
UK NEWS
Polari Prize paused after mass withdrawals over inclusion of anti-trans author, John Boyne
After controversy hit the LGBTQ+ book world last week when over half the nominated authors pulled their books from The Polari Prize long list in protest of the inclusion of an anti-Trans author, today organiser Paul Burston, founder of the Polari Prize, announced the prize this year will be paused pending a review. For both authors and book lovers alike, The Polari Prize has become a much loved and respected celebration of the best fiction and non-fiction work by LGBTQ+ authors. But what’s happened, and why are over 800 industry professionals objecting to the prizes’ actions this year? The Polari Prize itself comprises two prizes, including the titular Polari Prize as well as the First Book Prize for debut authors. When the longlist for both was announced on the 1st August, many noted the inclusion of John Boyne and his novella Earth.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
Trans Legal Clinic supports Britain’s first publicly transgender judge as she takes UK Supreme Court appeal to Europe
Britain’s first openly transgender judge, Dr Victoria McCloud, along with lawyers from the Trans Legal Clinic, have appealed to the European Court of Human Rights today over the UK Supreme Court ruling on “biological sex” The case is being brought by the trans lead legal team through its new Strategic Litigation Service, in partnership with W Legal. This marks the first time in history that a case has been taken to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) by a trans-led legal team.. Victoria McCloud had requested to be part of the decision, arguing that the Supreme Court’s ruling could directly impact her and other trans individuals. The court rejected her application.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
Warwickshire Pride vandalised for the third consecutive year prompting community cleanup
Organisers have spoken out after the Warwickshire Pride site in Leamington was vandalised for a third year in a row, with significant damage to a trans tent. Dan Browne, chair of the county Pride, said that “a gang” attacked the site overnight ahead of the event on Friday 16 August, with flags being torn down or stolen “as per usual,” in a video on social media. Browne added that tents were damaged, with “the trans tent in particular … pretty trashed.” In the Instagram video, Browne said: “This is my annual f**k you to the people who come and attack Pride and what we’re trying to do. Absolute arsewipes.” He also called on the community to help clean up, prompting a strong turnout. “We’ve managed to turn the vandalism, the negativity and the hate into something positive – pure community power.”
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

WORLD NEWS
Two young men ‘sentenced to 80 strokes of public caning’ after hugging and kissing in Indonesia
Two men in Indonesia’s Aceh province have reportedly been sentenced to 80 strokes of public caning after hugging and kissing each other. In a recent ruling that has drawn international condemnation, the men – aged 20 and 21 – were found guilty of engaging in what the court deemed “sexual acts”. According to NBC News, they were arrested in April after residents reported seeing them enter the same toilet at Taman Sari city park. Aceh is the only province in Indonesia that enforces Sharia law, under which homosexuality is explicitly prohibited. Since the implementation of Sharia law in 2006, this marks the fifth public caning sentence related to homosexuality in the province.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
La Voix is the seventh celebrity contestant announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2025
Drag Race star La Voix is the seventh celebrity taking part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. A powerhouse of charisma, comedy, and cabaret, La Voix stole the show and hearts of viewers on the series. With four RuPeter Badges under her belt and a place in the Grand Finale, she was awarded runner-up and quickly became a fan favourite. She wowed the judges as a semi-finalist on Britain's Got Talent, being declared a “a force to be reckoned with” by judge Alesha Dixon, and graced the silver screen in the cult comedy Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. Alongside bringing a whole host of La Voix’s artistry to Strictly, performer Chris Dennis is excited for viewers to go beyond the stage persona and meet the real him.
NEWS SOURCE: BBC NEWS

UK NEWS
Nicola Sturgeon defends trans community despite saying trans criminals forfeit ‘the right to be the gender of their choice’
Nicola Sturgeon, former first minister of Scotland, has reiterated her support for transgender rights, expressing concern that the right wing might exploit debates over LGBTQ+ gender issues. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Sturgeon spoke on the “stigmatised” community saying she believes there are “forces on the far right who have weaponised this issue” to oppose “gay rights or minority rights or women’s rights.” “Usually what I say on this issue gets misrepresented,” the politician continued, referencing a recent interview with ITV. This comes as discussions continue about Scotland’s handling of transgender prisoners, particularly following the case of Isla Bryson.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

