THE9+. Queer News. July 2. Flabbergasting Finale to Pride Month, 200 Arrested in Turkey, A Woman Chief of Spies and much more

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This week, THE9+ is edited by me, Taylor Abbot, the News Editor, with the support of the editorial team.

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And then…

Hungary. Pride. Tens of Thousands Defy Ban to Join Budapest Pride March

GAY45 covered the events live. On Saturday, in defiance of a government ban on Pride events, thousand marched in Budapest on the 30th anniversary of the city’s Pride Parade, registering its biggest ever turnout. Organisers estimated up to 200,000 people attended, far exceeding expectations. Protesters waved rainbow flags and placards criticising Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose government recently outlawed public LGBTQ+ events accessible to minors. Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony, bypassing the ban by reclassifying the march as a municipal event, urged citizens to “stand together for freedom, dignity and equal rights.” Participants included families, elderly citizens, and international activists from over 30 countries. “This is not just about LGBTQ+ rights,” one marcher told Reuters. “It’s about standing up for democracy.” Despite government threats of legal action, the demonstration remained peaceful. Hungary’s justice minister had warned that organising or attending the event could carry a prison sentence of up to one year.

Hungary. Human Rights. Non-binary German Activist Maja T. Transferred to Hospital as Health Deteriorates During Hunger Strike

Maja T., a 24-year-old non-binary German activist imprisoned in Hungary, has been transferred to a prison hospital near the Romanian border amid a rapid decline in health following more than three weeks on hunger strike, according to relatives and supporters. Detained in solitary confinement, Maja is protesting against inhumane prison conditions, described by human rights groups as tantamount to torture. German MEP Martin Schirdewan urged the federal government to intervene, calling the extradition unlawful and warning of grave human rights violations. Maja’s father said their life is at serious risk. “These prison conditions are life-threatening,” he said. Hungarian authorities accuse Maja of involvement in violent attacks against far-right extremists. Critics argue the trial is politically motivated, taking place in a country increasingly hostile to queer rights under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Mexico. Pride. Ciudad de México Raises Human Pride flag and the Pride Gathers over 800,000 people

Mexico City’s head of government, Clara Brugada Molina, led more than 6,000 participants in forming a colossal human Pride flag on the Zócalo on 22 June, using coloured umbrellas to symbolise diversity and human rights . Prompting cheers, the visual display aimed to reinforce the city’s commitment to inclusion, with Brugada Molina declaring on X that “no form of love is a reason for exclusion or violence.” The celebration preceded the city’s main Pride parade on 28 June, attended by roughly 800,000 people—the largest turnout in its history—according to municipal authorities  . However, LGBTIQ* activists criticised the event as mere symbolism. Alaín Pinzón of VIHveLibre called for tangible reforms in health, housing, employment and mobility, while Victoria Sámano of LLECA highlighted that dozens of trans women in CDMX remain homeless.

The USA. Pride. Over One Million March in NYC Pride Parade, Two People Shot and 6 Injured

Over one million people filled the streets of Manhattan on Sunday for New York City’s annual Pride March, a jubilant yet defiant celebration of LGBTQ+ identity and rights. The event began at the historic Stonewall Inn, honouring the birthplace of the gay rights movement, under this year’s theme: “Rise Up: Pride in Protest.” Veterans like Martin Boyce, who participated in the 1969 Stonewall uprising, joined newcomers in a march celebrating visibility, inclusion and resilience. Political figures including Governor Kathy Hochul and Democratic mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani took part, with Hochul pledging to “defend this community.” However, controversy arose as NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch criticised organisers for barring uniformed, armed officers from marching, calling the decision “discriminatory.” Two teenage girls were shot and six others bear-sprayed near the Stonewall Inn at the close of New York City’s Pride march on Sunday, ending the celebrations in violence. Police report the 16- and 17-year-old victims were hospitalised, one in critical condition with a gunshot to the head; no suspect has yet been identified.

