co-founder Simon Burke said: “These guidelines represent a total dereliction of the government’s duty to protect all citizens, including transpeople. They are unworkable in hospitality settings and appear fundamentally incompatible with the protections for people with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.

“Hospitality venues are not border checkpoints. Our team members should not be expected to police people’s
identities or place themselves in positions where they are forced to make subjective and potentially discriminatory or sexist judgments about who is allowed to use which facilities based on assumptions.

“There must be a balance of rights in a diverse society, and that balance can only be achieved through
guidance that is lawful, practical, humane, and based on lived reality rather than political signalling.

“We are calling on hospitality leaders across the UK to stand with trans and non-binary people and continue
fostering inclusive, welcoming spaces despite these deeply unworkable conditions being imposed upon us.”

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Following the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling that said that in the Equality Act 20210, sex referred to “biological sex”, the EHRC’s guidelines have been updated.

The draft Code’s aim is to give organisations clear guidance on every day situations, such as who can use on-site toilets.

Phillipson said: “The Equality Act enshrines our rights in law so that people can live free from discrimination and harassment.

 “Our focus has always been making sure organisations have clear, accessible guidance on how to implement the law.

“I thank the EHRC for their work updating the draft Code of Practice, and look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure people’s rights are upheld across our country.”

What it means for trans people

Both “sex” and “gender reassignment” are listed as protected characteristics in the Code. Its definition of a trans person is “a person who has the protected characteristic of gender reassignment”.

It states that associations can restrict entry to those who share a protected characteristic. In an example, it says it would be lawful to refuse a trans woman entry to a women-only association, as membership is “based on sex”.

It also gives guidelines on gender-based sports, saying: “Trans people should not be included in single-sex or separate-sex competitions for the sex with which they identify.”

In an example, based on a running club, which it describes as a “gender-affected activity”, it says: “A woman who participates may be able to bring a claim for indirect sex discrimination due to the provider’s decision to include trans women placing her at a particular disadvantage.”

It also says trans men can be excluded from women’s sports, such as boxing, if they have undergone testosterone treatment. “This is likely to be lawful if the gym can demonstrate that there would be a genuine health and safety risk and / or impact on fair competition if the trans man were allowed to join the competition,” it says.

However it says it may be unlawful to exclude trans people from gender-related activities based on their “biological sex” if not for reasons of “safety or fair competition”. It says: “If it is not necessary for these reasons, it is likely to be unlawful to exclude trans people from participating in the same way as members of their own sex.”

When it comes to single-sex services, these should be on the basis of “biological sex”, as per the Supreme Court ruling.

It uses the example of shopping centre toilets, having separate-sex facilities. It notes: “This disadvantages trans people because it means that a trans person cannot access a toilet catered towards their acquired gender. They also note that this option may cause safety risks and distress for trans users if required to use the toilets designated for those of the same biological sex. The service provider therefore decides to also provide toilets in individual lockable rooms with handbasins, which can be used by people of either sex.”

It adds that single-sex or separate-sex services cannot be defined as such if organisations allow women and trans women, or men and trans men to use them.

On the other hand, it says a trans man may be excluded from women-only services if it’s decided that women may object to his presence.

It is clear that there must be a toilet or changing, for example, that a trans person could use, though organisations are to use the guidelines to form their own decisions. It says: “The service provider should consider whether there is a suitable alternative service for the trans person to use. In the case of services which are necessary for everybody, such as toilets, it is very unlikely to be proportionate to put a trans person in a position where there is no service that they are allowed to use.”

Stonewall’s response

Stonewall said in response to the updated draft code: “Today the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s long-awaited Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions, and Associations was published by the Government. 

 ”The updated Code is 340 pages long. We along with duty bearers need time to read and digest it and fully understand how services, public functions and associations can be inclusive in line with the law. 

 ”Many trans+ people have already experienced the damaging impact of policies designed to exclude them and, for far too long, have been at the heart of a toxic culture war. The UK, once a leader, has plummeted in LGBTQ+ equality rankings in Europe over the last decade. Government and all Parliamentarians must take equality seriously. 

 ”For Stonewall, trans+ inclusion is fundamental to our vision of a world where everyone everywhere has equal rights. The Equality Act 2010 exists to protect people from discrimination, enabling us all to live our lives freely and fully. 