WORLD NEWS
US Supreme Court faces bid to overturn same-sex marriage decision
Same-sex marriage in the US is facing debate a decade after the US Supreme Court’s landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, as former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis appealed to the court. Davis, who was jailed for six days in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, is now appealing a $100,000 jury award for emotional damages and $260,000 in attorneys’ fees. As reported by ABC News, she calls the Obergefell case “egregiously wrong” and says, “The mistake must be corrected.” Lower courts have rejected Davis’s claims. A federal appeals panel ruled that she “cannot raise the First Amendment as a defence because she is being held liable for state action, which the First Amendment does not protect.”
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

WORLD NEWS
Moroccan activist arrested over ‘Allah is Lesbian’ T-shirt
A Moroccan human rights activist has been arrested after posting a photo of herself wearing a T-shirt that reads “Allah is lesbian,” with free speech and women’s rights campaigners calling for her release. It was announced yesterday (10 August) that Ibtissam Lachgar, also known as Betty Lachgar, was taken into police custody by Moroccan authorities following a social media post made by her on X on 31 July, according to Le Monde. The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Morocco’s capital city Rabat confirmed an investigation had been launched for “offensive expressions towards God” and text considered “an offence to the Islamic religion.” Morocco’s blasphemy laws criminalise criticism of Islam, with penalties of up to five years in prison and fines for causing public outrage.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
Russell T Davies says gay rights ‘urgently getting worse’ referencing Reform UK and Trump
Russell T Davies has raised his concerns over the state of LGBTQ+ rights in the UK, warning they are “rapidly and urgently getting worse” due to the political rise of Reform UK. The It’s A Sin and Queer As Folk producer told The Big Issue that the LGBTQ+ community should be “revolting in terror and anger and action” in response to Nigel Farage‘s party growing support. Davies warned that US political trends often influence the UK. “What happens in America always happens here, and as we look down the barrel of a Reform government, we, the gay community, queer community, should be revolting in terror and anger and action.”
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
Fourth summer heatwave to begin, with temperatures surging to 34C
With temperatures climbing over 30C (86F) in the coming days, the fourth heatwave of the summer is forecast. Yellow heat health alerts, issued by the UK Health Security Agency, have been issued for most of England, except the north-east and north-west region, from Monday to Wednesday. Temperatures will exceed the official heatwave criteria for three consecutive days with a peak of 34C (93F) expected on Tuesday in the south Midlands. With very warm and humid air around until Wednesday, that will make it the fourth heatwave of the summer, particularly for east Wales, the Midlands, eastern and south-eastern areas of England.
NEWS SOURCE: BBC NEWS

UK NEWS
Premier League ends partnership with Stonewall
The Premier League will no longer take part in the Rainbow Laces campaign after ending its partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall. The charity and the Premier League began working together in 2014 to "help further promote LGBT+ equality in football". As first reported by the Daily Telegraph,, the Premier League now plans to launch its own inclusion campaign to coincide with LGBTQ+ History Month in February. Sources have told BBC Sport that the Premier League is continuing to work with clubs to reinforce the message that discrimination will not be tolerated and that existing education resources remain available. Many prominent organisations have ended their association with Stonewall in the last few years.
NEWS SOURCE: BBC NEWS

UK NEWS
Olly Alexander joins TEAM BEACON to run Brighton Half Marathon
Olly Alexander has announced he is joining Team Beacon, the Sussex Beacon’s challenge event group, adding he will be running on behalf of the Beacon in next year’s Brighton Half Marathon. Making the announcement via a video on social media, the award-winning singer/songwriter invited others to join him, explaining entry would be free of charge, in return for a minimum commitment to fundraise for the Sussex Beacon. Olly visited the Sussex Beacon in February, meeting with staff and service users, to discover more about the charity’s work supporting and caring for people living with HIV. Commenting further on the announcement, Olly said: “I’m so excited to be joining Team Beacon
NEWS SOURCE: SCENE MAG

