LGBTQ+ News Roundup: May 12–18, 2025
The week spanning May 12 to 18, 2025, witnessed significant developments in LGBTQ+ rights and representation across the globe. From policy shifts to cultural milestones, here's a comprehensive overview of the key stories:
🇬🇧 UK Drops in European LGBTQ+ Rights Rankings
The United Kingdom has fallen to its lowest position on ILGA-Europe's annual "Rainbow Map," which assesses European countries based on LGBTQ+ rights and policies. This decline is attributed to recent legal and political developments, including a UK Supreme Court ruling that redefined the Equality Act to affirm "biological sex," undermining transgender rights. Additionally, the Scottish government's abandonment of plans to ban conversion therapy and increasing waiting times for gender-affirming healthcare have further impacted the UK's standing. The Guardian
🇺🇸 WorldPride 2025 Commences in Washington, D.C.
WorldPride 2025 has begun in Washington, D.C., with events starting on May 17 and culminating in a major parade and concerts on June 7–8. This global LGBTQ+ celebration arrives amid tensions due to the Trump administration's policies limiting transgender rights and restricting federal funding for gender-affirming care. These actions have led to warnings from international LGBTQ+ groups advising against travel to the U.S., and some participants plan to boycott in protest or out of safety concerns. Despite reduced international attendance, domestic participation is expected to rise, emphasizing the urgency of visibility and resistance. AP News
🌐 Global Impact of U.S. Policies on LGBTQ+ Rights
The return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency has intensified global anti-LGBTQ+ repression, affecting communities from Africa to Eastern Europe. Human Rights Watch notes that Trump's leadership has emboldened far-right and authoritarian movements, leading to significant consequences for queer and trans individuals. One major impact is the rollback of PEPFAR, a U.S. AIDS relief program crucial for marginalized groups in the Global South. The cuts have resulted in widespread shutdowns of clinics in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, leaving many without life-saving HIV treatment. Them
🇭🇺 Hungary Bans Pride Marches
On March 18, 2025, the Hungarian Parliament passed a bill banning assemblies that promote or display homosexuality to persons under 18, effectively prohibiting Pride marches. Participants may face fines up to €500, while organizers can face up to one year in prison. The bill also authorizes police to use facial recognition systems to identify participants. Protests erupted in multiple Hungarian cities and internationally in opposition to the law.
🇮🇹 Italy's Crackdown on Same-Sex Parents
In Padua, Italy, 33 families with same-sex mothers now risk losing legal recognition of their parental status. The Public Prosecutor's Office has requested alterations to their children's birth certificates, potentially removing non-biological parents from official records. This move follows the Italian government's broader efforts to limit the rights of same-sex couples with children, including halting the legal registration of such families. Worldcrunch
📱 GLAAD Report Highlights Decline in LGBTQ+ Safety on Social Media
A new 2025 report from GLAAD indicates a concerning decline in LGBTQ+ safety on major social media platforms. Platforms like YouTube and Meta (which oversees Facebook, Instagram, and Threads) have recently removed or weakened hate speech policies protecting LGBTQ+ individuals. For instance, YouTube eliminated "gender identity and expression" from its protected characteristics, while Meta altered its policy to allow references to LGBTQ+ people as "abnormal" or "mentally ill." GLAAD urges companies to adopt clear anti-harassment policies and release transparency reports on anti-LGBTQ+ content moderation. Them
🇧🇪 Brussels Hosts Its First Dyke March
Brussels is set to host its first-ever Dyke March on May 16, 2025. The event aims to provide a platform for dykes to advocate for issues disproportionately affecting them, emphasizing intersectionality and inclusivity. The march's manifesto highlights commitments to fighting against racism, capitalism, colonialism, environmental destruction, and other forms of discrimination rooted in patriarchy and cis-heteronormativity. Wikipedia
🎭 Family Equality Gala Honors LGBTQ+ Advocates
On May 12, 2025, Family Equality hosted its annual Night at the Pier gala in New York City, celebrating advocates of LGBTQ+ family rights. The event honored Jason Weinberg and Merritt Johnson with the Luigi Caiola Luminary Award and recognized figures like Peggy Gillespie and Jim Obergefell for their contributions to family diversity and marriage equality. The gala, attended by over 1,200 guests, raised $1.5 million to promote legal and social protections for LGBTQ+ families. People.com
These developments underscore the ongoing challenges and triumphs within the LGBTQ+ community globally. From policy changes affecting rights and protections to cultural celebrations of identity and history, the week highlighted the resilience and diversity of LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.