Council funding cuts have made "absolutely" no difference to the staging of a city's upcoming Pride celebration but instead sent a message the event is not welcome, organisers have said.

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Durham County Council's Corporate Affairs department had previously contributed £2,500 to Pride but announced in August it would stop the payments and divert the money to key services instead. Durham Pride chair Mel Metcalf said they would not in any case have accepted money from the Reform-run local authority because of the party's stance on trans issues. A council spokesperson said requests for event support were "carefully considered" against the policies and priorities of the council.

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"The council has, historically, supported a range of festivals and events that support our communities and bring economic benefits to the county," they said. "All requests for assistance are carefully considered on a case-by-case basis against the policy objectives and priorities of the council."

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Durham will hold its annual Pride at the end of the month, with up to 6,000 expected at the parade on 30 May at Palace Green. Metcalf said LGBT+ people in Durham felt "a bit isolated now", but there was a mood of defiance. "The £2,500 was never really the issue, it was the message they were sending to us and a year on they're still sending that same message that Pride isn't welcome in Durham, which is a shame," he said.

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"If they think the two and a half thousand pounds is going to fill many potholes or stop the boats or whatever else that two and a half thousand pounds has been diverted to, I think they're mistaken." Durham Pride has received a council contribution since at least 2016, 

Semi-Final Two of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 drew the smallest audience for a Semi-Final in the United Kingdom since 2022

 

Semi-Final Two of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 was watched by an average audience of 1.2 million viewers, the smallest audience for a Semi-Final since the shows moved over to BBC One. The audience for last night’s show, in which the United Kingdom performed, is down 100,000 viewers on Semi-Final One on Tuesday night.. That one got an average audience of 1.3 million. 

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Overall interest in the Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals has been dropping since the United Kingdom hosted the contest in 2023. However, the figures for the semi-final represent an audience drop of 525,000 viewers compared to the same show in 2025.

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Meanwhile it has been announced Drag Queen La Voix will announce the results of the United Kingdom’s jury in the final of the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Having risen to fame through RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 6, Britain’s Got Talent, Queen of the Universe and Strictly Come Dancing, La Voix will now reveal the points of the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. La Voix became a household name following their participation in the last series of Strictly Come Dancing, where they won audiences over with wit, charm and stage presence.

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La Voix commented:  “I’m absolutely over the moon to be announcing the UK Jury scores at Eurovision 2026. It’s the one night where sequins are en masse, key changes are compulsory, and absolutely anything can happen – so naturally I feel right at home. I’ll do my best to behave… but no promises!”

​The final takes place Saturday from 20:00 BST on BBC1

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed James Murray as the new secretary of state for health and social care, following Wes Streeting’s resignation on 14 May 2026.

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Murray, who is publicly gay, has held multiple political roles since being elected in the 2019 general election, most recently serving as chief secretary to the treasury. Streeting wrote a letter of resignation to Starmer yesterday, stating that despite the prime minister’s “courage and statesmanship… we need vision, we have a vacuum”. 

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During his tenure, Streeting’s support for the LGBTQ+ community has been the subject of significant debate, specifically regarding his record on trans issues. In 2024, the former health secretary, who is publicly gay, introduced a ban on prescribing puberty blockers to trans youth under 18, citing the controversial Cass Review.  Following the pause of the PATHWAYS trial after it was launched in 2025, NHS England, under his tenure, stopped new prescriptions of gender-affirming hormones for 16- and 17-year-olds.

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Ten LGBTQ+ youth organisations have recently urged Streeting to reverse the restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare and to “start listening to the trans young people his decisions impact.” Following his resignation, the spotlight is now on Murray, as the LGBTQ+ community awaits his approach to trans rights.

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Looking through Murray’s history of statements on trans issues, the newly appointed health secretary has shown vague support for trans rights, previously telling TalkRadioTV in 2022: “I believe trans women are women,” though he was hesitant to respond on trans women participating in women’s sport.

Pop star Delta Goodrem has dramatically increased Australia's odds of winning the Eurovision Song Contest, after a stunning performance of her power ballad, Eclipse, at Thursday's semi-final.

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The singer and actress is now second favourite for the competition, and is rapidly closing in on Finland, who have long been tipped to lift the trophy. If she succeeds on Saturday, it would be a first for Australia - who joined the contest as a one-off wild card entry in 2015 but quickly became a permanent fixture. Eurovision is phenomenally successful in the country, despite its distance from Europe, with more than a million people regularly tuning in to watch the show.

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Goodrem, who is known to TV fans for her role in the Australian soap opera Neighbours, is one of the biggest-selling female artists in her home country. She signed her first recording contract at the age of 15 and has scored four number one albums. Speaking to the BBC, she called her Eurovision experience "surprisingly beautiful".

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The UK's entrant Look Mum No Computer - aka musician Sam Battle - gave the first performance of his song Eins, Zwei, Drei during the second semi-final. However, the song was not up for the public vote and received an automatic pass to the final, due to the UK's role as one of the "Big Four" countries who make the largest financial contributions to the song contest.

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His performance met a mixed reception on social media. 

Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary, saying he has lost confidence in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's leadership and Andy Burnham is to try and become an MP again in Makerfield

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In his resignation letter, Streeting said it was clear Sir Keir would not lead Labour into the next general election. Streeting said Labour MPs and unions would want a "debate about what comes next" but did not say he was formally launching a challenge to Sir Keir's leadership. It comes after days of intense speculation that Streeting was planning a bid to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader, with allies saying he would do so as soon as Thursday.

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Streeting met the prime minister in 10 Downing Street for less than 20 minutes on Wednesday morning, after dozens of Labour MPs urged Sir Keir to stand down. Highlighting his record as health secretary, including a reduction in NHS waiting times, Streeting said there were "good reasons for me to remain in post". But he added: "As you know from our conversation earlier this week, having lost confidence in your leadership, I have concluded that it would be dishonourable and unprincipled to do so." Blaming the "unpopularity of this government" for Labour's dire results in last week's elections, Streeting said Labour needed a vision but instead "we have a vacuum".

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Streeting would need the support of 81 Labour MPs to trigger a leadership contest under the party's rules. Allies of Streeting said he did have the numbers, but decided to put pressure on the prime minister to set out a timetable for his departure, rather than kick off an immediate leadership contest. Alan Gemmell – who is backing Streeting to be the next Labour leader – insisted the former health secretary had the support of more than 81 MPs.​

Andy Burnham has released a statement. "I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election." 

TV stars and famous drag queens will feature on the line-up for the Brighton Pride street party.

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This year's street party will take over Marine Parade on August 1 and 2 with music, drag performances, food, and entertainment - the second year it has been in this spot, having moved from St James's Street. Paul Kemp, managing director of Brighton and Hove Pride, said: "I’m really excited to continue working collectively with our venues to bring together the best of our local LGBTQ+ talent and elevate Pride’s Street Party to new heights.

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"It’s another great way to celebrate 35 years of Pride in this incredible city and we have some amazing talent on this year’s line-up. "We always want to create a safe space that supports community fundraising for our local groups and charities as well as our LGBTQ+ venues that are at the heart of our community all year round."

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The street party will feature multiple themed zones including drag stages, music areas, bars, and community spaces. This year’s line-up includes DJ Gok Wan, drag artists Bimini and Baga Chipz, Freemasons, Rozalla, and Woody Cook, among others.

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The event is held in partnership with some of the city’s best-loved LGBTQ+ venues such as R Bar, Charles Street, Patters, Legends, and Camelford Arms. Organisers said the Street Party allows for a "safe and sustainable celebration" while giving vital support to venues that serve the community year-round.

​Day one of the event will run from 3pm to 11pm, while day two will take place from 2pm to 9pm. Brighton & Hove Pride is described by organisers as the UK's most popular international Pride festival.

King Charles III delivered the annual The King’s Speech, in which he said the Labour government would introduce legislation to ban so-called conversion practices.

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During the State Opening of Parliament in Westminster on Wednesday, the Sovereign set out the government’s priorities for the new parliamentary year. Charles stated that the Government would draft a Conversion Practices Bill, promising a ban on measures intended to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This is the second time the King has stated that the Bill would be introduced, after a previous commitment to publish a draft bill was included in the 2024 King’s Speech.

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In April this year, the Labour government failed to meet the deadline first introduced by former prime minister Theresa May in 2018, which was later upheld in the Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto. The Labour government has continued to delay delivering its promised UK-wide ban. At the time, LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall chief executive Simon Blake OBE spoke on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, saying they were “disappointed” by the lack of action.

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Previously promised by former prime ministers May, Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and current Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the legislation has yet to be introduced. “Four different prime ministers have promised to ban these abhorrent conversion practices, so this is an unacceptable position to be in,” said Blake.​

“Every day the legislation is delayed reinforces the feeling that government is not listening to, or caring about, LGBTQ+ people and puts more and more people at risk of harm from these abuses,” added Blake.

Poland‘s prime minister Donald Tusk has issued an apology to LGBTQ+ couples for “years of rejection and humiliation” in a bid to recognise same-sex marriage.

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Following a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union in November 2025, the EU demanded that Poland recognise same-sex marriages lawfully conducted under EU law. The injunction rebuked Poland for refusing to recognise a marriage between two male citizens in 2018 after they wedded in Germany later returning to their home country.

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Tusk pledged that the Polish government would move “as soon as possible” to implement the rulings regarding residency and family rights. As reported by Notes From Poland, Tusk said: “We have committed to – and I will personally ensure this – abiding by the rulings as a priority.” Addressing LGBTQ+ residents living in Poland, he continued: “I would like to apologise to all those who, for many, many years, felt rejected and humiliated.”

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“For many years, the [Polish] state has failed the test.” He stressed that same-sex couples deserve “the same feelings of respect, dignity and love as any other person”. Poland currently does not legally recognise same-sex marriages or civil partnerships under domestic law, defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

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Last year, Poland abolished the country’s last remaining “LGBT Ideology-Free” zone in the town of Łańcut, after adopting discriminatory policies intended to “protect children from moral corruption”. The government is still debating how to implement the rulings. 

The director of the Eurovision Song Contest says organisers are watching voting patterns "very, very carefully" after concerns were raised about Israel's ability to influence the results at last year's contest.

