Your weekly guide to the queer media. Every Wednesday.
As usual… 5.5 minutes to read. A weekly digest of the most important queer news in your backyard!
Every Wednesday THE9 is edited by me, Taylor Abbot, with the support of GAY45 editorial team.
If you want to hear the most essential news commented on in-depth, you can listen to our podcast, GenClash: Queer Perspectives on Current Affairs. Let us know what you think about it.
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Donald J. Trump is the President of the USA, and Herbert Kickl in Austria is preparing to become the first ‘Volkskanzler’ after Adolf Hitler. And then…
The USA. Politics. Village People Played for Trump
Village People, best known for their hit ‘Y.M.C.A,’ have sparked backlash once again after the participation in inauguration events for President Donald J. Trump. The disco group, who rose to fame in the 1970s, previously caused controversy within the LGBTQ+ community when their music was played at Trump rallies. In a statement on Facebook, the band explained that they had accepted an invitation to perform at various inaugural events, aiming to ‘bring the country together with music,’ despite potential backlash. The announcement follows comments from founding member Victor Willis, who rejected claims that ‘Y.M.C.A’ was a gay anthem, calling such suggestions ‘damaging’ to the song’s message.

President Trump with Vice President JD Vance during inauguration events on Monday. In his inaugural address, Mr. Trump vowed to stop efforts to “socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.”Credit…Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times
The USA. Politics. Trump Signs Two Orders to Dismantle Equity Policies and another 100
President Donald Trump on Monday signed a sweeping series of executive orders aimed at dismantling Biden-era initiatives on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and rolling back protections for transgender Americans. The directives, signed hours after his inauguration, include a ban on federal funding for programs promoting “gender ideology,” changes to recognize only binary gender definitions, and the elimination of DEI-focused positions in federal agencies. Trump vowed to defend “biological truth” and end “social engineering” in public policy. Critics see these moves as undermining civil rights advancements, while supporters hail them as a return to “American values.” The orders signal the administration’s intent to overhaul federal policy on race, gender, and education. On his first day, President Donald Trump issued 100 presidential orders, which included a sweeping grant of clemency for nearly 1,600 people charged in connection with the 6 January 2021 attack on the Capitol. He dismantled racial equity policies, rolled back protections for transgender people, withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, exited the World Health Organization, and reinstated the death penalty.

Durk Dehner at the Diesel celebration of The AllTogether Clubhouse in partnership with Tom of Finland
Finland. Politics. Tom of Finland Cofounder Removed as IML Judge over Nazi Regalia
International Mr. Leather (IML) has removed Durk Dehner, co-founder of the Tom of Finland Foundation, as a judge following controversy over images of him wearing Nazi regalia. IML’s executive director, David Ronneberg, condemned the symbolism, stating there is “no place” for hate in the organisation. The decision came after Pup Diego Onyx shared photos of Dehner wearing Nazi symbols, sparking outrage within the leather community. Critics, including Mr. Sister Leather 2024 J.L. Carter, accused Dehner of perpetuating harmful behaviour, including racist remarks. The Tom of Finland Foundation, founded by Dehner and artist Touko Laaksonen, has distanced itself from the controversy, pledging greater accountability and dialogue moving forward.

