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🚨 AUSTRALIA: Victoria Police will not march in this year’s Midsumma Pride March after organisers introduced a uniform ba...
22/01/2025

🚨 AUSTRALIA: Victoria Police will not march in this year’s Midsumma Pride March after organisers introduced a uniform ban to create a safer space for LGBTQIA+ attendees. The decision follows tensions at last year’s event and comes as Transgender Victoria also withdraws, calling for urgent police reform. Read more about the ongoing debate over inclusion and community safety. ⬇️ +

Victoria Police have announced they will not participate in this year’s Midsumma Pride March, citing the festival’s new uniform policy as “a backwards step for inclusion.” The decision follows Mid…

🔥 Taylor Zakhar Perez is turning up the heat as the face of Lacoste’s global underwear campaign! The Red, White & Royal ...
22/01/2025

🔥 Taylor Zakhar Perez is turning up the heat as the face of Lacoste’s global underwear campaign! The Red, White & Royal Blue star smoulders in bold new shots, all while gearing up for the sequel to the beloved film and launching a production company to uplift Latin voices in Hollywood. See the stunning campaign at yourex.co.nz!

https://gayexpress.co.nz/2025/01/red-white-royal-blue-star-heats-up-lacostes-new-campaign/

Red, White & Royal Blue star Taylor Zakhar Perez is turning heads as the latest ambassador for Lacoste’s global underwear campaign. “It’s an honour to join Lacoste as an ambassador,” says Pere…

🔥 Trump vs. Bishop Mariann Budde - President Donald Trump is demanding an apology from Bishop Mariann Budde after she us...
22/01/2025

🔥 Trump vs. Bishop Mariann Budde - President Donald Trump is demanding an apology from Bishop Mariann Budde after she used a sermon to urge him to show compassion toward immigrants and LGBTQ+ youth. The bishop’s call for mercy was met with a fiery response from Trump, who slammed her as a "Radical Left Trump hater." Read more about the heated exchange. 👇

President Donald Trump is demanding an apology from Bishop Mariann Budde after she used a sermon to urge him to “have mercy” on immigrants and LGBTQ+ children. The newly sworn-in president took to…

🏳️‍🌈 "Starting a family as a same-sex couple in New Zealand isn’t easy. My partner and I hoped to adopt, but the reality...
22/01/2025

🏳️‍🌈 "Starting a family as a same-sex couple in New Zealand isn’t easy. My partner and I hoped to adopt, but the reality of the adoption process was more complex than we ever imagined. From navigating Oranga Tamariki’s system to discovering the barriers same-sex couples face, our journey has been eye-opening. Read about our experience and what we’ve learned along the way."



One Kiwi man shares his story of trying to adopt children in New Zealand with his same-sex partner. As two men in a committed relationship, it can be tricky to know when the right time is to start…

🚨 The Trump administration’s State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has introduced a new policy allowi...
22/01/2025

🚨 The Trump administration’s State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has introduced a new policy allowing only the U.S. flag to be flown at government outposts. The rule prohibits embassies from displaying LGBTQ+ pride flags, reversing policies from the Biden era. 🇺🇸



The Trump administration’s State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has reportedly implemented a new policy restricting flag displays at U.S. government outposts both domestically …

🏳️‍🌈 Thailand makes history! This week, hundreds of same-sex couples will legally marry as the country’s marriage equali...
21/01/2025

🏳️‍🌈 Thailand makes history! This week, hundreds of same-sex couples will legally marry as the country’s marriage equality laws come into effect. 🇹🇭 Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra calls it a moment of "honour and dignity." Is Thailand setting the standard for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia? 🌏💍

Hundreds of same-sex couples in Thailand are preparing to legally marry this Thursday, as the country’s marriage equality laws officially come into effect, marking a historic moment for LGBT…

🌍 "The Vatican is shifting—but not everyone is on board." Moscow Archbishop Paolo Pezzi rejects reports of a more inclus...
21/01/2025

🌍 "The Vatican is shifting—but not everyone is on board." Moscow Archbishop Paolo Pezzi rejects reports of a more inclusive stance on gay priests, insisting the ban remains. But with Pope Francis leading change, is he out of step with the Church’s future? 🤔

Catholic Archbishop Paolo Pezzi, Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow, has dismissed reports suggesting that the Vatican now welcomes homosexuals into the priesthood, cal…

