Bangkok came alive with colour and pride as Bangkok Pride 2026 brought together the public and private sectors, civil society groups and people from all walks of life to celebrate diversity, equality and inclusion.

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The highlight was a grand parade of more than 150 groups, showcasing six dimensions of pride through themes including peace, human dignity, human rights, culture and acceptance of difference. Participants from Thailand and abroad filled the route with rainbow flags, vibrant costumes and a spirit of celebration in the heart of the capital.

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The parade moved from the Khlong Chong Nonsi and Silom Road area through Bangkok’s key business districts towards Thephasadin Stadium, drawing crowds of supporters and tourists along the way. The event also reinforced Thailand’s push to host World Pride 2030 and position itself as a global destination for equality.

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Deputy Government Spokesperson, Capt. Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn, said the festival will be held under the theme “Patch the World with Pride,” aiming to push Thailand forward to host the global celebration, “World Pride 2030."

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Patdarasm stated that the government prioritises human rights, gender diversity, and equality. Thanks to collaboration from all sectors, Thailand has successfully implemented same-sex marriage law.

The first Kent Pride Games is due to take place at the Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford

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7 Kent Prides including Sheppey, Herne Bay, Ramsgate, Maidstone, Broadstairs, Margate and Medway will be competing in sport day activities to win the Rainbow Cup and £250 cash prize for their Pride event. 

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Drag queens, Anya Hole, Angela Banbury, Mercury Rizing, Audrey Tipstick and Betty Late Than Never performing and there will also be lots of stalls, DJs, singers, bouncy castle etc

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Dame Kelly Holmes who will be judging the games.

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Tickets are available at https://thestourcentre.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/77018?catID=72322&navItem=1240012 and are £5 for adults and free for children. 

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The games are due to take place on Saturday 27th June and the event runs from 12pm - 9pm ​

A new HIV treatment has allowed some people to stop taking their medication for up to two years, according to the results of a clinical trial.

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Researchers at Imperial College London tested a treatment made from two broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs) – immune proteins that can target and block HIV. The trial involved 68 people in the UK and Denmark whose HIV was already being controlled with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Participants received either the antibody treatment or a placebo before stopping their usual medication under medical supervision.

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ART is highly effective at preventing HIV from replicating in the body and allows people living with the virus to lead long, healthy lives. However, it is not a cure and must usually be taken for life. The study found that 75% of people who received the antibody treatment were still able to control the virus 20 weeks after stopping ART. Around half remained off medication for a year, while about a quarter maintained viral suppression for two years.

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The antibodies used in the treatment, known as 3BNC117-LS and 10-1074-LS, target different parts of HIV. Researchers hope they could eventually offer a new way of controlling the virus without the need for daily medication. The findings were published in The Lancet HIV.

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Prof Sarah Fidler of Imperial College London said: “This is the first time a bNAb-based therapy has demonstrated viral load control of this duration and magnitude in a randomised placebo-controlled trial. “These results open new possibilities for HIV treatment and bring us closer to our goal of finding a cure.”

Latest UK surveillance figures show new HIV diagnoses fell from 3,169 in 2023 to 3,043 in 2024, as the government continues efforts to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.

A new survey shows that more gay and bisexual men in England are donating blood following changes to eligibility criteria.

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The shift follows updated donation criteria introduced in 2021, which made blood donation rules more inclusive across England, Scotland and Wales.

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Announced by former health and social care secretary Matt Hancock in 2020, he said: “This landmark change to blood donation is safe and it will allow many more people, who have previously been excluded by donor selection criteria, to take the opportunity to help save lives. “This is a positive step and recognises individuals for the actions they take, rather than their sexual preference.”

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Gay and bisexual men were originally banned from donating blood to prevent the transmission of HIV after the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. The ban was lifted in the UK in 2011, replaced by a rule requiring men to abstain from sex with another man for 12 months before donating. This was later reduced to three months in 2017.

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Since then, blood donations have skyrocketed. In a new survey by For the Assessment of Individualised Risk (FAIR) taken by 8,744 male donors, researchers found that 7.5 per cent identified as bisexual, gay, pansexual, queer, bicurious or sexually fluid, compared with 1.8 per cent in 2014. Su Brailsford, Consultant in Epidemiology and Health Protection at NHSBT and chair of FAIR, celebrated the surge: “Donation became more inclusive but safety remained the priority.”

