"The 9". News Curated Weekly. K-pop, a very political week, and more

As usual… 5.5 minutes to read. A weekly digest of the most important queer news in your backyard! Exclusively for paid subscribers every Monday, “The 9” is curated weekly by Taylor Abbot + the GenZ editorial team.

Your guide to the queer media circus.

This week, HIV cases dropped to 0 in Amsterdam, and then:

SOUTH KOREA. MUSIC. K-POP BAND QI.X COMES OUT.

In a very Conservative South Korea, a K-pop group came out and manifested freely in festivals and communities. QI.X often performs at fund-raisers, for L.G.B.T.Q. and other causes, and sees its music as inseparable from its activism. Christian protesters are picketing their presence at festivals, some with signs that read “Homosexuality not human rights but SIN.” But an enormous number of fans were there, too. As QI.X sang “Lights Up” and “Walk & Shine,” hundreds crowded in front of the stage, many wearing headbands that were purple, the group’s colour. There were Pride flags and signs that read “We only see you QI.X. Conservative Christians are a powerful force in South Korean politics, having lobbied successfully for years to block a bill that would prevent discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender people.

ROMANIA. POLITICS. OBLIGED TO RECOGNISE SAME-SEX MARRIGES.

On 26 September 2023, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) compelled Romania to legally recognize and protect same-sex families. This decision came following a case in which 21 same-sex couples sought legal recognition of their marriages in Romania. “It’s a significant moment for the us,” says Florin Buhuceanu, the leader of the LGBT+ community in Romania. “After decades of being treated as criminals, we still have fewer rights than criminals in the realm of family protection. They can get married even in prison, while we cannot. However, there is no time to celebrate this victory just yet. Any progress in the field of human rights, especially LGBT+ rights, in this country has been achieved through persistent pressure, both internally and externally. We need to collaborate with all our partners to reach the point when Romania will implement this crucial legal decision and adopt legislation that safeguards our families,” declared Buhuceanu, exclusively for GAY45. In January 2023, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that all member states of the Council of Europe, including Romania, must establish a legal form of protection for same-sex couples. This decision mirrors a similar one made against Bulgaria. We are perplexed as to why such a basic right needs to be imposed by a European court.

GREECE. POLITICS. SYRIZA PARTY ELECTS FIRST OPENLY GAY LEADER.

Greece’s opposition Syriza party has chosen Stefanos Kasselakis, a former Goldman Sachs trader and openly gay individual, as its leader. This marks the first time an LGBTQ+ figure has led one of Greece’s major political parties. Kasselakis, married to nurse Tyler Macbeth since 2019, aims to bring change, stating, “Greek people are ready to have a prime minister who is capable, incorruptible, unscathed, and happens to be gay.” Europe leads globally in the number of openly gay political leaders, with Luxembourg, Ireland, Serbia, and Andorra currently having LGBTQ+ leaders.

WORLDWIDE. MUSIC. CHAPPELL ROAN IS THE QUEER POP MOMENT.

Missouri-born singer Chappell Roan, the alter ego of Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, 25, delivers a 49-minute album brimming with empowerment, queer awakening, and self-assuredness. Known for her vibrant stage persona and theatrical style, Amstutz’s influences range from Caroline Rose’s cinematic sensibility to the youthful angst of Olivia Rodrigo. The album, rooted in her Midwestern identity, resonates with relatable themes and showcases her hometown in music videos. As she embarks on a tour, fans can anticipate an unforgettable experience.

IRAK. POLITICS. POPULAR TIKTOKER SHOT AND KILLED.

Popular Iraqi TikToker Noor Alsaffar, known as Noor BM, was tragically shot and killed in Baghdad on Monday, September 25. The 23-year-old, who identified as male, faced constant scrutiny and anti-LGBTQ+ criticism. Iraq is intensifying its crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights, proposing harsh penalties for same-sex conduct and gender-affirming care. Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned the bill, calling on the government to withdraw it, stating it endangers the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. The country witnessed a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ violence amid growing hostility towards the community.

