THE MONTH IN A MINUTE

NEO-NAZIS ATTACK GAY BAR Shocking video footage of a brutal attack on a gay bar in the eastern European country of Ukraine by neo-Nazis emerges online. The CCTV images show masked men violently breaking windows, throwing furniture and a petrol bomb, while using pepper spray against security staff.

It’s reported that the far-right thugs yelled “death to faggots” and “white power” during the attack on the HvLv bar in Kyiv.

“It’s not the only attack on bars in recent years,” says Olena Shevchenko, gay rights activist. “They call it ‘safari’ or ‘raids on perverts’ mostly LGBTQIA+ people and those who look LGBTQIA+.”

Police detain 12 men in relation to the violence. It highlights the plight of gay men in the region, who regularly fear attack with little protection from the state.

HUSBAND DONATES KIDNEY American Rafael Diaz donates a kidney to save the life of his husband Reid Alexander. “To know that someone is doing this incredible thing for you, and it’s someone you love, is really an amazing feeling,” says Reid.

HIV RATES VERY LOW IN OZ HIV infection rates in Australia dropped sharply in 2020, according to a new report by the University Of New South Wales. There were just 633 new HIV diagnoses during the 12 month period, the lowest yearly rate since 1984. It’s thought to be the result of education, better protection from HIV medication (which, if working correctly, means people living with HIV cannot pass it on) and PrEP, and less sex during the pandemic.

PORN PIONEER MOURNED The porn world mourns the death of pioneering director Wakefield Poole, who transformed the gay porn genre with his landmark 1971 movie, Boys In The Sand. Celebrities and “serious” film publications gave it credibility and praise. Set on New York’s Fire Island, the film explored sexual liberation and, crucially, presented gay sex as pleasure without guilt.

MUSIC LEGEND SONDHEIM DIES Musical theatre composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim dies, prompting an outpouring of love from some of the world’s biggest stars. Sondheim, who was 91, reimagined the musicals genre, creating hits including Into The Woods, Saturday In The Park With George and Sweeney Todd. Celebrities including Hugh Jackman, Barbra Streisand and Patti LuPone take to social media to write tributes, and the lights of Broadway and London’s West End dimmed in his honour. Sondheim is survived by his husband, Jeffrey Scott Romley.

UK MILITARY REVERSES HIV BAN The UK says it will no longer bar people living with HIV from serving in the military. The Ministry Of Defence says it will now regard members of the armed forces who take HIV medication and PrEP as fully fit for operations. Activists call it a “momentous day” and a sign of how far medical science – and attitudes – have come.

RUSSIA TARGETS NETFLIX Russian censors launch an investigation into streaming giant Netf lix for violating its controversial “gay propaganda” law by making positive gay stories available. Government officials are reportedly angry that young Russians can access shows that depict LGBTQIA+ people as happy, normal people. It’s unclear whether they are aiming to fine Netf lix or ban it carrying gay content. It comes as Russia considers reclassifying all films containing gay love as hardcore porn.

LGBTQIA+ YOUTH HOMELESSNESS American youth workers warn that homelessness among LGBTQIA+ young people is at worryingly high levels, and that they are 120 times more likely than straight youth to be find themselves on the streets due to families chucking them out. Activists say more education is needed to prevent homelessness, and more money is needed to help.

QATAR SAYS GAYS ‘WELCOME’ Qatar insists gay men will be welcome when it hosts the World Cup in 2022, despite having a worrying record of abuse against LGBTQIA+ people. It comes as the country desperately tries to improve its image on the world stage in the lead up to the events next year.