Minaj joined Trump on stage at the rally in Michigan on 25 October, after telling the audience he’d been looking at her “beautiful a**”, saying: “That’s hard to miss.”

The “Starships” rapper, 43, has previously spoken out against gender-affirming surgery for trans minors, despite the fact that these types of surgeries are rarely ever performed on those under-18 in the US.

At the Michigan rally, part of the campaign for Senate candidate Mike Rogers and gubernatorial candidate John James, Minaj once again spoke of trans minors.

She told the audience: “We don’t want our children to be bombarded with sex changes, right? We don’t want that for our children. We want people to leave the children alone. Leave them out of it.”

Minaj, who has fallen foul with much of her LGBTQ+ fanbase since cosying up to Trump, also addressed the president.

She said: “President Trump, it is an honour to stand with you every single time. And I will continue to support you forever and ever. If you run again, I will support you again.”

That’s not likely under the current rules in the US, as he is serving his second term as president. Individuals are banned from being elected as president more than twice under the current 22nd Amendment rules.

Nicki Minaj on gender-affirming surgeries

In February this year, Minaj spoke on The Katie Miller Podcast about why she was opposed to California governor Gavin Newsom, who has shown support for trans youth.

She said: “I want to make it clear. I personally don’t have an issue with the trans part of the LGBT at all.

“I am the biggest advocate for adults being able to do whatever the heck they wanna do, they’re adults. I don’t care.”

She went on: “Ninety-nine per cent of the parents would not let their 17-year-old child get breast implants. If you wouldn’t let a child get breast implants, you’re not gonna want them to have any kind of surgery. We all know the brain is not developed.”

“MAGA Minaj”

A number of famous faces from the LGBTQ+ community have since spoken out against Minaj.

RuPaul’s Drag Race star Heidi N Closet told PinkNews in May that she could “feel the tension” when Minaj was a guest judge on her season. She told us: “We lost ‘MAGA Minaj’, it’s so unfortunate. But at least we know where she stands now, and there we have it. It’s quite a shame.”

Similarly, Pose star Billy Porter reacted to Minaj’s closeness with Trump and criticism of gender-affirming care, saying: “F*** her.” He went on: “When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.”

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

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The Iowa state representative released the ad on 24 October, ahead of the November midterm elections. In the video, Turek also reiterates his opposition to transgender women competing in women’s sports, saying: “I’m against taxpayers paying for sex changes too. Anyone tells you any different is lying.”

The proposal has drawn particular concern because it appears to extend beyond restrictions on care for transgender minors, potentially affecting access to gender-affirming healthcare for adults as well.

What would Turek’s proposal mean for trans healthcare?

Turek opens the advert by discussing his experiences of being bullied as a child because of his disability.

“As a kid in a wheelchair, I faced my share of bullying. It’s why I believe that no Iowan should face discrimination,” he says.

However, he subsequently pivots to transgender people, arguing that rules are necessary in sport and opposing the use of taxpayer money for gender-affirming care.

“It’s why I oppose males competing in female sports, something that is already illegal in Iowa,” he says, before adding that he is “against taxpayers paying for sex changes too”.

The advert concludes with Turek calling for an end to what he describes as “the nonsense from both extremes” and a renewed focus on lowering costs for Iowans. It briefly shows Democratic congresswoman Becca Balint, who is first woman and first out LGBTQ+ person to represent Vermont in the US House of Representatives, questioning Attorney General Pam Bondi about survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Turek’s proposal has been compared to a so-called “transgender Hyde Amendment”, a policy that would broadly restrict federal funding for gender-affirming care much like the historic Hyde Amendment, the legislative provision first enacted in 1976 that blocks the use of federal funds to pay for abortion services with certain exceptions.

Erin In The Morning via Substack points out that such a restriction could affect access to treatment through programmes and institutions including Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans Affairs healthcare, federally subsidised Affordable Care Act insurance plans and federal hospitals. It could also affect funding for research into gender-affirming healthcare.

The consequences would depend on the precise scope of any legislation and how it was implemented. However, restricting federal funding could make treatment unaffordable or inaccessible for some transgender people who rely on publicly supported healthcare.

The proposal is also broader than restrictions that specifically target transgender young people, as Turek’s campaign ad does not limit its opposition to minors.

Transgender advocates condemn the advert

The ad has prompted criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates, including Tyler Hack, executive director of the Christopher Street Project, an organisation that supports pro-transgender candidates.

“Turek’s stance is cruel, electorally misguided, and out of step with his own party,” Hack said.

He added that Democrats and LGBTQ+ organisations needed to speak out against the proposal to maintain the trust of transgender voters.

Turek’s campaign is part of a wider trend of Democratic candidates in competitive races adopting more restrictive positions on transgender rights. A Reuters report published earlier this month found that Democrats in closely contested Midwestern races were pursuing different approaches to transgender issues, with some embracing more conservative messaging.

In Iowa, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand has opposed transgender girls competing in girls’ sports, while congressional candidate Sarah Trone Garriott has campaigned against allowing what she describes as men in women’s locker rooms.

Other Democratic candidates have taken a different approach, declining to support restrictions on transgender people despite political pressure over the issue.

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Details about the show are under wraps at the moment, though Ryan Murphy revealed earlier this year that he had already written a script and approached some of the OG stars.

Lea Michele is reportedly confirmed to return as Rachel Berry, while a handful of other cast members have also appeared to announce their come backs.

The musical comedy, which ran for six seasons between 2010 and 2015, featured a number of tribute episodes to artists including Britney Spears and Madonna, as well as theatre classics like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Grease. It also tackled difficult issues and storylines – though often used language that would almost certainly be deemed problematic nowadays.

In the more than 10 years since Glee ended, the landscape of music has completely changed. There is a whole new generation of It Girls in pop, K-Pop has boomed globally, and whether or not a song inspires a TikTok dance trend determines its popularity.

Glee fans have already been sharing their predictions on social media, and it’s got everyone excited.

So with that in mind, I got thinking of songs I need to see on the Glee reboot.

Rachel Berry singing Raye’s “Where Is My Husband!”

The last we saw of Rachel Berry, she was an award-winning actress on Broadway, carrying Kurt and Blaine’s baby, and married to Jesse St James.

She never was all that lucky in love, and Jesse (played by Jonathan Groff) was never really all that of a good person.

A common theory among Gleeks is that Jesse will have left Rachel, and she’ll be single all over again.

But, pining after him, she’ll belt out a rendition of Raye’s “Where Is My Husband!”

It would also be a fun nod to Groff’s time in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s all-male As You Like It. If you know you know, that’s all we’ll say.

Rachel Berry singing Sabrina Carpenter’s “Taste”

After Rachel finally gets over Jesse, she’ll end up on a downward spiral when he moves on with a younger, more talented lady.

And Sabrina Carpenter’s “Taste” would be her perfect tearful revenge song.

Bonus points if Carpenter makes a cameo as Jesse’s new girlfriend.

Sue Sylvester singing JoJo Siwa’s “Karma”

Jane Lynch’s return as Sue Sylvester hasn’t been confirmed, though the actor shared news of the reboot on her Instagram Story, suggesting she was excited.

The last we saw of the problematic villain, she was the first female Vice President of the US. Speaking in 2022, Lynch told The Guardian that her character “would be MAGA”.

Now, fast-forward to the reboot. Imagine she’s found herself on the outs with Trump and has been left licking her wounds back in Lima, Ohio.

One TikTok user suggested the perfect track for her return: JoJo Siwa’s “Karma”. And honestly, perfection.

Brittany S Pierce singing KATSEYE’s “Gnarly”

Heather Morris was not one of the better singers on Glee, with her main sell being her dancing and choreography.

Her character, Brittany S Pierce, was also often in a world of her own, with her songs not requiring the powerhouse vocals of some of her co-stars.

That’s why KATSEYE’s “Gnarly” is perfect. I’m hoping for literally any KATSEYE song, but “Gnarly” would be a great choice for ditzy Brittany, with most of it made up of talk-singing, instead allowing Morris to nail the ready made choreo.

Rachel Berry, Tina Cohen Chang and Brittany S Pierce singing “Golden” From KPop Demon Hunters

There will surely be some K-Pop. The original show featured “Gangnam Style” by PSY, but the likes of BTS and Blackpink have blown up around the world since then.

And, of course, Netflix movie KPop Demon Hunters became a smash hit, especially its song “Golden”.

Lea Michele’s Rachel Berry definitely has the vocals to do the song justice, but she’ll probably perform it with Jenna Ushkowitz’ Tina Cohen-Chang, who is a Korean character, and Brittany S Pierce as her back-ups, because of course Rachel has to be the star.

It might even be part of a full K-Pop episode. But they’d probably do the English versions of the chosen songs, to avoid butchering pronunciation and being potentially offensive.

Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson singing Troye Sivan’s “Rush”

Chris Colfer and Darren Criss haven’t exactly confirmed they’ll be reprising their roles of Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson, but after they recently reunited to perform one of their Glee songs, fans are hopeful.

They were about to become parents, with Rachel Berry serving as their surrogate.

Fast-forward, their marriage is at a bit of a low-point, burnt out from being dads to a young child.

They decide to try and get their spark back, taking a couple’s trip to West Hollywood where, in a vodka soda-fuelled moment of euphoria, they perform a duet to Troye Sivan’s “Rush” in a sweaty gay club.

I can already see the Emmy nomination.

Rachel Berry singing Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club”

Of course, Rachel will have to go to WeHo with Kurt and Blaine after offering to babysit.

But while she’s left at home, heartbroken still from Jesse inevitably leaving her, she has a moment of clarity. That doesn’t have to be her life!

What will start off as a low-energy performance, Rachel will eventually get all fired up and head on out to join Kurt and Blaine singing Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club”.

It’ll end abruptly when Kurt and Blaine ask who’s at home looking after their kid.

Sam Evans singing Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things”

Chord Overstreet is one of the OGs who has seemed he has signed up for the reboot.

At the end of Glee, Sam had taken over as coach of the New Directions and was single, but seemingly keen on rekindling things with Mercedes Jones, played by Amber Riley.

Now, I can’t imagine Riley will return to the show – especially if Lea Michele is coming back. But it’s likely Mercedes will be mentioned, at least.

That leaves the door open for Sam to sing Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things”, as he gets a call from an off-screen Mercedes, ending their relationship yet again.

It would definitely cater to the TikTok generation, and, just like Benson Boone, Sam took his shirt off a lot.

Mr Schue singing Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage”

Speaking of TikTok, Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” was huge on the app during lockdown.

Nobody needs to see Covid on television again, I beg, but I wouldn’t put it past the Glee writers to have Will Schuester being a wannabe TikTok star in the reboot.

According to Deadline, Matthew Morrison is hopeful he’ll be a part of the reboot, and this would be a perfect way to give him a cameo appearance.

He could return to McKinley – because he absolutely would not have lasted as the principal – and try to inspire a new generation of the New Directions, showing how down with the kids he is… by performing a song that was a trend years ago.

Mr Schue would do the full TikTok choreo and embarrass himself, thinking he was living his dream as a real life influencer. And we would all love to see it.

So, Ryan Murphy, if you’re looking for ideas, feel free to take inspiration from these suggestions…

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

The post 9 songs we need on Glee reboot as fans make hilarious predictions appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The official result was set out in the TSE announcement of Lula’s re-election. It said Lula won 64,256,232 votes (51.79% of valid votes), while Flávio Bolsonaro received 59,826,041 votes (48.21%).

Speaking to supporters after the result was called, Lula said: “I want to tell you that, as we win elections, we no longer have adversaries. I have to govern for 215 million… I have to govern for all cities.”

What were the official vote and turnout figures?

The TSE said more than 158 million voters were eligible to vote in the second round, and that 128.2 million people turned out.

Abstention was put at around 19.2%, below the 21.08% recorded in the first round.

With 100% of the vote counted, Brazil’s electoral court announced that Lula’s lead was nearly 4.4 million votes.

What has Flávio Bolsonaro said and what happens next?

Flávio Bolsonaro rejected the election result, as Lula called for the country to move on from the campaign.

Lula is a left-wing politician and long-time leader of the Workers’ Party (PT), and a polarising figure in Brazil. He previously served as president in the 2000s and returned to office after defeating Jair Bolsonaro in 2022.

Flávio Bolsonaro, a senator and the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, campaigned on a tough-on-crime message. While campaigning, he promised Brazil would sign up to the Shield of the Americas, a US-led security initiative targeting so-called “narco-terrorism”.

When Lula defeated Jair Bolsonaro in 2022, the election victory was confirmed by Brazil’s Supreme Electoral Court.

The post Lula re-elected as Brazil president as opponent Flávio Bolsonaro rejects result appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

New additions to the ensemble include Grace Chow and Nadine Garner, alongside Elaine Crombie, Sara West, Claude Jabbour, Daniel Henshall, Laura Gordon, Thom Green and Chika Ikogwe.

They join returning Wentworth favourites Katrina Milosevic as fan-favourite Susan “Boomer” Jenkins, Nicole da Silva as sapphic icon Franky Doyle, as well as Kate Box as Lou Kelly. Other cast members named so far include Rachel Griffiths as Moira, Sophie Lowe as Sam, Alex King as Dee and Chenile Chandler as Lily.

In the trailer, which dropped five years to the day that the Wentworth finale aired, Boomer is released from prison, with Officer Linda “Smiles” Miles seeing her off. In the clip, she tells Smiles: “Nearly forgot… can you pass this on to the girls for me,” before adding: “I’m out, b******!”

What is Wentworth: Halfway Home about?

In the sequel series, Boomer turns up at Sal’s Halfway House newly released on parole, and is set on winning custody of her daughter.

When a body turns up, distrust starts to spread among the residents.

Production is currently under way in Melbourne, with the series set to air later this year on Binge in Australia.

There is currently no news about its UK release, but the original series aired on 5Star over here.

Wentworth ran for eight seasons from 2013 to 2021, becoming an international cult hit. The series is a reimagining of the classic Australian soap Prisoner (also known as Prisoner: Cell Block H), and is known for its high-stakes twists, intense rivalries and standout ensemble performances, as well as its depiction of queer relationships and characters.

Who is joining the cast?

Garner, who is playing a character called Josie Simmons, described joining the franchise as “a real thrill”.

“For many years I had friends and colleagues creating and working on Wentworth … It became a solid fixture of screen work in Victoria,” she said, as per Deadline. “I admired the show from afar and the incredible world that they had built as a team. I never dreamed I would be stepping into this next chapter and am so grateful for the opportunity to carry forward the story for their dedicated audience. It’s a real thrill for me.”

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

The post Wentworth: Halfway Home teaser sees Boomer walks free as new cast announced appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Speaking on the Alchemy with Anthony Mason podcast, Taylor said: “I got four Emmy nominations, and they never gave me a raise. They usually do.”

Taylor played Evelyn Harper, mum of Charlie (played by Charlie Sheen) and Alan (Jon Cryer), on the sitcom. She said money was a key factor in her decision to stop renewing her deal after season six, choosing instead to return only when it suited her.

“They never paid me very well on that show. I was paid on that show what I had made on a series like eight years before or something,” said Taylor, who is in a long-term relationship with actress Sarah Paulson.

‘I only did it if I wanted to’

Taylor said she made a deliberate choice to step away from being tied to the show full-time.

“When the six years were up, I said, ‘I don’t want to be on a contract anymore, but I will visit the show occasionally if you want,’” she recalled. “I mean, I did play the boys’ mother.”

She also described how it worked once she was no longer under contract, saying the production would ask if she could do a guest appearance on a specific date, and she would simply decline if she could not.

“I only did it if I wanted to do it,” she said.

Taylor added: “I loved a lot about that show, but they were not full of courtesies.”

‘They said, “We can’t afford to give you more”’

Taylor said the show’s team seemed to think she was negotiating, and told her they could not afford to increase her pay.

She replied: “You could actually pay me the cost of this building, but don’t bother because I don’t want to continue on under contract.”

Taylor said the back-and-forth continued, with the production insisting: “But we can’t afford to give you more.” Taylor said she responded: “I’m cool with it. I just will come back as a guest from time to time.”

Taylor went on to claim that Cryer did get a pay rise, though, saying: “Jon quadrupled his salary or something like that,.”

Two and a Half Men ran for 12 seasons on CBS between 2003 and 2015.

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

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The “Starships” rapper made another appearance alongside apparent BFF Trump, as she continues her public parade for MAGA.

Minaj, 43, appeared alongside Trump at a campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan, as part of the Republican campaign ahead of the forthcoming midterm elections.

Before she addressed the crowd, Trump commented on her appearance from the stage, telling supporters: “By the way, I looked at one hell of a beautiful a** before… Nicki Minaj. That’s hard to miss.”

After the audience applauded, he continued: “Stand up. That’s hard to miss. I hope Nicki was not insulted but we love Nicki. She has been with us for a long time.”

Minaj later used the moment to praise Trump’s economic achievements.

Is Nicki Minaj the new White House Press Secretary?

White House director of communications Steven Cheung shared footage on X talking about “tough” Trump’s economic plan, suggesting she could be the next press secretary.

Cheung posted the clip on Sunday (25 October) and wrote: “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we may have found the new White House Press Secretary!”

Minaj then responded on X with an American flag and sweating emoji.

Trump needs a new press secretary after Katie Zachaira was let go after just five days, with her only media briefing lasting approximately 15 minutes. She is the shortest-serving White House Press Secretary ever.

