THE9+. Queer News. 3 September. Austrian Bank Actions, Folsom Festival, Double Crime in Mykonos — and Much More

We return from our summer break, a time that was as much about work as rest, dedicated to refining the magazine and enriching your reading experience.

A weekly digest of the essential queer news in your backyard!

This week, THE9+ is edited by me, Taylor Abbot, the News Editor, with the support of the editorial team.

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Austria. Corporate. Budapest Pride Scene Cut from Erste Group Advert

Austrian bank Erste Group has removed a scene featuring Budapest Pride from a new commercial after a request from its Hungarian subsidiary, the bank confirmed on Thursday. The advert, created for the European Forum Alpbach under the slogan #believeineurope, included AI-generated depictions of historical events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Solidarity movement in Poland. It also showed this year’s Budapest Pride, which drew an estimated 200,000 people in defiance of Hungary’s government ban. Pro-government media in Hungary criticised the inclusion of Pride, calling it a “scandal.” Erste Bank Hungary said the segment “does not have the same significance for all Hungarians” and argued other historical events should be highlighted instead. The original version of the film, which briefly described circulated on YouTube, has since been deleted. You can read an op-ed on the topic in GAY45.

The USA. Justice. Supreme Court Officially Asked to Overturn Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

The US Supreme Court will this autumn consider whether to hear a case seeking to overturn its 2015 landmark ruling guaranteeing marriage rights to same-sex couples. Kim Davis, a former Kentucky county clerk jailed in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples on religious grounds, has petitioned the court to reverse Obergefell v. Hodges. Davis is appealing a $100,000 damages award and $260,000 in legal fees, arguing that the First Amendment protects her from liability. Her lawyers contend the decision was “egregiously wrong” and should be treated like the court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. Legal experts say the appeal is unlikely to succeed. The court, now with a 6–3 conservative majority, is expected to decide this autumn whether to take the case, with arguments potentially held in 2026.

Myanmar. Human Rights. Two Transgender Women Die in an Apparent Suicide in Myanmar’s Rakhine State

Two transgender women died after jumping from a bridge in Minbya Township on the night of 12 August, local media reported. Their bodies were recovered separately on 14 August following a joint search by the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army law enforcement, public security forces, and village elders. The victims were identified as Ma Yi Yi San, 23, from Pauktaw Township, and Ma Khin Moe Than, 22, from Minbya Township. A local LGBTQ+ activist said the women had faced rejection from their families and criticism from their community over their relationship. LGBTQ+ groups say suicide rates among sexual and gender minorities in Myanmar are rising due to societal stigma, family rejection and laws that criminalise same-sex relations under Section 377 of the Penal Code. Homosexuality remains punishable by imprisonment in Myanmar.

Denmark. Pride. Copenhagen Pride is in Deficit, and with Fewer Participants

Copenhagen Pride ended 2024 with a deficit of nearly 1.7 million kroner (€228,000) after a sharp drop in sponsorship and ticket revenue, documents obtained by news agency Ritzau from the Municipality of Copenhagen show. The organisation had budgeted 8.5 million kroner (€1.14 million) in sponsorship but secured only 4.4 million (€590,000) after several major companies, including Maersk, Google, and Novo Nordisk withdrew support. Their exit followed Pride’s February 2024 decision to ask sponsors to disclose their “interests and activities in Israel and Palestine.” Audience income also fell short, with revenue from tickets, bars and merchandise reaching just 1.7 million kroner (€228,000) compared with the expected four million (€536,000). Attendance dropped to around 15,000, down from 35,000 in 2023, according to police. Copenhagen Pride, Denmark’s largest LGBT+ rights festival, cut costs by five million kroner (€670,000) to offset losses. The situation in Copenhagen reflects a wider decline in participation at Prides across the EU, with many questioning the purpose of such events in an increasingly complex political climate, claiming more powerful political actions.

