Your weekly guide to the queer media. Every Wednesday. As usual… 5.5 minutes to read. Or more.
A weekly digest of the most important queer news in your backyard!
Every Wednesday THE9+ is edited by me, Taylor Abbot, with the support of the GAY45 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 me at [email protected]
The EU. Politics. Warning for Travelling to the USA.
European countries, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, and Finland, have issued warnings to LGBTQ+ travellers heading to the US, advising caution following President Trump’s recent executive orders targeting LGBTQ+ rights. These countries updated their travel advisories, urging trans and non-binary individuals to be mindful of potential challenges when travelling to the US. Trump’s order, declaring only two sexes, has led to concerns about gender recognition on travel documents. Denmark, Finland, and Germany recommended that those with “X” gender markers or who have changed gender contact US authorities before travelling. The UK also highlighted that neither a visa nor travel authorisation guarantees entry. This follows Canada’s similar warning issued in 2023, highlighting the risks for LGBTQ+ individuals in some US states. The American Civil Liberties Union has condemned the US policy, calling it “cruel, unfair, and unlawful.”
France. Politics. Donald Trump’s administration is expanding its campaign against DEI to foreign companies
The Trump administration has sent letters to major French companies, warning them to comply with an executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes. The letters, issued by the US embassy in Paris, assert that Trump’s executive order extends to foreign firms supplying or servicing the US government. Recipients were also sent a compliance questionnaire, according to sources familiar with the matter. A document seen by the Financial Times states that US contractors must certify they do not operate DEI programmes violating anti-discrimination laws. Failure to comply could impact government payments under the False Claims Act. The move has sparked concerns in France, with a senior banker calling it “crazy.” The French finance ministry has expressed opposition, with officials stating US values “are not the same as ours.” The letter’s existence was first reported by Les Échos.
Israel. Military. Trans Woman Refuses Military Service Over Gaza War
Israeli conscientious objector Ella Keidar Greenberg, 18, publicly declared her refusal to enlist in the military at Tel Hashomer recruitment camp on Wednesday. Her statement, made at 10:00 a.m., was accompanied by a demonstration organised by the Mesarvot network. Keidar Greenberg, a trans woman, cited Israel’s occupation and war in Gaza as reasons for her objection, framing it as part of a broader struggle for justice, queer rights, and resistance to military repression. “Just as I rejected the gender role assigned to me, I reject militarisation in the service of violence and domination,” she said. “True liberation cannot come through an army that enforces apartheid and commits genocide.” Her refusal comes amid heightened tensions and renewed military actions in Gaza, as protests against conscription and occupation continue across Israel.
Austria. Politics. Austria Uncovers Organised Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes, but Political Response Remains Muted
Austrian authorities have arrested 18 individuals suspected of orchestrating targeted attacks against homosexual men, yet the political response has remained subdued, raising concerns about societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights. The suspects allegedly lured victims to remote locations, where they were humiliated and assaulted. While Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) and representatives of most parties condemned the crimes, their statements appeared perfunctory. The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) remained notably silent. Austria lags behind many European nations in LGBTQ+ acceptance, with only 66% of the population believing same-sex relationships are unproblematic, compared to over 80% in Germany and France. The FPÖ has previously opposed LGBTQ+ rights, criticising same-sex marriage and speaking against Pride events, says journalist Johannes Huber in an op-ed for vienna.at. While political figures are not directly responsible for hate crimes, activists argue that stronger condemnation and action are needed to combat discrimination and violence.
World. Sport. World Athletics to Introduce Mandatory Gender Tests for Female Athletes
World Athletics has announced the introduction of mandatory gender verification tests for female athletes, requiring a one-time cheek swab or blood test to confirm XX chromosomes for eligibility in international competitions. The move, reported by The New York Times and CNN, has sparked widespread criticism. Critics argue the policy unfairly targets women while male athletes face no such scrutiny. The regulation appears designed to exclude trans and intersex athletes, despite their long-standing exclusion from elite competition. Gender testing in sports has a controversial history, dating back to the early 20th century when women were subjected to invasive medical exams to obtain “certificates of femininity.” Athletics chief Sebastian Coe defended the measure as necessary to “protect the women’s category,” but campaigners argue that addressing pay gaps, representation, and coaching abuses would better serve female athletes.
The USA. Politics. Utah Becomes First US State to Ban LGBTQ+ Pride Flags
Utah has become the first U.S. state to prohibit the display of LGBTQ+ Pride flags at schools and government buildings after Republican Governor Spencer Cox allowed the controversial bill to become law without his signature. Under the new legislation, effective from 7 May, state and local government buildings face a $500 daily fine for flying any flag not on an approved list, which includes the U.S. flag, Utah’s state flag, and military banners. The move has sparked opposition, particularly in Salt Lake City, where officials have illuminated buildings with rainbow lights in protest. Governor Cox expressed concerns about the law’s scope but said his veto would have been overridden by the Republican-controlled legislature. Critics argue the law is an attempt to erase LGBTQ+ visibility, while supporters claim it enforces political neutrality. Legal challenges may follow as local authorities assess their options.