“The world is more polarised and hostile than ever. We need a clear vision for equality in the UK and a roadmap to get there. We will work with partners across business, civil society, parliament and beyond to ensure every single LGBTQ+ person has equal protection and treatment under the law.  

 ”Stonewall’s purpose is to make the world a safe and equal place for all LGBTQ+ people to live, work and thrive. We will not rest until we achieve this.”

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The move was done to meet “The Bog Standard” guidelines from phs Group and Prostate Cancer UK, which aims to educate organisations on providing support for men with incontinence, including those who have had prostate cancer treatment. The supermarket chain also recently introduced stoma-friendly toilets in March of this year.

Nick Ridgman, head of support services at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Many men need sanitary bins so they can dispose of their used pads discreetly and hygienically – but often these bins are nowhere to be found in men’s loose. It’s causing men stress and shame and keeping them from going out, heading to work or even doing the things they love.”

‘Many men need sanitary bins so they can dispose of their used pads discreetly and hygienically’

Matthew Brabin, CEO of phs Group, added: “We developed our male incontinence bins at the request of men who have experienced prostate cancer, and we are proud to be the only organisation to develop sanitary bins for men, in consultation with Prostate Cancer UK supporters.”

The new policy – again, designed to help men with incontinence or other health issues – has caused outrage among the anti-woke brigade, as you might have expected, despite the fact that nowhere in Morrisons’ statement did they mention trans people.

“Then that’s the last time I’ll shop at Morrisons utter woke nonsense,” one disgruntled user, who appeared to be a man based on his username, said on X.

‘Well done Morrisons!’

Another person, despite no mention of periods, reacted with: “Jesus wept. Why? Men cannot get periods. Not even the ones pretending to be women. Stop it. Otherwise I feel a boycott is coming.”

Someone else said: “Quite ridiculous. Morrisons your virtue signalling waste of time and money is also an insult to women. Only women as defined in the Equalities Act can have periods. Women use women’s toilets. It’s that simple.”

Meanwhile, plenty others applauded the decision. One said: “For men who have urinary incontinence. It’s a great idea. Well done Morrisons!”

Another wrote: “To be fair they should have had this for a long time. Due to incontinence. Men suffer from bladder and bowel issues also.”

While another said: “Some of you in these comments are thick as the bag of stoma s*** I’ll be putting in these bins.”

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Judge Royce C. Lamberth renewed a preliminary injunction on Tuesday (19 May) in the Doe v. Blanche case, ordering the Bureau of Prisons to continue housing the plaintiffs in women’s facilities and maintaining their gender dysphoria treatment while the case moves forward, as per The Advocate.

The lawsuit challenges portions of Trump’s Executive Order 14168, which directs the federal government to recognise only sex assigned at birth and bars trans women from being housed in women’s prisons.

Court filings include harrowing testimony from multiple plaintiffs. According to attorneys, one woman alleged she was sexually assaulted in every men’s prison where she was housed, while another said she suffered repeated assaults after prison officials placed her in “protective custody” with a man she described as dangerous.

A third plaintiff described being raped and repeatedly harassed by incarcerated men who mocked her gender identity.

The ruling comes after an appeals court narrowed earlier protections, saying each plaintiff must demonstrate individualised risks rather than rely on broader arguments about the dangers trans women face in men’s prisons.

Advocates warned the decision could open the door for transfers to resume, but Lamberth’s renewed injunction temporarily preserves protections through 8 June as the next phase of the legal fight unfolds.

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RHOMelbourne debuted in 2014 and, like its American and now UK versions, followed the lives of a group of fabulously wealthy women in the Australian city of Melbourne. It ran for four seasons between then and 2017, before returning for a fifth in 2021.

Now, after a far-too-long break, production is reportedly set to get started on a sixth season, which is reported to be more of a reboot.

According to Pedestrian, ITV Australia has won the rights to produce the reality show’s revival. They already produce hugely popular shows like Love Island Australia, and the Aussie version of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

It’s reported that the focus of the rebooted show would be humour, as a source told the publication: “The feeling internally was that the show lost some of its magic when it became too focused on conflict over comedy.

“ITV really understood that Melbourne works best when the women are naturally funny, outrageous and a little ridiculous. That humour is what made the franchise iconic in the first place.”

