Europe's Best Countries For LGBTQ+ Travelers

 

From Islands.com:

Queer travel is about more than just finding gay bars or attending Pride festivals (although these are often major markers of LGBTQ+ acceptance in any country). It's about being able to show up as yourself, fully and freely, wherever you are in the world. In all this, safety becomes more than just a travel checkbox. It is essential to the travel experience and can be the definitive factor in how much a traveler is truly able to enjoy a place. 

Here are some of Europe's best countries for LGBTQ+ travelers that you can explore with pride.

A new book published which compiles interviews with LGBTQ writers

 

“Passionate Outlier” is a collection of 20 interviews and book reviews by freelance journalist Frank Pizzoli, covering gay authors, with one lesbian and one ally. 

Ranging from 2007 to 2019, Pizzoli talks with authors like Edmund White, John Rechy, Daniel Mendelsohn, and Salman Rushdie, and covers books about Gore Vidal and Christopher Isherwood. 

He captures great writers speaking about literature, politics, and gay life, while providing all necessary background on them.

The book offers a rich, informative history of the queer community in a manner that keeps readers engaged with interesting stories and memories that many of us will read about for the first time. 

Frank Pizzoli’s book is filled with the passion that comes from writers who have lived a life of community activism and commitment to the people within their community.

The Trevor Project is here for you, day or night

 

The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S. They provide information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.

Their crisis counselors are trained to answer calls, chats, or texts from LGBTQ+ young people who reach out on their free, confidential and secure 24/7 service when they are struggling with issues such as coming out, LGBTQ+ identity, depression, and suicide. Explore crisis services here.

Their services now are crucial after Donald Trump's decision to end the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ service on July 17. This decision has come amid Trump's push to curtail services, support, and access for transgender people across the federal government. He has pushed to end diversity, equity, and inclusion policies (DEI) within the federal government,

According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the LGBTQ+ youth program served more than 1.4 million callers since it launched in September 2022. Callers now don’t have the option to “Press 3” for specialized LGBTQ+ support.

To support The Trevor Project, become a fundraiser here or simply donate here.

LGBTQ+ Americans reclaim the flag

 

Once a symbol of unity, freedom, and patriotism, the historic American flag has now become synonymous with fear for many Americans, citizens whose rights are in uncertain flux. 

Renowned designer Alexis Bittar and Academy Award-winning producer Bruce Cohen have created a short documentary showcasing a vast array of nearly 50 leaders and luminaries from the LGBTQ+ community, spanning age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and profession, to raise a vital question: how do we reclaim the American flag?

The 30-minute short film calls on LGBTQ+ community leaders and trailblazers to share their story of resilience, and honor the rich diversity that truly makes America a country worth celebrating. 

From legendary activists Bill T. Jones and Raquel Willis; to RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Symone and the iconic Lena Waithe; to community leaders like Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, the film showcases a vast array of powerful voices, and examines how the flag can be reclaimed as a symbol of unity for all Americans, with a focus on the LGBTQ community.

Watch the documentary below:

A nice Indian boy

 

A nice Indian boy is a 2024 queer romantic comedy film directed by Roshan Sethi. 

Based on Madhuri Shekar's play of the same name, the film follows Naveen (Karan Soni), an Indian-American doctor, who brings his fiancé Jay (Jonathan Groff), a white man adopted by Indian parents, to meet his traditional family.

The film humorously and poignantly explores cultural expectations and queer identity. The story combines elements of both the American rom-com and the Indian Bollywood film to create a new and much-needed type of love story.

A tender rom-com about love and marriage today, gay or straight, arranged or not. An original plot elevated to classic status by great comedy, well developed characters and excellent performances. You'll definitely laugh, and may cry too. Highly recommended.

The film had its international premiere at BFI London Film Festival on 15 October 2024, and it received the audience award at the 2024 Tasveer Film Festival and won the Sherzum Award at the 2024 Hamptons Film Festival.

Watch the trailer below:

3 Millions Page Views!!! Many Thanks to All!!!

 

A court in Ukraine recognizes a same-sex couple as family

 

A Kyiv's District Court has formally recognized a same-sex couple as a family, marking the first legal precedent of its kind in Ukraine. Ukraine does not currently recognize same-sex marriages or civil unions.

A district court in  has formally recognized a same-sex couple as family, the first legal precedent of its kind in the country. does not currently recognize same-sex marriages or civil unions.

The plaintiffs in the case were Zoryan Kis, first secretary of Ukraine’s Embassy in Israel, and his longtime partner, Tymur Levchuk. The couple has lived together since 2013 and were married in the U.S. in 2021.

The court’s decision cited both the Ukrainian constitution and precedent from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), to which Ukraine is a signatory. ECHR requires member states to ensure legal recognition and protection for same-sex families.

A draft law recognizing civil partnerships, introduced in March 2023, has not advanced in parliament. The proposed bill would legalize civil partnerships for both same-sex and heterosexual couples, offering them inheritance, medical, and property rights, but not the full status of marriage.

Public support for LGBTQ+ rights in Ukraine has grown steadily in recent years as the country has drawn closer to Europe, and in particular after Russia’s invasion on the sovereign nation in 2022.