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​“The survey statistics indicate more gay and bisexual men are now donating, it’s very encouraging to see new donors coming to our centres and we try and make them very welcome.”

The end of Heartstopper is drawing closer – but Nick and Charlie are looking more loved up than ever in new pictures of the upcoming movie, Heartstopper Forever.

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The series, based on the graphic novels by Alice Oseman, is ending on a high with a feature-length special on 17 July, and now we’ve got a first look at what lies ahead for our central couple as they take on their biggest challenge yet: being separated. Picking up after the end of season 3, the latest pictures of Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) see them embracing the time they have left together, dancing at a party now out as a couple, and staring at each other lovingly in the school halls.

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But Nick is getting ready to head off to university, and with Charlie still needing to finish school, he needs to find his own independence away from his confident and popular boyfriend. A long-distance relationship is a lot for anyone to handle, particularly if you’re still in your teens and you’re in love for the first time. At least they have their friendship group rooting for them – though they all also have their own problems they need to face as adulthood looms.

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With some ups and downs on the horizon for all of them, Heartstopper Forever deals with the bittersweet road you travel as you grow up and move on from home. Will the pair manage to stay together, and are first loves able to last forever? Speaking to Netflix’s TUDUM ahead of the film’s release, Oseman, who also penned the script for Heartstopper Forever, teased the story will explore “an exploration of time, memory, love, pain, the changing of the seasons, endings and beginnings, and the core element of Heartstopper: the ordinary magic of our everyday lives”.

 

Connor and Locke have both been given new roles as executive producers as well. “These characters have meant a lot to us over the years,” Connor said.

The UK has experienced its hottest day in May ever, breaking the record for a second day in a row.

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Temperatures provisionally reached 35C at Heathrow and Kew Gardens in London on Tuesday, the Met Office stated, beating the 34.8C recorded in Kew Gardens on Monday. The weather agency said: “Until yesterday, the highest temperature in May was 32.8C, but we've now exceeded that record on consecutive days by a full two degrees.”

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A yellow weather warning for “intense” thunderstorms has been issued, with lightning and hail possible in parts of England. The weather could continue to get warmer throughout the day, as forecasters say in swathes of southern England and Wales, the temperature could creep up to 36C.

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Amber and yellow heat health alerts in place across several regions in England have been extended until 5pm on Thursday. With a thunderstorm warning that came into force at 3pm, the Met Office warned of disruption, gusty winds and the potential for 30mm of rain in less than an hour this afternoon.

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Today’s record-breaking temperatures are a “stark reminder” of what climate change looks like in the UK, the head of climate policy at World Wildlife Fund warned. Rick Parfett said: “As the Climate Change Committee warned last week, the UK was built for a climate that no longer exists. People, wildlife, our economy and our food supply are already feeling the strain, but it’s not too late to act.

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“The government needs to protect people and nature from extreme weather by cutting emissions and preparing for the impacts we can no longer avoid. “Helping nature to recover and rolling out clean homegrown energy can make the UK more resilient to the climate extremes we’re experiencing.”

Brighton & Hove will once again be awash with colour this summer as the Brighton & Hove Rainbow Run returns to Hove Park for its fifth year on Friday, 31 July.

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Now firmly established as part of the city’s summer running calendar and the Brighton & Hove Pride weekend, the 5K Rainbow Run will begin at 7pm, raising funds for local LGBTQ+ mental health charity MindOut. Organisers say this year’s event promises to be “bigger, better, louder and prouder” than ever. The run is organised by Brighton & Hove Frontrunners, the local LGBTQ running club, and is expected to welcome up to 500 runners. Participants are encouraged to embrace the carnival spirit by donning colourful festival outfits, with prizes awarded for the best corporate and non‑corporate group entries.

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First held in 2022, the Rainbow Run has grown steadily and is now a fully timed event registered with England Athletics. Awards will be presented to the top male, female and non‑binary runners, with full results published online after the race. The minimum age to take part is 14.

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All runners, joggers and walkers will receive a bespoke Rainbow Run medal and a goodie bag featuring gifts from local businesses. Entertainment will be provided throughout the evening, with DJs from Gaydio setting up in the park and local drag performers returning to host the event.

