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Author: Graham Robson

New book from Sandra Chen Weinstein is an enduring visual testament to the strength, resilience, and joy of the queer community

Posted on by Graham Robson

Sandra Chen Weinstein, an award-winning Taiwanese American photographer, has unveiled her latest photo book, a powerful and intimate collection of images that challenge assumptions about LGBTQ+ life in Taiwan, Japan, Iceland, Australia and the US.

Recent years have seen an unprecedented push by state legislatures to pass anti-LGBTQ+ bills across the US. Hundreds of laws, mainly attempting to ban access to gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth and to ban discussions of gender identity and sexuality from high school curricula, have been introduced this year alone.

In these times visual representation of queer love is as important as it has ever been, and in Transcend, Weinstein showcases some of the work from a long career of photographing the LGBTQ+ community, especially the trans community. Weinstein’s own child recently came out as queer, trans, and non-binary at the age of 28, and the core of the book is a series of photographs that focuses on their relationship.

A gorgeously packaged, full-colour book, Transcend challenges many assumptions about LGBTQ+ life in the US and is an enduring visual testament to the strength, resilience, and joy of the queer community in the face of discrimination, inequality, and violence.

Carol McCusker, curator of photography at the Harn Museum of Art, said: “Sandra Chen Weinstein’s images—often artfully framed, with a disarming intimacy—reveal a vibrant, complicated community, one we rarely see in the American press.”

Transcend: Freedom to Love is available to purchase via The New Press

Gay comedian Tony Slattery has died at the age of 65

Posted on by Graham Robson

Gay comedian Tony Slattery has died at the age of 65 following a heart attack after years fighting addiction to cocaine and alcohol as well as a battle with bipolar disorder and depression.

The stand up, best known as a star of Channel 4‘s Whose Line Is It Anyway?, passed away today, his bereft partner of almost 40 years, Mark Michael Hutchinson, revealed.

Pride Bands Alliance, a group of LGBTQ+ marching bands, pulls out of Trump’s inaugural parade

Posted on by Graham Robson

The Pride Bands Alliance, an American group of LGBTQ+ marching bands, has opted not to participate in the inaugural parade for President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.

While, the alliance and its members usually take part in Democratic inauguration festivities, this time the alliance decided to withdraw its application for an opportunity to participate.

David Doan, a gay man who is president of the alliance, said that “the divisive language that was targeting the transgender and nonbinary community, particularly by Trump” was the reason.

While the alliance also did not participate in the most recent three inaugural parades for Republican presidents (they did participate in both of Barack Obama‘s and Bill Clinton‘s inaugural parades), Doan said this time is different because of the “intensity and degree of hatred.”

“This particular incoming president is overt about it,” Doan said. “The others – their agenda was not solely that. It was more regular Republican policies rather than being specific about a population not being supported.”

In articulating the band alliance’s reasoning, Doan referenced a commercial from the closing stretch of the 2024 campaign with the tagline “Kamala is for they/them, President Trump is for you” (referring to Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris) that aired over 30,000 times and in every swing state. Subsequent analysis found it among the most effective of the campaign, swinging viewers 2.7% toward Trump after viewing it.

“She had it all.” Baga Chipz remembers The Vivienne, who they starred alongside on season one of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK

Posted on by Graham Robson

Baga Chipz, the drag queen who starred in the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK alongside The Vivienne, thinks the best way to pay tribute to the series one winner, who died on January 5 aged just 32, is to just air clips of her going forwards.

Speaking at RuPaul’s DragCon UK at ExCel London, Baga said: “I think we should not have any more drag queens on Drag Race UK anymore and just have re-runs of The Vivienne.

“That would be so much better. We should just watch that.”

During their time on Drag Race UK, Baga won three challenges and finished in third place. During winter 2019, Baga and the cast of series one of RuPauls Drag Race UK embarked on a tour hosted by Drag Race alumna Alyssa Edwards. In January 2020, Baga attended the first ever RuPaul’s DragCon UK.

