PinkNews 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic church, has di3d aged 88. Pope Francis has di3d and left behind an erratic legacy on his support for the LGBTQ+ community as head of the Catholic Church. His d3ath was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a statement released by the Vatican on Monday (21 April). In the statement he said: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the d3ath of our Holy Father Francis. “At 7.35am this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. “He taught us to live the values ​​of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. “With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.” The pontiff became Pope in 2013 after Benedict XVI resigned. In recent years, concern has increased about the health of Pope Francis and in February he was admitted to hospital for treatment for bronchitis. Later that month, after being diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, the Vatican said he was in a ‘critical’ condition. His hospital stay ended on 23 March but his health remained delicate. On Easter Sunday (20 April), the Pope greeted worshippers who gathered in the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square. Speaking to the crowds from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, he said: “Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter.” #popefrancis #thepope #pope #lgbtqia #lgbtqrights #vatican

"Andy that’s not true” 😬 Texas Republican Andy Hopper was schooled by Democratic Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons on what intersex means during a debate in the Texas House of Representatives on Friday 11 April. Hopper was proposing an amendment to eliminate state funding for the University of Texas at Austin over its LGBTQ+ and DEI programs and degree plans, claiming that they taught there were "more than two sexes". In response, Simmons asked "what about intersex individuals?", to which Hopper replied "I don't even know what that means, ma'am." The Democrat went on to say: "You are not sure what intersex people are, if they exist or not, but you want to defund a program about something that you don't understand". Hopper replied: "Those intersex individuals are still XX or XY. So, you can't change that." In a now viral moment, this comment prompted Republican Rep. Valoree Swanson to tug on Hopper's sleeve and say to him "Andy, that's not true." According to the Intersex Society of North America, there are over 40 known intersex variations. The most common are due to differences in chromosomes, such as Turner syndrome (X0), Klinefelter syndrome (XXY), and triple X syndrome (XXX). Following the exchange, Simmons filed a point of order against Hopper, and the House ultimately voted against the amendment. #republicans #intersex #texas #andyhopper #uspolitics #lgbtqia

Fans are unhappy with the depiction of their favorite cross-dressing alien in the new Lilo and Stitch live action trailer. The upcoming film will re-tell the story of the classic 2002 Disney film, in which a lonely Hawaiian girl, Lilo, befriends a mischievous alien experiment. Another character of note was Wendy Pleakly, an intergalactic alien agent who became notable for their many ‘disguises’ while on earth, many of which involved a fair amount of gender-bending clothing. Pleakly quickly became a fan favorite, with many feeling his character was queer and trans-coded. But the new trailer doesn’t feature any of Pleakly’s iconic looks and fans aren’t happy. Pleakly, who is played by Billy Magnussen only appears briefly towards the end of the trailer, where we see his human form, before his disguise falters and the classic green alien form flashes up. Fans were quick to take to social media to express their disdain for Pleakly’s depiction. As we only saw a short snippet of Pleakly, we’ll have to see if the character lives up to his original when the film comes out on the 23rd May 2025. #liloandstitch #liveaction #disney #pleakley #transgender #lgbtqia #Adoteumhabitinho

Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke has been given a formal warning by Celebrity Big Brother producers after “homophobic” comments about and to JoJo Siwa. In scenes that will air in tonight’s Celebrity Big Brother episode (9 April), The Wrestler star Rourke suggests to “Karma” singer Siwa that he would be able to turn her straight. After she rebuffs his insinuation, he then tells fellow housemate and former Love Island star Chris Hughes that he will be “vote the lesbian out real quick”. The interaction begins with Rourke asking JoJo Siwa whether she “likes girls or boys”, to which she responds: “Me? Girls. My partner is non-binary.” In a grim response, Rourke says: “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.” Without missing a beat, Siwa expertly responds: “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.” Later on, Rourke tells Hughes that when it comes to having evict other housemates, he will do his best to “vote the lesbian out”. Siwa overhears the interaction, and responds: “That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning.” Sadly, the offensive comments don’t stop there, with the Oscar nominee telling his fellow housemates that he “needs a f**”, before gesturing towards Siwa and saying: “I’m not talking to you.” The actor is then called to the Celebrity Big Brother Diary Room, where he is told that he has received a formal warning over his comments. “Further language or behaviour of this nature could lead to you being removed from the Big Brother house,” he is told. Following the warning, Rourke apologises both to Big Brother, urging that he doesn’t “have dishonourable intentions”, and then apologises to a visibly upset Siwa in person. “As a future,” Siwa responds, “using the word f** is not an acceptable word”. The other housemates – including Hughes, Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard and TV host Trisha Goddard – then attempt to educate Rourke on why his comments were deemed offensive. Celebrity Big Brother continues at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. #cbbuk #celebritybigbrother #bigbrother #mickeyrourke #jojosiwa #lgbtqia

