As Queer Kentuckians, staying informed about LGBTQ+ news worldwide is essential. Changes in policy, activism, and culture in other regions can impact our community and efforts locally. Our weekly global news roundup keeps you updated on important LGBTQ+ developments, ensuring we remain informed and connected.

1. Hispanic Society Museum and Library Presents Photos on Queer Joy from 1970: From 1975-1976, photographer Francisco Alvarado-Juárez captured photos from the historical New York City Pride marches. These photos, titled “Out of the Closets! Into the Streets!” will be on display until August 31, 2025, celebrating the history and joy of queer people. 

1. Major Legal Victory for Lesbian Couples in Italy: Since 2004, it has been illegal for the non-biological mothers of children conceived via IVF to be considered their parents in Italy, specifically in same-sex marriages.  A ruling announced on May 22nd, 2025 has changed this, announcing that the previous law was unconstitutional. However, this ruling only applies to women who seek IVF treatments abroad, meaning there is still much work to be done. 

1. Pride Bench Set on Fire in the UK: In April, a Pride bench located in Windmill, Hitchin, UK was set on fire, and arson is suspected. Despite this, a fundraiser set up by North Herts Pride raised over £2,000, and the bench has been replaced.  

1. New Zealand First Party Proposes New Legal Definitions of Biological Sex: To reject “woke ideology”, the NZF party announced a bill defining women as “a human biological female”, and men as “a human biological male”. While it is uncertain whether the bill has the prospect of becoming an actual law, this proposal came less than a week after the UK’s highest court ruled that women will be henceforth defined by biological sex. 

1. LGBTQ+ Fundraising Event Held in New York by Naomi Watts and Kai Schreiber: Naomi Watts, and her transgender daughter Kai, hosted the “Mother Daughter Holy Spirit” fundraiser in New York on May 22nd, 2025. This is a piece of a three-part fundraising campaign led by the Trans Justice Funding Project, which has a goal of $500K.