Politics on Uránia

Leeds Appoints Its First Openly Gay Lord Mayor

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Leeds City Council has appointed Stephen Holroyd as the new Lord Mayor. He has become the 132nd Lord Mayor and the first openly gay person to hold this position in the city’s history. His partner, Simon Mapals, has received the official status of the Lord Mayor’s Consort.

Barney Frank, First US Congressman to Voluntarily Come Out, Dies at 86

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Former US House Representative Barney Frank passed away on May 19 at the age of 86. His death was confirmed to NBC Boston by his sister Ann Lewis and a close family friend.

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Who Banned Puberty Blockers for Minors, Resigns

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:00:00 +0300

UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting has resigned. The BBC reported the news, citing Streeting’s resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Streeting stated he had lost confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership following the ruling Labour Party’s poor performance in recent elections.

LGBT Activist and Politician Banyana Thobeka Hlutamo Dies in South Africa

Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:00 +0300

South African LGBT activist and public figure Banyana Thobeka Hlutamo passed away on May 5 at the age of 45 after a brief illness. This was reported by representatives of South African public organizations.

Polish Government to Recognize Same-Sex Marriages Concluded in Other EU Countries

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:00:00 +0400

On May 12, 2026, the Polish government announced that it will begin recognizing same-sex marriages legally concluded in other European Union member states. Prime Minister Donald Tusk apologized to same-sex couples for years of non-recognition of their relationships, but emphasized that this step will not lead to allowing child adoption.

Chair of Turkish LGBT Association '17 May' Defne Güzel Acquitted in 'Public Morality' Case

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:00:00 +0400

On May 12, 2026, a court of first instance in Ankara acquitted Defne Güzel, chair of the board of directors of the Turkish LGBT association “17 May”. She was accused of “violating public morality” due to the publication of a translated brochure about intersex people on the organization’s website.

Iran Demands FIFA Ban LGBT Flags at 2026 World Cup Matches

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:00:00 +0400

The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) submitted a list of 10 conditions to FIFA regarding the national team’s participation in the 2026 World Cup. The tournament will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Among the demands is a ban on LGBT flags in the stadiums and guaranteed visas for the Iranian delegation, reports Outsports.

Openly Gay Conservatives Win UK May Elections. Meet Them

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:00:00 +0400

On May 7, 2026, municipal elections took place in the United Kingdom. During the voting, representatives of LGBT+ Conservatives—the official LGBTQ group within the Conservative Party—won council seats.

Vladimir Nabokov and the First Attempt to Decriminalize Same-Sex Relationships in Russia

Tue, 12 May 2026 06:00:00 +0400

At the turn of the century, Europe faced a new, hitherto unfamiliar phenomenon. Fin de siècle brought with it many new conflicts and questions that had previously been considered taboo. Disintegrating and decaying, the old, traditional world gave way to a world of progress and technology. Naturally, many rules of human existence, hitherto considered inviolable, were re-evaluated.

Puerto Rico Bans Transgender People from Using Public Restrooms

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:00:00 -0400

In late February, Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón signed HB 165. The law bans transgender people from using public restrooms that do not correspond to their sex assigned at birth. Violators face fines of up to $15,000.

Indonesian Ummat Party Leader Accuses Presidential Cabinet Secretary of Being Gay, Government Calls It Slander

Sun, 10 May 2026 12:00:00 +0400

Indonesia has been drawn into a political dispute after Amien Rais, chair of the advisory council of the conservative Muslim Ummat Party, claimed that Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya is gay and has a “dangerous grip” on President Prabowo Subianto. As The Star reported via The Jakarta Post , the government described Rais’s video as slander, a hoax, and hate speech.

One in Three LGBT Candidates in the US Received Online Death Threats, New Report Finds

Thu, 07 May 2026 12:00:00 +0400

A new report, Threats on the Trail , says threats and harassment have become part of campaigning for many openly LGBT candidates in the United States. According to the study by Victory Institute and Loyola Marymount University, one in three surveyed candidates received death threats online, and one in seven experienced them in person.

