Philip Baldwin
@philipcbaldwin.bsky.social
LGBTQIA+/HIV activist and writer (he/him/his). GAY TIMES column. Church of England General Synod Member. WATCH Trustee. Trans inclusive. Views my own. Press: lucy@wearelucy.co.uk
“The Black Cat, a gay bar in Los Angeles’s Silver Lake neighborhood, was raided by police on New Year’s Eve of 1966. As balloons dropped from the ceiling to mark the New Year of 1967, undercover cops ripped Christmas decorations from the walls.”
www.advocate.com/history/blac...
www.advocate.com/history/blac...
How a police raid sparked L.A.'s Black Cat protests — which predated Stonewall and birthed The Advocate
Angelenos rose up against police brutality at a gay bar in Los Angeles's Silver Lake neighborhood.
www.advocate.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:10 AM
“The Black Cat, a gay bar in Los Angeles’s Silver Lake neighborhood, was raided by police on New Year’s Eve of 1966. As balloons dropped from the ceiling to mark the New Year of 1967, undercover cops ripped Christmas decorations from the walls.”
www.advocate.com/history/blac...
www.advocate.com/history/blac...
“New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has named Lillian Bonsignore commissioner of the Fire Department of New York, making her the second woman and first out gay person in that post.”
www.advocate.com/news/bonsign...
www.advocate.com/news/bonsign...
Who is Lillian Bonsignore — set to be first out gay Fire Department of New York commissioner?
<p>New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Bonsignore's appointment Tuesday. She will also be the second woman in the post.</p>
www.advocate.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:05 AM
“New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has named Lillian Bonsignore commissioner of the Fire Department of New York, making her the second woman and first out gay person in that post.”
www.advocate.com/news/bonsign...
www.advocate.com/news/bonsign...
“a direct threat not only to people identifying as LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex), but also to journalists, academics, artists, human rights defenders, and civil society actors.”
Sad news from #Kazakhstan
www.advocate.com/news/kazakhs...
Sad news from #Kazakhstan
www.advocate.com/news/kazakhs...
Kazakhstan bans so-called LGBTQ+ propaganda
The definition of propaganda includes anything promoting LGBTQ+ rights.
www.advocate.com
December 31, 2025 at 10:51 AM
“a direct threat not only to people identifying as LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex), but also to journalists, academics, artists, human rights defenders, and civil society actors.”
Sad news from #Kazakhstan
www.advocate.com/news/kazakhs...
Sad news from #Kazakhstan
www.advocate.com/news/kazakhs...
“A selection of the most powerful images of the year, which speak to the collective resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.”
#Pride #LoveIsLove
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/26/t...
#Pride #LoveIsLove
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/26/t...
The most powerful LGBTQ+ images of 2025
2025 has been a real rollercoaster when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, with some victories but many more regressive steps around the world.
www.thepinknews.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM
“A selection of the most powerful images of the year, which speak to the collective resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.”
#Pride #LoveIsLove
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/26/t...
#Pride #LoveIsLove
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/26/t...
“Transgender people are under violent assault, both physical and spiritual. For too long, such violence has been justified by appeals to religion.” – Reverend Liz Edman
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/29/u...
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/29/u...
US Christians gather to protest violence against trans people: 'Not in Jesus' name'
US Christians gathered at the Wisconsin State Capitol to protest the "religious condemnation" of the trans community.
www.thepinknews.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM
“Transgender people are under violent assault, both physical and spiritual. For too long, such violence has been justified by appeals to religion.” – Reverend Liz Edman
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/29/u...
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/29/u...
“It is deeply disappointing that the chief constable continues to refuse to say sorry. A mayoral apology, welcome though it is, cannot substitute for an apology from the police force that carried out these abuses.” – Peter Tatchell
@petertatchell.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
@petertatchell.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Andy Burnham apologises for past police LGBTQ+ discrimination
Greater Manchester mayor acknowledges ‘unacceptable discrimination’ after region’s police chief declined to apologise
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
“It is deeply disappointing that the chief constable continues to refuse to say sorry. A mayoral apology, welcome though it is, cannot substitute for an apology from the police force that carried out these abuses.” – Peter Tatchell
@petertatchell.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
@petertatchell.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“Analysis of social media posts by the country’s biggest companies found mentions of Pride had plummeted by 92% since 2023, mirroring a trend seen in large American firms.”
