Queer News and Journalism

We bring you essential queer news — every Wednesday.This week: FBI under scrutiny over plan to label transgender individuals as “violent extremists”, Gay Rights Groups Launch Global Alliance to Counter Gender Ideology, Ben & Jerry’s co-founder quits, says Unilever has “silenced” their activism, Turkey Ministry Seeks Ban on Queer Singer’s New Song on ‘Public Morality’ Grounds — and Much MoreEach week, our podcast offers a curated digest of the most vital and compelling queer news.Enhance your understanding with award-winning journalism at www.GAY45.eu.

This week: In Germany, Berlin Art Week and the "Sex Now" exhibition in Düsseldorf showcase contemporary and sex-positive art, featuring diverse artists and themes. Pride events faced contrasting circumstances: Kharkiv Pride in Ukraine proceeded with police protection against far-right protests, while Hungary saw its Pécs Pride Parade banned by authorities. Concerns over safety and justice are evident with the suspected hate crime murder of an LGBTQ+ activist in Botswana and the blasphemy conviction of a feminist and LGBTQ+ activist in Morocco. Lastly, the MTV VMA Awards in the USA celebrated queer identity in mainstream pop culture, alongside news of an investigation into the London Pride chief over alleged financial misconduct. www.gay45.eu

In this special episode, our co-hosts delve into the aftermath of the recent wave of elections in Europe and the UK, speculating about their effects on the LGBT+ community. They also look back at this year’s Pride Month in light of criticisms of rainbow capitalism, performative allyship, and the silencing of pro-Palestine activism. They turn once more to the highlights of the GAY45 magazine, before interviewing actor Ciprian Chiujdea, the protagonist behind this year’s Queer-Palm-awarded film Three Kilometres to the End of the World. As ever, our hosts recommend some of the best film and TV to watch these days.Please write to us and leave a review. The most interesting ideas will be mentioned in the podcast.During summer we take a vacation. Our next episode will be broadcast at the start of September.

Our hosts discuss the mass pro-Palestine student protests around the world in the context of the politicised atmosphere around Eurovision and the recent interviews of Pet Shop Boys, Omar Sy and Salman Rushdie. They speculate the right-wing turn in the run-up to the European elections and how will affect queer rights in the future. As a bonus, they recommend films to see, both in cinemas and at home.

This week, our hosts had as special guest the renowned queer journalist and author of The Pink Line, Mark Gevisser. Then, they dissect the recent surge in right-wing voting within the LGBT+ community, followed by an analysis of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, which has seen unprecedented levels of queer representation alongside notable political controversies. Additionally, they delve into the bids for EuroPride 2027 and explore the socio-economic ramifications of the event. At last, they offer their top picks of queer cinema and television available for streaming nowadays.