 

This year’s chosen charity is MindOut, an LGBTQ mental health service run by and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people. MindOut provides peer‑led, inclusive and accessible support services and has been nominated as charity of the year by Brighton & Hove Frontrunners. Entry costs £19 per person, or £17 for England Athletics members, with a limited number of places available on the day if not sold out in advance. All proceeds will go directly to MindOut.

The UK has recorded its all-time highest May temperature as part of London reached 34.8C on Monday. That provisional figure, recorded in Kew Gardens, also surpassed the hottest bank holiday Monday on record - 33.3C on the August bank holiday in 2019. Wales has also experienced its hottest May day, reaching 32.2C at Hawarden Airport in Flintshire.

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"This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone in May", the Met Office said. The mercury is expected to rise further in the South and South East of England, with forecasters warning of possible 35C heat on Monday and Tuesday. The UK recorded its warmest May night on Sunday, with highs of 19.4C in London. This week's weather means more than half of the monthly record highs - seven out of 12 - have been set since 2003, according to the Met Office.

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These exceptionally high temperatures have been caused by "the influence of warmth building under an area of high pressure near the UK", Met Office chief operational meteorologist Dan Suri said. The average temperature for the end of May is 14-20C. On Friday, the UK Health Security Agency issued its first amber-heat health alert, of 2026, covering much of England, including the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East and London.

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The North East, North West, South West, Yorkshire and Humber regions are under a yellow alert. Both alerts will remain in place until 17:00 BST Wednesday. Scotland and Northern Ireland recorded their highest temperatures for 2026 so far on Monday - 25.5C in Charterhall and 24.6C in Hillsborough respectively.

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​Around 500 properties in Sussex and Kent were left without water, or had intermittent supply due to "increased demand", on Monday afternoon.

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Single-sex toilets and changing rooms across England, Wales and Scotland must exclude transgender people under new draft guidance issued by the equalities watchdog, prompting alarm from trans rights groups who warn it could drive many people out of public life.

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The updated code of practice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission follows the UK supreme court’s 2025 ruling that “sex” in the Equality Act refers to biological sex. The guidance states that if organisations allow trans people to use facilities matching their gender identity, those spaces can no longer be classed as single-sex and may face legal challenge.

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However, the draft code also says employers, businesses and public bodies should consider practical alternatives, including gender-neutral toilets and private facilities, to ensure trans people are not left without safe access to services.

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The 340-page document covers a wide range of services, including healthcare, hospitality, leisure centres and community organisations. In healthcare settings, where mixed-sex wards are unavailable, trans patients must generally be placed according to their biological sex. Yet the code also states that excluding a trans man from gynaecology or obstetrics outpatient care because of objections from other patients would not be proportionate.

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The guidance suggests some organisations may still be able to remain trans inclusive by widening eligibility criteria. Clubs and associations, for example, could define membership around multiple protected characteristics rather than sex alone. The government’s own equality impact assessment accompanying the draft acknowledges the changes are likely to have a “negative” impact on transgender people. It argues that impact could be reduced through “third-space” provision such as gender-neutral toilets or self-contained facilities.

Temperatures will continue to soar across the bank holiday weekend following the hottest day of the year so far on Saturday.

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A high of 30.5C was recorded at Frittenden in Kent, beating Friday's maximum temperature of 28.4C at Heathrow in London, Cranwell in Lincolnshire and Cambridge. The Met Office said it was very rare for the UK to record temperatures above 30C in May, with the last time being on 25 May 2012. The heat is forecast to intensify throughout the long weekend, reaching heatwave criteria in a number of locations. Daytime highs are forecast to reach the upper 20s Celsius in many areas, with the low 30s Celsius likely in the week ahead.

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Amber heat health alerts remain in effect for the Midlands, eastern and south-east England. Amber alerts mean there is a risk of a significant impact across health and social care services, with children and those aged over 65 at risk of negative health implications. The remainder of England is under yellow heat health alerts, meaning adverse weather is "likely to affect vulnerable groups".

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It is likely that the first heatwaves of 2026 will be declared on Sunday as a number of areas are expected to reach their third day above the heatwave threshold, including in London and the south-east, as well as Cardiff. Locally in the south Midlands and south-east England, it could hit 30C again on Sunday. Days exceeding 30C - known as "very hot" days by the Met Office - used to be much rarer.

