THE9+. Queer News. April 30. Gayming Awards, AIDS Quilt at TATE and much more

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

This week, THE9+ is edited by GAY45 Editor-in-Chief  Taylor Abbot, 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…

The UK. Politics. Starmer Sides with Supreme Court, Says Trans Women Aren’t Women

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has shifted his stance on transgender rights, stating that trans women are not legally considered women under the Equality Act, following a recent Supreme Court ruling. The court determined that “woman” and “gender” in the 2010 Act refer to biological sex, a decision welcomed by Starmer and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson, who said single-sex spaces should be based on biological sex. Starmer, who previously supported the view that trans women are women, now says the court has “answered that question.” However, critics such as Shon Faye, author of The Transgender Issue, have pointed out that the Supreme Court’s own ruling outlines that the judiciary’s role is “not to define the word ‘woman’, except when it is used in provisions of the EA [Equality Act] 2010” and that, as the UK has no constitution binding its Parliament to the Supreme Court, Starmer has no obligation to follow the Court’s interpretation in new policy unless he chooses. Labour’s response therefore reflects a broader political shift as it aligns with legal interpretations previously championed by the Conservatives.

Global. Health. New Oral Antibiotic Offers Hope Against Super Gonorrhoea

A groundbreaking oral antibiotic, gepotidacin, has shown strong promise in the fight against drug-resistant gonorrhoea, a growing global health concern. In a phase 3 clinical trial with over 600 participants, the drug demonstrated a 92.6% success rate, rivalling the current standard dual therapy of ceftriaxone and azithromycin. This breakthrough is particularly significant for the LGBTQ+ community, where infection rates remain high. The ease of oral treatment could improve access and adherence, especially among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. While the development is hailed as a major step forward, health experts stress that safe sex practices, regular screenings, and sexual health education remain vital. Gepotidacin’s approval underscores the urgent need for innovation in tackling antibiotic resistance – a fight far from over.

Poland. Politics. Final “LGBT-free” Zone Abolished

Poland has officially scrapped its last remaining “LGBT-free” zone, marking a symbolic end to a widely condemned policy introduced under the former Law and Justice (PiS) government. Officials in the southeastern town of Łańcut voted on 24 April to repeal the declaration, which was part of a broader 2019 initiative in which around 100 municipalities pledged to reject so-called “LGBT ideology.” The move, at the time, drew sharp criticism from the European Commission, which withheld funding from participating regions, and from LGBTQ+ rights groups and EU lawmakers, who viewed the zones as discriminatory. A series of court rulings in 2022, including one from Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court, declared such resolutions unconstitutional, citing violations of human dignity and minority protections. The repeal follows a broader shift in Polish politics since PiS lost power in 2023. Meanwhile, a proposed anti-hate speech law – set to include protections based on sexual orientation and gender – is currently under judicial review.

The USA. Gaming. Nominations Announced for Gayming Awards 2025

The nominations for the Gayming Awards 2025 have been unveiled, with Dragon Age: The Veilguard leading the way with three nominations across 12 categories. The awards, which recognise LGBTQ+ contributions to gaming, will be broadcast globally on WOW Presents Plus on July 8. Other nominees for Game of the Year include Dragon’s Dogma 2, Fear the Spotlight, and Life is Strange: Double Exposure. In addition to recognising games, the awards feature categories such as Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game and Best LGBTQ+ Character, with nominees including Kitsune Tails and Rook from Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The Community Impact Award, sponsored by Fireshine Games, highlights organisations like Boston Gaymers and Stream for a Cause. Public voting is now open for select categories at gaymingawards.com.

The UK. Art. UK AIDS Memorial Quilt to be Displayed at London Tate Modern

The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt will be displayed at London’s Tate Modern from 12 to 16 June, marking its largest public exhibition to date. Featuring 42 quilts and 23 individual panels, the artwork commemorates 384 people affected by HIV and AIDS. First begun in the late 1980s, the quilt forms part of the world’s largest community art project. “Each time it’s displayed, the names and lives it commemorates are brought into the light,” said Siobhán Lanigan of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Partnership. Tate Modern Director Karin Hindsbo called the Turbine Hall a fitting space, saying the quilt “represents not only a global activist movement, but also countless individual stories of love, loss and resilience.” Volunteers will be present throughout the exhibition to support visitors, with name readings taking place on 14 June. The project continues to highlight the ongoing impact of HIV worldwide and the importance of remembrance and visibility.