Her briefing saw backlash from both the Democrats and Republicans, with her appearing nervous and accidentally referring to her husband as the president.

‘MAGA’ Minaj

Minaj’s palliness with Trump has repeatedly sparked online debate. In January, her awkward on-stage appearance with Trump prompted a wave of backlash, while, in February, Trump also praised Minaj’s “beautiful skin” during a Black History Month speech.

The Trinidadian-born US rapper broke through with Pink Friday (2010) and is known for crossover hits including “Super Bass” and “Anaconda”, plus a highly organised fanbase, the Barbz.

Many of her Barbz, who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, have turned their backs on the star following her comments about trans children.

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

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Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and history student Emmeline Hague-Wright said the pins were removed from their appearance earlier in 2026. The episode was initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August 2026, delayed twice, and eventually aired on 7 September 2026.

The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ Pride flag, the bisexual Pride flag and a rainbow feather.

Carlier said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.”

He also described the decision as “weird” and “absurd”, and questioned how “impartiality” is being applied. Carlier said he contacted the BBC to ask why the pins had been removed, was directed to the BBC complaints website, and filed a complaint. He said he had not received a response explaining the edit.

Why did the BBC remove the Pride pins?

A BBC spokesperson said the broadcaster advises against visible symbols during filming, citing its editorial rules.

“In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme,” the spokesperson said.

The BBC also stated that the episode’s delays had nothing to do with the decision to edit out the pins.

An ITV Studios spokesperson said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.”

Contestant expected a support call over online transphobia

Hague-Wright said she was contacted by the BBC and expected a welfare or support call, because she understood there had been online transphobia in response to a previous University Challenge episode. Instead, she said she was told her feather pin would be removed and that the episodes would be delayed.

“At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. Hague-Wright also linked the repeated scheduling changes to the edit, adding: “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.”

In 2023, the BBC faced criticism after it reissued guidance advising some news staff not to attend ‘overt’ Pride protests.

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The Australian conservationist, 22, appeared on the BBC chat show alongside the Prince of Wales, 44, to talk about William’s Earthshot Prize environmental award. Next month, Mumbai will stage the Earthshot Prize ceremony, with £5million in prize money set to be awarded.

The conversation quickly took a turn when Irwin’s sizzling Bonds campaign appeared on screen, leaving him looking at his own underwear modelling shots with a future king sitting next to him.

“I can’t believe I’m looking at these with Prince William,” Irwin, the “proud” LGBTQ+ ally, said. He went on: “Australia’s hot, you can’t wear too much!”

Asked if he had seen the images before, William replied: “I’m still thinking about your python,” as Irwin appeared to go bright red and face-plant into the sofa.

Robert Irwin’s Bonds underwear campaign

Irwin told the show the shoot was about more than just posing for the camera in his pants.

“It was an underwear commercial, obviously, but I wanted to kind of create a conservation element to it,” he said. “I believe in bringing the message to an audience that might not ordinarily be in that world. But seriously, what matters to me is the snake in that image, wildlife was showcased.”

The Bonds advert was shot in Irwin’s garden at his home in Australia Zoo, with snakes and spiders crawling over the conservationist.

Irwin has built a public profile through wildlife conservation work and TV appearances, following in the footsteps of his late father, Steve Irwin.

He saw his stardom skyrocket in the US last year when he competed on and won Dancing With The Stars, just like big sister Bindi did years earlier.

Prince William ‘loves’ Celebrity Traitors

William joined Cate Blanchett, Irwin and Hannah Waddingham on the show’s red sofa, and also spoke about his TV habits.

Speaking of The Celebrity Traitors, he said: “I love it, the family love it. Charlotte and Louis are obsessed with it. It’s really good telly.”

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

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Speaking to Digital Spy, the 28-year-old actor addressed the moment the message was edited out of footage broadcast earlier this month. “The BBC had to do what they had to do when they edited it out, to keep it fair for everybody,” she said.

Antonia made clear her support for trans people, adding: “But I stand with my trans family in every way, and they knew what I was thinking when I wore that T-shirt. And that’s all that matters.”

She also said she had not considered how the top might be treated under the show’s rules. “I think I made a choice to wear that T-shirt without considering the fact that it was linked to a charity, and that it was linked to what some people consider a brand,” Antonia said.

Antonia said she did not believe the message behind the slogan drove the decision, and suggested it was about the broadcaster’s compliance and branding rules.

She added that she was happy to see “so much support for the trans community online”, and that it “started a conversation”.

Why did the BBC blur the ‘Protect The Dolls’ slogan?

A BBC spokesperson said at the time: “As is standard practice on any entertainment show on the BBC and in line with our editorial guidelines, appropriate steps are taken to reduce the inclusion of any overt branding or slogans that may be present, regardless of the wording or statement in question.”

The “Protect The Dolls” slogan on the T-shirt is associated with backing the rights of trans women, with more than $600,000 being raised for trans charities since designer Connor Ives launched it at London Fashion Week in February 2025.

Looking at the future of Strictly, Antonia added: “I think it’s only a matter of years before we see a trans contestant.”

Who is Bethany Antonia?

Antonia, who is also known for HBO/Sky’s House of the Dragon, has spoken about LGBTQ+ representation on Strictly and what visibility can mean for audiences watching at home.

She is competing on the 2026 series with professional dancer Nancy Xu, with the pair in a same-sex couple.

Speaking to Radio Times before the launch of this year’s Strictly, Antonia explained that it was watching Nicola Adams dance with Katya Jones that made her hopeful she’d also get a same-sex couple.

She said: “It was a huge part of watching people in my family accept this beautiful show that we’d watched for years and years and years, and see this new way of the girls doing it together, and then being so accepting and exciting about it made me feel proud.”

“It was a thing that I talked into existence, so it feels like a real privilege.”

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

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The creators behind BABYQUEEN, an AI-generated girl group modelled after popular K-pop groups, have now deleted the post and apologised, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

BABYQUEEN consists of four fictional members, each with their own social media accounts. A fictional management company, BABYPVSSY Entertainment, launched the group this September, Dexerto reported. 

Last week, the announcement said Mity would suspend her activities due to her health and take maternity leave.

The character of Mity’s statement read: “I’m pregnant. After much consideration and thorough discussions with the company and my bandmates, I have decided to temporarily leave the group to focus on rest and recovery.”

‘We’re just a few girls who like K-Pop’

The group’s account also published a statement: “To prioritise her health during pregnancy and prepare for childbirth, she will temporarily suspend all group and individual variety show appearances and stage performances after thorough discussions with the team.”

On top of that, fans were asked not to speculate about the personal life of this fake, AI character. 

The girl group initially had just over 1,000 followers, but this announcement sparked widespread debate online, attracting over 78million views on Weibo.

Some expressed concern over the blurring boundaries between human and AI, while others turned their criticism to the creators.

After the backlash, the team behind BABYQUEEN deleted the original post and explained how they arrived at this storyline. 

They said they decided to impregnate an AI to write the character out of the virtual band member and reduce their workload.

“We’re just a few girls who like K-Pop, and we’re still students,” the creators reportedly wrote, adding that they had experienced harassment and had not made any money from the project.

Furthermore, they acknowledged that bringing the idea of pregnancy to AI was inappropriate. They also added that they didn’t intend to make a profit from launching this AI girl group project. 

“This might genuinely be one of the most unnecessary things I’ve ever come across on the internet,” one user wrote in response to this fallout.

They continued: “I’m honestly struggling to understand why anyone would think this was a good idea in the first place.”

Another commenter wrote: “If you showed these words in this order to a 16th century peasant child, he’d have a simultaneous brain aneurism and heart attack.”

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

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Siwa, 23, and Hughes, 33, attended Dancers Against Cancer’s 2026 Gala Of The Stars on Thursday (22 October) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. The gala raises funds for dancers, choreographers, and their loved ones affected by cancer.

The couple were affectionate on the red carpet, with Siwa kissing Hughes as they posed for photos.

Siwa wore a white lace mini dress with collar detail, paired with glittering nude heels, while Hughes wore all black.

It’s a far cry from her trademark hair bows and bright, clashing colours.

And the joint red carpet outing has fans in their feelings.

One said on X: “This makes me so happy to see people this much in love.” Another said: “It’s so great to see JoJo so deliriously happy, living a great life! She looks beautiful!”

A third wrote: “What a difference! She seems happy.” As another added: “So happy that they’re still together.”

Chris Hughes ‘definitely’ thought about proposing

Hughes previously told The Sun: “I’ve definitely given it some thought. But I don’t know the exact location or what time of day. I think spontaneity would be good, something a little bit different to your usual ways, but when it feels right, I’ll know.”

He added: “I come from a family where you get married, you have children, and that’s what life’s all about.”

The couple began dating after meeting in the British Celebrity Big Brother house last year.