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Monday is forecast to be the hottest May day on record with temperatures reaching 33C in south-east England. There is a small chance of the mercury could peak at 34C. By surpassing 32.8C, it will break the May temperature record set on the Late May Bank Holiday in 1944. But take note if you are planning to visit the east coast of England - you may come across some mist.

Thousands have descended on Birmingham for its annual Pride parade, which kicked off on Saturday in the May sunshine.  It is one of the UK's biggest celebrations of LGBTQ+ culture, and more than 75,000 people are expected to attend the ticketed festival across the Bank Holiday weekend.

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More than 6,000 people, representing more than 180 different organisations took part in the parade, which began on Victoria Street at 12:00 BST on Saturday. "The importance of our parade today cant be overstated we've seen a significant increase in hate crime towards LGBTQ community in recent years," said Lawrence Barton, director of the event. "To have our parade in the heart of Birmingham city with it being so visible to the wider community, I think that's really important and we should never ever take that for granted," he said. The Pride Parade travelled through the city centre, featuring floats, music, dancing and fancy dress. It finished at Hippodrome Square.

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"This year is all about community, we've got a main stage, a cabaret marquee, a dance arena, a fun fair - all taking place in Smithfield in the heart of the Gay Village," said Barton.

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Katy B and Sigala headline the main stage on Saturday, with support from drag star Danny Beard, Lynks, Booty Luv and Sweet Female Attitude among others.

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The Conrad Guest Cabaret Stage on Saturday features drag and cabaret talent including Victoria Scone from RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Meanwhile, the Dance Arena features sets from Jaguar and Arthi.

The event continues through to Sunday night 

West Midlands Ambulance Service has told its staff the organisation will not be participating in Birmingham Pride this weekend.

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In a statement from its executive board, the service said it had not taken the decision "lightly", but had received legal advice that participating as a public body could breach "political impartiality". Its statement went on to say participation could create a "reasonable perception" the service actively supports specific views, which would be "contrary to the protected beliefs" of other people.

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The decision comes after Pride organisers in the city banned some political parties from attending last year, following a Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman was based on biological sex.  Eva Echo, Birmingham Pride's (BP) director of innovation, previously said: "The trans+ community is still ignored by politicians at local and national level. "For too long we've been talked over, used for political gain and forced to watch as our rights are stripped away, and our existence twisted beyond recognition. "Those who do not fully commit themselves to supporting and protecting us throughout the year, do not have a place with us during Pride, just because it suits them."

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A member of West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) staff, who wished to remain anonymous, said the decision had left colleagues feeling "isolated, unsupported and increasingly uncertain about where the organisation now draws the line on equality and inclusion". They said: "For many staff, participation in Pride was never viewed as a political statement, but as a visible commitment to inclusion, staff wellbeing and reassuring LGBTQ+ patients and communities that they are welcomed and respected by their ambulance service." However, a WMAS spokesperson said that while the service acknowledged the Pride organisers' mission statement, as a public body it must follow the law while upholding its duty to promote fairness and prevent discrimination.

The new organiser of a city's Pride festival has said the event is facing "financial challenges" because of rising costs and reduced sponsorship.

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Newcastle Pride takes place in the city each year, but the 2026 event will be the first time it is being organised by LGBTQIA+ charity Curious Arts after its predecessor, Northern Pride, disbanded.  To combat the rising costs and help pay for the event, Curious Arts is fundraising in the hope of securing £10,000.

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The charity's CEO Phil Douglas said he hoped local people and businesses would support the fundraiser so they could "hold on to a Pride in their city". "The challenges are predominantly financial because we have seen rising costs across the board," he said. "There's a lot of festivals, Pride events and other events that are either postponing or cancelling across the country - we'd really like for that not to be the case for us."

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The charity said Newcastle Pride faced rising operation costs, reduced sponsorship income, and a change to national guidance around event safety and security, which had resulted in the event being more expensive to organise.  This year's event takes place on 25 and 26 July, and will include live entertainment, community activities, markets and a march through the city centre.

