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• Publishers win lawsuit against controversial book ban in Florida

  Aug 19, 2025 Marc Dirix

  A federal judge ruled last Friday that Florida’s HB2019 law, which allowed parents to remove books with alleged sexual content from school libraries and classrooms, was overly broad and unconstitutional.
  “Historically, librarians curate their collections based on professional judgment, not by orders from above,” the judge stated. “There are also indications that the law swept up far more non-obscene books than just the titles mentioned here.”

  The law was also used to remove, in addition to titles such as Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Richard Wright’s Native Son, and Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five, books with LGBTQ themes from school libraries.

  Last year alone, some 4,500 books were pulled from various school libraries. Under the 2023 law, Florida schools could be pressured to remove books deemed “inappropriate” or “too pornographic” by parents. In the Collier County School District, more than 350 books were removed under HB1069, including If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo and Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett. Other well-known LGBTQ+ titles, such as And Tango Makes Three, I Am Jazz, and Jacob’s New Dress, were also banned across multiple Florida districts due to the law’s vague wording. According to research by PEN America, 39% of the books removed in more than one district were LGBTQ-related.

  Several major publishers, including Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishing, and Simon & Schuster, joined with a number of authors to challenge the law in court. The judge’s ruling emphasized that schools must rely on a U.S. Supreme Court precedent: whether the average person would find the work as a whole sexually arousing; whether it depicts sexual content in an offensive manner; and whether the work lacks literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

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• Turkey arrests LGBTQ activist after speech to the Council of Europe

  Aug 15, 2025 Marc Dirix

  The Turkish youth delegate to the Council of Europe and LGBTI+ activist, Enes Hocaoğulları, was arrested upon his return at Ankara Airport. The arrest took place on August 5. Turkish authorities accuse him of defamation for speaking out during a Council of Europe address against the arrests of several Turkish mayors.

  On March 19, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to protest the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The main political rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, he was detained on charges of corruption. Within days, he was expected to be nominated by the Republican People’s Party (CHP) as its presidential candidate for the upcoming election.

  Enes Hocaoğulları is a youth activist and international relations coordinator at ÜniKuir, an Ankara-based association advocating for the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ people within Turkish universities. Turkish authorities claim that Enes “spread misleading information” and “incited public hatred” after, in his speech before the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, he denounced police violence and the arrest of elected mayors back home. His remarks quickly became the target of a coordinated smear campaign, portraying him and his organisation ÜniKuir as agents of “moral corruption” and “foreign influence.” The public prosecutor alleges that Enes’s statements “damaged Turkey’s international reputation.”

  Enes’s case is being closely monitored by European institutions and human rights organisations. According to ILGA-Europe, the court has accepted the indictment and confirmed his arrest, rejecting his lawyers’ appeal. His first hearing is scheduled for September 8, and he will remain in detention until then. He is currently being held in Sincan Prison in Ankara.

   

  Enes’s arrest comes amid an escalation of anti-LGBTI+ measures in Turkey. Following the declaration of 2025 as the “Year of the Family,” the government has introduced new laws restricting access to trans healthcare, censoring LGBTI+ content, and targeting queer student organisations. His arrest must be seen as part of this broader campaign against LGBTI+ rights.

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• Swiss pediatrician elected new Mister Gay Europe

  Aug 2, 2025 Marc Dirix

  On Friday evening in Amsterdam, 30-year-old Swiss pediatrician and firefighter Michael Pereira was elected the new Mister Gay Europe.
  He succeeds Dutchman Tim Kusters, who held the title for the past two years. Mister Gay Belgium and teacher Imran Nawaz was elected first runner-up. The second runner-up was 28-year-old Dutch entrepreneur Kadeem van de Pol.

  During the one-and-a-half-hour show on Dam Square, the twelve finalists introduced themselves to the public. Throughout the past week, they had to prove themselves in several challenges, including a written test on LGBTQ rights, athletic trials, and photoshoots. A professional jury judged each part of the competition, and the public could also vote online for their favorite.

   

  The new Mister Gay Europe wants to use his position as a pediatrician to support LGBTQ children. “With my project Safe to Grow, I want to ensure that no child ever grows up alone and afraid because of who they are,” said Michael Pereira during the election show in Amsterdam. “I stand for safe spaces, education, visibility, empowerment, and real support.”

