Your guide to the queer media circus.
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, the gay boxing championship, and then:
Gabriela Bankova outside the Palace of Justice in the Bulgarian capital Sofia on her fifth day of a hunger strike in protest against the lack of trans rights in the country. Manuela Popova/Handout via Thomson Reuters Foundation
Bulgaria. Politics. Transgender Woman on Hunger Strike Vows to Die for Trans Rights.
Gabriela Bankova, a 32-year-old software architect, continues her hunger strike in Sofia, Bulgaria, protesting the nation’s recent curtailment of trans rights. Arrested on Thursday, Bankova remains resolute in her pursuit of equality, expressing a willingness to sacrifice her life for the cause. In an exclusive telephone interview with Openly, she stated, “I intend to continue this protest indefinitely until the Bulgarian people hear me and understand me.” Bankova demands the removal of discriminatory laws, asserting trans people’s right to dignity, medical care, and equal freedoms. Bulgaria currently ranks 40th in LGBTQ+ rights among European countries, according to ILGA-Europe.
Martin Stark wore the rainbow flag during his entrance to his first competitive boxing match.(Supplied: Martin Stark)
USA. Sports. Chicago to Host Second World Gay Boxing Championships
The World Gay Boxing Championships (WGBC) is set to make its mark in Chicago, with the second edition scheduled for June 20, 2024. Following the success of the inaugural event at Sydney World Pride earlier this year, founder Martin Stark and Out100 fighter Diego La Valle Cevallos-Garzon are spearheading the initiative. The championships aim to foster inclusivity in boxing, breaking down barriers for LGBTQ+ individuals. Diego, owner of Chicago’s first LGBTQ+ gym, Strong Hands Gym, and Martin Stark, an entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ advocate, expressed their excitement for the upcoming event, envisioning it as a catalyst for positive change in the world of sports.
Malaysia. Music & Politics. Coldplay Faces “Kill Switch” at Malaysia Concert
Despite opposition from conservative Muslims, Coldplay’s concert in Malaysia is set to proceed on Wednesday, with discussions of a potential “kill switch” in case of cultural sensitivities. Following a recent ruling requiring such switches after a same-sex kiss controversy at a 1975 concert, Malaysia’s communications minister, Fahmi Fadzilit, stated, “The prime minister has said the band is very supportive of Palestine. So, we are upbeat about the concert today.” Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended Coldplay, stating, “Why should we stop a group that supports the Palestinian cause from performing?” The concert’s go-ahead reflects a delicate balance amid cultural concerns and political support for the band’s activism.
Thailand. Politics. Cabinet Approves Marriage Equality Bill
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, announced Cabinet approval of a groundbreaking marriage equality bill, positioning the nation to lead Southeast Asia in legalizing same-sex marriage. The proposed amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code, expected to be debated in parliament next month, replaces gender-specific terms with “individuals” or “spouse,” granting equal rights to same-sex couples. Prime Minister Thavisin, prioritizing this rare social issue since August, expressed a commitment to equal rights, stating, “I believe that everyone should be entitled to equal rights, regardless of their gender.” If approved, Thailand would become the first Southeast Asian country to recognize same-sex marriage, challenging regional conservatism.
16-year-old makeup artist Pranshu.
India. Politics. Tragic Death of Queer Teen Sparks Calls for Meta to Address Cyber Bullying
The death of 16-year-old Indian makeup artist, Pranshu, by suicide has prompted LGBTQIA+ rights advocacy collective, Yes, We Exist, to urge Meta to address cyber bullying on its platform. Pranshu, a social media influencer with 14,000 followers, faced relentless online attacks, particularly after a Diwali Reel featuring them in a saree went viral. Yes, We Exist claims the social media star experienced mass bullying on Instagram, with over 4,000 homophobic comments. The group demands Meta invest in non-English languages and combat cyber bullying. The tragic incident underscores the real-world consequences of online bullying, highlighting the need for platform accountability. Meta is yet to respond to the calls. GAY45 has contacted Meta for comment but we did not receive any answer until the moment of publishing.