European Parliament Backs an EU-Wide Ban on Conversion Therapy

Sat, 02 May 2026 12:00:00 +0400

The European Parliament has backed a call for an EU-wide ban on conversion therapy. As the Washington Blade reports , on April 29, 405 MEPs supported the position, and the European Commission must now give its official response by May 18.

Michigan Democrat Challenges Trans Opponent Over Name Used on Ballot Filing

Sat, 02 May 2026 12:00:00 +0400

In Michigan, former Democratic lawmaker Frank Liberati has filed a complaint against his primary rival Joanna Whaley, a transgender woman who is also running as a Democrat. As The Advocate reports , Liberati argues that Whaley broke state election law because she did not list a former name when she filed paperwork for the August primary in the 2nd district.

The Advocate Revisits the Idea That the US May Already Have Had a Gay President

Sat, 02 May 2026 12:00:00 +0400

After Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said the United States may already have had a gay president, The Advocate published a review of older historical theories on the subject. As Them reports , the trigger was her answer to a TMZ question: the congresswoman said she did not know for sure, but thought it was entirely possible.

Openly Gay Carl Wilson Beats Socialist-Backed Boylan in Manhattan Council Race

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

Carl Wilson has declared victory in the special election for New York City Council’s Manhattan District 3 seat after early results gave him a clear lead over Lindsey Boylan. As City & State reports , with 99% of scanners reporting on the evening of April 28, Wilson had about 43% of first-choice votes and Boylan about 26%. The official ranked-choice count is still due later, but Boylan has already conceded.

St. Petersburg Court Declares the Russian LGBT Network “Extremist”

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

St. Petersburg City Court has declared the Russian LGBT Network an “extremist” organisation and banned it from operating in the country. As Reuters reports , the ruling was issued on April 27 in response to a Justice Ministry lawsuit. What matters here is not only the ban itself: in Russia, such a designation can open the way to criminal cases against people the authorities say are linked to the group.

Istanbul’s 34th LGBT+ Pride Week Unveils Theme: “AÇIK S’AÇIK”

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

The Istanbul Pride Week Committee has announced the theme of the 34th LGBT+ Pride Week, which will run from June 22 to 28: “AÇIK S’AÇIK.” Bianet reports that, at a time when Turkish authorities continue to restrict LGBT visibility in public space, organisers once again described the week and the march as a space for gathering, self-expression, and solidarity.

Botswana Officially Removes Same-Sex Ban from the Penal Code

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

Botswana has officially removed from the text of its Penal Code the colonial-era provisions that once punished consensual same-sex sexual relations. MambaOnline reported that the amendment was formally published on March 26. The step matters because the country’s courts had already struck down the ban in 2019 and 2021, yet the wording remained in the statute book.

Four Women Accuse Utah Democratic Congressional Candidate of Sexual Misconduct

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

Four women have accused Salt Lake City council member and Democratic congressional candidate Eva Lopez Chavez of sexual misconduct and unwanted physical contact. The allegations were first reported by the Salt Lake Tribune and then summarised by LGBTQ Nation . All four women are connected to Utah’s political world.

Russian Courts Declare Three LGBT Initiatives “Extremist” in Two Days

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

On April 24, the rights group Perviy Otdel said the Samara public organisation Irida had also been declared “extremist” and banned in Russia. The previous day, Reuters had reported similar rulings against Parni+ and the Moscow Community Center for LGBT+ Initiatives. That brought the total to three such rulings in two days.

South African Deputy Minister Visits Site of Ottawa’s Future Thunderhead Monument

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

South African Deputy Minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike visited the Ottawa site of the future Thunderhead memorial, which is being created as a national monument commemorating discrimination against 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada. According to the organisers of the Ottawa Civic Space Summit , Letsike was in Canada for the event held from April 21 to 23.