The USA. Pride. San Francisco Pride Blends Celebration and Protest Amid Political Tensions

Tens of thousands gathered across San Francisco on Sunday to mark the culmination of Pride Month, in a celebration infused with defiance as political tensions shadowed the festivities. The Pride parade, stretching along Market Street under clear skies, brought together families, activists, drag performers, and corporate contingents. While beads, glitter, and rainbow flags defined the atmosphere, political signs reading “Fuck Trump” and “Fuck ICE” made clear the protest at its heart. Participants voiced concern over the rollback of LGBTQ+ rights under the Trump administration, with trans protections and diversity programmes reportedly under threat. Mayor Daniel Lurie joined marchers, high-fiving attendees, as “Dykes on Bikes” led the procession. Street vendors sold everything from vodka lemonades to anti-Trump badges, reflecting the mood of political urgency. “It’s a political time,” said one merchant, overwhelmed by interest. For many, the day affirmed both resistance and queer joy in a city long seen as a have

Turkey. Pride. Over 200 Arrested Ahead of Banned Istanbul Pride March

Turkish police detained more than 200 people on Sunday in central Istanbul ahead of a banned LGBTQ+ Pride parade, according to the city’s bar association. The Istanbul Bar Association’s Human Rights Centre said those arrested included four of its members and described the detentions as “arbitrary, unjust, and illegal.” The Pride march, once a vibrant annual event, has been officially banned since 2015. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül defended the ban, stating that such gatherings “undermine social peace, family structure, and moral values.” Taksim Square and surrounding areas were sealed off early in the day, with police detaining marchers near Ortaköy. Despite the crackdown, small groups attempted to demonstrate, chanting slogans before fleeing arrest. While homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, LGBTQ+ individuals face widespread discrimination and hostility, including from the country’s political leadership. President Erdoğan has previously labelled LGBTQ+ people as “perverts. As of today the democratic Mayor of Istanbul is in prison (from 19 March 2025). Ekrem İmamoğlu was consider a open minded, pro-LGTBQ leader.

The UK. Intelligence. First Female MI6 Chief Blaise Metreweli Focuses on Diversity as Q Becomes C

Blaise Metreweli CMG, the first woman to be appointed Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), continues to draw attention for her trailblazing leadership and advocacy for diversity within British intelligence. She was Director General ‘Q’, responsible for technology and innovation in MI6. Metreweli’s historic appointment is widely seen as a milestone for gender equality in the traditionally male-dominated intelligence sector. Public statements from her have emphasised the importance of inclusion and representation, particularly in technology and innovation roles, but have not addressed LGBT-specific advocacy. A spokesperson for MI6 reiterated the agency’s commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace. While Metreweli’s leadership marks a significant shift, her public communications remain focused on broader diversity goals rather than explicit LGBTQ+ declarations.

EU. Travel. Poland Pushes to Suspend Georgia Visa-Free Travel over Authoritarian Drift

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that his government is working to build a majority within the European Union to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian citizens, citing concerns over rising authoritarianism in Georgia and migration-related crime. Speaking to parliament ahead of a confidence vote, which he later won, Tusk said the move targets countries that ‘no longer respect’ democratic standards or pose threats to law and order in the EU. He acknowledged that many Georgians support European values but argued that recent actions by Tbilisi, including a controversial foreign agent law and crackdowns on protesters, warranted a tough response. The EU granted visa-free access to Georgian citizens in 2017, and suspending it would require backing from 15 of 27 EU member states representing at least 65% of the bloc’s population. The move comes amid growing EU concern over human rights in Georgia, including increased hostility toward LGBTQ+ communities. Tusk also noted Poland had recently deported 50 Georgian nationals suspected of criminal activity.

Kenya and Uganda. Politics. Queer Communities Mark Pride with Defiance and Resistance

As Pride month unfolds globally, queer communities in Kenya and Uganda are observing it with a strong message of resistance amid increasingly hostile political environments. Following May’s Pan-African Conference on Family Values in Nairobi—where delegates opposed LGBTQ rights as ‘Western imports’—Kenyan queer organisations have responded with a month-long calendar of Pride activities asserting visibility, joy, and protest. The Initiative for Equality and Non Discrimination (INEND) emphasised that ‘queer joy is not just celebration, it is resistance,’ while the Galck coalition is hosting community gatherings, therapy workshops, art exhibitions, and nature treks across Kenya. Ugandan LGBTQ organisation Sexual Minorities Uganda echoed the spirit, stating Pride is ‘solidarity for many who cannot celebrate or march.’ The defiant tone comes as African leaders push anti-LGBTQ legislation and campaign for ‘traditional values,’ a move queer activists call a colonial legacy repurposed to justify discrimination and erasure.

Germany. Entertainment. ‘Berlin Is Not Salzburg’ Festival

‘Berlin Is Not Salzburg’ Festival took place under the motto ‘I hope it is not necessary to say that I care very little about Salzburg and nothing at all about the Archbishop, and I don’t give a damn about either. — quoting Mozart to his father Leopold letter from 1783. The festival is taking place at the former Stasi (East Germany secret police) headquarters in Lichtenberg (Campus for Democracy). The stament of the festival reads: ‘…is explicitly aimed at those who, when they think of Mozart, immediately think of sweets made of marzipan and nougat. Prior knowledge, bank balance, and social status play no role at this festival of the arts… The approach is unabashedly humorous, even taking aim at Berlin and its impending ‘Salzburgization.’’ In the German-speaking world, Salzburg has become a shorthand for the negative consequences of neo-liberal capitalism, particularly in the cultural sector.