The UK. Hack. Researchers Find 1.5 Million Dating App Photos Exposed Online Without Protection
Nearly 1.5 million explicit images from specialist dating apps were stored online without password protection, leaving users vulnerable to hackers and extortionists, researchers have revealed. The exposed images came from five platforms run by M.A.D Mobile, including BDSM People, Chica, and LGBTQ+ apps Pink, Brish, and Translove. Ethical hacker Aras Nazarovas discovered the security flaw in January but said the company failed to act until the BBC intervened. The breach included private messages and deleted images, posing risks for users, particularly in countries hostile to LGBTQ+ people. While M.A.D Mobile claims to have fixed the issue, it has not explained the delay. Cybersecurity experts warn that hackers could have accessed the data before the vulnerability was addressed. The case echoes past breaches, such as the 2015 Ashley Madison hack, raising concerns about privacy in online dating.
Israel. War Crimes. Oscar-Winning Palestinian Filmmaker Attacked and Detained in West Bank Raid
Hamdan Ballal, Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was attacked by Israeli settlers and later detained by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. He was released on Tuesday, March 25. Ballal was reportedly attending a Ramadan gathering in Susya, near Hebron, when around 15 armed settlers assaulted him. He was injured and later handed over to the military. Israeli authorities claimed the confrontation began after Palestinians threw rocks at settlers. Ballal and two others were arrested, spending the night on a military base despite sustaining injuries. Witnesses say soldiers allowed settlers to attack homes and fired in the air to prevent intervention. The attack comes amid rising violence in the West Bank. Ballal’s co-director, Basel Adra, suggested the assaults were retaliation for their film, which documents Palestinian resistance to Israeli settlement expansion.
Hawaii. Obituary. Gay Actor Richard Chamberlain Dies at 90
Richard Chamberlain, the American actor who rose to fame as Dr Kildare in the 1960s before earning the title “king of the miniseries,” has died aged 90. He passed away on Saturday night in Waimānalo, Hawaii, due to complications following a stroke, his publicist confirmed. Chamberlain gained early fame as the compassionate young doctor in Dr Kildare (1961–66), a role that made him a heartthrob. He later cemented his reputation with acclaimed performances in Shōgun (1980) and The Thorn Birds (1983), winning multiple Golden Globe Awards. In 2003, he publicly acknowledged he was gay in his autobiography, Shattered Love, revealing the struggles he faced in Hollywood. His lifelong partner, Martin Rabbett, paid tribute, saying: “Our beloved Richard is with the angels now.” Beyond television, Chamberlain had a successful stage and film career, appearing in The Music Lovers, The Three Musketeers, and Broadway productions of My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music.
France. Justice. Marine Le Pen Barred from 2027 French Presidential Race After Fraud Conviction
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been barred from running for the presidency in 2027 after being found guilty of embezzling European Parliament funds. A court sentenced Le Pen to a five-year ban from public office, effective immediately, alongside a four-year prison sentence—two years suspended and two to be served with an electronic bracelet. She was also fined €100,000 (£84,000). The ruling is a major blow to Le Pen, 56, who had hoped to contest her fourth presidential race. Her party, National Rally (RN), now faces uncertainty over its leadership. RN president Jordan Bardella condemned the verdict, calling it “a blow to democracy.” Le Pen and 24 associates were found guilty of diverting €4.5 million in EU funds by misusing parliamentary assistant contracts between 2004 and 2016. Despite her appeal, the court’s decision stands, reshaping France’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
Must Read of GAY45
- A historical article by João Delfim: Gay Saunas: The Hidden History
- A reportage by Mila Edensor about Lisbon Police’s Nightlife Raids
Quote of the Week
There will soon be a violent outbreak like we’ve never seen before
— Vaginal Davis
Movie of the Week
My Beautiful Laundrette was made forty years ago by Stephen Frears, based on a screenplay and the novel by one of Britain’s most brilliant writers, Hanif Kureishi. It was re-released by The Criterion Collection in a collectable Blu-ray edition. The film remains as miraculous as it was in 1985. Beyond the magical collaboration between Frears and Kureishi, the main roles are played by the splendid Daniel Day-Lewis and Gordon Warnecke. A must-see or rewatch.
Book of the Week
Severo Sarduy’s Maitreya is a novel that delves into the themes of transformation, identity, and transcendence, set against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in Cuba. The narrative follows the journey of a protagonist who is both a revolutionary and a seeker of spiritual enlightenment, intertwining political upheaval with mystical experiences. As the character navigates through a world of chaos and change, the story explores the convergence of Eastern philosophies and Western ideologies, ultimately questioning the nature of reality and the potential for rebirth in the midst of societal collapse. The novel’s rich, poetic language and complex symbolism offer a multifaceted examination of the human condition and the search for meaning. Sarduy died in 1993 in Paris due to complications from AIDS.
Music of the Week
This is a collectable vinyl: boygenius – The Record. Queer supergroup boygenuis released a full-length album of twelve tunes full of pining, love in many forms and the joy of being known. Made up of popular queer singer/songwriters Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker, the trio has been touring to sold-out crowds and making out onstage all over the country. Queer joy personified. Fans can pick up the exclusive band variant silver vinyl, which includes “a temporary tattoo, 24-page zine, and one of four randomly selected glossy photos of boygenius.
Conversation starters, cooking, fashion and games from our favourite newspapers
- Are you smarter than A.I.?: Solve this puzzle to find out.
- Trim: The best hair styles from recent fashion shows can offer inspiration for your next cut.
- Beautify: Wirecutter spent nine months testing 128 skin-care products. Here are the winners.
- Cook: Egg bites are a perfect, protein-rich snack.
- Play the Spelling Bee. And here are The New York Times Wordle. You can find all puzzles here.
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