UK NEWS
Peter Tatchell leads protest against Chick-fil-A’s UK expansion over LGBTQ+ concerns
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell is leading a campaign against US fast food chain Chick-fil-A from expanding to the UK, citing the company’s long history of funding organisations that have opposed LGBT+ rights.He fronted a protest today (17 August) outside the London offices of Lexington Communications, the PR agency representing Chick-fil-A’s UK expansion. Tatchell delivered a letter urging the firm to cut ties with the brand, j Chick-fil-A is planning to open branches in Kingston upon Thames, Liverpool and Leeds, but the Peter Tatchell Foundation says the company has never fully distanced itself from its past donations to groups that have campaigned against same-sex marriage and LGBT+ protections.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
Dear Viv: BBC to air documentary tribute to Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne
The life and legacy of The Vivienne, the beloved winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 1, is to be celebrated in a new BBC documentary airing later this August. Titled Dear Viv, the hour-long film was produced by World of Wonder with the blessing of The Vivienne’s family and close friends, and will show on Thursday 28 August on BBC Three and the BBC iPlayer. The documentary promises an intimate, celebratory portrait of the performer behind the crown, James Lee Williams, who tragically died earlier this year at the age of 32. Dear Viv traces the star’s rise from early childhood in North Wales and Liverpool to global recognition, using a blend of personal home videos, archive footage, family photos, and unseen moments from Drag Race UK.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
Mariah Carey hails 'amazing' Brighton Pride crowd
Singer Mariah Carey has hailed the crowd at her Brighton Pride show as "amazing". The five-time Grammy winner, who has sold more than 220 million albums worldwide, performed in Preston Park on Saturday as the headline act.. "I loved it. The people were amazing and just being there amongst friends was really nice," she told the Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2. By performing on Saturday night, Carey fulfilled a promise made to fans and Pride's organisers in 2020. She had been booked to headline that year, but the Covid-19 pandemic meant the annual event was cancelled. During the performance at Brighton Pride, Carey sang Hero and Fantasy, along with Sugar Sweet from her upcoming 16th studio album, Here For It All.
NEWS SOURCE: BBC NEWS

UK NEWS
Pride director praises 'hugely successful weekend'
The organisers of Brighton Pride have praised a "hugely successful weekend", despite issues with entry to some of the events. About 300,000 people flocked to the city for the celebrations, which included the Community Parade, Street Party in Marine Parade and Pride on the Park in Preston Park. Paul Kemp, managing director of Brighton Pride, said: "The overarching feeling I got was that people were having a fantastic time, that they love the events we put on and they love the city during pride." However, some attendees complained about the entry arrangements on Saturday, which prompted an apology from organisers regarding "longer than expected wait times" to enter the events.
NEWS SOURCE: BBC NEWS

UK NEWS
Hospice to become 'first for LGBTQ+ people in UK'
A hospice in East Sussex has announced it is to become the UK's first dedicated hospice for the LGBTQ+ community. The move by Sussex Beacon, based in Brighton, has been dubbed a "landmark development" by NHS Sussex, aiming to combine inclusive care with expertise in specialist HIV care. The charity has been offering palliative and end-of-life care to people with HIV for more than 30 years, recently expanding its services to the wider LGBTQ+ community, regardless of HIV status. Chief executive Rachel Brett told BBC Radio Sussex: "The community built the Beacon back in the 80s, and now we're giving it back – we're very excited." The initiative is being supported by the NHS Ms Brett said charitable funding remained important for the hospice's long-termsustainability.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