#Pride
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
#Pride
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Revealed: how big businesses are rolling back public support for Pride
Guardian analysis of 20 major companies in UK and US shows mentions of Pride on social media have fallen substantially in past two years
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
“Analysis of social media posts by the country’s biggest companies found mentions of Pride had plummeted by 92% since 2023, mirroring a trend seen in large American firms.”
#Pride
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
#Pride
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
“This review is a missed opportunity to give all trans people timely and local access to gender-affirming hormones on the basis of informed consent – the most effective way to clear eight-year long waiting lists.” – Tammy Hymas
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/19/n...
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/19/n...
NHS England has no record of total number of trans people in country
NHS England has seemingly no idea how many trans people are in the UK, according to an excerpt from the newly-published Levy Review.
www.thepinknews.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:22 PM
“This review is a missed opportunity to give all trans people timely and local access to gender-affirming hormones on the basis of informed consent – the most effective way to clear eight-year long waiting lists.” – Tammy Hymas
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/19/n...
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/19/n...
“This is the eighth Christmas that LGBTQ+ people will face since the UK Government committed to a conversion practices ban, with that promise not having been met. Prime Ministers have personally committed to these practices.”
#BanConversionPractices
#BanConversionPractices
December 18, 2025 at 8:10 PM
“This is the eighth Christmas that LGBTQ+ people will face since the UK Government committed to a conversion practices ban, with that promise not having been met. Prime Ministers have personally committed to these practices.”
#BanConversionPractices
#BanConversionPractices
“It’s still something to do with the fact that if you want to be really successful, you have to conform to what is deemed to be heterosexual taste, or something. Or be sexy in a heterosexual way.” – Ben Wishaw
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
‘To be really successful, you have to be sexy in a straight way’: Ben Whishaw on libidinous New York and playing Peter Hujar
Peter Hujar captured a queer Manhattan demi-monde that is now lost to Aids. Whishaw reveals what he learned playing the photographer in a minimalist film being hailed by some as a masterpiece
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:55 PM
“It’s still something to do with the fact that if you want to be really successful, you have to conform to what is deemed to be heterosexual taste, or something. Or be sexy in a heterosexual way.” – Ben Wishaw
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
“There’s the weight of history, and so many brilliant people before me who’ve changed perceptions of sexuality. Any prejudice is something to fight against – and what better way than by playing any kind of character?” – Jonathan Bailey
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/18/j...
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/18/j...
Jonathan Bailey officially becomes highest-grossing actor of 2025
Wicked: For Good star Jonathan Bailey is popular indeed: he has officially been named as the highest-grossing actor of 2025.
www.thepinknews.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:50 PM
“There’s the weight of history, and so many brilliant people before me who’ve changed perceptions of sexuality. Any prejudice is something to fight against – and what better way than by playing any kind of character?” – Jonathan Bailey
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/18/j...
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/18/j...
“I am proud that I took every political risk for the sake of my city’s freedom, and I stand proudly before the court to defend my own freedom and that of my city.” – Gergely Karacsony
#BudapestPride
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/12/b...
#BudapestPride
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/12/b...
Budapest mayor says he faces government charges for allowing Pride rally
Budapest’s mayor Gergely Karácsony has revealed that he faces charges for helping to organise a banned Pride event in the city.
www.thepinknews.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
“I am proud that I took every political risk for the sake of my city’s freedom, and I stand proudly before the court to defend my own freedom and that of my city.” – Gergely Karacsony
#BudapestPride
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/12/b...
#BudapestPride
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/12/b...
“We need to move to a place around HIV, without delay, stigma or shame, where people are able to talk openly about their experiences and we are able to find humanity and compassion as a society.” – Zack Polanski
@zackpolanski.bsky.social
www.gaytimes.com/community/gr...
@zackpolanski.bsky.social
www.gaytimes.com/community/gr...
Green Party leader Zack Polanski: 'We need a society where HIV is met with openness, not stigma'
Philip Baldwin speaks with Green Party leader Zack Polanski for World AIDS Day about the party’s HIV priorities.
www.gaytimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 8:44 AM
“We need to move to a place around HIV, without delay, stigma or shame, where people are able to talk openly about their experiences and we are able to find humanity and compassion as a society.” – Zack Polanski
@zackpolanski.bsky.social
www.gaytimes.com/community/gr...