Remembering The Vivienne, Baga added: “She was so fabulous …

“She would do anything for anyone.”

“She was amazing. Incredible. What you saw, she had the look.

“Some people have the look or they have the charisma and all that and the talent.

“I would say I’m quite charismatic, and I’m quite comedic and all that, and I’ve got that side – but she had it all.

“However, on the season, we were both crap at dancing.

“She – because she was tall and statuesque and looked so gorgeous – people would be like, ‘Oh, she’s a bit intimidating,’ but then she would open her gob, and she would do anything for anyone.

Baga Chipz

“With me, she would be like, ‘Baga, your makeup looks like s***, come here.’

“She would always help me and on ‘Drag Race [UK]’, we always sat next to each other and did our makeup, and we’d always have a fag together.

“You meet people in life, and you just gel.

“I was very lucky on my season because we all got on, but Viv and I were just a bit more – you have your favourites, don’t you?

“I had all the cigarettes and she had none – so she had to be friends with me!”

Norfolk museum pulls out of LGBTQ+ history trail following complaint from National Trust pressure group

Posted on by Graham Robson

A museum in Norfolk has dropped plans to create a heritage trail celebrating the area’s LGBTQ+ history following complaints from stakeholders and volunteers.

True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum in King’s Lynn had been due to be involved in the Queer Stories of Lynn project, which received funding from both Arts Council England and Historic England.

But the project but was criticised in a newspaper article by Neil Record, former director of National Trust pressure group Restore Trust, who said public funding of the trail was “highly inappropriate”.

The museum said the article led to complaints from stakeholders and volunteers, resulting in the idea being dropped.

Curator Lindsey Bavin said the situation was “unfortunate” and that the museum hoped to work with arts collective Collusion, which is behind the trail, in the future.

In a statement, Collusion added: “We have received strong positive support for this project, including from the local partners who we will be working with.

“We had initially planned to work with True’s Yard on Queer Stories of Lynn but they are no longer connected with the project.

“We hope to work with them again in the future.”

Indie-rock trans songstress joy burklund & her band announce release of debut album ‘Songbouquet’

Posted on by Graham Robson

Philadelphia-based indie-rock trans songstress joy burklund & her band have announced the release of their debut album Songbouquet on March 22. Following last year’s debut release On the Line, joy’s second single Steady Heart swirls joy’s quirky anti-folk lyricism into a lush, classic rock band arrangement.

joy burklund said: “I wrote Steady Heart for my long-term partner, who I fell in love with in high school. That was nearly 20 years ago, over 10 years before either of us transitioned. It’s a love song for someone who has been through it with you, who’s been an anchor through turbulent change.

“Who you’ve bonded with through the hardest and happiest and weirdest times. It’s the sharing of a silly, dusty memory with that person, a sigh of gratitude, a celebration. As we prepare to release Songbouquet it felt right to lead with this one – an uncomplicated ‘I love you’.”

Ranging from emotional, Americana-tinted ballad (Not Gonna Fall), to reflective confessional complete with fingerpicked guitar (Next Life), to massive, sunshine-optimist rock anthem (Sunrays), Songbouquet is a bold debut that centres joy’s dynamic vocal performance.

Joy Buckland

“I started coming out as trans publicly in 2022 at age 32, changing my name to joy a year later. That’s also when my partner and I became polyamorous. We also moved cities! I found myself in a whole new community.

“The degree of change in my life over those two years was beautifully overwhelming. Aspects of my life I had clung to became compost. So much new emotion came up. And it had to come out – in song. This record is a document of all that change.” – joy burklund

While the songs are personal to joy, the creation of Songbouquet represents a collective labour of love by and for the Philadelphia trans music community. The 13-track album was produced by Philadelphia music-scene stalwart Mattie Chaya Kimberly Klauser (of Pillow Princess) and features an extensive lineup of trans and queer collaborators at all levels of production, including guest vocalists Sam Rise, Amber Jane (of Moondrifts), and Zaza Diana Oh.