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Some broadcasters claimed that social media posts on Israeli government accounts, which encouraged people to vote multiple times, may have influenced the result. Contest director Martin Green told the BBC he agreed that "some of the promotion by some of the broadcasters was a little disproportionate".

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The situation prompted an overhaul of voting procedures for this year's event, and Green added that anyone who flouted the rules would come "under further scrutiny". The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the contest, has already issued a formal warning to Israeli broadcaster Kan after its contestant released videos instructing fans to "vote 10 times for Israel" last weekend.

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Eurovision said it believed the posts weren't in "the spirit of the competition", and instructed that they be removed. Asked whether the Israeli act could be disqualified for further breaches, Green said: "We're a long way from any of that. "If there is a problem, we start a conversation and we try and resolve it amicably, without reaching for sanctions," he told the BBC's Nomia Iqbal.

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"We hope, in a way, that you teach the world that you can solve [conflict] by being collegiate right now." Israel were among the 10 acts who qualified for this year's grand final from Eurovision's first semi-final in Vienna, Austria, on Tuesday night.

Supporters of Wes Streeting expect the health secretary to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership as soon as Thursday. 

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Streeting met the prime minister in 10 Downing Street this morning for less than 20 minutes after days of intense speculation that he is preparing a bid to replace him. The BBC has spoken to two leading supporters of the health secretary who are confident that he will trigger a leadership election tomorrow, as well as others who say they would be disappointed if Streeting backed away from a challenge at this point.

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A supporter of Streeting says that if the health secretary does not challenge Starmer then "we'll have knifed ourselves for nothing". Under Labour rules, Streeting would need the support of 81 MPs in order to force a vote of party members. Starmer would automatically be a candidate, without any need to solicit nominations himself. Other candidates would also be able to seek 81 nominations.

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Responding to a report in The Times that Streeting was preparing to resign from the cabinet and trigger a contest, a spokesman for the health secretary told the newspaper: "Wes is the health secretary, he is proud of his record of falling waiting lists and a recovering NHS.​

"He is not planning to say anything following his meeting with the prime minister that might distract from the King's Speech."

GLAAD’s 2026 Social Media Safety Index (SMSI) found that major platforms are becoming less safe for LGBTQ+ users. 

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Meta’s platforms: Facebook, Instagram and Threads, are ranked among the worst for LGBTQ+ safety. The report states that Meta’s 2025 policy changes, particularly allowing for “allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation”, contributed to this decline.  Scoring around 39–41 out of 100 on GLAAD’s 2026 Social Media Safety Index, YouTube and X were grouped among those ranked worst for LGBTQ+ users alongside Meta.

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Instagram scored 41 (down four points) from the advocacy organisation’s 2025 report, as did Facebook at 40 (down five points), and Threads at 39 (down one point). GLAAD writes: “Widely denounced changes to Meta’s ‘Hateful Conduct’ policy in January 2025 removed critical protections for LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender and non-binary people, and other historically marginalised groups across the company’s platforms.” The report also criticises the policy for introducing the term “transgenderism”, described as “an anti-trans term that falsely frames being transgender as an ideology rather than an innate identity.”

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TikTok remains the same, scoring 56. The report states: “TikTok has maintained strong protections for LGBTQ+ people and other historically marginalised communities in its Community Guidelines.”

Former pro-basketball player Jason Collins, the first active male athlete on a major American professional team sport to come out as gay, has died aged 47.

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Collins died after a "valiant fight with glioblastoma", an aggressive form of brain cancer, his family said in a statement shared by the National Basketball Association (NBA). He announced last year that he had been diagnosed with the cancer and was undergoing treatment to stop the spread of the inoperable disease. "Jason Collins' impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on Tuesday.

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When revealing his diagnosis to the world, he said it reminded him of his decision to publicly come out as gay in 2013 in a front-page cover story for Sports Illustrated. The years since were "the best of my life", he said. He was a free agent at the time the essay was published, and so it remained unclear whether coming out would end his NBA career. Collins went on to rejoin the Nets - where he started his career - after they moved to Brooklyn, and he became the first openly gay athlete to ever play across any of the four major US sports leagues. The Nets said in a statement that they are "heartbroken" about Collins' death.

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Glioblastoma, or GBM, is an aggressive type of brain cancer that starts in cells called astrocytes, which support nerve cells, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Israel have sailed through to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, with the lovestruck pop song Michelle, performed by 28-year-old Noam Bettan.

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Bettan faced a mixed reception at Tuesday's semi-final. A few audience members booed and shouted anti-Israeli slogans, while others chanted his name in support. The negative reaction to Bettan's performance was audible on the TV broadcast, after Austrian broadcaster ORF, which is hosting the show, said it would not censor protests or negative reactions to any of the contestants.

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In a statement after the show, ORF and Eurovision organisers the EBU said the audience member had been "close to a microphone" and "loudly expressed their views" - both as Israel prepared to take the stage and during their song. "They were later removed by security for continuing to disturb the audience," the statement said. "Three other people were also removed from the arena by security for disruptive behaviour."