Their latest appearance comes a year after they made their red carpet debut together at Dancers Against Cancer’s 2025 Gala.

Chris Hughes on long-distance love

Speaking with the Daily Mail in May, Hughes said he had “embraced” the challenges of being in a long-distance relationship with Siwa.

“It is tricky, but it’s not as tricky as people think,” he said. “So many people ask me this, and it’s like, before the last couple of months, we’d see each other every month, one way or another, whether she be over here or I go out there, so it’s never as strenuous as people think.”

Is JoJo Siwa LGBTQ+?

Former Dance Moms star Siwa came out as part of the LGBTQ+ community in January 2021, though was hesitant to give herself a specific label.

She later came out as pansexual, before then coming out as lesbian.

However, her feelings started to change while she was in the Celebrity Big Brother house. At the time, she was dating non-binary Australian star Kath Ebbs at the time.

Siwa realised that “queer” was more accurate than “lesbian”, and she and Ebbs split, before Siwa and Hughes started dating officially in June 2025.

She said in April 2026 that she now identifies as queer and pansexual.

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

The post JoJo Siwa shows off different style as she kisses Chris Hughes on red carpet appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Rumours about who will be the new 007 have been swirling since Craig bid farewell to the character with 2021’s No Time to Die.

Currently, the names said to be in line for the role include One Night Only’s Callum Turner and Slow Horses’ Jack Lowden, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. 

In the almost six decades’ worth of Bond movies, several actors have played the iconic character, including Sean Connery, Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan.

However, Craig tops them all as the longest-serving Bond actor in history, having played the role since his debut in 2006’s Casino Royale.

As we await the next Bond to sip his first shaken-not-stirred martini, it’s a good time to reflect on the potential for a queer actor to take on the infamous 007 mantle.

Technically, there are no hard-and-fast requirements when casting Craig’s successor. However, the actors that have portrayed 007 have traditionally hailed from the UK or a Commonwealth country – George Lazenby is from Australia. They have all shared similar attributes: they’ve been white, male and straight. 

Yet the franchise has evolved over the years, and there’s nothing stopping the James Bond writers from pushing the boundaries and letting an LGBTQ+ person take the wheel of the Aston Martin.

Here are some of our favourite queer actors who would be perfect contenders.

Elliot Page

Honestly, need we say more? Elliot Page is a serious actor who has a wide range of talent to fit any genre.

Plus, he’s proven that he can take on action roles after starring in Inception, provides pure chaos in The Umbrella Academy, and do you remember him in that stunning Met Gala suit? He was oh-so swoon-inducing and definitely Bond-worthy.

Andrew Scott

All of Us Strangers star Andrew Scott would be an interesting choice as a super spy. The Irish actor achieved widespread recognition for his role as Jim Moriarity in BBC’s Sherlock, for which he won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor, but has since taken on a variety of roles, from Fleabag‘s resident “Hot Priest”, to a savage scammer in upcoming Netflix drama, Ripley.

He may have already played an extraordinary Bond villain in Spectre, but he certainly has the range to take on 007, too. Just saying.

Jonathan Bailey

Bridgerton babe Jonathan Bailey has oodles of charm, bags of charisma, and we’re pretty sure a closetful of sharp suits. Look how good this man looks in a blazer and bow tie and tell us he’s not Bond-worthy?!

That’s without even getting onto his impressive acting résumé: he’s tackled dark political thrillers (Fellow Travelers, Jack Ryan), standout comedy series (W1A, Chewing Gum, Crashing), and very British dramas (Broadchurch, Hooten & The Lady). Give him the job and see what he can do with it.

Ncuti Gatwa

Look, if there’s anyone qualified enough to play a literal legend of British TV and film, it’s someone who has already played a literal legend of British TV and film. Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa said it best himself: playing the Doctor is like playing James Bond, in that they are both so culturally significant that it takes a lot to do the job right.

And if there is anything Gatwa proved with his Doctor Who stint, it’s that he knows how to do the job right.

Richard Armitage

Fool Me Once star Richard Armitage had been one of the most rumoured actors reportedly in the running for the covered 007 role, although he said that he’d rather play a villain than the spy himself.

Even so, he’d definitely be perfect as a future Bond. He knows how to tackle a beloved franchise (he’s starred in The Hobbit and Ocean’s 8, remember, and has become a mainstay in Harlan Coben adaptations), and has the steely stare of someone who knows how to take down a bad guy.

Colman Domingo

We know, we know: American actor Colman Domingo doesn’t have the British thing down, but something he certainly does have? The range.

Following an Oscar-nominated role as gay civil rights activist Barnard Rustin in Rustin, and an Emmy-winning stint in brutal teen drama Euphoria, Domingo is in huge demand. He also appeared in the recent Michael Jackson biopic, shows off his comedic chops on Netflix series The Four Seasons, and is working on a live-action Princess and the Frog movie with Disney.

Yet if he’s got time to squeeze in a role as Mr Bond, we know he’d kill it.

Luke Evans

The Welsh actor has long been a fan-favourite for the role and certainly checks all the boxes for the next Bond actor. He’s from the UK, absolutely gorgeous in a suit, and is capable of taking on advanced action sequences.

He was even highlighted by James Bond star Ben Whishaw, who plays the technical mastermind Q in the series, as a good candidate for a gay 007. So he’s already got the stamp of approval from someone close to the series.

Billy Porter

If we’re going to talk about an actor with the range to play bond, Billy Porter is a definite shoo-in.

Porter has built his substantial reputation on his impactful performances including Pose’s Prey Tell and Behold Chablis in American Horror Story: Apocalypse.

Plus, there could be nothing more magical than Porter bringing his signature style to the role and throwing away all the drab formal wear that James Bond has traditionally worn. Just think about the possibilities!

Kristen Stewart

Stewart has everything to take on the Bond role. She is a phenomenal talent, looks stunning in a tailored suit and is no stranger to high-voltage stunt work.

Plus, she’s already been a super spy. Remember Charlie’s Angels?

Elizabeth Banks, who also starred in the film, said in a 2019 press call about Charlie’s Angels that Stewart was a “super b***** in the movie” and “did so many of her own stunts” including fight training and stunt driving.

Matt Bomer

While we’re talking about people who look good in a suit, can we forget Matt Bomer? The actor dominated screens as the suave thief Neal in USA’s series White Collar and was one-half a crime-solving duo.

Plus, he’s no stranger to playing serious roles having been featured in Fellow Travelers, American Horror Story and Doom Patrol.

Tessa Thompson

Don’t lie to yourself – Thompson would be perfect as James Bond. She’s come out with hit after hit appearing in Heroes, Creed, Men in Black: International and Westworld.

The queer actor also portrays the queer superhero Valkyrie in the Thor franchise and across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So she’s the perfect person to save any swooning damsel in distress or storm a villain’s secret lair with or without the aid of a winged horse.

The post 11 queer actors who should replace Daniel Craig as James Bond appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Storrie has become a global superstar alongside Hudson Williams as they portrayed rivals-to-lovers ice hockey stars. However, before this big break, he starred in Michel K Parandi’s dystopian sci-fi thriller.

The film’s synopsis reads: “When his twin sister April (Lilly Krug) goes missing, Bax (Connor Storrie) searches every corner of their futuristic, post-Soviet cityscape to find her, ultimately descending into madness.”

The film sees a panicked Storrie running through brutalist architecture, trying to pay up his debt while hunting for his sister. Along the way, he’s beaten up and left bloodied, a rather different role to his beloved ice hockey player, Ilya Rozanov. April X was shot in Bucharest, Romania, in early 2024.

Storrie was cast as Bax early in the audition process, with director Parandi stating: “I remember telling everybody early on that he was going to be a movie star.

“He was very comfortable, very natural during the audition. They wanted me to see more people, so I basically told Connor, ‘You got the part, but give me some more time.’”

Parandi continued: “There is also a bit of method acting with him, which I really like. He goes through his own mind, and he’s very fast.”

‘A tender and sympathetic performance’

April X has a 27% critic rating and 67% public rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Production-wise, it was spotless. He was very easy, smooth, ready on time, always with the performance ready.”

Though the film received mixed reviews, Storrie was praised by The New York Times, which wrote that he is “the film’s saviour”.

The review continues that Storrie gives “a tender and sympathetic performance, elevating material that otherwise sags under the weight of so much same-old action movie cyber-stuff.”

Meanwhile, the Guardian noted that Storrie “does his best to bring conviction to the material, but this is not a work that will feature prominently in his CV in the years to come.”

April X is released digitally, on Prime Video, Apple TV, Sky Store and Rakuten, on 3 November in the US and 6 November in the UK.

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

The post Connor Storrie’s pre-Heated Rivalry film April X streaming in matter of days appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

The 31-year-old “She’s the Best” hitmaker opened up about his schooling experience and that one person seeing a “real version” of him was a formative moment. 