EU Court Rules Hungary’s Anti-LGBT Law Breaches Core Union Values

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

On April 21, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Hungary’s 2021 law restricting minors’ access to content about homosexuality and transgender people breaches EU law and the Union’s core values. The ruling was published in a CJEU press release in case C-769/22 and was also reported by The Guardian .

Moscow Court Fines Character.AI 7.5 Million Roubles for “LGBT Propaganda” and Failure to Remove Information

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

Moscow’s Tagansky District Court fined Character Technologies, Inc., the developer of the Character.AI service, 7.5 million roubles over two administrative protocols. Interfax reported .

Catholic LGBT Leaders Condemn Trump’s Attacks on Pope Leo XIV

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

Catholic LGBT leaders have publicly responded to Donald Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo XIV. As the Washington Blade reports , some of the sharpest criticism came from New Ways Ministry Executive Director Francis DeBernardo and DignityUSA Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke.

Moscow Court Fines Roblox 8 Million Roubles in Two “LGBT Propaganda” Cases

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

Moscow’s Tagansky District Court fined Roblox Corporation 8 million roubles over two administrative cases involving so-called “LGBT propaganda,” according to Mediazona and Ostorozhno, novosti.

“Queer in a Legal Sense”: How US Immigration Law Excluded Homosexuals and What Chicanx Literature Has to Do with It

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

In April 2026, the University of Texas Press published a book in English by American researcher José A. de la Garza Valenzuela titled Queer in a Legal Sense: Brown Citizenship and Other Lawful Fictions. In the context of the long history of disputes over border control and racial politics in North America, this monograph demonstrates how legal documents shaped the history of regulating sexuality and migration, using vague language to make the legal existence of LGBT migrants impossible.

“The Fight of Our Lives” – A Book by David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels About the HIV Crisis in the US

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

In April 2026, Knopf published the book “The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America.” American writer David Levithan and British researcher Gabriel Duckels have compiled a journalistic history of the HIV epidemic in the United States. The book is addressed to the general public and teenagers. The authors show how the government’s indifference in the 1980s and 1990s forced the LGBT community to fight independently for treatment and survival.

Ghana’s President Says Anti-LGBT Bill Is Not a Priority, Catholic Cardinal Turkson Also Opposes Criminalization

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama said a new anti-LGBT bill is “not a priority” for his government while the country faces pressing problems in education, healthcare, and employment. The statement was reported by 76crimes and Human Rights Watch .

Senegal Issues First Conviction After Toughened Anti-LGBT Law

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

A court in Pikine-Guediawaye, a suburb of Dakar, has issued the first conviction since Senegal toughened its anti-LGBT law. A 24-year-old man was sentenced to six years in prison and fined 2 million CFA francs (about $3,300).

Belarusian President Signs Law Introducing Fines for “LGBT and Childfree Propaganda”

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0400

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed , according to Mediazona Belarus , the law “On Amendments to Codes on Administrative Liability.” The document introduces penalties for so-called “propaganda of homosexual relations, gender transition, childfree lifestyles, and pedophilia.”

The Future President’s Secret Operation: How Franklin Roosevelt Spent a Million Dollars on a Hunt for Gay Men in the Navy

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0300

In 1919 the United States Navy launched a covert operation at its base in Newport, Rhode Island, aimed at sailors suspected of same-sex relations.

A History of Kissing Between Men in Russia

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0300

For a long time, the history of non-heteronormative sexuality and male embodiment in Russia intertwined Orthodox rites, army life, and urban subcultures. Among pre-revolutionary practices, Easter khristosovanie stands out: a triple kiss between men on Bright Sunday, sanctioned by the Church and performed in public.

Two Republican Politicians from Georgia and Their Old Photographs in Women’s Clothing

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0300

In the spring of 2026, U.S. outlets published school photographs of two Georgia Republicans – Representatives Buddy Carter and Mike Collins.

