A weekly digest of the most essential queer news in your backyard!
This week, THE9+ is edited by GAY45 Managing Editor Jude Jones, with the support of the 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. If you have a comment or a suggestion, write to our Editor-in-Chief at [email protected]
And then…
Colombia. Crime. Trans Woman’s Killing Sparks Outrage
The brutal killing of trans woman and activist Sara Millerey González has triggered national outrage in Colombia. President Gustavo Petro condemned the murder, calling it an act of “fascism” and warning of rising hate violence. González, 32, was attacked in Bello, northwestern Colombia, on 4 April. Late reports say she was raped, her limbs broken, and her body thrown into La García stream. Videos of her final moments circulated online. She died in hospital on 5 April. Bello’s mayor, Lorena González Ospina, described the murder as a “horrendous act of hate” and vowed to seek justice, declaring: “Transphobia kills.” LGBTQ+ rights group Caribe Afirmativo called the murder “a symptom” of widespread violence against trans people in the region. Petro urged Colombians to confront fascism, stating: “Fascism is the violent elimination of human differences. What happened in Bello is fascism.”
Hungary. Politics. Constitutional Amendment Outlaws Pride
Hungary’s parliament has passed a controversial constitutional amendment enabling the government to ban LGBTQ+ public events, including Pride, sparking outcry from critics who call it a step toward authoritarianism. Passed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ruling coalition, the amendment claims to protect children’s “moral, physical and spiritual development” over rights to peaceful assembly. It also codifies gender as strictly male or female, further marginalising transgender and intersex people. The law allows facial recognition to monitor banned events, raising concerns about surveillance and freedom of assembly. Protesters attempted to block MPs ahead of the vote and opposition lawmakers disrupted proceedings with air horns. Legal experts and human rights groups say the measure is political propaganda aimed at distracting from national issues and rallying Orbán’s base ahead of 2026 elections. The amendment also allows the suspension of dual citizenship for those deemed threats to national security.
Poland. Politics. Polish Professor Faces Trial Over Rainbow Flag Protest
Professor Magdalena Pecul-Kudelska, a prominent activist linked to the Citizens of the Republic of Poland movement, is set to stand trial today at the District Court for Warsaw-Śródmieście. The case relates to a 2020 protest when Pecul-Kudelska placed a rainbow flag reading “Solidarity with the Persecuted” on the pedestal of the Christ Sursum Corda statue outside the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Warsaw. Police intervened at the time, seizing the flag, but charges were only filed years later. The professor faces prosecution under Article 196 of Poland’s Criminal Code, which penalises offending religious feelings by insulting a religious object or place of worship. If convicted, she could face a fine or up to two years in prison. Pecul-Kudelska has openly acknowledged her action, saying: “Yes, I hung a rainbow flag on the statue of Jesus Sursum Corda.”
Italy. Business. Versace Acquired by Prada, Merging Fashion’s Biggest Houses
Prada has acquired Versace for €1.25bn, uniting two of Italy’s most iconic fashion houses. The deal, secured at a €180m discount amid market volatility linked to U.S. trade policy, ends months of speculation. Versace’s previous owner, Capri Holdings, has faced mounting debt pressure since a failed $8.5bn merger with Tapestry was blocked by U.S. regulators. Prada Group chair Patrizio Bertelli called the acquisition a “new page” in Versace’s history, citing shared values of creativity and craftsmanship. The move strengthens Prada’s position as a global fashion powerhouse, with Versace joining a portfolio that includes Miu Miu and Church’s. Donatella Versace will step down as creative director after 27 years, succeeded by former Miu Miu image director Dario Vitale, while she assumes a brand ambassador role. Despite diverging aesthetics, Prada and Versace’s union signals a bold reshaping of Italy’s luxury fashion landscape.
Slovakia. Politics. Government Ban Same-Sex Adoptions and Non-Binary Identities
Slovakia is moving to amend its constitution to further restrict LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights. Proposed changes, backed by Prime Minister Robert Fico’s left-nationalist government, would ban adoption by same-sex couples, define all individuals strictly as male or female, and enshrine these limits in the constitution. Slovakia currently does not recognise same-sex partnerships or nonbinary identities. Lawmakers also advanced measures allowing doctors to refuse abortion care, lowering gestational limits, and potentially banning IVF and surrogacy. Amnesty International condemned the amendments as a “multi-pronged assault” on human rights, warning they mirror repressive policies in Hungary and Poland. The proposals passed an initial vote with 81 supporters in the 150-member parliament; 90 votes are required for final approval. As an EU member, Slovakia could face pressure over conflicts with European rights standards.