@zackpolanski.bsky.social
www.gaytimes.com/community/gr...
“The data for transgender people is particularly alarming — there were 102 anti-trans hate crimes in the city last year, a staggering 95 percent of which were violent.”
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.advocate.com/crime/anti-l...
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.advocate.com/crime/anti-l...
Anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes reached record-highs last year in this gay haven
In one of the friendliest cities for LGBTQ+ people, hate crimes based on gender identity reached a "record-high" last year.
www.advocate.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:58 AM
“The data for transgender people is particularly alarming — there were 102 anti-trans hate crimes in the city last year, a staggering 95 percent of which were violent.”
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.advocate.com/crime/anti-l...
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.advocate.com/crime/anti-l...
“While there is no evidence to suggest the presence of trans women in women's spaces endangers other women, transgender inmates are 10 times more likely to report being sexually victimized than other prisoners.”
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.advocate.com/politics/lgb...
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.advocate.com/politics/lgb...
Trump DOJ rolls back policies protecting LGBTQ+ inmates from sexual violence
Trump's DOJ will no longer enforce safety standards for LGBTQ+ inmates in the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
www.advocate.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:55 AM
“While there is no evidence to suggest the presence of trans women in women's spaces endangers other women, transgender inmates are 10 times more likely to report being sexually victimized than other prisoners.”
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.advocate.com/politics/lgb...
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.advocate.com/politics/lgb...
“We need to move to a place around HIV, without delay, stigma or shame, where people are able to talk openly about their experiences and we are able to find humanity and compassion as a society.” – Zack Polanski
@zackpolanski.bsky.social
www.gaytimes.com/community/gr...
@zackpolanski.bsky.social
www.gaytimes.com/community/gr...
Green Party leader Zack Polanski: 'We need a society where HIV is met with openness, not stigma'
Philip Baldwin speaks with Green Party leader Zack Polanski for World AIDS Day about the party’s HIV priorities.
www.gaytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
“We need to move to a place around HIV, without delay, stigma or shame, where people are able to talk openly about their experiences and we are able to find humanity and compassion as a society.” – Zack Polanski
@zackpolanski.bsky.social
www.gaytimes.com/community/gr...
@zackpolanski.bsky.social
www.gaytimes.com/community/gr...
“Mamdani's campaign promises include making NYC a sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ people and recipients of gender-affirming care, which would prevent the release of information or the arrest and extradition of someone based on another state's court orders.” #ZohranMamdani www.advocate.com/politics/zoh...
Here's what Zohran Mamdani has promised to do for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers as mayor
Here's everything Zohran Mamdani wants to do for LGBTQ+ people in NYC.
www.advocate.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:42 AM
“Mamdani's campaign promises include making NYC a sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ people and recipients of gender-affirming care, which would prevent the release of information or the arrest and extradition of someone based on another state's court orders.” #ZohranMamdani www.advocate.com/politics/zoh...
“I’m affirming and saying to all of you that I am transgender, and so the best way to put this is that I’m not becoming a woman, I’m giving up pretending to be a man.” – Rev. Dr. Phillippa Phaneuf
#TransJoy #TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.advocate.com/news/phillip...
#TransJoy #TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.advocate.com/news/phillip...
Upstate New York Methodist minister comes out as transgender to congregation during Sunday service
"I’m affirming and saying to all of you that I am transgender, and so the best way to put this is that I’m not becoming a woman, I’m giving up pretending to be a man," Rev. Dr. Phillippa Phaneuf told ...
www.advocate.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:34 AM
“I’m affirming and saying to all of you that I am transgender, and so the best way to put this is that I’m not becoming a woman, I’m giving up pretending to be a man.” – Rev. Dr. Phillippa Phaneuf
#TransJoy #TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.advocate.com/news/phillip...
#TransJoy #TransRightsAreHumanRights
www.advocate.com/news/phillip...
“The cross-border community demonstration celebrated the sexuality, visibility and rights of queer people living with HIV and queer migrants on the border.”
#HIV #WorldAIDSDay
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/02/h...