Sivan shared these details appearing on A View From A Bridge. The format is simple: “A person on a bridge picks up a phone and shares their view with the world.”

In the video of Sivan, the singer stands on the bridge, talking into a red phone, about a teacher who cut through the bullies.

“I think I’ve always had a very complicated relationship with men and my own masculinity,” Sivan explained.

“Some of my earliest memories were feeling like a bit of a failure as a boy.

“I really, really didn’t like sport. I’m honestly completely useless at it.

“One of my biggest fears is a ball getting kicked over a fence when I’m the one walking past, and I have to pass it back to this group of men. That is a very terrifying experience to me.”

Sivan went on to recall a specific childhood memory that has stuck with him. He recalled a carnival school experience where swimming was compulsory. Sivan struggled with swimming and didn’t like being in the pool

“All of the boys who were already making fun of me for singing like a girl were watching,” he also added.

‘The boys were already making fun of me for singing like a girl’

The next year, when it came time to swim again, Sivan approached a teacher. The singer remembered that she “always looked immaculate and was so warm”.

When he opened up to her, she offered him a deal. The bargain was he didn’t have to swim, but he had to sing the national anthem at the carnival.

Looking back, he said: “She saw something in me that I was really afraid of: a real version of myself.”

He also cited it as an example of good leadership, saying: “Seeing what makes someone different is also what makes them special, and celebrating that.” 

The rollout for Sivan’s new album, She’s the Best, has celebrated the women in his life. The lead single’s music video featured Big Little Lies actor Nicole Kidman.

“To be able to have made music with Ariana [Grande] or Lily-Rose Depp, then touring with Charli [XCX] and growing up alongside her… I’ve always just loved being in the orbit of these women,” Sivan said upon the track’s release.

“‘She’s the Best’ was the first time I wasn’t trying to psychoanalyse myself, and I wasn’t writing about men,” he also added.

“The one thing that has been constant in my whole life is the women in my life, and the feminine people in my life.”

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

The post Troye Sivan opens up about ‘complicated’ relationship with men appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Set in Boerne (Bur-nee), Texas, Small Town Trouble: Texas follows a “charming yet unconventional group of wives, mothers and social insiders”, as well as their husbands, as “conservative small-town values collide with forbidden attraction, messy friendships, and shocking secrets”.

The cast includes Aaryn Williams, Alli McAnelly, Annari Uys, Gabby Hernandez Huffman and Hailey Head, along with their husbands Nick Williams, Blake McAnelly, Duan Uys, Jordan Huffman and Josh Marsalis.

Judging by the trailer, shared on Instagram, it appears there will be plenty of bisexual drama, with one cast member saying: “You’d be surprised how many women are married with traditional families, but also sleeping with women.”

Why Aaryn Williams’ casting is controversial

Williams, formerly Aaryn Gries, appeared on Big Brother Season 15 in 2013 and was the ninth housemate evicted, to a wall of boos from the audience.

During her time in the house, she made homophobic, racist, and other insensitive comments.

She told an Asian-American co-star to “shut up, go make some rice”, and used a mocking accent when talking to a Black co-star. She also referred to a gay co-star as “that queer”.

During her eviction interview, she had told host Julie Chen: “In Texas, we say things that… Sometimes we joke and we don’t mean it.”

Speaking to the LA Times after the show, Williams acknowledged her bad behaviour, saying her comments were not meant to be taken seriously. She added: “Texas has nothing to do with my mistake. I am so sorry for bringing Texas into my problem.”

She was subsequently dropped by her modelling agency.

Is Aaryn Williams bisexual?

In Bravo’s cast bios, Williams is described as “polarising, magnetic and often at the centre of the drama”, while being “focused on personal growth, owning her mistakes, and becoming a better version of herself”.

Bravo adds: “A content creator who was publicly outed as bisexual, she’s built a new life on her own terms with her incredibly supportive husband, Nick, and four daughters whom she homeschools.”

The description continues: “Having openly reckoned with her complicated past, Aaryn is focused on personal growth, owning her mistakes and becoming a better version of herself.”

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

The post Reality star with homophobia scandal lands new Texas-based show on Bravo appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

In an X post, the musician and actor wrote: “If you are a trans actor looking for work, holla at me. ”

Cudi had just revealed in an Instagram post announcing ‘Jean’ that he will write, direct and star as Basquiat, and that the film is set to begin shooting in 2027.

Alongside the announcement, he shared early wardrobe and hair tests, including a wig he stressed was not the finished look. “Did a wardrobe test, got a wig made (this isnt the final just a rough, trust me we gon get it perfect),” he wrote.

What has Kid Cudi said about the Basquiat film Jean?

Cudi said he decided to take control of the project after years of talk that never became reality. “For years people have asked me about playing Jean Michel Basquiat in a film. But no project actually came to be. This year, I finally said f**k it, ima write it myself,” Cudi detailed in the caption of his Instagram announcement.

He also described the film as “a love letter to Jean, the 80s and NY city,” adding that it would be “the biggest honor to tell his story in a way we haven’t seen before.”

Basquiat’s life has been dramatised on screen before, including in Julian Schnabel’s 1996 film Basquiat.

Why Cudi’s trans actors post is getting attention

Cudi’s message landed amid ongoing conversations about how hard it can be for trans performers to secure consistent work in film and TV. Recently, Billions star Asia Kate Dillon announced that they were looking for a job in the service industry after revealing acting opportunities for trans and non-binary performers have “all but diminished”.

After Cudi’s call to trans actors, the rapper appeared to follow up on a response from a trans actor who said she’d “love a shot if you have a minor supporting role or even just an extra”. Cudi enthusiastically responded with “Ima hit u Claire!”

Cudi, a Cleveland-born rapper, singer, producer and actor who broke through with “Day ’n’ Nite”, has increasingly positioned himself as a multi-hyphenate creative across music and screen work, including creating and starring in the animated Netflix project Entergalactic.

The post Kid Cudi announces Basquiat biopic and declares he’s looking for trans actors on the same day appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

Forty-one-year-old Arnaud, who came out as bisexual in 2020, plays ice hockey star Scott Hunter in Heated Rivalry. He’s the star of episode three, which focuses on Hunter and his love interest, Kip Grady (played by Robbie GK).

While the show blew up, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams became overnight stars; Arnaud also saw an influx of attention on his private life. 

In a new interview with La Presse, Arnaud addresses that experience. 

‘If I say something, it can feed gossip sites for three days’

“I don’t think it has changed who I am deeply,” he shared. “The only thing that has changed is that I may be protecting myself a little more, especially in interviews.

“Before, I could say what I wanted, and at worst, it would make me react for 15 minutes. Now, if I say something, it can feed gossip sites for three days.

“It’s more that I would have to protect myself more.”

Rumours about Arnaud’s love life became rampant on social media, with speculation about him and other male actors. Arnaud has mostly stayed silent on the rumours.

Speaking about the approaching second season of Heated Rivalry, the actor noted: “I had to sign 14 papers telling me to shut up.”

Arnaud kept tight-lipped in the interview about the second season, though he did give some hints about the show’s scale.

“It’s not bad [it’s] the same budget, except for clothes and cars,” Arnaud shared in response to the show’s second season not having a larger budget.

“The designers sent [clothes] that rich hockey players would wear. The big car brands sent [cars] that these players would drive in life.”

There have been some hints about what we can expect from season two, including more Scott and Kip action.

Back in August, Arnaud teased: “I can tell you that there’s more of Scott, but I can’t tell you in what capacity. There are various things at play.”

Though Arnaud didn’t spill much, his declaration that “there’s definitely more of Scott and Kip,” has delighted fans.

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

The post François Arnaud is ‘protecting himself more’ after Heated Rivalry fame appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

I don’t know about you, but it always makes me smile. Good for them for enjoying things in such an unapologetic way, even if it makes them stick out a bit.

It’s also a testament to the community they’re a part of that they feel so safe and included to spend the time and energy on creating these often elaborate costumes.

As it turns out, that’s no accident, as MCM Comic Con aims to be a safe, inclusive space for anyone – including in recent years more and more LGBTQ+ people.

There’s a clear crossover between the queer community and Comic Con attendees, especially when you look at those who cosplay – dressing up as characters from television shows or animes, for example.

That crossover has been happening more and more with MCM Comic Con, with well-known drag queens being invited to events to perform, talk and meet fans.

Speaking to PinkNews, MCM Comic Con Event Manager Charlotte Napier said: “Our show is just a place where people can come and just be themselves, no matter who they are in the ‘real world’.

“We’d like to that that whatever they’re facing on the outside, they come come, they can dress up, they can meet like-minded people and just be themselves at our show.”

She went on: “Over the years, we’ve worked with a lot of different organisations to try and put LGBTQ+ representation front and centre.”