WORLD NEWS
Germany’s ‘oldest, biggest’ gay nightclub declares bankruptcy
SchwuZ, an iconic gay nightclub in Berlin, Germany, has filed for insolvency due to inflation and rising rents. Management troubles and dating apps are among the factors cited with putting SchwuZ at risk since last year. The queer hotspot confirmed the news in an Instagram post last Friday (1 August 2025). The 50-year-old dance institution was founded in Kreuzberg in 1977; located in Neukölln, it has space for over 1,000 partygoers. Posting on Instagram last Thursday (1 August 2025), SchwuZ reps reportedly said in a statement: “SchwuZ has filed for insolvency. But: we don’t want to give up!” In Germany, the phenomenon of night spots closing due to economic pressures is known as ‘Clubsterben’
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
EHRC to ‘ignore 50%’ of trans consultation responses, claim Good Law Project
It is alleged that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is set to ignore 50% of responses to its recent public consultation on trans issues, after internal memos were leaked. The consultation regarding proposed updates to statutory Code of Practice for public functions and single-sex spaces ran from 20 May to 30 June 2025. Over 50,000 took part in the consultation; it is the first time trans and gender-diverse members of the public were permitted to take part in the legal process. However, representatives for the Good Law Project have now claim the EHRC is planning to “not to read 50% of consultation responses.”
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
World-first gonorrhoea vaccine rollout begins in UK as infection rates soar
Gonorrhoea vaccines will be widely available from today in sexual health clinics across the UK, in a bid to tackle record-breaking levels of infections.. The jabs will first be offered to those at highest risk - mostly gay and bisexual men who have a history of multiple sexual partners or sexually transmitted infections. NHS England say the roll out is a world-first, and predict it could prevent as many as 100,000 cases, potentially saving the NHS almost £8m over the next decade. The Terrence Higgins Trust, who campaigned for the vaccine to be introduced in the UK, told the BBC it was "a huge win" for sexual health.
NEWS SOURCE: BBC NEWS

UK NEWS
Brighton and Hove Pride issues apology over queue 'chaos'
Organisers of Brighton and Hove Pride have issued an apology and promised a full review after "chaos" unfolded last night. The apology comes after people reportedly queued for hours to get into events at Preston Park and Marine Parade. Attendees on social media described the scenes as "chaos". Danielle Woolcott-King commented on Facebook: "The whole event was an absolute shambles. Too many people, terrible layout, really badly organised." The organisers posted on Instagram "We have listened to all your feedback and we will also be fully reviewing after the event to improve further for future years.
NEWS SOURCE: BRIGHTON ARGUS

UK NEWS
Mariah Carey wears ‘Protect the Dolls’ jacket and says ‘I’ll always be there for you’ to LGBTQ+ fans at Brighton Pride 2025
Mariah Carey lit up Brighton Pride on Saturday night in a show of glitter and allyship, donning the trans flag colours and dedicating songs in her set to the LGBTQ+ community. Opening her headline set on the main stage, the superstar appeared in a shimmering mini-dress in pink, white and blue, paired with a rhinestone-studded pink bomber jacket reading Protect the Dolls across the back, in a clear nod of solidarity to the trans community that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Later in the set, she changed into a second look in the colours of the trans pride flag
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
Crowds flock to city for Brighton Pride Parade
Hundreds of thousands of people were in Brighton for the city's annual pride parade. Sunny skies and warm temperatures help boast the numbers. The parade took over 2 hours to make its way from Hove Lawns on the seafront out to Preston Park where Pride in the Park is taking place. Later people would either stay in the park or make their way to the seafront for the pride street party which was located back on Marine parade after years of being on St' James Street. It was moved the council said following residents concerns and to allow traffic to use the street but while we were there yesterday the road was closed as 100's of people took over the street.
NEWS SOURCE: g10 NEWS

UK NEWS
Mariah Carey mobbed by fans ahead of Brighton Pride headline performance
Global superstar Mariah Carey was greeted by a throng of adoring fans outside her luxury London hotel on Wednesday, following her arrival in the UK to headline Brighton & Hove Pride 2025. The 56-year-old music icon was the picture of effortless glamour, donning knitted Dior jumper, paired with sleek black leggings and chunky boots. She completed the look with oversized sunglasses and her signature caramel waves cascading over her shoulders, as she was ushered through the crowd by her entourage.
NEWS SOURCE: SCENE MAG

