Former foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics has become the first openly gay head of state of a European Union nation. Rinkevics, was sworn in as Latvia’s president on Saturday in Riga. Rinkevics, 49, first came out in 2014. Gay marriage is illegal in Latvia, although same-sex unions are recognised.   “The social divide in our society is too big,” he said. “During my presidency, I will stand up for the creation of a modern and strong Latvia, for a legal and just Latvia, for the wellbeing of the people, for an inclusive and respectful society. “And it is possible for all of us to achieve this ..read more

Smash hit musical A Strange Loop has arrived in London. It’s about being black, fat and queer and RuPaul called it above and beyond brilliant and Billy Porter said it’s one of the best musicals ever. Nigel Robinson talks to star of the show Kyle Ramar Freeman about the show, his church background, and acceptance on the gay scene Is this your first time in London? How are you finding it? Yes, it’s my first time although I haven’t been able to explore much it as I have been in rehearsal. How do you get into the performing arts in the first place? I got into performance at church. I grew up in a ..read more

Adam Lambert will headline this year’s Pride in London on 1 July in Trafalgar Square In a major coup, Pride in London have enlisted gay megastar as the main act on the stage in Trafalgar Square. Joining him will be Broadway legend Idina Mendez and American Idol Todrick Hall. Appearing on Trafalgar, Leicester, Golden and Soho Squares  and Dean Street will be the biggest selection of LGBTQ+ talent the capital has ever seen,. Pride in London takes over the nation’s capital on Saturday 1 July. It is going to be great.  Go to  https://prideinlondon.org/ The post Adam for Pride in Lon ..read more

The Chelsea Flower Show has just hosted its first wedding. And it’s a gay wedding. Award-winning garden designer Manoj Malde married Clive Gilmour on Monday 22 May, in a garden that Manoj designed. Manoj is the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) ambassador for inclusivity and diversity. Manoj said: “We’ve had the outfits made in India and I’ve asked all the ladies in my family to wear saris, so it’ll be really nice to have that tradition as well. ‘How on earth is anyone going to accuse the RHS of being elitist when they are going to have the first RHS Chelsea wedding between a gay Indian man ..read more

Lesbians and bisexual women are at greater risk of heart disease then their heterosexual counterparts, new findings have shown. The survey was conducted with 169,434 individuals in 21 cities in France. It is unclear why this should be but it has been noted that more lesbians and bi women are likely to smoke and that more lesbians are overweight or obese compared to heterosexual women. Gay men, however, have better cardiovascular health than heterosexual men, and are less likely to be obese. It was also noted that tobacco and alcohol companies, with their attendant health dangers, target the LG ..read more

Abomination is a new opera starring Northern Ireland’s most famous drag queen. Cary Gee meets up with Matt Cavan to discuss homophobia, the art of drag, living with HIV, and life in Matt’s beloved Belfast In a now infamous interview with BBC Radio Ulster presenter Stephen Nolan in 2008, Democratic Unionist Politician Iris Robinson, invited to offer her views on a recent violent homophobic attack in the city called homosexuality disgusting, loathsome, nauseating, wicked and vile. It was, she said, an abomination but one she believed could be “cured” through conversion therapy. Her words have be ..read more

Given the schizophrenic nature of Bowie’s follow-up to Ziggy Stardust, it is perhaps fitting that this live tribute, orchestrated by the Nu Civilisation Orchestra to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its release, should be performed by a veritable rainbow of queer talent, writes CARY GEE. First up, introduced by the indomitable Amy Lamé, wearing a metallic rainbow dress she assures us was once worn by Kylie, is man of the moment, Jake Shears. Oddly he is the only American booked to sing from the album Bowie himself described as “Ziggy goes to America”. He gives his all to Watch that Man, but ..read more

RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon is to join the cast of Doctor Who. The star who won the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the seventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, set for a “major role” in the new series which will air towards the end of the year. It has not been revealed which role Monsoon will be playing. “I’m honoured, thrilled, and utterly excited to join Doctor Who,” the drag queen said. “[Showrunner] Russell T Davies is a visionary and a brilliant writer. I can’t wait to get into the weeds with him and the crew! I hope there’s room in the TARDIS for my luggag ..read more

The International Transgender Day of Visibility occurs every 31 March. It aims to celebrate the lives of transgender and non-binary people the world over and to raise awareness of the discrimination many of that community face in their daily lives. Today is the opportunity for all those in the LGBTQ+ community to show their support for their trans brothers and sisters and the bravery they show every day in being their true selves. In a proclamation on 30 March Joe Biden said: “We see them, they belong, and they should be treated with dignity and respect. Their courage has given countless other ..read more

The new legislation in Uganda concerning same-sex activity after the country’s parliament unanimously passed its anti-homosexuality bill confirms an already existing punishment of up to life imprisonment for same-sex activities, although this is seldom brought into force. It increases to 10 years an attempt at same-sex activity. It also advocates the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”, and also makes it a duty for the family of a gay person’s family to report them to the police, with a fine or six months’ imprisonment. It also outlaws the “promotion of homosexuality” with a punishmen ..read more