There have been panels led by authors from the community, as well as work with Queer Swap, which acts as a hub for cosplay fans or people wanting to chat with others they have common interests with. Then there’s their work with LGBTQ+ helpline Switchboard, too.

Napier said: “We’re all about community, and that’s been going from strength to strength over the last couple of years.”

She went on: “I think people just want to see themselves in our guests, with everything that’s happened with the government.”

While LGBTQ+ nightlife is taking a battering around the country, and drag performers are often the target of finger-pointing from politicians, the demand for drag at Comic Con is increasing.

Napier, who spearheaded the drag-inclusion after “basically binge-watching RuPaul’s Drag Race” during the COVID lockdown, had the idea of bringing in UK favourite Tia Kofi.

“So we did that,” she said, “and she came in full Cybermen… Cyberqueen?… Doctor Who-themed attire. We did a little lip-sync battle with cosplayers which was very wholesome, and Tia judged it.

“From then on, that’s been a staple on the Fridays at the show in London. We’ve lad Lawrence Chaney, Blu Hydrangea, Chorizo May – any of the nerdy kind of queens from Drag Race. They’ve done a panel on costume creation, inspiration, that sort of thing, and it’s all gone down really well, as well as the lip-sync battles.”

But Comic Con have been spotlighting other queer performers too with their Fringe stages and, from May 2026, the first dedicated drag zone.

Napier told us: “We had seven or eight queens who were there for the whole weekend, and that’s something we’re looking to do next year as well.

“For drag queens, it’s all kind of evening entertainment or brunches, but there’s not a space for them to connect with fans as much. So that was really nice for people to actually be able to come and meet them, buy merch, that sort of thing.”

In October (23-25), MCM Comic Con returns to the ExCel in London, with plenty planned for MCM Fringe.

Attendees can expect performances from Shrektacular (a dragged-up reimagining of Shrek from London’s HERR and Me), SlayStation, Gallifrey Cabaret, and more.

“The more of a diverse line-up we can bring to the show, the more people can see themselves and hopefully be comforted and know that there is a place where there’s a safe space,” Napier told us.

“They can come and enjoy the things that they love with other people who love those things as well.”

MCM Comic Con returns to Excel London from Friday 23 – Sunday 25 October 2026.

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

The post ‘Comic Con is a safe space for LGBTQ+ people – everyone can come and be themselves’ appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

In the scene, from the new Channel 4 series, Elsinore actor Scott spits in main character Ethan’s mouth during a sexual encounter, telling him: “You’re just a hole. Just a hole for daddy … Now open your mouth, you little s***.”

Speaking to Out, the actor made it clear he has no problem with scenes like that, under certain conditions.

He said: “If things are really well-written and surprising, and you like the people that you’re acting with, then I feel like, yeah, why not? I think you’ve got to be fearless about that sort of stuff.”

Scott, who is thought to be on the road to winning Best Actor at the Oscars for Elsinore, said he approaches that sort of scene focusing on “the dynamic and the provocation”, rather than the sex.

He said: “I have no qualms about doing that stuff. It’s part of our human nature, and you approach those scenes in the same way you do any other scene.

“But if it’s done with a degree of lightness, I always think that’s much more fun. And then, I don’t know, people get a bit hysterical about sex, I think.”

What is It Gets Worse about?

The comedy series, produced by A24 for Channel 4, follows the story of three university friends living in London in their mid-20s as they face eviction from their landlord.

It stars Leo Reich as Ethan, Emily Fairn as Abi and Olive Gray as Sam.

There are other big names on the cast list, including Gary Beadle, Lena Dunham, Blake Harrison and Amelia Dimoldenberg.

It launched on Channel 4 in the UK on 22 October, and will be available on Crave in Canada, and Paramount+ in the US.

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

The post Andrew Scott has ‘no qualms’ about spitting in mouths after viral It Gets Worse scene appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

This week, viewers watched as Big Brother gave Omar a warning over his behaviour towards love interest Rhianna Collins. More than 7,000 viewers complained to Ofcom, with Women’s Aid also releasing a statement condemning his alleged “coercive and controlling” behaviour.

Viewers watched as Omar denied any wrongdoing during a brief Diary Room warning from Big Brother, but, according to The Sun, that moment was much longer.

Omar has reportedly been spending a lot of time in the Diary Room, which has not been shown on the nightly episodes.

A source told the publication: “That session where he was given the warning went on for ages. A lot more has been said in that room that has been shown but it won’t ever air because of privacy and confidentiality.”

It’s reported Omar is speaking to a mental health professional “who is seriously challenging him on his behaviour as part of educating him about it”.

Viewers accused Omar of gaslighting Big Brother – and Rhianna when he denied the controlling behaviour, which is reportedly what has prompted the extra chats, with the mental health professionals “helping him try and understand” why his behaviour was wrong.

These scenes will not air because “they’re medically confidential”, however viewers will be pleased to know his warning from Big Brother was not as brief as it appeared on screen.

The source added: “It might not have been finger wagging the whole time, but Omar has very much been made aware he has acted badly.”

Omar has reportedly been speaking with his fellow housemates about his behaviour, though it’s reported they haven’t seen the red flags that viewers have.

What has Omar done in Big Brother?

Omar and Rhianna have been getting close, even telling each other they “love” each other on the show.

However, a number of incidents have raised red flags with Rhianna and viewers. He has told her not to cry because “feelings aren’t facts”, also making her look at his face during a tense conversation about their relationship.

Rhianna has been seen apologising repeatedly to Omar, though viewers believe she has nothing to apologise for.

When Big Brother warned him about “dismissing your fellow housemates’ feelings and experiences and not acknowledging the impact such behaviour could have”, he said he understood, but added: “I’ve just never dismissed a housemate’s feelings in all honesty.”

The moment sparked outcry from viewers, with Women’s Aid also releasing a statement.

They claimed Big Brother was giving a platform to “coercive and controlling behaviours”, as well as risking “presenting abuse as a form of entertainment”.

Big Brother continues tonight 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 ‘seriously challenged’ Omar in unseen Diary Room warning over Rhianna appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

West Hollywood father David Vulin will not face prosecution, according to his attorney, RJ Dreiling, the LA Times reported.

In April, Vulin was out with his husband, Anthony, and their infant son, Ante. That’s when conservative streamer Ryley Niemi approached them.

Under the guise of a CNN interview, Niemi began asking them about raising their son without a mother and about child abuse.

He then suggested gay men were likely to molest children. “Have you ever heard about the statistics coming out that gay men are much more likely to commit child molestation?” Niemi asked in the video.

He also asks: “Don’t you think it’s weird that you guys have a child but neither of you are a woman?” and later: “You paid a woman $50,000 to be pregnant?”

In video footage shared by Niemi, the couple could be seen trying to walk away from him before things turned physical, and Vulin is seen punching Niemi.

Vulin was arrested on suspicion of battery and vandalism by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Since the incident, more than $200,000 has been raised for the couple’s legal costs through GoFundMe.

Criminal charges will not be filed

On Thursday (22 October), the district attorney’s office confirmed that Vulin’s case was “referred for pre-filing diversion and that criminal charges will not be filed.”

Furthermore, it’s been reported that a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge would seal all records of Vulin’s arrest.

Following the decision, the Vulins shared that they were relieved by the ruling. However, they added they were disappointed that “the person who provoked this encounter with hate speech then filmed and monetised it, faces no consequences”.

“But we’re determined to turn this into something meaningful,” they said.

“Anthony is working with state legislators on a bill to hold rage-bait creators accountable for the harm they cause.”

Following the case’s attention, Vulin told the real CNN that he was concerned with the “exploitation” he and his family faced.

He said: “I realised that we were manipulated into having this interaction with someone who was exploiting us for viral content.

“I think that across the board, regardless of political identity, people need to extend grace to one another. People need to extend kindness to one another, be nicer to themselves, so that they can be nicer to other people.”

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

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In the episode, Caitlyn, 76, meets up with Kendall, 30, before Scott Disick, 43, joins them for lunch.

Kendall is excited about the meet-up, as she waits for her horses to arrive, explaining in a confessional: “My dad is coming because she knows how important it is to me to have my horses show up today for the first time.” She adds: “It’s an emotional and beautiful day.”

But before long, things take a bit of a turn.

Caitlyn delves into Kendall’s love life

Caitlyn, who last appeared on The Kardashians in 2025, presses Kendall for an update on her love life, asking: “So since I never get to know, how’s the love life? I never know what’s going on, I’m always the last to know.”

Kendall does not offer any details, and later makes clear she is not about to reveal anything on camera. She is now dating Euphoria actor Jacob Elordi.

‘It just squirted over everything’

At lunch, Caitlyn compliments the food, saying: “That is a very good-looking egg sandwich,” before taking a bite that sends egg yolk spilling. She then delivers the censored line: “Ugh, I took a bite and it [bleep] in my mouth.”