UK NEWS
Gay owners of Keighley Cougars rugby club buy football club Eccleshill United FC
The UK’s first out gay owners of a professional sports team have announced the acquisition of a football club in West Yorkshire. Ryan O’Neill and Kaue Garcia, who took over Keighley Cougars rugby league club in 2019, have bought the NCEL Premier Division team Eccleshill United FC, announcing the news this Wednesday (30 July). Since taking charge of Keighley Cougars, O’Neill and Garcia have become known for using their platform to promote inclusion in sport, particularly around LGBTQ+ visibility.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITIDE

UK NEWS
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Pixie Polite hospitalised following violent homophobic attack
Brighton-born RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Pixie Polite has been hospitalised following a violent homophobic attack in a Tesco supermarket in south-west London. Brighton-born RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Pixie Polite has been hospitalised following a violent homophobic attack in a Tesco supermarket in south-west London. Pixie reported being punched in the back of the neck and head, prompting a visit to A&E where she was treated for a general head injury. Fortunately, doctors confirmed there was no concussion.
NEWS SOURCE: SCENE MAG

UK NEWS
Trailblazing activist who helped organise UK’s first Pride march to be awarded honorary doctorate by University of Brighton
The trailblazing activist who helped organise the UK’s first Pride march is to be awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Brighton today ahead of leading the line at this year's Brighton & Hove Pride march. Ted Brown, 75, who helped organise the UK’s first Gay Pride march in 1972 will be recognised for his impactful activism and social justice campaigns spanning more than half a century.
NEWS SOURCE: SCENE MAG

WORLD NEWS
St Lucia legalises same-sex intimacy, ending 10-year prison penalty
The High Court of Saint Lucia has overturned laws criminalising same-sex intimacy, marking a significant legal victory for LGBTQ+ rights in the Caribbean.. The ruling issued yesterday (29 July) overturns laws of the Criminal Code 2004 that criminalised acts of “buggery” and “gross indecency” between two consenting adults of the same sex. Originally imposed during the British colonial period, these offences previously carried punishments of up to 10 years in prison.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
Kit Connor and Joe Locke say goodbye to Heartstopper as filming wraps on movie
Netflix has officially confirmed that Heartstopper will conclude with a feature-length film titled Heartstopper Forever, set for release in 2026. The film will serve as the final chapter in the story of Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) and Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), following the end of the show’s third series in 2024 The film version replaces a previously planned fourth series and will mark the end of the Netflix adaptation of Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series by the same name.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
London Trans+ Pride sees 'record-breaking' turnout
About 100,000 people turned out for London Trans+ Pride, making it the largest such event ever, according to organisers. The march began at 13:00 BST on Saturday near BBC Broadcasting House, at Langham Place, and headed to Parliament Square Gardens. Speakers included Heartstopper actress Yasmin Finney, and trans campaigner Caroline Litman, whose trans daughter Alice took her life in 2022 after waiting almost three years for gender-affirming healthcare. Attendees said this year's event was important following the Supreme Court's April ruling,
NEWS SOURCE: BBC NEWS

UK NEWS
Manchester 'Gay Village' rapist found guilty of series of brutal attacks
A man who preyed on vulnerable individuals in Manchester’s 'Gay Village' has been found guilty of a string of horrifying sexual assaults. Sid Ali Djelid, 48, also known by the alias Mourad Malki, was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of five counts of rape following a five-week trial. Djelid targeted lone revellers around Canal Street between February and July 2024, choosing victims who were intoxicated and isolated. Djelid, an Algerian national who had been living in Cheetham Hill, now faces a lengthy prison sentence and possible deportation.
NEWS SOURCE: SCENE MAG

