As usual… Weekly spotlight with our editorial staff. In week 7’s curated news, Tbilisi queer people were beaten and their pride park burned, and then:
GEORGIA. FIRE, BEATS, BROKEN DOORS.
In a shocking incident which was supposed to be Gay Pride in Tbilisi, Georgia, the queer park, recently approved by the city, was completely engulfed in flames. Disturbing images have emerged showing far-right white supremacists breaking into an apartment and tearing apart a rainbow flag on the balcony. Despite police presence, no immediate action was taken. The LGBT+ community and our writers in Tbilisi are deeply saddened and concerned for their safety. The incident was documented by our friend and Austrian filmmaker Sebastian Polleross who was in Tbilisi.
MALAYSIA. THE 1975 FRONTMAN WAS KICKED OUT FOR KISSING A MAN.
British indie band The 1975 have cut short a gig in Malaysia, following officials ordered them off stage for breaching the country’s anti-LGBT laws, BBC reports. Matty Healy launched a lengthy attack on the country’s anti-LGBT laws, before kissing bass player Ross MacDonald. We like you even more.
GLOBAL. BARBENHEIMER’S WEEKEND
The much-anticipated Barbenheimer’s weekend lived up to expectations. Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” are clearly on the path to significant profitability. Many members of the LGBTQI+ community believe that “Barbie” will capture hearts, as it features joyous queer representation with talented performers like Hari Nef and Alexandra Shipp taking on starring roles. Our Managing Editor and Senior Editor teamed up to provide this comprehensive review titled “Is Barbenheimer Camp?”.
APPLE TV. TOM HOLLAND AND A GAY SEX SCENE.
A steamy gay sex scene in the latest episode of Apple TV+’s psychological thriller The Crowded Room went viral. Conservative Twitter users popularised the #NotMySpiderman hashtag to discredit the actor. Crazy people on crazy Elon’s social toy. We are happy to see Tom in this very hot scene.
EUROPE. STUDY REVEALS LGBT+ COMMUNITY DISTRUST CORPORATE AND ORGANISATIONS.
Pride Month came to an end with a significant finding from a recent study. The study indicates that a mere 7% of queer Europeans and Brits are convinced that brands truly support Pride. This leaves a staggering 93% of the LGBT+ community sceptical, as they either don’t trust companies’ intentions or believe their support lacks sincerity. In a more amazing conclusion, just 11% of queer community trusts LGBT+ organisations. This lack of trust should serve as a wake-up call for corporations and organisations to reevaluate their approach towards supporting the LGBT+ community and may be investing their resources in cultural and alternative educational programs. They lose trust and also they lose future clients and members.
FRANCE. AN EXHIBITION TO VISIT.
“Over the Rainbow” is an exhibition curated mainly from the Centre Pompidou collection. The exhibition comprises the work of numerous painters, photographers, designers, singers, actors and writers. Will be open until 13 November 2023 and if you are in Paris we strongly recommend seeing it.
UK. TOM OF FINLAND ART & CULTURE FESTIVAL 2023
The Festival is ToFF’s (Tom of Finland Foundation) annual programming effort aimed at bringing together artists, galleries, and patrons from around the world in a socially friendly setting. Its purpose is to facilitate networking opportunities and enable the buying and selling of artworks. The London edition, which took place last weekend, was particularly captivating. The next stop for the festival will be in Los Angeles. For more information about the participating artists and galleries, you can visit their website.
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