#HIV #WorldAIDSDay
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/02/h...
HIV-positive men hold kiss-in next to Trump's border wall for World AIDS Day
HIV-postive men have held a kiss-in next to Trump’s Mexico border wall in honour of World AIDS Day after the President did not speak on it.
www.thepinknews.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:32 PM
“The cross-border community demonstration celebrated the sexuality, visibility and rights of queer people living with HIV and queer migrants on the border.”
#HIV #WorldAIDSDay
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/02/h...
#HIV #WorldAIDSDay
www.thepinknews.com/2025/12/02/h...
Reposted by Philip Baldwin
"We need to move to a place around HIV, without delay, stigma or shame, where people are able to talk openly about their experiences and we are able to find humanity and compassion as a society"
@zackpolanski.bsky.social speaking to @philipcbaldwin.bsky.social for @gaytimes.bsky.social today.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social speaking to @philipcbaldwin.bsky.social for @gaytimes.bsky.social today.
December 1, 2025 at 2:40 PM
"We need to move to a place around HIV, without delay, stigma or shame, where people are able to talk openly about their experiences and we are able to find humanity and compassion as a society"
@zackpolanski.bsky.social speaking to @philipcbaldwin.bsky.social for @gaytimes.bsky.social today.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social speaking to @philipcbaldwin.bsky.social for @gaytimes.bsky.social today.
Reposted by Philip Baldwin
For our community, it’s more than a ribbon.
It’s remembering everyone lost to HIV. It’s a promise to support people living with HIV. It’s a pledge to end new cases of HIV by 2030. It’s a stand against HIV stigma.
Donate now.
tht.org.uk/ribbon
It’s remembering everyone lost to HIV. It’s a promise to support people living with HIV. It’s a pledge to end new cases of HIV by 2030. It’s a stand against HIV stigma.
Donate now.
tht.org.uk/ribbon
December 1, 2025 at 6:01 AM
For our community, it’s more than a ribbon.
It’s remembering everyone lost to HIV. It’s a promise to support people living with HIV. It’s a pledge to end new cases of HIV by 2030. It’s a stand against HIV stigma.
Donate now.
tht.org.uk/ribbon
It’s remembering everyone lost to HIV. It’s a promise to support people living with HIV. It’s a pledge to end new cases of HIV by 2030. It’s a stand against HIV stigma.
Donate now.
tht.org.uk/ribbon
“We need to move to a place around HIV, without delay, stigma or shame, where people are able to talk openly about their experiences and we are able to find humanity and compassion as a society, for LGBTQIA+ and straight people living with HIV." – @zackpolanski.bsky.social #WorldAIDSDay
December 1, 2025 at 2:45 PM
“We need to move to a place around HIV, without delay, stigma or shame, where people are able to talk openly about their experiences and we are able to find humanity and compassion as a society, for LGBTQIA+ and straight people living with HIV." – @zackpolanski.bsky.social #WorldAIDSDay
December 1, 2025 at 10:56 AM
“Stories of the devastating impact of US, British and wider European aid cuts on the fight against HIV – particularly in sub-Saharan Africa – continue to mount as 2025 comes to an end.”
#WorldAIDSDay
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
#WorldAIDSDay
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
How the cuts have shaken HIV/Aids care to its core and will mean millions more infections ahead
Reports highlight devastating impact of slashed funding, especially in parts of Africa, that could lead to 3.3m new HIV infections by 2030
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:24 AM
“Stories of the devastating impact of US, British and wider European aid cuts on the fight against HIV – particularly in sub-Saharan Africa – continue to mount as 2025 comes to an end.”
#WorldAIDSDay
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
#WorldAIDSDay
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
I take one tablet daily, the only reminder that I'm living with HIV. It keeps my viral load undetectable, meaning that I can't pass HIV on. I can expect a normal lifespan. One of the greatest challenges is stigma, due to a lack of knowledge. HIV has changed. #WorldAIDSDay
December 1, 2025 at 6:14 AM
I take one tablet daily, the only reminder that I'm living with HIV. It keeps my viral load undetectable, meaning that I can't pass HIV on. I can expect a normal lifespan. One of the greatest challenges is stigma, due to a lack of knowledge. HIV has changed. #WorldAIDSDay