Germany. Festival. WHOLE Festival 2025 Line-Up Announced

WHOLE Festival, Europe’s leading queer electronic music event, has revealed its 2025 line-up, spotlighting top international talent including The Blessed Madonna, Romy, and Shanti Celeste. Running from 18–21 July near Berlin, the sex-positive festival will feature performances across genres from techno to experimental soundscapes, with collectives such as Herrensauna, Pornceptual and Cocktail d’Amore hosting stage takeovers. A teaser video released this week, featuring SOPHIE’s Whole New World, hints at a cosmic theme centred on queerness, joy, and radical imagination. Now in its seventh edition, WHOLE has become known for its inclusive ethos, bold artistic programming, and infamous Cruising Village. Organisers describe 2025’s edition as “a portal to the future we know is possible.” Tickets are now on sale via the festival’s official website.

Slovakia. Film. First LGBTQ+ Film From Anti-LGBTQ+ Country Gets International Release

On April 22, Mariana Cengel-Solcanská’s period drama The Chambermaid was exclusively premiered. Heralded as the first film from Slovakia, a country currently undercutting LGBTQ+ rights under populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, to foreground a homosexual romance, the film is set in a grand Viennese estate on the eve of World War I and centres on the evolving relationship between Anka, a Slovak maid, and Resi, a rebellious aristocrat. Although the film is fictional, its story offers a real critique of historical erasure and a reflection on enduring structures of power, visibility, and identity. The Chambermaid first premiered at Estonia’s Tallinn Black Nights Festival in 2022 and has been screened at film festivals around the world since, however is set to be made widely available to international audiences on VOD and other digital outlets on May 23.

Worldwide. Security. European Nations and Canada Advise Travellers to Use Burner Phones Amid U.S. Border Scrutiny

In an unprecedented move, several European countries – including Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Bulgaria, Finland, Luxembourg, Greece, and Hungary – alongside Canada, have issued travel advisories urging citizens to use burner phones when entering the United States. This guidance responds to escalating concerns over invasive digital inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which can legally search electronic devices without a warrant at border crossings. Travellers have reported instances of personal data, including emails and cloud accounts, being scrutinised without consent, leading to detentions and denied entries. In response, the European Commission has begun issuing burner phones and basic laptops to staff travelling to the U.S., a precaution previously reserved for trips to high-risk countries. Canadian authorities have similarly updated their travel guidance, highlighting the risk of device searches and advising citizens to minimise digital exposure. These advisories reflect growing unease about digital privacy and the potential for arbitrary detentions at U.S. borders, prompting travellers to adopt stringent measures to protect their personal information.

Russia. Tech. Apple Faces Court Over Rainbow Wallpaper in iOS 18

Apple Inc. is facing legal action in Russia after media regulator Roskomnadzor filed a civil case accusing the tech giant of disseminating “LGBT propaganda” through a rainbow-themed wallpaper included in its latest iOS 18 update. The image, released to celebrate Pride Month, could result in a fine of up to 4 million rubles (€42,400). This move underscores the increasing challenges global companies encounter when promoting inclusivity in markets with restrictive laws. Russia’s 2013 legislation bans the promotion of “non-traditional sexual relations,” and recent years have seen intensified crackdowns on LGBTQ+ expressions. Notably, Apple previously faced scrutiny over same-sex couple emojis and has removed various apps, including VPN services and LGBTQ+-friendly content, from its Russian App Store following government pressure. The case highlights the delicate balance international firms must maintain between supporting global values and adhering to local regulations.

South Korea. Music. K-Pop Idol Comes Out as Gay at Concert

Bain, a member of the South Korean boy band JUST B, came out as gay during a solo performance at the group’s concert in Los Angeles, becoming one of the few K-pop idols to publicly identify as LGBTQ+. The 23-year-old, whose real name is Song Byeong-hee, made the announcement at the Vermont Hollywood venue on Tuesday (April 22) night, telling fans, “You are seen, you are loved, and you were born this way,” before performing Lady Gaga’s Born This Way. His announcement was met with cheers, and fellow member Siwoo shared he was moved to tears. Public declarations of LGBTQ+ identity remain rare in South Korea’s conservative entertainment industry, where same-sex marriage is not recognised.

Spain. Sports. Barcelona Footballer Faces Homophobic Abuse

FC Barcelona’s young defender Héctor Fort has become the target of online homophobic abuse following the circulation of a photo with LGBTQ+ activist Brigitta Lamoure. Shared by Lamoure on Easter Sunday (April 20), the image – taken at the 20th International Sports Solidarity Gala – shows the 18-year-old holding her in a lift. The image attracted a wave of hateful comments, prompting Lamoure to respond on social media, lamenting the “terrible” volume of abuse, particularly from young women. “This should serve to encourage us to continue fighting for a free, secular, diverse, and inclusive society,” she said. The incident has not drawn an official statement from FC Barcelona, though the club is understood to oppose such discrimination. The Catalan team, one of the biggest football teams in the world, currently sit first in the Spanish La Liga and will play in the second leg of the UEFA Champion’s League semi-finals, one of footballs most prestigious competitions, on May 6.