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The semi-final, held at Vienna's Wiener Stadhalle, saw 10 countries qualify for Saturday's grand finale. Among them were Finnish duo Pete Parkonnen and Linda Lampenius, whose tempestuous love song Liekinheitin (Flamethrower) is currently the favourite to win. Among them were Finnish duo Pete Parkonnen and Linda Lampenius, whose tempestuous love song Liekinheitin (Flamethrower) is currently the favourite to win. ​That means Estonia, Georgia, Montenegro, Portugal and San Marino have all been eliminated. They included three returning Eurovision acts - Estonia's Vanilla Ninja, San Marino's Senhit and Georgian trio Bzikebi,

Spain has been ranked the best country in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights, ending Malta’s 10-year run at the top of ILGA-Europe’s annual Rainbow Map - with the UK placed 22nd in the latest league table.

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The 2026 ranking, published on Tuesday, 12 May, assesses 49 European countries on their laws and policies affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Spain’s rise to number one reflects a series of legislative advances and political decisions, including stronger legal protections, national equality strategies and reforms to healthcare for trans people.

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ILGA-Europe said Spain’s position demonstrated that “political courage remains the most powerful answer” at a time when democratic institutions and minority rights are facing pressure across the continent. The UK’s placement at 22nd reflects what campaigners have previously described as stagnation in policy development compared with other European nations.

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The report highlights both progress and setbacks in trans rights across the continent. Albania climbed to 24th after introducing legislation recognising discrimination based on gender identity and expression. Czechia and Latvia also made gains by allowing legal gender changes without sterilisation.  However, the organisation warned that anti-trans rhetoric and policy rollbacks are increasing in several countries. ILGA-Europe warned of a “real and growing danger” in parts of Europe

Dr Caroline Litman has called health secretary Wes Streeting’s response to concerns about trans suicide rates “utterly enraging” after a meeting on trans healthcare.

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The author and ex-NHS psychiatrist lost her transgender daughter, Alice, to suicide in 2022 and has been campaigning for access to trans healthcare for the past three years. She sat down with Streeting and James Palmer, director of specialist services for NHS England, in March to discuss suicide risk in trans youth. This came after the government banned prescribing and supplying puberty-blocking hormones to under-18s for gender dysphoria in December 2024.

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Now, two months later, she was able to speak openly about it on her social media. She began: “It’s taken me this long to process the meeting and be ready to talk about it.” “I haven’t got any good news for the trans community,” she added. Dr Litman took to Instagram to share the details of their conversation, she said: “Wes Streeting is personally so worried about the possibility of de-transition – that someone might change their mind – that he is prepared to prioritise everything to reduce this risk to an absolute minimum.” During her meeting, she did note that Streeting expressed sympathy towards her and her partner, Peter, but in her blog, she criticised this as “a baseline of common decency, but not a measure of political will”

A man has been  arrested on suspicion of making an explosive device amid a major emergency response in Manchester's Gay Village.

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Emergency crews descended on Canal Street on Monday following reports of 'chemical substances' being found in a hotel room. Specialist teams searched the room after the smell of the suspected chemicals was initially reported to police by members of the public.

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A large cordon was put in place on a stretch of the usually bustling street and the hotel was evacuated. A number of nearby bars and pubs were also evacuated.

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In an update, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said crews 'examined items' within the hotel room. Chemical substances found in the room were 'examined' and were last night in the 'process of being safely removed'. A man, who was believed to be staying in the room, was detained on suspicion of making an explosive device. He was taken into custody for questioning.

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The GMP spokesperson said the examination of the chemicals 'ruled out any explosive risk'. Nobody was injured amid the incident. "We would like to thank the public and surrounding businesses for their patience as we continue with our work."

Scotland elected its first publicly transgender MSPs, with Q Manivannan and Iris Duane winning seats for the Scottish Green Party in the 2026 Holyrood election last week.

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Manivannan was returned on the Edinburgh and Lothians East regional list, while Duane secured a seat representing Glasgow. Their election comes as the Greens recorded their strongest ever Scottish Parliament result, returning 15 MSPs overall. 

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The result marks the first time openly transgender politicians have been elected to the Scottish Parliament since devolution began in 1999. Manivannan, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, was born in Tamil Nadu, India, before moving to Scotland in 2021 to undertake doctoral studies at the University of St Andrews.  Duane, meanwhile, previously studied politics and social policy at the University of Glasgow and became the university’s first openly transgender sabbatical officer. She had earlier appeared on Young Women Scotland’s 30 Under 30 list and contested Glasgow North at the 2024 general election. 

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Responding to the result on Instagram, Iris Duane wrote: “Hope. All we ask for is hope.” Speaking after the declaration at Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre, Manivannan addressed supporters with a speech centred on identity, representation and political inclusion.

According to Israeli media, discussions have been held regarding moving Israel from competing in the Eurovision Song Contest to the Eurovision Song Contest Asia. Ynet states that, according to two sources, proposals and discussions have been held regarding moving Israel to the Eurovision Song Contest Asia. However, no decision has yet been made on the matter, and opposition has reportedly been received from some of the broadcasters signed up to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest Asia.

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European Broadcasting Union released a short statement saying “The current list of participating broadcasters and countries in Eurovision Song Contest Asia can be found here eurovisionasia.com.  Discussions are ongoing with other broadcasters on joining the inaugural event in November. No broadcaster that takes part in the Eurovision Song Contest will be taking part in Eurovision Song Contest Asia. The event, like the Eurovision Song Contest, will be inclusive and celebrate being United by Music. Decisions on participation are taken by the organisers.”

