In Mexico, Sinaloa lawmakers voted against a measure that would have legalized same-sex marriage in the state, with 20 votes against and 18 in favor, Mexico News Daily reported. Most of the "yes" votes came from the ruling Morena party, which holds 23 of the 40 seats in the Sinaloa Congress. However, six defectors from Morena, along with deputies from the other parties, were able to block passage of the bill. Morena Deputy Francisca Abello criticized the opposition for voting against the bill.
Sir Elton John joined French President Emmanuel Macron to call on the world to raise at least $14 billion for the Global Fund to save 16 million lives over the next three years, a Fund press relesae stated. The two addressed supporters of the Solidays music festival after President Macron presented Sir Elton the Legion d'honneur, France's highest award, for his lifetime contribution to the arts and the fight against HIV. Macron presented the award to John at a ceremony at the Élysre Palace in Paris in the presence of global health leaders including Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund; and Lelio Marmora, executive director of Unitaid.
In Ukraine, thousands marched through the capital of Kiev for its annual gay-pride eventthe largest and most peaceful the country has seen, BBC.com reported. Ukrainian politicians joined the celebration, with organizers putting the number of attendees at 8,000up from 5,000 last year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a former comedian who took office last month, has made clear his intention to promote tolerance in a country where the LGBT community is often under attack. Despite a few scuffles, there were only nine arrests before the event.
A gay Nigerian former priest has received an award in recognition of his work supporting LGBTI African refugees, Gay Star News noted. John Adewoye has received the Unsung Heroes Award from the Black LGBTIQ Migrant Project ( BLMP ) and AfroNYC, according to NoStringsNG. Adewoye is a former Roman Catholic priest who is now happily married to his Nigerian partner.
In Scotland, ahead of this year's Pride Edinburgh, organizers launched an initiative focused on the people who are making Pride great, Gay Star News noted. "Humans of Pride Edinburgh" is a photographic project putting a spotlight on the everyday lives of the LGBTI community. The theme of Pride Edinburgh, which took place June 22, was "This Is Me."
Organizers of Georgia's first LGBT+ pride march called off the event at the last minute after a wave of political unrest in Tbilisi that left hundreds of people injured, Openly News reported. LGBT+ Georgians had been planning to go ahead with a rally in the capital despite threats from extreme right-wing groups and fierce opposition from the influential Orthodox Church.
In Israel, dozens of people demonstrated in Be'er Sheva to protest the pride parade taking place in the city, Israel National News noted. Among the participants were Rabbi Tzvi Kostiner, head of the Mitzpeh Ramon Yeshiva; Rabbi Shimon Cohen, head of Beth Moriah institutions in the city; Rabbi Dror Aryeh of the Chazon movement; city council member Gadi Mazuz; and other rabbis.
Police in the South Korean city of Daegu have granted permission for a pride event scheduled for June 29 to take place, Gay Star News reported. Daegu police came under fire last year for failing to prevent violence. Daegu Queer Culture Festival had provided human rights training to local police following last year's pride.
London police arrested several teenagers in the "homophobic" attack on a lesbian couple who were beaten bloody on a double-decker bus, CBS News reported. One of the victims, Melania Geymonat, described her harrowing experience of the incident on social media, saying a group of young men demanded she kiss her girlfriend, Chris, for their entertainment. London Mayor Sadiq Khan called the assault a "disgusting, misogynistic attack" on Twitter.
The late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away in February from pancreatic cancer, was in talks with L'Oréal Paris to create a collaborative makeup line prior to his death. And on June 25, the beauty conglomerate announced that it will be moving ahead with the one-off collection in partnership with Lagerfeld's eponymous fashion label, Page Six noted. The line will be available online beginning Sept. 20, with a global release set for Sept. 27, during Paris Fashion Week.
The soccer world continues to allow anti-gay chants at world-class matches, Outsports noted. Both the Rose Bowl and Concacaf allowed the anti-gay and homophobic "puto" chant to descend on the crowd as many as 50 times, according to video and people on Twitter. The chant during Mexico's 7-0 rout of Cuba was widespread, very loud and involved a huge number of people in the stands.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have officially split from The Royal Foundation, their former joint charity with Kate Middleton and Prince William, People.com noted. "The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex has today announced the conclusions of a review into its structure, and how it will best support Their Royal Highnesses with future charitable activity," according to a statement.
Ralph Lauren was made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire ( KBE ) for Services to Fashionmaking him the first U.S. designer to be so recognized, Vogue.com noted. Compatriots who have been similarly singled out for their contributions to "British interests" include three Presidents; Bill and Melinda Gates; and Apple Senior Vice President of Retail Angela Ahrendts. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales presented Lauren with the insignia in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
The band a-ha is having a contest that gives fans an opportunity to predict the exact time and date of when the video of "Take On Me" will reach 1 billion views on YouTube, a press release noted. One winner and that person's guest will be flown to Norwaya-ha's home countrywhere they'll meet the band and watch them perform live on Feb. 7, 2020. See A-ha.com/takeonme. In 1986, "Take On Me" won six MTV Video Music Awards for its groundbreaking combination of pencil-sketch animation and live action.