Philippines. Entertainment. Trans Television Star Passes Away

Filipino actress and drag entertainer Bianca Castro-Arabejo, better known by stage name Jiggly Caliente, has passed away at the age of 44. Most famous for her appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race, her role as a judge on Drag Race Philippines, and as an actress on HBO series Pose, her family confirmed the news following an announcement on April 27 that the artist had had her leg amputated, following a severe infection. Having come out as a trans woman in 2016, Castro-Arabejo’s death was followed by an outpouring of messages from entertainers across the industry, who highlighted her kindness and advocacy. Her family similarly described her as a “luminous presence” and confirmed that she passed peacefully, surrounded by family.

Germany. Politics. ColognePride Withdraws from Rainbow Festival Over Village People Controversy

ColognePride e.V. has suspended its partnership with the upcoming Rainbow Festival, citing controversy surrounding the inclusion of the Village People in the event’s lineup. The American disco group faced criticism for performing at events linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite calls from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups to remove the band, organisers stated that contractual obligations prevent cancellation. In response, ColognePride’s board announced a pause in cooperation for this year’s festival. The Rainbow Festival, set to debut on 28 June 2025 at Cologne’s Fühlinger See, features over 20 acts, including Loreen, No Angels, and Felix Jaehn. The event aims to celebrate diversity and unity through music. Organisers have yet to comment on ColognePride’s withdrawal.

The USA. Politics. Suicide Hotline Faces Funding Cuts

The Trump administration’s draft budget proposes eliminating federal funding for the LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services within the U.S. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Since its inception in 2022, this programme has managed over 1.2 million crisis contacts, providing vital support to LGBTQ+ individuals. Advocates warn that defunding could jeopardise the mental health of countless youths already at heightened suicide risk. In response, Canada has launched a toll-free hotline to support Americans affected by these potential cuts. The proposed budget cuts align with broader policy shifts under the Trump administration, including executive orders targeting transgender rights and gender-affirming care. Mental health professionals and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups express deep concern over the potential impact of these changes, emphasising the importance of specialised support services for vulnerable populations.

Must Read of GAY45

• GAY45 staff writer looks into queer people’s love affair with tarot cards in “Spirituality Without Dogma: How Tarot Cards Guide LGBTQ+ People Back to Ourselves.”
• Journalist Fru Lederer interviews Loulou Lamour, a trans sex worker, in “What It’s Really Like Being a Trans Sex Worker in Germany.”

Quote of the Week

You find as you look around the world that every single bit of progress in humane feeling, every improvement in the criminal law, every step toward the diminution of war, every step toward better treatment of the colored races, or every mitigation of slavery, every moral progress that there has been in the world, has been consistently opposed by the organized churches of the world. I say quite deliberately that the christian religion, as organized in its churches, has been and still is the principle enemy of moral progress in the world.

— Bertrand Russell

Film of the Week

Finally, a series celebrating the intelligence and determination of the women who contributed to the Allied war effort! The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco on Netflix is a British television mystery drama series set in 1952–53, focusing on four women—Susan Gray, Millie Harcourt, Lucy, and Jean McBrian—who previously worked as codebreakers at Bletchley Park, during the time of Alan Turing, in World War II. After the war, these women have returned to ordinary civilian lives but become dissatisfied with the police’s failure to investigate complex crimes. They reunite to investigate a series of murders themselves, applying their codebreaking and analytical skills to solve the crimes. A spoiler: the Mattachine Society and queer themes come through in the last episode.

Book of the Week

Mark Gevisser is a well-known journalist for The Guardian and The New York Times. The Pink Line: Journeys Across the World’s Queer Frontiers is a groundbreaking look at how the issues of sexuality and gender identity divide and unite the world today. Eye-opening, heartfelt, expertly researched, and compellingly narrated, The Pink Line is a monumental―and urgent―journey of unprecedented scope into twenty-first-century identity.

Music of the Week

viagr aboys is the self-titled fourth album of throbbing Swedish post-punk outfit Viagra Boys, first made scene titans with their head-banging black comedy Street Worms in 2018. Sonically and thematically, graciously little has changed for the group other than their crowd sizes, swelling cancerously from dingy basement gigs to an upcoming headline show at the Avicii Arena, their homeland’s largest venue. This record is simultaneously classic Viagra Boys and their most digestible offering to date – ironic for a band still singing so much about worms, shrimp, and your mum’s “flappy giblets” seven years on.

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

Read: The Observer, the oldest Sunday newspaper in the world, has a website for the first time.

Embellish: We asked experts for tips on hanging art.

Consider: Experts say gum chewing can affect the body in positive and negative ways.

Cook: Store cupboard saviours: how to make the most out of tinned sardines.

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