📢 "Have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now." At a national prayer service, Bishop Mariann Edgar Bud...
21/01/2025

📢 "Have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now." At a national prayer service, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde urged President Trump to show compassion towards immigrants and LGBT youth as he begins his second term. Will his administration listen? 🤔

At a national prayer service marking the beginning of his second term, US President Donald Trump was urged by a religious leader to show compassion and mercy towards vulnerable communities. During…

🎭 WIN TICKETS to see the legendary Panti Bliss LIVE at Auckland's Pride! 🌈✨The queen of drag and accidental activist, Pa...
21/01/2025

🎭 WIN TICKETS to see the legendary Panti Bliss LIVE at Auckland's Pride! 🌈✨

The queen of drag and accidental activist, Panti Bliss, is bringing her smash-hit comedy show ‘If These Wigs Could Talk’ to Auckland this Pride! —and thanks to Auckland Live, you and a friend could be there! 💃🔥

Expect hilarious storytelling, sharp wit, and a whole lot of fabulousness in this unmissable show!

🎟️ Want in? head to yourex.co.nz to go in the draw for tickets to the Thursday, 20th Feb, 7PM show at Wintergarden, The Civic!

+ ***rComedy

https://gayexpress.co.nz/2025/01/%f0%9f%8e%89-win-tickets-to-see-the-legendary-panti-bliss-live-%f0%9f%8e%ad%e2%9c%a8/

The iconic drag artist and accidental activist Panti Bliss is bringing her smash-hit comedy show, ‘If These Wigs Could Talk’, to Auckland Pride Festival — and you and a friend could be there! 🏳️‍…

👑 Lazy Susan is your Drag Race Down Under Season 4 winner! 🏳️‍🌈✨From her Kick Ons roots to snatching the crown, Lazy Sus...
21/01/2025

👑 Lazy Susan is your Drag Race Down Under Season 4 winner! 🏳️‍🌈✨

From her Kick Ons roots to snatching the crown, Lazy Susan’s journey is all about persistence, talent, and perfectly timed opportunities. She spills on breaking the ‘Down Under curse’, Michelle Visage taking over as head judge, and what’s next—including a possible Palmy Drag Fest appearance! 👀

🎙️ Catch her on the podcast "Death To Everyone" and follow her at !



Lazy Susan, the newly crowned champion of Drag Race Down Under Season 4, is no stranger to the spotlight. Known for her work on the Drag Race Down Under review show Kick Ons with Art Simone, she h…

🚨Project 2025 is more than just an American issue—it’s a global threat , explains Elijah Luke Michel🚨With Trump’s return...
21/01/2025

🚨Project 2025 is more than just an American issue—it’s a global threat , explains Elijah Luke Michel🚨

With Trump’s return to power and right-wing governments gaining traction worldwide, LGBTQIA+ rights are at risk. In Aotearoa, our education system is already being rewritten to erase trans and q***r identities.

Now is the time to push back. We must:
✊ Defend Relationship & Sexuality Education
✊ Fight against erasure in schools and policy
✊ Keep church and state separate

Love your allies. Stand your ground. We’ve got this. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

+ ***rEducation

Elijah Luke Michel reflects on our government’s recent changes to Relationship and Sexuality Education, the potential for President Trump to implement Project 2025, and proposes an agenda of his o…

🔥 Omar Apollo isn’t here for homophobia—or watering himself down.After posting a steamy still from Q***r with Daniel Cra...
21/01/2025

🔥 Omar Apollo isn’t here for homophobia—or watering himself down.

After posting a steamy still from Q***r with Daniel Craig, some followers unfollowed. Omar’s response? “Unfollow me if you’re a homophobe. You’re not my target audience.”

He doubled down: “I will never make myself ‘palatable.’ This isn’t my life; I AM life. Stupid.”

📺 Q***r, directed by Luca Guadagnino, is now streaming—so the DLs have no excuse. 😉

***rMovie ***rCinema

Grammy-nominated artist Omar Apollo—the voice behind hits like Evergreen—has never been one to shrink himself for anyone. And when his latest post sparked controversy, the 27-year-old star made it…

💭 Feeling the pressure of the new year? Let’s take a step back.Instead of obsessing over resolutions and "shoulds", let’...
21/01/2025

💭 Feeling the pressure of the new year? Let’s take a step back.