Gina Liano’s return

Lawyer Gina Liano quickly became a fan-favourite and standout star of The Real Housewives of Melbourne. She appeared on the first four seasons, but did not return for the 2021 run.

However, with casting underway, Pedestrian has reported that Liano is so far the only OG expected to be back.

Rather than bringing back the other ladies – including psychic Jackie Gillies, Traitors star Gamble Breaux or Janet Roach, casting crews are reportedly looking for new faces to join Liano.

Though with the reported focus on humour, it’s suggested Gillies, Breaux and Roach could be invited back, thanks to their hilarious iconic moments from the show over the years.

The source added: “The women who can genuinely make people laugh suddenly became much more valuable again.”

While there is no official word just yet, it’s thought the rebooted series will air next year. Until then, all five seasons of The Real Housewives of Melbourne are available to stream on Hayu.

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Councillor Stephen Holroyd was confirmed as the 132nd Lord Mayor of Leeds on Wednesday, with his partner Simon Mapals serving as Lord Mayor’s Consort for the 2026/27 civic year.

The appointment comes during the 400th anniversary year of Leeds receiving its royal charter.

Born and raised in Wakefield before moving to Leeds in 2014, Cllr Holroyd was elected to represent the Ardsley and Robin Hood ward in 2023.

Before entering local government, he worked in hospitality and financial services, and also serves as a governor at Thorpe Primary School.

“I’m honoured to become the 132nd Lord Mayor of Leeds,” Cllr Holroyd said. “Leeds is an incredibly diverse city, and I’m looking forward to getting out into our communities and meeting as many people as possible, making new friends and drawing people together through celebrating our differences while embracing what binds us together.”

Simon Mapals, who was born and raised in Leeds and manages an established LGBTQ+ venue in the city centre, said: “I’m very honoured to become the Lord Mayor’s Consort and to support Stephen in his mayoral duties. I really look forward to meeting the incredible and diverse communities of our city.”

The incoming Lord Mayor has selected Yorkshire MESMAC and St Gemma’s Hospice as his charities for the year.

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The drag queen, who was announced as a headliner for 2027’s Don’t Tell Mama weekend at Bognor Regis Butlin’s, told of the incident on the 13 May episode of the podcast The Kelly Mantle Show.

“How long after season six was it that RuPaul blocked you on Twitter?” host Kelly Mantle asked Courtney.

“It wasn’t that long,” Courtney replied, explaining that it was around the time she had engaged RuPaul in a conversation about a challenge that featured on her season of the show.

Contestants had paddles that read ‘female’ on one side and a transphobic slur that rhymes with ‘female’ on the other, and were tasked with holding up the paddles when shown pictures of cis and trans women.

 “It went to broadcast but it’s now been edited out of streaming,” Courtney explained.

“That sparked a conversation about the T-slur. And then Ru at that point doubled down and said: ‘If you’re worried about me calling you a word, then you’ve got bigger problems,’” she continued.

“And I was like, ‘Oh, here’s a great opportunity. RuPaul’s going to really respect this. I’m going to write a Facebook post, very thoughtful,’ sent it to my manager, got some edits to take out the temperature and make sure it was open and just saying, like, ‘Oh, you know, I agree in some ways, like I think trans people do have bigger problems than just a word, and I feel like we should be listening to them and focusing on [that].’”

Courtney went on to share how she focused on issues like homelessness and violence, which many trans people have to face “in the real world” that aren’t the same for other members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“I thought this was really thoughtful and Ru is going to appreciate me engaging in an intelligent conversation rather than just internet slander,” she said. “Blocked.”

“Girl, she did a TL;DR, too long, did not read,” replied Kelly Mantle.

‘There’s a fine line between not being open to criticism and biting the hand that feeds you’

When asked if RuPaul ever unblocked Courtney, she confirmed that she did.

“There was a gesture, but there was also a message that came with the gesture,” she said. “Todrick Hall and I were filming some videos together and I told him about the blocking, and he was like, ‘This must be a mistake.’”

Hall offered to message Ru and clear things up. Courtney shared that Ru called him, and Ru and Hall ended up on the phone for almst an hour while Hall paced outside the room.