Rep. Sarah McBride, the first out transgender member of US Congress, was deliberately misgendered by Rep. Keith Self during a House meeting on Tuesday 11 March when he introduced her as ‘Mr. McBride’. McBride responded to the misgendering by saying: “Thank you, Madam Speaker”. #gop #republican #sarahmcbride #transgender #transrights #uspolitics

@chappell roan has confirmed she’s in a relationship with a woman on the Call Her Daddy podcast with @Alexandra Cooper on Wednesday 26 March. The Pink Pony Club singer revealed she’s been dating someone for six months and is ‘very in love’. #chappellroan #callherdaddy #alexcooper #lesbian #dating #lgbtqia

Why are these trans women going viral outside a military recruitment center in Thailand? Thailand’s annual military conscription event is a highly anticipated moment for Thai men aged 21 to 26. Each year, they gather at local recruitment centers to determine their fate through a national lottery. Everyone receives an envelope - and inside is either a red card or a black card. Red means you’re selected for military service. Black means you’re exempt. However, a new viral tradition has emerged within Thailand’s trans community. While transgender individuals are still required to show up in person for the draft lottery, they can be exempt from service if they provide a gender reassignment certificate or relevant medical documents. Each year, trans women across the country head to recruitment centers to submit their paperwork - often turning the moment into a celebration, complete with photoshoots proudly holding their certificates outside the recruitment centre. While it remains illegal for trans people to serve in Thailand’s military, this annual tradition has turned into a powerful symbol of pride for the country's trans community. #thailand #transwomen #militarytiktok #militaryservice #transrights #lgbtqia #Adoteumhabitinho

RuPaul’s Drag Race star and Drag Race Philippines co-host Jiggly Caliente has di3d aged 44, according to her family, after a ‘severe infection’ that caused the loss of her leg. The family of Jiggly Caliente, who is best known for competing on season four and All Stars 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race before becoming a ‘resident judge’ on Drag Race Philippines, has shared that the star passed away ‘peacefully’ on 27 April. The statement on her passing, which was shared to Jiggly’s Instagram, reads, “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Bianca Castro-Arabejo, known to the world and cherished by many as Jiggly Caliente. “Bianca passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, at 4:42am, surrounded by her loving family and close friends.” It continues, “A luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy, Jiggly Caliente was celebrated for her infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity. She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism, and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world.” The statement on Jiggly’s passing notes that the star has left a legacy of “love, courage and light,” and that “the joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain forever.” It concludes, “She will be deeply missed, always loved, and eternally remembered. In Loving Memory of Bianca Castro-Arabejo (Jiggly Caliente). November 29, 1980 – April 27, 2025” Jiggly’s passing has been met with an outpouring of grief from fans and contemporaries from the Drag Race franchise. “So heartbreaking,” wrote Laganja Estranja under the statement. “Such a kind, caring soul!! She will be greatly missed.” Courtney Act wrote, “Love you, Jiggles,” with Hannah Conda adding, “My heart is broken! Fly high our queen.” On X, the tributes have continued, with Kornbread writing, “My heart aches. Sending love to everyone who was touched by her amazing presence.” Pangina Heals wrote, “I am heartbroken over this news,” calling Jiggly, “a real friend.” “You are such a cheerleader to so many people including me and I cannot believe you are gone. I will always miss your laughter and how much you make me laugh. I will miss you my friend.” Jiggly’s family notified her following of a “severe health setback” on 24 April. They shared that the star has been hospitalised and suffered the “loss of most of her right leg” after a “severe infection.” Jiggly Caliente first appeared on season four of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2012. She then returned for All Stars 6 in 2021, having coming out a trans woman in 2016. She has also starred in Pose, and served as a judge on all three seasons of Drag Race Philippines. #dragrace #jigglycalinete #rupaulsdragrace #lgbtqia #dragqueen