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• Florida Subpoenas Restaurant Over Drag Show Guests

  Jul 31, 2025 Marc Dirix

  The public prosecutor of the U.S. state of Florida has ordered a popular restaurant in Vero Beach to identify all attendees of its drag shows.

  Last month, The Kilted Mermaid restaurant hosted a drag performance to celebrate Pride Month. According to Florida’s Attorney General, James Uthmeier, “adult, sexualized performers” performed in the presence of children.
  In May, a federal court ruled that a 2023 law banning drag shows in Florida may be unconstitutional. The law, supported by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, aimed to punish venues that allow children to attend “adult live performances.” While drag shows were not explicitly mentioned, the sponsor of the legislation stated that such performances were indeed the target. Under the law, establishments could have their liquor licenses revoked. The court temporarily blocked the law after a local restaurant that hosted drag shows filed a legal challenge, arguing the measure violated free speech rights.

   

  That suspension did not stop Uthmeier from issuing a subpoena to The Kilted Mermaid. The subpoena, issued earlier this month, requests copies of guest lists, reservation records, surveillance footage, and contracts identifying performers. The prosecutor announced the action in a press release, which was filled with anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and attacked the tens of thousands of people who have attended drag events in the state: “In Florida, we don’t sacrifice the innocence of children for the perversions of some demented adults.”

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• Trans women excluded from WDF women’s darts tournaments

  Jul 30, 2025 Marc Dirix

  Dutch darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven, like other trans women, is no longer welcome at women’s tournaments organized by the WDF darts federation. She is being excluded following a recent change to the eligibility criteria for women's competitions. On Monday, the world’s second-largest darts federation announced that its legal bodies had approved the decision — initially proposed in 2024 — by majority vote. The measure takes effect immediately.

  “We understand that these changes may be challenging for those wishing to participate in these tournaments,” the WDF wrote. “Those affected will be contacted.”

  Van Leuven is still allowed to participate in WDF tournaments in the so-called “open category,” which also includes all men. However, the women’s category is now exclusively reserved for women assigned female at birth.

  The Dutch trans woman meets the gender eligibility requirements set by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA), but she is no longer allowed to compete in WDF women’s events. She is still permitted to take part in tournaments organized by the largest darts federation, the PDC.

  On her Instagram account, Noa-Lynn van Leuven expressed her disappointment at the WDF’s new policy:
  “This decision affects me personally — though, fortunately, its impact is not too severe at this point,” she wrote. “But still... it hurts. Once again, it’s a loss for the trans community in sports. And that breaks my heart.

  As a trans person in the darts world, I know how vital inclusion is — not just on paper, but in practice. It’s disheartening to see yet another policy, framed as ‘fairness,’ that ultimately results in exclusion without truly considering the people behind the labels. My heart goes out to all the athletes affected by this. We remain visible. We keep going.”

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• Hepatitis C declines, but vigilance still needed

  Jul 28, 2025 Marc Dirix

  In Belgium, the number of hepatitis C cases has been decreasing since the introduction of direct-acting antiviral treatments. The number of hepatitis B cases, however, remains relatively stable. This is according to new figures from Sciensano, released in connection with World Hepatitis Day (July 28). At the same time, Sciensano continues to call for stronger prevention, screening, and treatment efforts, especially for vulnerable population groups.

  Hepatitis B and C are viral liver infections that can lead to chronic disease, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. They are often asymptomatic but can be easily detected. Hepatitis C is treatable, and there is a highly effective vaccine for hepatitis B, which has been part of Belgium’s infant vaccination program since 1999.

  In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global strategy aiming to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

  Hepatitis C: Decline in cases, but continued efforts required

  In 2022, an estimated 700 new hepatitis C cases were recorded in Belgium — about 6 per 100,000 people, in line with WHO targets. The number has declined steadily since 2019, when treatment reimbursement was extended to all infected individuals. Men are more affected than women (60%), and the average age at diagnosis is 50.

  People who inject drugs remain the most affected group in Europe. Other high-risk groups include men who have sex with men, people in prison, migrants from high-prevalence countries, and the homeless.

  Nearly 800,000 screening tests were reimbursed in 2023, a 5% increase from the previous year. Nonetheless, more action is needed to reach the most vulnerable and to reduce hepatitis C stigma.