USA. POLITICS. SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN DIES AT 90.

The California Democrat, the oldest member of the Senate, had been declining in health for months. She achieved remarkable political breakthroughs as a woman, becoming San Francisco’s first female mayor and the first woman elected to the Senate from California. Dianne Feinstein, the grande dame of California Democrats became the mayor of San Francisco after the horrific double assassination at City Hall in 1978 in which Harvey Milk was killed. She supported gay rights in housing and jobs and developed programs to fight AIDS. She was a relentless advocate for gun control.

POLAND. POLITICS. TUSK UNVEILS LGBT+ RIGHTS BILLS IN POLAND

Donald Tusk, leader of Poland’s Civic Platform, has introduced two bills to improve LGBTQ+ rights in the country. This move follows a growing divide in Polish society on LGBTQ+ issues, with the ruling party taking a hardline stance. The first bill aims to simplify transgender self-identification, removing legal hurdles. The second seeks to recognize same-sex civil partnerships, though not full marriage equality. Tusk’s proposals address concerns raised by a high school student about LGBTQ+ rights. Poland has faced international criticism for its treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals. Tusk’s bills aim to make progress in this regard. Poland will have new elections on October 15.

SOUTH AFRICA. CRIME. A NEW GRINDR CRIME SOLVED BY POLICE.

Police in Gauteng province, South Africa, have arrested seven suspects for allegedly kidnapping an 18-year-old student they lured through Grindr, a dating app. The victim was reported missing on September 19, and the suspects demanded a £1,300 ransom from his family. The police arrested the first suspect on September 20, leading them to a Johannesburg hostel where they found the victim bound and unconscious. They recovered knives and the victim’s belongings. The suspects will face charges of kidnapping and extortion, and police are investigating potential links to similar cases. This incident highlights safety concerns for Grindr users in South Africa, where scams and attacks using the app have been reported. LGBT+ organizations have voiced alarm about the growing scale of these crimes. How many times to tell people to stay away from Grindr?

THE NETHERLANDS.AMSTERDAM HIV CASES DROP TO ALMOST ZERO.

New cases of HIV in Amsterdam have dropped to almost zero thanks to an investment scheme in the preventative drug PrEP. According to figures from the Dutch AIDS Fund, there were only nine new cases of the virus in Amsterdam in 2022, down from 66 people diagnosed in 2021. The organisation claimed that 128 people were diagnosed with HIV in Amsterdam in 2019, and since 2010, the number of new infections in the Dutch capital has fallen by 95 per cent. With a goal to reach zero new HIV transmissions in the city by 2026, the city of Amsterdam reportedly provided an extra budget in 2019 to make PrEP – the medication which reduces viral HIV load to undetectable levels and makes the disease untransmissable – more widely accessible, including to people like sex workers, who may have a higher risk of infection. Since the first searing exchange started in Amsterdam which doped dramatically the number of STD transmissions, the city led in prevention policies.

Recommendations from our favourite newspapers. This week NYT.

Cook “pizza chicken.”

Purchase the perfect vacation keepsake.

Reflect on why you matter.

Watch Wes Anderson’s new film, “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” on Netflix.

Listen to nine songs to make you say “yeah!”

Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today’s Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here.

Curated every Wednesday by Taylor Abbot & GAY45 editorial staff. Exclusive for subscribers on Monday through Substack.

Taylor Abbot is a 23 y.o. staff writer for GAY45 and MA student at the University of Oxford. Previously he studied at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He is passionate about journalism, contemporary literature, poetry, technology, socio-political involved art forms and queer implications in society. He wrote previously for several magazines as Bay Area Reporter or Männer. Nerdy curious, passionate about the weird parts of life and the good stories written by great journalists. Taylor decided to delete all his social media accounts two years ago. Lives and works between Berlin and London.

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