Zoryan Kis and Tymur Levchuk wins first legal recognition as family in Ukraine

The new Superman, an immigrant and queer icon

 

James Gunn's new Superman movie is just out, and it's already igniting debate about superheroes and what they represent. David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult are starring in the movie.

Superman tells the story of an alien from the planet Krypton who landed on Earth as a baby and now possesses incredible powers. 

It seems like a simple premise, yet the film is making headlines after writer and director James Gunn pointed out something obvious: Superman is an immigrant.

When Gunn talks about Superman being an immigrant, he's talking about him being an outsider. Superman is not like most people. He's not like most men. He knows he is different and has to navigate the world and all his relationships, knowing most people will not be able to relate to significant parts of his life. 

These same things can often be said for queer people. Most of the population is not queer and many people even find understanding queerness to be difficult. If queer people are outsiders, at least superheroes are too.

No matter how much conservatives complain, Superman's story is an immigrant story, and it is a queer story. Queer people have always seen themselves in superheroes, and will continue to do so. 

Watch the official teaser trailer:

David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult are starring in the movie

International Court warrants Taliban leaders for gender-based persecution

 

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two top Taliban leaders in Afghanistan on charges of abuses against women and girls.

ICC judges said there were reasonable grounds to suspect Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhunzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani of committing gender-based persecution.

“While the Taliban have imposed certain rules and prohibitions on the population as a whole, they have specifically targeted girls and women by reason of their gender, depriving them of fundamental rights and freedoms,” the court said in a statement.

“In addition, other persons were targeted because certain expressions of sexuality and/or gender identity were regarded as inconsistent with the Taliban’s policy on gender,” the court added.

The two Taliban leaders are now wanted men for their alleged persecution of women, girls, and gender nonconforming people. The international community should fully back the ICC in its critical work in Afghanistan and globally, including through concerted efforts to enforce the court’s warrants. 

Taliban have erased women from public life and
continue to punish homosexuality in Afghanistan

Rainbow captain’s armbands return at Women’s Euro 2025

 

UEFA has welcomed a visible celebration of LGBTQ+ pride at the Women’s Euro, with team captains like Switzerland’s Lia Wälti, Norway’s Ada Hegerberg, and Germany’s Giulia Gwinn proudly wearing rainbow armbands. 

After FIFA banned similar symbols at recent men’s World Cups, UEFA’s approval marks a bold embrace of diversity and inclusion.

The German Football Association worked closely with UEFA to permit the rainbow design instead of the standard “Respect” armband. 

Giulia Gwinn confirmed she would wear it during her side’s match against Poland, saying, “There was never any question of changing the armband, if the opportunity arose.”

The return of the rainbow armband coincides with an increasing number of openly LGBTQ+ players at the tournament, over 20% of squad members have publicly come out. 

This marks a significant shift in representation compared to previous years and underscores women’s football as a pathfinder for inclusion.

Hey FIFA, what about you and the men's competitions?

Over 1.5M celebrate LGBTQ+ unity in London

 

Central London did bursts with color as over 1.5 million celebrated Pride in London 2025. The vibrant parade, led by Mayor Sadiq Khan and featuring Chaka Khan’s electrifying performance, marched from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall, showcasing LGBTQ+ unity.

Every year, London is home to the UK’s largest Pride event, and brings together 500 groups, including LGBTQ+ community organizations, businesses, and partners, with 35,000 participants marching in solidarity. 

The parade is led by LGBTQ+ community groups celebrating significant milestones and anniversaries, alongside distinguished supporters, showcasing the rich history and continuing progress of London's diverse LGBTQ+ communities.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Hundreds of thousands of Londoners and visitors to our capital are uniting in a sea of colour and creativity — as we march in solidarity and celebration with our LGBTQI+ community.”

“The fantastic parade and celebrations across central London have shown once again that our capital is a beacon of inclusivity and diversity. This year’s event was also a defiant reminder that we must keep fighting for equality and take a stand against those seeking to roll back hard-won rights,” he added.

Also the British Royal Family joined to the event and wrote “Happy Pride!” in a social media post alongside a rainbow and sparkle emoji. They accompanied the message with a special performance by The Coldstream Guards on the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Happy Pride folks!!!

Trans books banned in children's library sections in UK's county

U.K. Kent County Council will remove all transgender-related books from the children's sections of its libraries, with immediate effect.

The authority runs 99 community libraries and five mobile library vans, but it is unknown how many books are to be removed or how the council will classify transgender-related books. 

Paul Webb, the newly-appointed Reform cabinet member for communities and regulatory services who oversees libraries, said the move came after a "concerned member of the public" contacted him.

Defending the decision, Webb said: "In our society, children are quite rightly and properly protected from items and actions that could cause them harm – for example alcohol, cigarettes and gambling.

"My fellow Reform members and I believe that our young people should be protected from exposure to potentially harmful ideologies and beliefs such as those held by the trans lobbyists."

The book at the heart of the issue is called The Autistic Trans Guide to Life and is described by publishers as an essential survival guide that gives autistic trans and/or non-binary adults all the tools and strategies they need to live as their very best self.

The move emboldens anti-trans rhetoric and contributes to a culture where marginalised people feel unsafe, unwelcome, and silenced.

Shame on you Webb!!