Attendees of Leipzig Pride hold up a heart symbol as they participate in the Pride rally. (Mim Schneider/ Christopher Street Day Leipzig)
Germany. Politics. 29 Queer Demonstrations Across Germany on February 15
On Saturday, February 15, 2025, eight days before the Bundestag election, 29 German cities will host demonstrations advocating for democracy and LGBTQ+ rights as part of a nationwide queer action day. Organized by the CSD (Christopher Street Day) movement, these rallies will begin at 11:55 a.m.—a symbolic “five to twelve”—to emphasize the urgency of combating hate and advocating for diversity. The protests are a central feature of the “Choose Love” campaign, which aims to mobilize voters to support democratic parties committed to equality, tolerance, and queer rights in the February 23 election. Supported by CSD Deutschland e.V. and local CSD groups, the campaign seeks to inspire both voters and non-voters to champion LGBTQ+ rights at the ballot box. Participating cities and further details of the campaign can be found below. Queer.de iserve as a media partner for this vital initiative. ‘CSD instead of AfD’ continues to be a rallying cry, as seen in past demonstrations like the one in Gotha on August 31, 2024. This collective action underscores the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility and active civic engagement in the fight for equality and against hate. Here are the locations.
Germany. Art. Exhibition Celebrates Radical Beauty with Works by Top Photographers
The f³ – freiraum für fotografie in Berlin will host Radical Beauty, an exhibition celebrating diversity and inclusive beauty, from March 7 to May 25. Featuring over 60 renowned fashion and art photographers, including Erwin Olaf, the showcase highlights individuals with Down syndrome, redefining traditional beauty norms. The gallery praises the collaboration between models and photographers, creating works that explore intimacy, realism, and joy. “Radical Beauty celebrates humanity’s diversity and an inclusive society,” the gallery said. The exhibition opens on March 6 at 7 p.m. at Waldemarstraße 17. Admission is free. This timely event challenges hatred and disinformation, offering a powerful message of acceptance through art.
Africa. Politics. Anti-Homosexuality Laws
Last month, the Uganda’s parliament passed a bill that would criminalize people identifying as LGBTQ and mandate a death sentence for certain kinds of same-sex activity. If the country’s president signs off on the legislation, it will create one of the most severe criminal statutes on this issue in Africa, Reuters reports. The team behind this story mapped out the state of LGBTQ rights across the continent showing countries where homosexuality is illegal, can lead to a life prison sentence, and punishable by death (three countries). The report also looked into the colonial histories of the region to explore if that legacy has impacted current laws and opinions. (Reuters)
Austria. Politics. Court Blocks Transgender Recognition, Sparking Outcry
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austria’s Administrative Court has ruled that gender registration in civil status records must reflect “biological, physical sex,” denying recognition to trans and non-binary individuals. The decision, prompted by a non-binary person’s request to remove their gender designation, has drawn widespread criticism from activists and legal experts. Lawyer Helmut Graupner, president of the Lambda Legal Committee, condemned the ruling as a “serious human rights violation,” likening Austria’s stance to policies in Russia, Hungary, and Bulgaria. Critics fear this judgment could rollback decades of progress in LGBTQ+ rights. Graupner plans to challenge the decision at Austria’s Constitutional Court, which previously upheld gender identity recognition in 2018. The ruling coincides with political tensions as far-right FPÖ negotiates a government coalition. Austria is preparing to welcome the new chancellor, Herbert Kickl, who is the first after Adolf Hitler to use the moniker ‘Volkskanzler’, People’s Chancellor.

In the vote on the AfD nomination, the Union abstained, while the other parties voted no (Image: Screenshot Bundestag-TV)
Germany. Politics. AfD Targets Hirschfeld Foundation Over Queer Advocacy
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party lead by open lesbian Alice Weidel is calling for a review of state funding for the Magnus Hirschfeld Federal Foundation (BMH), which advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. AfD deputy Nicole Höchst criticized the foundation over a decade-old lecture and the board’s support for a queer daycare center in Berlin. Höchst, known for her anti-queer rhetoric, accused the BMH of promoting “gender diversity ideology” and alleged ties to controversial sex education figures. The foundation dismissed the claims, with CEO Helmut Metzner stating they aim to discredit diversity and sexual education. This marks the AfD’s latest attack on the BMH, following similar attempts in 2018 to eliminate its public funding.
Poland. Politics. Draft Civil Partnerships to Go Further
A draft law on civil partnerships, spearheaded by Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula, has ignited controversy within Poland’s coalition government. The proposal, allowing registered partnerships for same-sex and multi-sex couples, faces criticism over potential financial abuse and its similarity to marriage. The Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs raised concerns about tax evasion and misuse of partnership regulations for acquiring agricultural property or international protection. The Ombudsman warned that simplified partnership termination could harm vulnerable parties. Minister Kotula defended the law on Instagram, calling it a matter of “dignity, love, and security” while dismissing abuse claims as unfounded. Despite opposition, the law retains support from key ministers and fulfills European Court of Human Rights rulings. The Minister for Equality also emphasized that despite critical voices, the project has the full support of key ministers, including Tomasz Siemoniak and Adam Bodnar. “We are going further with this law” – Katarzyna Kotula concluded. The law is supported also by the Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Book of the Week
Gemini by Michel Tournier is one of the gems of the world literature. The exquisite love story of Jean-Paul is set against the ugliness and pain of human existence. Gemini is a novel of extraordinary proportions, intricate images, and profound thought. In original French is Les Météores.
Music of the Week
We love Koop and their old album Koop Island Blues. Koop was a duo from Sweden, consisting of Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson. Their music was created by putting together thousands of different song samples and has been described as a blend between 1960s jazz, swing, and Caribbean music. Amazing. You can listen to it on any of your favorite platforms.
Quote of the Week
‘One can see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise.‘ F. Fitzgerald Scott
Conversation starters, cooking and games from our favourite newspapers
- Read in The New Yorker about The Inauguration of Trump’s Oligarchy‘.
- Cook: Roasted gnocchi with sausages and peppers riffs on a classic sandwich.
- Listen: Check out 14 new songs, including a country track from Ringo Starr.
- Exult: Here’s how to feel alive again.
- Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today’s Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here.
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