As usual… 5.5 minutes to read. Your guide to the queer media circus. 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.
This week, Omar Apollo’s new single has his penis on the cover, and then:
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On stage 1-1 live interviews at SNUFELL FESTIVAL.
GAY45. NEWS. SNUFFEL FESTIVAL PARTNER WITH QUEER JOURNALISM CAMPUS
The organizers of the SNUFFEL FESTIVAL have officially announced a groundbreaking partnership with QUEER JOURNALISM CAMPUS. This exciting collaboration aims to bring the campus under the festival’s umbrella, providing enhanced visibility and support. QUEER JOURNALISM CAMPUS stands as a pioneering initiative in Europe, offering contemporary training opportunities for aspiring queer journalists. Further details about this unique project are set to be unveiled on their forthcoming website, scheduled for a January 2024 launch. SNUFFEL FESTIVAL is an event proposing three days with the world’s most interesting queer writers and journalists curating the program. The festival will include 1-1 on-stage live interviews with queer well-known personalities, a form of cabaret from the times when the queer press was born, an exhibition of contemporary art, music events and an epic performed party with analogic cameras that will generate a zine. We know sounds extravagant, but the organisers wanted us to believe so. The 2024 theme of the festival is “Edit Your Future: Queerverse AI”. More information will follow soon on their website to be launched in January 2024. Queer Journalism Campus will be supported by Wirtschaftsagentur Wien(Vienna Business Agency).
Omar Apollo’s new single vinyl with artwork of his penis on the back cover.
USA. MUSIC. FABULOS MUSIC OF OMAR APOLLO. AND… HIS PENIS.
US queer music sensation Omar Apollo has released a new EP titled “Live for Me,” which contains four songs reflecting his journey and experiences. The EP’s cover art, featuring a censored image of the singer, has caused a stir because on the back the singer shows his penis. Painted. Omar Apollo explained, “These four songs reflect the realities I have had to deal with in recent years.” The release coincides with Coming Out Day, and the music video for “Live for Me” is featured as “Video of the Day.” Apollo is considered one of the most talented musicians of his generation and climbed in almost every music chart in the world.
A member of the St Anselm community at Lambeth Palace walks past activists from the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement outside the General Synod at Church House in London. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA
UK. POLITICS. CHURCHES IN OXFORD ACUSED OF HOMOFOBIA.
Oxford Faith Action, a student team from the University of Oxford, the number one ranking university in the world, has published a comprehensive guide ranking Oxford churches on their LGBTQ+ inclusivity. The report aims to provide clear information to students and the community to prevent potentially “traumatizing” experiences. The ranking is based on a traffic-light system, with some churches criticized for holding actively hostile attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community. Oxford Faith Action hopes the project will promote transparency and informed decision-making for those attending religious services in the area.
UK. FILM. FORMIDABLE TERENCE DAVIES PASSED AWAY.
British filmmaker Terence Davies passed away at the age of seventy-seven. Despite a career filled with critically acclaimed movies, Davies’ work was marked by financial challenges, limiting his output. Known for his passionate and formative autobiographical childhood dramas, his films often explored themes of memory, loss, and regret. He was regarded as a cinematic poet of memory and loss and was celebrated for his unique sense of style and artistry in filmmaking. Davies left a significant mark on British cinema, leaving behind an enduring cinematic legacy. Davies remained a trailblazer in LGBT+ cinema. We love his work and we encourage you to see his movies.
GERMANY. FILM. HAMBURG INTERNATIONAL QUEER FILM FESTIVAL
The 34th “Hamburg International Queer Film Festival” is set to take place from October 17th to 22nd, offering a deep dive into queer film art. The festival kicks off with an opening gala on October 17th at Kampnagel and features artists like stand-up comedian Sophia Spitzenberg, beatboxing artist Lia Şahin, actors Oscar-Roza Miller and Elios Levy, and director Julz Ritschel. The festival’s aim is to showcase diverse and current international film productions that tackle relevant topics and offer a platform for socially engaged and thought-provoking cinema. Screenings will be held at cinemas Metropolis, Passage, 3001, and B-Movie. The full program can be found at www.hiqff.de, with a PDF version available. We know what to do this week.
The actor Lorenz Hochhuth (l) and the director Hannes Hirsch show their prize. © Gerald Matzka/dpa
GERMANY. FILM. DRIFTER GOT A NEW AWARD.
