Pride returns to Budapest!

 

Authorities in Budapest have given the green light for the Hungarian capital’s Pride parade to march again this June, after last year’s event was banned under authoritarian leader Viktor Orbán.

Last year, Orbán passed legislation to ban all Pride events in Hungary. In response, more than 200,000 attendees showed up in defiance, attracting supporters from across Europe.

For almost 16 years, Hungary has been governed under Orbán, a right-wing populist, and his national-conservative party Fidesz. Orbán has also drawn criticism internationally for repression of the LGBTQ+ community.

Last month, he and his party were defeated in Hungary's elections, and the new leader of Tisza party, Péter Magyar, said at his swearing-in. “Hungary will be home for every Hungarian, and everyone can feel like they have a place in the Hungarian nation. Family, friends, and communities will be able to speak to each other again.” 

“We warmly welcome everyone in June who took part in last year’s demonstration, as well as those who continue to believe in equal rights and a democratic Hungary, and those who would like to once again celebrate the transition to democracy,” Budapest Pride said in a statement.

It seems, things will change in Hungary.

The Black Ball (La bola negra)

The Black Ball (La bola negra) is a 2026 Spanish drama film directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi (Los Javis), inspired by the unfinished work of the same name by Federico García Lorca. 

Los Javis may no longer be together, but their creative partnership is as strong as ever. The pair are back with The Black Ball, an epic drama following the interconnected lives of three gay men. The plot shifts between 1932, 1937, and 2017.

Loosely adapted from the work of renowned Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, The Black Ball stars some big names, like Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close, and Guitarricadelafuente in his acting debut. 

The pair emphasised their focus was honouring the queer community. Ambrossi shared: “As part of the LGBTQIA+ community, do we honour like we should the people who were murdered, who endured repression, who fought for our rights? Would they look at us and be proud? I ask myself this very often.”

Calvo also added: “We also wanted to explore the idea of inheritance – the inherited hatred and shame – and how that is pervasive even today.”

The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 79th Cannes Film Festival on 21 May 2026, earning Calvo and Ambrossi the Best Director prize. Early reviews praise the film for its period-drama ambition and scale. 

The cast is led by Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, 

Milo Quifes, Lola Dueñas, Penélope Cruz, and Glenn Close

Watch the trailer below:

May China’s top court says LGBTQ+ discrimination is unlawful?

 

China’s Supreme People’s Court has issued a major response reinforcing legal protections for LGBTQ+ people against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

The Court has issued guidance indicating that insults or discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity can violate personal dignity under existing laws, potentially leading to apologies and compensation. 

It also references employment discrimination and school bullying, encouraging more consistent application of civil and labour laws in China.

This is a written response from the Research Office of the Supreme People’s Court to a Chinese citizen who petitioned the court to clarify anti-discrimination principles in judicial adjudication. Petition, is a centuries-old channel through which people in China have appealed directly to the authorities.

Although they may offer some insight into how the responding authority views a given issue, but should not be read as formal policy change.

Homosexuality is not illegal in China and it was officially removed from a list of mental disorders in 2001. But experts and activists say LGBT people still face persistent discrimination and prejudice.

UK to host European IDAHOT+ Forum 2027

 

UK to serve as host nation for the European International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT+) Forum in London in May 2027.

For the first time, the UK, in partnership with the Council of Europe, will serve as the host nation for the European IDAHOT+ Forum in London in May 2027. 

The forum will convene governments, civil society organisations, policymakers, and advocates from across Europe, turning London into a focal point for international co-operation and progress on LGBT+ equality.

The European IDAHOT+ Forum is one of the major European annual events that brings together member states of the Council of Europe, government representatives, policy makers, experts, and academics, as well as representatives from national and international organisations. 

As the main state-organised European LGBT+ conference, it primarily aims to promote co-operation between governments but also between governments and civil society organisations.

The 2026 IDAHOT+ takes place in Copenhagen (Denmark)

Recognision of foreign same-sex marriage in Poland and first same-sex marriage registration in Warsaw

 

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has assured that Poland will begin recognising same-sex marriages performed in other European Union countries following major court rulings from both the Court of Justice of the European Union and Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court.

Speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting, Tusk apologised for what he described as the “years of rejection and humiliation” faced by same-sex couples in Poland. “[This is] a matter of human dignity: the right to happiness, the right to equal treatment by the state,” he said.

“I would like to apologise to all those who, for many, many years, felt rejected and humiliated. For many years, the state has failed the test.” Tusk added that his government would make compliance with the court rulings a priority, while stressing that any legal changes would be implemented within the framework of existing Polish law.

The rulings mark a historic shift for Poland, one of the few remaining EU countries that still does not legally recognise same-sex unions domestically. While the decisions do not force Poland to legalise same-sex marriage itself, they do require the country to recognise marriages legally performed elsewhere in the EU.

Meanwhile, Poland’s capital, Warsaw, registered its first same-sex marriage, implementing court rulings that require the country to recognize same-sex marriages registered abroad.

It's time Poland!!!

King Charles announces UK government’s conversion therapy ban

 

A Draft Conversion Practices Bill was included in King’s Speech, outlining Labour‘s legislative programme for the coming parliamentary session in the U.K.

“My Government will bring forward a Bill to speed up remediation for people living in homes with unsafe cladding and a draft Bill to ban abusive conversion practices,” the address read in part.