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While the statement does not directly comment on discussions regarding Israel competing in the Eurovision Song Contest Asia, it does outline a rule that was previously unknown. The confirmation of a rule that broadcasters competing in the Eurovision Song Contest cannot compete in the Eurovision Song Contest Asia means that if countries geographically in Asia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Israel, wish to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest Asia, their public broadcaster cannot compete.

A hotel on Canal Street, the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village, has been evacuated amid a ‘chemical incident’.

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A man staying at an unspecified hotel has been arrested and specialist crews are ‘examining the material’ inside the room. Businesses within a police cordon have also been evacuated, with investigators spotted around On Bar.

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A cordon from the junction with Abingdon Street to the junction with Sackville Street is in place. Bar Pop, which is a few feet away from the incident, told customers over Instagram that the bar is still open. ‘You can still access the bar from Chorlton Street end,’ it said. The fire services told Metro: ‘At around 11.25am, two fire engines from Moss Side and Gorton were called to a premises on Canal Street, Manchester, after reports of a smell causing suspicion, believed to be chemicals.

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‘We are currently working alongside partners from Greater Manchester Police to examine the contents and are working to make the area safe. ‘No injures have been reported but firefighters remain at the scene at this time.’

Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union, has presented Durham Pride with a £7,200 donation after the annual event had its budget cut by Durham County Council, which is led by Reform UK. 

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The donation was announced on Saturday (9 May) night at the Miners’ Hall in Durham, where Equity held a reception to celebrate the region’s trade union history. Mel Metcalf, organiser of Durham Pride, was handed a cheque by Equity President Lynda Rooke, who said that the union was “sending a message to Reform and any other group that is planning on attacking the cultural sector.” 

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Earlier this week, Equity announced that it had negotiated an agreement with Durham Pride for the first time in the event’s history, setting minimum pay, terms and conditions for performers engaged by the event. 

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Durham Pride will taking place on Saturday, 30 May.  Presenting the donation, Equity President Lynda Rooke said: “Equity - your union - will not allow a Pride event that brings work for our members and celebrates our performers to die. And I am proud to announce that Equity has stepped up. "And what's even better is that this new agreement signed between Durham Pride and Equity will ensure decent standards for all our members and our workers.

The full lineup for Leeds Pride 2026 has officially been revealed. This year there are more acts than ever before set to take to the stage across a fabulous two-day festival.

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Headlining the weekend will be La Voix and Sweet Female Attitude. They’ll be joined by, Tomara Thomas, Livin’ Joy ft. Luzahnn, and Baga Chipz. Presenting the festivities this year will be Bradley Riches, Soraya Vivian, drag icons Mamma Bear and St Sordid Secret.

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Taking place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 2026, the milestone event will see the city come alive with its best Pride to date. Organisers are already expecting record-breaking crowds for the packed programme of entertainment which will take place from 12pm – 10pm on both days.

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A new addition for 2026 - Leeds Pride will host The Freedom Party, a ticketed Saturday event, helping to secure the future of the festival for years to come. Guests can expect a high energy day featuring incredible stage shows and some of the UK’s best tribute acts, paying homage to the hit songs and pop icons of the last 20 years.

Tickets for The Freedom Party are available now from just £7.50

The EBU has warned the Israeli broadcaster responsible for their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest – KAN over targeted advertisements their representative Noam Bettan has published onto various social media platforms.

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Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster and EBU member TV2. The head of the Eurovision Song Contest – Martin Green responded to complaints of targeted social media adverts to vote for Noam Bettan and his entry “Michelle”.  The new voting instructions for Eurovision, which concern marketing and promotion, are mainly introduced to avoid large-scale funded third-party campaigns. We at ESCXTRA reported on this last year. This came after an extensive social media campaign run by their 2025 representative Yuval Rafael that explicitly told people to vote 20 times for her song “New Day Will Rise” that eventually came 2nd in Basel, topping the televote.

 

Martin gave further clarification to this. Furthermore Martin has stated that the EBU has been swift in warning the broadcaster about it’s responsibilities in conducting fair promotion. ​

After reaching out to the Israeli broadcaster this is what KAN said to TV2. KAN maintains that they always follow the EBU rules and regulations. The claim that this is from the artists own initiative however doesn’t ring true when you can see the similarities to Noam’s advert compared to Yuval’s last year.

Labour has been urged to act to protect Parkrun from what campaigners describe as “American interference”, after a US-based religious organisation issued a legal threat over trans inclusion in the UK.

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The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), an American group known for its role in the legal campaign that helped overturn Roe v Wade, has warned Parkrun and other sporting bodies that their policies may be in breach of the UK Supreme Court’s recent ruling on trans rights. The intervention has prompted a backlash from thousands of runners and volunteers.

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More than 2,100 parkrunners and supporters have written to their MPs calling on ministers to defend inclusive community spaces such as Parkrun. They are also urging the government to address what they describe as growing legal uncertainty for organisations following the Supreme Court judgment.

