Your weekly guide to the queer media. Every Wednesday. As usual… 5.5 minutes to read. Or more.
A weekly digest of the most essential 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]
And then…
France. Art. Paris Metro Bans David Hockney Exhibition Poster Over Cigarette Image
Promotional material for David Hockney’s highly anticipated exhibition at the Foundation Louis Vuitton has been banned from the Paris Metro because it features the artist holding a cigarette. Hockney, widely regarded as the most famous gay artist of the last century, described the decision as “complete madness,” criticising it as an attack on artistic freedom. The 87-year-old British artist, who is openly gay and a staunch supporter of smoking, has long opposed tobacco restrictions. The poster, promoting Hockney’s largest-ever exhibition—featuring nearly 400 works—falls foul of French laws banning tobacco advertising. However, the metro authority’s lawyers reportedly take issue only with the photograph, not the painting within it, which also depicts the artist smoking. Curator Sir Norman Rosenthal condemned the move as censorship, calling it “beyond comprehension.” The exhibition opens on 9 April and runs until 31 August.
Belgium. Politics. The Country Allows Removal of Gender Marker from ID Cards
From 1 April 2025, Belgium will allow citizens to remove gender markers from their identity cards, following years of political debate. The decision, announced by Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, offers people the choice to have ID cards issued either with a gender marker (M or F) or without one. However, LGBTQ+ activists have criticised the move for failing to introduce a third option, such as an ‘X’ marker, to recognise non-binary people. “This is absolutely no solution,” said Thomas Jans of LGBTQ+ group Çavaria. Others argued that making gender invisible is not the same as recognition. The new rules come after Belgium’s Constitutional Court ruled in 2019 that denying recognition to non-binary people was unconstitutional. While countries like Germany and the Netherlands have introduced an ‘X’ option, Belgium’s government opted for removal instead, amid political resistance from coalition partner Reformist Movement (MR).
Trinidad and Tobago. Justice. Recriminalising Same-Sex Relations is “Regressive” Ruling
An appeals court in Trinidad and Tobago has reinstated the country’s ban on consensual same-sex relations, overturning a 2018 High Court ruling that had decriminalised homosexuality. The court’s decision was based on the colonial-era “savings law” clause, which protects pre-independence laws from constitutional challenge. While reducing the maximum sentence from 25 years to five, the ruling has sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ activists. Jason Jones, the activist who brought the original case, condemned the judgement as “regressive”, saying it turned LGBTQ+ citizens into “lower-class” people in their own country. Human rights groups, including Outright International, criticised the decision, arguing it prioritises colonial laws over fundamental rights. The savings law clause, a legacy of British colonial rule, continues to hinder legal reform across the Caribbean, despite mounting calls for its removal.
South Africa. Politics. US Aid Cuts Force South African LGBTQ Groups to Scale Back HIV Services
Two leading South African LGBTQ+ organisations have been forced to curtail operations following US President Donald Trump’s executive order suspending most foreign aid via USAID. OUT LGBT Well-being has closed its Engage Men’s Health programme, which provided HIV prevention and treatment services to thousands, including life-saving antiretroviral therapy and PrEP. Access Chapter 2 has also shut down several regional offices and laid off staff due to funding cuts. Critics warn that the suspension of US aid will have a devastating impact on South Africa’s fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly among vulnerable LGBTQ+ communities. South African MP Emma Louise Powell urged US policymakers to reconsider, calling the cuts “disastrous”. Meanwhile, LGBTQ rights group Iranti warned the move could lead to a spike in HIV infections and loss of essential gender-affirming healthcare. Activists are now calling on the South African government to urgently fill the funding gap.
India. Literature. LGBTQ+ Poets Take Centre Stage at India’s Premier Literary Festival
For the first time in its history, India’s Sahitya Akademi has included LGBTQ+ poets in its prestigious Festival of Letters, reflecting a rare moment of inclusion under the country’s conservative government. Held in New Delhi, the six-day literary event brought together over 700 writers from across India, including marginalised voices such as Dalit, tribal and LGBTQ+ authors. Leading transgender activist Kalki Subramaniam chaired a session spotlighting queer writers, while acclaimed gay poet Hoshang Merchant performed his work to an enthusiastic audience. The Akademi, India’s Ministry of Culture, is seen as a mirror of the government’s cultural stance and has faced scrutiny as its ruling Bharatiya Janata Party opposes same-sex marriage. Yet this year’s inclusion of LGBTQ+ voices signals a small but symbolic shift. Founded in 1954, the Sahitya Akademi remains India’s top literary institution, recently increasing its budget to expand its programmes supporting diverse literary talent.