The USA. Music. Coachella Festival 2025 Haunted by Owner’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Past
Lady Gaga and Charli XCX headlined Coachella 2025 with powerful, queer-celebratory performances. Gaga’s two-hour Friday set, described as “Gothic dreams,” featured tracks from her new album Mayhem and choreography by Parris Goebel. “I want my queer fans to feel happy,” she said. On Saturday, Charli XCX delivered viral moments with surprise guests Troye Sivan, Lorde, and Billie Eilish during her #BRATchella set. Sivan’s “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt signalled support for the trans community. Despite the celebration on stage, controversy lingers over Coachella owner Phil Anschutz’s past donations to anti-LGBTQ+ groups, something he has dismissed as “fake news.”
Greece. Health. Government Reintroduces Ban on Blood Donations
Greece has reinstated its ban on blood donations from gay men, reversing a 2022 Health Ministry decision. The Council of State, the nation’s top administrative court, ruled the ministry had failed to provide sufficient scientific evidence and had ignored expert advice recommending deferral periods for higher-risk donors. The original ban was introduced during the 1980s HIV/AIDS crisis. The move has raised concerns about Greece’s recent direction on LGBTQ+ rights, despite its progressive milestones, including the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2024. The government also plans to restrict access to surrogacy for men, stating it will only be available to women unable to carry a pregnancy. Critics warn the country is backtracking on equality gains, even as other nations like the US adopt more inclusive blood donation policies based on individual risk rather than sexual orientation.
Germany. Politics. CDU/CSU-SPD Coalition Unveils Queer-Policy Austerity Programme
Germany’s newly announced coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD introduces what critics are calling a “queer-political austerity programme” — but avoids the worst-case scenario feared by many in the LGBTQ+ community. Despite conservative pressure, the coalition will not abolish the Self-Determination Act (SBGG), protecting trans and intersex rights. However, an evaluation of the law is planned by 2026, raising concerns over future restrictions, especially for young people. While the federal programme “Living Democracy” supporting civil society will continue, key reforms such as the law of descent and reproductive rights remain stalled. The agreement mentions “gender diversity” only twice, reflecting limited ambitions. Observers credit the SPD for preventing greater rollbacks but warn that vigilance is essential. “This is no time to sit back,” said Berlin queer representative Alfonso Pantisano. “The fight for equality will continue louder than ever.”, reports Queer.de.
The UK. Employment. Queer Britons Believe That Being LGBTQ+ Has Negatively Impacted Their Careers
A new report commissioned by Pride in Leadership reveals that 85% of LGBTQ+ people in the UK believe their sexuality or gender identity has negatively affected their career. The survey of over 1,000 respondents also found that 93% suspected bias in hiring practices, with 16% certain they were denied jobs due to being LGBTQ+. The findings highlight broader challenges in the workplace: 42% felt unsupported by HR, 70% cited a lack of LGBTQ+ leadership role models, and half reported hostile or uncomfortable work environments. Matt Haworth, co-founder of Pride in Leadership, described the findings as a “call to action”, urging employers and policymakers to implement structural changes to ensure equity. “Everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed — regardless of who they love or how they identify,” he said.
Russia. Politics. Government Bans Elton John AIDS Foundation
Russia has banned the Elton John AIDS Foundation, accusing it of promoting “non-traditional sexual relationships” and undermining the country’s “spiritual and moral values.” The ban, announced by Russia’s prosecutor’s office, applies to the foundation’s UK and US branches. Staff working in Russia now face possible prosecution. Founded in 1992 by English singer Elton John, the charity has raised over $600 million for HIV prevention and treatment worldwide. The organisation said it was “devastated” by the decision, warning it will put lives at risk. More than 1.2 million people live with HIV in Russia, with over 430,000 not receiving treatment. The move comes amid a wider crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia, where the government recently labelled the so-called “international LGBT movement” as extremist and banned LGBTQ+ “propaganda”. Reuters approached Russian officials for comment but received no immediate response.
The USA. Literature. A Queer Black Memoir is the Most Censored Book in America
George M. Johnson’s memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue, a series of personal essays exploring Black queer identity, topped the American Library Association’s (ALA) list of most challenged books in 2024. The ALA logged 821 attempts to censor books in libraries—its third-highest annual total—with most challenges targeting titles about LGBTQ+ individuals or people of colour. Other frequently targeted books included Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer and Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye. The ALA found 72% of these efforts came from organised pressure groups and officials, while only 16% were led by parents. Deborah Caldwell-Stone of the ALA warned of a growing political campaign to suppress diverse narratives. The report comes amid former President Trump’s attempt to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), prompting legal action from 21 attorneys general.