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The legal threat was issued by the ADF’s international arm, which the Southern Poverty Law Centre has designated as a hate group. The organisation wrote to several sports bodies, including Parkrun, in partnership with Conservative peer Sharron Davies, arguing that allowing trans participants to compete as themselves may not comply with the court’s ruling.

Mighty Hoopla Malta has been cancelled, months before it was due to return for a second year.

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The LGBTQ+ festival, which launched in 2025 as an overseas edition of the London event, had been scheduled to take place from 24 to 27 September across multiple venues in Malta.  In a statement released , organisers cited rising airline costs and concerns over flight availability for the decision.

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“It is with a very heavy heart that we must inform you that, after much consideration, we are cancelling Mighty Hoopla Malta 2026,” the statement read. “After an incredible weekend in 2025, we had everything in place to not only replicate that magic for this year, but also deliver an even better show.” According to organisers, discussions with airlines serving Malta suggested flight prices were expected to rise further over the summer, while some routes could also be reduced. “As you will no doubt have seen in the news, the airline industry is expecting disruption this summer and so we have been in contact with airlines connected to Malta to understand the likely impact,” the statement continued. Organisers added they had been told that “fewer flights will be scheduled and that prices will likely go up.”

 Festivalgoers who booked directly through Mighty Hoopla will receive full refunds, including booking fees. Organisers also said they intend to offer compensation to some customers who separately booked flights or accommodation.

​UK Black Pride has paused its 2026 festival, announcing a strategic reset in a bid to bring the celebrations back in 2027.

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What would have been a monumental moment for the organisation, marking 21 years since the festival’s debut in 2005, UK Black Pride has paused further planning. The cancellation is a move which organisers describe as one that will “strengthen its future vision, deepen community engagement, and prioritise sustainability and long-term impact”.

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UK Black Pride CEO Lady Phyll said she hopes the break will allow the festival to become “stronger” upon its 2027 return.  Phyll said: “Reaching 21 years is both a celebration and a responsibility. We are incredibly proud of what we as UK Black Pride have built and continue to build together, not just as an event, but as a movement, a home and a space our communities rely on.”

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She added: “Taking this strategic pause allows us to reflect, reset and build the strongest possible future for UK Black Pride.” “Let me be absolutely clear: UK Black Pride is not going anywhere. This is not a step back. This is how we ensure we come back stronger, bigger and even more impactful in 2027,” Phyll concluded.

Over 2,100 parkrunners and supporters have written to their MPs urging for action against a legal threat by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) regarding trans participation in community events.

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In letters issued to 10 organisations, the ADF contends that organisations such as Parkrun are in breach of the law, claiming they are failing to protect women and girls by permitting trans inclusion at their events. Spearheaded by the Trans+ Solidarity Alliance, the counter-campaign is calling on the Labour Party government to defend inclusive organisations like Parkrun and clarify legal protections following the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling on trans rights. 

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ADF is an anti-LGBTQ+ advocacy group that has campaigned against abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and anti-discrimination legislation since 1994. It is also known for its role in the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the US Supreme Court in 2022. In a statement, ADF wrote: “We are actively working to ensure that the rights of women and girls in sport are protected in accordance with UK law and, in particular, the Supreme Court Decision in For Women Scotland.”

The Pussycat Dolls have cancelled almost the entire US leg of their forthcoming reunion tour, following poor ticket sales.

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Three members of the noughties girl group - Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt - announced their return with a new single and world tour earlier this year. But the group said that "after taking an honest look" at the North American section of the tour, they had taken the "difficult and heartbreaking decision" to cancel all but one of the shows.

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The European dates, including nine in the UK and Ireland, will go ahead as planned, with the group saying many of those shows have "already sold out".

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The US date that will still go ahead is the Dolls' appearance at WeHo Pride in Los Angeles on 6 June. "We could not think of a more meaningful place to celebrate with our fans," the group said in their statement,  adding: "The LGBTQ+ community has shown us so much love and support throughout our career."

They had been scheduled to play 33 dates in total in the US and Canada in June, July and August.

Netflix has unveiled the first trailer and release date for KYLIE – the new three-part documentary series exploring Kylie Minogue‘s life.

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Set to launch on 20 May, the series charts Minogue’s journey from chart-topping pop star to one of music’s most enduring and shape-shifting icons, having sold more than 80 million records worldwide. Described as an “intimate” portrait, KYLIE sees the singer open up her personal archives, offering viewers a rare glimpse into decades of home videos, photographs and behind-the-scenes moments, alongside new interviews.

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The documentary also delves into the challenges she has faced throughout her career, including intense public scrutiny and personal loss. KYLIE will cover Minogue’s 2005 breast cancer diagnosis, too. She postponed her Showgirl tour after announcing she would undergo treatment, later returning to complete the run in 2006. The project is directed by Emmy and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Michael Harte, known for Three Identical Strangers, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie and BECKHAM.

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​The three-part series lands globally on 20 May.

Dolly Parton has cancelled her forthcoming Las Vegas residency as she undergoes treatment for health issues.

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In a statement posted on her social media accounts, the 80-year-old country music star said she has been "responding really well to meds and treatments" and "improving every day," citing a longtime struggle with kidney stones.