“Todrick came in and he was like, ‘Well, it wasn’t an accident that she blocked you. And she knows that we’re friends so she asked that I don’t go into the details but she did say that I could tell you: I just don’t like you,’” she said.

RuPaul did eventually unblock Courtney, who admitted that there were no hurt feelings over the incident.

“I kind of get it,” she said. “Like it’s 2014. You’re just trying to do good in the world. You’re giving these queens opportunities. You’re putting them on television. You’re giving them a leg up in the world.

“And then those little b****** go around and like criticise you… There’s a fine line between not being open to criticism and biting the hand that feeds you.”

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As reported by Yorkshire Live, Tracy Clayton, who won a seat representing Colne Valley West earlier this month, has been linked to an X account that allegedly shared memes targeting transgender women, AI-generated political imagery, and posts about Muslim communities.

One resurfaced image posted in March, just weeks before the local election, featured the slur-like addition of “pedosexual” to the LGBTQ+ acronym, echoing a long-running false trope used to associate queer people with child abuse.

The account, reportedly operating under the name “Tracy Clayton Reform UK,” also shared posts questioning climate change and reposted content critics described as racist and discriminatory. Clayton has so far declined to comment publicly, responding “no comment” when approached at a council meeting.

A post from the same account published on 11 May, after the backlash began, said: “All the people that have attacked me, your narrative is boring.”

Clayton is now the second Reform UK councillor elected in Colne Valley West to face scrutiny over alleged social media activity. Fellow newly-elected councillor Stefan Dransfield was recently criticised over a resurfaced 2020 Facebook post under his name showing an Asian man being punched with the caption “very satisfying.”

Kirklees Council noted that the posts attributed to Clayton appear to predate her election and therefore fall outside the council’s formal code of conduct for elected officials.

“Councillors are required to comply with the Council’s Code of Conduct when acting in their capacity as elected members. The unverified screenshots in question appear to be from posts made prior to the individual being elected as a councillor and before they were subject to the Code of Conduct,” a Kirklees Council spokesperson told Yorkshire Live in a 21 May statement.

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In an interview with Kiss on 20 May ahead of the release of his new film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Pascal was asked about non-binary actor Ramsey’s participation in the hit social deduction series.

“Am I going to have to roll in there and mess some people up? Are they going to be messing with them?” Pascal said.

“That’s what I’m saying,” said interviewer Tyler West.

 “That’s my person,” replied Pascal.

The actor appears to have total faith in Ramsey’s gameplay on the show. “They’re so smart,” he said. “Bella’s the smartest person I know. I think Bella’s going to slay that castle.”

When asked if he had any advice for Ramsey in terms of Traitors strategy, Pascal admitted that he would probably “just mess it up for Bella”.

“They’re way smarter than me so I have all the trust in the world,” he said. “They’ve also got the best heart out of anyone I know so maybe it’s: kill them with kindness.

“Those little suckers,” he continued, referring to their fellow celebrity competitors. “They dare mess with them!”

Celebrity Traitors series 2 cast

The rest of the Celebrity Traitors season 2 cast was announced on 2 May, and Game of Thrones and The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey isn’t the only queer person in the line-up.

They will also be joined by pansexual comedian Joe Lycett, queer Industry star Myha’la and gay Heartstopper actor Sebastian Croft.

Other confirmed cast members include James Blunt, Amol Rajan, Hannah Fry, James Acaster, Jerry Hall, Joanne McNally, Julie Hesmondhalgh, King Kenny, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Maya Jama, Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart, Richard E Grant, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Ross Kemp and Sharon Rooney.

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Alexa Bartell, 20, had been on her way to see her girlfriend Jenna when three boys drove past her at 80-90mph and threw a 4kg rock through her windscreen. The rock hit her, and she crashed into a nearby field, dying at the scene. Mother Kelly never got to see her daughter again, as the funeral home said Alexa’s injuries were so severe.

Speaking to The Sun, Kelly has shared the devastating moment on April 19, 2023 that she discovered what had happened to her daughter, who came out as gay to her when she was 17.

She recalls being woken up at 10,30pm by Alexa’s girlfriend. “Jenna told me she had been on the phone to Alexa while she was driving before she had been cut off,” she said. “She had tried calling back but hadn’t been able to get in touch.”

Kelly saw that Alexa was in a field after looking at a location app, and her sister Robyn suggested Alexa may have broken down.

