THE9+. Queer News.  A Very Queer UK, Violence in Italy, Eurovision Sold Out and more

Your weekly guide to the queer media. Every Wednesday. As usual… 5.5 minutes to read. 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]

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Photograph: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Photograph: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

The UK. Statistics. One in Ten Young Adults Identify as LGB

The proportion of young adults in the UK identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) has doubled in five years, with over 10% of 16-24-year-olds identifying as LGB in 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). A sharp rise in bisexuality drove the increase, with 7.5% of young people identifying as bisexual, up from 2.8% in 2018. Among women aged 16-24, the figure reached 9.2%. Stonewall CEO Simon Blake called the data a “wake-up call” for policymakers, urging stronger LGBTQ+ rights protections. Across all age groups, 3.8% of UK adults identified as LGB in 2023, reflecting broader societal shifts towards greater openness and acceptance of diverse sexual identities.

Lexi Love

Lexi Love

The USA. Health. Drag Race Star Publicly Disclosed her HIV Status Following Trump Removal of HIV resources

Drag Race star Lexi Love has publicly disclosed her HIV status in response to the Trump administration’s removal of HIV resources from government websites. She expressed concern over the impact on her health and well-being as an entertainer, stating, “I am personally affected by this stance and will work to use this new platform to not only find resources for myself but those who I am connected to socially and here!” The administration’s actions have drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, condemned the removal, stating, “This action proves the Trump administration’s goal of making it as difficult as possible for LGBTQ Americans to find federal resources or otherwise see ourselves reflected under his presidency.” The removal of HIV resources has raised concerns about the accessibility of vital health information for marginalized communities.

Nemo, the winner of Eurovision 2024-Credit:Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images

Nemo, the winner of Eurovision 2024-Credit:Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images

Switzerland. Eurovision. Tickets Sold Out in 7 Minutes

Tickets for the Eurovision Song Contest live shows in Basel sold out within minutes on January 29, 2025. The initial release of 42,000 tickets, available only to those who pre-registered, was completely sold out by 10:07 a.m. The demand was overwhelming, with rehearsals also fully booked by 10:20 a.m. Organizers, including the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), plan additional ticket sales, though the final total available tickets will depend on venue space requirements. The contest will take place from May 12 to 17, with ticket prices ranging from 40 to 350 Swiss francs. A public viewing event will also be available for 36,000 fans at nearby St. Jakob-Park.

Image: Facebook

Image: Facebook

Italy. Politics. Activists Demand Action as anti-LGBT Violence Surges and Protest in Street

Over the past month, Italy has seen a wave of LGBT-phobic violence. There have been four hate-motivated attacks in the last four weeks, while hate messages have appeared on the doors of the Cassero LGBT centre in Bologna. The attacks have prompted large protests in both Rome and Milan, demanding the government to take urgent action. Alll this is taking place at a time when openly LGBT-phobic rhetoric is used by Italy’s leaders, while legislative protection for LGBT people in Italy is seriously lacking.

Photo: Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung

Photo: Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung

Germany. Politics. AfD Fails in Bid to Ban Rainbow Flags in Falkensee

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, lead by the open lesbian Alice Weidl,  failed in its attempt to ban rainbow flags from public spaces in Falkensee, Brandenburg. The city council decisively rejected the motion on Wednesday, with all other factions voting against it. Hundreds of demonstrators, waving rainbow flags, gathered outside the city hall in protest. The AfD justified its proposal with religious arguments, claiming the LGBTQ+ symbol promotes inappropriate content for children. Critics, including CDU leader Jan Pollmann, condemned the motion as absurd and divisive. The protest was supported by citizens’ groups, political organisations, and church representatives. Despite similar attempts elsewhere, such as in Neubrandenburg, public backlash continues to challenge AfD’s anti-queer agenda.