Lucy Dacus has officially confirmed that she and fellow Boygenius member Julien Baker are in a relationship, in a recent profile in The New Yorker. #lgbtqia #boygenius #lucydacus #julienbaker #pheobebridgers #music

Green Day drummer Tré Cool has playfully responded to Charli xcx who was a ‘Miss Should Be Headliner’ sash during a Coachella after party last weekend. Charli xcx has the second slot before Green Day headlines both Saturdays at the festival. In a post shared by his wife Sara Rose Wright, the Green Day drummer can be seen wearing a makeshift sash that says ‘actual headliner’. During last night’s performance, Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong wore a ‘BRAT’ hat in another nod to Charli xcx. #greenday #coachella #trecool #charlixcx #headliner #lgbtqia

K-pop band Just B member Bain came out on stage, saying “I’m f*cking proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+”. The 23 year old singer is best known for being a contestant on the reality survival show Under Nineteen and Build Up: Vocal Boy Group Survivor. #kpop #justb #bain #comingout #lgbtqia #kpopfan

In an interview with Paper Magazine on Wednesday 2 April, gay rapper Lil Nas X said that conservatives would “actually try to k1ll me” if he were to release his song Montero (Call Me By Your Name) in 2025. He said: “The world was shifting so much at the time. Even right now, there’s everything with the young males being taught these super conservative ways”. Reflecting on his MONTERO-era, the rapper admitted: “If I did that today, they’d actually try to k*ll me, like I’m not kidding”. #lilnasx #montero #callmebyyourname #conservatives #religion #lgbtqia

Disney have introduced their first Christian character in 20 years just months after cancelling a transgender storyline from the same show. The debut episode of the new Pixar Disney+ series “Win or Lose” features a character called Laurie, the daughter of the team’s softball coach who struggles with insecurity. In one of her first scenes in the show, she begins with the words “heavenly father”. A cutout of an angel is also placed in Laurie’s bedroom. This is the first Christian character from Disney since their 2007 film “Bridge to Terabithia”, in which kids Jessie and Leslie attend church together and discuss religion. The new animated series received backlash last year when it was reported that a story arc involving a transgender character was removed from the show. According to an article by the Hollywood Reporter, while the character starring in the episode remains the same, references to her gender identity were removed. A Disney spokesperson said: “When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.” One transgender ex-Pixar employee said the decision to remove the storyline was “100% political”. #disney #disneyplus #winorlose #transgender #christianity #lgbtqia

Miriana Conte, Malta’s 2025 Eurovision Song Contest entrant, has said she is “shocked and disappointed” after being told she can’t sing about “serving kant” at this year’s contest. Conte has proven to be this year’s favourite among LGBTQ+ Eurovision lovers, thanks to her tongue-in-cheek nod to queer lingo in her song “Kant”. While the literal Maltese translation of “Kant” is “to sing”, the word sounds remarkably like another, particularly offensive British word which has made its way into pop culture lexicon in recent years. Conte’s song is largely about self-empowerment, being bold, and giving “queen energy”, but on the track’s beat drop, she croons about “serving Kant”. It seems that the European Broadcasting Union has caught onto the explicit double entendre, as the organisation has banned her from using the song in its current form. In a post on her Instagram, Conte confirmed that she would have to change the song’s lyrics, with just one week to go until the track has to be officially submitted for use in the contest. “Currently filming the official ‘KANT’ music video, literally living my best life. We’ve just been notified that @ebu_hq [European Broadcasting Union] has decided against using the Maltese word ‘Kant’ in our entry in the Eurovision Song Contest,” she wrote, alongside a photo of her performing in a leopard print catsuit with an iridescent fan. “While I’m shocked and disappointed, especially since we have less than a week to submit the song, I promise you this: the show will go on,” she added, before perfectly concluding with another nod to gay Twitter: “Diva NOT down.” Miriana Conte is currently the fourth favourite to win Eurovision 2025 with “Kant”, according to betting site OLBG (after Sweden, France, and Finland), but the track was already the subject of controversy before now. When the track was first shared, BBC Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills said that it was unlikely to “ever” be played on the BBC. Despite the word’s literal meaning, the fact it sounds identical to such an explicit British insult means it would likely breach Ofcom regulations if played un-bleeped during the Eurovision Song Contest. Watershed rules indicate that programmes that begin pre-watershed, which starts at 9pm, should not include the most extreme swear words, including “f**k”, “f**king”, and “c**t”. Even though Eurovision plays until midnight on BBC One, it starts broadcasting at 8pm, and thus is included in the Ofcom rule. While its not the first time the EBU has directed a contestant to change their lyrics – in 2017, Sweden’s Eurovision entry “I Can’t Go On” had to change “f**king” to “freaking” – there’s likely to be some particular upset among Eurovision fans over this one. Namely as Conte is a fan-favourite, but also as several other of this year’s participants have songs laden thick with double entendre. Eurovision begins with the semi-finals on 13 May and 15 May, with the final taking place on Saturday 17 May. Here’s a breakdown of every Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry announced so far. #lgbt #eurovision #malta #mirianaconte #mirianacontekant #serving