Tragically, she got another call from Jenna. “When I heard her scream a cold shiver ran down my body,” Kelly said.

Kelly arrived arrived at the scene to find emergency services including police, fire crews and ambulances.

At that time, they didn’t know exactly what had happened, but Alexa was pronounced dead at the scene. She said: “My worst nightmare had become a reality. My girl was gone.”

Investigation into Alexa’s death

Three 18-year-old men – Joseph Koenig, Zachary Kwak, and Nicholas Karol-Chik – were arrested a week later. A number of reports had been made about rocks being thrown from a passing car, and while there had been others injured, Alexa sadly died as a result.

The trial took place two years later, with Kwak and Karol-Chik, both 20 at the time, testifying that Koenig, then 21, was the one to throw the rock.

As a result, their charges were reduced.

Karol-Chik pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, criminal attempt to commit murder and a crime of violence, and was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Kwak pleaded guilty to two assault charges and criminal attempt to commit assault, being sentenced to 32 years behind bars.

Koenig, after a jury found him guilty of murder and 18 other charges, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Kelly said: “I often think back to the night Alexa died and I’m so glad something told me to give her that extra hug.”

‘The sun in everybody’s life’

In May 2025, during Karol-Chik’s sentencing, Alexa’s girlfriend Jenna shared a statement.

She said: “She was more than great, and she taught everybody to be great. She was kind, she was the sun in everybody’s life.

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Trans and LGBTQ+ organisations are urging new Health Secretary James Murray to reverse restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare for young people, including calls to resume research into puberty blockers. The demands follow Murray being sworn in as Health Secretary after Wes Streeting resigned on 3 May.

TransActual and nine other LGBTQ+ youth advocacy organisations previously wrote to Streeting urging him to reverse course and listen to trans young people affected by his decisions. The organisations also called on NHS England medical director James Palmer to end restrictions on gender-affirming care for youth and guarantee timely, comprehensive care for all trans patients on an informed-consent basis.

FFLAG’s trustees said: “We encourage James Murray to engage with and listen hard to the voices of those most affected by these policies – trans people and their families.” They added: “We urge him to reverse the restrictions on gender-affirming care for young people, and ensure the NHS provides timely, holistic care to all trans people, on the basis of informed consent.”

Mermaids said: “We hope that the new Health Secretary will take the time to listen to and engage with trans young people, who are currently being failed.” The charity has called for NHS maximum waits to align with the 18-week standard in the NHS Constitution, and urged Murray to reverse restrictions on gender-affirming care for young people, including resuming the PATHWAYS trial into puberty-suppressing hormones.

What trans groups want next

TransActual said Streeting oversaw “a worsening crisis in trans healthcare” and called for “ending the ban on puberty blockers immediately, reinstating access to HRT on the NHS for under 18s in England and Wales, and building a healthcare system that works for all trans people”.

As per The Mirror, TransActual are “in the process of reaching out to the new Health Secretary and hope to meet with him soon”.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The NHS is for everyone, and we are committed to ensuring that transgender people receive high-quality care holistic care.” They added: “This government will continue to be led by evidence on gender services, and the safety of children and young people always comes first.”

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The remarks were made in a 2022 sermon uploaded to YouTube by the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Daniel Centre Church in Slough, Berkshire. In the video, a preacher identified as “Pastor Praise” warned of the supposed “homosexualisation of children,” repeatedly associating gay men with child abuse and claiming LGBTQ+ visibility would have “deadly” consequences for young people.

In the video, ‘Pastor Praise’ says: “The problem of rape right now in the world of our children is the fact that boys no longer rape girls. More boys now rape boys.”

The church is registered with the Charity Commission under the category “advancement of religion,” which means it receives charitable status and public subsidy through UK tax exemptions.

“Taxpayer money should not be subsidising this repugnant rhetoric,” National Secular Society spokesperson Alejandro Sanchez said, adding that some religious charities are allowed to promote views “other kinds of charities would not be able to promote,” as reported by Metro.

Wider scrutiny of Mountain of Fire and Miracles

The controversy has also reignited scrutiny of the wider Mountain of Fire and Miracles network.