Photo: Tagesspiegel

Photo: Tagesspiegel

Germany. Politics. Tagesspiegel List Where to Emigrate from Far-Right Europe and the USA

As far-right movements gain traction across Europe and the U.S., many are considering emigration to safer, more democratic countries. German prestigious newspaper Der Tagesspiegel suggests four nations that remain stable and welcoming. Iceland: Known for its social welfare system, progressive politics, and high quality of life, Iceland offers a haven for those seeking stability. Canada: With a strong healthcare system and inclusive society, Canada remains a top destination for emigrants seeking safety and opportunity. Uruguay: This South American country offers stability, progressive policies, and an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ rights. Taiwan: A liberal democracy with a strong economy, Taiwan is also the first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. 

China. Technology. DeepSeek AI Delivers Contradictory Responses on LGBT Rights Amid Censorship Reports

Credit: Jonathan Raa / NurPhoto via Getty Images

China. Technology. DeepSeek AI Delivers Contradictory Responses on LGBT Rights Amid Censorship Reports

DeepSeek, China’s breakout AI chatbot, is delivering starkly conflicting answers about LGBTQ+ rights depending on language settings, users and audits reveal, underscoring concerns about state-aligned censorship in generative AI tools. The Chinese-language version claims “the LGBTQ+ community enjoys equal legal rights” and praises government protections, while the English edition acknowledges “social stigma and legal limitations” faced by queer people in China. This dual narrative mirrors Beijing’s domestic suppression of queer content, including 2024 bans on LGBTQ+ influencers and Pride events .Tests show queries about same-sex marriage or transgender healthcare in Chinese trigger deflections like “Let’s discuss math instead!”. Analysts attribute this to China’s 2023 AI regulations mandating alignment with “socialist core values”. DeepSeek’s LGBTQ+ handling follows patterns seen in Chinese apps like RedNote, which scrubs queer content. Critics warn it exemplifies China’s “algorithmic authoritarianism” export.  A 2024 Williams Institute survey found 52% of urban Chinese support marriage equality , contrasting sharply with government actions.

Doechii absolutely killed it with her Grammy performance! 👏

Doechii absolutely killed it with her Grammy performance

The USA. Music. 2025 Grammy Awards Celebrated Diersity Amid Trump Xenofobia

The 2025 Grammy Awards showcased historic achievements for Black women and LGBTQ+ artists, underscoring the event’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Beyoncé made history by winning Album of the Year for “Cowboy Carter,” becoming the first Black woman to secure the honor in the 21st century and the first in a country music category. Chappell Roan, an openly queer artist, won Best New Artist, with her performance of “Pink Pony Club” championing LGBTQ+ representation. Doechii, another prominent queer artist, delivered a memorable performance. Alicia Keys received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, emphasising the importance of equity and inclusion in the music industry. You can read a full article on 2025 Grammy Awards on GAY45.

Oscar-nominated Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón. Medios y Media/Getty Images

Karla Sofía Gascón. Photo by Medios y Media/Getty Images

The USA, Politics. Karla Sofía Gascón, Oscar First Trans Nominee for the Best Actress, Islamophobe Remarks

Oscar-nominated actress Karla Sofía Gascón has issued an apology following the resurfacing of offensive tweets. Gascón, the first openly transgender actress nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Emilia Pérez, faced criticism for posts containing anti-Islamic sentiments and controversial comments about George Floyd and diversity at the Oscars. The tweets, uncovered by journalist Sarah Hagi a post describing George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer and inspired Black Lives Matter protests across the US as a “drug addict swindler.” Another of her posts, commenting on the 2021 Oscars ceremony, read: “More and more the #Oscars are looking like a ceremony for independent and protest films, I didn’t know if I was watching an Afro-Korean festival, a Black Lives Matter demonstration or the 8M. Apart from that, an ugly, ugly gala.” In a 2019 post that remains online, Gascón also took aim at Miley Cyrus, commenting on photos of her being spotted kissing Kaitlynn Carter with the phrase: “Evil, horrible, unnatural, lesbian perversion”. Gascón also made contentious remarks about the 2021 Oscars ceremony and Miley Cyrus. In response to the backlash, Gascón has expressed remorse, stating she is “deeply sorry” for her past comments and decided not to withdraw from the Oscar competition.