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Parton had postponed her six-date run at The Colosseum Theatre at Caesars Palace from December 2025 to September 2026 to deal with "health challenges". "I've still got some healing to do, but I am on my way!" the musician said on Monday in announcing the cancellation of the residency. Speaking with an upbeat tone, Parton said in the video message that she "can't be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on 5-inch heels - and you know that I'm going to be wearing them".

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"I am truly sorry that I'm going to miss all of you that had tickets to see me in Las Vegas. Well, you get on to Vegas, and you have a big time… And I'll see you somewhere down the line."

The European Parliament has backed a ban on so-called conversion therapy across the European Union.

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MEPs voted on Wednesday (29 April), with 405 supporting the proposal. The move follows a campaign organised by ACT (Against Conversion Therapy) using the European Citizens’s Initiative – a mechanism that allows the public to formally invite the European Commission to consider new  legislation.

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More than 1.2 million people signed the petition, exceeding the threshold required to trigger an official response. The Commission must now set out its position by 18 May, including whether it intends to take the proposal forward or pursue further analysis. The initiative calls for a prohibition on practices aimed at changing or suppressing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It also proposes measures focused on prevention, enforcement and support for those affected.

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At present, laws on conversion therapy differ across Europe, with regulation handled at national level. Seven countries have introduced full bans: Belgium, Cyprus, France, Malta, Norway, Portugal and Spain. 

g10 group has today released a statement regarding its coverage of Eurovision 2026.  

 

"g10 group confirms that it will once again cover the Eurovision Song Contest this year. This year’s coverage will be the most muted and scaled back in the company’s history. Reporting will be limited strictly to the semi-finals and grand final, focusing on which countries progress and ultimately win. While coverage will remain factual and event-focused, g10 group will not shy away from reporting on significant surrounding stories, including Israel’s participation and the range of public and audience reactions it generates"

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"The decision reflects a more restrained editorial approach for 2026, while acknowledging that Eurovision continues to hold strong interest for parts of its audience." 

 

"Separately, g10 radio will continue its “Eurovision Non-Stop Hits” programming daily, celebrating music from artists associated with the contest over the years.

Richard E. Grant, Miranda Hart, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Joe Lycett are among the stars who will go head to head in the second series of The Celebrity Traitors.

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A total of 21 presenters, comedians, actors and musicians will try their hand at being good traitors and faithfuls in the show, which will air this autumn.

 

 Following a successful first series that saw 15.4m people watch Alan Carr emerge victorious in the finale, this next instalment will see broadcasters Amol Rajan, Maya Jama and Professor Hannah Fry enter the castle in the Scottish highlands. Actors Bella Ramsey, Myha'la, Michael Sheen, Jerry Hall, Sharon Rooney and Julie Hesmondhalgh will use their skills and experience to convince the other players that they are faithfuls as they try and win £100,000 for a charity of their choice.

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Heartstopper actor and musician Sebastian Croft  will also be taking part.  The second celebrity version of the show will consist of ten hour-long episodes.

Brighton & Hove Pride has announced a new dance arena, State of Us, set to debut at Pride on the Park 2026.

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Marking the city’s 35th anniversary, festivalgoers are invited to bust a move to sets from legendary DJs, including Saturday (2 August) headliner Purple Disco Machine and Sunday (3 August)’s Armand Van Helden. 

 

The Blessed Madonna is scheduled for the dance stage on Sunday, among other household names such as HAAi, I. Jordan, Hannah Wants and Girls Don’t Sync.

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Opening the State of Us arena on Saturday (2 August) are Bimini, Daniel Avery and Patrick Mason – set to establish the euphoric tone of Brighton Pride 2026.

Paul Kemp, Brighton & Hove Pride managing director, said in a news release: “This year’s Pride on the Park line-up reflects such a breadth of talent across many generations, and we know Pride-goers are in for an incredible experience. Let’s celebrate the power of love in all its forms – roll on August!”

A fire that broke out at an LGBT+ nightclub in Milton Keynes was believed to have started accidentally, police said.

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The blaze broke out at Pink Punters in the Bletchley area of the city at 02:00 BST on Sunday and caused significant damage to the venue. Following a joint investigation between Thames Valley Police and Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS), "no evidence of criminality was found".

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A 51-year-old man arrested on suspicion of arson has been "eliminated from inquiries", the force added. Supt Emma Baillie, from Thames Valley Police, thanked the community for supporting the investigation.

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"We understand that an incident like this can be concerning for the local community, but I want to reassure people that following a thorough joint investigation with BFRS, we have found no evidence of any criminality," she said. "The fire is believed to have been accidental in nature, and thankfully no-one was injured. I would also like to commend the staff at Pink Punters, who worked quickly and effectively to ensure everyone was safely evacuated.  "We would like to thank members of the community who came forward and assisted us with our inquiries

Following a long string of advancements, anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime has officially become an “aggravated offence” under UK law.

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The amendment, spearheaded by UK LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall since 2024, makes it so that, under the Crime and Policing Bill, anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes are treated equally alongside offences motivated by race and religion. Approved by Royal Assent on the 29 April, it gives LGBTQ+ victims and survivors more time to access criminal justice.

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Stonewall, which launched the “Hold My Hand” campaign in 2024 to make anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes an “aggravated offence”, celebrated the monumental moment it had fought so hard to achieve.