Instead of obsessing over resolutions and "shoulds", let’s move with love—for ourselves and our community.

👉 Did you grow at all last year? Then you’ve already won.
👉 Still being too hard on yourself? You don’t deserve that.
👉 Hoping for more kindness in 2025? Same here.

Let’s drop the self-judgment, appreciate what we have, and make this year about compassion—for ourselves and each other. 🏳️‍🌈✨

***rCommunity

With many feeling nervous about how the new year will play out as Trump steps back into power, Dick Richards recommends ways to tackle 2025 with gratitude and self-esteem. And just like that, the …

🏳️‍🌈 Big Gay Out 2024: No Politicians on Stage This Year 🏳️‍⚧️Auckland’s Big Gay Out is taking a new approach to politic...
20/01/2025

🏳️‍🌈 Big Gay Out 2024: No Politicians on Stage This Year 🏳️‍⚧️

Auckland’s Big Gay Out is taking a new approach to political engagement, with MPs no longer given mainstage time, keeping the stage “just for talent.”

The decision follows past controversies around political participation at Pride events. Labour MP Shanan Halbert says “Pride is political” and criticises the government’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights.

What do you think? Should politicians have a platform at Pride events? 🤔👇

MPs will not be taking the mainstage at this year’s Auckland Big Gay Out, as organisers reassess how they engage with politicians at the annual Pride event. Burnett Foundation Aotearoa, which host…

🚨 Donald Trump is set to sign up to 200 executive orders on his first day in office, with a ban on trans women in female...
20/01/2025

🚨 Donald Trump is set to sign up to 200 executive orders on his first day in office, with a ban on trans women in female sports expected to be among them. His sweeping policy moves will also target immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and DEI initiatives.

At a victory rally, Trump told supporters they will see executive orders that will make them “extremely happy.” His administration calls it the most extensive list of executive actions in US history.

What do you think of Trump’s first-day plans? Let us know in the comments. 👇

Donald Trump is set to sign a sweeping number of executive orders—potentially as many as 200—on his first day back in office, with a ban on trans women competing in female sports expected to be am…

🚨 BREAKING: Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, marking the start of his second t...
20/01/2025

🚨 BREAKING: Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, marking the start of his second term. In his inaugural speech, he declared that his administration will recognise only two genders – “male and female” – and pledged to roll back government policies on race and gender.

His return to office has sparked mass protests and concern from LGBTQ+ advocates, who fear a rollback of rights. GLAAD and The Trevor Project have issued statements urging Americans to stand up for equality.

What do you think of Trump’s latest policy declarations? Let us know in the comments. 👇

Donald Trump has officially begun his second term as President of the United States, taking the oath of office on Monday (20 January) at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., alongside his vice pres…

🚨 Scott Bessent set to make history! 🚨Donald Trump’s Treasury Secretary nominee, Scott Bessent, is poised to become the ...
20/01/2025

🚨 Scott Bessent set to make history! 🚨

Donald Trump’s Treasury Secretary nominee, Scott Bessent, is poised to become the highest-ranking openly LGBTQ+ official in US history if confirmed. A billionaire hedge fund manager with a long Wall Street career, Bessent is set to shape Trump’s economic policies. However, his nomination raises questions given his alignment with an administration that has challenged LGBTQ+ rights.

📍 Read more about his career, net worth, and family. +

Donald Trump’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, could make history as the first openly LGBTQ+ member of a Republican cabinet approved by the Senate. If confirmed, he would also…

🐻✨ Bear New Zealand Week 2025 is here! We caught up with organiser Paul Heard to chat about the biggest bear event of th...
17/01/2025

🐻✨ Bear New Zealand Week 2025 is here! We caught up with organiser Paul Heard to chat about the biggest bear event of the year. From the infamous UnderBear Party to the hilarious Funny, Fierce & Furry comedy night, and the crowning of Mr Bear New Zealand’s 20th winner, this year’s lineup is 🔥.

📅 Feb 5–9, Auckland


Auckland’s Biggest Bear Celebration Returns Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 February. Bear New Zealand Week is back for 2025, bringing a jam-packed lineup of social events, dance parties, and community ga…

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express is New Zealand's leading LGBT+ publication. For more than 29 years our goal has been to inform and support our community by delving into relevant people, stories and events.