In 2017, one of the organisation’s Liverpool branches was reportedly found to have practised conversion therapy involving prayer and starvation. Another church leader, pastor Raphael Olushola Peters, for the church in Belfast, previously compared homosexuality to “offering children as sacrifices” in a 2022 Facebook post.

The Charity Commission says it is now assessing concerns via a spokesperson: “Concerns have been raised with us about video content linked to MFM Daniel Centre Church and we are assessing this to determine any role for the Commission as charity regulator.”

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State Sen. Steven Heffernan, the Republican senator for Addison elected in 2024, made the remarks on 15 May during discussion of House Bill 578, as per the Washington Blade.

On the floor, Heffernan said: “In these crazy times, what happens if the individual identifies as an animal having intercourse with an animal? How is the courts going to handle that?”

He then referenced Vermont’s passage of “Prop Four”, adding: “Being that we voted through Prop Four, and if it does make it through this state, and I have a gender identity that I identify as a dog and had sex with my dog, is this law going to affect me?”

Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky, the Democratic lawmaker who presented the legislation, responded by outlining what the bill would criminalise. “The bill that we are putting forward in the current law is quite clear that any act between a person and an animal that involves contact with the mouth, sex organ, or anus of the person, and the mouth, sex organ, or anus of the animal, without a bona fide veterinary purpose, will be a crime,” she said.

Vyhovsky’s response

After the exchange, Vyhovsky said Heffernan’s comments were deliberate. “Senator Heffernan knew exactly what he was doing,” she said.

“Sen. Heffernan is using the same dehumanising playbook that has been used against LGBTQ+ people for generations – the false, ugly suggestion that queer and trans identity is synonymous with deviance and harm. It was wrong then and it is wrong now.”

Democrats demand apology

Vermont Senate Democrats condemned Heffernan’s remarks and demanded an apology. “In the wake of Sen. Heffernan’s comments, the stakes of this election couldn’t be more clear,” they said.

“Transgender and non-binary Vermonters are our neighbours, our friends, and our family members. On Friday, Sen. Heffernan used his platform as an elected official representing the people of Vermont to dehumanise them. Senate Democrats will never stop fighting for dignity for all Vermonters. We demand Senator Heffernan apologise to those he has harmed with his words and actions.”

The caucus also pointed to 4 November as the date voters will be asked to pass Proposal 4 (PR 4), a proposed constitutional amendment. In March, Heffernan left the floor before a vote on the measure and was marked absent as it passed the Senate 29-0, after the House passed it 128-14.

Mistaken identity

The tactic of suggesting someone could identify as an animal in an attempt to make a mockery of trans and non-binary people is sadly nothing new.

In 2019, Ofcom, the television regulator in the UK, received 950 complaints after Piers Morgan said during a Good Morning Britain discussion about gender that he had decided to identify as a “two-spirit penguin”.

The complaints were rejected and Morgan was cleared of any wrongdoing.

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Plaza’s pregnancy was confirmed in early April, with a source telling People the couple “feel very blessed”, adding: “It was a beautiful surprise after an emotional year.”

Now, Abbott, also an actor and best known for appearing in Girls, has spoken publicly about the pregnancy.

He was appearing on the Today show, when host Jenna Bush Hager congratulated him on the baby news.

The 40-year-old thanked the presenters for their well-wishes and congratulations, adding: “It’s very exciting.”

Plaza and Abbott’s happy news came a year after the death of her husband Jeff Baena, who was found dead in his home on 3 January, 2025.

Who is Christopher Abbott?

Aubrey Plaza’s new man Christopher Abbott is an actor, best known for his work in Girls as Charlie Dattolo.

He has also appeared in countless movies, including Poor Things and Kraven the Hunter.

Abbott also made his Broadway debut in 2011 with The House of Blue Leaves and this year has starred in the 2026 Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman.

He and Plaza have starred alongside each other in Off-Broadway show Danny and the Deep Blue Sea in 2023, and in the 2020 film Black Bear.

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Frank became the first gay member of Congress to come out voluntarily when he publicly declared his sexual orientation in 1987.

“Prejudice is based on ignorance,” Frank told The Boston Globe in 2011. “And the best way to counterbalance it is with a living example, with reality.”

In 2012, at age 72, Frank married Jim Ready and became the first sitting member of Congress to wed someone of the same sex.

