Self-care note: This wrap-up includes discussion of STIs, child to parent abuse, human rights abuses, sexual abuse, anti-LGBTQIA+ policies and behaviours, gender based violence, and more. If you find this distressing or triggering, remember to take it at your own pace. You may prefer to read small sections, wait until you feel ready to read it all, or choose not to read it at all.
1. Glasgow Pride urged to drop Coca-Cola sponsorship 🏳️🌈
Scottish Green MSPs have called on Glasgow Pride to end its sponsorship agreement with Coca-Cola, arguing the company should be boycotted because its Israeli franchise operates in settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law.
In a letter to organisers, Holly Bruce, Iris Duane and Patrick Harvie urged Glasgow Pride to adopt the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) guidelines and accused companies including Coca-Cola of “pinkwashing” by promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion while being linked to alleged human rights abuses. The intervention came ahead of this weekend’s Pride celebrations in Glasgow.
Coca-Cola and Glasgow Pride have both been approached for comment. The debate reflects wider discussions within Pride movements about corporate sponsorship, solidarity, and the role of businesses in events rooted in protest and social justice.
Source: The National
2. Breast screening awareness needed for Black women in the UK 👩🏾⚕️
Awareness of breast cancer screening needs to be increased, particularly among Black women, who are less likely to attend screening appointments in the UK, a new study has found.
Conducted by the University of Surrey, the study sought to understand why Black African and Black Caribbean women in the UK are less likely to attend breast screening.
Through focus groups and interviews with 47 Black African and Black Caribbean women, the researchers found that many were unaware of the screening programme or did not understand its importance.
Participants suggested that GPs should play a more central role in providing information, as they have trusted relationships with them.
Muslim women also highlighted the importance of being able to choose a female mammographer.
Currently, only 45 per cent of Black women take part in breast screening, compared with 63 per cent of white women.
Source: News-Medical
3. Parents sexually abused by their children face a hidden crisis 🚨
A UK support organisation says more parents are seeking help after experiencing sexual abuse or harmful sexual behaviour from their children, an issue researchers describe as a “taboo within the taboo.”
Pegs, which supports families affected by child-to-parent abuse, surveyed 188 parents who had approached the organisation and found that 17% reported sexual harm from their child. Separate analysis of 2,000 parents seeking support in 2023 found that 13% had experienced harmful sexual behaviour, with mothers making up the overwhelming majority of those affected.
Researchers say the behaviour can range from sexual threats and non-consensual touching to voyeurism, exposure and rape. Parents may struggle to disclose what is happening because of shame, fear of being blamed or concern about what will happen to their child. Experts are calling for greater recognition, research and specialist support for affected families.
Source: The Guardian
4. Drug-resistant gonorrhoea cases rise across Europe 🌎
European health officials have warned of an increase in gonorrhoea infections resistant to ceftriaxone, one of the main antibiotics used to treat the STI.
While earlier cases were mostly linked to travel, evidence now suggests resistant strains are spreading locally in parts of Europe and the UK. France, Germany, Sweden and the UK have reported notable increases, although the overall number of cases remains limited and all reported infections have so far been successfully treated.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is urging countries to strengthen surveillance, testing and partner notification. It also recommends clear, non-stigmatising information about safer sex, regular STI testing and seeking care after symptoms or possible exposure.
Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
5. New TV guidelines issued to prevent the sexualisation of female athletes 🏃🏼♀️➡️
European Athletics and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have launched new guidelines aimed at preventing the sexualisation of female athletes.
Among the new recommendations is the need to avoid prolonged close-up shots of specific body parts and low-angle views from behind.
The guidelines ask broadcasters to focus solely on athletic performance and avoid any shots that do not help viewers understand the action or that could be considered inappropriate or taken out of context.
The new recommendations follow feedback from athletes who complained about camera shots that made them feel uncomfortable and sexualised them, rather than focusing on their performances.
Source: Reuters
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6. Andrew and Tristan Tate arrested in US over UK charges 🚨
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been arrested in the United States as British authorities seek their extradition over a series of alleged sexual offences.
The Crown Prosecution Service has announced further charges against Andrew Tate, including seven additional counts of rape, as well as allegations relating to sex trafficking and indecent images of a child. Tristan Tate faces charges including rape, sexual assault and facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation. The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 2010 and 2017, and the total number of alleged victims in the case is now seven.
The brothers, who have previously denied wrongdoing, were taken into custody as part of US extradition proceedings. Their lawyer described the charges as politically motivated, while UK prosecutors said the decisions followed the receipt of further evidence from Bedfordshire Police.
Source: BBC News
7. Organisations support Romanian Pride after risk of being blocked 🌈
In a joint statement, 125 international LGBTQIA+ organisations have expressed their support for the LGBTQIA+ community in Oradea, Romania, after local authorities appeared to be trying to block the Pride march.
The march is due to take place on 25 July, and the organisers said they submitted notification of the march within the legal deadline and proposed more than 100 possible routes.
Despite this, the local authorities rejected the proposal, saying that all the routes were either already reserved for other events or passed through construction sites.
After the Pride march was blocked in Oradea for four consecutive years, the organisations are calling on the local and central authorities to allow the LGBTQIA+ community to exercise its right to freedom of assembly and expression and to participate in public life.
Source: ILGA-Europe
8. Many women still confused about perimenopause 🌸
Many women are still unsure about perimenopause and their stage of life, a new study has found.
Conducted on more than 7,600 US women aged 35 or over, the study found that 34% of participants were uncertain about their reproductive stage.
Many reported confusion about symptoms and whether they were related to perimenopause, as well as gaps in knowledge and barriers to accessing healthcare.
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, and its symptoms may significantly affect quality of life and wellbeing.
The wide variation in symptoms, limited awareness, barriers to healthcare and misinformation can all affect perimenopausal people’s access to care.
Source: The Menopause Society
9. Australian venue risks eviction for hosting LGBTQIA+ events 🏳️🌈
An arts venue in a deconsecrated church in Sydney has been ordered by its landlord to stop “engaging in offensive trade” after religious groups protested against it.
The venue, called Divine Playhouse, opened with the aim of providing a safe space for artists, but has been accused of mocking “religious faith” by religious groups.
Catholic and Christian groups gathered outside the venue on its opening night, calling for its funding to be withdrawn.
The venue has cancelled its weekend events, while its Instagram account and that of its organiser have been taken down following complaints.
Source: The Guardian
Main image: Richard Cosgrove/Flickr