Bucharest Pride 2018. (DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty)
Romania. Politics. Prime Minister Asserts Nation is “Not Ready” for Expanded LGBTQ+ Rights
Romania’s Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, declared that the country is “not ready” to advance LGBTQ+ rights in alignment with a May ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The ECHR had found Romania in breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights for not recognizing same-sex relationships. In an interview with Europa FM, Prime Minister Ciolacu stated, “Romanian society is not ready for a decision at the moment. It is not one of my priorities, and I don’t think Romania is ready.” Ciolacu added that he didn’t believe it would be the last time that Romania failed to enforce the ECHR’s rulings. Romania, having decriminalized homosexuality in 2001, still lags in legalizing same-sex marriage or civil partnerships. Marcel Ciolacu is considered the less educated Prime Minister in UE, accordingly to an independent research. GAY45 asked for an official statement from the press office of the Romanian Prime Minister, but we did not received an answer until the publishing moment.
Vatican City (Vatican), November 19th, 2023. (Photo by Grzegorz Galazka/Archivio Grzegorz Galazka/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
Vatican. Politics. Pope Francis Hosts Trans Women for VIP Lunch
In a gesture of comfort and support, Pope Francis shared lunch with a group of trans women during the 2023 World Day of the Poor, treating them as VIPs. This follows the Pope’s recent statement allowing trans people to be baptized and act as godparents or marriage witnesses. The trans women, with a history of personal interaction with the pontiff, joined 1000 poor and homeless guests. The indulgent meal featured cannelloni pasta, meatballs, cauliflower puree, and tiramisu. One trans woman, Claudia Vittoria Salas, a former sex worker and godparent in Argentina, was seated with the Pope, illustrating the Church’s evolving acceptance
UK. Politics & Culture. Museum Recognizing Roman Emperor as Transgender Woman
The North Hertfordshire Museum is revising its exhibit on Roman Emperor Elagabalus, now acknowledging her as a transgender woman with she/her pronouns. Historical uncertainties surrounding Elagabalus’s gender identity prompted the museum to reassess based on classical texts referring to the emperor’s own preference for female pronouns. Accounts by Roman historian Cassius Dio detail Elagabalus’s marriages, including one to a former slave named Hiercoles, affirming her gender expression. Kevin Hoskins, a spokesperson for the museum, emphasized the importance of respecting historical pronoun choices. The updated display aims for sensitivity and aligns with contemporary standards of politeness and respect.
Foto: Corinne-Fhima „EVE-FACTORY”.
Germany. Arts. Berlin Captivating Exhibition
Berlin’s queer gallery, neurotitan, introduces the captivating exhibition “URBAN WITCHES NOT BITCHES – Beast from the East.” Exploring traditional Eastern and Southeast European narratives, the exhibition delves into forgotten stories, challenging stereotypical expectations associated with the feminine. Viviana Druga curated this living art laboratory, fostering a meeting of artistic spirits. The gallery aims to provoke thought on the transformative power of art, inviting visitors to expand their horizons until January 13, 2024. The exhibition challenges conventional representations and embraces queerness in a vibrant exploration of cultural tales and sacred themes.
Opening up what we believe is possible … Julia Armfield, author of Our Wives Under the Sea. Photograph: Sophie Davidson
UK. Books. Top Honors at Polari Prizes 2023.
The prestigious Polari prizes celebrate Julia Armfield and Jon Ransom as this year’s literary victors, exploring LGBTQ+ experiences through novels intertwined with the theme of water.
Julia Armfield’s “Our Wives Under the Sea” clinched the coveted overall prize, accompanied by a £2,000 cash award, while Jon Ransom’s “The Whale Tattoo” secured the £1,000 Polari first book prize.
The ceremony, held at the British Library on Friday evening, marked the recognition of books that “entertain, seduce, and provoke thought,” according to Paul Burston, prize founder and chair of judges. Both winning novels were praised for expanding the horizons of LGBTQ+ literature and promising futures for their accomplished authors.
And… some recommendations from our favourite newspapers. This week NYT.
Cook: Katharine Hepburn’s brownies are, like the actress herself, a classic.
Travel: Mistakes to avoid when you hit the road.
Read: Peruse the Booker Prize shortlist.
Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today’s Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here.
Curated every week by our news editor Taylor Abbot & GAY45 editorial staff. Exclusive for subscribers on Monday through Substack and Wednesday on the website.
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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