He insisted his male partner be invited to all events where other representatives’ spouses were welcome, normalising same-sex relationships in the halls of power.

Frank died on Tuesday at his home in Maine after entering hospice care with congestive heart failure.

Barney Frank remembered

Frank was up against a lot of bigotry during his career, being referred to as “Barney F**” by Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey in 1995 (he claimed it was a slip of the tongue), and of having a “radical homosexual agenda” by Republican John Hostettler in 2006.

He responded by saying he did have a list of things he would like to see for LGBT people, including “the right to marry the individual of our choice; the right to serve in the military to defend our country; and the right to a job based solely on our own qualifications”. And while he accepted it was an “agenda”, he said it was not “radical”.

Frank also believed in outing a closeted politician while they were using their position to harm LGBT people. He said on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher: “I think there’s a right to privacy. But the right to privacy should not be a right to hypocrisy. And people who want to demonise other people shouldn’t then be able to go home and close the door and do it themselves.”

Of course, his words have caused some controversy – especially recently, during his final interview from hospice care.

He said that the Democrats should take a step away from transgender rights and issues, but added: “That’s the approach the transgender community should take to male-to-female transgenders playing in women’s sports. That’s very controversial.

“Other issues are, I think more important, but also less toxic. Like getting good medical care, guaranteeing that to people. Guaranteeing people the right to designate their genders.”

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The Wicked star received the honour from Prince William during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, calling the recognition “an honour I could never have thought would happen”, in a post to her social media.

Erivo added: “I hope it shows that I care deeply about the work and will continue to do so to the best of my abilities.”

Erivo was named in King Charles’ 2026 New Year Honours List alongside stars including Idris Elba and Ellie Goulding.

The Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner first broke out on Broadway in The Color Purple in 2015 before becoming an international star thanks to projects like Harriet and her acclaimed portrayal of Elphaba in the Wicked films.

The actress shows no signs of slowing down, either. Following her recent return to the stage in Dracula, Erivo is next set to star in the highly anticipated fantasy adaptation Children of Blood and Bone, which is slated to premiere in 2027.

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The steamy heterosexual ice hockey series earned instant ‘hit’ status when it landed on the streaming platform last week, but eyes have now turned to the book series on which it was based.

As a result, some fans have been raising their eyebrows at the way author Elle Kennedy has depicted lesbians.

BookTok creator Alyssa, known as alyssaslibrary, posted a video on 4 May ahead of the series’ release calling Kennedy out for “fetishisation of lesbian relationships” in her Off Campus series.

Alyssa started the video highlighting how Kennedy, who has also written MLM romance, responded to a message on X from a reader asking her when they can expect her to dabble in WLW, or sapphic, college romance.

“Unfortunately F/F really isn’t something I’m interested in writing, sorry!” she replied in a post dated 15 May 2019.

“It’s really interesting to see because she has written so many instances in the Off Campus series of women making out with women, specifically for the gain of male attention, male attraction, and just sexualising them,” Alyssa said.

Alyssa then shared a quote from Kennedy’s book The Mistake, which featured Logan as the male main character. Logan is the best friend of college hockey player Garrett, who stars as the main character in the Off Campus TV series.

The quote reads: “I glance around the room again. My gaze lands in the corner, where two girls in jeans and bras are making out while one of the Omega Phi guys films the passionate display with his iPhone. The sight makes me stifle a groan. Ten bucks says that video will end up on one of those free porn sites.”

“One, that’s absolutely disgusting,” Alyssa responds. “Two, I cannot. That’s actually disgusting.”

The BookToker then reads aloud an excerpt from the 2016 book The Score. “It’s Friday night, and I’m sprawled on my living room couch, sipping a beer while two blondes – two very hot, very naked blondes – suck each other’s tongues in front of me. My life is awesome,” the passage reads. “‘Best night ever,’ I drawl. My gaze is glued to the trajectory of Kelly’s hands as they glide towards Michelle’s perky t***. Kelly squeezes, and I groan.”

Alyssa continues reading two more excerpts that involve male characters watching or thinking about women making out with each other, noting that the books they were from were all written before Kennedy’s post about not being interested in writing sapphic romance.

“I am so disgusted that people still are reading and recommending these books, but I know people don’t know about these quotes because they’ve only read the first book and a lot of this isn’t mentioned in the first book; it’s mentioned in later books,” Alyssa explains.

