Brothers found guilty of murdering civil servant in 1984 homophobic attack
By Riley Hart
Two brothers have been convicted of murdering a man in a homophobic attack more than four decades after he was killed.
Michael Stewart, 57, and Anthony Stewart, 60, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering Anthony Littler, a 45-year-old civil servant who was attacked while walking home in East Finchley in the early hours of 1 May 1984. They were 15 and 18 at the time. Littler had arrived at East Finchley Underground station shortly after midnight before making his way through a narrow alley known as The Causeway. Prosecutors said he was ambushed moments later and struck twice on the head with a blunt weapon. He suffered two skull fractures, including one that caused a catastrophic brain injury.
Following the verdicts, senior crown prosecutor Samantha Yelland said: “I’m so pleased that we’ve managed to get justice all these years later for Anthony Littler.
Sexually transmitted Shigella is becoming harder to treat, researchers warn
By Riley Hart
Sexually transmitted Shigella is becoming more resistant to antibiotics, prompting fresh warnings for gay and bisexual men. New research from the University of Cambridge suggests infections passed on through sex are increasing more quickly than other forms of the bacterial illness, while also becoming harder to treat with commonly used antibiotics.
Shigella is a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever and vomiting. In some cases, it can lead to bloody diarrhoea and require hospital treatment. Although it has traditionally been associated with contaminated food, poor sanitation and overseas travel, researchers say sexual transmission is now an established route of infection in some communities of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Between 2015 and 2020, sexually transmitted Shigella increased 15 per cent faster each year than strains linked to other routes of infection, including travel and contaminated food.
Amber heat health alerts in effect as UK set for one of longest-lasting heatwaves since 1976
By Riley Hart
Amber and yellow heat health alerts are in place across England as the UK braces for one of the longest-lasting heatwaves since 1976. Temperatures could rise as high as 36C (97F) for parts of southern England this week. However, readings will range widely across the country, from the mid-20s Celsius in the north to those mid-30s further south.
The Midlands, eastern and southern England are under amber heat-health alerts by the UK Health Security Agency until 21:00 BST on 12 July. Meanwhile, yellow heat health alerts are in force across northern England for the same period. Unlike the late June heatwave, humidity levels have been lower making the heat feel less oppressive. But these are now picking up again. However, this heatwave could be one of the longest lasting since the infamous heatwave of 1976. During it, England in particular saw multiple locations record 13 to 16 consecutive days above 30C.
New heatwave likely to peak at 34C with week-long health alert issued
By Riley Hart
A new heatwave is starting to build across parts of the UK from this weekend, with forecasters warning that temperatures could reach 33C or 34C. For some areas this will mark the third heatwave of the year.
It comes as week-long yellow heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency from the Midlands and East Anglia down across both the south-east and south-west of England. The highest temperatures are expected in southern England and while maybe not as intense as the record-breaking heatwave in June, it may last a lot longer.
Currently many forecasting models show that the hot spell could persist into the middle of July. We are unlikely to exceed the record breaking temperatures recorded in June, although there is some uncertainty. Some areas are likely to meet official heatwave criteria.
Supporting Pride London 'more important than ever'
By Riley Hart
Attendees at Pride in London have told the BBC that supporting the event is "more important than ever", with thousands turning out for the annual parade.
The festival is the UK's largest Pride and one of the capital's biggest public events and this year the organisation running the event said it was expecting crowds of more than one million people. This year's festivities come after a difficult year for the organisation which became involved in a long-running legal dispute with its former chief executive.
Pride in London said it was "overwhelmed by the support, love and commitment our community, partners, volunteers and wider stakeholders have given Pride in London this year".
Final attendance figures have not been released but organisers said ahead of the event that more than a million people were expected to head into London for the celebrations.
Leeds Hunters make bid to host LGBTQ+ Rugby World Cup
By Riley Hart
Leeds Hunters, the northern LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby club, have made their bid to host the Bingham Cup and the Amanda Mark Cup in 2028.
The Bingham Cup is the world’s largest amateur rugby tournament for LGBTQ+ and inclusive rugby teams from across the globe, held every two years. Expected to attract up to 4,000 players, Hunters player Nathan Martin described it to BBC News as a “rugby tournament like no other”. “It’s about feeling connected, it’s about being with other people that may be like you, may be different, but you’re welcome.”
The first Bingham Cup was held in San Francisco in 2002, in memory of Mark Bingham, a gay American rugby player who died in 9/11. The LGBTQ+ rugby tournament has continued to honour Bingham’s legacy, expanding to a biennial event in 2004, and later introducing the Amanda Mark Cup for women’s teams under International Gay Rugby. The first full Amanda Mark Cup was held in 2022 in Ottawa, Canada, taking place alongside the Bingham Cup, followed by Rome in 2024.
Attitude Magazine Foundation announces Oliver Pike as new CEO
By Riley Hart
Attitude has announce the appointment of Oliver (Olly) Pike as the new CEO of the Attitude Magazine Foundation, effective 1 October 2026. The registered charity, founded in summer 2018, has raised and distributed more than £600,000 for LGBTQ+ causes through corporate support, Attitude’s award-winning live events and individual donations from readers and supporters via Just Giving.
“This new appointment of a former Pride Award winner”, says Attitude managing director and Foundation chairman Darren Styles OBE, “represents a new phase of operations intended to give this incredible brand and its charitable enterprise the drive, dynamism and personality that it deserves. Olly will start to implement new initiatives on a transitional, part-time basis in the coming weeks, but join us full-time come the autumn.
“Olly is a popular, active and visible member of London’s LGBTQ+ community and brings with him a network of valuable connections and donors, plus a unique understanding of both charity administration and life in the front line of advocacy.”