A 200-foot rainbow banner has been flown outside the Utah Stat Capitol to protest against a bill (HB77) that bans pride and all non-sanctioned flags from Utah schools and government property. The state’s GOP-led legislature have already passed the bill in the House and Senate. Governor Spencer Cox has suggested that he won’t veto the bill. The protest was organised by The Utah Pride Center, whose mission is to “unite, empower and celebrate Utah’s diverse LGBTQ+ community”. #prideflag #Pride #donaldtrump #saltlakecity #republicans #lgbtqia

Here are 13 facts you didn’t know about Erin Doherty. Did we miss any? #tvtok #thecrown #adolescence #erindoherty #lesbian #pinknews @Netflix @Netflix UK & Ireland

The man South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace cursed at in a now viral video has finally broken his silence. The video, which was posted by Representative Mace on April 19, featured a man by the name of Ely Murray-Quick. In the clip, he can be seen wearing a pair of daisy duke shorts, which Nancy Mace took a swipe at after the video went viral. She tweeted on April 21 ‘Good morning to everyone except men who wear daisy dukes.’ In response, Ely issued his own statement, taking to Facebook on April 21 and writing ‘If Nancy Mace invested even half as much effort into crafting actual policy [...] as she does posting about my outfits […] maybe — her district wouldn’t be clinging to the bottom rung of national rankings in education, infrastructure, and healthcare access.’ He also addressed Nancy’s decision to bring up the fact she voted for gay marriage in the video. #nancymace #republicans #daisydukes #uspolitics #lgbtqia

In celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility (31 March), a 200-foot trans flag was unfurled outside the Utah State Capitol. According to the Utah Pride Center, the flag is 200 feet long and 30 feet wide, which they’re calling “the world’s largest transgender flag”. It’s made up of 600 yards of fabric and 10,800 feet of thread, and took local stitchers about five weeks to complete. Last week, Utah became the first state to ban flying the LGBTQ+ Pride flag at schools and all government buildings. Under the new flag ban, state and local government buildings will be fined $500 a day for flying any flag other than the United States flag, the Utah state flag, military flags or a short list of others approved by lawmakers. The bill, known as H.B.77, will go into effect on May 7 2025. #transgenderdayofvisibility #tdov #prideflag #republicans #transpride #lgbtqia

Poland has now abolished the last remaining ‘LGBT-free zone’ in the country. The town council of Łańcut, in southeastern Poland was the last area to bring an end to the zones. There were previously around 100 local authorities that declared ‘LGBT-free zones’. However human rights organisations and the EU opposed the zones resulting in suspending cohesion funds for regions that passed introducing the zones. In 2022, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled that the declarations infringed upon the dignity and private lives of certain groups of residents. Now the final zone has been abolished in 2025. #poland #lgbtqia #europe #humanrights #gayrights

Celebrity Big Brother contestant JoJo Siwa decided to prank fellow housemate Mickey Rourke. The Karma singer pretended to be a brand new housemate whilst in disguise… #bbuk #cbb #bigbrother #jojosiwa #mickeyrourke #lgbtqia