Germany. Festival. Folsom Europe Fetish Festival Hosted over 20,000 People

More than 20,000 people gathered in central Berlin this weekend for Folsom Europe, one of the world’s largest fetish festivals, organisers said. The annual event, held in the capital’s Schöneberg district, is a celebration of leather, fetish and kink subcultures, attracting visitors from across Europe and beyond. Streets were closed to traffic as participants in elaborate outfits mingled with tourists and residents. First launched in 2004, Folsom Europe is modelled on San Francisco’s Folsom Street Fair and has become a major event in Berlin’s cultural calendar. Proceeds support HIV prevention programmes and LGBTQ+ community projects. Police said the festival was peaceful, with no major incidents reported. Organisers emphasised the event’s role in promoting diversity, sexual freedom and community solidarity. Berlin-Lichterfelde’s former prison hosts 50 international artists in the exhibition Unbound, during the Folsom Europe.

Argentina. Hate Crime. 70% Surge in Anti-LBGTQ+ Attacks Amid Milei Rhetoric

Argentina’s LGBTQ+ community is reeling after a surge in hate crimes, with more than 100 attacks reported in the first seven months of 2025, a 70% increase from last year, according to the LGBT Argentina Federation. The spike follows homophobic remarks by President Javier Milei, who in January linked homosexuality with paedophilia during a speech at the World Economic Forum. In one of the latest incidents, 24-year-old model Juan Sabín was assaulted outside a Buenos Aires gay club, leaving him with a fractured jaw that required surgery. Days later, homophobic graffiti and arson damaged homes in Tigre and Buenos Aires Province. Activists blame government rhetoric for legitimising violence. “Hate speech circulating nonstop in media and social networks, often from the top of political power, has consequences,” said Leandro Cahn of Fundación Huésped. Authorities have not commented on the rise in attacks.

Nigeria. Crime. Two Students Killed in Suspected Homophobic Attack

Two students were killed and two others injured in an attack at a boarding school in northern Nigeria’s Kano State, reportedly targeted for being gay, local media said. The victims, identified as Hamza Idris-Tofawa and Umar Yusuf-Dungurawa, died after fellow students attacked them on July 14 at Government Secondary School Bichi. Eleven suspects have been arrested, according to Dailytrust, a Nigerian newspaper. Rights groups say the case underscores the risks faced by LGBTQ+ people in Nigeria, where same-sex relations are punishable by up to 14 years in prison, and in some northern states governed by Sharia law, by death. “This tragedy is a direct result of a system that dehumanises LGBTQ+ people,” activist Bandy Kiki told the Washington Blade. Human Rights Watch has urged Nigeria to repeal laws criminalising same-sex relations and end prosecutions based on sexual orientation.

The USA. Pop Politics. Gloria Gaynor ‘I Am What I Am’ singer is a donor to MAGA Republicans

Grammy-winning singer Gloria Gaynor, best known for her 1978 disco anthem ‘I Will Survive’, has donated almost $22,000 to Republican politicians and groups over the past two years, according to US Federal Election Commission filings. The 81-year-old Newark-born performer, listed under her birth name Gloria Fowles, contributed to campaigns for House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senators Ted Cruz, Marsha Blackburn and Josh Hawley, among others. Most donations were channelled through the Republican fundraising platform WinRed, with additional support for the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Black conservative New Journey Political Action Committee. Gaynor, selected earlier this month by President Donald Trump as a Kennedy Center Honoree, has not commented on the award or her political giving. Some fans, including prominent Republicans, have urged her to decline the honour over Trump’s divisive politics.

The EU. Media. Publications Aimed at LGBTQ+ Audiences Face Discrimination from Advertisers

Publications aimed at LGBTQ+ and minority audiences say they are facing a sharp decline in advertising support, which editors describe as “good old-fashioned discrimination” following political backlash against diversity and inclusion campaigns. Tag Warner, chief executive of Gay Times, said to The Guardian that his outlet had lost 80% of its advertisers in the past year, amounting to more than £5 million in expected revenue. He blamed anti-diversity drives in the United States, adding, “Discrimination doesn’t have to make business sense. Discrimination is discrimination.” Other publishers echoed the warning. Nafisa Bakkar of Amaliah, which focuses on Muslim women’s voices, said the earlier “gold rush” to support inclusive media was “well and truly over.” Ibrahim Kamara of youth platform GUAP noted a marked shift since 2020, as enthusiasm from brands waned. While some titles have weathered the downturn, editors warned that political pressures and economic uncertainty continue to unsettle advertisers.