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Simone Blake OBE, Stonewall CEO, said in a statement: “I am delighted that our campaign to equalise the punishment for anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime has been successful, a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights. In recent years, rising levels of hate crime against LGBTQ+ communities have been deeply concerning. Everyone deserves to feel safe to be themselves, without fear of harm.”

Sir Stephen Fry has sued the organisers of a tech conference where he was injured when he fell off the stage after making a speech.

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The broadcaster and author said he broke his leg, hip, pelvis and a "bunch of ribs" at the CogX convention at the O2 arena in London after giving the keynote address in September 2023. Sir Stephen, 68, has now filed a personal injury claim against CogX Festival Ltd and creative agency Blonstein Events Ltd, seeking up to £100,000 damages.

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"I did my bow after delivering this lecture, turned to go off stage and didn't realise that I was walking off the part of the stage where there was nothing - just a 6ft drop on to concrete," he told Claudia Winkleman's BBC Radio 2 show in December 2023.

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In response, a spokesperson for CogX Festival Ltd said: "We are unable to comment while the legal process is ongoing, but we were all deeply concerned when Stephen had the accident after giving his incredible speech on the Impact of AI, and we continue to send him our best wishes for a full recovery." Once a claim is filed at the High Court, a claimant has several weeks before they need to officially serve it on any defendants.

A Russian court has ruled the country’s leading LGBTQ+ rights group, the Russian LGBT Network, as “extremist”, effectively banning the organisation.

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The decision was made by Saint Petersburg City Court on Monday (27 April), after Russia’s Justice Ministry claimed the organisation threatened state security. Being labelled “extremist” in Russia can mean facing severe criminal punishment, including prosecution, imprisonment, and total civic marginalisation for activities deemed to promote non-traditional Russian values.

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Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia director, condemned the ruling, calling on the Russian authorities to “immediately stop misusing anti-extremism legislation”. “For nearly two decades, the Russian LGBT Network has united activists from across the country, provided emergency assistance and produced vital research on discrimination and violence against LGBTI people. Banning it is a major premeditated blow to LGBTI people and their allies,” said Struthers in a statement.​

​She continued: “LGBTI human rights defenders, activists and volunteers play a vital role in providing legal, psychological and social support, documenting abuses and evacuating those at risk.

More gay and bisexual men in New Zealand will soon be eligible to donate blood under a revised screening system set to be introduced in May.

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The New Zealand Blood Service has confirmed it will update its donor eligibility criteria from 4 May, replacing existing sexuality-based restrictions with a model focused on individual risk.  Under current rules, men who have sex with men are required to wait three months after oral or anal sex before donating, regardless of whether protection was used or the relationship context. 

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The new approach shifts away from that blanket deferral. Instead, all donors will be assessed using the same set of behavioural questions, regardless of sexual orientation or gender. This change is expected to allow a wider group of people to give blood, including those previously excluded despite presenting a low risk. The move follows approval from Medsafe and is part of a broader transition towards what officials describe as “individualised risk assessment”. 

​​The latest update aligns New Zealand with a growing number of countries that have moved to behaviour-based screening, rather than rules tied to sexual orientation.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire at a packed-out LGBT+ nightclub.

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Revellers were evacuated in the early hours of the morning from Pink Punters in Fenny Stratford, near Milton Keynes, as flames quickly took hold. Thames Valley Police said a 51-year-old man from Milton Keynes remained in custody and it urged people not to speculate as to the motive. There were no reports of injuries.  Eyewitness Molly Firman said "out of nowhere" staff and security started screaming "you need to get out now". "It just didn't seem real in the moment," she said. "Am I dreaming this? Is it actually happening? Before you knew it, it was just intense."

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Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called at 02:09 BST to Watling Street, and at its height, 12 appliances were being used to tackle the fire. A spokesperson said crews were expected to remain at the scene for a "considerable amount of time", including to dampen down hotspots. Road closures were expected to remain in place for some time, police said.   Aaron Harding has worked as a cleaner at the venue for the past five months. He believes about 100 people are employed there. "I'm lost for words," said Harding, who said neither he, or his partner who works behind the bar, were at the venue on Saturday night.

Kevin Coyle, the founder of Drag Bus, passed away unexpectedly yesterday. Kevin launched Drag Bus in 2023, transforming a classic red Routemaster into a celebration of drag, cabaret and community. What began as a limited run of events quickly grew into a nationally recognised brand, bringing drag brunches, themed tours and Pride appearances to cities across the UK.

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Known for his warmth, enthusiasm and deep respect for drag artists, Kevin was widely credited with creating a space that felt both joyful and inclusive. Performers and passengers alike spoke of Drag Bus as more than just entertainment, describing it as a safe, affirming environment that welcomed people from all walks of life.  Tributes have begun pouring in from across the drag and LGBTQ+ communities, with many highlighting Kevin's kindness, generosity and unwavering belief in the power of drag to build connection and joy.

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Drag Bus was a proud sponsor of Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC, which said on social media: "It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we share the heartbreaking news that Kevin Coyle sadly passed away unexpectedly yesterday in Brighton. "Kevin was a truly special soul who brought laughter, energy and kindness wherever he went.