The UK. Music. Late Trans Pioneer SOPHIE Gets Posthumous 10th-Anniversary Reissue

A decade after its original release, SOPHIE’s groundbreaking 2015 singles collection Product is set to be reissued in a deluxe edition, featuring two previously unreleased tracks. Out 11 July on vinyl and CD via Numbers—with streaming access beginning 18 June—the expanded set includes ‘Ooh’ and ‘Get Higher,’ both recorded during the original Product sessions. ‘Ooh,’ first performed live in 2011 under the title ‘Make Respect,’ features vocals by X Factor contestant Jaide Green, while ‘Get Higher,’ with Cassie Davis and Sean Mullins, was previously exclusive to the Japanese CD edition. The deluxe vinyl release will also include a set of track-by-track slide posters showcasing the artwork for each single. This reissue follows last year’s posthumous release of SOPHIE, the late producer’s final studio album. Revered for reshaping the sound of modern pop, SOPHIE’s legacy continues to resonate through this commemorative edition celebrating a pivotal moment in avant-pop history. Sophie died on January 30, 2021, the result of an accidental fall in Athens, Greece.

Indonesia. Politics. Proposed Broadcast Ban on LGBTQ+ Content Sparks Rights Concerns

A proposed amendment to Indonesia’s 2002 Broadcasting Law, currently under deliberation in parliament, has triggered strong backlash from rights groups for seeking to ban all LGBTQ+-related content across broadcast and online media. Reintroduced under the 2025 National Legislation Program despite earlier public opposition, the draft bill prohibits depictions of what it terms ‘LGBT behaviour’ and the use of models perceived to promote it. Activists warn the move could worsen discrimination and suppress freedom of expression. The proposed standards would exclude LGBTQ+ representation from approved media material, prompting concern from civil society groups over shrinking space for marginalised voices. Arus Pelangi, an LGBTQ+ rights organisation, said the bill would further silence an already stigmatised community. ‘The bill instils fear in our community, as their right to speak out and express themselves would be taken away,’ said Arus Pelangi general secretary Echa Waode, urging lawmakers to uphold principles of equality and human rights.

The USA. Politics. Supreme Court Upholds State Bans on Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that states may prohibit gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, upholding Tennessee’s ban in a 6–3 decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti. The justices found that the law, which bars hormone therapy and puberty blockers for trans youth, does not violate the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. Writing for the conservative majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said the law regulates medical procedures, not identities, and requires only minimal constitutional scrutiny. In a forceful dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor accused the Court of ‘abandoning transgender children’ and ignoring the life-threatening impact of denying care. The ruling overturns a lower court injunction and sets precedent for over 20 similar laws across the U.S. to stand, despite opposition from major medical associations. LGBTQ+ advocates condemned the decision as a retreat from constitutional protections and a blow to the rights and wellbeing of trans youth and their families.

Poland. Politics. Equality Minister Files Civil Partnership Bill 

Poland’s Minister for Equality, Katarzyna Kotula, has submitted a parliamentary bill on civil partnerships, urging swift legislative action during Pride Month. Writing on social media, the Left party MP stated that President Andrzej Duda ‘should not be an obstacle’, stressing the bill is a long-overdue step towards equality. The move comes just nine days after Karol Nawrocki, a right-wing Law and Justice-backed candidate, won Poland’s presidential election. Kotula emphasised that the legislation is not only about legal rights but about ‘safety, love and happiness’ in everyday life. She also noted that Poland has been obliged by the European Court of Human Rights to regulate civil partnerships on three occasions. Expressing readiness to cooperate with the government, Kotula called for both her party’s bill and the government’s draft to be processed concurrently in the Sejm. ‘We owe it to the LGBTQ+ community,’ she wrote, reaffirming her party’s longstanding position.

Germany. Politics. Communist Symbols at Karlsruhe Pride Spark Controversy

A photo from Karlsruhe Pride showing leftist youth group Linksjugend Solid with altered communist imagery has ignited fierce debate online. The image, posted by the youth wing of Germany’s Left Party, featured the transgender flag marked with a GDR-style hammer and compass, a rainbow flag adorned with a hammer and sickle, and the slogan ‘No Pride Without Class Riot’ beside a Molotov cocktail. Following backlash and accusations of glorifying ‘Soviet imperialism,’ Solid removed the image from social media, only to re-upload it in pixelated form. Critics included survivors of East German repression, with one Instagram user referencing time spent in a Stasi prison. In a Facebook statement, Solid defended the design as ‘aesthetic’ and meant to provoke discussion, not to romanticise the GDR. Still, they argued that East Germany had at times been more progressive on queer rights than West Germany, a claim some historians have called misleading.

