Your weekly guide to the queer media circus.
As usual… 5.5 minutes to read. A weekly digest of the most important queer news in your backyard!
Exclusively for subscribers every Monday, “The9” is edited weekly by Taylor Abbot + the GenZ 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.
Also, this month you can read the entire archive of GAY45.eu for free.
This week, a man convicted for killing queer journalist, and then:
Argentina. Politics. President Dissolves Human Rights Department.
Far-right president Javier Milei is poised to dissolve the government department responsible for tackling gender violence, prompting backlash from human rights activists. Claudia Barcia, the head of the Undersecretariat for Protection Against Gender Violence, resigned last week with a warning, later confirmed, that the agency will shut. The decision comes as Milei’s administration cuts back on government spending and imposes sweeping austerity measures . The country is suffering from one of the highest inflation rates in the world, with more than half of the population living in poverty.
USA. Politics. New York City Subway Station Renamed to Honour Queer Movement.
A New York City subway station could soon be renamed to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, a pivotal event in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, following the passage of a bill by state lawmakers. The legislation, approved on Wednesday, directs the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to rename the Christopher Street-Sheridan Square station in Greenwich Village to the Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument station. “This change will memorialize the history of the modern LGBT civil rights movement and inspire New York to demand justice and equality for all,” wrote State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the bill’s sponsor. The bill now awaits approval from Governor Kathy Hochul. The Stonewall Inn, site of the 1969 riots, is a national historic landmark and a focal point of annual LGBTQ+ pride celebrations.
USA. Justice. Man Sentenced to 15–30 Years for the Murder of Queer Journalist Josh Kruger
Robert Davis, 20, was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison on Monday for the murder of gay journalist Josh Kruger, 39, last October. Davis, who lived in the Point Breeze neighbourhood, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and related offences in a plea deal with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Davis’s guilty plea, accepted by Judge Barbara A. McDermott, included counts of aggravated assault and illegal gun possession for an incident on a SEPTA platform in late September. Lieutenant Hamilton Marshmond of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit stated that Kruger was found with seven gunshot wounds outside his Point Breeze home. He later died in the hospital. Davis’s older brother, Jaylin Reason, recounted how he helped calm Davis and facilitated his surrender to police. The family alleged that a years-long sexual and drug relationship between Kruger and Davis, beginning when Davis was 15, played a role in the murder. Kruger was a prolific writer on LGBTQ+ rights, addiction, AIDS, and homelessness, contributing to various Philadelphia publications and working for the city’s Office of Homeless Services
Italy. Politics. Italy Denies Removing LGBT and Abortion References from G7 Declaration.
Italy’s far-right government denied accusations of removing references to LGBTQ and abortion rights from the G7 summit’s final declaration in Puglia. The declaration omitted mentions of “gender identity and sexual orientation” and “safe and legal abortion,” which were included in last year’s G7 declaration in Japan. Bloomberg reported the omissions were linked to Pope Francis’s involvement in the summit. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office refuted the claims, stating the report was “devoid of any foundation.” The allegations followed tensions between Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron, who criticized the omission. Meloni accused Macron of using the G7 for “electioneering.” Since 2021, Meloni’s government has implemented policies restricting LGBTQ+ rights and abortion access
UK. Film. First-Ever MUBI FEST in the UK Coming to Manchester.
After successful runs in São Paulo, Istanbul, Santiago, Bogota, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City, MUBI FEST is making its UK debut in Manchester. The festival will be held at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, on July 12-13, 2024. Catering to hardcore film enthusiasts and the curious alike, MUBI FEST offers innovative screenings, DJ sets, panel talks, director Q&As, workshops, and installations. Highlights include exclusive screenings of Levan Akin’s Crossing, the Ross Brothers’ Gasoline Rainbow, and Naqqash Khalid’s debut In Camera. Tickets are on sale now
Worldwide. Economics. 11 of the Richest LGBTQ+ People in the World.
Each June, Pride Month celebrates the struggles, accomplishments, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Among these achievements is the financial success of some high-profile LGBTQ+ individuals, who have amassed significant wealth across various industries. Here are 11 of the richest LGBTQ+ people in the world: In the 11th place, we find the legendary musician Elton John with $81 million, topped by Ellen DeGeneres with $450 million. Tim Cook, Apple CEO, has $2.2 billion, the same as Jennifer Natalya Pritzker, the only transgender billionaire in the world and owner of Hyatt hotels. Among the list’s first-time appearances are Norwegian billionaire Stein Erik Hagen, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, and Stryker Corporation heir Jon Stryker. In second and third place are PayPal co-founded Peter Thiel with $7.2 billion and DreamWorks founder David Geffen with $8.1 billion. But the richest is Giorgio Armani with a jaw dropping $12.3 billion. We have to mention none of them have done remarkable things for the queer community however. Besides usual charity helping their own brands, we can not find solid support for queer press independence or for political action NGOs.
Switzerland. Pride. Right-wing interference: Several arrests at Pride.
More than 20,000 people attended Zurich’s Pride demonstration on Saturday under the motto “Free in every respect.” Police temporarily arrested six Swiss and one German for circulating homophobic leaflets via drone. The men, aged 19 to 33, were linked to the extreme right-wing scene and had homophobic banners. Additionally, a 39-year-old Afghan and a 23-year-old Eritrean were arrested for disruptive behaviour. Switzerland and Austria are two of the most xenophobic countries in Europe, according to a European survey.
Must Read of GAY45
· An amazing written story by one of the youngest Goncourt Prix winners: Fraco by Jean-Baptiste Del Amo.
· The Story Behind the Photograph of Archduke Ludwig of Austria in Travesty.
Quote of the Week
When researchers at Stanford University scanned the brains of people reading fiction, they found a dramatic and unexpected increase in blood flow across the entire brain. Reading can also increase the connectivity in the brain and create new neural pathways.
—
Dr. Michael Mosley, British presenter, podcaster and columnist, died last week in an accident.
Recommendations from our favourite newspapers.
Recover: Burned out after a trip? Here’s why.
Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today’s Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here.
Read: In the novel Blessings, a gay Nigerian boy works to understand himself in an often hostile country.
Cook: Little details make simple herbed cucumber sandwiches feel special.
Advertisements
For rates or to place your advertisement here, email [email protected]
—
Curated every week by our news editor Taylor Abbot & GAY45 editorial staff. Exclusive for subscribers on Monday through Substack and Wednesday on the website.
Taylor Abbot studied at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He is passionate about journalism, contemporary literature, poetry, technology, socio-political involved art forms and queer implications in society. He wrote previously for several magazines as de Volkskrant or Bay Area Reporter. Nerdy curious, passionate about the weird parts of life and the good stories written by great journalists. Taylor decided to delete all his social media accounts two years ago. Lives and works between Berlin and London.
We hope you enjoy this newsletter, which our subscribers make possible with their support.
– – –
ONE MORE THING… EXCLUSIVE CONTENT.
For your dedication and support, we offer subscriptions including fresh exclusive content every week, access to The9 newsletter before being published, and more. For our weekly premium newsletter subscribe to Substack.
Yearly subscriptions come with a printed, signed and numbered collectable edition of the magazine.
GAY45. SUPPORT. WE NEED YOU.
Support GAY45’s award-winning journalism. We need help for our mission.
You can donate to or support our Queer Journalism Campus on PayPal. You can also buy our merchandise.
We appreciate it. Thanks for reading.