Photo of swastika on tesla in Netherlands

Foto: ANP / Hollandse Hoogte / John van der Tol

The Netherlands. Politics. Tesla Show Room Defaced with Swastikas

A Tesla showroom in the Netherlands has been defaced with swastikas and anti-fascist slogans, less than two weeks after Elon Musk’s controversial salute at Donald Trump’s inauguration. Musk, newly appointed head of the US Department of Government Efficiency, made a gesture on 20 January that some compared to a Nazi salute while thanking voters for “making it happen.” In response, political campaign group Led By Donkeys projected a five-minute video onto his Tesla gigafactory in Berlin, highlighting Musk’s alleged support for far-right movements in Europe. On Sunday (2 February), vandals targeted a Tesla showroom in The Hague, spray-painting slogans such as “No to Nazis” and “F**k off fascist” on the building’s entrance. Grimes, who shares three children with Musk, denounced Nazism following the incident, while the Stand Against Elon campaign pledged to turn his tweets into charity donations. Musk dismissed the backlash on X, writing that his critics “need better dirty tricks” and calling the accusations “tired.”

Thousands of Argentines took to the streets of Buenos Aires

Thousands of Argentines took to the streets of Buenos Aires. Video capture from France24.

Argentina. Politics. Massive protests as Milei attacks ‘woke’ culture and LGBTQ+ community

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Argentina on Saturday to condemn a controversial speech made by President Javier Milei at the World Economic Forum last week. In his speech, Milei called feminism, identity politics and the fight against climate change examples of “sick wokeism,” adding that in its most extreme versions gender ideology constitutes plain and simple child abuse. Protesters were clad in rainbow-colored flags and bore banners that read “rights are not negotiable.” During his tenure, Milei has abolished the Ministry of Women and launched a “chainsaw plan” to liberalise the economy and reduce workers’ rights.

Must Read of GAY45

  • An excellent investigative report about how Conservative MP enlisted the Bayswater Support Group in a pushback on trans education in schools in the UK, written by the famous The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. 

 

Quote of the Week

The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.
― Ludwig Wittgenstein

 Movie of the Week

Steve McLean’s Postcards from London (2018) is a visually arresting exploration of art and identity in London’s Soho. The film follows Jim, portrayed by Harris Dickinson, a naive Essex youth who becomes entwined with a group of male escorts, or “raconteurs,” who offer more than mere physical companionship. They provide intellectual engagement, discussing art and literature with their clients. Jim’s journey delves into the complexities of beauty and desire, with McLean’s direction creating a stylised, almost theatrical atmosphere.

Book of the Week

James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room is a metaphor for Giovanni’s life: dirty, unkempt, overloaded with rubbish, waste, and memories best left undisturbed. By bringing David to his room, Giovanni invites him into his life, while simultaneously making himself vulnerable. A masterpiece by one of the most respected and celebrated queer writers and activists.

Music of the Week

On his second album, God Said No, Omar Apollo wields his heartbreak like a butterfly knife. On “Done With You,” an airy, brass-assisted pop song, he cloaks moments of devastating vulnerability with a protective layer of detached cool. In the shrugged-off chorus, he insists that he’s done with his lover—a toughness that stands in stark contrast to his earlier, velvety pleas for them to let him go. (Pitchfork)

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Author

  • Taylor Abbot (26) is the Editor-in-Chief of GAY45. He studied at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and is a PhD candidate in Berlin University. 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 Der Spiegel, Guardian Weekly, or Bay Area Reporter. Nerdy curious, passionate about the weird parts of life and the good stories written by great journalists. Lives and works between Berlin and London.

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