The Government committed to eradicating what it called “abusive” practices, in line with a pledge made in its 2024 election manifesto.

Officials say the ban will be carefully targeted to avoid interfering with legitimate healthcare for those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Several PMs have promised to ban conversion therapy, albeit in varying forms. In 2018, Theresa May made overtures toward ending the practice. In 2022, Boris Johnson would support a ban but wich did not cover trans people. In January 2023, Rishi Sunak also promised a trans-inclusive conversion therapy ban. Current Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the Labour Party promised a trans-inclusive ban in 2024.

Now, we will see if it is finally a reality.

Spain breaks Malta’s decade-long hold on the Rainbow Map top spot

 

This year’s Rainbow Map tells two stories at once:

• One of genuine courage, in Spain, in courtrooms, and in leaders who are choosing to stand with their communities rather than scapegoat them.
• And one of real and growing danger that cannot be underestimated. The question every government in Europe must now answer is which story they want to be part of.

The Rainbow Map ranks 49 European countries on their respective legal and policy practices for LGBTI people, from 0-100%. It is supported by our Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of LGBTI People in Europe and Central Asia, which gathers and presents qualitative data, illustrating how these laws and policies impact politics, society, and the daily lives of LGBTI people.

According to the new edition published by ILGA-Europe, Spain has moved from the 5th to the 1st place among 49 European countries for LGBTI rights, ending 10 years of Maltese leadership. This achievement is the result of years of work by activists, civil society organisations, and many committed professionals across the country.

Malta drops one place to 2nd in the ranking with a score of 88%. While the slide in the ranking is technically due to Spain’s rise, it also reflects Malta’s stagnation and lack of continuous reform. The country still lacks a comprehensive anti-discrimination framework, which could be addressed through the Equality Bill that was tabled in 2019 and has been stalled since.

Iceland retains the 3rd place in the ranking, but gains two points, resulting in a total score of 86%. The government renewed its equality action plan, reaffirming its commitment to legal progress. Some measures set in the action plan have started being implemented, such as a training framework for asylum caseworkers in cooperation with the LGBTI organisation.

The three countries at the other end of the Rainbow Map scale are Russia (2%), Azerbaijan (2%), and Turkey (5%). Not a surprise.

The pink triangle is also a symbol of resistance

 

Donald Trump posted a Washington Times article titled Army Recruitment Ads Look Quite Different Under Trump on Truth Social. The thumbnail showed a crossed-out upside-down pink triangle – the same one used by Nazis during WWII to identify and murder LGBTQ+ people.

This triggered a great deal of anxiety for Queer people. Though Trump hadn’t directly shared the image itself, sharing the link felt like an statement of endorsement for systematic homophobia and transphobia.

But the pink triangle is also a symbol of resistance and community, and deserves to be remembered that way. Since the 1970s, LGBTQ+ liberation groups have worn the pink triangle as a way of memorialising the Queer people who have died as a result of persecution, apathy, and violence.

We must hold onto the power of the pink triangle as a symbol of resistance. Trump’s administration may wish to use it to persecute, but by using it for protest, we remember the lives it represents with as much integrity as possible.

A Vatican report includes gender, sexuality and LGBTQ issues

 

The Vatican released a study group document that has surprised gay Catholics for including their voices on controversial subjects affecting the Church. The study group’s report address gender, sexuality, and LGBTQ inclusion.

It’s the first time that in any official publication of the Vatican, they’ve included witnesses and testimonies and stories from LGBTQ Catholics in any kind of detailed way. Two of the testimonies were from married gay men.

Among the issues the report addresses are the negative impacts of conversion therapy, described as the devastating effects of reparative therapies aimed at recovering heterosexuality, as well as the Church’s role in enabling the solitude, anguish, and stigma that accompany persons with same-sex attractions and their families.

Though document was not written by the Pope, but by the study group, it requires the authorization of the Pope to be released to the public. Nevertheless, Pope Francis reiterated that homosexuality is not a crime, but at same time he defended that the Church cannot bless same-sex unions because God cannot bless sin.

Read the report here.

Russia's largest publishing house raided for LGBT propaganda

 

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin continues to intensify domestic repression against his own people. The latest target was the country's largest publishing house, Ekcmo, which was raided by police.

Police officers confiscated thousands of books and arrested the company's CEO for distributing what the Kremlin calls "gay propaganda".

With Putin seeking ​to promote an image of Russia as a guardian of traditional moral values in contrast with a decadent West, ​Russian authorities banned what they call the "LGBT movement", designating it as extremist and those supporting it as ⁠terrorists.

Private Russian companies including music channels, online film distributors and book publishers are routinely fined for hosting LGBT content.

Shame on you Putin!!!

Europe moves to wide-ban on conversion therapy

 

The European Parliament has voted in favour of banning conversion therapy practices across the European Union, marking a major step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in Europe.

The move follows a European Citizens’ Initiative launched in January 2024 by ACT LGBT, which gathered more than 1.2 million signatures in support of outlawing the practice.

The vote is considered a strong political signal to the European Commission, which is the only EU institution with the power to formally propose binding legislation.

If advanced, the proposed law would seek to ban all forms of conversion therapy for both children and adults throughout the bloc.

Conversion therapy refers to practices that attempt to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and has been widely condemned by health and human rights organisations.

Read the press release here.