“Throughout these quotes, Elle Kennedy, obviously, you can see that she writes F/F relationships. However incredibly awful that is, it is truly so awful, but only in a way to sexually satisfy men that is seen throughout these quotes.”

Alyssa concludes: “I just think everybody needs to put these books down for good. Nobody needs to recommend them, don’t watch the TV show, it is truly awful.”

At the time of writing, the video has gained over 375,000 views. Other TikTok users responded to the accusations in the comments.

“I was going to defend her by saying she doesn’t have to write about something that she’s not interested in, so thank you for citing examples,” one wrote. “She’s forever off my TBR now, and I won’t be watching the show.”

“This is really making me wish I could make myself write all of the sapphic books that I’ve thought about,” said another.

A third wrote: “I’m so glad you shared this because I remember everyone talking about this for a while and then all of the conversation disappeared when the trailer for the show dropped?”

Another user who spoke about Kennedy’s WLW representation was BookTok creator diariesofafemme, known as Amivi.

Posting a video following a series casting announcement, they said: “Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series has been cast and while her fans are crashing out over the casting choices I’m going to come on here again and tell you guys how that book series is lesbophobic and Elle Kennedy is a whole-a** weirdo.”

They also then went on to cite excerpts from Kennedy’s books to back up their claims. “If the only time you write sapphic relationships into your books is for the men in your books to get off to, that is fetishisation. That is disgusting.”

Amivi continued: “And the fact that this series is being made into a TV show and yet we have a lot of sapphic books that have been picked up for adaptation, but we have no news on them, but we’re gonna get this lesbophobic-a** book made into a TV show? Okay.”

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South Carolina governor Henry McMaster has signed House Bill 4756, a “privacy” law that allows schools to treat outdoor porta-potties as an acceptable single-occupancy toilet option for trans students if no indoor single-user bathroom is available.

The Campaign for Southern Equality warned in an Instagram post that the measure could make going to the toilet “difficult and even dangerous” for trans and non-binary young people.

The bill, titled the South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act, requires multi-person bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing facilities in public K-12 schools and public colleges be designated for use by one sex only. Sex is defined in the bill as “biological sex observed or verified at birth”, according to ABC Columbia.

The law allows trans students to use single-occupancy restrooms. If a school does not have one, it can designate porta-potties outside as a single-occupancy restroom instead.

Ahead of the signing, the Campaign for Southern Equality said: “This bill will do nothing to make our schools safer. Rather, it will make using the bathroom a difficult and even dangerous experience for trans and non-binary youth, who are extremely likely to be bullied and harassed when using the bathroom.”

What the law covers

Beyond toilets and changing rooms, the law also dictates sleeping arrangements on campus or school-sponsored overnight trips. It says students cannot be required to share sleeping quarters with “members of the opposite sex” unless they are family members.

Schools and institutions have until the start of the 2026-2027 academic year to implement the requirements. Those that fail to do so could end up with a 25% cut in state school funding.

Nancy Mace backs the bill

Republican US representative Nancy Mace praised the law in a statement, saying: “This is a commonsense law that protects our daughters in South Carolina’s schools and universities. Men do not belong in women’s bathrooms. Men do not belong in women’s locker rooms. South Carolina got this right.”

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In her new memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, the actress describes being led into a private cabin by a close friend, only to find a “famous thirtysomething British singer-songwriter” waiting shirtless in bed.

Panettiere, who came out as bisexual earlier this month, says her friend told her to “get in bed with him” before leaving the room, leaving the actress shocked and disoriented.

She reflected on growing up in the entertainment industry and how it had conditioned her to ignore her instincts and trust the adults around her.

Panettiere says she quickly realised the situation was unsafe and told the man: “This is not going to happen,” before leaving the room and packing to leave the yacht entirely.

Looking back on the incident years later during an 11 May appearance on the On Purpose podcast, she said she now understands how vulnerable she really was at 18, despite believing she was mature at the time.

The Heroes star also explained to The Hollywood Reporter why she chose not to publicly identify certain people involved, saying she wanted to protect herself from legal retaliation and avoid further trauma. “Things happened a long time ago, but it was to protect me and my company from being sued by some very p***** off famous people,” she said.

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