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It will include performances from pop star and former Girls Aloud singer Nadine Coyle, drag acts Danny Beard and Bimini, and 90s pop-dance group Urban Cookie Collective.​

Douglas urged people to donate and raise money through rainbow bake sales "I think it would be a sadder, less colourful, less vibrant place to live if we didn't have a pride event," he said

The unusual May heat gripping the UK is forecast to intensify over the bank holiday weekend, reaching heatwave criteria in a number of locations.

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Daytime highs are forecast to reach the upper 20s Celsius in many areas, with the low 30s Celsius likely in the week ahead. Friday saw temperatures reach the official heatwave threshold in London where it exceeded 28C (82.4F), marking the warmest day of the year so far. It's possible bank holiday Monday could become the hottest May day on record as temperatures are forecast to approach 33C in south-east England. Amber heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security agency for the Midlands, eastern and south-east England.

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Amber alerts mean there is a risk of a significant impact across health and social care services, with children and those aged over 65 at risk of negative health implications. The remainder of England is under yellow heat health alerts, meaning adverse weather is "likely to affect vulnerable groups".

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This weekend, the highest temperatures are expected across central and southern England and in parts of Wales. Average highs at this time of year are typically in the upper teens, but some spots may see values 10 degrees higher than normal. It's likely Saturday we'll see another warmest day of the year as temperatures continue to tick upward. With mist and low cloud still hanging around in the far west of south-west England, west Wales and northern Scotland, temperatures will be lower. Spare a thought for those in the Northern Isles, Scotland, where it's only going to reach 13C.

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​It's likely that the first heatwaves of 2026 will be declared on Sunday as a number of areas are expected to reach their third day above the heatwave threshold, including in London and the south-east, as well as Cardiff.

Manchester will fall silent to mark the ninth anniversary of the arena terror bombing, with tributes planned across the city to remember the 22 people who lost their lives.

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Two separate minute-long silences are set to be observed at Victoria Station as residents, survivors, and families come together in remembrance. The city council confirmed that the period of silence will be held twice throughout Friday: first at noon and again at 10:31pm - the exact time the bomb was detonated.

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22 people were killed and hundreds more were injured when a suicide bomber targeted crowds leaving an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May 2017. The Glade of Light - a permanent memorial for those killed - will be the focal point for personal remembrance and reflection throughout the day. The memorial has the names of the victims written into stone which forms a halo around a central garden near Manchester Cathedral.

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Flowers will be laid at the site on behalf of the city by the new Lord Mayor of Manchester Cllr Shaukat Ali, Council Leader Bev Craig and Council Chief Executive Tom Stannard. “Manchester will never forget those who lost their lives in the 22 May 2017 terror attack, nor the many others who were injured or otherwise affected", Bev Craig said. "Time passes but we will not allow their memories to fade.

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“On the ninth anniversary of that terrible day, we also remember the remarkable solidarity shown by the city in refusing to give in to hatred - and the resilience and courage shown by the loved ones of those who were killed and by survivors.”

Kylie Minogue has revealed that in early 2021 she was diagnosed with cancer for a second time, after diagnosis and successful treatment for breast cancer in 2005.

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The pop star discussed the previously unannounced diagnosis in a new Netflix documentary entitled Kylie, available from today. “My second cancer diagnosis was in early 2021. I was able to keep that to myself … Not like the first time,” she said, referring to her highly publicised first treatment. “Thankfully, I got through it. Again. And all is well. Hey, who knows what’s around the corner, but pop music nurtures me … my passion for music is greater than ever.”

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Minogue said that after her treatment, she struggled “to find the right time” to announce it publicly, including after the huge success of her Grammy-winning 2023 single Padam Padam. “I don’t feel obliged to tell the world, and actually I just couldn’t at the time because I was just a shell of a person,” she said. “I didn’t want to leave the house again at one point. Padam Padam opened so many doors for me but on the inside I knew that cancer wasn’t just a blip in my life. And I really just wanted to say what happened so I can let go of it. I’d sit through interviews and every opportunity I thought, ‘now’s the time’, but I kept it to myself.” She said her 2023 song Story, from her album Tension, refers to that period of her life, with lyrics such as “I had a secret that I kept to myself … Turn another page, baby take the stage.” Minogue said of Story: “I needed to have something that marked that time.”

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​In promotional materials accompanying the documentary, Minogue said it was “my choice to share” the information, and that she was diagnosed after a routine check up. “There will be someone out there who will benefit from a gentle reminder to do their check ups … Early detection was very helpful and I am so grateful to be able to say that I am well today.”