  Hepatitis B: Case numbers remain too high despite effective vaccine

  The number of hepatitis B cases in Belgium has not declined and still exceeds WHO targets. In 2022, 1,915 new cases were estimated, or 16.5 per 100,000 people. The average age at diagnosis is 46, and men are slightly more affected (56%).

  Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact. Those with multiple partners or risky sexual behavior are at higher risk. Unvaccinated migrants from high-prevalence countries are also particularly vulnerable.

  In 2023, almost 763,000 screening tests were reimbursed — 65 per 1,000 residents — with an increase in testing across all three regions.

  World Hepatitis Day: A Call to Action

  To help eliminate hepatitis by 2030, Sciensano is calling for intensified prevention, vaccination, screening, and treatment. Key actions include:

  • Increasing hepatitis B vaccination rates, especially among high-risk groups

  • Ensuring early childhood vaccination for lifelong protection

  • Guaranteeing access to screening and care for people with limited healthcare access

  • Raising awareness among at-risk groups and healthcare providers

  Sciensano also stresses the importance of prevention efforts such as:

  • Promoting condom use to reduce sexually transmitted infections

  • Strengthening harm-reduction programs for drug use

  • Combating stigma and discrimination to improve the quality of life for people with hepatitis

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• US Olympic Committee excludes transgender women

  Jul 23, 2025 Marc Dirix

  The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has quietly amended its regulations to bar transgender women from participating in women’s sports. With this move, the USOPC aligns itself with Presidential Order 14201, issued in January: Ban men from women’s sports.

  Until now, the USOPC had left decisions about excluding trans athletes up to the national sports federations.
  The amended policy statement was published Monday without announcement on the Committee’s website and was also sent by letter to the national sports bodies. With Trump’s presidential order, trans girls and women are excluded from school and college sports, and restrictions are also imposed on foreign trans athletes who wish to compete in the U.S. As the Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place in Los Angeles in 2028, the new policy would also apply to both events.

  In a press release, the National Women’s Law Center condemned the USOPC’s decision to amend its regulations.

  “The world is watching with alarm at the loss of freedom and opportunity in our country, especially as the United States is expected to host future Olympic events,” said Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of the Law Center.
  “The Committee will learn, as so many other institutions have, that there is no benefit in appeasing the endless, shifting, and petulant demands coming out of the White House.”

   

  “By giving in to political pressure, the USOPC is sacrificing the needs and safety of its own athletes. The vagueness of the Committee’s policy will leave athletes unprotected from humiliating sex-testing practices. Athletes will now be subject to intrusive questioning and traumatizing physical exams to prove they are ‘woman enough’ to participate. The USOPC should focus its energy on the real and serious inequalities harming women athletes: fewer opportunities to participate in sports compared to boys and men; worse facilities, coaching, and equipment, putting girls and women at greater risk of injury; and widespread sexual harassment and assault against female athletes.”

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• New cycling competition rules annulled by court for discriminating against trans women

  Jul 23, 2025 Marc Dirix

  The competition regulations for women's races, tightened by an international cycling organization in July 2023, have been ruled discriminatory against trans women by the Brussels Court of First Instance. The ruling follows a case brought by a trans cyclist against the international cycling body and the Belgian cycling federation. The athlete was excluded based on the new regulations, which imposed strict conditions on trans women's participation in female categories. The court found the rules discriminatory and annulled them. The organization must pay moral damages to the athlete. Both organizations can still appeal the decision.

  Until mid-2023, the cyclist met the eligibility criteria for women’s races. The previous regulations required a very low testosterone level for at least 24 uninterrupted months. Since July 2023, however, the rules have changed: trans women must now prove they began transitioning before puberty or, at the latest, before age 12 in order to compete in the women’s category. This change led to the revocation of the athlete’s license and her immediate exclusion from women’s competitions.

  New conditions are disproportionate, unscientific, and unrealistic

  The court held that the new rules create unequal treatment between cis and trans women. For such differential treatment to be lawful, it must pursue a legitimate goal and be necessary and proportionate. While the court acknowledged the aim of fairness in female sports, it found the new rules excessive and unsupported by scientific evidence.