UK NEWS
Grindr and other platforms implement age verification checks under new Ofcom rules
New guidelines issued by UK media regulator Ofcom state that online platforms allowing the sharing of NSFW content must implement effective age verification measures starting today (25 July). The rules apply to a wide range of online services, including adult websites, social media platforms and dating apps such as Grindr, where users can access or share sexually explicit conttent.
According Verifymy, the regulations are designed to crack down on under 18s accessing pornographic material.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
Harry Styles launches vibrator and lube line
Pop star and heartthrob Harry Styles has launched a new line of sexual wellness products through his lifestyle brand Pleasing… no dildos though sadly. The new collection, titled Pleasing Yourself, features two products: a double-sided vibrator priced at £68, and a lubricant retailing for £25. All we can say is, it better do the job. The Pleasing website states the vibrator is “intuitively functional” and “aesthetically distinct,” designed to stimulate “wherever feels good, from erogenous zones to anywhere craving extra attention.”
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
Ambulance Service will not participate in Pride
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has said it will not be participating in Belfast Pride 2025 in an official organisational capacity. It said its staff are welcome to attend voluntarily as part of the HSC (Health & Social Care) LGBT Staff Forum, not in uniform. The BBC's Nolan Show understands that HSC bodies received legal counsel that they should not be seen to be participating in a protest against departmental policy. Belfast Pride organisers are protesting against a ban on prescribing puberty blockers to under-18s
NEWS SOURCE: BBC NEWS

UK NEWS
First minister 'sad' politicians not welcome at Pride over trans rights
First Minister Michelle O'Neill has expressed sadness that her party is not permitted to march in Belfast Pride this year. The Sinn Féin vice president said she would still celebrate Pride "in my own way". Stormont's four executive parties, Sinn Féin, DUP, Alliance and UUP, were told by Pride organisers that they were not welcome at the parade because they supported a ban on puberty blockers for under-18s. Stormont's Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir, who is gay, has said he will be taking part in a "personal capacity".
NEWS SOURCE: BBC NEWS

WORLD NEWS
French President and first lady sue Candace Owens after repeated claims Brigitte Macron is a man
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron filed a defamation lawsuit on Wednesday (23 July) against American right-wing podcaster and speaker Candace Owens. This follows Owens repeatedly claiming that the first lady was born male, implying she is transgender, The politician has now taken legal action, accusing Owens of launching an “outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions” in a defamation law suit.
NEWS SOURCE: ATTITUDE

UK NEWS
Reading Pride returns amid financial pressures
Organisers of Reading Pride parade and festival say support from local companies has halved, leaving the event with a £30,000 deficit. It comes after the UK Pride Organisers Network said 75% of Pride events across the UK have seen a decline in sponsorship Chief Engagement Officer of Reading Pride, Tom Price said: "Regular sponsors don't have the same funds as last year and there is a real concern for the future." It has been a challenging year for Pride events nationwide, with cancellations due to funding and volunteer shortages..
NEWS SOURCE: BBC NEWS

WORLD NEWS
US bans trans athletes from Olympics ahead of LA 2028
In a move that has sparked international controversy, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has announced a ban on trans women competing in women’s categories at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The decision comes just three years before the 2028 Summer Olympics are set to be held in Los Angeles. The policy shift, quietly introduced on the USOPC’s website and confirmed in a letter to national sport governing bodies, follows a February executive order by President Donald Trump titled Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.
NEWS SOURCE: SCENE MAGAZINE

UK NEWS
Birmingham Pride to return to city's Gay Village
Birmingham Pride has confirmed it is to return to its original location in the city's Gay Village in May next year following a search for a new home. The ticketed festival has been held in Smithfield for the past few years, but can no longer use the site because it is being redeveloped. Director Lawrence Barton said the move offered an opportunity to "realign" the festival with "core values" of "protest, inclusion and grassroots celebration". Organisers also said the event was searching for new partners after deciding to "transition away" from sponsor HSBC.
NEWS SOURCE: BBC NEWS

UK NEWS
Thousands defy rain to celebrate Pride festival
Thousands of people defied the downpours to take part in Leeds Pride this weekend. The vibrant annual festival, which celebrates LGBTQ+ life, was held in the city centre on Sunday. Despite the miserable weather, there were smiles everywhere as huge numbers turned out to watch the parade make its way across The Headrow amid a party atmosphere.. Pride's distinctive rainbow colours, music, dancing and drag queens all formed part of the fun at the festival, which was first held in Leeds in 2006.
NEWS SOURCE: BBC NEWS