This summer, the United Kingdom will host a global LGBTQ+-rights conference that will coincide with London Pride's 50th anniversary, The Washington Blade noted. The Safe to Be Me: A Global Equality Conference will take place in London on June 29-July 1. The conference will focus on four areas: Fighting violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, expanding legal protections for LGBTQ people, ensuring equal access to HIV/AIDS treatment and other public services, and working with businesses to promote LGBTQ-inclusive practices. See safetobeme.gov .uk/en/home.
The devolved governments in Wales and Scotland have expressed their commitment to banning "draconian" conversion therapy in all forms, PinkNews reported. This is happening despite British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was widely condemned after first U-turning on plans to ban conversion therapy, before changing tack and promising that a ban would be forthcoming—although, reportedly, it will now not include trans conversion therapy. Representatives for Wales and Scotland both released official statements affirming their commitments to banning conversion therapy in the wake of the two U-turns.
The '80s-set AIDS miniseries It's a Sin leads the pack of nominees going into the 2022 BAFTA TV and BAFTA TV Craft awards, per The Hollywood Reporter. Russell T. Davies' project earned 11 nods from the British organization (six in the TV awards and five in the craft awards), including director: fiction, miniseries and five in the performance categories. Meanwhile, Landscapers—the Olivia Colman-fronted true-crime miniseries—landed seven nominations across both TV and craft awards, including for David Thewlis in the leading actor category. Help (with Jodie Comer), Sex Education and A Very British Scandal (not to be confused with A Very English Scandal) also scored multiple nods, while Kate Winslet got her very first nod (for Mare of Easttown). The BAFTA TV Craft awards will take place on April 24, with the BAFTA TV Awards following on May 8.
In South Africa, a Johannesburg-based non-profit partnered with South Africa's Department of Home Affairs to issue identity documents for transgender people, per The Washington Blade. The partnership with Iranti was done to commemorate the Transgender Day of Visibility, during which several trans people got their IDs. "Iranti welcomes the Cabinet's approval of the Identity Management Policy which seeks to ensure the protection of the rights of transgender, intersex and non-binary persons," said Iranti Communications and Media Manager Nolwazi Tusini, in a statement. "South Africa's Constitution defines equality as the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and liberties."
Mexico fans once again screamed a gay slur during Team Mexico's World Cup Qualifier against the United States, per Outsports. Late in the match, fans started chanting the word "puto" as the clock ticked down. "Puto" is a gay slur that's been banned by FIFA; yet, Mexico fans keep yelling it. The latest round of "puto" chants come just two months after the Mexican Football Federation announced fans who chant gay slurs will be banned from stadiums for five years. The FMF devised a Fan ID system to more easily identify individuals who run afoul of the ban.
In Japan, the nonprofit organization ReBit, established by Mika Yakushi to support the employment of sexual minorities, has opened the Diversity Career Center (DCC) in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, The Asahi Shimbun noted. The new employment support center targets sexual minorities with mental or developmental disorders—people who often fall between the cracks under the current welfare system. The DCC is the first one in the country that promotes its LGBTQ friendliness, according to ReBit.
An Australian man was sentenced over an insurance scam that made him more than $120,000 to fund his lifestyle in the "gay scene," according to PinkNews, which cited NCA NewsWire. Victoria's Country Court sentenced Dwayne Antojado to time served after he pled guilty to obtaining property by deception. He already served 609 days, and Judge Kellie Blair described Antojado's turnaround in that time as "exceptional." Antojado's lawyer, Matt Cookson, argued that Antojado felt pressure to fit in with the South Australian gay scene, which he described as "heavily based on going out, clubbing, being fit, healthy and well-dressed."
Pride flags could be confiscated from LGBTQ+ football fans at the World Cup in Qatar to prevent attacks, per PinkNews. Football's global governing body FIFA has received severe criticism ever since it announced that the 2022 World Cup would be held in Qatar, where homosexuality is punished with up to seven years in prison plus a fine. Muslims in the country, under Sharia law, can be punished with the death penalty for engaging in same-sex relations.
Greek-French singer George Perris talked about being gay, according to People Magazine. I do not consider this a coming-out, in the sense that I never went into a closet," Perris, 38, said over a Zoom interview from his home in Athens in early March. "I never hid my life. I've always lived the way I wanted to; it's just that I didn't have the courage to talk about it publicly." Perris added, "My first experience with a public figure coming out was George Michael. I was 15 years old at the time, and to me, that was like a revelation because I had never even thought that it was possible." The full story is at people.com/music/george-perris-reveals-hes-gay-opens-up-about-sexuality-new-album-no-armor/ .
The legendary Swedish band ABBA is releasing career-spanning LP and CD collections along with a picture disc LP set and a lyric video series on May 27 and June 10, per a press release. In May, the band—known for hits like "Waterloo" and "Dancing Queen"—will release a 10-LP box set (pressed on 180g heavyweight vinyl) and 10-CD box set. The picture discs will be out in June; the collection is available as a discounted 8-LP bundle, and 9-LP bundle (including Voyage) for a limited time.
In a related matter, the digitally remastered ABBA: The Movie will return to U.S. and Canadian movie theaters on May 12 and 14, per a press release. Celebrating 50 years since the Swedish pop sensation was formed and 45 years since the film's original release, ABBA: The Movie-Fan Event will take attendees on a flashback journey to the 1970s. Presented by Trafalgar Releasing and Warner Bros., tickets for ABBA: The Movie-Fan Event go on sale on Wed., April 6, at 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT at www.AbbaMovie.com .
Out K-pop star Holland (real name: Go Tae-seob) revealed that he's currently in a relationship, PinkNews noted. Holland has been open about his sexuality from the beginning of his career, releasing his debut track in 2018 as the "first gay K-pop idol." The singer—set to make his acting debut in the queer drama series Ocean Likes Me—didn't give fans a name or picture of his boyfriend. But he confirmed to fans that his boyfriend is a "normal person" and isn't a celebrity, an actor, idol or involved in the entertainment industry at all, and he described him as "very handsome and kind, tall."
A British man spoke out about the horrors of gay domestic abuse after he suffered a torn penis when his member was repeatedly yanked by his ex-boyfriend, Out Magazine noted. The anonymous victim told the Birmingham Mail of the "final time" his ex-boyfriend, Luke Lal, abused him during an argument over fried food. The man was able to flee eventually and call his mother for help. She called the police, and the man was taken to hospital; doctors repaired the man's damaged member, but the tear took two to three weeks to heal. Lal was eventually sentenced to 12 months in prison, which was suspended for 18 months.