  The court noted that the cycling organization itself had previously warned of the lack of reliable scientific data on the matter and had recognized the need for new research. The organization’s medical director repeatedly stated that current knowledge does not support the claim that trans women retain an advantage from male puberty. The court concluded: “There is no scientific proof that women’s cycling competitions, which include both cisgender and transgender women, pose a threat to sporting fairness.”

  The court also ruled that requiring transition before the age of 12 is unrealistic and effectively excludes all trans women. In practice, it would require the use of puberty blockers from a very early age.

  A landmark ruling for trans cyclists

   

  The court’s order is immediately enforceable and prevents the organization from refusing licenses or participation in women’s races based on these rules. However, the organization may still choose to appeal.

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• Controversy over the organization of the Mister Gay Europe pageant in Amsterdam

  Jul 21, 2025 Marc Dirix

  Controversy has erupted around the Mister Gay Europe competition, scheduled to take place on August 1st in Amsterdam. While the official social media accounts of the event have been introducing the contestants and first jury members, the Mister Gay Europe organization (MGEO) has announced it is severing all ties with YDS Events, the company of Bram Bierkens responsible for organizing the Amsterdam edition. “To our great disappointment, we had to learn through a press release just one week before the event that the 'MGE Office' was ending the collaboration,” YDS Events responded. Despite MGEO’s threat not to officially recognize the winner in Amsterdam, the event will go ahead as planned.

  Mister Gay Europe was first organized in 2005 by Morten Rudå and Tore Aasheim during EuroPride in Oslo. In the years that followed, the event was held in various countries by national organizers under MGEO’s supervision. Two years ago, the competition was put on pause to be reimagined. As a result, Tim Kusters’ title was extended until August this year, and it was announced that the next election would take place in the Netherlands, with a follow-up cruise edition in 2025. Bram Bierkens, known for organizing Mister Gay Belgium, and his company YDS Events were chosen to host the Dutch edition. The grand final is scheduled for August 1st on Dam Square.

  That is, until now. On Monday evening, MGEO issued a press release cutting ties with Bierkens and YDS Events, stating that the Amsterdam event would no longer be recognized as an official Mister Gay Europe competition. Consequently, the winner will not be acknowledged as Mister Gay Europe. The statement claims YDS Events failed to meet contractual obligations, did not sign the license, and refused to share information about sponsorships, financial records, or participant agreements. MGEO also criticized the exclusion of long-time human rights lawyer and jury member Coenie Kukkuk and objected to the reintroduction of the swimwear segment, reportedly included due to a sponsorship deal that MGEO was not allowed to review.

  In response, Bram Bierkens denies the allegations and insists the event will proceed. He blames the communication breakdown on MGEO. “For over a year, we have poured our hearts into preparing MGE 2025 Amsterdam – with a strong program, unique locations, excellent hotel and restaurant partners, and a spectacular final show on Dam Square,” YDS Events stated. “We aimed to build more than just a pageant – we wanted to create a meaningful platform.”

  To protect their work and the future of the project, YDS Events announced they had registered the “Mr. Gay Europe” trademark and logo, which had not yet been officially claimed. “For all involved in MGE 2025 Amsterdam, nothing changes,” said Bierkens. “The event will proceed as planned – with full support from MainStage Pride Amsterdam, former winners, and our growing network of partners.”

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• No fines for participants in Budapest Pride

  Jul 8, 2025 Marc Dirix

  Participants in the banned Pride march in Budapest on June 28 no longer have to fear fines or prison sentences. In a statement, the Budapest police announced that they will not take further legal action against the more than 200,000 people who joined the banned march.

  The announcement came as a surprise. In the days leading up to the parade, police had prohibited the event, citing a law passed in March by Viktor Orbán's government that bans all LGBTQ+ events. Participants in such “prohibited” gatherings risk fines of up to 500 euros. Organisers of LGBTQ+ events face prison sentences of up to one year. Police are also allowed to use facial recognition technology to identify and fine participants.

   

  Eventually, the mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, declared that Pride was a “municipal celebration” and could not be banned under Hungarian law. The mayor is now himself the subject of a police investigation. Observers see the police’s decision as a new and unexpected defeat for Orbán’s authoritarian policies. The record turnout at the Pride march was also seen as a strong signal of resistance to the government’s repressive stance.

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