India. Politics. Court Rules That Trans Women Are Women

The High Court of Andhra Pradesh has ruled that trans women are legally recognised as women, in a landmark judgment rejecting claims that womanhood is limited to those who can bear children. Justice Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa ruled that such a definition was “legally unsustainable” and violated constitutional guarantees of equality, non-discrimination, and personal liberty. The case centred on Pokala Shabana, a trans woman seeking protection under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses cruelty by a husband or in-laws. Her in-laws argued the provision applied only to cisgender women, citing her inability to conceive. The court disagreed, affirming that denying trans women such protections amounts to discrimination. Referencing a 2014 Supreme Court ruling recognising “third gender” rights, the judge concluded that trans women are entitled to legal recognition as women. Activists welcomed the decision as a vital step for transgender rights in India.

Colombia. Politics. Historic Step Toward Trans Rights with Landmark Bill Approval

Colombia’s House of Representatives has taken a historic step toward advancing trans rights by approving the Comprehensive Trans Law (Bill 122 of 2024) in its first reading. Backed by over 100 LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and members of the Diversity Commission, the bill seeks to ensure equality for trans Colombians through access to healthcare, legal gender recognition, education, employment, and protection from violence. The proposed legislation mandates public institutions to respect individuals’ gender identity and introduces training programmes to combat discrimination. While hailed by rights groups, it has sparked opposition from conservative figures. Senator and presidential hopeful María Fernanda Cabal criticised the bill as an “ideological imposition,” vowing to block it in the Senate. The bill must now pass further debates in both chambers of Congress, but activists call the initial approval a milestone in the fight for dignity and inclusion. In 2015, trans people over the age of 18 were given the right to change their legal gender on all identification documents.

Must Read of GAY45

• The live transmission from Budapest was a unique journalistic endeavour of a queer media in Europe.
• Lorde’s Persona Problem: How Many Selves Can a Pop Star Have? by Archie Marks.
• From Ireland, a brilliant report ‘I Just Wanted To Get Home Safe’: Ireland’s Non-Binary Passport Problem by Nicole Lee

Quote of the Week

I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.  — James Baldwin

Film of the Week

Big Boys is so funny I almost choked. It’s rare that comedies arrive fully formed and actually make you laugh out loud. This is one of those unicorns. Three series of endearingly kitsch references to British pop culture, giddy explorations of gay love and devastating moments of emotional poignance. It is as heavily packed with sharp dialogue and cheeky mentions of Alison Hammond as you’d expect, not to mention heart-rending explorations of male mental health. This series has never shied away from a tear-jerking moment, and the astonishing final episode is no exception. Unforgettable. Sitcoms don’t get much more deep and meaningful than this.

Book of the Week

Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto. Edie is done with crime. Eight years behind bars changes a person—costs them too much time with too many of the people who need them most. And it’s all Angel’s fault. She sold Edie out in what should have been the greatest moment of their lives. Instead, Edie was shipped off to the icy prison planet spinning far below the soaring sky bridges and neon catacombs of Kepler space station—of home—to spend the best part of a decade alone. One last job. One last deal. One last target. The trillionaire tech god they failed to bring down last time. There’s just one thing Edie needs to do—trust Angel again—which also happens to be the last thing Edie wants to do. What could possibly go all hammajang about this plan?

Music of the Week

Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), Michelle Zauner’s fourth album represents a distinct shift: it’s her first recorded in a professional studio, with indie super-producer Blake Mills – of Fiona Apple and John Legend fame – at the controls. The results are romantic and lush – orchestrations that lean towards baroque pop on single Orlando in Love and 60s easy listening (Little Girl); adding a Cure-like swirl to the sound of her band on Honey Water. The songs, meanwhile, are great: pensive and questioning, at one remove from the pop-facing sound of 2021’s Jubilee, but no less effective.

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

• Tech: U.S. researchers found that children who used phones, video games or social media addictively were two to three times as likely to have thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
• Watch: Flesh-shredding creatures run amok once again in ‘28 Years Later.‘
• Read: These eight novels will satisfy a desire for witchery.
• Listen: This short piano piece from Brahms is a tender, intimate song without words.

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