Uganda Grants Bail to Two Women Arrested for Kissing, But They Still Face Life in Prison

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0400

In Uganda, two women arrested in February over allegations that they kissed in public have been released on bail while awaiting trial. According to MambaOnline , they are 22-year-old Wendy and 21-year-old Diana.

King Mswati III of Eswatini Says Gay and Lesbian People Will Not Be Welcome While He Rules

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0400

King Mswati III of Eswatini told a prayer gathering in Lobamba on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, that gay and lesbian people would not be welcome in Eswatini as long as he remains on the throne. MambaOnline , citing local media, reports that he called homosexuality an “evil act” in the “spirit of Sodom and Gomorrah” and said that same-sex couples had no place in the country under his reign.

Senegal Doubles Penalty for Same-Sex Relations to 10 Years in Prison

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:35:05 +0400

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has signed a law that doubles the maximum penalty for same-sex relations. Offenders now face up to 10 years in prison. The National Assembly passed the measure by an overwhelming majority on March 11, 2026, with 135 votes in favor, none against, and three abstentions.

In the UK, a Former Drag Artist Runs for City Council with Right-Wing Reform UK and Calls Migration a Threat to Gay People

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0300

Michael Felse, who led Manchester Pride in 2011 as his drag alter ego Ethol Mary, has announced his candidacy for the right-wing Reform UK party in a by-election for Salford City Council in Greater Manchester, in northwest England. Felse opposes immigration, arguing that it poses a direct threat to gay people.

A Woman Leads the Anglican Church for the First Time. What Is Her Stance on LGBT Issues?

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0300

On March 25, Sarah Mullally was formally installed at Canterbury Cathedral as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury – the spiritual leader of the Church of England and the symbolic central figure of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Mullally became the first woman to hold the position in 1,400 years. Around two thousand guests attended the ceremony, including Prince William and Princess Catherine.

Menaka Guruswamy Becomes the First Openly Lesbian MP in the History of the Indian Parliament. She Was Elected on the Ticket of a Regional-Nationalist Bengali Party

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0300

On March 9, constitutional lawyer Menaka Guruswamy was elected to the Rajya Sabha – the upper house of the Indian Parliament – representing West Bengal.

Poland's Supreme Administrative Court Orders Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages Contracted in Other EU States

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0300

On March 20, Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court (Naczelny Sąd Administracyjny) ruled that the country must recognise same-sex marriages legally contracted in other European Union member states. The court ordered the Warsaw civil registry office to transcribe the marriage certificate of two men who married in Berlin in 2018.

Support for LGBT Rights in the US: PRRI's 2025 50-State Survey

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) is an independent American nonprofit research center that studies the intersection of religion, culture, and politics. As part of its 2025 American Values Atlas, the institute surveyed more than 22,000 American adults and produced an analysis of support for LGBT rights across all 50 states. The survey was conducted online from February 28 to December 8, 2025. The margin of error at the national level is ±0.87 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

Openly gay centre-right politician Gil Avérous re-elected mayor of Châteauroux, France

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 11:30:00 +0300

Gil Avérous, an openly gay and independent centre-right politician, has been elected mayor of Châteauroux for the third time . In the municipal elections of March 15, 2026, his list won in the first round with 68.24% of the vote.

Nepal elects its first transgender woman to parliament

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0300

Bhumika Shrestha has become the first transgender woman in Nepal’s parliament. According to South China Morning Post, she was greeted by members of the LGBT community in Kathmandu.

Sex Reassignment in the Islamic Republic of Iran: A Comprehensive Overview

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 22:45:37 +0700

This article examines why sex reassignment surgery received religious justification in the Islamic Republic of Iran. It also tells the story of Maryam Khatoon Molkara, a person who played a notable role in gaining official recognition for transgender people.