Hannes Hirsch’s coming-of-age film Drifter was awarded the First Steps Award in the Evening Feature Film category. The film, which tells the story of a young gay man’s journey of self-discovery, was recognized for its portrayal of tenderness, fragility, and loneliness in a big city. The jury praised the naturalistic imagery and the outstanding performance by lead actor Lorenz Hochhuth. “Drifter” explores themes of community, rituals, desires, and the universal search for love. You can read an excellent review of the movie by our Managing Editor who predicted Drifter will be a very awarded movie this year. Drifter won 5 awards in very short time, including a Teddy Award in Berlin.
USA. POLITICS. WHO SAID THE USA IS DEMOCRATIC? ALABAMA THREW OUT $16,500 WORTH OF TEACHER TRAINING MANUALS OVER THEIR “WOKE” CONTENT
Alabama’s Department of Education discarded over 100 teacher training manuals worth more than $16,000 after conservative complaints about their “woke” content. The manuals, purchased in bulk for pre-kindergarten teachers at $165 each, were ordered removed from Alabama school systems by Republican Gov. Kay Ivey in response to conservative objections. These objections centred on the inclusion of topics like white privilege, systemic racism, and LGBTQ+ identities in the manuals. Ivey removed Dr Barbara Cooper from her role as the director of the state Department of Early Childhood Education over the issue. NAEYC defended the manuals, stating they helped create “joyful learning environments.” Previously a group in Alabama was reportedly campaigning for a legislative change that would see librarians facing jail time if they offered LGBT+-inclusive literature to kids. We are wondering if Walt Whitman, the national poet of the USA, and one of the greatest poets in history, who was gay and dedicated poems to his lover is one of the forbidden authors.
Matthew Shepard in 1998 before his death.
USA. POLITICS. BIDEN COMMEMORATED MATTHEW SHEPARD.
President Joe Biden commemorated the 25th anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s tragic death, emphasizing the ongoing fight for LGBT+ rights. Shepard’s murder ignited the LGBT+ rights movement. The President called on Congress to pass the Equality Act for full civil rights protections. Despite progress, more than 20 states have enacted anti-LGBT+ laws, particularly targeting transgender individuals. Activists highlight the need to combat discrimination and bias. Matthew Shepard’s legacy continues to inspire the fight for LGBT+ equality. Matthew Shepard died on October 12, 1998, after being brutally attacked and left tied to a fence in Laramie, Wyoming. Matthew Shepard Foundation funded by his parents works to promote LGBT+ equality and combat hate and discrimination in honor of Matthew Shepard’s legacy.
GERMANY. POLITICS. FEDERAL AGENCY LEAVE X/TWITTER.
The German federal anti-discrimination agency has cut ties with the online service X, formerly known as Twitter, citing concerns over hate speech. Federal Government Commissioner Ferda Ataman expressed concern over X’s transformation into a “disinformation network” and the alleged spread of “anti-Semitic, racist, and populist content” by owner Elon Musk. Ataman called on ministries and government agencies to reconsider their presence on the platform. Hate speech on X escalated during the Hamas-Israel conflict, prompting 160 rabbis and Jewish organisations to denounce the platform as a “breeding ground for anti-Semitism.” Ataman also urged the Federal Government to distance itself from X. The government is reviewing the situation while still using X as a communication channel. GAY45 left X/Twitter at the first moment when Elon Musk took over. We were sure about the dark future Musk prepares for all his “toys”.
HBO. SERIES. QUEER PIRATES COME BACK.
Pirate comedy “Our Flag Means Death” is making its return to screens in the US, with the second season set to begin streaming on Max. The series stars Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi and explores the romance between their characters, gentleman-turned-pirate Stede Bonnet and the notorious Blackbeard. The US release date for season 2 is Thursday, October 5, 2023. Although the UK release date is yet to be confirmed, it’s expected to follow a pattern similar to the first season’s release on BBC Two. The second season continues to follow the adventures of 18th-century pirate Stede Bonnet and his love story with Captain Blackbeard. The majority of the main cast returns for season 2, with some new additions. We are so happy; we love the pirate love.
LAST HOUR
IN MEMORIAM: PROMISING YOUNG JOURNALIST JOE DRENNAN
This week was a very bloody one. Hamas slaughtered Israelis at a music festival and Israel revenged the massacre with an incredible aerial attack and an invasion which killed lots of kids in Gaza. A terrible week with thousands of people dead and again a discussion about religion.
Recommendations from our favourite newspapers. This week NYT.
Cook Chinese tomatoes and eggs, for a simple and tasty meal.
Listen to nine new songs recommended by an NYT critic.
Enjoy the costumes in “Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction” on Netflix.
Forget these nutrition myths.
Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today’s Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here.
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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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