Greece. Crime. Brazilian Model Dies in Mykonos Hotel, Porn Actor in Coma

Brazilian model Yago Campos, 25, was found dead in a luxury hotel on the Greek island of Mykonos, while fellow model and porn actor Ryan Silveira, 23, was taken to the hospital after being discovered unconscious, according to CNN Brasil. Hotel staff reportedly entered the room after noticing water leaking from the bathroom and found both men motionless in a bathtub. Emergency crews were unable to revive Campos, while Silveira was transferred to the hospital, initially in a coma. His mother later told CNN that he is now conscious, coherent and expected to be discharged soon. The circumstances of the incident remain unclear. Greek police have launched an investigation and ordered an autopsy. Campos’s sister told CNN Brasil the family has received little information about his death. “They only said that Ryan had some bruises on his face and traces of blood under his fingernails.”

Germany. Protests. Irish Activist Injured in Berlin Police Clash at Pro-Palestine Protest

Berlin police have launched a criminal investigation after footage showed an officer punching an Irish activist in the face during a pro-Palestinian rally, prompting concern from Ireland’s foreign ministry, The Guardian reported. Videos posted online captured Kitty O’Brien, a non-binary activist, being struck twice and dragged away bloodied at Thursday’s protest in the capital’s Mitte district. Local media reported O’Brien also suffered a broken arm, though this has not been independently verified. Police confirmed the officer had been identified and said the probe was examining possible bodily harm in office. O’Brien is also under investigation for resisting and insulting police. Ireland’s ambassador to Germany raised the case with Berlin authorities, while activists protested outside the German embassy in Dublin on Saturday. The demonstration, organised by Irish Bloc Berlin, was part of wider protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Police detained 94 people during the rally.

Must Read of GAY45

• An excellent op-ed on Austria’s corporate attitude to inclusion and profit.
• A radiography of the work conflict at the biggest corporate in the gay business: Grindr.

Quote of the Week

“To be recognised is to be told that you matter, that your life has worth and that you have a place in the world. There’s nothing unhealthy about that. But our media and politics leverage the psychological wages of attention in a way that is utterly corrosive and warping.” ― Ash Sarkar

Film of the Week

Plainclothes (2025) is an unforgettable thriller that, through its gripping performances, bold stylistic choices, and unflinching honesty, captures the suffocating fear of being watched, judged, and ultimately exposed. Directed by Carmen Emmi and starring two great actors, Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey. Emmi wants us to experience his protagonist’s sense of suffocation. When looking back from the present, we just want to shout: “It gets better!”. Plainclothes is unquestionably a movie that comes from a place of empathy for the constraints queer men had to work around in the pre-Grindr era, and in many cases, no doubt still do. It’s a moving story told with sensitivity and beautifully acted by the two leads.

Book of the Week

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab is a vampire vacation novel. Schwab breathes new life (teehee) into the undead with this opulent sapphic vampire tale. Following three women from three different centuries, it’s a story of hunger, feminism, and ferociousness. To say more would almost spoil its magic, so just know that it’s a vampire novel unlike any other, spanning hundreds of years, with monsters who will dazzle and horrify you. These women are not satisfied being bit players in their own lives, and their thirst for more leads them down dark paths. Like many of Schwab’s novels, it has lush writing and entrancing storytelling, and the results are mesmerising. I’ll continue to follow her anywhere.

Music of the Week

BUSH returns with I Beat Loneliness, their most personal and powerful album yet. Produced by Erik Ron, this tenth studio release sees frontman Gavin Rossdale confront emotional vulnerability and mental health with raw honesty. Tracks like “Scars” stand out as anthems of survival, transforming pain into connection. With soaring melodies and a signature alt-rock edge, the album offers a cathartic experience that’s both intimate and universal. Critical acclaim hails its storytelling and emotional depth, with international press praising its resonance. Available in multiple formats, I Beat Loneliness proves BUSH still has something vital to say—loud, heartfelt, and unafraid.

Conversation starters, cooking, fashion and games from our favourite newspapers:

• Cook: Use the best tomatoes you can find for this pasta al pomodoro.
• Watch: Our movie critic calls My Undesirable Friends, a documentary chronicling Russia’s press under siege, one of the year’s “most towering achievements.”
• Move: We asked physical therapists and other experts to correct some of the biggest myths about running.
• Play the Spelling Bee. And here are The New York Times’s Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all their puzzles here

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