Christopher Leahy has been charged with first-degree murder over the fatal stabbing of transgender University of Washington student Juniper Blessing.

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Leahy surrendered to police on 13 May, three days after Blessing was found dead in a laundry room at the Nordheim Court off-campus apartment complex on 10 May. According to the medical examiner’s office, Blessing had been stabbed “over 40 times”. Prosecutors alleged her killer acted “with premeditated intent.” Seattle Police Detective Eric Muñoz told NBC at the time that the victim was “believed to be a 19-year-old transgender female”, later identified by next of kin as Blessing.

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An emergency alert sent to residents during the incident instructed students to stay inside and lock their doors and windows while police searched the area. The warning was later lifted, though officers continued their investigation overnight. Following the fatal stabbing, CCTV footage was released to help officials identify the killer. Leahy’s brother later identified a suspect as his 31-year-old sibling.

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“Police indicate that there were attempts by the defendant to try to enter private homes in Ravenna in the days before the homicide,” said McNerthney.

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As per KOMO News, prosecutors currently say there is no evidence the killing was a hate crime: “In order to prove a hate crime, you’ve got to show motivation, but what it appears is that this victim was picked at random,” said McNerthney. Following Blessing’s death, University of Washington president Robert Jones said he wanted to offer his “deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and loved ones of the UW student who was killed late last night”.

TV presenter Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe have been announced as the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing.

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The BBC confirmed the trio will replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left the dance competition last year. Willis said she was a "huge fan" of the show, adding: "To be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can't quite comprehend." Widdicombe said he was "giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television". Strictly pro Radebe said: "To be returning to Strictly Come Dancing in this new role is beyond anything I ever imagined."

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It marks the first time that Strictly has had three permanent presenters, although Sir Bruce Forsyth shared presenting duties with Winkleman in his later years on the show. Strictly's executive producer Sarah James said the new combination was "unexpected, but their magic was undeniable the moment they came together". The announcement comes after an extensive audition process that saw several major TV personalities take part in screen tests.

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Presenters who took part in the process included Zoe Ball, who later said she had worked through "the seven stages of grief and rejection" after being told she had missed out. Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke will all return to the new series when it launches in the autumn. However, five of the show's pro dancers will not be returning, the BBC confirmed earlier this month Fifteen of the 20 dancers from last year will be back, but they will be "joined by fresh top talent from the international dance world", the BBC said.​

Kate Phillips, the BBC's chief content officer, said: "Emma, Johannes and Josh's chemistry is undeniable.

Pink Dot HK, Hong Kong’s largest annual LGBTQ+ carnival, has been cancelled for the second year in a row after authorities failed to grant formal permission.

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Unable to secure a venue and the required event licences, the organiser said the cancellation was due to “tight timelines” and uncertainty. Working with Asia’s largest real estate investment trust, Link REIT, things had initially looked hopeful before the Pride celebration stalled at the final hurdle. In a statement on Instagram on the 18th May, Pink Dot HK announced the cancellation of this year’s Hong Kong LGBTQ+ carnival. “We received an update from Link REIT that: ‘Due to licensing issues, the venue cannot be rented to Pink Dot HK for public activities.’”

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Pink Dot HK announced earlier this year, in mid-April, that the 2026 event would take place on 14 June at Stanley Plaza and Murray House. The organisation said: “Faced with this uncertainty, given the tight timeline and the involvement of numerous partner organisations, after thorough consideration, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Pink Dot HK outdoor carnival scheduled for 14 June 2026.” “We extend our heartfelt apologies to our sponsors, performers, community organisations and volunteer teams who have supported and stood by Pink Dot HK over the years.” Despite their “best efforts”, the annual celebration will not go ahead, Pink Dot HK have asked for “time and space” to regroup, under the “unexpected circumstances”.

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In previous years, attracting over 7,000 participants, last year saw a similar chain of events after the 2025 carnival was cancelled due to the festival being denied a venue “without explanation”.

The cancellation was announced in July, three months before the scheduled date. Safety for LGBTQ+ people living in Hong Kong is, for the majority, safe, however the country do not have any specific anti-discrimination laws based on ones sexuality. 