Male Same-Sex Intercourse in Iran After the Islamic Revolution: Criminal Law and Prosecution Statistics

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:45:37 +0700

Before 1979, Iran had a predominantly secular criminal justice system. It was based on a general penal code adopted in the 1920s, modelled on French law.

How Duke Xian of Jin Sent a Beautiful Youth to Another Ruler to Weaken His Court and Then Conquer His Country

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 22:45:37 +0700

In the ancient Chinese text Zhanguo ce, there is a story about the ruler of Jin, Duke Xian-gong, to whom especially cunning diplomatic methods are attributed. One of them was pressure on a rival through the placement of an attractive young man in his inner circle.

Was Atatürk Gay or Bisexual?

Sun, 07 Dec 2025 22:45:37 +0700

In this article, we first briefly look at the biography of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his personality, and his short family life. Then, drawing on memoirs, diplomatic documents, and historians’ works, we trace the origins and evolution of the claim that he may have been homosexual or bisexual.

The Story of the 2016 “Twinks for Trump” Photo Shoot

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:30:32 +0700

In 2016, at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, a photo project titled \u201CTwinks for Trump\u201D was presented. It was a series of photographs featuring young, slim, and often shirtless gay men wearing baseball caps that read \u201CMake America Great Again.\u201D

The Story of Syrian General Suheil al-Hasan, Nicknamed 'The Tiger'

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:10:32 +0700

Origins and Early Service

Suheil al-Hasan was born in 1970 in Syria’s Latakia province.

Al-Hasan is an Alawite. The Alawites are a religious community associated with the Shiite branch of Islam. Their doctrine includes elements of Islam, Christianity, and certain ancient Near Eastern traditions. In Latakia, Alawites make up a significant share of the population, and in Syria, members of this community have traditionally held prominent positions in the army and state institutions.

Why German Gay Men Vote for the Alternative for Germany

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:10:32 +0700

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) recorded the highest level of support among users of the Romeo dating platform, which is aimed at gay and bisexual men. In a poll conducted from January 24 to February 2, more than 60,000 respondents reported their preferences for the federal election. The AfD received 27.9% of the vote. At a clear distance were the Greens (19.9%), the Christian Democratic Union (17.6%), and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (12.5%).

The Execution of the Siamese Gay Prince Rakronnaret (Kraison): Power and a Charge of Treason

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:10:32 +0700

In 1848, King Rama III of Siam sentenced his friend, Prince Rakronnaret – also known as Kraison – to death. The prince, who was openly in relationships with men, was charged with treason. His execution followed the traditional method reserved for high-ranking individuals: he was placed in a velvet sack and beaten to death with clubs.

Did Swedes Really Take Sick Leave for Homosexuality to Protest or Get Out of Work?

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 00:10:32 +0700

Until 1979, Sweden officially classified homosexuality as a mental illness, even though it had been legal since 1944. This historical detail is linked to a common misconception that spread online in the early 2010s. According to some posts, large numbers of Swedes supposedly took sick leave by claiming they “felt gay/lesbian,” either as a protest or simply to avoid work.

The Story and Controversy Around the LGBT Military Unit TQILA During the War Against ISIS in Syria

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:10:32 +0700

In 2017, an international group of volunteers fighting alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces against ISIS in northern Syria announced the creation of what they described as the first LGBT military unit in history. The unit was called the Queer Insurrection and Liberation Army (TQILA) and was formed within the International Revolutionary People’s Guerrilla Forces (IRPGF).

Homosexuality in the 18th-Century Russian Empire — Homophobic Laws Borrowed From Europe and How They Were Enforced

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 22:45:37 +0700

The 18th century was a time when Russia was becoming one of the leading powers of Europe. It was also when the state for the first time established a punishment for male same-sex relations in secular law. Under Peter the Great, in 1706, Russia adopted an especially harsh provision borrowed from Western European practice — death by burning. At first, it applied only to the military, above all to soldiers.