Saudi Arabia assures safe environment for LGBTQ fans at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia assures safe environment for LGBTQ fans at 2034 World Cup

England’s Football Association (FA) has clarified its decision to support Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup and says that it has received “assurances” from the Gulf country that LGBTQ fans will be “safe and welcome.” This statement came after FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday, December  11, confirmed Saudi Arabia as the … Read more

A California church sparks a debate over faith, freedom and hate – The Mercury News

A California church sparks a debate over faith, freedom and hate – The Mercury News

One afternoon in late January, a crowd gathered with a purpose outside the Hotel del Coronado. The conservative evangelical Awaken Church was holding its first service in the city as part of a long effort to establish a church there, and some residents were protesting. “No place for hate,” they chanted, waving Pride flags and … Read more

Colorado winter festivals 2024-2025: Steamboat carnival, Cripple Creek

Colorado winter festivals 2024-2025: Steamboat carnival, Cripple Creek

The days are short, the nights are long, and snow is starting to pile up in the Rockies, which is a sure sign that winter is officially here. Time to break out your puffy coat and your ice scraper. You probably already have rad winter plans, like shredding the slopes with your Ikon or Epic … Read more

Is Thailand the next big LGBTQ wedding destination? Insiders think so

Is Thailand the next big LGBTQ wedding destination? Insiders think so

On September 24, Thailand celebrated the landmark passage of a marriage equality bill. The legislation, which goes into effect in January 2025, will solidify Thailand’s reputation as a progressive and inclusive destination. Wedding organisers and planners around the globe are already taking note, including Next Chapter LGBT, which has been helping Hong Kong LGBTQ couples … Read more

Protests in Georgia as poll commission confirms pro-Russia ruling party’s win – POLITICO

Protests in Georgia as poll commission confirms pro-Russia ruling party’s win – POLITICO

Many Georgians viewed the vote as a pivotal referendum on the country’s effort to join the EU. Granted candidate status last year, Georgia saw its EU accession process halted over the summer after ruling party Georgian Dream passed a slew of Russian-style legislation targeting Western-backed NGOs and cracking down on LGBTQ+ rights. EU foreign ministers will … Read more

Georgia’s ruling party on course for victory amid charges of vote-rigging – POLITICO

Georgia’s ruling party on course for victory amid charges of vote-rigging – POLITICO

According to Ketevan Chachava, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, “the polling station results we are seeing now are based on the electronic voting machines — around two-thirds of the overall, but that could still change. However, the expectation is that Georgian Dream’s votes would be lower than previous elections and this figure … Read more

Europe or Russia? For Georgians, the choice isn’t so simple – POLITICO

Europe or Russia? For Georgians, the choice isn’t so simple – POLITICO

But is this really the decision Georgians are making? Is the binary that clear cut? I’m not so sure. To understand the political situation in any country, Georgia included, ask a cab driver, the old adage goes. Maybe the average Joe — or in this case, Giorgi — could shed some light. As he steered his … Read more

French government split on halting football matches over homophobic chants – POLITICO

French government split on halting football matches over homophobic chants – POLITICO

PSG was sanctioned last year after fans sang the same chant at their home field, the Parc des Princes, before a match against Marseille. This time, the stadium announcer attempted but failed to interrupt the chant, saying that the Qatari-owned club stands against homophobia and discrimination. Homophobic chants are a persistent issue in French football, … Read more

Is this the end for Georgian Dream?  – POLITICO

Is this the end for Georgian Dream?  – POLITICO

With parliamentary elections set for late October, and EU membership negotiations due to start shortly thereafter, the timing of this behavior was largely puzzling. However, an even greater riddle was the ruling party’s 12-year reign: If Georgians were so passionate about Western integration, why did they keep reelecting the anti-EU Georgian Dream (GD) for more … Read more

Uranus 2324 movie review: LGBTQ stars FreenBecky in Thai sci-fi girls’ love film

Uranus 2324 movie review: LGBTQ stars FreenBecky in Thai sci-fi girls’ love film

2/5 stars The on-screen coupling of Freen Sarocha Chankimha and Rebecca Patricia Armstrong, known collectively as “FreenBecky” to their legions of adoring fans, transitions to the big screen in Uranus 2324, a sprawling sci-fi romance charting the love affair between two young women across the endless expanses of space and time. The film is the … Read more