The countdown has officially begun for Bangkok Pride Festival 2026. From 28 May to 1 June, the Thai capital will be draped in silk and sequins as it makes a definitive play to become the "Pride Destination" of the Orient.

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This year’s festival, themed "Patch the World with Pride," is more than just a celebration; it is a meticulously choreographed bid for the city to host WorldPride 2030. Organised by Naruemit Pride in tandem with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the event aims to weave together three core values: Peace, People, and Pride.

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Across five days of high-octane cultural activity, the festival will trace a path through the city’s iconic Silom and Rama I districts, blending grassroots activism with world-class entertainment. The festivities kick off on 28 May with the Bangkok Pride Awards. Now in its second year, this gala is the "Gold Standard" for Thai equality, honouring those who have made concrete strides in everything from "Rainbow Economics" to political advocacy.

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For those seeking substance alongside the spectacle, the Bangkok Pride Forum (28 May – 1 June) offers a space for intellectual exchange. Under the banner “Speak. Shift. Shape,” the forum will transform four major zones in the Siam district into hubs of learning. Discussions will tackle the intersection of LGBTQ+ life with technology, the environment, and sustainable business, cementing Thailand’s reputation as the intellectual heart of Asian queer rights.

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The festival reaches its crescendo on Sunday, 31 May, with the Bangkok Pride Parade. Now in its fifth iteration, the 3.8-kilometre route will wind from the Nararom Intersection through the high-rise canyons of Silom, finishing at the Thephasadin Stadium

The United Kingdom recorded its lowest audience for a Eurovision Song Contest final in 15 years, with just over 5 million viewers watching the 2026 final last night.  An average audience of 5.2 million viewers watched the final of the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest live on BBC One last night. The figure represents a drop of 1.49 million viewers compared to the equivalent show in 2025, when the contest had a viewing share of nearly 54.14%.

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In France, the average audience for the Eurovision Song Contest final fell by more than a million viewers compared to the 2025 contest. An average audience of 3,986,000 viewers watched last night as Monroe competed in the final of the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. The broadcast on France 2 had an audience share of 33.3%. Overall, the figure represented a fall of 1,298,000 viewers compared to the 2025 final and a drop in audience share of 6.7 percentage points

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Meanwhile ORF recorded its largest audience for a Eurovision Song Contest final since 2015, when Austria last hosted the contest in Vienna. Over 5 million viewers tuned into Rai 1 last night to watch the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 live from Vienna, Austria. In Greece, the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 recorded its largest audience for the competition in 15 years. The Netherlands saw its smallest audience for a Eurovision Song Contest final last night, since the 2008 contest in Belgrade, Serbia.

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In Germany, just under 9 million viewers watched the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest live from Vienna, Austria.  Over 5 million viewers tuned into Rai 1 last night to watch the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 live from Vienna, Austria. Finally Yle recorded its biggest audience for a Eurovision Song Contest final since Finland hosted the contest in Helsinki in 2007.

Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 for the first time in the country’s history. DARA took the title with her song ‘Bangaranga’, scoring 516 points in Saturday night’s grand final in Vienna.

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The singer beat Israel in a close public vote finish, before collapsing to the floor as the result was announced. She later returned to the stage to perform the winning song again, officially confirming that next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Bulgaria. Speaking moments before the final scores were revealed, DARA said: “Honey, I still do not know what’s going on. “I want to thank everyone who gave us those points, we really tried to give our best. Thank you so much for the whole show.” 

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The trophy was handed over by last year’s Eurovision winner JJ, who told her: “Oh my god, I love you, congratulations girl!”  This year marked the 70th edition of Eurovision and took place at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle arena, with 25 countries competing in the final. Bulgaria had been viewed as one of the frontrunners throughout the week following strong reactions during rehearsals and the semi-finals.

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DARA released ‘Bangaranga’ earlier this year after being selected to represent Bulgaria through the country’s national Eurovision process. It became one of the contest’s most streamed entries ahead of the final. The result means Bulgaria becomes the latest country to secure a first Eurovision victory after years of near misses, including a second-place finish in 2017. It was another difficult night for the United Kingdom, however. Look Mum No Computer finished with just one point overall for his song ‘Eins, Zwei, Drei’, which had been awarded from juries, with zero points from the public vote. 

5 countries boycotted this years event. 

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.