“The songs themselves may come from a private and playful place, but the way we gather and share music is and has always been political and profound. It’s been really meaningful that the majority of the live performances we’ve played over the last year and a half have been fundraisers supporting local mutual aid efforts, sending aid to Gaza, and gender-affirming care for community members.” – joy burklund

‘Milk’ director Gus Van Sant to be involved in new queer historical drama ‘Antinous’

Posted on by Graham Robson

Gus Van Sant, the ‘out‘ director of Milk, will be involved in new film Antinous, a modern-day drama inspired by the life and death of Antinous, the gay lover of the Roman emperor Hadrian.

Stuart Sandford, a “visual artist,” is both the writer and anticipated director of the movie, in which “a present-day young actor… becomes convinced he is the reincarnation of Antinous, sparking a psychosexual drama that bridges the grandeur of ancient Rome with Hollywood’s obsession with youth, beauty and immortality.”

Hadrian’s 21-year reign over Imperial Rome lasted from 117 AD to 138 AD. Among his accomplishments was the building of Hadrian’s Wall, a 73-mile fortification that stretches across northern England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. The wall served to secure the border between what was, at the time, Roman territory in Britannia and Caledonia.

Gus Van Sant

Hadrian declared Antinous a deity and established a cult devoted to him after Antinous’ death around the age of 18 or 19. The cause of his death is uncertain.

“Antinous has been on my mind for more than a decade, and his story is one that few people know about,” Sandford told Variety, noting the “profound significance” his story still holds today.

“His life reminds us of the fear and vulnerability that comes with living authentically under oppressive systems,” Sandford explained.

“As an artist, my work brings together ideas from classical antiquity into a contemporary context,” Sandford told the entertainment publication. “This film takes that concept and expands it greatly. It’s a reflection of enduring struggles with identity, desire, sexuality, obsession, fame, power and societal expectations–themes just as relevant today as they were in antiquity.”

Production on the film is expected to commence later this year.

Notts Pride to host a Winter Ball to raise funds for annual Pride celebration

Posted on by Graham Robson

Notts Pride is to host a Winter Ball to celebrate LGBT+ History Month at the Palais on Friday, February 28.

Notts Pride takes place this year on Saturday, July 26. The Winter Ball will raise funds for the annual parade, which brings thousands of LGBTQ+ people and allies together to celebrate Pride.

A spokesperson said: “We will be dancing under the mirror balls and bringing all the sequins and the sparkle to the Palais, which celebrates its 100-year anniversary of opening this year – we’re very excited to add to that history with quite possibly Nottingham’s biggest gay disco ever!

“A DJ will be playing ’80s, house, pop and diva anthems whilst go-go dancers, pole performers and drag queen hosts will keep the party going all night long. There may also be an appearance from a star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series six… more on that later.”

“It’s important that people show their support at events like this so we can keep bringing Pride to the city each year – and the gays know how to throw one hell of an event so come one, come all and join the party,” said Liv, Notts Pride’s mainstage coordinator and drag queen host.

Tickets HERE

The UK’s only LGBTQ+ hockey club urges England Hockey to think again after governing body bans trans players from competing

Posted on by Graham Robson

The UK’s only LGBTQ+ hockey club, London Royals Hockey Club, has urged England Hockey to think again after the governing body announced trans players will be banned from competing in the women’s game for the 2025/26 season.

England Hockey announced in January 2025 that protection of “fair competition” was behind the decision that will see the introduction of separate female and open categories, thus ending trans participation in the women’s game.

“We are deeply concerned by England Hockey’s 2025 Trans and Non-binary Participation Policy. We strongly feel that this policy is exclusionary and divisive,” the London Royals Hockey Club said in a statement.