Mexico. Report. Over 200 LGBTQ+ People Murdered in Three Years
More than 200 members of Mexico’s LGBTQ+ community were murdered between 2014 and 2016, according to a new report by rights group Letra S. The data shows nearly six killings per month, with trans women suffering the highest number of attacks. Of the 202 victims, 108 were trans women, 93 were gay men, and one was a lesbian woman. The report highlights increasing brutality in these crimes, often involving torture and excessive violence. Letra S said gay men were frequently targeted by criminal gangs who used dating apps or personal contact to lure victims, rob them, and then kill them. “This violence is marked by cruelty, as if punishing their sexual orientation,” said Letra S Executive Director Alejandro Brito. The report comes amid growing concerns over rising hate crimes in Mexico, with activists calling for urgent action to protect LGBTQ+ communities.
The UK. Social. Suicide and Self-Harm Risk Twice as High Among LGB
The risk of suicide and self-harm among LGB adults in England and Wales is more than double that of heterosexual people, according to new analysis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ONS study, the first to examine these risks by sexual orientation, found that LGB adults face a 2.2 times higher risk of suicide and a 2.5 times higher risk of self-harm. Black LGB individuals are at greatest risk, with suicide rates nearly five times higher than their heterosexual peers. Women, young adults aged 16-24, and bisexual people within the LGB community face particularly elevated risks. Charity Samaritans called the findings “a bleak picture that demands action” and urged the government to address these inequalities urgently. The ONS linked 2021 census data with NHS hospital records and death registrations from March 2021 to December 2023 to produce the report.
Must Read of GAY45
- Hungarian writer and artist Aurola Gyorfy conducted a series of exclusive interviews with queer Hungarians on the country’s ongoing anti-Pride crackdown: “Hungary Banned Pride and Sparked a Gray Revolution”
- And I wrote an essay on the misunderstood career of late Chinese photographer Ren Hang: “The Naked Otherworlds of Chinese Photographer Ren Hang”
Quote of the Week
I think that literature is something that embraces a much larger experience than politics. It’s an expression of what is life, of what are all the dimensions of life. But politics is one among others.
— Mario Vargas Llosa
Film of the Week
Netflix’s Adolescence is a gripping four-part British drama that delves into the harrowing aftermath of a 13-year-old boy’s arrest for the murder of a female classmate. Shot entirely in single takes, the series offers an unflinching, real-time portrayal of a family unraveling under the weight of suspicion and grief. Owen Cooper delivers a remarkable debut as Jamie, while Stephen Graham’s portrayal of his father, Eddie, adds depth to the narrative. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has even proposed making it a mandatory viewing in British schools. A must-watch that challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about masculinity in the digital age.
Book of the Week
David Wojnarowicz’s The Waterfront Journals is a raw, hallucinatory collection of fictional monologues drawn from his encounters while living on the streets of America in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Each voice—be it a hustler, runaway, or drifter—is rendered with unflinching honesty and poetic intensity, capturing the fragmented lives of those on society’s margins. The monologues blur the line between fiction and autobiography, offering a visceral mosaic of alienation, desire, and survival from one of the most singular voices of HIV’s lost generation.
Music of the Week
British music producer Vegyn, best known for his work on Frank Ocean’s 2016 albums, Blonde and Endless, recently released his reworking of French electronic duo AIR’s seminal debut, Moon Safari. Entitled Blue Moon Safari and released on limited edition blue vinyl in celebration of World Record Store Day 2025, the result is a nostalgic yet contemporary listening experience that breathes new life into a timeless album. In his masterful hands, classic tracks like “Sexy Boy” and “La Femme d’Argent” are transformed into forward-thinking compositions that honor the source material while pushing into new sonic territories.
Conversation starters, cooking, fashion and games from our favourite newspapers
- Read in Novara Media, How the Pro-Israel Right Used Identity Politics to Crush Palestine Solidarity
- Cook: Lemony Orzo With Asparagus and Garlic Bread Crumbs
- Watch: The film “A Nice Indian Boy” is a gay rom-com that kicks off at a Hindu temple.
- Travel: Lofoten, Norway, is a dreamy base for adventure.
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