Afghanistan. Politics. Taliban Arrests Two LGBTQ+ Women Who Face Possible Execution
The Taliban have arrested and beaten two LGBT+ activists in Afghanistan, who now face possible torture and execution, according to human rights groups. Maeve Alcina Pieescu, 23, and Maryam Ravish, 19, were detained last month at Kabul airport while attempting to flee to Iran, said the UK-based Peter Tatchell Foundation. Taliban forces allegedly searched their phones and found LGBTQ+ content. “They are expected to be tortured to reveal other LGBT+ names and possibly executed,” said Nemat Sadat, CEO of the Afghan LGBT+ network Roshaniya. Ravish had reportedly been forced into marriage, and Pieescu was helping her escape. A third activist, Parwen Hussaini, managed to flee to Iran but said both families have since threatened her life. Sadat and global human rights groups have urged international pressure on the Taliban to release the two women, warning they may face death by stoning under Taliban law.
Georgia. Politics. MP Confirms Bill Seeking Ban on LGBTQ+ Marches and Symbols
A Georgian lawmaker from Tbilisi has confirmed to GAY45, under anonymity, that a draft bill proposing a ban on LGBTQ+ marches and the public display of “colourful items” associated with the community has been submitted to the country’s parliament. The legislation, introduced by a group of ruling party MPs, seeks to prohibit pride parades and limit the visibility of LGBTQ+ symbols in public spaces, sparking criticism from human rights groups. Supporters of the bill claim it aims to “protect traditional values”, while opponents argue it represents a serious threat to freedom of expression and the rights of LGBT people in the South Caucasus nation. The bill’s introduction comes amid growing concern over the erosion of civil liberties in Georgia, a country with aspirations to join the European Union.
Moon. Politics. LGBTQ+ Artwork Lands on the Moon in Groundbreaking Space Mission
LGBTQ+ representation has reached new heights — quite literally — after a landmark art project was successfully delivered to the Moon. Two unmanned lunar missions, launched by private firms Firefly Aerospace and Intuitive Machines, carried an LGBTQ+ artwork designed to “promote advocacy” within the space industry. The piece, Humanity’s Journey Into the Galaxy: We Are All Made of Stardust, was created by Space Pride artists Rania Djojosugito and Khushi Shah. Etched onto a Nanofiche disk and stored aboard the landers, the artwork symbolises the infinite potential and unity of the LGBTQ+ community. “This is a powerful reminder that LGBTQ+ voices belong everywhere — even on the Moon,” said Space Pride president Scott Scoular. The missions form part of the ASPIRE One Record initiative, led by the Interstellar Foundation, aiming to preserve Earth’s cultural heritage beyond our planet. Both landers touched down successfully on the lunar surface in early 2025.
Worldwide. Games. The Sims 4 Releases New Pride-Themed Content in Free Update
The Sims 4 has launched a new free update, introducing a range of Pride-themed items aimed at celebrating inclusivity and self-expression within the game. Available now across all platforms — including EA app, Epic Games Store, Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox — the update adds 12 vibrant new items to both Create a Sim and Build Buy modes. Players can now personalise their Sims with colourful clothing, stylish furniture, and an expanded selection of Pride flags, reflecting diverse identities and communities. EA says this is part of several free content releases planned for 2025, with a focus on creating more inclusive experiences for players worldwide. The new content allows gamers to create safe, welcoming spaces within their virtual homes and dress their Sims in statement outfits that embrace individuality and pride. The update continues The Sims 4’s long-standing commitment to LGBTQ+ representation and diversity.
Must Read of GAY45
- A fashion article by Sasha Brandt: The Magical Willy Chavarria: Queer Latino Politics and Fashion
- An exhibition review by Jude Jones: Sadao Hasegawa’s Ecstatic, Out-of-this-World Erotica
Quote of the Week
The point of modern propaganda isn’t only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth.
— Garry Kasparov, Russian pro-democracy leader, chess grandmaster world champion
Film of the Week
Velvet Goldmine (1998) directed by the legendary Todd Haynes gives us a neo-Bowie (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and a crypto-Iggy Pop (Ewan McGregor, a bit too pretty for the part but good value and able to wave his tackle about to his heart’s content in an “essential to the plot” sort of way). A kaleidoscopic biopic of a modern mediated man, a master of self-invention with a hollow center.
Book of the Week
In the time of AI this week I recommend you a book about the man who started the idea and helped to won the second world war. Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges is brilliant. The book of course discusses in detail Alan Turing’s seminal On Computable Numbers paper, as well as his involvement in the breaking of German cryptography (and the Enigma machine) during World War II, but also paints a very intimate and human picture of Alan Turing, a picture which includes character flaws and vulnerabilities.
Music of the Week
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969. They have sold over 50 million albums and are frequently ranked among the greatest metal bands of all time. You may not know that Rob Halford is often regarded as one of the greatest metal frontmen and singers ever. He is openly gay and was once voted the sexiest rocker. I thought you might want to give them another listen this week.
Conversation starters, cooking, fashion and games from our favourite newspapers
- Read in The Atlantic: The White Lotus Doesn’t Stick the Landing
- Communicate: Giving someone the silent treatment is not the answer you think it is, experts say.
- Cook: Make a French omelette.
- Play the Spelling Bee. And here are The New York Times Wordle. You can find all the puzzles here.
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