“As the UK’s only LGBTQ+ hockey club, England Hockey approached us as part of the policy review and we made our stance incredibly clear: trans and non-binary players should be able to play for the team with which they identify, or where they feel most comfortable.

“Our feedback and the feedback of trans and non-binary hockey players and LGBTQ+ organisations has clearly been disregarded in the creation of this policy.”

The London Royals are calling on its supporters, club members and hockey family to take action to support the trans and non-binary community by “amplifying our message, and letting England Hockey know your views on their new policy.”

The club added: “By splitting the sport into a Female category (only for people assigned female at birth, who are not taking, or have ever taken, testosterone) and an Open category, England Hockey are sending the strong message that trans women are not women, and they do not belong in the sport. The reality is that the Open team will almost entirely be made up of men, and therefore any trans woman wishing to play hockey would need to out herself in order to play.

“The policy and the proposed implementation is abhorrent, illogical and promotes a culture of policing who is and isn’t a woman, exacerbating an already toxic environment for trans people to simply exist in. The negative impact this policy will have on the mental health of trans and non-binary hockey players far outweighs any perceived competitive advantage England Hockey believes trans women have in the sport.

“This policy goes against what we, The London Royals, believe our sport is about – we believe everyone should be able to play and enjoy the sport we love. England Hockey, we implore you to withdraw this new policy.”

“Based on this evidence, we have determined that the trans and non-binary participation policy should restrict trans participation in order to secure fair competition,” an England Hockey spokesperson said following the consultation period. “We are committed to supporting all affected players to ensure they find the right path to continue to participate in hockey.”

The changes will come into effect on September 1 in time for the start of next season, until which time trans athletes can continue competing in the female category.

“All trans people should be included in sports.” Trans college basketball star Harriet Mackenzie speaks out after facing transphobic abuse on social media

Posted on by Graham Robson

Trans college basketball star Harriet Mackenzie has spoken out, saying that “all trans people should be included in sports.”

The Canadian player, who plays for Vancouver Island University team, explained that she began transitioning in ‘kindergarten or first grade’, adding: ‘I’m playing at a major biological disadvantage.

‘I never went through male puberty, I only went through female puberty.’

The forward has hit the headlines in recent months after she claimed she was subjected to both physical and verbal abuse by a recent opponent and its coach.

Mackenzie and her Vancouver Island University teammates were supposed to be playing twice against Columbia Bible College (CBC) in Abbotsford, British Columbia but claimed they do not feel safe enough to do so.

The two schools played a pair of games on consecutive days in October 2024 and Mackenzie has accused CBC coach Taylor Claggett of applauding rough play on her.

In a video posted to Instagram on October 30, she also alleged that Claggett cornered a Vancouver Island staffer and insisted she shouldn’t be able to play women’s basketball during a ‘tirade’ after their first game.

The following morning, Mackenzie also received a call from her upset coach who wanted to alert her to social media posts made by somebody close to Claggett.

The posts were critical of Mackenzie and said ‘keep women’s sports, women’s sports’, ‘complete joke’ and ‘make it make sense’.

Mackenzie also accused CBC of ‘trying to injure me’ during the second game between the two schools.

In her Instagram post, she cited one clip of her being thrown to the floor by a CBC player and a second that appeared to show Claggett applauding the action on the sideline.

All 13 players on the Vancouver Island University squad have signed a letter to the Pacific Western Athletic Association, the conference in which both teams compete, insisting they do not feel safe to play CBC.

Latest News

Transgender News Trans activists hold “noise demo” to show solidarity with Zoe Watts, a trans woman currently being held in a male prison wing
Books New book from Sandra Chen Weinstein is an enduring visual testament to the strength, resilience, and joy of the queer community
LGBTQ+ News Gay comedian Tony Slattery has died at the age of 65
LGBTQ+ News Pride Bands Alliance, a group of LGBTQ+ marching bands, pulls out of Trump’s inaugural parade
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