Kendall immediately reacts: “Dad, oh my God,” while Caitlyn tries to explain herself, adding: “Sorry! Look! It just squirted over everything.”

Disick, on the other hand, finds it hilarious. “I love it. Actually, I could’ve not lived my whole life without it, because I used to get in so much trouble for saying those jokes,” he says.

In a confessional, Kendall says Disick “knows how to” take Caitlyn’s “crazy thoughts or words and make them kinda funny”, even if she does not want to be part of it.

Kendall also reflects on the family dynamic, saying her mum, Kris Jenner, has found it difficult inviting Caitlyn to some gatherings in the past, and that she was glad she and Kylie did not have to ask for Caitlyn to be included this time.

“I always wanna include her. I know she doesn’t have a lot outside of her family, and I know that she gets lonely,” Kendall says.

The Kardashian streams on Disney+.

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A teaser clip, shared on Instagram, shows Burnham offering crisps and beer to Steve Rotheram, the Mayor of Liverpool, ahead of their segment.

Gogglebox captioned the clip: “Out of hours in No10. Join Andy and his friend Steve on Gogglebox for SU2CUK.”

‘Lovely bit of PR’

Viewers have been left divided by the announcement. One said: “Lovely bit of PR. But perhaps focus on sorting out things such as extortionate fuel prices instead of p****** around on Gogglebox. Has somebody reminded him as prime minister he actually has to do some work?”

Someone else replied: “You think the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom should’ve declined a cancer charity event? Jesus, never go into PR mate. He works, quite a lot, but just like you can chill and drink prosecco, he can chill and raise some money. How much money did you raise drinking that prosecco?”

Another told them: “You poor man, is your job 24 hours shifts, seven days a week? The country is in a state, but even politicians can clock out mate, surely you can give him a brownie point for raising money whilst he sits and watches hours of TV?”

Others said they “loved” it and couldn’t wait to watch – especially given its link to a charitable cause.

Another said: “Because he’s got time for hours of TV whilst the country’s in the state it is! At least he’s made buses cheap.”

Who else is on Celebrity Gogglebox?

Other celebrities already announced for the episode include Joe Lycett, who will appear with his aunties Pauline and Margaret, and the Sugababes – Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan, with more names expected to be revealed.

Jeremy Corbyn has previously appeared on the show, as has Boris Johnson’s dad Stanley Johnson.

The most recent series, which ran between June and July, also starred Olivia Attwood, Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu, Jake Shears and Josh Homme, Gladiators‘ Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Matt Morsia, George Clark and Max Belegde, Julian Clary and Nigel Havers, and other returning faces.

Celebrity Gogglebox airs Friday at 9.05pm on Channel 4.

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Seth Weathers, a political consultant who founded Ultra Right Beer under his brand Conservative Dad in April 2023, marketed the drink as a “100% woke-free American beer”. More than three years later, the brand’s website has disappeared, customers are demanding refunds, and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has opened an investigation into the company, WIRED reports.

The investigation concerns Ultra Right Beer LLC’s failure to respond to compliance orders, according to the reporting. The company has also received an F rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which cites its failure to respond to 198 complaints and 27 complaints that remain unresolved.

From Bud Light backlash to ‘woke-free’ beer

Weathers launched Ultra Right Beer amid the conservative backlash against Bud Light in 2023, after the beer company partnered with Mulvaney, a transgender influencer and actress.

The controversy sparked calls from right-wing figures and consumers to boycott Bud Light. Weathers sought to capitalise on the outrage by offering an alternative aimed at customers who opposed what they described as “woke” corporate values.

In an advertisement promoting the launch, Weathers criticised Bud Light for its partnership with Mulvaney. The video showed Mulvaney drinking the beer before cutting to Weathers striking a Bud Light can with a baseball bat.

“That’s why I created Conservative Dad’s Ultra Right 100 percent woke-free beer,” he said, urging viewers to stop giving money to companies he claimed did not share their values.

Weathers said he had partnered with Big Kettle Brewing in Lawrenceville, Georgia, to produce the beer. In 2023, he reportedly said pre-orders were approaching $1 million as the brand attracted interest from consumers.

Customers say they never received their beer

The complaints now facing Ultra Right Beer include orders for limited-edition cans featuring Donald Trump featuring imagery of the president after surviving an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in July 2024.

Some customers say they waited months or years for their purchases, while others report receiving only part of an order or never receiving anything at all. The BBB’s complaint records include customers describing repeated attempts to contact the company for updates or refunds without receiving a satisfactory response.

One customer reported that Trump mugshot-themed cans took around a year and a half to arrive, while a subsequent order for cans featuring Trump raising his fist after the July 2024 assassination attempt remained undelivered.

The BBB’s profile lists 198 complaints to which the company has not responded, alongside 27 that remain unresolved. Its overall F rating reflects, among other factors, the company’s failure to respond to those complaints. The BBB is a private organisation, and its rating is not a legal finding of wrongdoing.

The problems have also prompted customers to post complaints on Weathers’ Facebook and Instagram accounts, which WIRED reports have not been active since late 2025, where people have demanded updates and refunds.

Brewing partner shut down in 2023

Ultra Right Beer’s production problems may have been compounded by the closure of its brewing partner.

Ironshield Brewing, the company that operated Big Kettle Brewing, announced it was shutting down in December 2023. The closure came only months after Ultra Right Beer’s launch and left questions about how the brand would fulfil its orders.

Ultra Right Beer’s website is also no longer available, leaving customers reporting outstanding orders with limited ways to contact the brand.

The Georgia attorney general’s investigation adds a new dimension to the growing complaints. It does not, by itself, establish that Weathers or the company has committed a crime, but it places the business under scrutiny over its handling of customer orders and regulatory compliance.

Many Ultra Right Beer customers contacted Georgia attorney general Chris Carr to report on Ultra Right Beer LLC, causing Carr’s office to open an investigation, which has been unresponsive to compliance orders, according to court filings posted on the Facebook group “People Still Waiting for Ultra Right Fight Beer”.

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The film is directed by Sam McConnell and written by and starring Brock Yurich, who plays Eddie. Michael Repsch, president of distributors Dark Star Pictures, said, as reported by Variety: “We’re thrilled to bring this film to audiences across the country.”

Repsch also called Test “a bold and compelling film that offers a fresh perspective on the traditional sports drama,” adding McConnell crafted “a powerful story about identity, ambition and the pressures of living up to expectations”.

What is Test about?

Set in the competitive world of amateur bodybuilding, Test follows Eddie, a closeted man from small-town Ohio who lives with his religious mother, played by Tammy Blanchard, and earns money as a cam model, while dreaming of physical perfection.

As he starts working with a celebrated coach and revives a past relationship, things begin to look up for him.

It also stars Glee‘s very own Mr Schue, Matthew Morrison, as Pastor Gregg, Orange is the New Black star Evan Hall, Mike Edward, and Paloma Garcia-Lee.

McConnell said: “Test is a film about finding the strength to be your true self and recognizing your own worth… themes that resonate deeply with me and make this story especially meaningful. Sharing the film with audiences at festivals around the world has been the most rewarding experience of my career, and I’m thrilled to partner with Dark Star Pictures, whose belief in Test and commitment to a robust theatrical release will allow even more audiences to discover the film as we intended… on the big screen.”

When will Test be released?

Test had its world premiere at SXSW London earlier in 2026 and later screened at Provincetown International Film Festival, Frameline, Outfest Los Angeles and Deauville American Film Festival.

It received the Audience Award for best narrative feature at Provincetown, was given the Jury Award for outstanding first narrative feature at Frameline, took home the Emerging Narrative Feature Award at Queer Screen in Sydney, and secured the Canal+ Jury Prize at Deauville.

Details of a wider release have not yet been confirmed.

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Speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast on 21 October, the 44-year-old actor told host Alex Cooper that the story people have “made up” about their timeline is wrong. Bush said: “Two people who had filed for divorce and lived in separate residences from their exes went to dinner.”

Bush, who recently revealed she and Harris had married in a secret wedding last year, added that once a narrative takes hold online, correcting it can feel pointless. “I’m never gonna change anybody’s mind who made it up,” she said.

Bush is currently promoting her upcoming memoir, And I Will Tell You Mine: Notes from a Life in Progress, set for release on 27 October.

Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris relationship timeline

Bush said she and Harris, 41, started dating in October 2023, after both had filed for divorce. She explained they had first connected on Instagram in 2015, before meeting for real in 2019.

Harris was previously married to fellow footballer Ali Krieger and filed for divorce in September 2023. One Tree Hill actress Bush married businessman Grant Hughes in June 2022, filing for divorce in August 2023.

Bush did say she regrets how the timing of their first date looked publicly. “Do I wish that instead of flying home and stopping in New York, because I already had tickets to a comedy show, and taking her on a date, [I’d have] taken her on a date six weeks later? Yeah, of course I do. But I can’t change it,” she said.

Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris faced ‘affair’ rumours

Bush publicly confirmed her relationship with Harris in April 2024, when she also addressed speculation about when it began. In a 2024 Glamour piece, she wrote about how much outsiders could not see, and rejected claims she had left her marriage because of a “hysterical rendezvous”.

Harris also previously addressed allegations of cheating, saying she was “always faithful” in her marriage, “it not always totally happy”.

Bush and Harris later married in summer 2025 in an intimate ceremony in upstate New York, attended by Harris’ two children, Sloane and Ocean. Bush described the day as the “best, most perfect day”, saying: “We got married in the backyard, had dinner.”

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On 21 October, it was announced Glee was being rebooted for Disney+ and Hulu, after creator Ryan Murphy previously confirmed that a script had been written, and that he’d spoken to a number of original stars.

Details of the plot and cast were not immediately released, but a number of the core cast members have since appeared to confirm they’ll be back.

Lea Michele as Rachel Berry

According to Variety, Lea Michele is coming back to her role of Rachel Berry. A source told them: “She’s in. It’s still early-ish days, but it feels good and we’re happy to get the band back together.”

Unlike some of her co-stars, Michele is yet to confirm or even hint at her return on social media. However she recently shared her continued love for Glee, telling E! News she “will follow Ryan [Murphy] wherever he goes”.

The last fans saw of Rachel, she had become a Tony Award-winning Broadway actress, married Jesse St James (played by Jonathan Groff) and was a surrogate for Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson.

Heather Morris as Brittany S Pierce

After the reboot news, Heather Morris, who played bisexual favourite Brittany S Pierce, confirmed she was returning.

Sharing a behind-the-scenes image of herself in costume from the original run, Morris said: “Yes ladies and gentle men of women, rumours are true. Brittany S Pierce was in fact lost in the sewers for all these years. But I’m here to inform you that she is alive and well… and back for more Glee.”

Fans filled her comment section with love for “Brittana”, the couple name given to Brittany and Naya Rivera’s character Santana Lopez. They got married in the original run.

Rivera tragically died in 2020 after accidentally drowning while swimming with her son.

Chord Overstreet as Sam Evans

Chord Overstreet, who played “trouty mouth” hunk Sam Evans, suggested he was also returning.

In a post on X, he wrote: “Reunited and it feels so good!”

Overstreet’s character had a number of hard-hitting storylines, including homelessness and body dysmorphia.

Sam went on to became the new coach of the New Directions glee club, and was dating someone after splitting from Mercedes Jones again.

Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina Cohen-Chang

Jenna Ushkowitz appeared to confirm her return too, sharing a series of images from her time on the show alongside the caption: “QUEEN T.”

Amber Riley, who has not yet confirmed her return as Mercedes Jones, commented: “An icon. A legend.”

While Heather Morris, who has confirmed she’ll be back, seemed to confirm Ushkowitz’s return, suggesting Tina’s first song on the reboot would be Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life”.

By the end of Glee, Tina was dating Artie Abrams again, and had appeared in his film.

Kevin McHale as Artie Abrams

Kevin McHale hasn’t exactly confirmed his return as Artie, however some fans are taking an X post from the same day as the announcement that he will be back.

Quoting a 2020 post from Genius about Drake passing the Glee cast for the most Billboard Hot 100 hits, McHale wrote: “Challenge accepted.” He also shared a photo which Ushkowitz had posted of them together in her post on his Instagram Story.

Artie was disabled and used a wheelchair, and fans have expressed it may be wrong for McHale to portray the character.

McHale has also previously said an able-bodied character playing a wheelchair user “couldn’t happen today”. However, in September, he told People he “couldn’t say no” to returning to Glee with the original cast and Murphy.

The last fans saw of Artie, he was back with Tina, and was a film director.

Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel, Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson

Chris Colfer recently said he’d “heard nothing” about a Glee reboot – though that was, of course, when it had not been confirmed. He also said suggested it would be difficult to say no, though it would be difficult to return to the show without Naya Rivera.

Even more recently, Colfer joined Darren Criss – the Blaine Anderson to his Kurt Hummel – on stage in London to perform the Glee version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”. It’s also worth noting that Criss often still performs Glee tracks on his tours.

Other than fans speculating the performance could mean they’re returning, neither have confirmed anything either way.

Blaine and Kurt got married in the original run, and were set to become parents, with Rachel being their surrogate.

Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester

According to Deadline, Matthew Morrison is not in talks to return for the reboot, but is hopeful that he will be part of it.

However, he revealed in 2024 that he had asked to be written out of the show. His exit was scrapped, though, following the tragic death of Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson.

At the end of Glee, Mr Schue was the principle of McKinley High, which had become a performing arts school.

Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester

Jane Lynch has not confirmed her return as Sue Sylvester, however it appears she is excited for the Glee reboot.

She shared news of the reboot on her Instagram story, but so far has not confirmed or denied she will be part of it.

By the end of the show, Sue was the first female Vice President of the United States.

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In an Entertainment Weekly interview, the 25-year-old said: “I’m writing a movie right now, but one character is an ex-hockey player,” before explaining why that detail has become a sticking point.

“We’re getting tripped up on it, and we’re considering other sports, but for some reason this character just made way more sense being an ex-hockey player,” Williams said.

Why can’t Williams seem to leave hockey behind?

Williams played professional hockey player Shane Hollander in HBO Max’s hit queer romance series Heated Rivalry, which follows two athletes as they navigate their relationship in the hyper-masculine world of professional sport.

Now, the actor is writing a new film that also features an ex-hockey player. Speaking to People, Williams revealed that he and his collaborators have considered giving the character a different sporting background to avoid overlap with Heated Rivalry.

Williams added that the creative process had made him question whether he was placing unnecessary limits on himself, saying: “It’s almost like you have to bust through the prison of your own mind or construct of your own mind.”

The actor did not share further details about the film, but has previously written and directed short films including Soakers, Buttons and Inside Augustine Mendoza’s Quotidian Apartment.

Heated Rivalry season 2 and what’s next

Williams is currently filming Heated Rivalry season 2 in Canada. In September, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams confirmed season two was on the way in a sweet viral video shared back in December.

He also has another release arriving this week: Williams stars in two roles in AMC+ thriller series Yaga, out on 23 October.

At a Toronto International Film Festival conversation in September, Williams said season 2 will closely follow Rachel Reid’s follow-up novel The Long Game. “It’s a sad book,” he said, describing a shift from yearning to “external adversity and [relationship] communication problems that feel very real and human.”

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She also wrote about receiving “an avalanche of death, rape and torture threats” over her stance, which she added “haven’t changed”.

The Harry Potter author posted the 2,000-plus-word update on her website on Wednesday, describing it as a follow-up to an essay she published in June 2020. In the new piece, Rowling wrote that while her views haven’t changed, “the landscape certainly has, and my own involvement in the issue has become practical as well as theoretical, so I thought it was time for an update.”

What did JK Rowling say in the essay?

She wrote of her “lifelong commitment to women’s and girls’ rights and opportunities, with a particular emphasis on those who’re vulnerable or disadvantaged in various ways”.

Rowling claimed this has caused “an avalanche of death, rape and torture threats” because of her objection to what she described as “the current, dominant strain of trans activism”.

She wrote “the more privileged you are, the less it tends to affect you, and the more it might benefit you”, claiming that for those women trans activism “has been good” as “it’s fashionable, and keeps them popular with their progressive tribe”.

Rowling went on to say “twenty-first century trans activism is the very inverse” of past grassroots efforts surrounding civil, gay or women’s rights, adding: “It is elitist to its core.”

JK Rowling ‘does not want trans people eradicated’

In the essay, Rowling said there are “without question” vulnerable trans people, and argued trans people should not be discriminated against in housing or employment, or denied human rights or personal safety.

She went on to say: “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 writes that is why women and girls want single-sex facilities, “not because we hate trans people, not because we want them dead, not because we want them somehow eradicated from existence, but because women and girls have specific issues and needs that men do not, even if they’re calling themselves women and even if they’ve taken cross-sex hormones”.

She ended the essay with a pledge to keep speaking out and using her money to support women’s legal action and services, writing: “I’ll continue to speak out, continue to use my money to help women who otherwise couldn’t afford to go to court, and continue to ensure that women in my area can still access female-delivered, female-centred support after rape.”

Why has the essay landed now?

The new essay arrives amid renewed protests around her Wizarding World. On 16 October, trans rights protesters rushed the red carpet ahead of a gala performance of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at London’s Palace Theatre.

Rowling remains one of the most influential living authors, and her views on trans rights have drawn widespread criticism and support, often shaping public debate.

Earlier this month, the BBC announced a two-part documentary on the author which is set to look at her rise with Harry Potter and her “polarising” views on gender.

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